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As preparations for the 2027 general elections begin, Nigerians and particularly stakeholders in the electoral process have been urged to familiarise themselves with innovations, reforms, and election guidelines introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rather than allow themselves to be misled.

The call was made at a one-day town hall meeting organised by Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) in Sokoto to sensitise key actors on electoral reforms and improve voter education towards credible elections.

The meeting organised with support from MacArthur Foundation brought together key representatives of security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, PAACA executive director Ezenwa Nwagwu stressed the need to bridge knowledge gaps on key innovations and election guidelines by INEC to counter widespread misinformation, especially as the country prepares to enter the political season.

He emphasised the need for discussion on elections to be evidence-based, explaining that elections are guided by laws. He urged stakeholders to study these laws to engage knowledgeably in electoral issues, rather than rely on misinformation.

He highlighted how politicians often mislead citizens and how poorly framed media narratives sometimes worsen mistrust in the system, noting that democratic consolidation requires citizens, political parties, and institutions to remain vigilant and informed.

‘Ninety percent of crimes during elections are committed by politicians. If citizens are empowered with the right information, manipulation becomes difficult,’ Nwagwu added.

He also stressed that while INEC and NOA play key roles in civic education, they cannot do the work alone, saying that civil society, media, security agencies, and traditional institutions must step up.

He charged leaders at all levels to take personal responsibility for educating themselves and their communities to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, saying that ‘Those who take the pain to learn are better informed and can inform others better.’

Nwagwu stressed that citizens must equip themselves with three key documents to effectively participate in the electoral process.

‘You cannot talk about elections without the Electoral Act. Every citizen must also have a copy of the Constitution, especially leaders. These documents are not just for lawyers; they are for every Nigerian. The third document is INEC’s guidelines, which show that elections are law-guided processes,’ he said.

The PAACA boss also reviewed the technological improvements made between 2015 and 2025, particularly highlighting the role of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in drastically reducing manipulation in the 2023 elections.

Nwagwu explained the workings of BVAS and IReV, noting that many misconceptions stem from a lack of understanding.

He highlighted key innovations now mainstreamed by INEC, including the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), Election Monitoring Dashboard, Political Party Financial Auditing System, the INECPRES portal for ad-hoc staff recruitment, and the Voter Verification System (VVS)Technology, which allows voters to track their polling units online to reduce confusion on election day.

The PAACA Executive Director said innovations such as the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP – Web Version) have simplified the primary elections nomination process by political parties and improved transparency.

Nwagwu also dismissed claims that Nigeria’s elections are the most expensive, noting that such claims are not based on any data.

On the contrary, he said data published by the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions, which studied the cost of elections in the ECOWAS region, indicates that Nigeria’s elections are among the least expensive, with the country spending about $8 per voter.

In a goodwill message, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Sokoto State, Umar Yusuf Garba, represented by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Abdullahi Sale Dawa, described the town hall as an important platform to deepen understanding of electoral processes.

He said, ‘The just concluded 2023 general election offered valuable lessons. While the elections demonstrated progress in areas such as voter education, deployment of technology, and stakeholders engagement, they also revealed challenges that call for honest reflection and constructive dialogue . it is only through this engagement that we can consolidate the gains achieved, address identified gaps and chart a clearer path towards credible transparent and inclusive elections in the future.’

He stressed that INEC cannot succeed in isolation, noting that building a sustainable electoral system rests on the commitment of political actors, civil society, the media, security agencies, the judiciary, and the electorate.

The Sokoto state director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Babangida Kurfi, represented by Ms. Okeke Uche Ngozi, in his goodwill message, said the town hall was timely as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on electoral reforms, harness gains, and identify areas for improvement.

She noted that the quality of Nigeria’s democracy is closely tied to the quality of citizens’ participation.

Okeke stressed that reforms are meant to strengthen transparency and fairness. She highlighted the need to tackle vote buying, encouraged peaceful political activities, and pledged NOA’s readiness to partner with organizations like PAACA in grassroots sensitisation.

A lot has changed since our 64th Independence Day anniversary, a year ago-and positively so. Nigeria today is better positioned for enduring economic growth and prosperity than it has been in a long time.

In this piece, I would like to highlight the progress we have made as a nation over the past year.

External reserves have grown from $37 billion to $42 billion. The Naira has gained about 6 percent against the US dollar since a year ago. Headline inflation, which stood at 32.7 percent a year ago, has fallen to 20 percent and is still declining. The Central Bank has just cut interest rates for the first time in five years, reflecting rising confidence in macroeconomic stability. In June 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) affirmed that ‘Nigeria [is] no longer on the list’ of countries where airline funds are blocked from repatriation.

Four landmark tax bills have been passed-the single largest fiscal reform in our recent history. On the strength of reforms that have grown revenues and blocked leakages, we have achieved the unprecedented feat of hitting the federal revenue target for the 12 months of 2025 in August-five months ahead of schedule.

In infrastructure, the presidential legacy projects have moved from fledgling ideas to visible, tangible wonders-mile after mile of imposing concrete roads stretching through communities from Lekki to Calabar to Enugu to Akwanga to Sokoto, and more. Across the country, state-of-the-art cancer centers, electricity substations, MSME hubs, student loans, cash transfers, and new Regional Development Commissions are impacting the lives of the Nigerian people.

In oil and gas, we have seen the conclusion of the historic IOC divestments, ushering in a new chapter of indigenous strength and capacity in our energy industry. We have also welcomed a $5 billion FID from Shell-in the Bonga North deepwater project-alongside several new gas supply agreements that will transform the LNG market both domestically and for export.

Many notorious terrorist and bandit leaders who were actively unleashing violence a year ago have been neutralised or are now in captivity, while our security agencies continue to score improvements in both capacity and synergy.

In sports, our women’s national teams made history: the Super Falcons with their Mission X triumph, and the D’Tigress with their Mission V success-five consecutive AfroBasket titles.

The past year has also brought Grammys, Guinness World Records, and our first official selection ever for the Cannes Film Festival-a testament to Nigerian grit and cultural genius.

The period has also seen several Nigerians elected or appointed into key international organisations, including the Vice Presidency of the International Association for Ports and Harbours; Vice Chairmanship of the International Telecommunication Union Council; Chairmanship of the World Customs Organisation Council; and the Executive Directorship of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, among others.

Nigeria is now the AU’s Digital Trade Champion, and the designated provider of strategic sea support services to the Union, through the Nigerian Navy. And in January 2025, we attained the status of a BRICS partner country.

In the first half of 2025, Nigeria-China trade surged to $15.48 billion, a 34.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This comes almost exactly a year after our bilateral relations with China were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

There is indeed much to celebrate, affirming President Tinubu’s uplifting charge to the nation on October 1, 2024: ‘While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together.’

Today, as we turn 65 and begin our 66th year as an independent nation, every word of that charge rings true. The road has been challenging, but the rewards have been real, and we have forged a bold path toward the light, just as the President promised.

At 65, a person is considered a senior citizen-typically retired from active service. But for a nation, 65 years of independence is not a long time; it is correct to say this is’morning yet on creation day’ for us. That said, we are no longer the traumatised 39-year-old that took tentative steps into democracy in 1999.

We have grown wiser, made mistakes, and learned from many of them. We have come to understand, by experience, what Winston Churchill meant when he said that ‘democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried.’ We will never allow this democratic journey to be undermined.

Twenty-five years into this historic Fourth Republic, Nigeria has at its helm a bold and experienced reformer-one unafraid to take hard but necessary decisions for the country’s future; and with a vision to deliver a trillion dollar economy by 2030.

We are able to look ahead to the coming year with great hope and confidence that we are on the right path, moving in the right direction. In the next few weeks, preparations for the 2026 budget will gain momentum, with all hands on deck to deliver a budget that truly works for the people. And in January, the new tax laws will take effect, opening a new chapter of economic dynamism.

In his 2024 Independence Day address, President Tinubu urged: ‘I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support.’

Looking at how the past 12 months have validated these powerful words-a challenging road that nonetheless opens up endless possibilities for growth, prosperity, and progress-I have no doubt whatsoever about the greatness that lies ahead as we begin the count down to our 66th Independence anniversary.

Controversial Nigerian content creator, Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, has continued to trend online for the past few days following the announcement of her plan to attempt a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the highest number of sexual partners in one day.

She made the announcement in an Instagram post, where she shared a flier bearing the GWR logo. The post revealed that the attempt was scheduled to begin on October 30.

According to the flier sighted by Tribune Online, the target was to engage with ‘100 men’ within 24 hours, with the event scheduled to take place in Ikorodu, Lagos.

‘100 men for 24 hours. I can and I will,’ Mandy wrote in the caption.

Following the announcement, GWR dismissed the proposed attempt by Mandy Kiss, saying the body does not monitor such records. Reacting to the plan, GWR stated, ‘This is not a record we monitor.’

However, despite the dismissal of the attempt by GWR, the controversial internet sensation doubled down on her plan to proceed, saying that she would record herself if the world-recording body failed to acknowledge her attempt.

She said, ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men, I’m the owner of my pussy. If you don’t record it, I will record it myself.’

The development, however, took a new turn when a monarch in Ogun State, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, calling for the arrest of Mandy Kiss following her intention to engage sexually with 100 men in 24 hours.

The monarch described the plan as ‘shameful, disgraceful, and a stain on Nigeria’s reputation.’

Following the call for her arrest by the monarch, Mandy Kiss made a U-turn on her intentions to engage sexually with 100 men.

Reacting to the call for her arrest in a TikTok video, Mandy Kiss admitted the announcement was not real but a desperate publicity move to revive her dwindling online presence.

‘I was just trying to see if I was still relevant. Everywhere was dry on my page, so I came up with the idea to boost engagement and get adverts,’ she explained, adding that she could not afford legal battles.

However, Mandy Kiss, who was recently named Lagos State Kick Against Drug and Substance Abuse (LASKADA) ambassador, is not new to controversy, as the content creator has often been in the news for controversial statements.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five controversial comments from Mandy Kiss.

1. ‘Men always leave after sleeping with me’

In September 2023, during an interview with OAP Nedu Wazobia on the Honest Bunch podcast, Mandy Kiss expressed frustration that many men she dated would lose interest or end relationships after intimacy.

She explained that this was painful because she felt used despite believing she had qualities that should sustain relationships.

She said, ‘It has not been easy for me [as regards finding true love]. I have suffered a lot. I just want happiness. I just want someone who will love me. But with my money and body, I’m still getting dumped.

‘They [suitors] will come, and I will think I have found true love. They will call me always, we will talk at night. But once they sleep with me, they leave,’ she lamented.

2. ‘I regret tattooing Naira Marley’s face on my lap’

While reacting to the death of Nigerian rapper, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad in September 2023, Mandy Kiss said she regretted tattooing the face of rapper Naira Marley on her thighs.

This came after allegations linked the Marlian boss to the sudden death of the singer.

Reacting via her Instagram story, Mandy expressed regret for idolising the Marlian Music boss.

She wrote, ‘I regretted the day I tattooed ur face on my laps, Naira Marley. You’re a big m*ss. Best day of my life is June 30 d day I erased ur face.’

3. ‘I like girls’

In a video that generated widespread criticism online in January 2024, the controversial content creator revealed her admiration for women.

According to her, she finds females very attractive. In the video, she is seen professing her love for women with an expression of pure bliss on her face.

‘I like girls. I like girls so much. I just don’t know why but I like fine girls so much.’

4. ‘I lost opportunities to sleep with rich men last year because I was acting a good girl’

In another controversial video in 2023, she lamented missing opportunities to have sex with wealthy men in 2022.

According to her, many opportunities to make money passed her by after she turned down offers from rich men who had approached her for affairs.

She said she acted like a ‘good girl’ because she was worried about what bloggers might publish about her.

She vowed that 2023 would be different, as she was ready for anything and determined to enjoy life.

She said, ‘Last year I threw away a lot of opportunities to sleep with rich men because I was acting like a good girl, being shy and afraid of what bloggers will post about me but this year I’m ready for anything.’

5. ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men’

In her most recent controversial comment in September 2025, Mandy Kiss insisted that nobody could stop her from sleeping with 100 men in 24 hours. She had earlier announced her plan to embark on a Guinness World Record ‘Sexathon’ with 100 men within a day.

However, the proposal was rejected by GWR, which maintained that the body does not monitor such records.

Despite GWR’s rejection, she insisted on going ahead, declaring, ‘Nobody can stop me from sleeping with 100 men, I’m the owner of my pussy. If you don’t record it, I will record it myself.’

As Nigerians across the world mark 65th anniversary after independence from the British colonial rule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the country, describing the anniversary as a day of reflection on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960.

According to him, profound social, economic, and political challenges have tested Nigeria’s independence for decades, but the country has survived with tremendous progress across sector, especially the country’s economy which he said ‘has experienced significant growth since 1960.’

Read the full speech below:

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHNED TINUBU, GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF NIGERIA, OCTOBER 1, 2025

Fellow Nigerians,

Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.

2. Our founding heroes and heroines-Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists-believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.

3. For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived. While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.

4. Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.

5. Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people. We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination. While our system and ties that bind us are sometimes stretched by insidious forces opposed to our values and ways of life, we continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.

6. Fellow Compatriots, this is the third time I will address you on our independence anniversary since I assumed office as your President on May 29, 2023. In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business.

7. Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.

8. In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth. Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes. These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians’ quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges.

9. Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.

10. I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.

11. Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%-Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years-and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.

12. In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:

i. We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023.

ii. We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

iii. We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September-the highest since 2019.

iv. Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.

v. We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ?7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.

vi. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023. The increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.

vii. The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows. The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history. Additionally, our currency rate against the dollar is no longer determined by fluctuations in crude oil prices.

viii. Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.

ix. Coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22% decline in Q1 to 57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. The solid mineral sector is now pivotal in our economy, encouraging value-added production of minerals extracted from our soil.

x. The administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway. The Federal Executive Council recently approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project.

xi. The world is taking notice of our efforts. Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.

xii. At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.

SECURITY:

13. We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.

YOUTH:

14. I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high. We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions. As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.

15. Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more.

16. YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.

17. Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised to build a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of background, has an equitable opportunity to access a better future-thus, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme. The Bank of Industry is driving the programme, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank. This initiative is at the cusp of implementation. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

18. Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government. However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.

19. The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities. Let me assure you of our administration’s determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today, the governors at the state level, and the local government autonomy are yielding more developments.

20. Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy. Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing. In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building. Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.

21. Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation.

22. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.

23. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amen.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Presidential Villa,

Abuja.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has approved the commencement of online applications for lawyers seeking appointment as Notaries Public of Nigeria.

The online approval, described as a landmark step by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, is aimed at revolutionising the appointment process for legal practitioners.

A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Court, Dr. Festus Akande, on Wednesday said legal practitioners in the country seeking appointments as Notaries Public can now apply through digital means.

The statement partly read: ‘This pivotal decision underscores the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to embracing digital innovation, enhancing efficiency, and fostering greater accessibility within the legal community.

‘This significant development marks a new era of convenience and transparency for aspiring Notaries Public.

‘Previously a paper-intensive process, the new digital platform will streamline submissions, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure a more expeditious review of applications.

‘Interested and qualified lawyers can now submit their applications through the newly launched, secure online portal at https://notary.gov.ng.

‘This user-friendly platform has been meticulously designed to guide applicants through each step of the process, ensuring a seamless and straightforward experience,’ Akande said in the statement.

It is a privilege to give the Jan Vansina lecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on October 1st, 2025. With the defunding of Title VI programs, it is such a depressing moment for African Studies. Perhaps the field is set for new definitions, or it will be reimagined, or it will be ghettoized, as Philip Curtin once predicted, or it will shift its centers to the margins as the future of empires is reconfigured. The future is always in hiding; the new clothes of today are rags of tomorrow. Nothing is eternal. Africa should not be confused with African Studies. The Sagole baobab should not be confused with the African baobab. In the lecture, I will split my time between the past that Vansina speaks to and the future that partly draws from his career.

Colonial narratives caused African history to be routinely marginalized and misrepresented in the first half of the 20th century. These stories ignored the many indigenous oral traditions of the continent in favor of written materials. This exclusive method essentially undermined civilizations whose historical records grew only through oral storytelling, therefore limiting our knowledge of the historical richness of Africa. Born in 1929, Belgian historian Jan Vansina challenged this constrained historiographical paradigm. He transformed the field of African historical study by promoting the integrity and rigor of oral traditions.

Early in his career, in what was then arrogantly called the Belgian Congo, Vansina was personally exposed to the dominant intellectual theories that rejected African oral traditions. Vansina first learned his craft under the guidelines of conventional colonial ethnography. His academic perspective was much changed by his deep and transforming interactions with the Kuba people. Through close interaction with their rich and complex oral histories, Vansina was able to identify the people’s inherent historical authenticity and depth. He began to realize that oral stories constitute a strong archive of historical knowledge, rather than merely folkloric. This realization changed his intellectual focus and made him a leader in supporting oral traditions as historical sources.

It was a common colonial belief that the validation for Africa’s historical accounts should primarily come from European archival materials. Vansina argued powerfully against this presumption. Historiographical circles initially fiercely opposed his method, mistrusting oral materials due to concerns about their reliability. Vansina continued to fight for the historical validity of oral traditions, thereby ever more transforming the world of scholars with relentless dedication. In his work, oral traditions are finally given the status of living and trustworthy sources, of inestimable value for interpreting Africa’s past in an exhaustive manner.

He also had an interdisciplinary mind, combining anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and ethnography to fill in the gaps in his endeavor to make oral tradition credible. Thanks to his groundbreaking work, Oral Tradition as History, historians were presented with a challenging model of analysis to aid them in undertaking a critical examination of oral sources. Vansina was able to distinguish historical facts from politically or culturally inspired reinterpretations by comparing different modes of oral tradition, including genealogies, praise songs, epics, and personal testimonies. His research approaches revealed the need to examine oral materials inside the cultural and historical contexts most relevant to them.

Vansina convincingly demonstrated that advanced political and social systems existed in Central African kingdoms long before the arrival of Europeans. This was achieved through a thorough field study of the Kongo and Kuba, among other kingdoms. His research revealed in-depth records of the succession of leadership, political alliances, economic systems, and social standards that were preserved over his lifetime through oral histories. These results clearly refute presumptions that African nations are historically fixed or simple. Instead, they emphasized the dynamic government structures, sophisticated cultural traditions, and substantial economic ties.

Apart from their intellectual value, the strategies devised by Vansina had a profound influence on cultural reclamation movements that spread across Africa. Historically marginalized communities began to regain their stories and validate their historical autonomy, free from the distortions imposed by colonization. Vansina’s support of oral traditions helped indigenous historians and people to preserve, record, and understand their histories independently. This served to foster community pride and identity. This approach greatly helped African groups to restore more significant cultural rituals and strengthen historical self-assurance.

Vansina’s methodology has been criticized for being based on the inherent limitations of oral tradition, such as generation depth bias, selective memory, and political susceptibility. Critics argue that oral traditions can change or become distorted over time, thereby distorting historical fact. Vansina was eager to use strict methodological discipline and cross-verifying multidisciplinary methods to resolve verifiable problems. To make the data more credible and eliminate some of its weaknesses, he prescribed a triangulation of oral testimony, using archaeological data, linguistic forms, and anthropological evidence. The ideas of Vansina have pragmatic consequences that extend far beyond the academic field and significantly impact modern actions related to legal protection and cultural preservation.

Vansina-inspired techniques are now somewhat standard in indigenous rights groups. In the fields of land restitution, cultural conservation, and human rights campaigning, these groups have been gathering extraordinary evidence from oral testimony. In legal settings in countries such as Canada, Australia, and Latin America, where oral histories are accepted as legitimate historical evidence in court procedures, his scholarly method has been particularly significant. In such locations, his technique has been particularly effective.

Moreover, Vansina’s methods have had a significant influence on the field of digital humanities, enabling technological innovations to record, document, and methodically assess oral histories. Digital projects using his transdisciplinary validation techniques help to preserve oral histories. This protects and preserves cultural memories against urbanization, globalization, and social transformation. These digital archives ensure preservation, therefore extending Vansina’s legacy. A great advantage is also their making oral traditions generally available and academically trustworthy for the next generations.

Vansina’s devised strategies have been adopted by educational and cultural institutions, making a significant contribution to the historiographical decolonization process. His inclusive historical methods inspire historians to conduct research from diverse and sensitive perspectives, while also providing comprehensive and culturally conscious teaching. Universities are under greater scrutiny to appreciate multiple epistemologies and methodological rigor when handling oral histories. This helps to produce a more inclusive and balanced historical conversation.

The intellectual work of Vansina makes a considerable difference in indigenous studies worldwide, therefore influencing academic scholarship and constructing cross-cultural dialogue. Indigenous peoples in the Americas, Oceania, and Asia, among other nations, actively engage with Vansina’s scientific work of reconstructing histories that reflect their actual realities. Indigenous intellectuals construct epistemologies within the dominant academic scholarship through their work, deconstructing colonial historical constructions.

Through his essential work, Vansina revolutionized the field of world historical studies. Consistent with his advocacy for diversity, analytical rigor, and cultural sensitivity, his support for giving underprivileged voices-typically excluded from scholarly debate-the chance to share and communicate their stories using authority. Thus, his work serves to democratize historical research. Emphasizing pluralism and respect for a range of historical sources and knowledge systems, Vansina’s legacy inspires fresh historical research.

Lastly, the ongoing intellectual breakthroughs Vansina brought greatly expanded the horizons of history. These advances underlined the complementarity of written and oral traditions and justified the accuracy of much historical evidence. His appeal to rigorous, multidisciplinary approaches has dramatically influenced the methods of historical research, thereby making history an amazingly accessible, dynamic, and culturally responsive subject. The work of Vansina emphasizes the necessity of continually reconsidering historical methodology to honor alternative human perspectives. This helps to define his ongoing legacy as a forerunner of inclusive historical research.

President Bola Tinubu has advised that Nigeria should be a nation of producers rather than just being consumers.

He stated this in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Wednesday, saying that it was time for the country to shift from being a consuming nation to a producing one.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods. I say Nigeria first,’ Tinubu declared.

The president explained that reforms like removing fuel subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates were tough but necessary to reset the economy.

‘We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today,’ he said.

Tinubu added that the results are beginning to show, noting that Nigeria recorded a 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025 while inflation dropped to its lowest in three years.

‘The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,’ he assured citizens.

He also urged Nigerians to join hands in building a self-reliant nation.

Tinubu added, ‘The accurate measure of our success will not be in economic statistics alone, but in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.’

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has celebrated the graduation of 8,300 young men and women who successfully completed the One Youth Two Skills Plus Programme.

The graduation ceremony was held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Monday.

This initiative, launched on 22 October 2022, aims to revolutionise youth empowerment by moving beyond mere consumption to fostering productive, innovative, and exportable skills.

The One Youth Two Skills Programme stands out as the largest youth enterprise and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development initiative in Nigeria, one that aspires to make Anambra State a leading skills hub in Sub-Saharan Africa. Governor Soludo emphasised that the programme is designed to ensure that a significant percentage of the youth in Anambra acquire employable skills that can also be exported.

According to him, the initiative consists of five critical schemes, including the Apprenticeship Scheme, Entrepreneurship Scheme, Cooperatives Formation Scheme, Business Financing Scheme, and Mentorship Scheme, all of which are structured to last for one year.

He revealed that the first phase of the initiative had successfully empowered 5,000 youths from 179 communities, distributing ?2 billion for equipment financing and ?2.5 billion for working capital.

During the recent graduation ceremony, Governor Soludo highlighted the immense success of the first phase, which recorded an over 80% success rate in terms of business commencement and expansion among its beneficiaries, underscoring that products showcased at the event, including T-shirts and food, were created by graduates of the programme, reflecting the initiative’s motto of using local resources and producing what is needed.

He noted that the initiative also encourages collaboration among beneficiaries, evidenced by the formation of the Solution Youth-Preneurs Support Group (SYPSG) – a self-driven platform aimed at supporting fellow youths in acquiring skills, explaining that the group is currently training 1,000 Anambra youths at no cost, showcasing the programme’s commitment to community upliftment.

As the second phase of the One Youth Two Skills Plus begins, it aims to expand its reach and effectiveness. Governor Soludo has set ambitious targets, planning to empower 20,000 youths and increase training centres from 634 to 1,000 in the upcoming phase.

Governor Soludo encouraged the graduates to take their journey seriously, embracing the entrepreneurial mindset that prioritises success through hard work and innovation.

‘With financial support amounting to ?3.5 billion available to graduates through the Business Financing Scheme, as well as one year of mentorship from business development experts, the future looks promising for the empowered youth,’ the governor stated.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, expressed immense satisfaction with the growth of the One Youth Two Skills Programme, stating, ‘It is incredibly fulfilling to see how this initiative is evolving from strength to strength. We are witnessing a profound transformation in the lives and futures of thousands of our youth.’

Similarly, the Chairman of the One Youth Two Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Chinedu Onyeizugbe, acknowledged the programme’s success, noting a remarkable forty-eight per cent increase in participation. ‘This initiative stands out as a model for scholars and practitioners alike. Every graduation ceremony marks a vital step toward achieving our vision where every youth in Anambra is equipped with the essential skills for their survival,’ he remarked.

Many beneficiaries of the programme, from within and outside the state, shared their success stories, highlighting how it has empowered them to become employers rather than job seekers.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, declaring that nowhere in Kwara will be safe for criminal elements, including kidnappers.

The governor made the statement after a security council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Wednesday.

Following the recent attack at Oke Ode, the governor travelled to Abuja to brief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which he reiterated his request for additional federal deployment to raid the hideouts.

‘The Army Headquarters has since relocated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen security operations in the state,’ he said.

‘On Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango, along the Kwara-Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits. The same operation continued on Tuesday. And yesterday night, I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South.’

Governor Abdulrazaq assured Kwara residents that his administration would not relent in supporting security agencies to keep every community safe.

‘I have assurances of the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts. We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals. To any criminal who seeks to destabilise the peace in Kwara, you may run, but you cannot escape justice. Kwara belongs to its people, and their peace will be defended,’ the governor added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians (both home and abroad) to renew their confidence in the country, urging them to ‘Bet on Nigeria’ despite current challenges.

Speaking in a recent national address posted on his verified X handle, the President emphasised that the nation’s journey, though difficult, is far from over – and its success is still within reach.

His words; ‘Nigeria will succeed. Lift Nigeria. Believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria First. Bet on Nigeria’.

Nigeria will succeed.

Lift Nigeria.

Believe in Nigeria.

Put Nigeria First.

Bet on Nigeria.https://t.co/DGFWsrw1sY

– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) October 1, 2025

In related development, Tinubu also proposed that Nigeria should be a nation of producers rather than just being consumers.

He stated this in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Wednesday, saying that it was time for the country to shift from being a consuming nation to a producing one.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods. I say Nigeria first,’ Tinubu declared.

The president explained that reforms like removing fuel subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates were tough but necessary to reset the economy.