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The old guard and the new arrivals in England

In West London, stability remains the key objective for Fulham, where Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey continue to serve as core anchors. Both players were integral to the club’s consistency last campaign, and manager Marco Silva is once again relying on the duo to carry regular, heavily taxing roles throughout the grueling Premier League calendar. Bassey’s physicality and tactical versatility at centre-back provide a modern platform for Fulham’s build-up play, while Iwobi’s creative versatility, ability to progress the ball through central zones, and relentless work rate continue to make him an irreplaceable presence in the starting XI.

Further north at Nottingham Forest, Ola Aina enters the new campaign adjusting to life under fresh leadership following the appointment of head coach Oliver Glasner. Known for demanding intense mobility and tactical discipline from his wide players, Glasner’s arrival seems to have sparked fresh ambition in the full-back. Aina has publicly set himself an ambitious personal target of scoring five goals this season. For a player who operates predominantly as a full-back or wing-back, it is a bold statement, yet it reflects the remarkable growth in his attacking confidence over recent campaigns at the City Ground. Aina, who recently committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension through 2028, remains key to Forest’s tactical setups on either flank under Glasner.

The most high-profile intra-league transfer of the summer involving a Nigerian international belongs to Taiwo Awoniyi. The powerhouse striker departed Nottingham Forest to complete a marquee switch to newly promoted Coventry City for a base fee reported around £9 million (pound 19.9m). Awoniyi is on course to make his competitive debut for the Sky Blues in Friday’s high-stakes Premier League opener away at Arsenal, a fixture rich in personal history for the forward. Across six previous encounters against the Gunners during his time with Forest, Awoniyi has netted three times. Crucially, it was his late strike against Arsenal that matched Stan Collymore’s 28-year-old club record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches.

The transfer represents a vital fresh start for Awoniyi. His previous campaign at Forest was hampered by fitness struggles, limiting him to just three starts and 17 total appearances, though he still managed four goals in that restricted time frame. He completed his first full training sessions this week at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge under manager Frank Lampard, where he aligns with fellow countryman Frank Onyeka. Onyeka’s loan extension and continued presence give the Sky Blues two experienced Super Eagles figures to rely upon in their quest for top-flight survival.

Beyond England’s borders, Victor Osimhen continues to dominate headlines despite remaining outside the Premier League for now. Continuing his spell at Galatasaray, where his goal scoring record in Turkey has kept him among the elite strikers in Europe, Osimhen remains the subject of relentless transfer speculation, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United frequently linked with a move for his signature.

The persistent media chatter formed the backdrop for a light-hearted moment during the week when Forest defender Ola Aina put Osimhen on the spot during an Instagram Live broadcast. Aina directly asked his national team colleague which Premier League destination he would choose if given the option. Osimhen jokingly brushed off the public interrogation, telling Aina to inform viewers that he would have to call back privately due to it being a private matter. Aina let his teammate off the hook, steering the conversation back to Osimhen’s sharp goal scoring form in Turkey instead. While Osimhen has previously maintained that he does not hold a single favourite English side, he has admitted to owning both Chelsea and Manchester United shirts growing up due to his older brother’s influence.

A growing contingent in Italian Serie A

While Ademola Lookman opted for a high-profile exit from Serie A earlier in the calendar year by completing a transfer from Atalanta to La Liga contenders Atlético Madrid, the Nigerian presence in Italian football has nevertheless swelled significantly ahead of the new campaign.

At AC Milan, winger Samuel Chukwueze has made an emphatic early statement during pre-season preparations. Entering his second full campaign at the San Siro, Chukwueze delivered a standout performance in a marquee pre-season friendly against Manchester United, scoring a goal and providing two assists to stake a firm claim for a permanent starting role on the right wing.

Meanwhile, in Udine, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continues his steady growth as Udinese’s trusted number one, looking to build upon a series of commanding defensive displays from last term.

Newly promoted Venezia produced the biggest individual transfer splash among the Nigerian contingent in Italy, shattering their all-time transfer record to secure striker Akor Adams from Sevilla. The Venetian side agreed to a deal worth pound 17 million plus performance-related bonuses, signing the forward to a four-year contract valued at pound 1.5 million per season. Adams built a strong reputation in Europe after moving to Sevilla from French club Montpellier in January 2025. During the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, he finished as Sevilla’s leading league scorer, registering 10 goals and 3 assists across 36 appearances to help the club navigate a tough campaign and preserve its top-flight status.

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa publicly lauded the arrival of his new focal point up front, confirming that Adams is an important profile who will give the squad a big hand, while making clear that defensive stability remains the club’s next market priority alongside sporting director Antonelli.

Fellow promoted outfit Frosinone focused their recruitment on defense, securing versatile centre-back Kevin Akpoguma on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at TSG Hoffenheim. The 31-year-old signed a deal running through June 2028. Akpoguma leaves Hoffenheim after earning 179 Bundesliga appearances, scoring three goals, and recording five assists. Born in Germany and a former international at various German youth levels, Akpoguma officially switched his allegiance to Nigeria in October 2020 and has earned eight senior caps for the Super Eagles. A move to Serie A presents him with a consistent platform to compete for a spot in head coach Eric Chelle’s national squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rounding out the Italian movement is young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who has joined Monza on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. The deal includes a purchase option set at pound 7.5 million, which can convert into a mandatory obligation under specific sporting conditions, while Inter have secured a 10 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

Having spent the prior campaign building match experience on loan at Pisa, Akinsanmiro now gets his opportunity to test himself regularly in Italy’s top division.

With Nigeria’s Premier League stars establishing their roles and a fresh wave of talent stepping into key positions across Serie A, the Super Eagles’ European contingent enters the season with clear objectives. Whether battling for domestic silverware, fighting for top-flight survival, or securing places in the national setup, both fronts of the legion are set for another huge campaign.

FirstBank has announced the inaugural public lecture of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos on September 3, 2026.

The lecture, themed: ‘Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,’ will bring together academics, students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the critical role of ethics, integrity, accountability, and sustainability in shaping Nigeria’s economic future and fostering long-term national development.

The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance was created in honour of Samuel Asabia, the Bank’s first indigenous Managing Director. The Chair has served as a platform for promoting scholarly research, teaching, and thought leadership in business ethics, corporate governance, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, will serve as Chairman of the Lecture.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Olusegun Alebiosu stated: At FirstBank, we believe that sustainable economic progress is anchored on ethical leadership, strong governance, and responsible enterprise. The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair represents our enduring commitment to advancing thought leadership and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape the future of business and society. Through this inaugural public lecture, we are bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how integrity-driven leadership can strengthen institutions, enhance economic resilience, and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to support this important platform for knowledge exchange and nation-building.’

The initiative further reflects FirstBank’s belief that sustainable development extends beyond financial performance to encompass ethical decision-making, responsible corporate citizenship, strong governance, and the development of future leaders capable of driving positive societal change.

The Chair is currently occupied by Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally recognised scholar whose work spans Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, and Economic Development.

Through enduring investments in education, research, and thought leadership initiatives such as the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair, FirstBank continues to contribute to the development of ideas, institutions, and leadership principles that support a more prosperous, ethical, and sustainable Nigeria.

The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi kingdom, Eti-Osa, Lagos State, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, has congratulated the Olu of Warri kingdom, Ogiame Atuwaste III, on his fifth anniversary on the throne.

In a statement from his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Temitope Oyefeso, the monarch described the Olu of Warri as a dynamic king who has brought innovative ideas and purposeful leadership to the Warri kingdom, resulting in increased development in the ancient city of Warri and among its people over the past five years.

Oba Elegushi said, ‘In the last five years, I have watched with admiration the purposeful leadership you have provided for your people and how you continue to inspire and support them towards making life better for your people; this you often emphasise in our various interactions over the years.’

He added that the Olu of Warri is a bridge builder, continuing to extend a hand of friendship to other traditional rulers across the country, contributing to national development and promoting peace among all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or religion.

Oba Elegushi prayed that the reign of Ogiame Atuwatse will continue for many years and that his impactful leadership will continue to benefit the Warri people and Nigerians in general.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has described retired military officers as critical to national security, saying stronger collaboration with veterans would boost intelligence gathering and support security operations.

Oluyede spoke in Yola yesterday after meeting veterans who converged from all six North East states for an engagement session, stressing that their military experience and knowledge of local communities could aid security agencies.

‘Veterans are members of the country who have served meritoriously. We feel it’s important for us to engage with them… we thought we could leverage this to galvanise them for better intelligence acquisition, going by the challenges we’re having in the area of security,’ he said.

Addressing veterans’ welfare concerns, the CDS said salary increases for serving personnel have a corresponding effect on pensions and welfare for veterans, pledging continued efforts to improve their welfare while drawing on their experience to strengthen national security.

National President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association of Nigeria (RANAO), Maj.-Gen. Hussaini Saliu rtd), said the association was committed to promoting the welfare of retired officers and supporting national development.

As we count down to the 2027 general elections, the presidential campaigns have begun, in line with the elections timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Accordingly, I wish to reiterate my view on the hypocrisy of the elites, and how they have largely conbtributed to the current political, economic and social chanllenges of our country, and how the elites of this country should view and participate in governance in 2027 and beyond.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been taking some bold decisions and reforms in the past three years since the beginning of his administration. Those decisions have in many cases, further worsened the hitherto excruciating and brutal microeconomics and social situations of majority of Nigerians. For instance, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, as at two months ago, the number of multidimensionally poor Nigerians have increased to over 140million from the 133million as at the time President Tinubu became the President in May, 2023. Indeed the reforms have yielded some macroeconomic outcomes like the stabilization of foreign exchange. However, at the microeconomic level; the brutal and exacerbating national insecurity, increasing cost of living, rising employment, etc are yet to demonstrably and significantly reduce to bearable levels. This situation, have triggered regional, and national concerns, debates, and/ or controversies, as the government tries to defend, rationalize, justify, deny, and even somtimed push back (rightly, or wrongly).

Consequently, some of those decisions, or reforms have exposed the hypocrisy of the elites of this Country with regard to where they stand on germane issues that affect the masses or generality of the citizenry of Nigeria. In most cases, the hue and cries are louder or sustained, only if those decisions or reforms affect the elites, their families and friends. They are not really concerned or do not demonstrate the same level of emotions and sensitivities with regard to issues that only impact the masses of this country.

By ‘elites’, I mean, the middle-class citizens, who are mostly educated, gainfully employed, and part of the governance and leadership structure of Nigeria; in the civil service, public service, and private sector. We are mostly employees or employers of labor as professionals, traditional leaders, religious leaders, businessmen/women, entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, etc.

Except for a few, we, the elites have been serially failing the masses of this Country, by not really taking tangible actions that add value to our national collective good. Most of us remain aloof to our current national, and sub national realities. While some of us engage in ‘armchair ‘criticisms or cynicism’. The key questions are; What contributions and sacrifices are the Nigerian elites really making to better the political, economic, and social situation of our Country? What solutions are we offering, and/ or how are we part of the solutions? Curiously, when things affect our relatively comfortable lives, we try to gaslight the situations and behave as if ‘we are all in it together’ with the poor citizens.

Furthermore, during elections, about 80% of the people who go to vote, are the masses, i.e the poor people and the needy. Majority of the elites do not even turn up to vote during elections. We are not really part of actual political process, except if our selfish and parochial interests will be served, and yet we expect Nigeria to be better. Those are some of the things that I call the ‘hypocrisy of our expectations’.

When reforms or policies affect the masses, most of Nigerian elites do not really care, while some of them only engage in political statements, or play to the gallery. The elites are not persistent, and assertive on things that largely affect the masses. This behavior of the majority of Nigerian elites (which is similar to elitist behaviors in other societies and countries) has been the bane of our growth and development as a nation since independence – over 65 years ago. Sadly, majority of the elites that have been the architects and part of the problems that Nigeria and Nigerians are facing today; from our collusion in wanton corruption, to our deliberate or inadvertent contribution to the political, social, and economic retrogression of Nigeria – either by our actions or inaction.

An instance of some government decisions that further exposed the hypocrisy of the elites of this country was the allegations of ‘forced retrenchment’ of some staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which happened between 2024 and last year (2025) under the current its leadership. There were claims of attempts to force some staff of CBN that are from some sections of Nigeria, out of the CBN. The CBN insisted that the exercise was based on an initiative to downsize an over-bloated CBN. The CBN claimed that part of the initiative, was the offer of exit packages to ‘willing staff’ that will accept to voluntarily resign. There were also allegations that the CBN leadership was planning to the Headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from Abuja (Northern Nigeria) to Lagos.

There was a major push back by some elites against the actions of CBN, and the questions I was asking were; How many of the CBN staff are actually children of the 65% multi-dimensional Nationally poor Nigerians – whether they are from northern or southern Nigeria? How many of them are children of the masses? I even heard that in some cases the elites don’t want their children to be transferred out of the CBN Headquarters in Abuja. How many children of the masses are working in those ‘elitist’ federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies? Therefore, it is only in the aforementioned cases that you hear Nigerian elites shouting or crying out.

If the elites of the Nigeria, put the level of fervor, gusto, and determination that we use to pursue our individual and collective interests, to pursue good governance, fairness, equity, justice, unity, and demand for accountability; Nigeria would have been far ahead of its current situation, which is far behind its peers across the world, i.e Malaysia, Brazil, etc.

Moreover, Nigerian elites should apply the same sentiments, commitment, and gusto to ensure the performance of political leaders not just at federal level but also at sub-national levels- Nigeria. How are the elites are advocating for, or pushing the agenda for government at federal and subnational levels to deliver good governance, catalyse economic recovery, growth and development, etc? And yet we still expect that by some magic, Nigeria will suddenly recover from the current multidimensional challenges, and zoom to economic prosperity, and social justice! That is why I will continue to talk about the hypocrisy of our expectations.

The elites and conspiracy of

corruption:

Most Nigerian elites have been serially failing the people of this country, even worse than the politicians. And why am I saying so? Because, we constitute the powerhouse of governance in Nigeria; as Presidents, Governors, Federal ministers, Chairmen of Boards, or Managing Directors. Chief Executive Officers, Board members (in public and private sector), Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Businessmen, Businesswomen, Entrepreneurs, Academics, Professionals, Religious Leaders, Traditional Leaders, etc. We are all members of the ‘Elite’ strata of Nigeria, and have been privileged and so Blessed by Almighty God. It is sad, and an ultimate disservice, that most of us that have been privileged to be in those privileged positions (currently or in the past), are in cahoots with the vested interest to further plunder resources or cripple the economy of Nigeria. Most of us have become the key drivers of the corruption value chain in Nigeria. And yet we conveniently blame Presidents or governors or ‘politicians’ at our convenience. What level of shamelessness!

Interestingly, for every politician that commits graft, you will find more that 10 elites that enable, facilitate, and protect corruption. Sadly, most of those corrupt elites are so crafty, that most of the time, they escape justice. While most of the elites share money, political positions, or when some of them engage in corrupt practices; they do not have religious, tribal, ethnic, or regional sentiments. Indeed, Nigerian elites are mostly united in the conspiracy of corruption in all its ramifications.

The elites of Nigeria should stop being ‘happy passive consumers and looters of our commonwealth’. We should dutifully and conscientiously, deliver our respective responsibilities for a better Nigeria.

All too often, girls who have their normal education disrupted as a result of pervasive poverty that forces them to drop out of school, early marriages and unanticipated pregnancies, communal displacements due to crises or violent attacks on schools, particularly in the North, have their educational pathways blocked for life and their potentials irreversibly trapped and aborted.

The commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju, Lagos State, by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is a commendable demonstration of a commitment to giving this category of girls who had dropped out of school another opportunity to resume learning, be equipped with new skills and have brighter chances of achieving success.

According to the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, the institution was rehabilitated through the UBEC Direct Intervention Programme and, apart from the provision of physical infrastructure, is designed to restore hope and create opportunities for girls and young women desirous of re-connecting with education.

The rehabilitated school is equipped with two blocks accommodating over 26 classrooms, laboratories for agriculture, physics and biology, a library and information and communication centre.To fulfill its unique purpose of enabling students to complete their secondary school education while also learning vocational skills to prepare them for careers and make them self-reliant, the school also has vocational workshops for cosmetology, garment-making, hair dressing, catering, and home economics.

UBEC is also to provide the school with a school bus and digital smart boards before the end of 2026.This is surely the right way to ensure Dr Garba’s affirmation that ‘A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given another opportunity. Every child deserves an alternative pathway to acquire the education needed to succeed in life’.

Girls with better education will certainly be able to more effectively utilise whatever intervention funds are made available to them to set up small businesses.

We join the UBEC executive secretary in commending the consistent support of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for the education of young women, even long before she attained her present status.Apart from providing these facilities, it is equally important that no effort be spared to reach girls in this category and rekindling their hopes in the possibility of continuing their education so that they can utilise the opportunity.

UBEC has announced that work on another such alternative high school is ongoing in Ikorodu, also in Lagos.Earlier, a similar institution for girls with disrupted education had been established in Bauchi State.

These efforts only scratch the surface of what is a very serious challenge and need to be considerably expanded and the rate of implementation accelerated across the country through closer collaboration between UBEC and state governments.It is estimated that there are approximately 7.6 million out-of- school girls in Nigeria.

Girls are particularly vulnerable to having their education disrupted due to such cultural practices as early marriages and pregnancies in many communities, especially in the North.

There is also the tendency in rural communities to prioritise the education of the male child to the neglect of girls who may be able to have an opportunity later in life only through initiatives like this.

However, boys can also be the victims of debilitating poverty, destabilising conflicts that displace communities or entanglement in vices like drug addiction or cult activities that disrupt their education.

They also deserve to be reached out to, redeemed from hopelessness and offered opportunities to receive an education and empowered to become productive members of society.

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Rivers State Ministry of Health have sealed an illegal maternity facility in Port Harcourt used by a child-trafficking syndicate for selling three children for N13.5million.

The agency explained that the operation, which led to the arrest of three persons, followed intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.

Those arrested are the owner of the facility, the facilitator in the alleged baby sale, and one other member of staff of the maternity.

The maternity is regarded as one of the high-profile health centres in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

In a statement, the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit at NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, said preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy and allegedly took custody of three children in one month.

NAPTIP stated that intelligence available to it indicates that about N13.5 million was exchanged in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.

On the status of the investigation, the statement reads: ‘Acting on intelligence, NAPTIP operatives in Abuja and Rivers State, and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.

‘Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and trace the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding their alleged procurement.’

NAPTIP added that it is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed worry over the fraudulent activities of operators of some maternity and health centres across the country, especially their suspected involvement in illegal adoption, child sale and trafficking.

She said: ‘I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronise these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable.”

‘We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.

‘I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law. The Agency will ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority’.

The DG urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling or other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its nearest zonal/state command.

The Coalition for Good Governance in Africa (CGGA) has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Ona Najomo, for his leadership and efforts to strengthen regulation in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the broader challenges facing the industry, arguing that aviation requires coordinated efforts by regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The group said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure emphasised safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency, and efforts to create a more predictable environment for investment.

It also highlighted his more than four decades of experience in aviation, including previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.

CGGA said the NCAA’s efforts on aircraft financing and investment were particularly significant, citing Najomo’s engagements with global financiers and lessors to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and its commitment to international regulatory frameworks.

The coalition noted that at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, Najomo identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the sector’s growth and reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework.

Kudu said Najomo’s reforms should be assessed within the broader effort to improve the industry rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.

‘Our assessment of Capt Chris Ona Najomo’s stewardship shows regulatory leadership focused on strengthening the systems within its mandate. From safety oversight and consumer protection to regulatory predictability and efforts to attract investment into aircraft acquisition, there are clear indications of an administration working to improve the operating environment.’

The coalition said it was unfair to make the NCAA director-general the sole explanation for challenges involving several institutions and stakeholders across the aviation value chain.

It also commended Najomo for promoting engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, describing sustained collaboration as essential to addressing longstanding constraints in the sector.

CGGA stressed that the NCAA’s regulatory responsibilities were distinct from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other government institutions involved in aviation operations.

The group urged stakeholders to avoid allowing legitimate disagreements to develop into prolonged confrontations that could undermine efforts to improve Nigeria’s aviation sector.

‘The aviation industry needs a collaborative approach at this stage. Stakeholders have every right to raise concerns and demand accountability, but such engagement should be constructive and directed towards solutions. We believe the reforms being pursued by the Federal Government and the regulatory steps under Capt. Najomo should be given the opportunity to translate into sustainable gains. The interest of the travelling public and the long-term development of Nigerian aviation must remain greater than individual or institutional disagreements,’ Kudu said.

The coalition said the government’s efforts to create a more investment-friendly aviation environment would require consistency and cooperation from all actors.

It pointed to the NCAA’s continuing emphasis on regulatory standards and the implementation of international aviation frameworks as important steps towards improving investor confidence and supporting the growth of Nigerian airlines.

CGGA also urged the NCAA to maintain its focus on passenger protection, safety regulation and enforcement, while calling on airlines and other operators to comply with established rules.

The group said meaningful improvement in aviation would not come from regulatory action alone, but from sustained cooperation among the regulator, government, operators, investors and passengers.

‘We call on all stakeholders to sheath their swords and allow the positive steps being taken by the administration to cascade into meaningful gains for the country. Nigeria needs an aviation sector that is safe, efficient, competitive and capable of supporting economic growth. That objective will not be achieved through blame trading. It will be achieved through responsible regulation, compliance, investment and cooperation,’ the statement said.

The 31 companies awarded 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 licensing round yesterday got the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)’s nod to pay the signature bonuses as part of the post-award process in the next 60 days.

The winners also have the next 60 days to provide guarantees and complete post-award requirements or risk forfeiting their licences to the reserved bidders.

This was contained in a notice posted on its X handle.

NUPRC said: ‘Exactly a month ago the commission held the 2025 commercial bid conference in Abuja, where 31 companies emerged as provisional winners of 37 blocks.

Having issued the winners with the provisional awards, compliance with the payment of signature bonuses has already begun.’

The commission warned that winners who fail to meet the post-award conditions within the Petroleum Industry Act-mandated timeframe will forfeit their bid guarantees and lose their provisional awards to the reserve bidders.

The NUPRC had stipulated a 90-day window for the winners to pay their signature bonuses, meet other post-award conditions and complete the necessary documentation, failing which they risk forfeiting their bid guarantees and provisional awards.

With 30 days already gone, the awardees now have 60 days to meet the requirements.

At the commercial bid conference in Abuja on July 21, the commission chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, had told winners that emerging successful did not automatically translate to the grant of a licence.

She said winners must provide the required guarantees, pay the signature bonus and first-year rent, and execute all contractual documents before a Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) is formally issued.

Eyesan said the process was being conducted in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, and gave winners a 90-day window from the date of their offer letters to meet these conditions.

‘If you have been told anything contrary to the fact that this process was going to be credible and transparent, do not believe it,’ she said.

She said the commission would apply the drill-or-drop provision against firms that failed to develop their assets after licensing, while adding that the commission would support credible operators facing genuine operational challenges.

Also, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said at the same conference that the PIA had ended discretionary allocation of oil blocks in Nigeria.

‘The PIA, unfortunately for some people, has prevented discretionary allocation of oil blocks,’ Lokpobiri said, adding that no government official had prior knowledge of the commercial bids before they were officially opened.

He said licences should translate into field development rather than remain speculative assets.

‘In the past, I have seen people go round conferences across the world carrying licences and looking for partners who never came. Those days must be over. The licences issued today must translate into actual field development and production,’ Lokpobiri said.

Under the terms set by NUPRC, a winner that fails to pay its signature bonus and meet other post-award conditions within the 90-day period will forfeit its bid guarantee. The affected block will then be offered to the reserve bidder ranked immediately behind the winner in the evaluation process.

Most of the 37 blocks had multiple reserve bidders. PPL 2A29, PPL 2A32, PPL 2A50 and PPL 2A51 each had four reserve bidders listed behind the winner.

Winning companies include SSonic Petroleum Limited, Asharami Deepwater Resource Limited, Gupsco Energy Limited, Blackrock Energy Holdings Limited, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited and Concept-Real Petroleum Services Limited, which was awarded two blocks – PPL 2A47 and PPL 2A55.

The round also covered Nigeria’s frontier basins. Dakoda and U Limited was awarded blocks in the Benin Basin (PPL 308) and the Benue Trough (PPL 800). Nikstalis Nigeria Limited, Attabason Global Company Nigeria Limited, Southborne Oil and Gas Limited and Lanaka Petroleum Limited were awarded onshore blocks in the Anambra Basin.

NNPC EandP Limited did not emerge as a winning bidder in the round. It is listed as a reserve bidder for PPL 2A32 in the Niger Delta onshore terrain.

NUPRC has said the 37 awarded blocks are expected to add about 500 million barrels to Nigeria’s crude oil reserves and increase output by at least 300,000 barrels per day within three years, as part of the federal government’s target of three million barrels per day by 2030.

Nigeria champions Edo Queens have arrived in Ouagadougou yesterday ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU B qualifying tournament.

The Edo side, fondly known as the Ada Bendel, travelled with a 21-player squad and 12 officials from Lagos through Lomé, Togo, to Burkina Faso, the host country for the competition.

Edo Queens have been drawn in Group A alongside Ampem Darkoa Ladies of Ghana, ASFC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and AS Garde Nationale of Niger.

The WAFU B qualifying tournament will run from August 23 to September 5, 2026, with the eventual winners earning qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Edo Queens will enter the competition without their substantive coach, Moses Aduku, who is currently on international duty with Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s national team, the Falconets.

In his absence, Bendel Insurance manager Kennedy Boboye will provide the technical leadership for the Nigerian champions.

Among the players expected to feature for Edo Queens are Mose Chioma, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Atume Doosuur, Vera Doris, Precious Oscar, Deborah Odiagbe, and Uroko Valentina.

The Nigerian champions will be hoping to negotiate the group stage successfully and progress towards securing a place in the continental championship.