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Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, last week in Lagos, led its various subsidiaries to make a commanding impression at the recently concluded BIG 5 and ECOBANK Expositions, showcasing the unique innovation, craftsmanship, and expansive portfolio alongside its subsidiaries.

While the Big 5 event took place at the historic Landmark Events Centre, the other held inside the expansive ECOBANK Pan African Centre, Lagos.

Conscious of the opportunity the development presented to stakeholders in the sector, Nigeria’s best in the provision of aluminium and glass solutions, ABUMET, the pioneer in design and engineering in the country, PrimeTech Nigeria Ltd as well as the company’s Excellence Centre and Julius Berger Precast Services stormed the landmark event with new innovations and revised editions of their products and services at the Landmark Event Centre.

Each Julius Berger subsidiary brought their unique flair to the events. From cutting-edge architectural designs to advanced solutions and premium aluminium systems. The stands reflected the group’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement.

A Facility Manager and officer in charge of the company’s Excellence Centre, Aleksandar Serafimoski said the Centre has a little bit more diverse portfolio.

The Commercial Manager for the Julius Berger Precast Services, Christian Bauer, said, ‘We are representing Julius Berger, and what we are basically trying to do is to showcase that we are branching out into smaller scales.’

The value of the Naira is typically compared to the U.S. dollar, which is the most widely used currency for trade and other international transactions and the world’s primary reserve currency.

Luckily for the Naira, the dollar is losing its value. In 2025, the dollar had lost about 11 per cent of its value against major currencies, dropping to its lowest value in over 50 years. Analysts describe it as one of the biggest falls since the 1970s. However, the dollar will recover; even the blind can see that.

But the issue is, what will Nigeria do when that happens? Before we answer that, we must know the value of the Naira at the moment.

Few things stir as much debate in Nigeria as the value of the Naira. It is true that, after years of relentless devaluation due to World Bank and IMF policy prescriptions tied to their loan conditions, the Naira has gained about 11 per cent against the dollar over the past year. The result is a rare moment when the Naira, long seen as perpetually weak, has appreciated even as the world’s reserve currency has stumbled.

Some say it is too strong, kept afloat by Central Bank trickery. Others insist it is too weak, beaten down by years of inflation and policy blunders. Both sides cannot be right. So, is the Naira overvalued or undervalued?

For clarity, when the Naira is overvalued, it means when it trades stronger than its true worth-say the Naira sells at N500 per USD while the fair value is actually N1,000. This will lead to exports suffering as goods will be costly abroad, but imports will become cheaper. On the other hand, the Naira is undervalued when it trades at a price weaker than its fair value-say N1,500 per USD against a fair value of N500. It will gain from exports with cheaper prices abroad, but imports grow costly, fuelling local inflation. For the record, an import-dependent economy should always seek to have cheaper imports.

As of late September, the official market places the Naira at roughly N1,500 to the dollar. On the streets, the going rate is only slightly worse, about N1,515. Compared to the chaos of a few years ago, when the gap between official and parallel rates was wide, this looks like progress on paper.

But the calm on paper only hides a real storm. The cost of the merger is being passed on to the final consumer, resulting in inflation on imported goods. Headline inflation is still punishing, running at over 21 per cent, but the 2025 budget estimated it to be 15 per cent. External debt service this year alone amounts to $5.4 billion. Foreign reserves are recovering but remain fragile. Oil still makes up more than 50 per cent of export earnings in 2025. In short, the fundamentals remain unsteady, but it is not for me to say.

A simple way to check the value of the Naira is by comparing what money buys at home and abroad. The Big Mac Index can be used here because it is a global symbol of standardisation. Assume the Big Mac burger sells for $5.79 in the U.S., while the same burger costs N3900 in Abuja. We can get the ‘implied’ exchange rate by dividing the Abuja price by the American price, which will mean about N1029 to the dollar. If we compare it with the current selling rate of N1,500, the Naira is 31 per cent, or almost three times, weaker than it ‘should’ be. That is the definition of undervaluation.

Another approach comes from the World Bank. Its figures, which compare the purchasing power of whole economies, tell a similar story. In 2023, when the dollar was around N950, the World Bank’s PPP index classified the Naira as undervalued by about 35 per cent. With soaring inflation despite rebasing and multiple devaluations since then, the gap today is probably closer to 200 per cent. In plain words, Nigerian goods and services are three times cheaper than their fair global value-this supports the result from our burger maths.

Of course, not everyone agrees. But in the reality of average Nigerians, where every imported good-from petrol to paracetamol-costs more than ever, most local analysts side with the view that the Naira is undervalued, though perhaps not as dramatically as our burger calculations show.

But let’s be clear, undervaluation is not all bad, especially for an export-oriented economy. A weaker currency makes exports more competitive. Oil, cocoa, sesame, and even manufactured goods all become cheaper to foreign buyers. That is useful for a government keen to diversify beyond oil.

But undervaluation has a dark side, especially for an import-dependent economy. Imports become painfully expensive. Nigerians rely on imports for fuel, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, and machinery. When the Naira trades at a steep discount, these goods cost far more than they should. Inflation rises, wages lose their purchasing power, and the average family feels poorer.

This is the cruel trade-off. What helps the exporter hurts the consumer. A cheap Naira may look good on paper, but on the ground, it is hardship and the cost-of-living crisis. Thanks to the deliberate, imperialist conditions imposed by the World Bank and the IMF, which devalued the Naira, among other reckless policies adopted by administrators of this administration.

So, what next? Much depends on the Central Bank’s ability to reconsider its policies. Dollar reserves are edging back towards $42 billion in 2025 from $33 billion in 2023. Surely, this is some breathing space. As long as the reserves continue to rise and the monetary policy is right, the Naira could even appreciate towards N750 per dollar. That would ease import costs and give consumers some relief.

However, this is pure blue-sky thinking. There are risks everywhere. The scariest part is that with one external action, everything will take the Naira back to its highly volatile position. A shift in US monetary policy, and this is inevitable, will make the dollar stronger. Speculation will likely increase dollar demand, and the Naira will likely be in free fall, with the dollar possibly reaching N2000 or higher. Given the heavy debt service burden, the CBN will have limited firepower to defend the Naira ‘when’ the pressure builds. Of course, we can borrow a leaf from Argentina and see how the US is planning to rescue it.

However we read it, the lesson will be grim. For households, the currency debate is not abstract economics. It is the daily reality of prices in the market. For businesses, it is the difference between competitiveness and collapse. For policymakers, it is a warning: patchwork reforms will not do.

One way to recover the Naira’s value is to address the structural problems-such as blindly accepting World Bank and IMF loan conditions, reliance on imports, overdependence on oil, and a lack of confidence among both local and foreign investors.

Until then, the Naira will remain what it is today: undervalued, unpredictable, and the image of our economic contradictions.

The Future is Now project has demanded 70% youth representation in House of Representatives, State Assemblies across Nigeria.

The demand was made at the unveiling of the project at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Young leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria converged at the event for the project.

Participants unanimously declared that the time for youth to claim their rightful place at the decision-making table is now. The emphasized that young Nigerians were not merely the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today.

Speaking at the event, the convener, a former presidential aide Laolu Akande, said the project is considering an ambitious target before the next election cycle.

He said the project is seeking ‘at least 70% of Local Government Chairmanship seats to be held by youths under 35 years; 70% of State House of Assembly seats to be occupied by youths under 35 years; 70% of House of Representatives seats to be contested for and won by youths under 40 years; and a minimum of 50% of executive appointments at both Federal and State levels reserved for Nigerians under 40 years.’

However, the interim chairman of the project, who is the member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal constituency, Abdussamad Dasuki, described the project as a national commitment to dramatically increase youth leadership at all levels of governance.

He said, while signing of the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018 served as a step forward, persistent barriers still prevent meaningful youth participation in governance.

Rep Dasuki called for a generational shift, where younger leaders not only contest elections but are supported to win and lead.

Dasuki said, ‘Today, we are not just announcing a project, but igniting a movement, one born of sacrifice, fueled by persuasion and courage, and sustained by the dreams of millions of Nigerian youth. The Future is not tomorrow – the Future is Now.

‘When a large demographic feels excluded from decision-making, frustration festers. We must act now, not only to empower, but to prevent disillusionment that can lead to instability.’

Present at the unveiling were former Minister of Youth, Solomon Dalung; Hon Ibrahim Bello Haliru (the youngest member of the National Assembly); Hon. Henry Shield; Hon Salisu Yakassai and Hon David Oloto.

After obtaining a National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science from the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mu’azu Alhaji Modu, popularly known as Village Boy, turned down a job offer with Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank). Instead, he chose to dedicate himself to community service and accountability.

As a Mandela Washington Fellow, Mu’azu committed himself to building the next generation of civic leaders and redefining Nigeria’s future through the Youth Civic Engagement Academy. The academy, launched in 2023, empowers and supports young people across the country to become active drivers of civic change in their communities.

His passion for change also inspired the creation of Spotlight Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A), a non-profit organisation focused on preventing corruption, ensuring effective resource allocation, and promoting trust in public institutions.

Mu’azu recalls that his journey into civic leadership began in 2016 while pursuing his Postgraduate Diploma at ATBU, Bauchi. He became involved with the FollowTheMoney movement founded by Hamzat B. Lawal. A few months later, he was offered a bank job but chose activism instead. ‘My journey of civic leadership and development began in 2016, while doing my post-graduate diploma (PGD) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State. I started my activism with ‘FollowTheMoney’ movement founded by Hamzat B. Lawal. A few months later, I got a job with GT Bank, with a salary of N76,000, but in ‘FollowTheMoney’ I was only earning N3,000. I asked myself if I actually wanted the job or the money. I realised that I didn’t want the money, I wanted to impact the lives of others, so I turned down the bank job and continued with the movement in 2016.’

He explained that the movement soon expanded, and he became one of the first three people selected to run a state chapter in 2017. The group gained recognition for asking critical questions about governance in Yobe, and eventually eight government agencies began collaborating with FollowTheMoney to promote transparency and accountability.

With a background in computer science, Mu’azu ensured all their activities were properly documented and published online. This commitment to transparency opened more opportunities, including his selection as a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2018.

At a workshop for community leaders

‘I applied for a Mandela Fellowship; luckily for me, I was selected in the second year of my career, in 2018. I participated in a six-week-long programme in the United State (US). Because of the proper and constant documentation of what we do, the impact and the human angle stories helped me a lot in terms of getting these kinds of opportunities.’

On his return, he was encouraged by mentors to establish his own organisation. He also rose to become North-East regional lead, and later Country Director of FollowTheMoney in Nigeria. In 2019, he incorporated Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A) as an independent trustee.

The African Youth Charter defines youth as individuals between 15 and 35. Now at the edge of that age bracket, Mu’azu says his mission is to empower others.

‘At FollowTheMoney and Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A), something always comes to my mind. We are aging; and as young people, we ought to do things right now, because it is impossible to continue like this forever. I’m 35 now, next year, I will be 36 and based on the United Nations definition of youth, I will no longer be a youth from next year.’

This concern inspired the Youth Civic Engagement Academy. Launched in 2023 with 12 members across Yobe State, the initiative provided boot camp training, mentorship from UK-based Leadership Platform, and technical support from experts across sectors. Participants also received small grants to implement community projects.

The programme expanded to 20 fellows in 2024, and is now being scaled across the North-East, with plans to extend nationwide.

Through the academy, fellows have tackled issues in education, public health, environmental sustainability, gender-based violence, and civic engagement. Mu’azu said the first cohort reached about 50,000 people, while the second directly reached 200,000, and indirectly impacted over 500,000.

‘We’ve a system in place that tracks their performance and progress through our monitoring and evaluation system. These young people are doing an amazing job beyond our expectations. The money we are giving them is just small but they manage to do massive projects which are directly touching the lives of young people in their communities.’

In 2019, Mu’azu also introduced citizen-led tracking, a project that has monitored over 200 government initiatives across North-East Nigeria, impacting more than two million lives in five years.

‘Under the citizen-led tracking project, we have tracked over 200 projects across North-eastern Nigeria. We directly reached over 200 communities and tracked over N6 billion earmarked for basic education, primary healthcare, as well as affordable and potable drinking water, which impacted over two million people.

Also, under our ‘Know Your Legislators’, I believe we are the first organization in Nigeria that published the names, pictures, gender, political party, disability status, and other information of all 993 elected members of the 36 States Houses of Assembly.

Under the Youth Civic Engagement Academy, we have trained over 33 people, and an additional set of 25 people will be joining in September. We have also trained more than 500 people through our citizen-led tracking across communities in the North East.’

Despite numerous awards and recognition, Mu’azu believes the real success will be measured by the next generation of leaders.

‘These kinds of recognitions that we received, beyond the impact that we are making, are really encouraging us to do more but no matter how well you think you are doing it, you cannot do it forever. So we are looking at building the next generation to take over from us because in the next two or three years, we might be doing other things. So, before we leave, we want to see that there are people who will continue or even do better than what we have done in communities across Nigeria.’

He added that his vision is to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen democratic governance.

‘The legacy that I want to leave is to bring in people that are better than I am to continue doing the work, and I’m confident that the vision is already here. A lot of young people that we trained are doing amazing work, they are even two steps ahead of what we are doing. Because we are in the era of AI, they are using AI to do amazing work.’

Graduates of the academy testify to its impact.

Abubakar Musa Waziri, a member of the first cohort, said:

‘The Academy has equipped me with knowledge that for years I have been looking for but I did not get. Now, I understand what local government is all about. I also learnt how to identify a problem in the community and strategically provide a solution to that challenge or problem.

After rigorous training, I was given a mini grant to implement a civic action project in my community, which is in Fune LGA. I selected two people per ward, and trained them on the roles of local government and how they can demand accountability and transparency from the local government councils.’

Similarly, Aisha Alhaji Abba, a sociology graduate with a passion for civic engagement and humanitarian work, described her experience as transformative.

‘After six months of training at the Youth Civic Engagement Academy, I was given a mini-grant to do a project. So, I engaged with stakeholders and developed a step-down training for more than 20 young people, where we talked about the process of demanding accountability within the Almajiri system of education.’

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is set for its 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) with ‘Nigeria first’ policy in focus of the discussion at the event expected to attract thousands of manufacturers, policy makers and exhibitors.

Addressing newsmen on the forthcoming AGM in Lagos between October 14 and 16, the President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, announced Aliko Dangote, Africa’s leading industrialist, President/ CEO of the Dangote Group as the Guest Speaker.

The theme of the AGM is ‘Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made in Nigeria.’

Meshioye said the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy ‘is more than a policy directive, it is a call to action to strengthen our industries, deepen local value chains and reposition Nigeria from being a consumer driven economy to a productive economy.’

According to him, the policy represents a turning point for our nation, one that seeks to foster economic self-reliance, industrialization and national pride. ‘By mandating all Ministries, Departments, and agencies (MDAs) to patronize made in Nigeria goods and services that can be sourced locally, the Federal Government has signalled its resolve to place local industries at the heart of economic transformation,’ he said.

MAN President also hinted that the Guest of Honour on this occasion is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while other Economic Ministers, heads of government departments and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, Organized Private Sector and other stakeholders attended the grand finale of the AGM.

On this day 65 years ago, the flag of the United Kingdom, Union Jack, was lowered for the Nigerian flag to be hoisted for the first time in what signified a departure from decades of colonial rule.

It was a historic event that ushered Nigeria into the comity of nations that had won the struggle for self-rule and through the anti-colonial struggles that dominated the politics of the developing countries of that era.

With Princess Alexandra representing Queen Elizabeth II of England, Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, received the constitutional instruments of independence in an occasion attended by world leaders and important dignitaries from within the country.

By that, Nigeria achieved two feats, it joined the league of other African nations like Liberia, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Guinea and others that had been under self-rule prior to1960 and did not miss what was termed ‘The year of Africa’ when many other African countries that included Cameroon, Togo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad and others gained independence. Those who were old enough when Nigeria gained independence recall that on October 1, 1960, the whole nation was in festive mood with the elite who understood the significance of the occasion and the masses who could barely decipher the implication of what had truly happened.

The Longkwo of Kwo Chiefdom in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, His Royal Highness, Miskoom Yahaya Kwande, in an interview with Daily Trust, recalled the events of that period.

He said, ‘People were very happy; whether they knew the meaning or not. Whether they knew what they were doing because of the independence, very few must have done so, but I believe the awareness of being an independent person was felt.’

Former Minister of State for information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, also recalled that he was in primary school when Nigeria gained independence, stating that though he was in the northern part of the country in Jos, the air of conviviality was felt.

He said he and other pupils were given flags and asked to match at the parade grounds in commemoration of the event.

Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Independence from British rule on 1st October 1960 Photo: William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Issues that shaped decades

Another significant stride was recorded by Nigeria, three years after when in 1963, it became a republic cutting off the apron strings of British monarchy and having a ceremonial president as well as jettisoning its reliance on the Privy Council in London for appeals in judicial matters and establishing its own Supreme Court.

With independence, the entire gamut of leadership rested on the shoulders of the indigenous politicians while focus shifted from the pre-independence mantra of anti-colonial struggles and demand for self-rule, to demand for political participation through the various parties which sought elections at the various parliaments to form the central government.

The prominent political parties then were the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe; and the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) led by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

Those who recall what people of that era deployed to win elections and the tactics employed to control their region admitted it created tension across the country which gave the military the excuse to intervene.

The Western Region later became combustible leading to the declaration of a state of emergency while the Benue province also erupted in violence in what was later termed the Tiv riots.

Even with the highly charged political atmosphere, the Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa government was able to record significant strides. It completed and commissioned the River Niger Bridge, created the Midwest region, conducted a head count and held parliamentary elections.

By January 1966, however, the feared eruption came in form a military putsch when some military officers eliminated key figures in the Tafawa Balewa led administration including the prime minister in what went down the country’s first military coup.

The coup not only changed the power configuration in Nigeria but introduced a new dimension in the politics in Nigeria.

Further to that it heighted suspicion and almost succeeded in dividing the nation with the North threatening to pull out leading to the June counter coup in which many including the head of state General Aguiyi Ironsi were killed.

Prominent civil rights activist, Comrade Chom Bagu, said the coup of 1966 was what denied Nigeria the opportunity to grow as it opened the door to all kinds of experiments that did not augur well for the country.

He said, ‘It made Nigeria to deviate from what the regional government was doing. Countries that were at the same level with Nigeria like Singapore and Malaysia that took different routes are now far ahead and we have not been allowed to grow the political class.’

On his part, Nakande said the intervention was unfair as it targeted only people from one side of the country, hence engendered the retaliatory coup of July 1966.

He said by interfering with the formation of democracy and the growth of institutions, military interventions made the situation even worse. Both military and civilian regimes that came after one another were unable to create a consistent national development strategy.

The brouhaha, trading of recriminations, mutual distrust heightened tension and the inability to appease both sides led to the attempt by the then governor of the Eastern Region, Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu to pull his region out of Nigeria by the declaration of the nation of Biafra, causing a war which lasted two years and six months ending in January 1970.

Gowon, in the views of many, managed the aftermath of the civil war by declaring, no winner, no vanquished, and attempted to reintegrate the Eastern region back to Nigeria.

Nigeria also recorded significant developments in the aftermath of the civil war with the implementation of the development plans where destroyed infrastructure were rebuilt and many other projects were constructed. Gowon also increased the number states to 12.

Nakande believes that the military era served as a blessing to the nation because that was when many infrastructural facilities were built. It was during that time that Nigeria became a significant member of oil producing countries and joined the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC).

Notwithstanding, his administration was overthrown in 1975. The new administration headed by Murtala Ramat Mohammed announced a terminal date for the return to civil rule and created seven more states raising the number of states to 19. Murtala lasted only six months in office as he was assassinated on February 13, 1976 by a group of army officers led by Col Bukar Dimka.

Murtala’s Chief of Staff, Supreme headquarters, Olusegun Obasanjo, took over and kept faith with the earlier promise made by his predecessor to hand over power to civilians and was able to conduct election and hand over to a new administration on October 1, 1979, ushering in Alhaji Shehu Shagari as Nigeria’s first executive president.

Four years and three months in office, the military struck again, sacking the democratic structures known as the 2nd Republic, replacing it with a new military government headed by Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari’s Chief of Army staff, General Ibrahim Babangida, in August1985, sacked his former boss and took over power in what is described as a palace coup.

Expectedly, the political experiment plunged Nigeria into one of its most trying times with the cancelation of the June 12 1993 elections believed to have been won by MKO Abiola.

The pressure mounted on the military administration to honour the mandate made Babangida to step aside making way for what he called the interim national government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan to president over the affairs of the nation.

But the then secretary of Defence, General Sani Abacha overthrew Shonekan and reigned for five years before he died in office and General Abdulsalami Abubakar stepped in to fill the void.

Abdulsalami conducted elections and handed over to a civilian administration in which Obasanjo again emerged as president. Obasanjo reigned for eight years and was succeeded by then governor of Katsina State, Umaru Yar’adua who was in office for nearly three years but died in office on 5th May, 2010. Yar’adua’s deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, stepped into the shoes and ruled till 2015 when he lost his bid to come for another term as he was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari who reigned for eight years and handed over to the current president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Standard of living on decline since 1960’

Speaking on the anniversary, the publicity secretary of the Afenifere under late Ayo Adebanjo, Prince Justice Faloye, questioned what is being celebrated when the country is regressing from the standards of living and quality of life it had at independence in 1960.

He said the only new thing has been the rotation of power to some sections of the country.

Tracing history, Faloye said the military takeover of government and the policies they pursued crippled the country’s economy, especially from 1978.

He said the neo-liberal policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and removal of subsidies wiped out the purchasing power of the citizens.

‘Since 1978 when Obasanjo brought the ‘Ali Must Go’, it has been downward; things have been getting worse,’ he said.

‘That is one of the reasons that China has overtaken America and UK because of this ‘trickle down economics’ brought by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, which only pays the rich and the poor suffer.

‘Poverty in Nigeria has increased while those countries that did not take the neo-liberal policies have moved forward.’

He called for a return to the welfare state of abundance for all and restructuring to restore true federalism among the federating units.

In his view, a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Obasi Igwe, said the country’s 65 years have been marked by injustice and inequality among the various components.

‘Our reliance on petro-dollars is not good’

Prof. Murtala Mohammed of the department of history and international studies, North West University, Kano, said Nigeria’s major problem lies in the fact that early leadership increased ethnic competition rather than creating a cohesive social contract.

He added: ‘Nigeria’s biggest economic blunder, as seen through the lens of critical political economics, was its over reliance on oil earnings starting in the 1970s. Nigeria grew overly dependent on crude oil exports, ignoring industry, technology, and agriculture in favour of diversifying its economy and developing new industries. He said this over-reliance made government vulnerable to changes in the price of oil globally, skewed fiscal policy, and fostered corruption.

‘From the perspective of leadership and governance, Nigeria’s failure has been attributed to a lack of vision, accountability, and continuity. Instead of focusing on the politics of transformation, leadership has frequently been relegated to the politics of survival,’ he said.

But some hail Nigeria for surviving major turbulences that threatened its existence that included the Western region imbroglio; the coup and counter coup of 1966; the Civil war; overthrow of Gowon; the abortive coup of 1976; the June 12 imbroglio, the recent Boko Haram crisis and pre-election violence

The country also has unique experiences. For instance, four former heads of state, Aguiyi Ironsi; Murtala Mohammed; Sani Abacha and Yar’adua died in office while five of its leaders, Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala; Shagari, Buhari and Shonekan were overthrown from office.

Further to that, two of its leaders, Obasanjo and Buhari came back as democratically elected presidents after serving as military heads of state while one, incumbent; Jonathan was defeated in a general election.

Ironsi, Murtala, Shonekan, and Abdulsalami served for less than a year in office, while the longest serving were Gowon, nine years, Babangida, eight; Buhari, ten; and Obasanjo, eleven (Both under military and democratic rules)

With the ups and downs, people still believe there’s hope for Nigeria and that the nation has established its presence in the comity of developed nations.

Comrade Bagu said: ‘There’s hope and there’s no hope. We should look and take inspiration from the experiences of other countries. We have to look in the direction of other countries that were at the same level with us but politics is not allowing forces to elect the right leaders as the emerging leaders are tied to godfathers and want to maintain old privileges.

‘Any new person that wants to make it in different ways has no hope as he would be blocked and strangulated,’ he stressed.

Prof Muhammad on his part said Nigeria’s future depends on a serious realisation that it cannot keep going in the same direction and expect different outcomes.

‘The foundation of national regeneration must be the reconstruction of institutions. To break free from the cycle of mis-governance, it is essential to strengthen the rule of law, safeguard electoral integrity, and improve accountability. In the absence of reliable institutions, government will remain transactional and leadership will remain individualised.

‘Nigeria must make a concerted effort to strengthen monitoring agencies, protect the court from political meddling, and professionalise its bureaucracy so that they can combat corruption in more than just words,’ he said.

Unprepared leaders behind our woes – Dr. Sufi

A political analyst, Dr. Kabiru Sufi, has said Nigeria’s developmental setbacks stem largely from unprepared leaders who assume office without concrete plans for governance.

Speaking in an interview, Dr. Sufi said reversing the trend requires leaders with a ‘Marshall Plan-like approach’ that integrates political, economic, and social reforms rather than prioritising one sector at the expense of others.

‘We need leaders who are prepared with a holistic approach-focusing on political, social, and economic solutions to our problems. If we only focus on political issues and leave the economy to suffer, or focus mainly on economic issues while political crises erode the progress being made, we will remain stuck,’ he explained.

Reports by John Chuks Azu, Abuja; Salim Umar Ibrahim and Ahmad Datti, Kano

Police and vigilantes in Niger State have killed three suspected kidnappers at Kokolo forest, Kawo-Auna village, in Magama LGA of Niger State.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who made this known, said two AK-47 rifles and 49 live ammunition were recovered.

He said the success was in continuation of the command’s clearance operations in some identified suspected kidnappers’ hideouts.

He said a kidnapped victim was rescued during the operation.

In a related development, operatives of the command arrested a 28-year-old Bashir Abubakar of Kebbi State, for alleged fraud and theft by trick in Kontagora.

The suspect was said to have gone to a shop in New Market, Kontagora, reportedly to buy a mobile phone and accessories valued at over N500,000, where he left behind a bag with the shop attendant, claiming he would return shortly to complete the payment.

Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain pieces of paper arranged to resemble Naira notes.

Abiodun said the suspect was immediately recognized as the same person who was involved in a similar scam in August this year, where he allegedly collected two mobile phones worth N240,000 and left a suspected stolen motorcycle at the scene, claiming he would return with payment-but never did.

The suspect was nearly lynched by an angry mob before police from ‘B’ Division intervened, rescued him, and took him into custody.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has officially flagged off the construction of a 7-kilometer road project from the Bill Clinton Drive of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Tunga Madaki community in Abuja.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Monday, the FCT Minister emphasized that the project, which will bypass the Airport’s second runway, is a direct fulfillment of a promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the nine affected communities within the airport precinct that gave up their land for the construction of the second runway. The Minister said, ‘One of the things that the communities asked for is that they had to be connected and linked up with roads; it would be quite unfair that their land was collected for a second runway, yet they have no access to even go to the airport. It does not make sense. I had to take this matter to the President, and Mr. President said, ‘Whatever they ask for, give it to them’.’

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) just concluded in New York, United States. However, what has continued to dominate national discourse is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement to world leaders at the annual event. His bold policy statement demanding reforms in global governance has strengthened Nigeria’s international standing as one of Africa’s foremost economies.

In the statement that captured the attention of participants and the world in general, President Tinubu unequivocally called for multifaceted reforms of the UN, focusing on key areas that require immediate attention. And Vice President Kashim Shettima, who delivered Nigeria’s policy statement on his behalf, nailed it for Mr President.

One of the key aspects of VP Shettima’s capacity to represent his boss is his ability to understand and articulate the President’s vision. His presentations reflect Tinubu’s policies and ideas, demonstrating a deep understanding of the President’s mind and work.

The Vice President’s adeptness at representing the President effectively has been evident at various international fora. With the brilliance with which he marshalled and delivered President Tinubu’s foreign policy statement, Nigeria’s voice was clear and loud at the international gathering.

Unlike some world leaders who made their growing disenchantment fully palpable in their addresses at the global stage, President Tinubu did not require any show of righteous indignation to pass on the message of Nigeria and the continent. Subtly, he appealed to the interest of the international community instead of the regional interest. Categorically, he warned that the global body must embrace sweeping restructuring or face growing irrelevance, with world events increasingly bypassing its influence.

One of Nigeria’s primary concerns is the reform of the UN Security Council. The Nigerian leader stood his ground in demanding a permanent seat for Nigeria and Africa in the Council. He argued that this is the only way the country’s growing population, economic influence, and contributions to global peacekeeping would be reflected.

President Tinubu’s point of contention on this is clear: Nigeria, a nation that has transformed from ‘a colony of 20 million people, absent from the tables where decisions about our fate were taken’ to ‘a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth,’ is politically and morally certified to represent Africa on the UN Security Council. This move is part of a broader process of institutional reform aimed at making the UN more representative and effective.

President Tinubu’s address accentuates Nigeria’s commitment to peace, development, unity, multilateralism, and human rights. He emphasised the need for reform and cooperation in tackling global challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and financial instability. His diplomatic approach seeks to foster partnerships and cooperation, showcasing his negotiation skills.

The President identified an underlying pattern missing in the UN: the need for a more inclusive and effective multilateral system. For the most part, he took a pragmatic view of multilateralism, regarding it as useful but only when it is all-inclusive. By addressing the challenges and opportunities outlined in his policy statement, nations can work towards a better future for all. The emphasis on reform, cooperation, and collective action underscores the importance of multilateralism in achieving global peace and development.

On the global front, President Tinubu declared Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He described this approach as ‘the most dignified path’ to lasting peace, stressing that Palestinians ‘are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order,’ but human beings deserving of the same freedom and dignity as everyone else. He urged the international community to take concrete actions to protect Palestinian lives and facilitate a peaceful resolution.

By advocating for a two-state solution, President Tinubu’s stance aligns with other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, which have also called for Palestinian statehood. This move marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s foreign policy posture, showcasing its commitment to peace, human rights, and collective security.

Sadly, unpatriotic and unscrupulous politicians in Nigeria have lashed out at the Palestine issue to score cheap political points. The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) faulted President Tinubu’s two-state solution stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he failed to address the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.

But this is a view based, in the first place, on a misleading oversimplification and ignorance of the nuances and complexities of global politics of the time. Fortunately, well-meaning Nigerians have described the opposition’s stance as unnecessary critique, emphasising the need for politicians to prioritise national and global interests over partisan politics, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like human suffering. On Palestine, the critics are hereby handed a damning verdict.

President Tinubu must not be seen as making a case for Africa alone at the global event. His bold policy statement on the global stage shouldn’t have been slanted towards regional demands. It is a call for global awakening. What he simply did was prioritise empathy and compassion over political gains, especially in situations involving human suffering, hence maintaining a level of statesmanship and decorum in global political discourse.

Besides, President Tinubu did not only focus on the crisis in Palestine. He also condemned the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and other conflict zones, maintaining that efforts must be redoubled to de-escalate global tensions. Describing the human cost as ‘stains on our collective humanity,’ he tasked world leaders with the need for coordinated global efforts to combat tensions across the globe and address the underlying causes of regional conflicts and instability.

Was Tinubu actually mum on the Nigerian situation? Certainly not! He said that while ‘Nigeria has continued to face the threat of violent extremism and terrorism,’ his administration is tackling the menace through values and ideas. ‘At home, we confront the scourge of insurgency with resolve. From this long and difficult struggle with violent extremism, one truth stands clear: military tactics may win battles measured in months and years, but in wars that span generations, it is values and ideas that deliver the ultimate victory,’ he added.

On the ongoing economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu acknowledged the difficult reality facing his citizens but said that Nigeria’s economic reforms represent a model for resilience. He noted that his administration has taken difficult but necessary steps to restructure the economy and remove distortions, including subsidies and currency controls that benefited the few at the expense of the many. Expressing confidence in the power of the market to transform, he said, ‘Our task is to enable and facilitate, and to trust in the ingenuity and enterprise of the people. But the process of transition is difficult.’

The President proposed the setting up of a new, binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, including an International Court of Justice for money. According to him, this would enable countries to break free from the ‘economic straitjacket of primary production of unprocessed exports’ and promote local value addition in agriculture, solid minerals, and petrochemicals.

The proposal emphasises the need for urgent action to promote debt relief, not as an act of charity, but as a clear path to peace and prosperity that benefits everyone. It aims to help emerging economies escape the constraints of debt and focus on development and growth. He stressed that the current system is not suited to address the needs of developing countries, citing Africa’s total debt of around $685.5 billion and debt service payments of $88.7 billion in 2025.

President Tinubu also called for a complete overhaul of the global financial architecture governing Africa’s mineral resources. He said African nations must be allowed to finance their own mineral sectors and assert control over African products’ global supply chains, promoting economic development and sovereignty. He also emphasised the importance of benefit-sharing from strategic minerals. Nigeria believes that countries hosting these minerals should reap the benefits, not just through revenue but also through investment, partnership, local processing, and job creation.

The President also called for a dedicated initiative to close the digital divide. This initiative would bring together researchers, the private sector, governments, and communities to promote access to technology, mitigate potential negative impacts, and enable growth. Closing the digital divide is crucial for ensuring that all nations, especially developing ones, can participate in the global digital economy and benefit from technological advancements.

No doubt, what has become clear about Senator Shettima’s diplomatic outings is that President Tinubu’s choice of Vice President has proven to be a strategic move, showcasing effective leadership and partnership. VP Shettima’s performance at the 80th UNGA demonstrates his capacity to stamp the President’s authority on the global stage. His ability to convey the President’s vision and policies seamlessly has been particularly notable.

It’s clear that their cordial partnership and collaborative leadership style, characterised by mutual trust, are crucial factors in Nigeria’s current progress. Their bond has proven to be solid and effective, with VP Shettima demonstrating absolute loyalty to President Tinubu and working tirelessly to support his initiatives and vision for Nigeria. They are united by a shared goal to engender a strong economy, deliver prosperity, and improve living standards for Nigerians based on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Beyond the General Debate, the Vice President met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters to personally discuss Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and other matters of mutual interest. He also attended a meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government held on the margins of UNGA 80.

Senator Shettima also held bilateral meetings with key leaders, including the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the Gates Foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Namibia, calling for expanded investment in Nigeria, particularly in education and human capital development.

The Vice President also engaged with investors, highlighting Nigeria’s growth ambitions and economic reforms under the Tinubu administration. He emphasised the country’s potential for investment, citing macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and education.

Nkwocha is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President)

A cross section of residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the federal government to implement people-oriented policies that will alleviate economic hardship in the country.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the 65th Independence anniversary celebrations of the country.

NAN reports the independence anniversary with the theme, ‘Nigeria @ 65: All Hands-on Deck for a Greater Nation” is featuring a blend of religious, civic and cultural activities including the Independence Day parade across the states on Oct.1.

Speaking on the anniversary, the residents called on the Federal Government to proffer lasting solutions to the hardship brought about by the economic reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They urged the government to look into various sectors of the economy and initiate policies and programmes that would ease their sufferings.

Alh. Ibrahim Musa, a businessman in Bwari, said that the two-pronged policies of fuel subsidy removal and unification of foreign exchange window, introduced by President Tinubu on assumption of office, have taken tolls on businesses and livelihood.

Musa said the policies brought about economic hardship with crumbling impacts on small businesses like his own, which are struggling to stay afloat.

According to him, the removal of fuel subsidies, in particular, had led to high transportation costs, causing daily price hikes for commodities.

‘Both traders and consumers are struggling to cope. Even my business, which once thrived, is no longer booming.

‘Sometimes, I sell goods below their cost prices just to break even and feed my family. If things continue like this, I’ll eventually go out of business.

‘A country with rich natural resources as Nigeria shouldn’t be plagued by hunger. We have everything needed to feed ourselves. Our biggest problem is corruption and bad policies,” Musa said.

Mr Charles Ibe, a lecturer, emphasised the need for the government to diversify the economy beyond the oil sector.,

According to him, the oil dependent economy is no longer sustainable, the government must explore other areas, such as agriculture, mining, and tourism to boost the economy.

Ibe noted that fuel subsidy removal was well intended, but the effects had worsened the country’s economic situation and increased the poverty rate.

He said the excess funds accruing from the removal of subsidy should be plowed to visible infrastructure development and poverty alleviating programmes

‘Most of our infrastructure, including roads, public schools and hospitals, require urgent attention.

‘Celebrating 65 years of independence while key sectors struggle is hollow.

‘Nigeria has immense potential for greatness, with abundant mineral resources, fertile soil for agriculture, and favourable weather.

‘These resources should be harnessed to improve citizens’ lives. Given our wealth, no Nigerian should live in poverty.

‘However, corruption has reduced many Nigerians to beggars in their own country,’ he said.

Mr Stanley Osho, a civil servant in Gwagwalada said that an average civil servant could not afford a decent accommodation as the cost of house rent continued to skyrocket.

Osho said that the 65th independence anniversary would have been a big celebration for Nigerians ‘if things are looking up for the country’.

‘The incessant increase in house rent is a serious concern to many civil servants.

‘Most of us with families, cannot afford a decent two-bedroom flat in the suburbs, talk more of the city centre.

‘What we are witnessing now in the FCT is civil servants relocating to areas with little or no infrastructure and security just to cut cost,’ he said.

Osho added: ‘It may also interest you to know that most civil servants go to their offices twice or thrice in a week now because of the high cost of transportation.

‘All these are having devastating consequences on productivity and the economy,’ he said

Osho urged the government to regulate house rents and provide affordable public transportation system to make life bearable for the ordinary citizens.

Mr Chinedu Okafor, a teacher in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said, while democracy has given Nigerians freedom of expression and participation, poor governance has hindered development.

He emphasised the need for urgent reforms in the power sector, citing the importance of a steady power supply in attracting investments and fostering business growth.

”Without reliable electricity, industries struggle to thrive and businesses can’t grow. The government must prioritise fixing the power sector,” he stressed.

Mrs Confidence Samuel, another civil servant, said workers are bearing the brunt of the current economic hardship, the more.

According to her, civil servants’ monthly salaries could barely cover their expenses for two weeks.

She said the N70,000 minimum wage is no longer sustainable with the economic realities and soaring cost of living.

While calling for upward review of the minimum wage, Samuel also underscored the need for targeted government interventions to boost food production, stabilise prices, and make basic amenities more affordable

Some residents, however, expressed the optimism that things would improve and Nigeria would be great again

Mr Akpoko Uloko, a civil servant, said that Nigeria’s independence holds great significance for him, stressing that over the years, the country has made notable progress in various sectors.

According to him, although, the economy has not reached its full potential, significance progress is being made.

Mr James Adeyemi, a cleric in Bwari, said Nigeria’s independence is worth celebrating, notwithstanding the unfavourable economic realities

Adeyemi said that independence celebration is a reminder of the country’s freedom, hope, self-determination and opportunities ahead.

He urged citizens to foster unity and responsibility, while calling on leaders to demonstrate transparency and genuine commitment to addressing national challenges.

‘With Divine guidance and effective leadership, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and build a stronger, more prosperous nation,’ he added.

No doubt, Nigerians are passing through a difficult time because of the reforms the Tinubu’s administration put in place.

Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), acknowledged this, even, on Monday, at a World Press Briefing to mark the 65th independence anniversary.

According to the SGF, the reforms, though tough, were necessary to stabilise the economy, restore investors’ confidence and lay the foundation for long-term growth.

He, however said that the country is witnessing positive results as inflationary pressures are beginning to ease, foreign investment inflows have shown renewed interest, while job creation initiatives are expanding opportunities for the youths.

According to him, social intervention programmes are also being strengthened to cushion the effects of the reforms on the vulnerable.

Akume appealed to Nigerians in the spirit of celebration to remain resilient, united and committed to the ideals of peace and progress. (NAN)