Amupitan sounds security alert, demands neutrality as INEC tests north-east readiness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up preparations for the 2027 general election, with its Joash Amupitan charging electoral officials across the North-East to uphold neutrality, strengthen operational readiness and prioritise security as the countdown to the polls gathers momentum.

Leading a regional readiness assessment in Gombe, Amupitan brought together National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the six North-East states and other senior officials to scrutinise preparedness, identify operational gaps and address challenges that could undermine the conduct of the elections.

The exercise signals INEC’s determination to move beyond plans on paper and test the readiness of personnel responsible for delivering credible elections at the grassroots, where logistical failures, inadequate coordination and lapses in professional conduct could erode public confidence.

‘The true integrity of an election is not determined in the air-conditioned conference rooms of Abuja; it is forged in the field,’ Amupitan declared, underscoring the central role of election officials in safeguarding the credibility of the democratic process.

He said the assessment tour was designed to engage directly with field personnel, evaluate operational capacity and ensure that identified weaknesses are addressed well before election day.

The nationwide exercise began in Lagos on September 7, 2026, covering the South-West, moved to Kaduna on September 28 for the North-West, proceeded to Enugu on October 20 for the South-East and arrived in Gombe on October 26 for the North-East review.

Amupitan’s message to the regional officials was clear: election preparedness must translate into effective execution, with personnel discipline, functional facilities, coordinated operations and security-conscious planning forming the backbone of the electoral process. The North-East presents a significant operational undertaking for the Commission, with 13,965,475 registered voters, representing 13.51 per cent of Nigeria’s more than 103 million registered voters.Nigerian Banking Launch

INEC is currently completing its data-cleaning exercise following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, an important step towards establishing an updated and reliable voter register ahead of the 2027 elections.

The size of the electorate places considerable demands on election logistics, voter data management and the deployment of personnel and materials across the six states. Ensuring that these systems function efficiently will be critical to the Commission’s ability to deliver a credible poll.

Beyond logistics, the emphasis on neutrality and security highlights the need for electoral officials to maintain strict professional standards while carrying out their duties in a politically sensitive environment. Public confidence in the outcome of the elections will depend not only on the systems INEC deploys but also on the impartiality and competence of those entrusted with their implementation. For the Commission, the Gombe engagement forms part of a broader effort to identify vulnerabilities early enough to prevent avoidable disruptions and strengthen institutional readiness ahead of the 2027 general election.

With the North-East assessment now underway, attention will turn to how effectively INEC translates the findings of its nationwide review into concrete improvements in field operations, personnel preparedness and election security.

As the electoral calendar advances, Amupitan’s warning carries a defining message for INEC’s workforce: the credibility of the 2027 elections will ultimately be judged not by the promises made during preparatory meetings, but by the performance of officials when Nigerians go to the polls. Buy Maps

FG maps three power corridors to revive Nigeria’s electricity supply

The federal government has named three power corridors as the starting point of its plan to fix Nigeria’s electricity supply, arguing that a 50-year problem cannot be solved nationwide in one stroke.

Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, said on Tuesday that corridors such as the Lagos-Ogun, Benin-Edo-Port Harcourt, and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano will receive concentrated attention before the government applies the lessons to the rest of the country.

‘We don’t fix the power problem in six months or two,’ Tegbe said at Nigeria’s energy week on Tuesday. He said the government would start where demand is highest, where revenue can be collected and where Nigerians are most likely to feel the change. Nigerian Banking Launch

The plan runs in three stages. The first, ‘stabilise,’ began in June 2026 and runs to February 2027. ‘Scale’ follows from March 2027 through 2028, and ‘transform’ runs from 2028 onwards. Tegbe described the phases as interdependent, with measurable milestones attached.

Lagos-Ogun and the Abuja franchise area will serve as proofs of concept for the national programme. The Lagos-Ogun corridor alone accounts for about half of national electricity demand, he said. The minister added that the Federal Government will not go it alone and will work with state governments and private operators.

He said he held a four-hour meeting with the Lagos State governor on a 24-hour power supply strategy for the corridor. Leaders of the national power sector institutions attended, as did the Special Adviser to the President on Power, Lanre Babalola.

Before money is committed, the government is auditing the country’s power infrastructure. Tegbe said the exercise is four weeks old and needs a few more weeks to finish. ‘The intention is for us not to throw money at the wrong things,’ he said. The findings will determine where generation, transmission or distribution gets priority, and allow interventions to run in parallel.

Tegbe described the problems along the chain. Gas supply to power plants is limited by low volumes, pipeline vandalism and weak commercial terms. The transmission network is overstretched. Vandals pull down a tower or other major installation roughly every fortnight. In distribution, combined technical, commercial and collection losses run between 30 and 40 percent.

The power sector’s accumulated debt stood at N3.3 trillion, of which about N1.23 trillion has been paid, Tegbe said. The government is now trying to stop new liabilities from building up. Options include payment assurance mechanisms and legally permissible netting arrangements for eligible obligations.

The minister also credited President Bola Tinubu with the Electricity Act 2023, which he called the most far-reaching reform of the sector this century.

He said it allows states to run their own electricity markets within a single national power system. It was not meant to create 37 separate systems, he stressed. He also pointed to the Siemens-backed Presidential Power Initiative, which he said opens room for private companies and takes pressure off the central government. Read Economics

Tegbe said the President told him the Mambilla power project must be fixed. The Federal Government plans to bring the 19 northern state governments into the effort. https://businessday.ng/energy/article/fg-maps-three-power-corridors-to-revive-nigerias-electricity-supply/

Tinubu orders probe into the killings of Islamic preacher, friend

President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate investigation into the gruesome killing of prominent Islamic preacher Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

he President condemned the killing of the duo, which occurred on Monday evening, according to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

‘The President, who was deeply saddened by the news of the killing, described the act as heinous and an assault on the values of peace and sanctity of human life.’Top News Updates

President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and their followers, as well as the government and people of Katsina State, over the tragic loss.

He directed the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to move swiftly, intensify efforts already underway by the Katsina State Police Command, and ensure the perpetrators are tracked down, apprehended, and brought to justice.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for comfort for all those who mourn their death.

Nigeria launches cancer biobank network to catalogue 10,000 samples

Nigeria is developing a national network of cancer samples and patient data to strengthen local research, improve understanding of the disease and support the development of more targeted treatments.

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has partnered with health data infrastructure company BioVana to implement the National Cancer Biobank Network (NCBN), which will connect eight federal hospitals across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The first phase aims to collect and catalogue 10,000 cancer biospecimens, with a longer-term target of expanding the network to 100,000 by 2028. The initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organisations in 2025.

According to the Global Cancer Observatory, Nigeria recorded an estimated 152,000 new cancer cases and more than 90,000 deaths in 2024, highlighting the need for stronger research capacity and better evidence to guide diagnosis and treatment.

A biobank collects, processes, stores and manages biological samples, such as tissue and blood, alongside relevant health information for scientific research. By bringing these resources together under common standards, the Nigerian network is intended to help researchers study cancer across multiple institutions rather than work with separate collections that may be difficult to compare.

The network could support research into biomarkers, the development of diagnostic tools and precision oncology, an approach that uses information about a patient and their cancer to guide treatment decisions. It could also help generate evidence that better reflects the experiences and biological characteristics of Nigerian patients.

Under the partnership, NICRAT will provide national oversight and coordinate participating institutions, while BioVana will develop the digital infrastructure, align sample collection and data management standards, and support training and research systems at the hospitals.

‘The NCBN is about connecting those resources through the standards, infrastructure and governance required to make them more useful for research,’ said Estelle Dogbo, co-founder and chief executive of BioVana.

Dogbo said the network could also provide a model for other African countries seeking to strengthen their biomedical research systems and improve collaboration with international scientific institutions.

The initiative has moved beyond planning, with initial assessments of participating hospitals completed and a stakeholders’ workshop held with representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER).

The next phase will focus on training hospital teams, harmonising biobanking procedures, establishing shared data and quality standards, and recruiting the first 10,000 samples.

Aliyu Malami Usman, a professor, director-general of NICRAT, said the project was part of a longer-term plan to establish a central national cancer biobank supported by institutions across the country.

‘Our ambition goes beyond connecting institutions today. We are laying the foundation for a national cancer research infrastructure that can serve Nigeria for generations,’ Usman said.

He added that the partnership would help build the standards, skills and systems required to support cancer research and precision oncology in Nigeria.

Stella Somiari, president of ISBER, said high-quality biobanking was essential to reliable research and international collaboration. She said the network could help ensure that African populations contribute to precision oncology research and benefit from its findings.

Zisis Kozlakidis, group head of laboratory support, biobanking and services at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a WHO agency, said connected research infrastructure could help ensure that samples and data from African populations contribute more meaningfully to global scientific discovery.

Africa’s cancer burden adds urgency to such efforts. Africa Cancer Control Partners reported more than one million new cancer cases on the continent in 2020 and projected that the number could double over the following 15 years.

However, the network’s impact will depend on more than the number of samples collected. Sustained funding, consistent sample quality, reliable data management and safeguards for participants’ privacy and consent will be important to maintaining public trust and making the collections useful for research.

BioVana, founded in 2025 by Dogbo and Jumi Popoola, works to connect African research institutions with the global scientific community. Through the NCBN, the partners aim to build a coordinated system that allows Nigerian researchers to collaborate more effectively and generate evidence relevant to cancer care in the country.

Industry operators seek a shift from punitive to incentive-based regulation

Stakeholders who spoke to BusinessDay on the sidelines of the ARCON Special Recognition Award (ASRA) in Lagos last weekend described what seemed to be the first time a regulator is publicly recognising operators for compliance as welcome, saying it is a rare and encouraging shift in how regulators should relate to those they oversee.

Yinka Adebayo, Chairman of the organising committee for ASRA, said the initiative shows the need to ‘flip the script’ by regulators. He said most operators always assume that a call or letter from a regulator means a warning, sanction or fine, ‘much as many people feel when the police stop or call them.’

Adebayo insists that ‘what gets rewarded gets done.’ He believes that if operators see a competitor or peer recognised, they will study what that peer did and try to do even better, hoping for recognition themselves.

He said, ‘Events such as this remind us that excellence deserves to be celebrated and those who contribute to growth of the economy should be recognised and encouraged.’Read Economics

Similarly, Steve Omojafor, a marketing professional who served as the CEO of STB -MaCann between 1990 and 2002, recalled that APCON, now ARCON, was initially established as a collaborative body, not to act as ‘headmaster over everybody.’ Its purpose, he said, was to ensure that marketing communications practitioners ‘speak the same language’ and keep to the laws and regulations, with sanctions for those who do not.

He said with ARCON now holding more power to enforce compliance, it is only fitting that it also identifies operators who are playing by the rules and working for the growth of the industry.

Omojafor said it is appropriate for a regulator to say ‘thank you’ to organisations that are keeping to the rules and regulations. ‘It’s all about encouragement.’

He believes that the economy will be the eventual winner with such recognitions, as operators will try to do more to keep to the rules towards building an industry that is sustainable. Read Economics

Senator Emeka Ken Eze, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, also commended ARCON for providing a platform that celebrates individuals, agencies and organisations whose contributions continue to shape the standards, credibility and development of the advertising industry.

‘This initiative demonstrates the importance of recognising excellence while encouraging greater accountability and adherence to established professional and regulatory standards.’

Eze, in his speech, encouraged all practitioners and stakeholders in the industry to regard regulatory compliance not merely as a statutory obligation, but as a professional responsibility and a commitment to the Nigerian public. Nigerian Banking Launch

Speaking earlier, DG of ARCON, Lekan Fadolapo, said recognition of excellence is not merely celebrating past achievements; it is encouraging greater commitment to the values and standards that will shape the future of the industry.

At the event, graced by captains of the industry including Udeme Ufot, CEO of SO and U; Steve Babaeko, CEO of X3M Ideas; Lanre Adisa, President of AAAN and many others saw some companies and individuals recognized for their respective contributions to the growth of the industry.

Madica secures $6m to back 30 more African startups after early funding gains

The additional capital will expand Madica’s portfolio beyond the 18 startups it has backed since launching in 2022, as the programme seeks to establish whether patient early-stage funding combined with hands-on company-building support can help entrepreneurs in underserved markets build globally competitive businesses.

The extension follows early signs of funding traction across Madica’s existing portfolio, whose companies have attracted additional funding averaging twice the amount Madica invested in them, according to the programme.

While the figures indicate that other investors have provided follow-on capital to its portfolio companies, the programme’s longer-term test is whether these businesses can achieve sustained growth and generate returns through eventual exits.

Madica said the additional three years would allow it to track the performance of a broader portfolio, assess the contribution of its investment and support model, and gather evidence that could help other investors refine their approaches to early-stage funding in Africa.

‘Three years have given us valuable lessons and encouraging early signals, but building enduring companies and assessing venture outcomes takes longer,’ Emmanuel Adegboye, head of Madica, said.

He added that the additional capital would enable the programme to test its investment thesis across more companies while deepening the support it provides founders.

The funding comes as Madica seeks to challenge assumptions about where viable, venture-scale businesses can emerge on the continent, particularly in markets, sectors and founder networks that receive less attention from established venture capital investors. Read Economics

Since its launch, the programme has backed 18 startups across 10 African countries and 12 sectors, including artificial intelligence, climate technology, semiconductors, biotechnology, mobility and human resources.

Its application data also points to entrepreneurial activity beyond established investment centres. Madica said applications received have spanned 28 sectors and 78 countries, with 40 percent originating outside Africa’s four largest venture capital markets.

The figures highlight the breadth of interest in startup financing beyond the continent’s most established hubs, although applications alone do not establish how many businesses in those markets can scale or deliver investor returns.

The programme’s ownership profile also reflects its focus on founders who may be underserved by traditional funding networks. All companies in its portfolio are majority African-owned, more than half have at least one female co-founder, and 39 percent are led by female chief executives.

For Flourish Ventures, the additional commitment provides an opportunity to test whether a model combining capital with structured operational support can unlock opportunities among founders who might otherwise struggle to access institutional investment.

Efayomi Carr, investment partner at Flourish Ventures and co-founder of Madica, said the firm remained convinced that African entrepreneurs could build world-class businesses with appropriate capital and support.

The extension is therefore more than an expansion of Madica’s startup portfolio. It is an attempt to establish whether investment strategies that deliberately target overlooked founders can produce commercially sustainable businesses and attractive venture outcomes.

The money traps we fall into

Financial mistakes are not confined to the young, the old, the wealthy or the struggling. Anyone can fall into habits that make money disappear faster than it comes in. In Nigeria, where food prices, transport fares, rent and utility bills can change quickly, managing money takes more than earning a decent income. It requires clear priorities and habits that can withstand both good times and unexpected hardship. Nigerian Banking Launch

One common mistake is having no emergency savings. It is easy to assume that a steady job, a supportive family or a promising side hustle will always be there. But a medical bill, car repair, delayed salary or sudden job loss can disrupt even a carefully planned month. Without savings, people may turn to expensive loans or borrow from relatives at a stressful time. An emergency fund does not have to appear overnight. Setting aside a small amount regularly can gradually build a cushion for essential expenses.

Another trap is spending first and saving only what remains. After receiving a salary or payment, someone might buy new clothes, replace a phone or join friends for an expensive outing, intending to save later. By the end of the month, little is left. A more reliable approach is to save as soon as income arrives, even if the amount is modest. Treat savings like a bill that must be paid, rather than a leftover that may or may not exist.

It is also easy to spend more whenever income increases. A promotion, a better-paying contract or a profitable business month can bring welcome relief. But it may also lead to a more expensive apartment, frequent restaurant meals and purchases made mainly to impress others. This is lifestyle inflation: expenses rise alongside earnings, leaving little progress despite making more money. Enjoying a higher income is reasonable, but putting some of the increase towards savings, debt repayment or investment can make the improvement last.

Social pressure can make this harder. Online, people display holidays, designer goods and celebrations, but rarely show the loans, family support or financial strain behind them. Trying to match appearances can leave anyone overstretched. A relatable example is accepting every invitation to an expensive restaurant because friends are going, even when rent or school fees are due. It is possible to maintain friendships without copying every purchase. Suggesting a less expensive outing is not a failure; it is a sensible choice.

Many people also postpone planning for retirement, assuming there will be time to think about it later. Yet the earlier someone begins saving or investing appropriately, the more time their money has to grow. This does not mean neglecting today’s needs or putting money into every scheme advertised as an investment. It means learning about available options, understanding the risks and making regular contributions where possible. People in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada are encouraged to plan for retirement over many years; the same long-term thinking can benefit Nigerians, whatever their age or income. Buy Maps

Debt is another area that demands care. Borrowing can sometimes be useful, especially for productive purposes, but using credit to fund everyday spending or maintain an image can become costly. A person who repeatedly borrows to cover bills may find that repayments consume the next month’s income, leading to more borrowing. Before taking a loan, understand the interest, fees, repayment period and consequences of missing payments. If several debts are already causing pressure, listing them and making a realistic repayment plan is a practical first step.

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A budget can help prevent many of these problems, yet some people consider it restrictive or too complicated. In reality, a budget is simply a plan for where money should go. It can be written in a notebook, tracked in a spreadsheet or recorded with a phone app. Start by noting income and regular costs, such as rent, transport, food, airtime and school expenses. Small purchases matter too: frequent snacks, unplanned rides or unused subscriptions can quietly add up. Tracking them helps reveal where adjustments are possible.

Good money management is not about denying yourself every pleasure. It is about choosing what matters, preparing for setbacks and avoiding decisions that create unnecessary stress. Income levels and responsibilities differ, so there is no single plan that suits everyone. But at any age, knowing what comes in, deciding what must go out and saving consistently can improve financial confidence.

Start with one manageable change: record your spending, save a small amount on payday or review a recurring expense. A modest habit, repeated over time, can be more powerful than a grand plan that is never put into practice. Your future self may be grateful you began today.

NCAA probes airline over unventilated aircraft as passenger suffers heat-induced bleeding

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched an investigation into an operational breach involving a local carrier following an incident where an Abuja-Calabar-bound passenger suffered severe physical distress due to extreme cabin heat and poor ventilation.

The regulatory intervention was triggered by a public account from a passenger, Bashir Usman, who detailed a traumatic experience aboard the flight on Monday, October 26, 2026.

According to Usman, passengers were boarded at 12:07 PM and held inside the closed cabin for nearly 50 minutes without active engine power or working air conditioning.

The prolonged containment in high temperatures caused Usman, who has a medical history of heat-triggered bleeding, to bleed heavily on board. What should have been a routine 45-minute flight eventually landed in Calabar at 2:04 PM, nearly two hours after boarding commenced.

Although the cabin crew initially attempted to offload Usman citing medical emergency protocols, fellow passengers intervened, fanning him and advocating for him to remain on the flight.

Reacting to the incident, Michael Achimugu, NCAA spokesperson confirmed that the regulator’s Directorate of Operations, Licensing, and Training Standards (DOLTS) has been directed to investigate the airline’s ground handling procedures.

The probe will examine why the aircraft doors were sealed without functioning auxiliary power units (APU) or environmental control systems, particularly during a period of elevated ambient temperatures.

‘We would like to know why the aircraft had its door shut with no air conditioning or ventilation,’ Achimugu stated, noting that the investigation will also assess why the crew reportedly failed to offer explanations or apologies to the affected passengers.

However, the aviation regulator also issued a caution to the flying public regarding interference with cabin safety protocols. While empathising with the passenger’s ordeal, Achimugu emphasized that passengers must not obstruct cabin crew when assessing medical risks onboard.

He noted that from a safety stand, crew members are mandated to evaluate bleeding and potential heat stroke as urgent medical concerns that could require immediate ground intervention, warning that emotional crowd reactions should never override standard flight safety clearances.

Why Morocco overtook South Africa as Africa’s fourth-most attractive investment destination

Morocco has overtaken South Africa as Africa’s fourth-most attractive investment destination, reflecting the North African country’s growing manufacturing base, stable economic conditions and success in attracting foreign investment, according to the latest rankings by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB).

The shift highlights how investors are weighing countries’ growth prospects and industrial capacity alongside established financial markets. South Africa retains deep capital markets and has made progress in improving energy security, but slower economic growth has weakened its position relative to Morocco.

Why Morocco is gaining ground

Morocco’s automotive industry has become a major driver of its investment appeal, helping the country establish itself as an important manufacturing hub. Its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), alongside relatively stable macroeconomic conditions, has strengthened its position.

‘The country has emerged as one of Africa’s leading manufacturing hubs, particularly in automotive production, while maintaining macroeconomic stability and attracting substantial foreign direct investment,’ RMB said in its report.

Manufacturing matters because it can draw investment into factories, supply chains, logistics and skilled jobs, while generating exports beyond raw materials. Morocco’s industrial base gives investors opportunities to serve both domestic and international markets.

Its performance also shows how a country can improve its standing by building productive industries and attracting capital into sectors that support exports and economic activity.

Why South Africa lost ground

South Africa remains one of the continent’s most developed financial markets, with established institutions and a relatively sophisticated business environment. Improvements in electricity supply have also helped ease a constraint on businesses.

However, its slower economic growth has weighed on its ranking. Morocco’s rise suggests that established financial markets alone may not be enough to maintain an advantage when competing countries offer stronger manufacturing prospects and attract more investment into productive sectors.

The ranking does not mean South Africa has lost its wider economic advantages. Rather, it reflects a comparison of several factors affecting investment attractiveness.

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire improve

Nigeria climbed seven places following reforms that included the removal of petrol subsidies and foreign exchange liberalisation. RMB said the changes had improved clarity about the country’s economic direction, although investors remain divided over the pace of recovery.

The higher ranking does not mean Nigeria’s economic problems have been resolved. Inflation, pressure on household purchasing power and high business costs remain important considerations for investors.

Côte d’Ivoire has also strengthened its position, rising from 16th place two years ago to seventh. Economic growth, infrastructure development, policy implementation and expanding hydrocarbon production have supported its progress.

Seychelles, Mauritius and Egypt retained the top three positions for the third consecutive year.

What the rankings measure

RMB assessed 31 African countries using 20 indicators grouped into four areas: economic performance and potential; market accessibility and innovation; investment climate; and social and human development.

The framework looks beyond the size of an economy or its financial markets to assess the conditions that help attract and sustain investment.

Morocco’s rise, South Africa’s decline and Nigeria’s improvement point to different factors shaping investor perceptions. Ultimately, rankings reflect relative attractiveness, while actual investment will depend on whether countries can turn their advantages into sustained growth, competitive businesses and reliable returns for investors.

Power audit to stop spending on wrong projects – minister of power

The federal government has begun a technical audit of Nigeria’s entire power infrastructure to ensure public funds are no longer directed at the wrong projects, Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, has said.

Speaking on energy security and investment, Tegbe said the audit, now about four weeks old, needs a few more weeks to finish.

‘The intention is for us not to throw money at the wrong things,’ he said. The exercise will show what the country has and what should be prioritised, letting government tackle generation, transmission and distribution problems in parallel.

The audit sits within a three-phase roadmap. The first phase, to stabilise the sector, began in June 2026 and runs to February 2027. The second, to scale, runs from March 2027 through 2028. The third, to transform, follows from 2028.

Tegbe described the sector’s problems as present at every link of the value chain. Gas supply to plants is limited by low volumes, pipeline vandalism and weak commercial terms. The transmission network is overstretched, and he said a tower or major facility is brought down by vandals almost every fortnight.

In distribution, technical, commercial and collection losses run between 30 and 40 per cent.

The sector’s debt stood at N3.3 trillion, of which N1.23 trillion has been paid. Tegbe said the government is blocking new liabilities and is considering payment assurance mechanisms and legally permissible netting arrangements for eligible obligations.

The government will prioritise three energy corridors: Lagos-Ogun, Benin-Edo-Port Harcourt, and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano. The Lagos-Ogun corridor, which Tegbe said accounts for 50 per cent of national energy demand, and the Abuja franchise area will serve as proofs of concept for the wider programme.

‘We can’t address a 50-year problem overnight,’ he said, adding that the focus is on areas with the most demand, where revenue will come from and where Nigerians will feel the change.Buy Maps

Tegbe credited President Bola Tinubu with the political will to pursue reform, citing the Electricity Act 2023, which allows states to run their own electricity markets within a single national grid.

He also said the president had told him the Mambilla power project must be revived, with Lanre Babalola, special adviser to the president on power, and himself tasked to bring the 19 northern state governments on board.

On metering, he warned that collection would fail if electricity is not properly measured, and that this would starve the rest of the value chain. The government will train 5,000 young Nigerians to install and repair meters, with a target of 50,000. Babalola will lead the effort to cut technical and commercial losses.Buy Maps

Tegbe said the goal is to improve use of existing assets, support industrial productivity and strengthen investment across the sector.