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It is interesting that state governments are catching up with the model of state security trust fund that the Lagos State Government pioneered under the Tinubu administration in 2007. Since then, Kogi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Borno states have adopted the model as a way of guaranteeing security of lives and property. The latest state to elect to travel that road is Delta. On October 15, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, state officials gathered to bring prominent indigenes together to raise funds for the purpose.

Security is a major business of governments, but this is even more so in Nigeria now, as all forms of insecurity have become pervasive in the land. In the Niger Delta that hosts major national economic assets, it is even more important for all tiers of government, organisations and institutions to collaborate in ensuring that the national interest is protected.

At the launch of the Delta State Security Trust Fund were people like former managing director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede of Access Bank, among others. The group was lucky to have the benefit of having Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, who explained the purpose of the Fund to them. He broke down what the fund being raised should be spent on to the gathering.

The man who stole the show was Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo who donated N10billion and pledged his full support. The founder of Tantita Security firm saddled with securing the Niger Delta oil rigs and cutting down the debilitating stealing of the national treasure in the region was one of the first indigenes of the state to demonstrate that he had caught the vision.

In Lagos where the scheme started, it has been hugely successful. Prior to the initiative, armed robbers were everywhere, particularly invading banks and killing customers in addition to willfully carting away cash.

However, after the institution of that fund, and the wholesome endorsement by the private sector, lives became more meaningful and residents could sleep soundly at night. The security task force in the state was better kitted, more mobile and had their morale boosted. Policemen who lost their lives had their next of kin adequately rewarded.

This is the model for others to improve on. It is obvious that the Federal Government alone cannot be saddled with the task; neither should it be left for state governments. Corporate citizens and individuals should be involved, in the interest of all.

While section 14 of the 1999 Constitution saddles the government with the task of securing lives and property, the people, especially the high net worth individuals, ought to show more than a passing interest in ensuring that lives are not nasty, short and brutish in this age and time as described by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes in the 17th Century.

However, government should not seek to appropriate or misappropriate the fund. It should be spent on the purpose for which it is being set up. To do this, the private sector should be made fully involved in administering the fund. This will guarantee transparency and thus encourage more contribution by all.

John Obi Mikel believes Arsenal are capable of winning both the Premier League and the Champions League this season and claims Mikel Arteta has the best squad in Europe at his disposal.

Arsenal currently sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League and already hold a seven-point advantage over reigning champions Liverpool.

Arteta’s side have also made an impressive start to their Champions League campaign as they have beaten Athletic Bilbao, Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid without conceding a goal.

Obi Mikel, who won two league titles during his career with Chelsea, feels Arsenal are the standout candidates to win the Premier League this season and says the options Arteta has in his squad are ‘frightening’.

‘This season I think it’s Arsenal’s to lose,’ Obi Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast. ‘If Arsenal and Mikel Arteta don’t win the Premier League. the squad, the depth they have, is frightening.

‘They have the best squad not just in the Premier League, not just in England, in world football right now. I bet you there’s no better squad depth than Arsenal’s.

‘Not just talking about the eleven who start, what you have on the bench who come in and win games, Arsenal, there’s no better.

‘Sometimes it’s not the starting eleven that wins you games, it’s who you bring off the bench, and we’ve seen Arsenal. Martinelli coming off the bench to win them games, Eze, Merino, Havertz is injured.

‘It’s frightening and Mikel Arteta knows that, this is Arsenal’s title to lose. Deep down they know it’s the truth, this is the season for Arsenal to win the Premier League. City are not there, Liverpool are struggling, we [Chelsea] don’t have the experience to go and win the Premier League.

‘We’re talking about the Premier League, I think they can go on to win the Champions League, this is how good Arsenal are.

‘It’s scary, I’m telling you, the squad they have, the players they have, the way they are playing, and I can see a little bit of a mental shift, I think right now they believe, there’s something there, I can feel it now, finally Arsenal are ready.’

Arsenal have faced criticism over their playing style having scored just five of their 16 Premier League goals from open play this season.

But Obi Mikel believes Arteta has enough attacking options to not only rely on set-pieces.

‘It doesn’t matter how you score, it doesn’t matter how you win games, it doesn’t matter how you win the title, just win,’ Obi Mikel said.

THE history of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) predates the membership of many who today are at the helm of its affairs. They were young boys probably still in school then when it started as a group founded by the late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme at the 1994 Constitutional Conference organised by the Abacha junta. The mission of the Group of 34 (G34) eminent Nigerians was cut out for it from the outset – get the military out of power and ensure that Gen Sani Abacha did not transmute into civilian president.

Abacha had a plan which he wanted to use the conference to achieve. So, he loaded it with his loyalists who will do his bidding under the pretence of preparing the grounds for a return to democratic rule. His crowd was always coming up with issues and motions that favoured the dictator. Ekwueme and other like-minds saw through the shenanigans and swiftly moved to stop the nonsense. The conference report was a blow to Abacha’s dream and so he did not touch it.

On his death four years later and the resolve of the succeeding administration to return the country to democratic rule without much delay, the Ekwueme group which had been meeting all along, even after the end of the constitutional conference quickly seized the moment to begin the process of becoming a party. The G34 became the nucleus that formed PDP in 1998. By then, its rank had shrunk from G34 to G18, as some had left to be part of other arrangements elsewhere.

Whether as G34 or G18, the umbilical chord of PDP can still be traced to the struggles of this formidable group of politicians who gave their all for the birth of the party. Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who is today fighting a battle of his life in order to lead the party was in the thick of things then. He was an associate of many members of G18. As governor, he built some houses in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, which he named after the G18 leaders.

Lamido may have seen it all as a politician, but the young turks who today control PDP may not have the sense of history to accord him the respect he deserves as an elder of the party. He might have built monuments in memory of G18 leaders in his state, this is of no significance to the governors now calling the shots in PDP, which he believes that he toiled for with others in G18 to bring to life. Lamido wants to be PDP national chairman at its forthcoming 15th (ides) of November convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, which is the home turf of the emerging national leader of the party, Governor Seyi Makinde.

Indeed, if leadership were to be about age and experience, the chair would have automatically gone to Lamido. But as he knows, that is not how it is done. Political leadership is not about age, but about clout, resources and your support base which must be huge and well oiled. The governors have settled for former Special Duties Minister Tanimu Turaki as the consensus national chairman. It is said that they have the support of a section of the party’s national working committee (NWC) in endorsing Turaki.

The governors may have their way at the convention, as things stand. As the payer of the piper, they call the tune. They are the ones now funding the troubled party since its sole funder and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike seems to have withdrawn such support because of ‘irreconcilable differences’. The convention is going to be quite interesting – if it holds. Some state chairmen of the party have gone to court to challenge it, claiming that due process was not followed in fixing it. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, will rule on the case tomorrow.

Also, the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is alleging that his signature on the letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the convention was forged. The party has since denied his claim. The Lamido challenge may be the ultimate in the series of rows dogging the convention. Why is the party shutting the chairmanship door against Lamido? If the governors are sure of their strength, why are they afraid of allowing him to collect the form and run against their anointed candidate for chairman?

Legally and constitutionally, Lamido or any Nigerian for that matter cannot be denied the right to contest for any elective post of their choice. PDP should move swiftly to nip this crisis in the bud before Lamido makes good his threat to go to court as and challenge the decision to stop him from running for chairman. If they have the numbers to defeat him, they should allow him to contest and defeat him at the poll and demystify him as an oracle of the party, which in a way is how he perceives himself as a founding father of PDP

Need I remind PDP that the ides of November is at hand? It is just 16 days away. Whether the convention holds on that day or not is in the hands of the party and its powerful governors. As they make their bed, so will they lie on it.

The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting social development initiatives and strengthening the education sector to enhance human capital development.

Governor Abba Yusuf made the pledge on Tuesday while inaugurating a pilot school feeding scheme tagged ‘Snacks for Thought’, under the Federal Government’s National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) at Nasarawa Primary School, Kano.

Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Kibiya, said the programme reflected the administration’s focus on education, youth empowerment and social welfare.

He recalled that Kano State pioneered school feeding programmes during the administration of Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, adding that the present government was building on that legacy.

‘This legacy left by our leader aligns strongly with the commitment of this administration to education, youth development and social welfare, which are key pillars of our human capital development agenda,’ the Governor said.

He assured the stakeholders of transparency, accountability and sustainability in the implementation of the programme, adding that the initiative would be expanded to more schools after an impact assessment.

Yusuf expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for selecting Kano among the pilot beneficiaries, and commended development partners, private sector actors and community stakeholders for their collaboration.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Ali Makoda, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Yusha’u Hamza, described the programme as a strategic step to improve access to quality education and reduce school dropouts.

‘By providing nutritious snacks to pupils, we are not just filling their stomachs for motivation, but fueling learning and hope for the future,’ Makoda said.

He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to implementing the Education Emergency Recovery Plan and other reforms aimed at revitalising the education sector.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yakubu Kofar-Mata, said the pilot scheme was part of government’s efforts to promote child education and reduce poverty.

He lauded the support of the Kano State Government towards the successful rollout of the programme, adding that more intervention initiatives were being planned to boost primary education nationwide.

Similarly, the Programme Manager, NHGSFP, Princess Dr Aderemi Adebowale, explained that the ‘Snacks for Thought’ pilot scheme would begin in selected public primary schools before full-scale implementation.

According to her, the initiative is designed to motivate pupils and ensure they receive safe, hygienic snacks during school hours.

Stakeholders at the event expressed support for the project, describing it as a step towards improving school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes across the state.

The Obi-in-Council of Onitsha has declared that the ancient kingdom will not endorse or support any candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

In a statement issued by Chief Osita Anionwu, the Ike Akatakwuani Onicha, emphasised that the commercial city remains politically neutral as a community and will not be drawn into partisan alignments.

The statement clarified that while Onitsha indigenes-like all Nigerians-have the constitutional right to freely associate with and support any political party or candidate of their choice, such participation must be strictly in their individual capacities.

‘Some Onitsha indigenes, including chiefs and leaders of constituent groups, have been invited to attend campaign rallies. It must be clearly understood that they do so as private citizens, not as representatives of the community,’ the statement read.

Reiterating its stance on neutrality, the council stated that Onitsha’s overriding priority remains communal peace and cohesion. It stressed that all constituent groups within the kingdom are politically non-partisan but will continue to cooperate with duly elected governments at all levels.

‘As Nigeria is a multi-party, plural constitutional democracy, every citizen has the inalienable right to belong to, attend rallies, and canvass for any political party of his or her choice without coercion or force. Onitsha indigenes are mindful of their constitutional rights and belong to various political parties of their own free will.

‘However, for the sake of communal harmony and well-being, all Onitsha constituent groups must remain politically non-partisan, while supporting and cooperating with duly elected leadership at all levels of government.’

The council further noted that, ahead of the Anambra governorship poll, some Onitsha indigenes-including chiefs and leaders of constituent groups-have been invited to attend campaign rallies.

‘It must be clearly understood that such individuals participate in these activities in their private capacity and not as representatives or leaders of their constituent groups, as they have no mandate to do so,’ the council emphasised.

The Obi-in-Council urged all eligible voters in Onitsha to actively participate in the electoral process by registering and voting for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation.

‘Every Onitsha indigene and resident should freely exercise their civic rights. The Obi-in-Council stands for unity, fairness, and orderliness during the election,’ the statement added.

The council also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election in the state.

Residents of Elebu in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to commence the reconstruction of Elebu road without further delay.

They made the call on Wednesday during a visit by journalists to the community, noting that the governor had promised to rehabilitate the road a few years ago.

The Elebu Road, which connects to the Circular Road corridor, is currently in deplorable condition, making movement difficult for motorists and commuters.

The road was originally constructed during the administration of former governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The route serves more than 50 communities and over 250,000 residents.

However, its deteriorating state has continued to affect transportation and economic activities in the area.

A resident, Mr. Dolapo Ajao, said the poor condition of the road has disrupted social and commercial life.

‘As you can see, the road is in a terrible state. During the rainy season, it becomes almost impassable, and many residents have even abandoned their homes because of the situation,’ he said.

Another resident, Mrs. Iyabode Aina, noted that community members have made efforts to ease the hardship by grading and filling portions of the road, but the intervention has not been sustainable.

‘We have made several efforts as a community to reduce the suffering. A few years ago, youths raised funds to grade the road. The late Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde also supported the community when he was alive, but since his passing, there has been no intervention,’ she said.

Also speaking, Mr. Kolade Adeoye appealed to Governor Makinde to honour his promise, recalling that he made a commitment to reconstruct the road while commissioning a health centre in the area.

‘We are waiting for the governor to fulfil his promise before the next general elections,’ he added.

Stakeholders in digital space have called for the urgent implementation of cyber-security policies to safeguard citizens, particularly children, from mental and moral abuse in cyberspace.

They made the call at an event held recently to mark the 2025 Cyber-security Awareness Day, an annual global day celebrates in October. It was organised by Levi EduTech, an information technology solutions agency focused on cyber-security and digital education.

The event, themed ‘Stay Safe Online,’ brought together over 200 educators, ICT professionals, and policymakers at the University of Lagos, where participants discussed strategies to promote moral responsibility, digital safety, and online ethics among young people.

The highlight of the day was the grand finale of the Cybersmart Educators Initiative (CEI) 1.0, a flagship programme by Levi EduTech that trained 140 teachers across public and private schools on the ‘Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Practices in Education.’ The training equipped teachers with tools to integrate cyber security into classroom practice, promote safe technology use, and raise awareness about digital ethics.

According to Pastor Sehinde Johnson, Levi EduTech’s Media, Marketing, and Logistics Manager, the initiative represents ‘a national investment in Nigeria’s future.’ ‘The Cybersmart Educators Initiative trained 140 educators nationwide, equipping them with practical skills to guide students in navigating the digital world safely and responsibly,’ he said. ‘It’s about reshaping Nigeria’s education system through cyber-security awareness, digital literacy, and moral responsibility.’

Johnson revealed that over N45 million was invested in the programme, which included capacity-building, digital tools, awards, and instructional resources for participating educators.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled: ‘Zero Trust Security for Nigerian Schools: A Practical Framework for Protecting Staff and Students Online,’ Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, stressed the need for schools to adopt structured cybersecurity frameworks. ‘There is an urgent need for Nigerian schools to implement security systems that protect both children and institutional data from emerging digital threats,’ he said, adding that the initiative aligns with global efforts to build cyber-resilient educational systems.

In her address, Mrs. Naomi Adesola-Zion, Head of Operations at Levi EduTech, lamented the moral dangers of unregulated digital exposure among young people, warning that technology misuse has become a major source of ethical decline.

‘Technology has become both a blessing and a battlefield; if we do not act intentionally and urgently, we risk losing not just privacy, but our children’s sense of right and wrong,’ she said.

She called for a united effort among parents, schools, and policymakers to promote responsible and ethical technology use.

The event also featured the Cybersmart Awards, celebrating outstanding educators for excellence and innovation in cybersecurity education. Winners included: Best Cybersmart Teacher: Esther Ekanem, Valencia Junior Academy, Ibadan – N1,000,000. Oluwaseun Oluwasanya, Deeper Life High School, Mowe – N500,000, David Ipaye, Mabest Academy, Akure – N300,000.

Other awards were presented in categories such as Best in Cyber Policy Draft, Best in Practicals, Best Female Trainee, and Best Public School Teacher. Students also participated in the Cybersmart Inter-School Debate, showcasing their understanding of digital citizenship and online ethics. Amazing Talents College, Idimu, Lagos (Champion). Yeshua High School, Ojodu-Berger, Ogun State (1st Runner-up). Deeper Life High School (Abeokuta and Mowe Campuses) and Yaba College of Technology Secondary School, Lagos (2nd Runner-ups)

Levi EduTech also unveiled the Cybersmart Club Initiative, aimed at raising a generation of cyber-conscious, disciplined, and morally upright students. The club will operate in schools nationwide, teaching digital ethics, combating cyber bullying, and nurturing Cyber Ambassadors who will champion safe online behavior.

In her presentation titled: ‘Securing Tomorrow: A Collective Responsibility,’ Prof. Olaide Obidi of the University of Lagos urged collaboration among educators, parents, and policymakers to build a culture of cybersecurity grounded in moral values.

The earth is littered with the bones of potentates who believed they were eternal. History thrives on their ruin or renown. Let this guide every Nigerian in public office. No matter how highly placed they are, providence eventually halts their pompous strides and yanks the rug from beneath their pretentious ideals.

The recent disclosure of a bomb threat against the National Assembly rankles ominously, no doubt. But we had it coming. Now, this article does not defend bomb threats or violent insurrection. Those acts are crimes against the common life. But to pretend that violence detonates out of nowhere, and that despair, manipulation and mass anger are spontaneous combustion, is to traffic in a convenient fiction.

The social tinder that allows unscrupulous demagogues and foreign spoilers to light the match is assembled every day by bad governance: by governors who hoard and fail to deliver; by legislators whose opacity invites conspiracy; by public servants who confuse rent-seeking for stewardship. When the people are rendered impoverished and luckless pawns, the wreckage of trust becomes fertile ground for recruiting the disenfranchised.

The warning bell clanged recently as lawmakers reported terror threats against the National Assembly, including a claim that terrorists threatened to bomb the legislative complex. Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, disclosed during a public hearing on a bill to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, held at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

The proposed legislation is titled ‘A bill for an act to provide for the establishment and the functions of legislative security directorate in the national assembly; to provide for the qualification and condition of service of the sergeant-at-arms and other personnel of the directorate and for related matters, 2024 (HB 1632).’

But beyond the legislators’ panic and cry for metal detectors, subsists a deeper malaise that renders the legislative chamber porous to fake IDs, petty traders, unvetted access and civic outrage. There was the corrosive fable of the ‘per-lawmaker N1bn’: a claim that lawmakers futilely battled to prevent it from calcifying into public belief. A former aspirant, David Ayodele Asalu, asserted publicly that every federal lawmaker receives not less than N1 billion annually for constituency projects, with senators supposedly getting more. That claim went viral, but the House of Representatives denounced it as ‘deliberate disinformation.’

If untrue, the danger is not merely factual error but the story’s utility. For a youth who has no work, a retiree who waits months for a pension, who sees a road undone and a local clinic unbuilt, the allegation simplifies injustice into a single enemy, and imputes motive where there may be complex fiscal flows and bureaucratic mismanagement. Such simplicity becomes potent and accelerates rage.

Otherwise, the numbers are damning. In 2024 alone, Nigeria reportedly budgeted about N724 billion on its National Assembly and 36 State Assemblies. This includes N50 billion for salaries and allowances of lawmakers at both federal and state levels, N294.7 billion specifically for the National Assembly and related bodies, and N379.28 billion for the state assemblies.

This renders futile the former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan’s previous argument, the monthly salary of a senator is N1.5m, while that of a member of the House of Representatives is N1.3m, stressing that the alleged N13.5m monthly salary was actually their quarterly office running allowance.

Recent findings revealed that the Nigerian Senate President actually receives N2.48 million as basic salary, while other senators receive N2.26 million monthly. Even so, the quarterly office allowance (running cost) for a senator amounts to N52m per annum, while the N8m for a member of the House of Representatives amounts to N32m in a year.

Nigeria could save around N250 billion every year by switching to a unicameral legislature or making lawmaking part-time. This money could be redirected towards improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure, thus aligning with the country’s economic realities and developmental goals.

The federal government and the National Assembly must make concerted efforts to reduce the astronomical cost of governance as the current profligacy is unsustainable and morally indefensible. The maintenance of a Senate and House of Representatives, with their attendant expenses, is no longer a luxury we can afford.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has to his credit, pursued visible palliatives: expanded transfers via FAAC, the establishment and roll-out of NELFUND student loans, targeted scholarships, and investments aimed at stabilising the naira and boosting infrastructure and security. But policy without partnership is like seed scattered on a stone. If governors, lawmakers, and bureaucrats act at cross-purposes, hoarding funds, refusing to clear arrears, or allowing projects to rot, the centre’s good intentions are nullified on the periphery.

NELFUND has disbursed loans to hundreds of thousands of students, and FAAC lifts have meant larger sums reaching subnational governments than before. But the arithmetic of revenue is not the arithmetic of care. An increase in aggregate allocation means nothing if it is not accompanied by transparency, by conditionality, and by political courage to confront mismanagement at the subnational level. The numbers can be said to climb while the lived condition of citizens remain in decline.

And so we arrive at a harder truth: the people will only believe in bold national reforms when the political class shows it is worthy of belief. Grand rhetoric must be matched by grand gestures of restraint and identification, not just from presidents and ministers but from governors, legislators, and local power-brokers. This could look like the clearing of pension arrears; timely payment of civil servants’ wages; an enabling business environment: transparent execution of constituency projects with independent audits; and, crucially, visible punishments for corruption at every level.

It is never enough to funnel palliatives and incentives to mitigate economic distress. Democracy does not naturally spring forth from the soil of free markets. It must be grounded in self-sacrifice. A healthy democracy must frequently challenge the economic interests of the elites for the benefit of the people. Yet government officials and corporate actors address the economic crisis by funnelling funds and resources into the financial sector because they are conditioned to maintain and manage the existing system rather than transform it.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking subplot of Nigeria’s travails is the erosion of the middle class. Inflation, unemployment, and taxation have squeezed this demographic, leaving many struggling to maintain their status. Historically, the middle class serves as the backbone of any nation, driving consumption, innovation, and economic stability. In Nigeria, this group has become increasingly vulnerable, trapped between rising living conditions and stagnant income.

Reviving this social stratum will require more humane and intentional policies: affordable housing, access to quality healthcare, and educational reforms that prioritise skills for a modern economy.

The political class must also understand that the rage brewing within the disenfranchised working class and below forebodes a dangerous backlash. Pervasive hopelessness has driven too many into the arms of dubious demagogues and charlatans, who peddle utopian fantasies to a desperate populace.

The question before us is not whether we can stop violent men, because we must, but whether we are willing to stop making violent men inevitable. The answer to that requires a more humane and relentless approach to governance: lawmakers who account, governors who pay, and a presidency that insists that its policies be matched by subnational partners who will not sabotage them.

Until that day, every cratered road, empty clinic, unpaid pension and disenfranchised youth is an invitation to chaos. And invitations, once accepted, are hard to rescind.

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has urged senior government officials to desist from using their positions to intimidate or oppress subordinates.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the board Dr. Aminu Mohammed, gave the advice in Benin, while opening the 3rd Quarter Global Ministerial SERVICOM Committee (GMSC) Meeting, hosted by the board.

The meeting, themed: ‘Bridging Service Delivery Gaps in Technical and Vocational Education: Enhancing Standards, Certification, and Employability,’ brought together key stakeholders in the education and public sectors.

Mohammed emphasised that leadership was not about oppression but service.

The NABTEB boss decried the growing culture of impunity among some senior officers, who misuse their authority, stressing that SERVICOM existed to hold both senior and junior officers accountable.

‘When many of us get into positions of authority, we become a different human being entirely.

‘This body is set up to monitor the activities of both senior and junior officers. Those at the top are they doing what they are supposed to do?

‘And those below them, are they performing their duties as expected?

‘Your office must be a place where human relations are taken seriously, not where colleagues are harassed or intimidated,’ he said.

The registrar reminded participants that no one occupies an office forever and urged them to uphold integrity and fairness in public service.

‘Avoid using your office to intimidate your colleagues. You cannot remain there forever.

‘Do not cover up wrongdoings. SERVICOM must be fearless in holding erring officers accountable. That is the essence of good governance,’ he said.

Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, represented by Mr. Yiman Innocent, Chairman of the Global Ministerial SERVICOM Committee, called on participants to work collaboratively toward reforming Nigeria’s public service.

‘Our meeting today is a unique opportunity to reflect on our achievements, assess our challenges, and chart a course for the future.

‘Let us remain steadfast in the principles of SERVICOM, which are transparency, accountability, professionalism, and integrity and ensure that our citizens receive services with dignity and excellence.’

Mrs. Kimelomo Aina from the SERVICOM Office, Abuja, commended NABTEB for hosting the session, noting that the theme reflected the urgency of improving service delivery in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

‘Technical and vocational education is no longer a secondary option; it is the foundation for innovation, productivity, and industrial growth.

‘Bridging service delivery gaps in TVET will not only enhance employability but also build public trust and institutional credibility,’ she said.

Nigeria’s health sector continues to reflect the broader fiscal and governance challenges facing the country. While state governments publicly commit to improving healthcare access and strengthening primary care, actual spending patterns reveal a persistent gap between policy promises and real investments. This gap – between budgeted allocations and delivered outcomes – is the central focus of the BudgIT 2025 State of States Report, launched in Abuja under the theme, ‘A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis.’

The new report shows a stark reality: in 2024, Nigerian states collectively budgeted N1.32 trillion for health. Yet only N816.64 billion was actually spent – meaning just 61.9% of planned health spending was implemented. In a country where preventable diseases, maternal deaths, and avoidable emergency complications remain common, the consequences of such underinvestment are not abstract – they are immediate, measurable, and deeply felt.

Only seven states implemented more than 80 per cent of their health budgets: Yobe, Gombe, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, Delta, and Bauchi. Yobe ranked highest with a 98.2 per cent budget execution rate, though the total amount spent (N13.24 billion) still placed it only 24th among the states in absolute expenditure size. This underscores an important nuance: high implementation does not necessarily mean high investment, and small health budgets executed fully may still fall short of meeting citizens’ needs.

A second layer of concern emerges when the data is viewed through the lens of population size. On average, Nigerian states spent just N3,483 per person on health in 2024. No state exceeded N10,000 per capita, and only seven states – Lagos, Bayelsa, Edo, Abia, Kwara, Niger, and Delta – crossed the threshold of N5,000 per person. In a country where inflation is rising and medical costs continue to surge, these figures signal systemic underfunding.

Speaking at the launch, Oluseun Onigbinde, Global Director of BudgIT, warned that while state revenues have surged – especially due to increased FAAC allocations – the additional inflows have not translated into improved investment in essential services like healthcare. He described the report as ‘a mirror reflecting the choices our state governments make.’

According to Onigbinde, the issue is not merely the size of state revenues but how those revenues are spent. Many states still prioritise administration, political appointments, travel, and short-term visible projects over long-term investments like health systems, primary care infrastructure, and preventive medicine. ‘The State of States is not BudgIT’s report alone; it is a call to action,’ he said. ‘States must channel revenue gains into sectors that directly improve citizens’ well-being.’

This perspective was echoed by Dr. Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who stressed that fiscal transparency is only meaningful when it leads to real improvements in service delivery. He highlighted tools like BudgIT’s Primary Health Care Accountability Tracker, which enable citizens and policymakers to monitor whether budgeted funds translate into functioning health facilities and essential supplies. Amaonwu noted that one of the challenges in Nigeria’s health financing landscape is the disconnect between money allocated and actual service quality. In many states, primary health centres exist on paper but struggle with staff shortages, inconsistent drug supply, or inadequate equipment. When funds are not released or are diverted, the gaps widen. ‘Fiscal health is human health,’ Amaonwu said. ‘Governance, when transparent and accountable, is the bridge that connects both.’

Further analysis from Mr. Taiwo Oyedele reinforced the systemic trends. Although total state revenues more than doubled from N5.4 trillion in 2023 to N11.4 trillion in 2024, 21 states still rely on FAAC allocations for at least 70percent of their income, indicating ongoing structural dependence on the federal purse. This dependence, he argued, weakens incentives for strategic planning and sustainable growth. Oyedele highlighted that while some states are improving in fiscal discipline, actual spending patterns reveal a bias toward recurrent expenditures, such as salaries and overheads, at the expense of capital spending that builds hospitals, trains personnel, and expands diagnostic capacity. In health, recurrent spending is necessary, but without sustained capital investment, facilities deteriorate and services stagnate.

The BudgIT report categorises states into growth, middling, and declining performance tiers, reflecting how well states translate their resources into governance outcomes. Anambra emerged as the top performer in overall fiscal sustainability, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo. Meanwhile, Cross River, once considered a leader in fiscal responsibility, dropped significantly, while Yobe replaced Jigawa at the bottom.

Despite the challenges, the report identifies progress areas: 31 states have reduced domestic debt, improving long-term fiscal stability. 24 states now allocate at least half of their budgets to capital development, an improvement compared to previous years. Internally generated revenue (IGR) has increased steadily in some states, with Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Kaduna, and Enugu consistently leading. However, BudgIT emphasises that fiscal sustainability alone is not success – the real question is whether revenue growth translates into better hospitals, safer maternity care, reliable health insurance schemes, and stronger disease prevention systems.

The report sends a clear and urgent message: Nigerian states actually have the fiscal room to strengthen healthcare delivery – but improved health outcomes will only materialise when spending decisions reflect genuine priorities. Allocating money to health in budgets is not the same as releasing it consistently and effectively. Too often, funds meant for primary healthcare are delayed, diverted, or lost to inefficiencies and leakages, weakening the very system meant to serve those who need it most.

To change this, states must shift from rhetorical commitments to practical action – ensuring timely budget releases, plugging wasteful expenditure, and enforcing real accountability in how health funds are managed and monitored. Strengthening primary healthcare should be the cornerstone of this effort. When primary health centres are adequately staffed, equipped, and supported, communities receive care where they live, preventing avoidable complications and reducing the pressure on already overstretched tertiary and teaching hospitals.

Nigeria’s health outcomes will not improve through declarations, conferences, or budget lines alone. They will improve when citizens can walk into a primary health centre and get timely, affordable, and quality care – without needing to travel to tertiary hospitals for basic services. The gap between commitment and reality remains wide. Closing it is not just a fiscal necessity. It is a matter of public wellbeing – and lives.