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Imo State University has partnered with the Imo Robotic Centre to establish a robotic surgery academy aimed at training 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals within two years in a move to expand access to advanced healthcare services and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on medical tourism. The initiative described by Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon Prof Kingsley Ekwueme as Africa’s first dedicated university-based robotic surgery academy is expected to provide specialised training for more than 250 Nigerian surgeons alongside other medical professionals from across Africa.

Ekwueme who was recently appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery at Imo State University disclosed that the partnership followed a meeting with the university’s management on August 18 with an official university publication issued the following day. He said a memorandum of understanding was subsequently signed while a departmental building was allocated for the academy’s establishment. ‘We have successfully performed the first surgery in the region in August. We followed up with multiple robotic surgeries at the Imo Robotic Centre where many patients are already benefiting from this state-of-the-art technology now available for the first time in southeast Nigeria’ he said. ‘We have also partnered with Imo State University following a successful meeting on the 18th of August 2026 and launched the robotic surgery academy at the university.’

The professor said the academy would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deliver sophisticated surgical procedures locally while equipping healthcare professionals with the expertise required to operate robotic systems safely and effectively. According to him the programme will cover several surgical specialties including urology gynaecology and general surgery rather than concentrating solely on prostate-related conditions. ‘We are not only training surgeons but we are also training the whole surgical team. And this is very important because we want to train a team to be able to deliver safe and effective robotic surgery at their own local centre’ Ekwueme explained.

He added that the academy would support participating hospitals in acquiring and installing robotic equipment while providing technical training and assistance to ensure sustainable operations. Ekwueme said the Imo Robotic Centre developed in partnership with the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma had commenced operations and successfully performed several robotic-assisted procedures. The development he noted would make advanced surgical treatment increasingly accessible to patients in the South-East many of whom previously had to travel long distances or seek specialised medical care overseas. ‘We have bridged the gap. So nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery’ he stated.

Explaining the benefits of robotic surgery Ekwueme said the technology provides surgeons with magnified three-dimensional views of the operating area and sophisticated instruments that enable greater precision during complex procedures. He identified prostate and kidney operations fibroid removal hysterectomy ovarian procedures bowel cancer surgery and selected gallbladder operations among treatments that could be performed using robotic assistance. According to him the technology can reduce surgical trauma blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients when compared with conventional open surgery.

He stressed however that successful outcomes depend not merely on acquiring sophisticated equipment but also on the competence of the surgeons and supporting medical teams. ‘The surgeon has to also be proficient in the use of the robotic machine. And that is where this training that we are creating becomes important’ he said. The professor further disclosed plans to establish an oncology centre adjacent to the robotic surgery facility to provide advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment services. He said a medical institute was also being developed through collaboration between the state government and the Imo Robotic Centre to strengthen specialised medical services and professional training.

Ekwueme who also serves as Clinical Lead for Urology in North Wales at Glan Clwyd Hospital United Kingdom said his experience in developing robotic surgery programmes overseas had strengthened his determination to introduce similar capabilities in Nigeria. He said his team had performed more than 145 robotic procedures through a programme he developed and he had been involved in specialist training and the introduction of robotic technologies. He also said his team performed what he described as West Africa’s first robotic-assisted gynaecological operation through its programme with the patient discharged on the same day.

On the economic implications Ekwueme maintained that expanding robotic surgery services across Nigeria could reduce expenditure on overseas medical treatment and create opportunities for Nigerian healthcare professionals working abroad. He urged the Federal Government to review import duties and other charges on sophisticated medical equipment to encourage investment and improve access to advanced treatment. ‘We know how to acquire affordable robotic systems. I will advise any public institution to come to train with us. We will help them to acquire robots without a doubt’ he said.

The professor also called on chief medical directors of public hospitals to explore partnerships with the academy for training equipment procurement and the establishment of robotic surgery units. He expressed optimism that the initiative would help reverse the migration of skilled medical professionals and position Nigeria as an emerging destination for specialised surgical care. ‘In ten years I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria. I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less’ he said. ‘I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria.’

Explaining the clinical benefits of robotic surgery Ekwueme said the technology could be deployed across several medical specialties including urology gynaecology general surgery and selected cardiac procedures. He identified prostate and kidney operations fibroid removal hysterectomy ovarian procedures bowel cancer surgery and certain gallbladder procedures among treatments that could be performed using robotic assistance. According to him robotic systems provide surgeons with highly magnified three-dimensional views of the operating field and sophisticated instruments that allow greater precision during complex procedures potentially reducing surgical trauma blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients. ‘The advantages of robotic surgery cannot be overstated’ he said.

Beyond expanding treatment options Ekwueme expressed optimism that the initiative would help establish a sustainable network of technologically equipped hospitals across Nigeria enabling patients to access advanced surgical care locally while creating opportunities for highly skilled Nigerian medical professionals working abroad to return home. ‘In ten years I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria. I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less’ he said. ‘I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria.’

Describing the development as a potential turning point in the country’s healthcare delivery system Ekwueme expressed confidence that sustained investment in medical technology specialist training and institutional partnerships could transform access to advanced surgical services. ‘I seriously believe that a medical revolution is happening in Nigeria at the moment’ he declared.

AXA Mansard Health has been named Outstanding Health Insurance Company of the Year at the Marketing Edge Awards in recognition of its contribution to the health insurance sector and efforts to expand access to healthcare for individuals families and organisations.

ýThe recognition comes amid growing concerns about the financial barriers limiting access to medical services in Nigeria with health insurance increasingly viewed as a way to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and improve access to timely treatment.

ýBy providing individuals and organisations with structured healthcare financing solutions health insurance is expected to play a critical role in strengthening household financial security and supporting a more resilient healthcare system.

ýSpeaking on the award AXA Mansard Health Chief Executive Officer Tope Adeniyi said expanding access to health insurance remains essential to improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening the resilience of households and businesses.

ýHe said access to healthcare should not be determined solely by an individual’s ability to pay medical bills at the point of need noting that health insurance provides a framework for planning healthcare costs and accessing medical services.

ý’Access to healthcare should not be determined solely by a person’s ability to meet medical expenses at the point of need. Health insurance provides a structure that helps people plan for healthcare costs and access medical services when they need them.

ý’As an industry we have an important role to play in making health protection more accessible affordable and relevant to the needs of Nigerians’ Adeniyi said.

ýHe added that the company remained committed to helping individuals and organisations navigate their healthcare needs through solutions designed to support access to medical services.

ýAccording to him the recognition marks an important milestone. At the same time the broader objective remains to contribute to a healthcare system where more Nigerians can access essential services without facing overwhelming financial pressure.

ýAlso commenting AXA Mansard Health Chief Marketing Officer Adebola Surakat thanked Marketing Edge for the recognition attributing the achievement to the collective efforts of the company’s workforce and healthcare partners.

ýSurakat said the commitment of teams and partners to improving healthcare experiences for customers had remained central to the company’s operations.

ý’We appreciate Marketing Edge for this recognition and acknowledge the commitment of our teams and healthcare partners who work together to support our customers.

ý’Every effort to improve access strengthen service delivery and make healthcare easier to navigate contributes to the experience we want our enrollees to have. This award encourages us to keep building on that work’ she said.

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Marketing Edge Awards is an industry recognition platform organised by Marketing Edge a Nigerian marketing communications publication to celebrate achievements across marketing advertising brand communications and related fields.

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For AXA Mansard Health the award underscores its commitment to delivering relevant health insurance solutions and customer-focused services as the company continues to support efforts to make healthcare protection more accessible and practical for individuals and organisations.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike on Monday intensified efforts to mobilise political support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Wike urged Nigerians to embrace the Rainbow Coalition as a platform for national unity political cooperation and sustainable development.

He said the coalition which brings together political leaders and supporters across party lines particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offers an opportunity to put aside partisan differences and work for the collective interest of Nigerians.

Wike faulted politicians opposing the Rainbow Coalition saying those criticising the political alliance lack the capacity to unite their families and communities.

The minister spoke at the commissioning of Gwagwalada Civil Centre and during a town hall meeting in Gwagwalada Abuja attended by traditional rulers area council chairmen political leaders youth groups and supporters of the two major political parties.

The gathering was part of Wike’s ongoing engagements across the six area councils of the FCT ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described the Rainbow Coalition as a strategic political arrangement capable of uniting diverse interests strengthening grassroots participation and building wider support for Tinubu’s administration.

He said ‘Some greedy and selfish politicians do not understand what we call unity. They have no capacity to hold their space they have no capacity to even hold their families and they have no capacity to hold their communities. So they can open their mouths and say there is no Rainbow Coalition’.

According to him Nigeria needs a political movement that prioritises governance performance and the welfare of citizens above party affiliations.

‘What is governance? Making the people happy. Never in the history of the FCT have you seen all of us sitting together like this-not to fight not to break heads but to discuss with understanding for the interest of the FCT and the unity of our people’ he said.

Wike maintained that the success of governance should be measured by its impact on the lives of the people insisting that political leaders must be accessible and responsive to the needs of their constituents.

He urged Nigerians to support the coalition arguing that bringing political forces together would strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign and provide a broader platform for advancing development across the country.

The minister also challenged political office holders to demonstrate effective representation through regular consultations with their constituents traditional institutions youths and other community stakeholders.

Taking a swipe at the current pattern of representation in the FCT Wike urged residents not to repeat what he described as the political mistake of the 2023 elections.

He questioned whether the current National Assembly representation had adequately engaged communities across Abaji Bwari Gwagwalada Kuje Kwali and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) drawing negative responses from the audience.

Wike said representation should not be limited to election periods adding that elected officials must maintain constant contact with the people and understand their challenges.

He cited the APC senatorial candidate Senator Philip Aduda and other grassroots political leaders as examples of politicians who maintain relationships with their constituents.

He urged all to also vote for Aduda.

On infrastructure and community development the minister commended the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman for his efforts recalling requests for the completion of important roads including those leading to Zuba.

He said the FCT Administration had responded to some of the demands stressing that development projects should cut across political and geographical boundaries.

Wike also directed relevant officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to address concerns raised by youths over abandoned community projects and the need for recreational facilities and community centres.

He said appropriate sites should be identified to provide spaces for youth development educational activities and community engagement.

The minister further called on residents of the six area councils to mobilise massively for the 2027 elections describing the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as instruments through which citizens could determine their political future.

‘That day will not be a day for farming. It will not be a day for the market. It will not be a day for fishing. It is the day all of us have decided to carry our voters’ cards-our power-and mobilise every father mother and youth to go out and cast their votes’ he said.

Wike reaffirmed his commitment to working with political stakeholders across party lines to mobilise support for Tinubu insisting that unity effective governance and visible development should remain the driving forces of the coalition.

Earlier the FCT APC Chairman Hon. Ishaku Yamawo described the gathering as historic saying Wike’s political intervention had brought together leaders who previously operated on opposing sides.

He said political leaders who had never regarded themselves as brothers because of party differences are now sitting together and agreeing to work under one political platform in Gwagwalada.

Yamawo also commended the minister for reducing political tension in the area noting that campaigns had become more peaceful without the destruction of vehicles and other violent incidents previously associated with political activities.

Similarly the FCT PDP Chairman Hon. Ismaila Dogara praised Wike for his development interventions particularly the revival of a project abandoned for 16 years in Gwagwalada.

Dogara said the coming together of political leaders across party lines demonstrated the minister’s commitment to building cooperation among stakeholders.

The Aguma of Gwagwalada His Royal Highness Muhammadu Magaji also commended the minister for his contributions to the development of the territory saying the revival of the abandoned project underscored the importance of continuity in governance.

In his welcome address the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council Hon. Kassim Mohammed listed road projects executed by his administration in Gwagwalada metropolis Tungan Wada Abum-pe and other communities.

He vowed to also work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Some small-holder poultry farmers in the Northeast and the Southwest have urged government at all levels to intervene and save the sub-sector from imminent collapse.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Borno Yobe and Adamawa states in the Northeast poultry farmers described the rising cost of inputs as a serious threat to productivity.

In the Southwest the concerned farmers in Osun Ondo and Ekiti states sought the government’s help to overcome soaring production costs among other challenges facing the sub-sector.

A farmer and dealer in poultry feeds and medicines Mr. Godwin Dedan called for targeted government interventions to address the challenges facing small-scale producers.

He said rising feed costs remained a major concern requiring government support for local production of essential feed ingredients.

‘Such interventions could include subsidising poultry feed ingredients supporting local production of maize and soybean and establishing affordable feed-milling facilities’ he said.

Dedan also called for low-interest loans and grants to enable small-holder farmers to purchase day-old chicks feeds vaccines and other essential inputs.

He said sustained government support improved market access and affordable production inputs were necessary to keep small-holder farmers in business.

Dedan insisted that such measures would also promote employment opportunities and strengthen food security in the state.

Malam Haruna Ismail a grower of between 50 and 100 birds in Yola South said the price of day-old chicks had increased from between N980 and N1050 in 2025 to the current N2270.

He added that a bag of poultry feed previously sold for between N16000 and N18000 now costs between N21600 and N23000.

Ismail said the cost of poultry medicines also increased with some sachets previously sold from N400 to N800 now costing between N1800 and N2000.

He said the situation had forced him to reduce the number of birds purchased and adjust expenditure on feed and medications.

Another farmer in Yola North Mrs. Peace Samuel said that with the rising cost of production poultry farming had become increasingly unsustainable.

‘After rearing birds for six to seven weeks and feeding them at such high costs it will be fair to sell at N20000 each.

‘But some people may prefer to buy beef for N10000 instead of chicken’ she said.

Samuel said some farmers were consequently forced to reduce their selling prices to attract customers because they could not afford continued feeding.

She identified disease outbreaks including coccidiosis Newcastle disease and Gumboro as additional challenges confronting poultry farming.

According to her delayed treatment of infections could result in high bird mortality and significant financial losses.

In Biu Borno State small-holder poultry farmers also appealed to the state and Federal Government to support them to unlock the numerous job opportunities in the subsector.

Mr. Shettima Isa the Manager of Shettima Farms in Tum said a bag of feed was selling for N18000 as against N10000 previously.

‘This is increasingly becoming unbearable because you will spend huge money on feeds and vaccines and end up selling the broiler for between N8000 and N12000 depending on their sizes.

‘We hardly make enough profit and so many stopped the business and many jobs were lost too because it’s a value chain.

‘If the government will support poultry farmers in Biu and in the entire state we will have more jobs created and have more food for Nigerians’ he said.

Malam Usman Kabiru another poultry farmer in Biu town said he was forced to abandon poultry farming in view of the high cost of feeds and poor pricing.

Kabiru however said if the government would support them by subsidising feeds and other inputs he might reconsider reinvesting in the business.

A Potiskum-based poultry farmer in Yobe Malam Isa Bawa noted that prices of poultry feeds recorded a significant increase in the last five years.

‘As of four to five years back the price of a sack of poultry feed was between N5000 and N7000 but gradually reached N23000 for starter and N21000 for finisher’ he said.

Another poultry farmer in Potiskum Alhaji Usman Maidede said the high cost of feed had cut down the number of poultry farmers in the area a situation that sometimes led to the scarcity of eggs and birds.

‘When the price is high the farmers rear less which in turn causes less availability for the buyers.’

Also poultry farmers in the Southwest urged government at all levels to establish cooperative feed milling outlets to provide farmers with subsidised poultry feeds.

They noted that skyrocketing production costs were threatening the survival of the industry.

The poultry farmers who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday said the initiative would significantly reduce production costs and ease the financial burden on farmers.

The Chairman of Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Osun State Dr. Alaba Towoju said the soaring prices of poultry feed day-old chicks and pullets made it increasingly difficult for farmers to cope.

According to him day-old chicks and pullets now sell for N2000 each which is excessive and detrimental to the growth of the poultry industry.

‘Poultry farmers buy feed at high prices from feed millers and are later forced to sell their products below profitable levels leaving them in perpetual losses.

‘Maize supplied by the government to support poultry farmers often ends up with feed millers who allegedly increased prices making it difficult for farmers to afford feed.

‘Government should closely monitor the distribution of subsidised maize to feed millers to ensure that the benefits are passed on to farmers through affordable feed prices’ he said.

Towoju however said proactive measures were necessary to boost poultry production protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure food security in the country.

Also the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Osun State Alhaji Wahaab Bello noted that the federal and state governments had periodically supported farmers including those in the livestock sector.

Bello noted that farmers had benefited from agricultural support programmes including the FADAMA III programme where farming implements were provided.

‘The Federal Ministry of Agriculture through its Department of Livestock provided farmers with 50 chicks and feed to support poultry production.

‘High cost of feed is the major challenge facing poultry farmers while the prices of ingredients used in its production are also high.

‘Feed sellers cannot be entirely blamed for the high prices because the raw materials required for production are equally expensive.

‘The government should intervene by reducing the cost of agricultural inputs and providing grants to ease farmers’ operational challenges’ he said.

In Ekiti State a poultry farmer Mr. Daniel Ajayi said the rising cost of poultry feed and unfavourable market conditions were threatening the survival of the business in the state.

The farmer said a bag of feed that was sold for N9000 last year now sells between N20000 and N23000 while the price of maize and soya – the major components – had tripled.

He noted that the development had forced many smallholder farmers to reduce flock size switch to alternative local feed or shut down entirely.

The Chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Ekiti State Mr. Alonge Oluwasetemi said only 15 to 25 per cent of members were still producing optimally.

‘Feed now accounts for about 75 per cent of production cost making it impossible for farmers to break even when consumers cannot afford the products’ he stated.

A broiler seller at Oja Oba Market in Ado-Ekiti Mrs. Funmi Ajayi said she used to sell 100 birds daily but now barely sells 30 birds.

‘People don’t have money to buy. A medium chicken that was N3500 is now N7000 and customers are negotiating N4000. Farmers now struggle to sell or even offer birds on credit’ she said.

A veterinary doctor in Ikere-Ekiti Dr. Femi Olabode told NAN that some feed millers were now compromising quality saying ‘maize should be 50 per cent of feed but now they put 35 per cent to make profit.

‘So birds don’t gain weight; layers produce 50 per cent instead of 90 per cent. This increases mortality and disease risk. It is a vicious cycle’ he stated.

The Chairman of PAN in the Southwest Oluleye Olugbeja appealed to government to address the feed cost noting that ‘feed is 75 per cent of our cost.

‘If government can release grains from the national reserve at a subsidised price give single-digit loans from the Bank of Agriculture and support insurance against disease farmers can survive.

‘Otherwise this N4.2 trillion industry that gives 25 million jobs will collapse’ Olugbeja said.

SIWE’s Coordinator at the Federal College of Agriculture Akure Ondo State Dr. Joshua Sunday Ayantayo explained that raising 50 birds to table size now required nothing less than N400000 excluding mortality and other costs.

Ayantayo also a poultry farmer said many farmers were cutting corners by not vaccinating their birds appropriately because they could not afford both feed and drugs while others have reduced their flock.

‘Those who have been raising 1000 are reducing to around 500; some are reducing from 500 to 300′ he said.

Ayantayo urged the government to intervene by subsidising feed production and empowering farmers who produce raw materials particularly maize.

He noted that the price of feed would remain high as long as the country continued to import maize which is a major ingredient in feed production.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wholesome Chicken Farm in Akure Mr. Tayo Ayorinde noted that poor farm management disease outbreaks inadequate marketing strategies and corruption in government intervention programmes are major factors driving poultry farmers out of business in Nigeria.

Ayorinde who acknowledged the high cost of poultry production in the country said it was unrealistic to attribute farmers’ abandonment of their farms solely to rising prices of feed and other production inputs.

He explained that poultry farmers could remain profitable despite the high cost of production if they maintained good production standards and develop effective marketing strategies.

According to him some farmers incur losses due to their inability to plan their sales properly particularly when they produce large quantities of birds without adequate arrangements for marketing them.

He noted that disease outbreaks attacks by soldier ants vaccine failure and theft were also among the challenges capable of forcing farmers to abandon their businesses.

Ayorinde advised poultry farmers to prioritise farm hygiene and biosecurity measures to protect their birds against diseases and other infections.

He added that pilfering could also undermine farmers’ profitability as the theft of birds and other farm resources reduced their expected returns.

Ayorinde acknowledged the introduction of various programmes by the government to support farmers but lamented that corruption and diversion of resources had undermined their effectiveness.

Also the owner of Olajesu Farm a retail poultry inputs store in Akure Mrs. Aminat Olaitan said the rising cost of poultry feed and other inputs had reduced demand and patronage.

Olaitan said a bag of finisher feed is between N22000 and N24000 compared with N16000 and N18000 before depending on the brand claiming that she could hardly sell four bags in a week compared with eight to 10 bags before the increase in price.

Olaitan appealed to the government to intervene particularly by addressing the high cost of transportation and subsidising poultry inputs.

A major poultry feed seller and CEO of PearlFak Limited in Arakale in Akure Mrs. Abiola Fakinlede noted that feed production companies relied heavily on expensive diesel to run their plants while bad road networks caused long transportation delays.

On price trends over the last six months Fakinlede pointed out that feed prices experienced a brief drop before July but have maintained a steep continuous upward spiral ever since.

‘From July to date feed prices have been going up drastically and within a single week the price can change more than once’ she stated.

She emphasised that the severe inflation cuts across the entire market rather than affecting isolated feed companies.

‘When farmers come to buy feed instead of buying full bags many end up buying half bags which forces them to ration the feed and causes their birds to suffer’ she said.

She explained that this continuous feed rationing has led to a reduction in egg production and forced many smallholders to cut down their flock sizes.

To resolve the challenges Fakinlede called on the government to subsidise the cost of raw materials stabilise fuel and diesel prices rehabilitate bad roads and restore security in agricultural zones.

ýThe Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has nominated The Nation for its 2026 ‘Best Nigerian Newspaper of the Year’ award in Law and Judicial Reporting.

ýThe award is scheduled to be presented on November 5 at Top Rank Hotel Utako Abuja according to a nomination letter dated October 31 2026.

ýThe letter was signed by NLS President Ambassador Aliyu Dahiru and Executive Director Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja.

ýWriting on behalf of the society’s Governing Council the signatories requested confirmation of the newspaper’s acceptance of the nomination through the organisation’s official email address.

ý’Please kindly confirm acceptance of this nomination by responding to this email letter via the official email address of the Nigerian Law Society – NLS’ the letter stated.

ýThe nomination places The Nation in contention for recognition in the category covering law and judicial reporting.

ýNLS is ‘the premier professional association for legal practitioners in Nigeria.’

ýThe body stated on its website that it is committed to ‘promoting the rule of law advancing the legal profession and protecting the rights and interests of all Nigerians’.

ýIt added: ‘We are a Society of lawyers enrolled as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court under the Legal Practitioners Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ý’The Nigerian Law Society is led by a Council of elected representatives from across the country.

ý’Our Council members are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the legal profession and to promoting the interests of our members and the wider legal community.

ý’As a member of the Nigerian Law Society you will have access to a range of benefits and services designed to support your legal career and professional development…’

Part of its policy agenda reads ‘At the NLS we believe that access to justice is a fundamental human right and that everyone should have equal access to legal remedies and redress.

‘We recognise that barriers to access to justice can be financial social and cultural and that these barriers disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalised groups in our society.

‘Our Access to Justice Policy Agenda is focused on removing these barriers and promoting equal access to justice for all Nigerians.’

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan has called for a coordinated national response to the threats posed by artificial intelligence and foreign information manipulation to Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity in Abuja themed ‘Beyond the Ballot: AI FIMI and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections’ Amupitan said weaponising information is now the biggest technological challenge facing modern democracy. The summit is supported under the EU-SDGN III framework.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16 2027.

Amupitan said the issue was urgent enough for INEC to reschedule the South-South leg of its zonal readiness assessment in Port Harcourt so it could participate.

He said elections can now be undermined long before the first ballot is cast through synthetic media automated disinformation deepfakes digital micro-targeting and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).

‘Public awareness alone is no longer an adequate defence against synthetic content and digital manipulation’ he said noting that voice cloning realistic video fabrication and bot networks once available only to state-level actors now cost very little.

He identified three vulnerable stages of the electoral cycle that are affected: Pre-election (fake directives forged registration portals and false claims about voter list updates); Campaign close (deepfake audio or video timed for the period after campaigning ends when verification channels and candidates’ response windows are limited); and Collation (fake announcements of results or cancelled polls designed to trigger unrest).

Under Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 campaigns end 24 hours before polling day: January 14 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and February 4 2027 for governorship and State Assembly polls. He added that since campaigns opened in August parties and supporters have used social media to promote candidates and denigrate opponents with false information.

Amupitan cited the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election where an AI-generated audio clip purporting to show a party leader discussing vote-buying went viral during the pre-election blackout. Fact-checkers election authorities and media could not respond in time he said despite voters having been warned about deepfakes.

He also cautioned against the ‘Liar’s Dividend’ in which the mere existence of AI leads voters to doubt what is genuine. ‘While technology evolves at the speed of light the truth often travels at the speed of trust’ he said.

The commission said it is focusing on: Voter education: moving from ‘how to vote’ to ‘how to verify’ including ‘pre-bunking’ through short audio messages in local languages and Pidgin on WhatsApp

Technological safeguards: strengthening digital infrastructure against FIMI

Real-time response: mechanisms to debunk viral misinformation within minutes

Platform partnerships: with TikTok Facebook Instagram WhatsApp YouTube Telegram X and others with an MOU already in place with TikTok

‘INEC cannot police the truth alone’

Amupitan called on social media platforms to create fast-track channels for removing demonstrably altered content; on telecom providers and media houses to broadcast verified alerts without delay; and on fact-checkers and journalists to be given direct access to INEC communication desks. Security agencies he said must distinguish protected political expression from digital crimes aimed at destabilising public order.

He urged the media to serve as the ‘first line of verification’ civil society to help close the digital literacy gap in rural communities and technology partners to develop detection tools suited to Nigerian languages and social context.

The INEC chairman stressed that counter-disinformation efforts must not become a pretext for censorship or the suppression of dissent. ‘The goal is not to police opinion regulate political debate or restrict citizens’ freedom of expression’ he said adding that the aim is to protect the authenticity of operational election information so voters decide on facts rather than engineered deception.

Amupitan challenged the summit not to become ‘just another conference declaration.’ He listed three expected outcomes:

Inter-agency escalation protocols setting out who detects verifies escalates and communicates during a digital information crisis

Institutionalised fact-checking desks with real-time links between INEC information officers media monitors and certified fact-checkers

Simulation and stress-testing through tabletop exercises of AI-driven election scenarios

He noted that INEC and a development partner recently concluded a strategic communication workshop that simulated some of these scenarios.

Amupitan thanked the European Union IPC CEMESO and DAI for organising the summit saying the aim is for Nigerian voters to be ’empowered by information not paralysed by it.’

In his remarks Dr Lanre Arogundade said disinformation is now a battle fought on phones.

Arogundade also warned that the battle over the 2027 elections is being fought ‘on our phones not at polling units.’ Speaking on behalf of the conveners Arogundade said that with 75 days to the January 16 presidential and National Assembly elections awareness alone is insufficient against AI-driven disinformation.

He noted that 63 per cent of the claims reviewed by the Nigeria Fact-Checkers’ Coalition in 2023 were entirely false and that turnout fell to 26.7 per cent the lowest since 1999. He added that 66.5 per cent of Nigerians are deeply concerned about AI-generated political misinformation.

‘Awareness alone is insufficient’ the conveners said calling for a trusted coordinated and rights-respecting system that enables institutions to anticipate threats verify evidence escalate incidents communicate authoritatively and learn from each response.

Arogundade urged the more than 300 participants to adopt an ‘Abuja Commitment’ and a response protocol while protecting free expression and media freedom.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has unveiled a 325-member campaign council for next year’s general election.

At the helm of the council are Senate President Senator Godswill who was named the grand patron and Michael Afangideh patron.

Akpabio’s wife Ekaette is also a member of the council which will be chaired by Governor Eno Umo.

Umo’s deputy Akon Eyakenyi is first vice and Minister of Petroleum Resources(Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo Ekpo second vice chairman.

Secretary to the State Government(SSG) Enobong Uwah some serving commissioners key political stakeholders from the 31 local government areas of the state and some of the council members.

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus Assam Assam (SAN) is the council’s director-general.

A statement by the state chairman of the APC Stephen Ntukekpo said: ‘The party wishes to clarify that the list as presently released is not exhaustive. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that all relevant sectors interests and stakeholders are adequately represented in keeping with the party’s commitment to inclusivity and broad-based participation.’

The party urged all members of the council to commence consultations immediately but is awaiting their inauguration and launch.

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu at the weekend presented his administration’s record of debt reduction asset recovery infrastructure renewal and public service reforms as evidence of progress under the People First Agenda.

He said a second term would propel the state from economic recovery to wealth creation and shared prosperity.

Otu spoke in Calabar while inaugurating the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for next year’s general election.

He urged party leaders and campaign officials to take the administration’s achievements to the electorate noting that continuity was essential to consolidating the foundations already laid for sustainable development.

Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding his assumption of office in May 2023 the governor recalled that the state was grappling with insecurity a demoralised public service and underutilised public assets.

‘We did not promise all things in one year but we covenanted to stop the bleeding clear the ground recover the losses and restore abandonments’ he said describing the administration’s first phase as one of recovery and restoration.

On fiscal management Otu disclosed that his government had reduced the inherited domestic debt of more than N204 billion by over N70 billion without taking fresh loans bringing the outstanding debt to approximately N132.3 billion as of March 2026.

He also revealed that internally generated revenue increased from N21.1 billion in 2022 to N46.3 billion in 2024.

‘Every debt retired is freedom for our children and house-cleaning for fresh fiscal air’ he said adding that improved revenue and financial discipline would strengthen investment in public services.

The governor identified the recovery of strategic public assets as another major achievement citing reclamation of Tinapa from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) recovery of nearly N1 billion from Etung Cocoa Estates and other public assets and efforts to reclaim the state’s oil wells and secure its interests in the Bakassi axis and proposed Deep Seaport.

He also highlighted improvements in security lifting of employment embargo restoration of more than 3000 local government workers to the payroll and payment of first tranche of gratuities after nearly two decades.

‘The government is not just concrete – it is the people’ he said.

On infrastructure and economic revitalisation Otu cited reconstruction of Obudu Cargo Airport runway revival of Teachers Continuous Training Institute in Biase transformation of Akamkpa College into University of Entrepreneurship and concessioning of Garment Factory and Obudu Ranch through public-private partnerships.

He also pointed to road construction and rehabilitation increased and expanded Cally Air fleet and operations as well as growing economic impact of Carnival Calabar.

‘Continuity is an attitude of maturity’ he said noting that completing inherited projects and sustaining viable investments were critical to the state’s progress.

Otu highlighted agriculture and digital transformation as key drivers of future growth noting investments in cocoa rice potatoes palm fruits and cassava to strengthen food security and rural livelihoods.

He said more than 200 kilometres of fibre infrastructure had been deployed across Calabar over 600 residents had received ICT training and digital platforms were improving revenue collection and public service delivery.

He further cited Cross River’s selection by the World Bank GovTech Team for its 2026 AI in Governance and Public Administration Bootcamp in Seoul South Korea as international recognition of the state’s technological advancement.

Outlining his second-term priorities the governor pledged to turn recovered assets into productive enterprises complete major infrastructure projects expand youth and agricultural enterprise programmes establish industrial parks across the three senatorial districts and improve workers’ welfare.

Urging the campaign council to engage voters across the state’s 18 local governments and 196 wards with facts and decorum he said: ‘You do not change a farmer who has cleared the farm just when it is time to plant. You do not abandon a builder who has laid the foundation when it is time to raise the roof.’

He inaugurated the council declaring that the campaign must be fought not for an individual but for the future of Cross River and its people.

Deposits by customers in Nigeria’s five major and strategically important banks crossed the N100 trillion thresholds at the end of September.

The banks pooled a total of N105.01 trillion attracting an additional N8.44 trillion in new customer deposits in the first nine months of the year.

The five strategically important banks – Zenith Bank Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) First HoldCo Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) – account for more than two-quarters of Nigeria’s banking deposits.

A report by The Nation’s Market Intelligence yesterday showed considerable brand loyalty by customers in the five strategically important banks with all banks reporting growths in customer deposits during the period.

The nine-month report for the period ended September 30 2026 indicated increase in customer deposits from N96.57 trillion in December 2025 to N105.01 trillion by September 2026 an increase of N8.44 trillion or 8.7 per cent.

ETI with the largest base grew customers deposits from N36.44 trillion to N36.70 trillion. Zenith Bank added N2.78 trillion in the first nine months moving from N24.33 trillion to N27.11 trillion. First HoldCo’s customers deposit increased from N18.88 trillion to N22.91 trillion. GTCO saw increase from N12.55 trillion to N13.73 trillion.

Group Chief Executive Officer Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc Mr. Segun Agbaje said the company’s performance in the third quarter reflected the strength of a franchise built on scale efficiency and discipline.

‘Despite a challenging operating environment and significant fair value losses in the period our core earnings continued to grow our deposit base expanded strongly our cost efficiency remains among the best in the industry and our balance sheet remains strong liquid and well capitalised.

‘Looking ahead we will always optimise risk-free returns wherever we see them and will always be positioned to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities as market conditions evolve without compromising the quality of our risk assets. We will also continue to evolve our platforms and adapt to new technologies to meet the changing needs of our customers as we remain focused on delivering sustainable value and superior returns to our shareholders’ Agbaje said.

Chief Executive Officer Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Dr. Tayo Aduloju called on banks to deploy their enhanced balance sheet for the economic growth and transformation of the country.

He spoke at the fellowship investiture ceremony of CIBN. The theme of the event was ‘Bank Recapitalization: Leveraging New Bank Capital for Nigeria’s Industrial Transformation’.

Aduloju listed five ways under which commercial banks can provide industrial loans to companies noting that lenders needed to build industrial credit capability sector desks for priority value chains transactions and get engineers and analysts who can appraise plants offtake and cash flows.

He added that banks also need to co-finance and share risk by syndicating loans with Bank of Industry (BoI) Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and international development finance institutions (DFIs) and use partner guarantees to stretch capital further.

He said banks would further need to lengthen tenor for facilities by tapping into pension and bond markets and refinancing lines to match long-gestation industrial projects.

According to him with the issues around price risk with data requiring the banks to use credit bureaus the movable-asset collateral registry and digital cash-flow data to lend beyond land collateral are also critical.

He said banks are also required to finance value chains not just firms and also anchor-buyer and supply-chain finance linking MSME suppliers to large manufacturers as well as green finance for cleaner energy.

Aduloju said a weaker naira has cut bank capitals’ dollar value by 71 per cent since the last recapitalisation done decades ago.

He said 46 per cent of bank loans go to oil and gas sector; 8.7 per cent goes to manufacturing compared to 17 per cent in recent years.

He said although recapitalisation built the capacity to lend industrial transformation depends on where the fund is deployed.

He said: ‘The measure of this recapitalisation will be the extent to which it strengthens the industry’s productive capacity enhances the competitiveness of its products and expands its export potential’.

According to him banks should lend to production not only to safety while building the skills partnerships and products that industrial finance needs.

He advised policy makers to make productive lending cheaper and safer: They need to lower reserve and funding costs credible guarantees reliable power and transparent data.

University of Lagos (UNILAG) has canvassed more reduction in maternal deaths.

This was at the Eighth Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele yearly lecture on Thursday in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine University of Lagos(CMUL) Idi-Araba.

Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Lecture Prof. Oluwole Familoni said the theme of the lecture ”Human Reproduction Through Evolutionary Perils: Moving Nigerian Women from Danger to Safety” was apt and timely as many women face preventable risks.

”Maternal mortality unequal access to quality healthcare cultural and social barriers gaps in reproductive-health education and delays in seeking or receiving medical attention demand urgent and sustained action” he added.

The don said there was the need to move women from the danger zone but that this required ”stronger maternal-health services accessible family planning and reproductive care effective public education and timely affordable and restful treatment for every woman”.

Familoni was hopeful that despite the challenges in the sector there was a ray of hope as ”there are meaningful opportunities for progress”.

”Through research education inclusive policies and sustained engagement with communities we can improve health outcomes and help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive health and future”.

Provost CMUL Prof Ademola Oremosu praised the late Mrs Omololu-Mulele a lawyer and educationist among others for the endowment saying it had helped to boost medical education.

She had endowed N36 million each for the yearly lecture in medicine in her name and Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun Afoedu pharmacy lecture in her Will and Testament at UNILAG to fund research and enhance industry-university cooperation through research.

Oremosu said yearly the ”lecture reminds us of the power of structured intentional giving. We are gathered here because of the foresight of this illustrious Abiola. She was not just a legal luminary; an educationist and philanthropist. She was a visionary who understood that the future of a nation is bound to the health of its women and children.

”Through her generous N36 million endowment at that time to the University of Lagos Chief Abiola ensured that long after her passing her name will remain synonymous with medical research innovation and clinical advancement in obstetrics and gynecology. Her family and the board of trustees deserve our deep appreciation for sustaining this vital platform which bridges academic inquiry and real-world working solutions year after year.”

He said the topic of the lecture struck ”at the very heart of challenges in maternal health in a region where reproductive healthcare requires urgent innovation increased funding and interdisciplinary collaboration these annual gatherings serve as a beacon for action”.

”Here at CMUL he continued ”with the inventive commitment to expanding our research capacities enhancing postgraduate training curricula and fostering the kind of grants yielding fundable research that changes outcomes and creates impact the insights shared by our distinguished guest lecturer would definitely sharpen our tools inspire young researchers and redefine our approach to women’s health challenges”.

. President Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) Prof Okechukwu Christian Ikpeze who was the guest lecturer painted a gloomy picture of maternal health despite the efforts of the government organisations SOGON and individuals.

Relying on statistics Ikpeze said worse still it was unbelievable that Lagos State was promoting the use of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) warning that this was archaic and could compound the problem the governments were trying to solve. Noting that the maternal deaths are preventable he submitted that with knowledge and tools available to the experts the ”ancient perils should no longer be” a problem. Still he said ”every preventable maternal death is a failure of systems access timing and sometimes of our collective will”.

What then is the way forward? ”Government must lead with commitment. Professional associations must continue to provide expertise advocacy and accountability. Development partners must support with resources and innovation. Health workers must be trained motivated and equipped. Communities and families must be engaged. and women themselves must be empowered to seek and receive quality care without delay” Ikpeze added.

He thanked MAMI MPDSR VASA the NDHS SOGON FIGO and others for their efforts at reducing maternal deaths. However he sought the implementation and funding of these efforts and ensured these got to the women in the village city those in labour at midnight and others whose lives depended on prompt and skilled care.

An awardee of this year’s grant Dr. Moses Ayokunle Olumodeji of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH) presented his research at the event.

The Vice Chancellor UNILAG Prof Folashade Ogunsola sent a goodwill message.

Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie formerly a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist LUTH and President Academy of Medical Sciences Prof Oladapo Ashiru who was the chairman of the lecture were recognised for their contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.