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Let’s talk about the Global Debt Initiative, which is taking centre stage at GITFiC.

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

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 last year, bringing together specially invited stakeholders for its inaugural edition.

The process began with initial foresights, which we then presented to our stakeholders, organised in tiers. Our tier-four global stakeholders included the African Development Bank, engaged through a published position paper, the United Nations via the office of the Secretary-General, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, and other tier-one and tier-two partners. These discussions were fruitful, with the African Development Bank contributing significantly under the guidance of the then-president’s appointed vice president.

The Secretary-General also contributed, delegating UNECA’s West African Director to act on his behalf. Numerous other stakeholders provided input as well.

Today, this collaborative effort has resulted in a holistic position paper that laid the foundation for the entire Global Debt Initiative conversation.

One challenge Africa faces is the credit rating issue. Are we bringing both borrowers and lenders into the conversation? Are they part of what is happening here?

When we began this conversation last year, we reached out to major global credit rating agencies, SandP, Moody’s, and Fitch, inviting them multiple times to join the discussion.

But developing an African solution that gains global acceptance is no easy task. In one 45-50-minute session with Fitch, they made it clear that even the African Union cannot compel their participation. Such conversations, they said, are simply not in their interest.

Still, the African Union, through its F4 structure, plans to establish an African Credit Rating Agency, integrated with the African Stock Exchange and the African Central Bank. At the AU conference in Accra last year, Nigeria even presented the proposed headquarters for the Central Bank, signalling strong continental progress.

While we may eventually not need global agencies, we still rely on them now; they determine international borrowing limits and convey our economic performance to the world. Even when unfavourable, their assessments set the global narrative.

At GITFIC, we counter this by publishing monthly debt situation reports with robust statistics for all 54 African member states, challenging the conventional international narratives.

Let’s talk about the AfCFTA Tertiary Student Congress, which is a major highlight of what is going on during GITFIC.

If you have followed GITFIC closely, you would know that we have been part of the AfCFTA conversation since 2018 in Kigali. The very nomenclature of AfCFTA inspired the third edition of our conference at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa in 2019.

At that event, we pledged that we would never relent in our activities around the AfCFTA until it became impactful, until it reached the peak of its goals. We committed ourselves not to let go. Since then, we have carried out several sensitisation initiatives across Ghana and in other African countries, organising multiple international conferences. At these gatherings, we brought in experts, chief trade negotiators, and central as well as regional banks. For instance, when the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) was launched, we brought stakeholders to Accra to discuss its implications. We have worked with every major actor you could think of in the ecosystem to ensure that education and sensitisation organising around the African Continental Free Trade Area became part and parcel of daily economic discourse.

We also introduced the tertiary student clubs, which currently exist in universities across Ghana and Togo, and we are gradually expanding to other member states. The aim is to enhance youth involvement in AfCFTA through the educational sector.

That’s not all. Earlier this year, in March, at the World Bank office in Accra, we launched a curriculum on the AfCFTA. Stakeholders gathered to discuss and review the curriculum, which was designed to be adopted by universities across the African continent. At present, three universities are already teaching this curriculum, and more institutions are applying to adopt it. We are rolling out this adoption in phases.

The need to extend sensitisation further among the youth is what inspired the creation of the AfCFTA Tertiary Student Congress. This congress will provide a centralised platform every year for universities to send student representatives. These students will engage in deep discussions on policies and policy-related issues within Africa’s education sector, particularly how they intersect with the sustainability of the AfCFTA. Each congress will also serve as an opportunity to elect new executives for the various student clubs annually.

This is what led to the establishment of the inaugural Tertiary Student Congress, which is being integrated into the second Global Debt Initiative conversation this October.

What outcomes are you expecting from the students themselves?

The students will be directly involved in policy matters related to intra-African trade. They will participate in discussions around entrepreneurship and industrialisation, because young people are at the centre of Africa’s future. When they leave school and graduate, the question is: how can they incorporate these principles into their daily lives to strengthen intra-African and inter-African trade?

If you don’t involve students at this formative stage, if you don’t immerse them, and I use that word deliberately, into AfCFTA, you risk losing out on sustainability. You also risk limiting the initiative from reaching its full potential. So, these are the activities we want to instill in the students: policy on intra-African trade, policy on industrialisation, policy on entrepreneurship, policy on education, and policy coherence.

In short, policy is the recurring theme. We want students to own these discussions, benefit from them, and then use them to their advantage after graduation.

Invitations have already gone out through diplomatic channels to universities across the continent and even to African institutions in the diaspora. The students will come to Accra to discuss AfCFTA, explore its opportunities, and define their roles in ensuring its realisation. They must make sure that AfCFTA does not end up as another nine-day wonder or a myth.

Look at the European Union; it took them nearly 30 years to build their union into what it is today. However, in Africa, we believe that we can achieve progress much faster because we have an energetic, educated, and well-equipped youth population. This is why we are gathering students for the first-ever Tertiary Student Congress on the African continent: to instill ownership of AfCFTA in them, promote the expansion of student clubs, and support the adoption of the AfCFTA curriculum in more universities.

How will the outcomes of GITFIC be monitored after the conference?

We have a peer review team that handles follow-up. If you check our website, you’ll see that each year, after our annual meetings, we publish both an action plan and a communiqué. The action plan outlines responsibilities: who is to do what, which stakeholder or partner is expected to carry out which task, and timelines for delivery.

The peer review team monitors these activities closely and ensures implementation. For example, under our ‘GITFIC Agenda 2031’, which encompasses both the Global Debt Initiative and the AfCFTA Implementation Initiative, there is a dedicated committee serving as the peer review backbone. This committee ensures that every action plan under both initiatives is brought to its logical conclusion with tangible success stories and impact outcomes.

The point is to prevent our resolutions from ending up shelved in offices and libraries. And that approach has been successful year after year, which is why we continue to get concrete results.

How do you envision GITFIC’s role in shaping debt, trade, and finance policy, not just in Ghana, but across Africa, in the next five to ten years?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, we have the ‘GITFIC Agenda 2031’. It is a six-year development plan that has been formally adopted by the government and integrated into Ghana’s 50-year development plan. The National Development Planning Commission is leading its implementation, with full support to make it succeed.

Within these six years, we expect member states to drastically reduce their debt levels to create fiscal space for economic growth. That is the priority. Second, we aim to establish the most practicable debt sustainability mechanisms through the creation of debt clubs and creditor clubs. You asked earlier whether creditors themselves are engaged. Yes, they are.

For example, in a meeting we had just last week with the United Nations, organised by the Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary-General, we discussed how the UN could help facilitate meetings with creditors, including the Paris Club, multilateral creditors, bilateral creditors, and both private and public lenders. These engagements will continue in the coming weeks and months after the second conference, as we explore practical solutions.

Interestingly, when the Secretary-General himself joined the Global Debt Initiative, his call exceeded our expectations. He said, ‘Is it possible for us to have another round of 100 per cent debt cancellation?’ and he believed our platform could serve as the pathway to that outcome. That is why the UN has aligned itself with the initiative, aiming to spearhead and champion a new wave of debt cancellation.

So, as we expand our engagements with both creditors and debtor nations, initially focused on Africa but now also including the Global South, our objectives are clear: reduce debt drastically, implement strong debt management practices, and ensure nations do not relapse into unsustainable borrowing.

In a display of corporate social responsibility, Purch Gadgets marked Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day with a free medical outreach and feeding initiative for residents of Medical Road and surrounding communities in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The event, which drew more than 500 residents, featured free medical check-ups, including blood sugar and blood pressure tests, alongside the provision of medication for patients.

Henry Nnadike, CEO of Purch Gadgets, said the initiative stemmed from the company’s passion to give back to the community since its establishment in 2015.

‘We’ve discovered that people don’t prioritise their health, and many are too busy to visit hospitals for check-ups. Our goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians, and today’s event is a testament to that commitment,’ he said. Many residents expressed gratitude for the outreach, with some diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes receiving free medication and counselling on managing their conditions. The initiative also raised awareness on the importance of regular health checks and preventive care.

In addition, Purch Gadgets provided meals for more than 500 less privileged members of the community. The feeding programme, aimed at supporting those in need, brought joy and relief to participants.

The company also used the occasion to launch its new cassette air conditioner, designed to consume low energy and address Nigeria’s energy challenges. Nnadike emphasised that Purch Gadgets’ mission is to integrate technology with sustainable energy efficiency.

Renowned entrepreneur Cletus Uzoezie Oragwa, founder of Zenco Group, unveiled the product and congratulated Purch Gadgets on its achievement, wishing the company greater success.

The event concluded with the distribution of food items to residents, reinforcing Purch Gadgets’ commitment to corporate social responsibility and its drive to make a tangible difference in Nigerian communities.

The inaugural Africa E-commerce Summit in Lagos brought together policymakers, innovators, and business leaders to chart the course for Africa’s digital trade future, emphasizing robust regulation, infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration.

Held alongside the launch of e-commerce pioneer Saudat Salami’s memoir, Selling Pepper Online, the summit underscored the transformative potential of digital trade for the continent’s economy.

The summit opened with a high-level panel on E-commerce Regulations, Policy Frameworks, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), moderated by Ms. Ifeoma Oma Ehiri, technical advisor at GIZ. Panelists, including trade policy experts, customs officials, and agricultural leaders, explored how streamlined regulations and infrastructure could unlock Africa’s digital trade ecosystem.

Bernard Tayo, head of project at GIZ, highlighted AfCFTA’s role, stating, ‘It creates a structure that allows Africans to trade among themselves with limited obstacles. Digital trade makes it even easier, enabling businesses to reach customers without moving from their base.’

Nigeria’s advancements were spotlighted by Ijeoma Ayoka, chief superintendent of Customs, who detailed the new Unified Customs Management System (UCMS). The system streamlines electronic goods declarations and accelerates parcel processing, empowering SMEs to participate in cross-border e-commerce.

Meanwhile, Oluranti Oviebo, director at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the need for cold rooms, conditioning centers, and farmer training to scale agri-ecommerce, alongside private-sector partnerships to bolster food systems.

A regional perspective came from ECOWAS, which, with GIZ support, is harmonizing e-commerce policies across its 12 member states to facilitate smoother intra-African trade.

A second panel on Grocery Delivery, Agriculture, and Accelerating Growth showcased how innovations in logistics and digital platforms are driving job creation and SME growth, critical components of Africa’s digital economy.

The summit’s discussions were grounded by the inspiring story of Saudat Salami, who launched Nigeria’s first online grocery platform, TV Shop, in 2001 with just $15, later scaling Easyshop Easycook into Africa’s first online grocery delivery service.

Marking her 50th birthday, Salami launched her memoir, Selling Pepper Online, sharing lessons on overcoming challenges in sourcing, logistics, and capital-raising.

She urged greater collaboration, saying, ‘We cannot build the future alone. We need policy, infrastructure, investment, and partnerships. This summit is our lighthouse, a call to action.’

Participants agreed that Africa’s e-commerce future hinges on innovation, inclusive policies, and the active involvement of women, youth, and SMEs. By addressing regulatory and infrastructural gaps, the summit laid a foundation for a thriving digital economy, with AfCFTA as a key enabler.

President Bola Tinubu will in continuation of his tour of states, on Saturday, visit Jos, Plateau State, where he will meet a cross section of religious leaders.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the President, while in the Plateau State capital, will also attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Nantewe Yilwatda. The President’s meeting with Church Leaders across the North, is expected to take place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria COCIN, in Jos.

Onanuga said that President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit. Recall that the President recently embarked on visit to states, as part of his efforts to build unity and strengthen social cohesion.

The visit had started with Kaduna, thereafter, he was in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to attend the coronation of Rashid Ladoja as the Olubadan. He was also in Owerri, the Imo State capital to launch legacy projects built by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

How will refining capacity directly impact Africa’s long-term energy security under the summit’s theme, ‘Refining – Key to Energy Security in Africa’?

Refining capacity is central to Africa’s long-term energy security. Despite being a major crude oil producer, the continent’s reliance on imported fuels exposes economies to price volatility, supply disruptions, and foreign exchange pressures. By refining more at home, we can ensure a consistent supply, reduce import dependency, and retain significant economic value locally. Expanding refining also stimulates industrialisation, job creation, and regional trade under AfCFTA. For Nigeria and Africa, building modern, efficient refineries is not just about energy; it is about sovereignty, stability, and sustainable growth. The summit will focus on mobilising collaboration to make this vision a practical reality.

What specific policy reforms are most urgent to unlock the growth of both modular and large-scale refineries in Nigeria?

To unlock Nigeria’s refining potential, urgent policy reforms must focus on creating a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment. Firstly, fiscal incentives such as tax reliefs, access to credit, and guarantees are critical to de-risk investments. Secondly, ensuring crude oil supply at competitive pricing is essential to sustain operations. Ultimately, policies must foster public-private collaboration, promote local content development, and align with global environmental standards. These reforms will not only attract capital but also accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency and regional refining leadership.

How is CORAN working with the government to ensure investor-friendly policies that balance local capacity building with global competitiveness?

CORAN is actively engaging the government at multiple levels to shape policies that make Nigeria’s refining sector attractive to investors while safeguarding national interests. We advocate for a regulatory framework that guarantees ease of entry, fair competition, and reliable access to crude. At the same time, we emphasise local capacity building by promoting skills development, indigenous technology adoption, and participation of local firms in the value chain. Through continuous dialogue, policy recommendations, and joint task forces, we ensure reforms align with global best practices while fostering an environment where investors thrive and Nigeria strengthens its refining and energy security base.

What innovative financing or de-risking strategies will the summit highlight to attract local and international investors to capital-intensive refining projects?

Refining requires significant capital, and attracting investment means addressing risk head-on. At the CORAN Summit 2025, we will spotlight innovative financing models such as blended finance, public-private partnerships, and long-term offtake agreements that provide certainty for investors. We are also engaging development finance institutions and regional banks to create de-risking instruments, including credit guarantees and insurance frameworks. Importantly, policy clarity and reliable crude supply will be highlighted as non-financial enablers of investor confidence. By combining financial innovation with regulatory reforms, we aim to unlock both local and international capital flows into Nigeria’s refining sector, accelerating self-sufficiency and energy security.

How can private sector participation be scaled up, and what role does CORAN play in bridging investors with regulators and operators?

CORAN is actively engaging the government at multiple levels to shape policies that make Nigeria’s refining sector attractive to investors while safeguarding national interests. We advocate for a regulatory framework that guarantees ease of entry, fair competition, and reliable access to crude. At the same time, we emphasise local capacity building by promoting skills development, indigenous technology adoption, and participation of local firms in the value chain. Through continuous dialogue, policy recommendations, we ensure reforms align with global best practices while fostering an environment where investors thrive and Nigeria strengthens its refining and energy security base.

What opportunities exist for integrating petrochemicals and refining to maximize value addition locally?

Integrating petrochemicals with refining presents a tremendous opportunity to maximise value addition in Nigeria. Beyond producing fuels, modern refineries can generate feedstocks for petrochemical industries that support plastics, fertilisers, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. This integration diversifies revenue streams, reduces import dependence, and fosters industrial growth across multiple sectors. For Nigeria, it means creating jobs, stimulating SMEs, and positioning the country as a regional hub for energy and industrial products. At CORAN, we are driving conversations on policies and investments that encourage the co-location of refineries and petrochemical plants, ensuring we capture full value from our crude oil resources for sustainable development.

With the AfCFTA in place, how do you envision regional cooperation shaping Africa’s refining landscape beyond Nigeria?

The AfCFTA presents a unique opportunity to build a truly integrated African refining and energy market. By reducing trade barriers, harmonising standards, and encouraging cross-border investment, we can create a regional value chain that benefits all. Nigeria, with its refining capacity, can supply neighboring markets, while also importing specialised products from other African countries. This cooperation will reduce reliance on overseas imports, stabilise supply, and strengthen intra-African trade. CORAN envisions partnerships where infrastructure, financing, and expertise are shared, making Africa self-reliant in energy. The summit will highlight how regional collaboration can accelerate growth and secure the continent’s energy future.

What role can Nigeria realistically play in positioning itself as the refining hub of Africa?

Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become Africa’s refining hub, given its vast crude oil reserves, growing private investment in refineries, and strategic geographic location. With both modular and large-scale refineries coming onstream, Nigeria can not only meet domestic demand but also serve regional markets under AfCFTA. To achieve this, we must ensure consistent policy support, reliable crude supply, and competitive operating conditions. CORAN’s role is to align industry stakeholders and government toward this shared vision. By scaling capacity, driving efficiency, and promoting regional partnerships, Nigeria can realistically anchor Africa’s refining transformation and strengthen continental energy security.

Beyond energy security, how will increased refining capacity create jobs, build skills, and drive broader economic benefits for Nigerians and Africans?

Increased refining capacity goes far beyond energy security-it is a catalyst for economic transformation. Every refinery project creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from construction to operations and supply chains. It drives demand for skilled labor, encouraging training, research, and capacity development in engineering, technology, and management. Beyond jobs, refining stimulates local industries by providing feedstocks for petrochemicals, fertilisers, plastics, and other value-added products. This strengthens SMEs, boosts exports, and reduces import dependence. For Nigerians and Africans, the broader benefit is inclusive growth-more opportunities, stronger industries, and a resilient economy anchored on sustainable local value creation.

As the world transitions toward cleaner energy, how is CORAN ensuring that Africa’s refining growth aligns with sustainability and climate goals?

CORAN recognises that Africa’s refining growth must align with global sustainability and climate goals. We are advocating for investment in modern, cleaner refining technologies that minimise emissions, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. At the same time, we encourage integration of renewable energy and carbon-reduction practices within refinery operations. Through policy engagement, we emphasise balancing energy security with climate commitments, ensuring that refining expansion does not come at the cost of sustainability. By driving innovation, promoting best practices, and collaborating with international partners, CORAN is ensuring Africa’s refining future is both economically viable and environmentally responsible.

The National Leadership Conference (NLC) is proud to announce a high-impact strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria at the just concluded National Leadership Conference 2025. This collaboration defines a shared commitment to developing leadership capital, promoting inclusive economic growth, and driving sustainable development across the nation.

The partnership with the UNDP, a leading global development organization, brings a focus on poverty eradication, reducing inequalities, and building resilience to the NLC platform, complementing the recently announced alliance with the European Union. By joining forces, the NLC and the UNDP created a formidable alliance to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transformative leadership.

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, the UNDP helps nations to build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet. In Nigeria, the UNDP is a trusted partner for development, working across governance, inclusive growth, and climate resilience to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms. Elsie Attafuah Delivers Key Insights

The Conference was honored to host the graced presence of Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Nigeria. Ms. Attafuah’s participation signifies the high-level commitment of the UNDP to this partnership and the importance of the conference’s theme in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Ms. Attafuah, a visionary leader with over two decades of global experience in programme development, strategic management, and partnerships brokering, delivered a compelling keynote address. Her extensive background spans sectors including climate change, green growth, good governance, youth, and gender empowerment. Her expertise in international financing mechanisms and her strategic approach to organizational development make her a powerful voice on how to transition development ideas into impactful policy and action.

UNDP’s Contribution to Leadership and the Nigerian Ecosystem

The UNDP’s engagement with the NLC is intrinsically linked to its core mandate of supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organisation’s contribution is centered on building a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address complex, interconnected development challenges.

The UNDP drives thought leadership through initiatives such as the biennial Human Development Report and its focus on structural transformation, which advocates for building a culture of innovation, catalysing the green economy, and strengthening good governance. Through programmes like the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), the UNDP supports:

Youth Empowerment and Innovation: By investing in innovation hubs and skills development, the UNDP is creating a national pipeline of talent and empowering young Nigerians to become entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, thereby transforming the innovation ecosystem.

Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: The UNDP supports efforts to build legitimate institutions, promote transparency, and enhance leadership skills across public and private sectors to ensure development is inclusive and effective.

Economic Diversification and Green Growth: The organisation is instrumental in supporting the transition to a sustainable, diversified economy, leveraging clean energy and other green solutions as a catalyst for job creation and resilience.

In line with the conference’s focus on leadership capital, Ms. Attafuah spoke on the UNDP’s global and local experience – on how bold, visionary, and service-oriented leadership is essential for structural transformation in Nigeria. Her address highlighted the need for leaders who can promote a culture of cooperation, bridge societal divides, and champion human-centered development, making her insights indispensable for all conference delegates.

This partnership with the UNDP solidifies the National Leadership Conference 2025 as the premier platform for promoting transformative leadership and charting a course for a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Nigeria.

The Federal Government which seeks a $1trn economy has been told how to easily meet the target and probably get to as high as $3trn within the period targeted.

He also said the right tech deployment could add half of Nigeria’s annual tax to current amounts, saying evidence is already on display.

This was the major echo at the StartupSouth 2025 summit which began in Port Harcourt Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Sylva Opuala-Charles, a professor of economics and financial expert, who delivered a keynote at the well-attended event, said technology adoption could be the game changer in the quest.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has since declared the ambition of a $1trn gross domestic product (GDP) before year 2030, from current $200bn to $300bn levels. Now, the professor said Nigeria could get to $3trn if the right technology is adopted.

Opuala-Charles, the founder and president of the Port Harcourt Premier Business School who was a banker and onetime finance commissioner in Bayelsa State, said the trillion-dollar economy could be majorly aided by research and development investment expenditure. ‘Research and Development (RandD) expenditure is the gross domestic spending on research and development, as a percentage of GDP.’

The world average is in RandD is 2.67%. ‘The US is at 3.59% as against less than 0.5% for Nigeria. ‘For instance, technology adoption in revenue collection could improve the country’s revenue generation by over 50% in the medium term.

‘We are already seeing this happening with the government generating over N20 trillion in revenues by August 2025 as against half of this in the corresponding period of last year with increased technology adoption in the process.’

He said with technology adoption in procurement, expenditure management in government and the private sector, there would be a major turning point for Nigeria’s growth and development.

Speakers and top stakeholders at the Startupsouth 10th annual conference in PH

He said with a population of under 35 years of age comprising about 75% of Nigeria’s population, the government and big corporations can stem the country’s growth challenges by taking remarkable measures to promote and adopt technologies in all sectors.

To achieve this, Opual-Charles suggested immediate establishment of technology parks in major cities to provide tremendous business and job opportunities to young people and innovative minded citizens as inalienable rights to change their lives.

‘With technology, capital will not be much of a challenge as scaling and repeatability are the major drivers in the startup space. What the government owes us is to make technology work and legislate to make both public and the private sectors take it to the next level. This will also help the ease of doing business, which is capable of attracting foreign direct investments into the country and creating new economic businesses, changing lives, transforming institutions and strengthening the economy.’

The conference, the 10th, seems to shake the south-south especially Port Harcourt. Most participants and experts around Nigeria and beyond streamed their commendations and appreciations for the journey so far.

Chairman of the StartupSouth, Kalada Apiafi, who is a known personality in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) space in the Niger Delta, said key resource in any business is information. He said Startupsouth was a place to get the strategic information tips to build, connect, and grow as the slogan says.

In his remarks, the convener, Uche Aniche, showed how the states of the south-south and east have faired in startup and tech.

Major speakers that thrilled the participants on day one include those from Google, Main One (now Equinix), and goodwill messages.

Hotels across Jos, the Plateau State capital, have been fully booked following an influx of guests arriving for the burial of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of Nentawe Yilwatda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.

The burial, scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, will take place in Kanke Local Government Area, the hometown of the bereaved family. The ceremony is drawing top politicians, dignitaries, and sympathizers from across Nigeria.

A survey of several hotels in the Rayfield area of Jos on Friday by BusinessDay revealed that rooms have been unavailable since midweek. Among the fully booked facilities are CRISPAN Hotels, Silk Hotel along Zaramangada Rayfield Road, and ELIM Hotels. A hotel staff, who spoke to BusinessDay on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that most of the guests checked-in as early as Wednesday. ‘Almost everyone here is attending the burial,’ said a staff member at Elim hotels. The high turnout underscores Nentawe’s rising political influence since his appointment as APC National Chairman months ago. Many of those in attendance are said to be party stalwarts, public office holders, and community leaders.

Heightened Security Presence in Jos

Security has been visibly beefed up across Jos and its environs, particularly around hotels. Traffic congestion has increased in parts of the city, prompting officials to deploy additional personnel to manage movement and ensure safety throughout the weekend.

The deceased, is remembered as a respected matriarch and community leader. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Guests are expected to begin traveling in Kanke early Saturday for the final rites.

Nigerians mark the 65th independence anniversary of their beloved country this Wednesday; few will disagree that, amidst the myriad of unnerving socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation, Nigeria remains a great country still waiting to happen. October 1, therefore, signals another opportunity to ponder on the state of the nation and the failure of leadership that has largely defined the country’s misfortune. To that extent, no patriotic Nigerian can pretend to be satisfied with the development and progress of this country 65 years after independence. Yet, it is not misguided optimism to argue that the nation’s best days are still ahead.

Nigeria remains a country of diverse nationalities, cultures, religions and values and has defied all doomsday predictions to remain a united nation. This is enough reason for self-congratulation and hope of a better future. On balance, however, there is little to celebrate about Nigeria at 65. As the depressing indices show in areas such as security of life and property, food production, industrial output, quality of education and healthcare, economic diversification and productivity, there is indeed cause for worry. Not only do Nigerians eat the bread they do not produce, wear clothes they do not weave, and drink wine imported from other countries, but they now import almost everything, including toothpicks.

Nigerians today read books, quote facts and figures about their country from foreign sources and parrot models of development designed by outsiders with vested interests. Sixty-five years after independence, many are even wanting to blame the present parlous state of the country on British colonialists who left over six decades ago. At 65, Nigeria has much catch-up to do. And let no one be deluded that 65 years is a short time in the life of a country. The Nigerian economy is in dire straits, with the potential to get worse if sound political and economic judgement is not brought to bear on the affairs of state.

As the nation marks 65 years of self-government, it is not too late for Nigerian leaders to change and make democracy work for the people. Too much pain has been inflicted on Nigerians, and now is the time for Nigerian leaders to focus more on the Nigerian promise – notably what is standing in the way of realising that promise. At independence in 1960, there was a groundswell of euphoria and hope in the Nigerian project. It is sobering that, 65 years later, the anticipated gains of nationhood envisaged by the founding fathers are still being awaited. Not a few have marvelled at the exemplary character of Nigeria’s founding fathers: the simplicity of Tafawa Balewa, the selflessness of Ahmadu Bello, the nationalism of Nnamdi Azikiwe and the enduring vision of Obafemi Awolowo, all of which tower above their personal ambitions. Despite the sense of foreboding that the new multi-ethnic nation was unworkable, Nigerians envisioned a great and bountiful country.

Today, Nigeria is so greatly afflicted that some wonder at her prospects. The trouble with Nigeria, noted famed author and intellectual icon Chinua Achebe, is a failure of leadership. This failure has resulted in shattered hopes, broken promises, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled aspirations. A nation, it has been said, rises or falls on the quality of its leadership. Nigeria is a terrible victim of the poverty of good leadership, but most destructively, political leadership. Good leaders must show strength of conviction and character. What poor leadership in Nigeria has done is to create 200 to 250 million passive citizens who have no voice.

Every citizen must therefore share the blame, one way or the other, for the Nigerian condition. There has never been a shortage of speeches by Nigerian leaders in favour of good intentions to govern in the best interest of the country and its people. Over the years, Nigerians have heard, to the point of being deafened, that the government is committed to promoting good governance. The inaugural addresses of elected leaders and military coup plotters reveal uncanny similarities in promises. Yet, as the quality of successive leadership deteriorated, Nigeria has regressed in terms of the truly important yardsticks for measuring the progress of nations. All these notwithstanding, it is pointless to look back with regret and anger at lost opportunities.

Since the return to democracy in 1999, the political class has shown impetuous and irresponsible behaviour at the expense of the people. The looting and the waste going on in Nigeria in the name of governance have no parallel anywhere else and are responsible for breeding an angry and alienated citizenry that sees no dividend in this democracy. On all accounts, Nigeria at 65 is yet to fulfil her destiny. The current structure of Nigeria today, which is anything but federal, holds down the country, stunts its growth, truncates its progress and actually threatens its unity.

Indeed, Nigeria is positioned as a leader on the continent due to its great range of cultures, languages, and customs. Its abundant natural resources-crude oil in particular-have supported the economy and brought in large sums of money. Nigeria has become increasingly influential on the international scene as a result of its cultural exports, such as Nollywood and Afrobeats, which have gained widespread acclaim.

The giant is still mostly inactive in terms of development despite these advantages. Significant segments of the populace are still beset by unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality, and daily worries about infrastructure and security get worse. The 1960s independence held us the prospect of wealth, but it hasn’t materialised completely.

At 65, insecurity continues to be one of Nigeria’s biggest problems. While banditry, kidnapping, and inter-communal violence have expanded throughout the nation, the Northeast area is still struggling with insurgency, mostly from Boko Haram and ISWAP. In addition to resulting in fatalities, these security problems have also hampered business operations, uprooted thousands of people, and fostered terror.

The nation’s complicated security environment is made more tense by the escalating separatist movements in the South-East. Nigeria’s social and economic progress has been hampered by the incapacity to address these issues successfully.

As the nation celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, questions and more questions have cropped up. Has the country come of age? Is there a need for celebration? Are there hopes of a better tomorrow? So as the 65th anniversary continues, Nigerians look forward to the actualisation of the dreams and visions packaged by the founding fathers of this country. They also look forward to seeing a realistic improvement on the inherent inadequacies that have stood in the way of attaining peace, harmony, tranquillity, progress and unity, in the first instance, and the accomplishments of all the tasks that will make room for true attainment of a Nigerian nation.

Following recent attacks on communities in Kogi and Kwara States by bandits, Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has called for urgent and practical reforms, including complete overhaul of intelligence-gathering strategies, accountability from security agencies or personnel who ignore intelligence reports, decisive action against illegal mining believed to be funding terrorism.

Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, in a press statement, decried the surge in banditry and violence in the North Central region, calling for Investigation and prosecution of suspected collaborators among locals and security personnel, temporary movement restrictions (as in Kwara) must be backed by long-term security solutions, enhanced aerial and land surveillance using kinetic and non-kinetic methods, Immediate rollout of State Police and greater use of local security structures, Increase in security manpower and modern equipment deployment, speedier trials for crimes related to insecurity, and Broader welfare reforms to address root causes of unrest.

While acknowledging President Tinubu’s Independence Day address promising stronger action on insecurity, the Pan-Yoruba organisation, warned that the situation posed a growing threat to the South-West and other parts of the Country.

Ajayi stated, ‘These are part of a wider agenda by terrorists, territorial expansionists, and anti-state actors to destabilize Nigeria and create illegitimate chiefdoms to the detriment of indigenous populations. The sacking of communities in Kogi, Kwara, and other Middle Belt areas are grim reminders that terrorism is advancing toward the South West.

‘These are not just criminal elements looking for ransom. Their operations, weapons, and tactics point to powerful sponsorship, both locally and internationally. Kwara, known as the ‘State of Harmony’, has recently witnessed violent incursions, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and severe disruption to socio-economic activities.’

The sophistication of the attackers, Ajayi pointed out ‘suggests they are beyond herdsmen or bandits seeking pasture. The type of weapons they use, the derring-do manner with which they attack, and the intensity of the damage they inflict show clear evidence of serious backers. These could include so-called illegal miners and powerful interest groups,’ he said. He also cautioned that those enabling or supporting the attackers should remember they are not immune to the chaos they are helping to unleash.

‘What is happening in Afghanistan today and what has been happening in Libya since the murder of Muammar Gaddafi should serve as clear warnings. When a country is destabilized, no one is safe – not even the sponsors’, he added.

Ajayi referenced the ongoing human rights crisis under the Taliban regime, noting that over 70 decrees had been passed in Afghanistan since 2021, many of which severely restrict the rights of women and girls.

The organisation however recommended deployment of high-capacity, well-constructed boats for public use, strict enforcement of water transport safety regulations, provision of buses and taxis to reduce reliance on risky water travel, exploration of rail line development to improve land transport, and lroactive flood prevention and stronger emergency response infrastructure.

Ajayi emphasised the need to ‘reign in the terror in human beings’ and called on both the government and the public to nurture the values of compassion and humanity. Government must find ways to tame the brutality in society and encourage citizens to embrace the good in them. Our survival depends on it.’

Afenifere however extended condolences to victims of recent boat mishaps and floods in Kogi and Niger States, urging both State Governments to implement preventive measures.