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The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.

Posting on his ‘X’ handle ‘@TheAgroman,’ Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to ‘suspend the Nigerian government.’

He posted: ‘A coup in Nigeria is needed.

Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.

‘It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.

‘The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,’ Chukwuma posted.

A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.

Sir: Nigeria’s agricultural sector is poised for significant investment and growth, with shrewd entrepreneurs already reaping profits despite long-standing challenges like security concerns and multi-faceted production problems. The prevailing narrative of difficulty, while real, masks a vibrant market where opportunity is abundant, particularly for investors willing to back new technology to fast-track development.

For decades, the agricultural community has grappled with formidable obstacles. Security challenges, including banditry and farmer-herder conflicts, threaten farm operations and disrupt supply chains. Furthermore, the ‘multi-faceted problems of producing’ often refer to issues like low-quality inputs, reliance on rain-fed farming, minimal mechanisation, and significant post-harvest losses. Up to 45% of fresh produce can be lost due to poor storage and logistics.

However, a closer look reveals that many Nigerian citizens are making money. This success highlights the immense demand-supply gap in the nation of over 200 million people, making almost any successful agricultural venture highly profitable.

The potential returns in Nigerian agriculture are among the highest in the world because of the sheer size of the market and the current low productivity. Where others see problems, smart investors see a vast, untapped market.

The critical need now is to introduce and scale new technology to propel the sector from subsistence to modern, high-yield agribusiness. Investment in the following areas presents the most significant opportunity for fast-tracking development:

Currently, a large proportion of farming is done with rudimentary hand tools. Agri-tech start-ups are disrupting this by offering cloud-based platforms for shared access to tractors and machinery, making mechanisation affordable for smallholder farmers.

Investing in cold chain logistics and solar-powered cold storage hubs is essential to drastically reduce the estimated $9 billion annual loss in post-harvest waste. Technologies that extend the shelf life of perishable crops like tomatoes and vegetables promise high returns.

High-quality seeds, seedlings, and tailored fertilizers are in short supply. Technology can aid in developing better inputs and using precision agriculture tools like AI and satellite-based monitoring to give farmers real-time advice on resource use, leading to dramatically improved yields.

Instead of exporting raw commodities, investment in local processing facilities-for crops like cassava (into flour, starch), cocoa, palm oil, and dairy-adds value, creates local jobs, and meets the massive domestic demand for processed foods.

For prospective investors, several value chains stand out due to robust local demand and clear opportunities for technological intervention. Nigeria is at a pivot point where technology and smart capital can transform challenges into wealth. By focusing on technological gaps and value addition, investors can not only secure high returns but also contribute meaningfully to the nation’s food security and economic diversification.

Tension has reportedly heightened in Zamfara State following a new wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns within Governor Dauda Lawal’s political camp ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It was learnt that Governor Dauda Lawal is expected to visit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House on Wednesday to discuss ongoing political developments in the state.

On Tuesday, Hon. Maharazu Salisu, representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, formally announced his defection from the PDP to the APC at the party’s state secretariat in Gusau.

His move, along with that of several ward leaders, reflects the increasing realignments among political actors in the state as different parties prepare for upcoming elections.

The APC currently holds a majority in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, while some PDP lawmakers are said to be reviewing their political options.

Governor Lawal has continued to engage stakeholders and political leaders across the state in efforts to strengthen democratic participation and promote unity among political groups.

Meanwhile, the Northern APC Stakeholders Forum has rejected any attempt to allow Lawal to defect to the APC.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Alhaji Mubarak Liman, the forum said, ‘Any attempt to welcome him into the APC will spell doom for the party in Zamfara and the North-West at large.’

The forum further noted that the steady stream of defections by lawmakers and grassroots leaders was proof of the governor’s growing unpopularity.

Observers believe the governor’s scheduled visit to President Tinubu may focus on consultations regarding political stability and ongoing development projects in the state.

Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said Lagos port investment is economic genius, not sabotage.

Spokesman Seye Oladejo said yesterday in a statement in Ogba, Lagos: ”We have once again been treated to the comic relief that passes for opposition commentary in Nigeria – this time, the laughable claim that ‘neglecting Warri, Calabar, Onne and Port Harcourt ports, while spending $1 billion on Lagos port, amounts to economic sabotage.

”This reckless statement only exposes, yet again, the opposition’s chronic ignorance of basic economics and governance. Their loud opinions are rarely backed by facts, figures, or even a faint understanding of national policy direction.”

He said the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was not neglecting any port.

”The $1 billion investment in Lagos Deep Sea Port is part of a nationwide modernisation blueprint designed to transform Nigeria into West Africa’s premier maritime hub.

”It is not a Lagos project – it is a Nigeria project, attracting foreign direct investment from China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, both of whom saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business environment worth their billions,” Oladejo further said.

Oladejo added: ”The same administration is executing the following: Onne Port modernisation, including equipment upgrade and digitalisation. Dredging of Calabar Port, to increase draft depth and accommodate larger vessels. Rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Port complex, under a new concessionary framework; and Warri Port corridor expansion, with new rail link integration to ease inland cargo movement.

”But of course, the opposition wouldn’t know this – they’re too busy tweeting ignorance and recycling talking points from the political dustbin.”

He noted that the $1 billion Lagos Port investment was not sabotage. ”It’s economic foresight. It’s about creating jobs, boosting exports and ending decades of inefficiency that made Nigerian ports some of the most expensive in Africa.”

Oladejo said the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first fully automated port, was already redefining port management, increasing turnaround time and boosting revenue to government coffers. ”It’s the kind of progress that threatens those whose only skill in politics is complaining without contributing.”

He added: ”The only sabotage here is the opposition’s attempt to weaponise regional sentiment against national progress. The tragedy is not that they don’t understand economics – it’s that they don’t care to learn.

”Although it is widely acknowledged that constructive intellectual engagement remains the major weak point of Mr. Peter Obi, he will do well to carry out in-depth research into any issue he wishes to put in the public domain.’

”This will help him avoid the legacy of generational embarrassment that comes from shallow, ill-informed commentary dressed up as economic analysis. Nigeria deserves leaders who think before they speak, not those who confuse populist sound bites for policy discourse.

”From the Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers, to the Ibom Port in Akwa Ibom, to the ongoing dredging and rehabilitation of Warri and Calabar ports – this administration’s commitment is holistic, inclusive and nationwide.

”That Lagos appears ahead is simply because vision meets execution here. President Tinubu’s leadership has always been about results, not rhetoric.

Unlike the opposition, which specialises in propaganda and excuses, APC builds what others only promise.”

Oladejo said those crying foul over the Lagos Port investment should first pick up a basic economic policy manual before embarrassing themselves further.

He said governance was driven by strategy, not sentiment, noting that President Tinubu and the APC remained focused on building a Nigeria that worked – one port, one project and one policy at a time.

”The opposition can continue to cry from the sidelines; the train of progress has already left the station.”

The House of Representatives is to investigate the activities and accounts of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2015 to date, while resolving to take appropriate action aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability of NFF, with a view to restoring national and international confidence.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dr Adedayo Samuel Adesola (APC, Lagos and Nwaeke Felix Uche (PDP, Rivers), the House asked the leadership of NFF to appear before the House Committee on Sports with records of activities, receipts and disbursements of funds from 2015 to date.

Leading debate on the motion, Adesola recall recent lamentation of former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh, accusing the NFF of undermining the growth of soccer in Nigeria through misappropriation of grants from FIFA and CAF, citing the questionable handling of USD 1.0 Million NFF got from FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.

He said between 2015 and 2025, NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of USD 25 Million from FIFA and CAF with nothing tangible on ground to justify the huge capital inflow from these soccer bodies.

He said ‘in December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of US$1.1 development grant to NFF and reported that USS802,000 lacked proper documentation; prompting Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and asked NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.

According to him, between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials (including the then President, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies. One of these monies, US$1.2 Million is the subject of a news item currently trending on the social media which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.

He said a physical inspection of the Stadium In Birnin Kebbi showed a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 claimed to have spent on the project by the NFF,whereas Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility, to further raise eye brows on the profligacy in NFF F.

He said with another African Cup of Nation round the corner and the World Cup play off, both involving the Super. Eagles of Nigeria, there is need to take decisive action on further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF.

Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Matthew Adamu, has called for collective action to address low women participation in decision-making.

He spoke in Abuja at the induction of over 50 postgraduate students of Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement.

Prof. Adamu, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Academic Matters, Prof. Rhoda Mundi, noted that women constitute about 49.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population while men make up 50.5 per cent, yet men continue to dominate leadership and governance.

He described the situation as a challenge that requires collective action, adding gender imbalance continues to limit Nigeria’s development potential.

‘When you look at decision-makers and those in decision-making, it is largely men. Yet, our population is almost evenly split between men and women, he said.

‘No society can attain its full potential if half its population is held back by unequal access to opportunities’.

He urged the inductees to see their admission as a call to action. ‘This represents a commitment to learning, enquiry, and advancing ideals of gender equality and social justice’.

Prof. Adamu noted that gender studies is a vital field that broadens understanding of how gender intersects with class, ethnicity, religion, and other social identities.

‘As students who will graduate from this institution, we expect that when you go out, you will make an impact. Upon graduation, there will be a difference between you who have graduated here, not just from University of Abuja, but specifically from Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement’.

Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Binta Bello, urged the students to uphold discipline, integrity, and service as they prepare to contribute to development.

Bello, represented by Hadiza Chiroma, said: ‘You represent the next generation of leaders and change agents that our nation looks up to. Let this induction mark the beginning of a journey to not only advance your academic pursuit but also position you to contribute to national development and global human security.’

She lauded the centre for promoting gender equality, security, and youth empowerment, noting these ideals align with NAPTIP’s mandate to protect dignity and rights of women and others vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

The Director of the Centre, Dr. Theresa Akpan, while congratulating the inductees, reminded the students that they are ambassadors of the Centre and urged them to put their knowledge into practice.

She said: ‘Gender is not a women’s issue but a shared social concern. Gender is not a woman thing; it’s for men and women. We want society to be balanced. So, if we all put our hands together, the society will be balanced, and all the injustices we are talking about will be done away with’.

The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has formally inducted 252 Registered Animal Scientists (RAS) and five Associate Animal Scientists (AAS), urging them to maintain ethical standards, integrity, and innovation in driving growth and sustainability within Nigeria’s livestock industry.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Animal Science Meeting and Industry Exposition yesterday in Abuja, with the theme, ‘Transforming Nigeria’s Livestock Sector For Economic Growth and Economic Competitiveness,’ the President of NIAS, Chief Simeon A. Ohwofa, said the induction marked a new chapter in the country’s drive to strengthen professionalism and quality standards within the livestock industry.

Ohwofa stated that the newly inducted members had undergone rigorous training and were found worthy in both character and learning to uphold and represent the animal science profession.

‘Today, you do not just earn recognition; you inherit a mandate,’ he told the inductees. ‘Your oath will not only license your practice but bind you to excellence, discipline, and national development. The badge you are about to receive is not for decoration, but for duty.’

He revealed that with the latest additions, the Institute now has 2,936 Registered Animal Scientists and 154 Associate Animal Scientists, including 127 Fellows.

The NIAS president commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a milestone that aligns Nigeria’s livestock sector with global best practices and opens new opportunities for professionals in the field.

Ohwofa revealed that the Institute has an ongoing partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) through the Feed Industry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (FIPAN) to promote safe, nutritious, and sustainable livestock production.

He called on the newly inducted scientists to contribute to food security, economic diversification, and sustainable agricultural development through research, innovation, and ethical practice.

‘You are stepping into a profession guided by science, structured by ethics, and driven by service to humanity,’ Ohwofa added.

Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, called on animal scientists and industry experts to lead Nigeria’s transition to modern livestock production, stressing the need to develop Nigerian cattle breed that meets global standards.

Maiha said the creation of the new ministry marks a turning point in Nigeria’s agricultural history, after years of advocacy by stakeholders.

‘For the first time since independence, we have a government that recognizes the importance of livestock and has established this ministry,’ he said.

He tasked researchers and professionals to work towards producing local breeds capable of gaining two kilograms per day with efficient feed conversion rates.

‘Our vision is to move beyond inefficient traditional systems and make our livestock sector legitimate, competitive, and globally recognized,’ he said.

The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s untapped potential in the $300 billion meat market, urging stakeholders to position the country for export opportunities in the Gulf region.

He maintained that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to achieving food security and self-sufficiency, ensuring that ‘Nigerians drink fresh milk from Nigerian cows and eat quality meat from Nigerian farms.’

The minister alongside former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega were conferred with honorary fellowship awards in recognition of their contributions to national development.

Professor Jega, while receiving the award, expressed appreciation for the honour, describing it as a call to further support knowledge-based development in agriculture and food security.

The event brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s livestock value chain, featuring presentations on sustainable livestock practices and the role of science-based innovations in driving food systems transformation.

The Global Director of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde, has called on state governments to deepen fiscal reforms and build stronger local economies that can sustain their ambitions without overdependence on federal allocations.

Speaking in Abuja at the 10th anniversary of the State of States report, Onigbinde said the initiative was conceived from a simple belief that every public kobo meant for citizens should be traceable, justified, and used to improve lives.

He said the State of States report, which began a decade ago as a modest effort to promote fiscal transparency, had become a national benchmark for assessing governance at the subnational level.

‘Every year, we gather not just to present numbers, charts, or fiscal rankings,’ he said. ‘We gather to hold up a mirror – a mirror that reflects the choices our state governments are making, the paths they are taking, and the opportunities they are either seizing or leaving on the table.’

Onigbinde noted that when the project began, only five states in the federation published their budgets, but today, transparency has become a competitive advantage among governors who now await the report’s rankings with keen interest.

He acknowledged the progress made over the years, crediting it to citizens’ growing demand for accountability and the emergence of reform-minded leaders who understand the power of data in governance.

‘Governors now wait eagerly – sometimes nervously – to see where they stand. Citizens have stronger voices. Data has become a lever for accountability. We celebrate that progress sincerely,’ he said.

However, the BudgIT chief warned that despite the gains, Nigeria remains at a fiscal crossroads. He pointed to the widening gap between potential and performance in many states, adding that inflation and debt obligations were rising faster than household earnings and revenue reforms.

‘We must be honest with ourselves,’ Onigbinde said. ‘Many states still rely excessively on federal allocations rather than building resilient local economies. The gap between potential and performance remains wide.’

He said the essence of this year’s report was not to name winners or losers, but to encourage collective responsibility toward building sustainable governance structures that prioritize human development and economic opportunity.

‘Today’s conversations are therefore not about winners and losers. They are about ensuring that children can learn in safe classrooms, that small businesses can thrive without being strangled by taxes or power costs, and that basic healthcare is not a privilege but a guarantee,’ he added.

Onigbinde emphasized that the State of States report is not merely BudgIT’s publication, but a public resource and a call to action for leaders and citizens alike.

‘Nigeria’s future is not shaped only in Abuja,’ he said. ‘The engine of national prosperity must fire in Kano, Enugu, Bauchi, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, and across every corner of this federation.’

He thanked BudgIT’s partners and reform advocates in government who, despite challenges, continue to push for improved governance and accountability.

As the report marks its 10th anniversary, Onigbinde urged state governments to move beyond transparency checklists and adopt innovation-driven policies that prioritize education, healthcare, and infrastructure as the pillars of sustainable development.

‘Let us build states that can fund their ambitions through innovation – states that see transparency not as a box to tick but as a foundation for trust,’ he said.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, urged subnational governments to use the current surge in federal allocations to build sustainable, people-centered economies rather than expand recurrent expenditures that do little to improve citizens’ lives.

Speaking on the theme ‘A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Evolution,’ Oyedele commended BudgIT for sustaining ten years of evidence-based fiscal analysis, describing the report as ‘a consistent, unblinking light on the financial health of Nigeria’s states.’

‘Today, we are not merely launching another report,’ Oyedele said. ‘We are marking ten years of fiscal X-rays-ten years of holding a mirror to our subnational governments and asking a profound question: what have we done with the resources entrusted to us?’

Oyedele observed that the 2025 edition of the report comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s fiscal landscape. Since May 2023, he noted, the country has witnessed sweeping economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira, and tax restructuring – measures that, despite their pains, helped to avert a potential economic collapse.

He revealed that the total Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) transfers nearly doubled within a year, from ?5.4 trillion in 2023 to ?11.4 trillion in 2024, as a result of these reforms.

‘States are receiving more money than ever before,’ he said. ‘But there is a paradox – while governments have more naira, ordinary Nigerians have less disposable income in their pockets. Fiscal abundance does not automatically translate into social prosperity.’

According to Oyedele, the report shows that 21 states now rely on federal allocations for at least 70% of their total revenue, an indication that FAAC dependency has worsened over the past year.

Nonetheless, he highlighted several bright spots in revenue generation, noting that Enugu grew its internally generated revenue (IGR) by 381%, Bayelsa by 174%, and Abia by 129%. Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Anambra, and Edo, he said, continued to display resilience through steady IGR performance.

Oyedele urged states to convert their current windfalls into sustainable fiscal capacity, taking advantage of new tax laws that expand VAT shares, assign the electronic money transfer levy entirely to states, and offer tax exemptions for government bonds to reduce borrowing costs.

The 2025 report ranked Anambra as the best-performing state, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo. Akwa Ibom and Zamfara were also commended for significant improvements.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. AbdulLateef Shittu, commended BudgIT for sustaining the State of States report for a decade, describing it as a credible tool for promoting fiscal transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s 36 states.

Shittu said the theme, ‘A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis: Growth, Decline and Middling Performance,’ presents an opportunity for honest reflection on the progress made and areas requiring deeper reforms.

He said BudgIT has remained a vital civic partner in improving citizen access to public finance information, while the NGF continues to use such independent assessments to drive evidence-based dialogue on state performance.

According to him, the World Bank-supported States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme helped institutionalise budget credibility, debt transparency, and audit integrity, creating the data foundations that make such reports possible.

He added that the ongoing State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme is extending the reform frontier beyond fiscal transparency to improving the business climate at the subnational level.

Shittu said both programmes demonstrate what can be achieved when incentives, data, and collaboration align between government, civil society, and development partners.

He emphasized that transparency is not an end in itself but a continuous journey. ‘Each state faces unique fiscal realities. What matters is refining data, improving dialogue, and strengthening mutual accountability,’ he said.

The NGF, he added, will continue to provide a platform for peer learning and engagement among states, while partnering with civil society to sustain fiscal reforms.

He congratulated BudgIT on the 10th anniversary of the State of States report and commended development partners for their consistent support to subnational governance reforms.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting fiscal transparency and governance reforms in Nigeria, describing sound fiscal management as a cornerstone of effective service delivery and inclusive growth.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s Country Director, Mr. Uche Amaonwu, at the launch of BudgIT’s 2025 State of States report in Abuja, Deputy Director for Program Advocacy and Communications, Ekenem Isichei, commended BudgIT for a decade of promoting accountability in public finance.

Amaonwu praised the State of States report as one of Nigeria’s most credible measures of subnational fiscal health, noting that it has evolved beyond rankings to highlight how governance decisions directly impact citizens.

He said the 2025 edition, themed ‘Growth, Decline, and Middling Performance,’ reflects the uneven progress across Nigeria’s 36 states and underscores that fiscal performance is ultimately a question of governance – about how decisions are made, resources are managed, and people are served.

He linked the Foundation’s partnership with BudgIT to its broader goal of improving health outcomes through stronger fiscal discipline. Good governance and sound fiscal systems, he said, ensure that budgeted health funds reach the frontline, that facilities are staffed, medicines are available, and mothers and children receive quality care.

According to him, subnational fiscal management directly influences the success of public health campaigns against diseases such as polio, malaria, and measles, and determines the effectiveness of healthcare delivery at the primary level.

Amaonwu urged states to strengthen public financial management practices such as budget profiling, cash forecasting, and post-mortem budget reviews to ensure better fiscal outcomes.

He cited Kaduna State’s coordination between its budget and health ministries as evidence that governance-centered transparency delivers results.

Closing his remarks, he emphasized that fiscal transparency is not an end in itself but a means to ensure every naira allocated to health, education, and human capital delivers real impact. ‘Fiscal health is human health,’ he said. ‘When governance is transparent and accountable, it becomes the bridge that connects both.’

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, accompanied by his wife, Olori Abiwunmi Owoade, made a significant courtesy visit to High Chief Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, the Akosin of Yorubaland on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

This meeting took place at High Chief Okunola’s private residence in Lekki, Lagos, and underscored the intention to strengthen collaboration between the Alaafin and his chiefs, with the aim of fostering development in Yorubaland.

During the visit, High Chief Okunola reflected on the historical significance of the occasion, noting that the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, had also paid him a visit while offering prayers and counsel.

He expressed gratitude for the new Alaafin’s visit, seeing it as a pivotal moment that heralds a fresh chapter in the partnership between himself and the Alaafin throne. ‘I consider myself fortunate to have received this visit,’ he stated. ‘The implications of this meeting extend beyond mere formality; it symbolizes a renewed commitment to foster development and empowerment for the people of Oyo and, indeed, all of Yorubaland.’

High Chief Okunola emphasized that he shares a vision aligned with the Alaafin’s mandate for the advancement and prosperity of Yoruba land. His long-standing efforts through the Habeeb Okunola Foundation, dedicated to community development and empowerment, will be invigorated by the discussions held during this visit. ‘This engagement strengthens my resolve to work toward the greater good of our community,’ he added.

In response, Alaafin Owoade articulated the importance of the visit, highlighting that Chief Habeeb has been a steadfast supporter since his accession to the throne. ‘My visit to Chief Habeeb’s residence is one that brings me immense joy. His insights have been invaluable to me, and our discussions have addressed critical issues facing our communities. This meeting is an opportunity to deepen our bond and enhance collaboration aimed at promoting development throughout Yoruba land,’ he added.

As a gesture of respect and tradition, the Alaafin offered prayers to his ancestors by breaking kolanuts, bitter cola, and alligator pepper, seeking divine blessings for peace, growth, and prosperity across Yoruba land.

This visit is poised to mark a new era of partnership between the throne of Alaafin and its chiefs, signaling a mutual dedication to uplifting the Yoruba people and fostering a progressive future for their rich cultural heritage.

Ordinarily, the phrase ‘red letter’ is used to describe something, such as a day or an event, of special significance. For example, October 1 every year is a red letter day in Nigeria, because the country attained independence on that date in 1960. That was a joyous and memorable event. However, not all red letter days are joyous moments. The day misfortune fell on New York City by way of a terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, was a red letter day too.

If you wish to understand how The Red Letter issued on October 22, 2025, by the Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate, has elements of both types of red letter and more, please follow me through the following semiotic analysis of the letter.

It was Roland Barthes (1915-1980), the French philosopher, literary theorist, and semiotician, who popularised an interesting rubric for analysing sign systems from a variety of perspectives. He found semiotics, the study of signs, a useful way of exposing contradictions and revealing hidden meanings. For example, Barthes showed how a simple advertisement, that of Panzani, a brand of pasta (spaghetti), could be analysed from multiple levels to reveal iconic and symbolic signs as well as surface (denotative) and hidden (connotative) meanings at the same time (see Rhetoric of the Image in his book, Image Music Text, London, Fontana, 1977, pages 32-51). In the following analysis, I juxtapose the various levels of meaning as I go along.

At the iconic level, Pate’s letter is set against a red background in its digital representation. Although the print of the digital copy is white, the red background captures attention much more than the white print. It literally makes the letter red. However, we begin to get the meat of the letter once we begin to decipher the white print.

But what does the white print say? Many things, some direct, others indirect. First, the words confirm the disbursement of N32.9 billion to the commercial bank accounts of ‘primary care facilities in every ward across the country.’ Wait! There are 8,809 wards across the country. That means that there are 8,809 primary care facilities across the country. And how much does each ward get from this pot of money? You do the math. But remember to multiply your answer by three, since the minister says this is ‘the third round this year.’

Second, the letter is presented as an invitation from the federal government to the various communities to help safeguard the spending of the fund by ensuring that it is monitored. There is a much deeper meaning here. Here is a government promoting participatory democracy, by appealing to the people not to ‘stand aside,’ at a time when some cheeky politicians are screaming the death of democracy.

Nevertheless, there is a sense in which the people’s lethargy makes room for the perceived death of democracy: They are not participating as they should, and the letter is very explicit about the problem: ‘Our community members and institutions do not ask how the money is used, or if it reaches the people it was meant for’.

Hence the government’s direct appeal in The Red Letter:

‘Stand up and take ownership

Go to your health facility

Join the committee

Review the plan

Demand openness

Celebrate progress

And above all, make sure the fund truly protects the health of your people.’

Third, there is an indirect appeal to the elite and those who are literate enough to be able to read The Red Letter to disseminate the information: ‘Let this Red Letter reach every community, every ward, and every home. Let it remind us that the health of Nigeria lives in the hands of Nigerians.’ I am doing my own bit here by reproducing The Red Letter and analysing it. You should do your own bit too, by sharing this article with as many people as possible. Make it a point of duty to tell at least ten people to find the primary health care facility in their ward and follow the money by taking part in ward activities and making enquiries about funding.

It must be emphasised, however, that this Red Letter carries far-reaching implications for accountability and citizen engagement beyond wards. Since the return to democracy in 1999, state governments have not been sufficiently accountable to those they were elected to serve. Local government councils and their wards have been shut out of their funds by their respective state governors. It has been reported numerous times since the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration that states have been receiving increased allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, compared to previous years due to the economic reforms by the administration.

Indeed, in the last few months, states have been receiving more funds than the federal government. For example, in September 2025, FAAC’s disbursements were as follows: federal government N711.314 billion; state governments N727.170 billion; and local government councils N529.954 billion. On top of their allocations, oil producing states also received a total of N134.956 billion as 13 percent derivation. These past few months would be the first time in over two decades that states would receive a larger share of FAAC allocation than the federal government. Yet, there is little to show for the increased allocations in many states of the federation. This led me to raise the alarm in September (see Your governor has your money, ask him for it, The Nation, September 3, 2025).

This situation also led the present administration to approach the Supreme Court to seek the loophole in the constitution in granting financial autonomy to local councils. Even then not much development has happened in the councils. It is alleged that some governors had their local council chairmen swear to an oath of secrecy or sign a fund sharing agreement on their council’s funds!

The Red Letter now shows that the ministry of health has even bypassed the councils by going directly to wards and calling on citizens to seize the opportunity by participating in the oversight of their health care facilities. But this is not the first time the federal government would target wards directly. Early in August, President Tinubu approved a ward-level development strategy designed to drive grassroots economic growth and address poverty across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards. It is the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), which is integral to the Renewed Hope Agenda that targets a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Just as Minister Pate appealed to citizens to participate in the affairs of primary health care facilities in their wards, so did President Tinubu appeal to state governors to prioritise the welfare of their citizens at the local level: ‘I want to appeal to you; let us change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is working. We are on the path of recovery, but we need to stimulate growth in the rural areas.’

At the end of the day, The Red Letter and the President’s appeal to governors are coded messages: governors should perform and citizens should hold them to account through participation and oversight.