Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Ann Pettifor, the British economist who became a global figure in the fight for debt relief, will deliver the keynote address at the 9th Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC).

Pettifor is best remembered for her pivotal role in helping Nigeria secure one of the most remarkable debt deals in modern African history. Between 2004 and 2005, she worked closely with Nigeria’s Debt Management Office. She also collaborated with the then Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to negotiate the clearance of more than $30 billion owed to the Paris Club of official creditors. The deal restored fiscal breathing room to Nigeria’s economy. It also set a precedent for how developing nations could reset their debt burdens.

Her influence on the global stage extends far beyond Nigeria. She was one of the driving forces behind the Jubilee 2000 campaign. The grassroots movement galvanised world leaders and ultimately secured the cancellation of more than $100 billion in external debts for 42 of the world’s poorest countries. Backed by churches, trade unions, and civil society groups, the campaign reshaped conversations around sovereign debt and international finance.

In recognition of her contributions, Nigeria’s former president Olusegun Obasanjo conferred on her the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 2002, a rare honour for a foreign national.

Today, Pettifor serves as Director of Policy Research in Macroeconomics (PRIME), a UK-based think tank focused on sustainable finance and economic justice. She also sits on the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission, where she advises on climate finance and equitable economic policies. 9th Edition of GITFiC

At GITFiC 2025, she will act as both keynote speaker and lead discussant for the Global Debt Initiative and the GITFiC Agenda 2031. She is expected to bring decades of experience in global finance and advocacy into the ongoing dialogue on Africa’s debt sustainability.

The 9th edition of the conference, scheduled for October 29 to November 2 in Accra, will revolve around two major themes: the second Global Debt Initiative and the maiden AfCFTA Tertiary Students’ Congress.

Selasi Kofi Ackom, CEO of GITFiC, said the Global Debt Initiative was born out of the realisation that externally imposed solutions often failed to meet Africa’s needs.

‘Over the past years, we noticed that solutions designed outside Africa for Africans were not helping the continent’s financial architecture,’ Ackom noted.

‘This highlighted the need for an integrated, indigenous African financial architecture-cooked by Africans, made for Africans, and implemented by Africans. This vision gave birth to the Global Debt Initiative.’

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called for more robust access to environmental information in Nigeria, warning that the absence of timely and reliable data is undermining efforts to address the country’s worsening environmental and climate challenges.

The call was made on Monday during the launch of a new report, ‘Access to Environmental Information and the Cost of Ignorance in Nigeria,’ which coincided with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).

The report highlights the mounting risks posed by deforestation, flooding, desertification, oil pollution in the Niger Delta, poor plastic waste management, and declining air and water quality.

According to MRA, these issues are not only threatening ecosystems and public health but are also costing Nigeria billions of dollars in infrastructure damage, displacing communities, and endangering national stability.

Speaking at the launch, Ayomide Eweje, Programme Officer, MRA, said Nigeria already has a layered framework of laws and international obligations that could serve as a strong foundation for environmental accountability, including the Freedom of Information Act, Climate Change Act, and Environmental Impact Assessment Act.

However, she noted that weak enforcement, lack of proactive disclosure by public institutions, and poor citizen engagement remain major obstacles.

‘Without meaningful and effective access to environmental information, citizens cannot protect their health and livelihoods or hold decision-makers accountable’, Eweje said. ‘Ensuring access is not just about legal compliance; it is about empowering people to safeguard their future.’

The report also underscores the potential of digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to strengthen environmental monitoring and public access to real-time data.

Yet, it warns that structural inequalities-particularly the exclusion of rural communities and women from decision-making-continue to threaten Nigeria’s environmental governance.

To address these gaps, MRA urged federal and state governments to strengthen and enforce laws mandating proactive disclosure of environmental data in digital, user-friendly formats, establish centralised, open-access data portals on pollution, deforestation, water quality, and climate risks invest in broadband expansion, solar-powered hubs, and community ICT centres to bridge the rural digital divide.

The organisation also called on civil society, the media, academia, and the private sector to collaborate in monitoring environmental hazards and ensuring that information is accessible, comprehensible, and actionable.

Eweje stressed that transparency and public participation are critical to preventing further environmental devastation in Nigeria.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) highlights that 65 percent of Nigerian employers cite skill gaps as a major barrier to organisational transformation.

Although, Nigeria mirrors this issue which is also a global trend, it also faces unique challenges. Roles such as AI and machine learning specialists, data analysts, and sustainability Experts are among the fastest-growing, with net increases of 82 percent, 41 percent, and 33 percent respectively.

Digital transformation is reshaping employer priorities. Network and cyber security skills are in highest demand, with 87 percent of Nigerian employers identifying them as critical, well above the global average of 70 percent. Other sought-after competencies include AI and big data proficiency, systems thinking, customer service, and global citizenship. However, significant barriers persist. In addition to the 65 percent skills gap, half of employers report difficulty attracting talent, resistance to organisational change, and regulatory inflexibility. Limited investment capital further compounds these challenges.

As global labour trends accelerate, driven by technological disruption, demographic shifts, and the green transition, Nigeria must urgently invest in human capital to remain competitive.

According to Tshif Dombo, human resource value engineer at SAP Africa, said, ‘There’s a balancing act between upskilling and reskilling, and a lot of organisations right now want to be skills-based organisations’.

‘The issue is that there’s still a maturity gap around skills, how we define them, how we measure them, and how we connect them back to business outcomes.’

Globally, reports from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report 2025 survey of over 1,000 large enterprises across 55 economies, projects that 170 million jobs will be created globally over the next five years, while 92 million will be displaced. More than a billion roles are expected to evolve in form and function. These projections signals a profound shift in the nature of work. Global Trends: The rise of tech and green roles

Across international markets, demand is surging for roles such as big data specialists, fintech engineers, AI and machine learning experts, and software developers. Green economy positions, such as autonomous vehicle engineers, environmental scientists, and renewable energy experts, are also climbing the ranks.

Conversely, traditional roles like bank tellers, postal clerks, and administrative assistants are experiencing steep declines. Employers globally are prioritising analytical thinking, cybersecurity, and digital literacy, alongside soft skills like creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

Nigeria’s labour landscape: Opportunities and challenges

The report emphasises that public-sector investment in reskilling is vital. Stakeholders across government, industry, and education must collaborate to ensure Nigerian talent is future-ready. While resumes may still hold relevance, the future belongs to those who can adapt, learn, and lead in a world defined by change.

The skills gap is not merely a statistic, but a barrier to growth, innovation, and inclusion. As technological disruption, climate imperatives, and economic uncertainty reshape the global labour market, Nigeria must act decisively.

The report also recommends that 73 percent of Nigerian employers advocate for increased government funding, while 40 percent stress the need for improved transport infrastructure to support workforce mobility.

Organisations must also play their part by embedding upskilling into corporate culture and strengthening change management strategies. Without such commitment, Nigeria risks falling behind in the global race for talent.

How blood donation keeps sickle cell warriors alive and how the Noella Foundation is leading the fight

Sickle cell disease is one of Nigeria’s most urgent yet overlooked health challenges. Each year, about 150,000 babies are born with the condition, the highest number in the world. Too many do not live to see their fifth birthday. For those who survive, life is a constant battle of painful crises, medical emergencies, and repeated hospital stays.

For these patients, often called warriors for their resilience, blood is not optional. It is survival. And for the Noella Foundation, ensuring warriors have access to safe blood is central to our mission.

Understanding Sickle Cell: The Silent Crisis

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that reshapes red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, they become hard, sticky, and sickle-shaped. These cells block blood flow, die faster, and deprive the body of oxygen. The result is severe pain, infections, strokes, organ damage, and sometimes death.

Warriors live with the unpredictability of crises that can strike at any moment, in classrooms, workplaces, or at home. Every episode carries the risk of being fatal. Among the most dangerous complications is severe anemia, when the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells to survive.

This is where blood transfusions make the difference. They replace damaged cells, ease pain, prevent strokes, and often pull a warrior back from the edge. For many, transfusions are not a temporary treatment. They are a lifeline that keeps them alive and functioning. Behind each warrior’s survival is often the unseen gift of someone’s donation.

Donate Blood, Save a Warrior

Statistics reveal the scale of the problem, but they only take on meaning when tied to human experience.

Chinedu, a 12-year-old from Enugu, loves drawing superheroes. Yet, he spends more time in hospitals than at school. During one crisis, his blood levels dropped so dangerously low that doctors said he would not survive without a transfusion. A single pint of blood saved him. That donation meant he could return home, pick up his pencils, and continue chasing his dream of becoming an engineer (before the next hospital appointment, and hopefully there’s blood).

Not all stories end with hope. Bisi, a 23-year-old graduate in Ibadan, collapsed during a job interview. Doctors searched desperately for blood, but the bank was empty. By the time her family found a donor, it was too late. Her life was cut short not only by sickle cell but also by the shortage of blood.

These two stories underline the thin line between life and death that warriors walk every day. One pint of blood can save up to three lives because it can be separated into red cells, plasma, and platelets. For warriors, the red cells are most critical. When a crisis strikes, time matters. Without available stock, families waste precious hours searching while their loved one fades away. This tragedy is preventable if more Nigerians commit to regular voluntary donation.

Voluntary donors also build a safer and more reliable system. Their blood is screened in advance, reducing risks and ensuring quality. Sporadic donations during emergencies are never enough for warriors who need blood repeatedly. Unlike food or money, blood cannot be manufactured. It must come from one person to another, from you to them.

How You Can Help

The Noella Foundation is committed to tackling sickle cell disease by raising awareness, driving advocacy, and working with hospitals and communities to improve access to safe blood. But this mission cannot be achieved without you.

Here is how you can help:

Donate blood regularly: The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has centers nationwide. Teaching hospitals and some private facilities also run drives.

Know the requirements: Donors must be 18-60 years old, weigh at least 50kg, and be in good health.

Understand the process: The actual donation takes less than 15 minutes, and your body naturally replenishes the blood within weeks. Men can donate every three months, women every four.

Spread awareness: Help correct the myths. Donating blood does not make you permanently weak or shorten life. Research even shows health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease.

Organize or support drives: Workplaces, schools, and religious groups can partner with NBTS and the Noella Foundation to bring blood closer to warriors who need it.

Support advocacy: Push for stronger policies and funding that expand blood services and reduce the stigma around sickle cell.

A Call to Action

Every day, warriors across Nigeria wake up to battles most of us will never face. But resilience alone cannot fill a blood bank. Hope lies in knowing blood will be available when they need it.

When you donate, you are giving more than a pint. You are giving Chinedu another chance to draw superheroes, a graduate like Bisi the future she deserved, a mother and father the chance to raise their children, and countless others the chance to see another sunrise.

The Noella Foundation believes no warrior should die because blood was not available. This is our mission, but it can only be achieved with your support.

Recently, the shareholders and Boards of Directors of Providus Bank and Unity Bank at a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) gave their resounding approval to proceed with the business combination of the two financial institutions.

The nod to go ahead by the boards and shareholders of the two institutions signifies a moment of national significance for Nigeria’s banking industry-one that reflects resilience, foresight, and collective responsibility.

The deal, which won overwhelming shareholder approval at a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting, combines the strengths of both institutions.

Analysts believe that the Providus-Unity deal signals more than a merger, but a bold step to protect shareholder value, restore confidence, and reshape the future of Nigeria’s banking landscape.

The success of the merger could well determine how future business combinations are perceived-not merely as survival strategies, but as platforms for lasting value creation.

For instance, as at June 30, 2025, the enlarged bank held N5.3 trillion in total assets and N3.2 trillion in deposits, ranking 9th and 11th in the industry, respectively. It now boasts 229 branches and serves 3.6 million customers nationwide. With stronger capital adequacy, broader reach, and enhanced digital platforms, the enlarged bank positions itself as a backbone for Nigeria’s $1trillion economy ambition.

Also, the business combination between Providus Bank and Unity Bank which marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s financial sector comes at a time when investor confidence and shareholder value have been under intense scrutiny.

The merger represents not just the unification of assets but also a strategic step towards creating a stronger, more competitive institution particularly in Nigeria’s banking environment where institutions under the regulation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are faced with a recapitalisation hurdle with a March 31, 2026.

By prioritising transparency, safeguarding investor interests, and strengthening institutional resilience, the transaction is expected to inspire broader confidence in Nigeria’s banking system and serve as a model for how strategic partnerships can unlock value, stabilise fragile institutions, and reinforce the foundations of long-term prosperity.

Following the success of the merger, Providus Bank and Unity Bank lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its foresight, determination, and commitment to building a stronger financial system.

Providus Bank believes that the New World of Fast, Smart, Personal, and Borderless banking relationship is here. We are therefore inspired by our Future Forward Banking ethos to make life (at work and leisure) more exciting for our partners with the use of cutting-edge technology that delivers best-in-class customer satisfaction.

In less than 10 years, Providus Bank has emerged as one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country.

Through the merger, Providus aims to transform from a niche player into a national bank, leveraging Unity Bank’s over 211-branch network spread across all 36 states and the FCT. The move aligns with Providus Bank’s broader strategy to deepen its retail presence and diversify its customer base.

Additionally, Providus Bank would significantly benefit from scale in retail banking as it would expand its footprint from a largely digital operation to a full-fledged national player.

It also brings in a strong SME lending pipeline, especially in agriculture, mining, e-commerce, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, which both banks already support.

Providus plans to integrate its technology stack into Unity Bank’s branch network, enhancing service delivery and cost efficiency. The bank believes the combined entity will unlock new value across its retail, SME, and digital channels. Also, Providus Bank was recently named one of the best workplaces in banking in 2025 by the Great Place to Work (GPTW), a global leader in workplace culture. The recognition highlights the bank’s efforts to create an environment where employees feel supported, engaged and motivated.

According to GPTW, the award was based largely on staff feedback, which has become an increasingly important measure of how organisations are adapting to shifting workforce expectations.

Reacting to the feat, Managing Director/CEO, Providus Bank, Walter Akpani, had attributed it to the quality of staff at the financial institution.

‘Our people are at the very heart of what we do. This recognition is a tribute to their hard work, creativity and dedication,’ he noted.

Also, the Group Head of Human Resources at ProvidusBank, Kingsley Ogirri, said the recognition reflected the experiences of employees themselves.

‘It is proof that the policies and programmes we have put in place are making a difference, from opportunities for growth, to wellness initiatives, to creating a space where everyone feels valued,’ he added.

The CBN, by enabling the transaction, has reinforced its vision of a sector anchored on resilience and customer confidence. The CBN regulatory support is not only shaping healthier banks, but also inspiring the confidence of businesses, investors, and everyday Nigerians that the financial system is ready to serve as a cornerstone for sustainable growth.

For Unity Bank, the deal comes as a lifeline, providing an opportunity to overcome years of structural and balance sheet challenges that had weighed heavily on its operations; while for Providus Bank, it is a chance to scale further, expand reach, and leverage synergies that will position the combined entity as a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s fast-evolving banking space.

With this development, both banks have an opportunity to chart a new course defined by innovation, efficiency, and trust, setting a standard for future industry consolidations.

The enlarged entity will have the scale to compete, the reach to serve every part of the federation, and the capacity to support businesses, households, and government at every level.

Both entities merger is a move that signals stability, renews optimism, and sends a reassuring message to stakeholders that value preservation remains a top priority.

With enhanced technology platforms, deeper capital strength, and a commitment to customer service, the enlarged bank will stand as both a guardian of stability and a catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s journey toward a trillion-dollar economy. The merger also ushers in a new chapter: a bank that is bigger in ambition, broader in reach, and stronger in capacity. It also embodies the values of innovation, empathetic relationship management, customer focus, and integrity.

Beyond the immediate financial benefits, the Providus-Unity deal represents a test of the industry’s ability to inspire confidence. By prioritising transparency, safeguarding shareholder interests, and building a culture of accountability, the new entity is expected to play a central role in deepening financial inclusion and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s banking system.

‘This regulatory support is not only shaping healthier banks, but also inspiring the confidence of businesses, investors, and everyday Nigerians that our financial system is ready to serve as a cornerstone for sustainable growth,’ the banks noted.

The vote was also a signal to the markets, to regulators, and to the wider public that Nigeria’s banking sector remains robust and forward-looking.

Ultimately, the Providus-Unity deal represents a pivotal moment for the financial sector, not just in terms of numbers on a balance sheet but in rebuilding trust and charting a new course for sustainable growth.

Nigeria has launched a pound 175 million climate adaptation initiative, backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), to combat the country’s worsening erosion, flooding, and watershed degradation.

The programme, known as the Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), is designed to protect vulnerable communities, restore farmlands, and build climate resilience across 23 States.

Speaking at the official launch in Abuja on Tuesday, Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment and Chairman of the NEWMAP-EIB Steering Committee, announced that the Federal Government had met all conditions for the project’s take-off, making it now ‘disbursement-effective.’ He described the initiative as a lifeline in the fight against climate disasters that had destroyed lives, livelihoods and infrastructure across the country.

‘Today’s launch signifies a clear testimony to the power of collaboration and shared vision. ‘The support of the European Investment Bank in climate finance has provided Nigeria with a vital lifeline for erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration,’ Lawal declared.

The project builds on the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-IDA), first introduced in 2010 with World Bank financing.

That programme, which closed in 2022, rehabilitated dozens of gully erosion sites, supported food security, and improved institutional response to land degradation in 23 States.

With the EIB’s support, Nigeria has now scaled up the initiative under a five-year programme targeting 23 States, including Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Edo, Plateau, Sokoto, and Borno.

The intervention will focus on two components such as erosion and watershed management infrastructure investment, and project management.

Boko Haram terrorists shot and killed one person and abducted four young girls in renewed attacks on the border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, southern Borno State, eyewitnesses have said.

The terrorists came in their multitudes and overpowered the Joint Task Force in Kirawa town, Monday, razing more than 20 commercial vehicles and shops with goods worth millions of naira.

It was gathered that the multinational joint task force had withdrawn most of its personnel after brutal attacks on their bases led to the death of 20 soldiers.

According to a VJTF source, the palace of the District Head of Kirawa, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abubakar, was equally burnt after the invaders looted and carted away valuable items.

The source said, ‘One resident was shot dead in the attack Monday night that lasted for hours. They abducted four young girls ages between 10-13 years.’ Another source added, ‘the terrorists invaded our community around 9 pm on motorbikes, burning other structures, shops and more than 20 vehicles.

‘We are left to face our fate. We haven’t had soldiers for more than two months now; as you see, this town (Kirawa) is very strategic in term of economic activity between Nigeria and Cameroon.’

Yakubu Kirawa, the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, while corroborating the account, called for the establishment of a brigade in the community to safeguard the lives and properties. He said the assailants shot at people and displaced many residents to Cameroon.

‘They arrived in the community around 9 pm and shot sporadically; they burnt houses and shops, and many of our people ran to Cameroon. One person was also shot.

While calling for a military base, he said, ‘Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are requesting the federal government to establish a brigade and increase military deployment.’

A resident in the community, Shaibu Abdul, confirmed that the palace of the district head was burnt down.

‘They attacked the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar and burnt down his house, although, he escaped the attack,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial districts, Ali Ndume in an electronic communication said, ‘the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Kirawa and other communities have became a source of concern and frustrating, as many resilient Internally Displaced Persons have returned back to their ancestral homes that were facilitated and supported by Governor Babagana Zulum’.

The Senator troops appealed to the military authorities to ‘deploy more troops and or platoons in the affected areas of Kirawa, Ngoshe, Agapalwa, Chikide among other vulnerable communities’.

He also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drones, Attack Helicopters, as well as use Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM).

He said; ‘It is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.’ he added.

As speculations continue on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed Jerry Gana’s claim that Jonathan will contest on the party’s platform.

Debo Ologuagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, while reacting to the claim, noted that the former President has declared his intention to contest the election

‘ I don’t speak for Professor Jerry Gana. People can express their opinion. But I will emphasise this. In this party, as we are today, President Jonathan is a member; he has not said he’s not a member. ‘ But I can tell you, today, that this party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors’ level, who have done exceedingly well, that Nigeria can tap on that and say, step up the place and do the right thing, because their performances in their state show their capacity, which is actually the DNA of the PDP.

‘ I invite you to have a peer review mechanism between PDP states and the APC states. This is the conversation we should be having for the Nigerian people to look at PDP and see the array of qualified people that are there.

‘ So, I don’t speak for President Jonathan. I don’t speak for Jerry Gana, with all due respect. But our party is focused on our convention.and when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Those should be semantics’ Recall that Gana had said while speaking to newsmen in Mina, Niger State, that former President Jonathan will contest the 2027 presidential election on the party’s platform. Jonathan, who was the President from 2010 to 2015, on the platform of the party, was defeated by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 election.

Although Jonathan is yet to make his intentions public, he has in recent times engaged in high-level consultations.

He was sighted at the residence of David Mark, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, national Chairman in Abuja.

On a quiet street corner in Kano, a woman named Amina sits under a faded umbrella, shaping crunchy, golden spirals of kuli-kuli from freshly roasted groundnuts. It’s a craft she learned from her grandmother, who sold the same snack at the local market half a century ago.

The recipe hasn’t changed – just groundnuts, salt, and fire – yet the context around it has. Where once her small batch-fed neighbours and passersby, today it’s part of a growing wave of consumer demand for healthy, natural, locally made snacks.

From Lagos to Jos, Nsukka to Maiduguri, the same scene plays out with small differences: plantain chips sizzling in palm oil, spiced coconut flakes drying in the sun, or cassava crisps bagged by hand for sale on dusty shelves.

These are Nigeria’s indigenous snacks – a rich, flavourful part of our culinary story – but they have long been dismissed as ‘low-end,’ ‘informal,’ or ‘too local’ to matter in a modern economy.

That mindset is changing. And in that change lies one of the most overlooked growth stories in Nigeria’s food economy. From Street Corners to Supermarkets: The Rise of Local Snacking

Snacking is no longer just about convenience – it’s about health, identity, and experience. Across the world, consumers are rejecting ultra-processed, imported snacks in favour of options that are more nutritious, traceable, and culturally authentic. Global demand for healthy snacks is expected to reach $152 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 6.6%.

Nigeria, with its youthful population (over 60% under the age of 25) and rising urban middle class, is part of that trend. The country’s snacks market is already estimated to be worth over ?500 billion ($320 million) and growing rapidly. Yet, most of that value is captured by imported brands – from potato chips to candy bars – even though local alternatives often outperform them on nutrition, sustainability, and flavour.

‘We’ve underestimated the snack economy because we’ve underestimated ourselves,’ says Ifeoma Eze, a food systems economist. ‘Our local snacks are not just food; they’re vehicles for nutrition security, rural income, and cultural storytelling.’

The Forgotten Power of Traditional Snacks

The irony is that many Nigerian snacks – once seen as ‘poor man’s food’ – are exactly what global health trends are demanding.

Kuli-kuli, made from groundnuts, is rich in plant-based protein and healthy fats.

Coconut chips and tigernut snacks are gluten-free, high in fibre, and appeal to paleo and keto consumers.

Plantain chips are a low-sugar, potassium-rich alternative to conventional potato crisps.

Cassava-based snacks cater to the growing demand for gluten-free, indigenous grains.

These are not just nostalgic street foods – they’re functional snacks with real nutritional value, capable of competing with, or even outperforming, imported products on global shelves.

But while the world is ready, most of Nigeria’s snack makers are not. They remain informal, undercapitalised, and disconnected from the infrastructure that could help them scale. Packaging, shelf-life extension, food safety standards, and brand storytelling – these are often the missing links preventing a local favourite from becoming a global export.

The White House has announced a 20-point proposal it says could immediately halt Israel’s devastating war on Gaza, which has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians and left much of the enclave in ruins. Under the plan, fighting would stop at once if both sides agree. All captives held in Gaza – alive or dead – would be returned within 72 hours, while Israel would release Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The proposal also outlines a post-war political framework: Gaza would be temporarily administered by a Palestinian technocratic government with no role for Hamas. Israel, in turn, would pledge not to annex the territory. The full text of the proposal, published by Al Jazeera, sets out the following points:

Gaza will be a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours.

Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.

Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025, agreement.

Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the ‘Board of Peace,’ which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.

A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.

A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.

No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.

Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.

The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.

Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the [Israeli military] will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the [Israeli military], ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the [Israeli military] will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.

In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the [Israeli military] to the ISF.

An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.

While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.