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President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to prioritise attracting foreign investment while advancing the country’s diplomatic interests.

The directive was delivered in Abuja at the opening of an induction programme for the envoys. According to a statement by Yomi Odunuga, media aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the president urged the diplomats to strengthen alliances and improve Nigeria’s global standing.

Tinubu said their appointments reflected confidence in their ability to represent the nation effectively at a time of shifting global dynamics marked by economic uncertainty, security threats and technological change.

“The international system is evolving rapidly. We must be prepared to meet these challenges by focusing on how best to protect and promote Nigeria’s national interest,” he said.

He encouraged a results-driven style of diplomacy that blends traditional engagement with digital tools and strategic communication, adding that Nigeria’s story must be told “in a compelling and credible manner”.

The president also called for stronger efforts in trade promotion, investment drive and technology transfer, while stressing that the welfare of Nigerians abroad must remain central.

Tinubu announced a revision of the country’s foreign policy framework, known as the 4D Doctrine, now reordered as Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy. He said the change places citizens at the heart of external engagement.

He further urged the envoys to uphold professionalism, accountability and prudent resource management, noting that they are custodians of Nigeria’s image abroad.

“You have a special responsibility in helping to reposition Nigeria in global affairs. The world is watching,” he said.ti

By Praise Davis

Ask Stanislaus Martins what Nigerian companies are getting wrong about AI and he answers the question by telling you what happens in the first ten minutes of most of his meetings.

“I ask the CEO, are you using AI? Proud yes. Every time. Then I press a little. Finance is pasting numbers into a free ChatGPT account. Research is dropping proprietary insights into Claude. HR is running employee data through DeepSeek because a friend said it was good for dashboards. The MD is on his phone using whatever app he downloaded last week.”

He calls it BROAI. Bring Your Own AI. A deliberate echo of BYOD, the Bring Your Own Device wave that had corporate IT losing sleep a decade ago. In his view, it is putting some of the country’s most valuable companies at real risk.The warning arrives at a moment when people are paying attention. Aleph Group, the global infrastructure company behind digital advertising and fintech solutions in more than 130 high growth markets, has just promoted Martins to Managing Director, Sub Saharan Africa. He is the first Nigerian to hold the position, and his remit, previously focused on West Africa, now covers the full region.

Twenty years in the room

Martins is not a commentator. He has spent over two decades inside the rooms where these decisions actually get made.He started at Insight Publicis and left as Head of Digital Business, with a client list that read like a who’s who of Nigerian brand building: Pepsi, Tecno, Heineken, Gulder, Star, MTN, FCMB, Coca Cola, Peak Milk, 7UP, Nestle and more. He crossed to Jumia as VP of Performance Marketing and later VP of Advertising, helping the ecommerce platform scale its ad business during its most aggressive growth years.

Meta came next. He served as Agency Partner for the entire Sub Saharan Africa region and led the rollout of Meta’s Authorised Sales Partnership programme across the continent, the first of its kind in Africa. He joined Aleph as Regional Meta Director for SSA, rose to Managing Director for West Africa, and with this week’s appointment takes on the full Sub Saharan mandate.

Outside the corporate roles, he has trained marketing, sales and ecommerce teams for Nestle, MTN, Jumia, Meta, Konga, ADMARP, ADVAN and several others on hands on AI adoption, digital sales, performance marketing, and business management. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria, a Certified Digital Marketing Expert from the Digital Marketing Institute Ireland, and holds the AWS Certified Cloud Architect Professional certification. Academically, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ibadan, the Senior Management Programme from Lagos Business School, and an MBA from the Quantic School of Business.

It is that combination, agency, platform, client side and trainer, that shapes how he reads this current moment.”The chatbot is the front door. The value is behind it. We keep forgetting something simple,” he says. “These models learn from what you feed them. When you pour confidential client data, financials, company secrets and people data into several different free tools you do not own and do not control, you are not using AI. You are leaking.”

He is just as frustrated that the conversation in Nigeria has shrunk down to chatbots. “AI is not the popup that says hi, how can I help you today.

That is the front door. The real value is behind it.

He likes to use a retailer in Ogun State as a thought exercise. “The chatbot version of AI is the popup. Fine. We see it every day. The real version is an integrated system that knows which products are about to go out of stock based on the weather, salary week, and last year’s pattern. Pricing that adjusts across thousands of SKUs because a competitor moved overnight. A recommendation engine that learns each customer well enough to send the right message on the right day in the right tone in the right language. Fraud detection catching a stolen card before the order ships. The warehouse rerouting itself because a delivery van broke down in Lekki traffic. A finance team closing the month in two days instead of ten because reconciliation runs itself.”

That, he insists, is proper AI deployment. Not a tool somebody downloaded on the commute home.

The questions he thinks leaders should be asking

For Martins, 2026 is not about adopting more tools. It is about asking better questions. What tools are approved. What data are they connected to. Who is accountable when something goes wrong. What does good actually look like for this particular business. Where is the real value, and where is it just convenience. How can existing systems be made smarter rather than replaced wholesale. Does the leadership team need an AI advisor sitting alongside them.

“One integrated strategy,” he says. “Same solution. Same local data. All departments. Safe, secure, accountable. Not everyone in the company throwing company information into different models to learn from.”

It is the line he tends to repeat in workshops. “Stop celebrating that you are using AI. Start asking what it is learning from, and who owns the answer. The companies that figure this out in 2026 will pull ahead. The ones that do not will find out the hard way.”

For Nigerian boardrooms, and increasingly for policymakers thinking about the country’s digital economy posture, the advice comes from someone who has spent twenty years building the rails everyone else is running on. Stanislaus Martins advises and trains blue chip businesses across the region on the practical application of Marketing, Technology and AI in business growth.

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large consignment of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, in a major operation along the BeninLagos Expressway.

This interception is part of a nationwide crackdown on inter-state drug trafficking.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City on Monday, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA State Commander, described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking. The seizure was part of an order from the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urging commands across the country to heighten their vigilance against illicit drugs moving across state borders.

According to Ofoyeju, the interception occurred on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during a routine patrol. Operatives flagged down a Mercedes-Benz truck, which bore the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insignia and was registered under FCT NLC 146 FC. Upon inspection, the truck was found to be transporting 95 cartons of psychotropic substances from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State.

The consignment contained a total of 748.02 kilograms of controlled substances, including 1,196,000 capsules and tablets. The seizure included 23 cartons of tramadol (100mg) with 440,000 capsules (264kg), 40 cartons of tramadol (50mg) containing 600,000 capsules (180kg), seven cartons of Rohypnol (84,000 tablets weighing 25.2kg), 19 cartons of diazepam injections (76,000 ampoules weighing 242.82kg), and six cartons of bromazepam (72,000 tablets weighing 36kg).

Two suspects, Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44, were arrested in connection with the illegal shipment. The NDLEA commander expressed concerns about the growing trafficking of potent opioids and other controlled substances, emphasizing their dangerous impact on public health, especially among young people.

“The trafficking of high volumes of controlled drugs, particularly opioids like tramadol, poses a serious threat to society. These substances are linked to addiction, health complications, and fatalities,” Ofoyeju said. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fighting drug abuse and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing. Upon completion, they will be charged in court. Ofoyeju also urged the public to continue supporting the NDLEA’s efforts by providing credible information on drug-related activities, emphasizing that community collaboration is essential to combating the menace.

The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), allegedly killed by soldiers in Dei-Dei, Shagari Estate, Abuja, has rejected the Nigerian Army’s account that he died after being caught in a crossfire.

Jamiu was reportedly killed on April 25 after soldiers of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Force responded to what the military described as a distress call from residents over an alleged robbery attack in the area.

In a statement, the Guards Brigade said troops came under fire from fleeing armed robbers when they arrived at the scene, leading to what it described as a brief but intense exchange of gunfire.

The brigade said Jamiu was caught in the crossfire and later died from his injuries, adding that his remains were handed over to civil authorities at Kubwa General Hospital.

But the family, in a statement released on Sunday, dismissed the army’s explanation, insisting that available evidence showed that Jamiu was shot inside his room.

According to the family, the incident happened at about 2am when military personnel allegedly entered the estate while Jamiu’s parents were away in Okene for a burial ceremony.

The family said Jamiu’s sister was in the house at the time of the shooting.

They alleged that soldiers fired through the closed door of Jamiu’s room at close range, with the bullet hitting him in the head and killing him instantly.

“Nigerian military personnel discharged a firearm at close range through the door of Abdulsamad’s room. The shot struck him in the head, killing him instantly,” the family said.

The family argued that the bullet trajectory, from the room door to the wall, showed that the shot was fired from outside the room and not during an exchange of gunfire as claimed by the army.

They also questioned the military’s claim of a crossfire, saying no armed adversary had been identified and no weapon was recovered from the scene.

“No such adversary has been identified, produced, or accounted for. No weapon was recovered from the scene. No shell casings attributed to any party other than the military have been documented,” the statement added.

The family further alleged that the soldiers entered the premises by scaling the fence, adding that remnants of fallen barbed wire were still visible at the scene.

They said the gate to the house was intact and undamaged after the incident, while residents also did not report any robbery in the community that night.

According to the family, after Jamiu’s sister heard the gunshot and rushed downstairs, soldiers allegedly told her to go outside and calm down.

The family also claimed that when members of the community vigilance group arrived at the scene after being alerted by neighbours, soldiers allegedly instructed them to mop up the blood and flush it away.

They said the alleged instruction raised serious concerns about possible tampering with evidence.

Jamiu’s body was later taken to the hospital by police officers.

The family said they were made to go through hours of statements and administrative procedures before being allowed to retrieve his remains for burial.

They further claimed that the soldiers later admitted that the shooting was a mistake and that an innocent person had been killed.

According to the family, the alleged admission was made in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer and documented in a written statement.

The bereaved family is now demanding an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into Jamiu’s death, insisting that the probe must be conducted outside the army’s chain of command and under full civilian oversight.

They also called for the identification, suspension and prosecution of the soldiers involved in the shooting.

The family further demanded that the army retract its earlier statement and issue what they described as a corrected account consistent with the evidence available.

The The Managing Director, In a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer, Addressing workers across the corporation’s nationwide operations, including the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Warri-Itakpe standard gauge lines, as well as narrow gauge routes, the NRC boss stressed that employee welfare is directly tied to passenger safety.

“Nigerians trust us to move them safely, and that trust begins with how safe and supported we feel at work,” he said.

“A tired driver, a distracted technician, or a demoralised station officer is a risk to the entire rail system,” he said.

He revealed that concerns raised during internal engagements, including heavy workloads, irregular shifts, limited welfare facilities at remote stations and strained interdepartmental relations, have prompted management to adopt a more holistic safety approach.

As part of its 2026 agenda, Opeifa said the NRC would improve working conditions, strengthen staff welfare systems and promote a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture across all levels of the organisation.

He added that access to medical and welfare support would be expanded, with greater attention given to mental health services, urging workers experiencing emotional or psychological strain to seek help promptly.

“Silence is not safety,” he said, calling on employees to report concerns early through supervisors, union representatives or designated support channels.

The NRC boss also urged staff to take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe work environment by observing rest periods, supporting colleagues and treating psychosocial risks with the same urgency as physical threats.

“Safety on the railway is not just about tracks and equipment; it is about people,” he stated.

A High Court in Anambra State has convicted and sentenced one Ifeanyi Anizoba Jr. to death by hanging for pushing his father, Ifeanyi Anizoba to death during an altercation at Nodu Village, Awka, the state capital

Delivering judgment in Awka, the trial judge, Justice Chukwudi Okaa, found the defendant guilty of the offence, adding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel, Mrs Chiamaka Chukwuka, had told the court that the incident occurred on Dec. 24, 2019, at Nodu Village, Awka, following a dispute between the defendant and his father.

The prosecution had in its submission alleged that the defendant pushed his father during an altercation, causing him to hit his head against a wall and losing consciousness.

The court heard that the defendant left his father unattended to for two days without seeking medical assistance.

He also locked him up in a room until neighbours raised the alarm after perceiving an offensive odour.

The body was subsequently discovered by family members.

The prosecution called three witnesses, including a relative of the deceased, the investigating police officer and the medical doctor, who conducted the autopsy.

The defendant, who was initially without legal representation, was later assigned a counsel from the Office of the Public Defender.

The defence called two witnesses and denied responsibility for the death.

In his judgment, Okaa held that the totality of the evidence established that the defendant’s actions led to the death of the deceased and accordingly convicted him.

He subsequently sentenced the defendant to death by hanging.

(NAN)

andgtovernor The endorsement came after Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the state’s top seat during a closed-door session attended by members of the state executive council and key political figures.

Among those present were members of the Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a capable and experienced leader who has earned the confidence of the administration after serving as deputy governor for seven years.

“We just received Mr Deputy who came with a strong delegation of leaders to formally inform us of his intention to contest,” the governor said.

“It was unanimous among us that the deputy governor is fit and well-prepared for this role. He understands the workings of government and has demonstrated integrity, loyalty and commitment at the highest level.”

Sanwo-Olu added that Hamzat’s experience within the administration positions him as a ready successor, noting that his contributions to governance have been significant.

“This is a deputy governor who is already governor material from day one. He has been built for this responsibility, and I believe he deserves the opportunity to lead Lagos at this point,” he said.

The governor also acknowledged the role of party leadership and national figures in nurturing the political partnership, expressing appreciation for what he described as a long-term vision now coming to fruition.

Hamzat’s declaration and subsequent endorsement signal the early shaping of political alignments ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, with party stakeholders rallying behind continuity in leadership.

Africa is poised to become a central force in global economic growth and supply chains, driven by its vast reserves of critical minerals and expanding industrial capacity, the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Ben Black, has said.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council’s “Investing in Africa Forum” held on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., Black said the continent holds a strategic advantage in shaping the future of global manufacturing and trade.

“The future of global growth and supply chains will run through Africa. In many ways, Africa is ground zero for our shared economic future,” he said.

Black pointed to Africa’s fast-growing population, expanding workforce and rising consumer markets as key drivers of its economic potential, alongside its abundant deposits of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, titanium and graphite-essential components for advanced technologies including batteries, semiconductors and aerospace systems.

He added that investments across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, healthcare and logistics would be critical to unlocking the continent’s full economic value.

A major highlight of his address was the growing push for local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), which he said would strengthen Africa’s medical supply chains and reduce dependence on imports.

Black cited the multi-million-dollar API facility developed by Emzor Pharmaceuticals in Nigeria as a significant step toward building pharmaceutical self-sufficiency in West Africa, with the plant expected to produce up to 400 metric tonnes of essential medicines annually.

“Developing Africa’s stores of active pharmaceutical ingredients will help diversify critical medical supply chains,” he said.

The position aligns with Nigeria’s broader healthcare industrialisation drive under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, which has prioritised local manufacturing of essential drugs to improve long-term medicine security.

National Coordinator of PVAC, Abdu Mukhtar, said initiatives such as Emzor’s API project are critical to reducing structural dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs while boosting domestic capacity.

He noted that expanding local API production would enhance medicine availability and affordability, strengthen supply chain resilience and position Nigeria as a competitive health manufacturing hub within Africa, particularly under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Beyond healthcare, Black stressed the importance of scaling investments in energy and transmission infrastructure to support industrial growth, including refining and manufacturing activities across the continent.

He said the DFC is committed to fostering partnerships that drive long-term economic transformation, adding that Africa represents a vital frontier for global investment.

“It’s time to move from talking about Africa’s potential to delivering on its promise,” he said.

Analysts say growing policy support from governments — including tariff incentives, regulatory reforms and targeted industrial policies — is already boosting investor confidence, particularly in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, where listed companies have recorded steady revenue growth.

The combined push from global financiers and domestic reforms is expected to accelerate foreign direct investment inflows, create jobs and strengthen economic resilience across the continent, reinforcing Africa’s emerging role as a critical hub in the global economy.

Nigeria’s foreign reserves dropped by about $731 million in the first three weeks of April 2026, showing continued pressure on the country’s supply of foreign currency.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that reserves fell from $49.18 billion on April 1 to $48.45 billion by April 23. This means the country lost an average of about $233 million per week during that period.

The decline continues a recent trend and highlights the challenge authorities face in managing the exchange rate, meeting external payments, and maintaining enough foreign currency in the system.The biggest drop happened earlier in the month:From April 1 to April 10, reserves fell from $49.18 billion to $48.81 billion.Between April 13 and April 17, they dropped slightly from $48.72 billion to $48.62 billion.

From April 20 to April 23, the decline slowed further, moving from $48.54 billion to $48.45 billion.

This suggests that demand for foreign exchange was higher at the start of April but reduced later in the month.

The earlier drop may have been caused by the central bank selling more foreign currency and settling external debts. The slower decline later could mean fewer interventions or some improvement in inflows.

This follows a similar trend in March, when reserves fell from over $50.08 billion on March 12 to $49.61 billion by March 23.

Even with the recent drop, reserves are still higher than the same period in 2025, when they were around $37.83 billion.

Earlier in January 2026, reserves actually increased by about $509 million, showing that inflows were stronger at that time.

According to the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, the recent decline is not a major concern.

Looking ahead, the central bank still expects reserves to rise to about $51 billion by the end of 2026 as part of efforts to stabilize the economy and strengthen confidence.

By Deborah Akpede

The chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) Mr Adetayo Akerele, has revealed that 50 suspected hoodlums were arrested during a statewide enforcement operation on environmental sanitation compliance.

The suspected hoodlums, according to him, were arrested during the taskforce supervised activities across several hotspots known for recurring environmental violations in Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, Agege, Iyana-Oworo, Lagos Island, LekkiAjah Expressway, Ijora Causeway, Ijora Under bridge and Iddo

Akerele confirmed this in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Taskforce, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on Sunday in Lagos.

He noted significant compliance with restrictions on vehicular movement and commercial activities, though some residents failed to participate actively.

In a related development, the taskforce apprehended 50 individuals along the LekkiEpe Expressway for allegedly disturbing public peace during the sanitation period.

“Some suspects were implicated in acts threatening public infrastructure, including billboards and road signage.

“All suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” he said.

Akerele said the monthly sanitation exercise targeted indiscriminate waste disposal, open defecation, street trading and other environmental infractions.

He reiterated that violators would be prosecuted under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, 2017.

He stressed that consistent enforcement and public cooperation remained key to achieving lasting environmental order.

The chairman urged youths to avoid street football during sanitation hours and participate in keeping communities clean.

He reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance, noting sustained compliance was essential to making Lagos safer, cleaner and more livable.

(NAN)

DOA/KTO