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The Senate on Tuesday constituted a 12-member Ad-hoc cmCommittee to advise the upper chamber on how to respond to growing international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The resolution followed a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States Government suggesting possible acts of genocide targeting Christians in parts of the country.

The move comes amid increasing diplomatic scrutiny and concerns over the potential impact of such allegations on Nigeria’s international image, security cooperation, and interfaith relations.

Members of the committee include Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong, among others.

The Committee has been tasked with developing a comprehensive position paper to be presented to both the Executive and the Senate, outlining Nigeria’s official legislative stance on the issue and providing evidence-based counterpoints to the genocide allegations. Declaring the composition of the Committee, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the position paper must be ‘backed with verifiable facts and statistics’ to ensure that Nigeria’s engagement with international partners is informed and credible. ‘There are misconceptions that need to be corrected,’ Akpabio said. ‘We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the US understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.’

Earlier, the Senate had resolved to engage directly with the United States Congress to address and counter what lawmakers described as ‘misleading narratives’ portraying Nigeria’s internal security challenges as a form of Christian genocide.

The resolution stemmed from a motion sponsored last week by Ali Ndume (Senator, Borno South), which sparked a wider debate on how Nigeria is being portrayed internationally in discussions about religious persecution and insecurity.

During deliberations, senators expressed concern that such reports, though often driven by humanitarian motives, were ‘grossly misinforming international partners’ and ‘damaging Nigeria’s global reputation and economy.’

Akpabio proposed that a delegation of select lawmakers visit the United States to directly engage with American legislators and clarify the true nature of Nigeria’s security situation.

He suggested that the engagement be conducted through private diplomatic channels, emphasising the need for accuracy and nuance in communicating the realities on the ground.

The Ad-hoc Committee is expected to submit its report within a short timeframe, providing a framework for both legislative and diplomatic engagement on the matter.

Sun King, the world’s leading off-grid solar company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deepen collaboration on renewable energy access, domestic manufacturing, and data-driven innovation, in a major push toward local industrialisation and clean energy growth.

The partnership, announced at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to build a self-sustaining clean energy economy and reduce import dependence by as much as $150 million over the next five years.

The agreement was witnessed by Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s vice president and Patrick Walsh, Sun King’s co-founder and chief executive officer, underscoring strong political support for a private-public partnership that aims to accelerate Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

‘To unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s energy transition, we need the private sector – our industrialists, innovators, and financiers- to take bold steps forward,’ said Shettima. ‘We are enhancing incentives for local manufacturing, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and deepening collaboration with State Governments, investors, and development partners to de-risk private capital and accelerate the growth of a self-sustaining renewable energy market.’

Sun King, which sells more than 330,000 solar kits every month across Africa, has seen its Nigerian operations grow rapidly – from 3,000 units per month in 2020 to 75,000 units per month today. The company expects to triple sales over the next few years as consumer demand for affordable, reliable power continues to surge.

In addition to solar home systems, Sun King has diversified into smartphones and energy-efficient appliances such as televisions and freezers designed to integrate seamlessly with its solar kits. The move aligns with Nigeria’s broader industrialisation agenda, linking energy access to local value creation. Under the new MoU, Sun King and REA will cooperate across three key areas: local manufacturing and value addition, data and technical collaboration, and joint advocacy for off-grid solar as a central pillar of Nigeria’s energy strategy.

The first pillar of the partnership supports the Nigeria First policy, encouraging domestic assembly of select solar and energy-efficient products. By increasing local participation in production and supply chains, Sun King and REA aim to generate new jobs and ensure Nigerians capture a greater share of value from the clean energy sector.

With the right enabling environment, including tax incentives, infrastructure support, and streamlined regulation, Sun King estimates that local production could substitute imports worth $150 million in solar and appliance components within five years.

The partners also plan to facilitate structured dialogue between government and industry stakeholders on developing a robust local manufacturing ecosystem. Drawing on Sun King’s international manufacturing experience, the collaboration seeks to inform policy design that strengthens Nigeria’s industrial base and enhances competitiveness in renewable energy and electronics production.

The second area of cooperation centres on data sharing and technical collaboration. REA and Sun King will work to enhance the collection and analysis of market intelligence, consumer data, and operational metrics to inform programs such as the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) and Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES). This technical partnership aims to identify skills gaps and infrastructure bottlenecks, improve efficiency across the value chain, and sharpen Nigeria’s long-term renewable energy planning. The approach supports Mission 300, the global goal to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030, of which Nigeria is expected to play a leading role.

The third focus area of the MoU emphasises joint advocacy to raise the visibility of standalone solar solutions as a vital component of Nigeria’s national energy strategy. REA and Sun King will jointly highlight how off-grid solar power transforms lives by electrifying homes, schools, and small businesses in underserved areas. By promoting favourable policies and financing mechanisms, the partners aim to create an environment that encourages private investment at scale while aligning public and private sector narratives around a shared clean energy vision.

‘Sun King was the largest partner on REA’s Nigeria Electrification Programme,’ said Abba Abubakar Aliyu, managing director and chief executive officer of REA. ‘This next chapter goes further, linking energy access, industrial growth, and supportive policy into one unified push for Nigeria’s clean-energy future.’

Sun King’s rapid expansion has already created over 12,000 jobs in Nigeria across sales, engineering, marketing, and data analytics. With the new MoU in place, the company expects to deepen that impact through localised assembly, distribution, and after-sales service, unlocking thousands of additional employment opportunities in both rural and urban centres.

The REA-Sun King partnership is also designed to catalyse private investment in the renewable energy sector by signalling strong policy consistency and market opportunity. Analysts say that as Nigeria’s grid remains under pressure from rising demand and aging infrastructure, standalone solar and hybrid systems are becoming the fastest-growing segments in the country’s power market.

According to industry data, Nigeria’s off-grid market already attracts hundreds of millions of dollars annually in donor and private financing, but domestic manufacturing remains limited. The new partnership seeks to bridge that gap by aligning industrial policy with clean energy deployment.

‘This partnership unites two powerful goals – Mission 300, connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, and the Government of Nigeria’s industrialisation vision,’ said Patrick Walsh, co-founder and CEO of Sun King. ‘It’s about making clean energy affordable, unlocking new manufacturing opportunities, and using shared data and insight to build stronger renewable-energy and electronics industries across Nigeria.’

Analysts view the REA-Sun King agreement as a potential blueprint for sustainable industrial policy across Africa, demonstrating how governments and global energy companies can collaborate to deliver inclusive growth. By integrating clean energy expansion with domestic production, the partnership aligns climate ambition with job creation and value retention, key priorities for many African economies.

For Nigeria, the stakes are high. With an estimated 85 million citizens lacking access to electricity, the push toward off-grid solar and local manufacturing could reshape the country’s energy and economic landscape. The REA-Sun King collaboration stands as a significant step in that direction – a model of how public and private partnerships can drive both import substitution and energy access, fueling Nigeria’s march toward a cleaner, more resilient industrial future.

The Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWV) has called on government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to support women through financial empowerment and political education to enhance their participation in governance.

The group also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate with the league in advancing women’s inclusion in politics and achieving the 35% affirmative action target.

Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, Kwara State Chairperson of NILOWV, made the call while presenting the 2024-2025 activity report of the group at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

Oladimeji identified inadequate funding for women’s political ambitions, high costs of nomination forms, insecurity, and poor implementation of gender-related policies as key challenges facing the league in Kwara State.

She urged INEC to revive the proposed Women’s Summit initiated under the leadership of former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Garba Attahiru Madami, before the COVID-19 lockdown. According to her, the summit remains a vital platform for promoting women’s engagement in politics.

‘We call on government, NGOs, and development partners to increase their support for women-focused organisations, particularly in leadership training, empowerment, and political education,’ she said.

Despite the challenges, Oladimeji noted that NILOWV had implemented several sensitisation and empowerment programmes to advance women’s participation in governance and leadership across the State.

She listed the group’s key initiatives to include: Community outreach and mentorship programmes, stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, advocacy for reserved seats for women, partnerships with development agencies, humanitarian and empowerment projects, media and civic engagements.

To achieve sustainable development, Oladimeji reaffirmed the league’s commitment to mobilising women at all levels to speak with one voice for inclusion and participation. ‘NILOWV Kwara State remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen women’s voices, advance democracy, and promote inclusive governance in Kwara State and beyond,’ she declared.

Hale Gabriel Longpet, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, commended women’s growing interest in politics, revealing that 52% of total applicants in the State were women.

He noted that countries with greater women’s representation in leadership tend to experience peace and progress, citing the United States and other nations as examples.

‘Training and mentorship for female political aspirants should be intensified. Such training can focus on leadership, decision-making, and political campaigning, supported by civil society organisations and international partners like UN Women,’ he said.

Longpet stressed that achieving gender parity in Nigerian politics requires deliberate efforts by policymakers, government institutions, and advocacy groups to address the barriers limiting women’s participation.

‘I urge all women to boldly join political parties of their choice and become active from the grassroots to the state level. Support fellow women, challenge stereotypes, and work together to achieve the 35% affirmative action,’ he advised.

Earlier, Christianah Abayomi Oluwole, the Chairperson of the occasion, who declared the meeting open, highlighted the managerial and multitasking abilities of women, describing them as indispensable to national development.

‘When women are not represented at the table where decisions are made, their perspectives are missing from the policies that shape our lives. We must continue to build our capacity, support one another, and demand our rightful place in governance,’ she stated.

Nigeria’s competitive currency has helped the country achieve a trade surplus and strengthened domestic production, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso said on Tuesday.

The governor made the disclosure during a press briefing on the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G-24), a forum that coordinates the positions of developing countries on international monetary and development finance issues.

The G-24 session was addressed by Pablo Quirno, Secretary of Finance at the Ministry of Economy, Argentina. First Vice-Chair was Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria, who was represented by Governor Cardoso. Second Vice-Chair was Jameel Ahmad, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Director of the G-24 Secretariat, Iyabo Masha, was also present. Speaking on trade and tariffs, Cardoso said Nigeria had been relatively insulated from major external shocks. ‘From Nigeria’s perspective, trade and tariff impacts have been less of a problem for us. We were fortunate because many necessary actions were done earlier, creating resilience and buffers against potential shocks. Oil is basically the only commodity so exposed, and the impact has been relatively modest. We now have a more competitive currency, resulting in a positive balance of trade, with a trade surplus expected at around six percent of GDP. Essentially, this is part of a complete restructuring of the economy, where a competitive currency encourages domestic production and discourages imports.’

On balancing economic growth with social equity, the governor emphasised the importance of sound domestic policies and multilateral coordination. ‘Countries operate within a global framework where multilateral institutions play a key role alongside governments. Balancing growth and social equity is critical. Sound domestic fiscal policies reduce government intervention in private markets, encourage investment, and facilitate growth. Coordination with multilateral development banks supports infrastructure, resource mobilization, and workforce development, strengthening the multilateral framework.’ He also highlighted the G-24’s role in fostering dialogue between developing economies and global institutions. ‘The G-24 is a body comprising countries with common interests. They have been relatively successful in facilitating dialogue. For example, this morning we had discussions with both the Managing Director of the IMF as well as the representative of the Managing Director of the World Bank, where there was an exchange of ideas that helps the leadership of the Bretton Woods institutions understand directly from the players what the issues are and where the pain points really lie.

From that perspective, it has been a very effective engagement. The communique that comes out is also very useful, covering issues from domestic resource mobilization to inflation and other commonalities among G-24 members. They learn from us, and we learn from them. There were points today about growth being behind, but not as behind as expected, and the correlation between sound macroeconomic policies, growth, and disinflation. These are critical issues for our economies.’

On the use of local currencies in trade settlements, Governor Cardoso acknowledged previous challenges but indicated ongoing efforts. ‘To be frank, we have had an experiment with that, and it didn’t work out very well for us. That’s not to say we are not interested; we are at an elementary stage of putting up a framework now that our currency is more competitive, to ensure it’s a win-win for everybody.’ In his remarks, Pablo Quirno noted that recent adverse shocks have left growth below pre-pandemic levels, with rising policy uncertainties creating substantial medium-term headwinds. Emerging market and developing economies have faced deteriorating terms of trade, reduced export volumes, and declining foreign currency earnings. Many of these countries have implemented domestic policies to mitigate uncertainty, but constrained policy space underscores the urgent need for collective solutions supported by multilateral institutions.

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has resolved to immediately intervene between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a bid to facilitate a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution to the ongoing strike.

The House also urged both parties to exercise restraint, embrace constructive dialogue and prioritise the interests of students and national development above all other constitutions.

This follows a motion on the ‘urgent need for legislative intervention to avert a breakdown in the University system following ASUU’s warning strike’ sponsored by Sesi Whingan, Lawmaker representing Badagry federal constituency.

Members of ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike over unresolved issues relating to the implementation of prior agreements with the federal government, particularly on revitalisation funding, earned academic allowances, salary structure, and university autonomy.

The House said the lingering impasse between ASUU and the federal government requires renewed dialogue anchored on mutual respect, transparency, and good faith, with the Legislature serving as a neutral facilitator in the interest of students and the nation.

Road accidents in Nigeria have surged by 9.4 percent, with speed violations topping the list of causative factors in the second quarter of 2025, according to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), sourced from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The report showed that road accidents in Q2 2025 rose to 2,631, from 2,404 recorded in the same quarter of 2024, but decreased by 0.72 percent from 2,650 in the previous quarter, with speed violations dominating factors responsible for the crashes. Other causative factors were the use of phone while driving (25), tyre burst (186), a mechanically deficient vehicle (117), break failure (143), overloading (38), dangerous overtaking (8), wrongful overtaking (202), dangerous driving (157), bad road (18), route violation (145), road obstruction violation (49), sleeping on the steering (14), driving under alcohol/drug (6), poor weather (4), fatigue (26), and sign light violation (72). It stated that of all crashes, serious cases stood top with 1,728 compared to fatal and minor cases with 636 and 267, respectively.

The NBS data showed that a total of 1,018 males were killed in Q2 2025, while the total number of females killed were 217, which accounts for 81.77 percent and 18.23 percent, respectively, of the total deaths recorded. ‘A total of 3806 vehicles were involved in road traffic crashes in Q2 2025, lower compared to the previous quarter, which recorded a decrease of 2.28 percent.

‘The South West zone recorded the highest number of crashes in Q2 2025, with 772, followed by the North-Central with 699, while the South-South had the least with 160. Similarly, the North-West reported the highest number of casualties with 2597, followed by the North Central with 2327, while the South-South recorded the least with 442,’ the data showed.

Opeyemi Bamidele, the majority leader of the Senate, on Tuesday disclosed that the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, would be concluded on or before December 2025, assuring Nigerians that the amendment would be used for the 2027 general elections.

Bamidele, also representing Ekiti Central in the Senate, explained that the only reason the Muhammadu Buhari administration was unable to sign the last aspect of the electoral amendment Bill was because the National Assembly transmitted it late to the Presidency then.

He disclosed this in a statement he made after Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, read President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to confirm Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law, after the Council of States unanimously approved his appointment as the new INEC chairman last Wednesday following the exit of Mahmood Yakubu.

After the Council of States unanimously approved Amupitan’s appointment, President Tinubu formally requested the upper chamber to confirm Amupitan as the chairman of the country’s electoral commission.

In his statement on Tuesday, Bamidele noted that the only reason the previous administration did not sign the last aspect of the Electoral Bill in 2022 was that it was transmitted to the Presidency late.

He further explained, ‘Before then, we had made our first proposal. We sent the bill to the then-president, and it was signed. When further observations were made, especially when certain people were disenfranchised as statutory delegates and the National Assembly wanted to make corrections, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari said the bill was coming too close to the election.

‘And late President Buhari then observed that he did not want to be misunderstood by the public. That is why the bill was not signed then. Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, is concluded so that it will not be too close to the 2027 Elections.’

Speaking on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (amended), Bamidele further assured Nigerians that the present review would scale through because relevant stakeholders, especially the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, were meaningfully engaged in the overriding public interests. Bamidele, also Vice Chairman of the 1999 Constitution Review Committee in the Senate, dismissed speculations that the presidency would resist the effort of the National Assembly to successfully amend the grundnorm.

He noted, ‘I do not envisage that there will be any resistance because public institutions are working with the National Assembly for the successful review of the 1999 Constitution.

‘In this amendment, global best practices will also be taken into consideration in the area of domestication of international treaties and agreements.’ On the issue of criticism by the opposition, Bamidele noted that no matter how well a government was performing, the opposition would never agree that the government was doing well because they, too, were plotting to reclaim the presidency.

He said, ‘Part of what they will love to see is to see the ruling party fighting daily, throwing out correspondence from the presidency or whatever is coming from the executive.

‘That is what will make them happy. But our focus is on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilizing our polity, and growing our economy. And we will never be distracted from this goal.’

On the agenda of the 10th Senate for the third legislative year, Bamidele said that the National Assembly ‘has a lot of issues to deal with in this session, ranging from the amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act to the review of the 1999 Constitution, among others.’

The federal government’s separate handling of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes is renewing debate for national priorities.

On Monday, the federal government directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to strictly enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against members of ASUU, currently on strike.

However, when oil workers embarked on strike in September, the government handled the matter separately, appealing to them through the Ministry of Labour and Employment until the issue was resolved.

Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of Labour and Employment, said the meeting with PENGASSAN was crucial to ensure that the dispute did not have adverse effects on the Nigerians.

‘We know that PENGASSAN is very peaceful, and we have known for a very long time, and we consider them as friends, and people who wish this country well.

‘So, we want to make sure that what is happening now is not extended negatively to the people of this country. That’s why we’re taking urgent steps to ensure that we come in as people who’re in the middle of this journey to see how we can resolve this issue,’ he said in part.

Juxtaposed with the ASUU, concerns are that the handling of both issues is inconsistent.

As a result, some stakeholders say this may be sending a wrong signal that Nigeria prioritises oil over education.

Jessica Osuere, chief executive officer at RubiesHub Educational Services, said the double standards show the government’s value system.

‘Sadly, the government is prioritising revenue generation over education.

‘ASUU members depend on government salaries and operate within the public service structure, making them easier targets for coercion. PENGASSAN, on the other hand, is an independent and economically strategic body. The government cannot easily threaten those who hold the nation’s oil valves,’ she said.

Nubi Achebo, director of Academic Planning at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), emphasised that the government’s approach might be influenced by the specific circumstances and priorities surrounding each situation.

Achebo, however, reiterated that while the government’s stance might seem inconsistent, it is likely driven by a combination of factors, including the specific circumstances of each situation, economic considerations, and public perception.

‘Ultimately, the government’s response will depend on its priorities and the relative pressure exerted by each union,’ he said.

Gift Osikoya, a parent with children attending public universities, said the contrasting responses reveal a fundamental issue, such as the government prioritising sectors based on immediate economic impact rather than long-term national development. ‘When PENGASSAN threatens strikes, the government quickly appeals and negotiates because oil revenue is the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, and disruption means immediate loss of foreign exchange and government revenue.

‘However, with ASUU, the ‘no-work-no pay’ hard-line approach suggests education is viewed as less urgent, despite its critical role in national development,’ she noted.

Isaiah Ogundele, an administrator, wondered why Nigerians are surprised that the government is playing double standards, bearing in mind that education has no face in the country.

‘There’s no regard for academics, so lectures can go on strike. It is the children of the poor masses who will suffer it.

‘The oil sector is the bane of the Nigerian economy. The political class and the elite can never joke with the issue. That’s why the government was trying to stoop down for PENGASSAN, who happened to be the thorn in the flesh of Nigeria,’ he said.

Similarly, Christopher Nmeribe, a teacher, said the government’s stance over the ASUU and PENGASSAN impasse is a matter of priorities; oil is more important than education.

‘After all, their children and others who can afford it can travel overseas to get educated, or better still, forge their certificates as merit matters very little.

‘But oil wells should not be joked with because that’s the calamity that has befallen Nigeria,’ he lamented.

However, Friday Erhabor, director of Media and Strategies at Marklenez Limited, said: ‘Once they succeed with it with ASUU, it can be applied to other sectors. We don’t need all these incessant strikes that distort the school calendar. ASUU should find another way of pushing for their demands.’

The disparity

Osikoya emphasised that the government’s double standards could be borne out of the fact that oil strikes directly hit government coffers within days, while education sector strikes have less visible economic impacts.

Nevertheless, she said this reflects a broader governance problem, prioritising immediate revenue over investment in human capital that yields returns over decades.

She maintaine that this double standards are symptomatic of treating education as expenditure rather than investment.

‘It raises questions about fair labour practices. If ‘no-work-no-pay’ is the principle, why isn’t it applied consistently across all sectors?’ Osuere queried.

Nigeria’s electricity generation sector continued to underperform in September 2025, as grid-connected power plants ran at only 38 percent of their total installed capacity of 13,625 megawatts (MW), according to new data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

NERC’s latest Operational Performance Factsheet revealed that just 5,200MW was available for dispatch to the national grid during the month – a marginal 6 percent improvement from August, yet still far below the nation’s generation potential.

The regulator attributed the poor performance to persistently low Plant Availability Factors (PAF), meaning several power stations were unable to generate at full capacity due to maintenance challenges, gas shortages, and transmission constraints.

Despite these setbacks, utilisation among available plants remained relatively strong at 78 percent, suggesting that most of the available capacity was dispatched. Average hourly generation stood at 4,091 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h), reflecting a slight 0.4 percent dip from August. The report also highlighted ongoing grid instability. Grid frequency fluctuated between 49.26 and 50.84 hertz (Hz), outside the regulatory range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz, while grid voltage averaged between 304.63 and 347.80 kilovolts (kV), mostly beyond the recommended 313.50kV to 346.50kV limits.

According to NERC, the grid maintained stable frequency only 48 percent of the time in September, highlighting the fragile state of Nigeria’s transmission network and its inability to sustain consistent voltage and frequency levels needed for reliable electricity supply.

The top ten power stations, led by Zungeru, Egbin, Kainji, and Jebba, accounted for 81 percent of total generation in the month.

Zungeru Hydro posted a 100 percent availability factor, generating 355MWh/h at 51 percent load factor. Egbin, Nigeria’s largest thermal plant, delivered 5,464MWh/h at 90 percent load factor despite operating at only 46 percent of its installed capacity. Kainji and Jebba hydropower plants also performed strongly, with load factors of 91 percent and 73 percent, respectively.

By contrast, several grid-connected plants such as Alaoji, Rivers, Ibom Power, and Omoku recorded zero output during the month, highlighting continued inefficiencies and regional supply imbalances in the national grid.

Chinenye Ajayi, Team Lead for Power and Infrastructure Practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, said, ‘Given our population of over 220 million people, we should not be distributing less than 4,000 megawatts. It’s pathetic, honestly. ‘The rule of thumb is that there should be 1,000 megawatts per 1 million persons. So, Nigeria should be talking about 220,000 megawatts of capacity, not 13,000 installed and barely 4,000 delivered’

Fixing Nigeria’s power sector requires massive investment. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) estimates it needs at least $4.2 billion to upgrade and expand the transmission grid.

However, attracting investors has been challenging due to policy inconsistencies, inadequate contract enforcement, and an unstable macroeconomic environment.

Ajayi noted that even when policies exist, Nigeria often fails in execution, ‘It’s not about reforms or policies, really. Nigeria has numerous policies in place. The problem is implementation. If Nigeria is to implement half of what it has in place in terms of policies and laws, we will not be where we are today’.

Experts argue that beyond capital, political will is needed to enforce cost-reflective tariffs, tackle energy theft, and insulate the power sector from political interference.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged his players to learn from their mistakes and show greater mental resilience after a stunning 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan on Tuesday.

The Seleção squandered a two-goal lead in Tokyo as Japan mounted an impressive second-half comeback to seal their first-ever victory over the five-time world champions. Brazil looked dominant in the first half, with Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli putting them comfortably ahead.

But defensive lapses and a loss of focus allowed Japan to respond with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura, and Ayase Ueda, leaving Ancelotti fuming over his side’s mental collapse.

‘Brazil didn’t have the attitude in the second half to stop Japan’s reaction,’ Ancelotti said after the match.

‘I am very clear about what happened, the team mentally collapsed after the first mistake. This was the team’s biggest problem.’ The defeat was Ancelotti’s second since taking charge in May, following a 1-0 loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.

It came just days after Brazil had thrashed South Korea 5-0, showing how inconsistent the team remains under the Italian tactician.

Ancelotti stressed that while individual errors won’t cost players their spots, Brazil must quickly develop the mental strength needed for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

‘We lost our good attitude and positive thinking,’ he said.

‘The mistakes influenced the team, but it’s better to make these errors now than at the World Cup. We need to learn from what happened in the second half.’

Ancelotti, who is aiming to become the first foreign-born coach to win the World Cup, said he will continue experimenting with his squad as he works to instill the winning mentality Brazil need to reclaim global dominance.