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Proprietress of Grande Oakbridge Montessori School, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs Hannah Obalade, has said government should make access to credit facilities and soft loans easy for school owners.

She said if the government keys into that, it would go assist private school owners, who are also pivotal to the nation’s education space.

Speaking at its 20th anniversary, she said the early days were tough, noting she almost quit when challenges including getting a permanent site almost dampened her spirit.

‘When we started, we rented six flats in Lekki in 2005 and we were gaining momentum, but we had to leave when our permanent site was still under construction. We had to move to the site and I thank God for having a supportive husband and we had to sell our property in Magodo, Lagos, to fund construction of the site.

‘The money realised was not enough and we could not secure a loan. We had to go and borrow from sources outside banks. If not for the passion and interest, I would have given up,’ she said.

Mrs Obalade thanked God for imbuing her with the strength to pull through and take the school to heights.

She paid tribute to the two pupils, who were the first to register, Destiny and Blossom Iheakanwa, adding they have graduated with First Class from an American University.

Chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association, Mrs Powela Ben-Anyiwe, hailed the performance of the pupils, stressing that the school’s efforts at all round nurturing of children had paid off.

School Head, who has been there since 2010, Mrs Oluchi Chinedum-Azuh, praised the Obalades for being passionate about holistic education and for prioritising staff welfare.

The event featured various cultural displays and renditions, while awards were given to staff and those who have impacted the school positively.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted cautiously to the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to prioritize national interest and electoral integrity above political influence.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC would give the new INEC chairman the benefit of the doubt but expects him to demonstrate personal ambition to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and rebuild public trust.

‘We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian election. He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government.

‘We are willing to give him the benefit of doubts based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy.

‘He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him,’ Abdullahi stated.

Abdullahi noted that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections rests heavily on the independence, integrity, and courage of the INEC leadership, stressing that the new chairman must rise above partisanship to safeguard democracy.

He added that Nigerians and the international community would be watching closely to see whether Prof. Amupitan would live up to the expectations of transparency, fairness, and accountability in future elections.

First Bank of Nigeria yesterday launched a state-of-the-art Digital Xperience Centre at Bayero University Kano (BUK), offering 24/7 automated banking services.

The centre provides services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, and payment transactions through advanced ATMs without human assistance.

The bank’s Group Head of Branch Operations and Services, Mrs. Abimbola Kunle Ajayi, said the centre showcases the bank’s digital transformation and makes banking more convenient for customers.

The centre, the second in Northern Nigeria, offers a platform for customers to independently perform transactions in a friendly environment.

Mrs. Ajayi said the centre’s efficiency was demonstrated during the commissioning when the Deputy Vice-Chancellor successfully carried out a transfer and the Students’ Union President created an ATM card.

The Managing Director/CEO of First Bank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, has described the bank’s new digital centre as a strategic step towards creating a ‘digital-first’ experience for customers.

Alebiosu said the centre would revolutionize banking, expand access to financial services, and provide seamless, secure, and round-the-clock access to financial services.

He emphasized that the bank’s transformation agenda is anchored on leveraging technology to simplify transactions and enhance accessibility, noting that the future of banking is digital.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, represented by Prof. Amina Mustapha, thanked FirstBank for the initiative and urged the university community to utilize and take care of the facility.

Bank customers who spoke after performing transactions expressed satisfaction with the centre’s efficiency.

Dauda Yusuf welcomed the digital centre, saying it would solve the problem of having to travel to town for banking transactions.

In the heart of Nigeria’s economic engine room, a quiet but consequential war is being fought, a war not of guns or politics, but of control. On one side stands the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the formidable labour body representing thousands of oil and gas workers. On the other side is the Dangote Group, led by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, whose 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery is poised to redefine, or perhaps dominate, Nigeria’s petroleum landscape.

This is no ordinary industrial dispute. It is a struggle over the soul of Nigeria’s energy economy, over the balance between private capital and public interest, and the preservation of workers’ rights in a sector too vital to be monopolised.

NUPENG’s stand is that rights are non-negotiable. At the heart of the standoff lies the alleged refusal of the Dangote Refinery to recognise unionism among its workforce. NUPENG accuses the company of blocking union activities, intimidating potential members, and breaching Nigeria’s labour laws that guarantee the right to freedom of association.

Union officials claim that efforts to register refinery workers and tanker drivers under NUPENG have been frustrated. Workers reportedly face subtle threats for aligning with labour movements, while management insists that union membership ‘is a personal choice.’

Recall that one of Nigeria’s foremost lawyers, Femi Falana, SAN, once said that any company or employer who denies workers this freedom is acting outside the law and against the democratic spirit of the nation

For NUPENG, anything that contradicts this position is untenable. Under Nigeria’s Trade Union Act (Cap T14, LFN 2004), all junior workers in an organisation are automatically deemed members of the appropriate trade union unless they opt out in writing. Section 40 of the Constitution further guarantees workers the right to freely associate.

NUPENG’s President, Prince Williams Akporeha, has vowed that the union will not fold its arms while a new corporate empire attempts to roll back decades of hard-won workers’ rights.

The bigger fear is that this is monopoly in the making. Beyond the question of union rights lies a larger fear, the growing concentration of power in Nigeria’s oil sector. With its massive refining capacity, expansive logistics network, and over 4,000 CNG-powered tankers, the Dangote Group now controls almost every link in the petroleum value chain: refining, storage, distribution, and retail.

NUPENG warns that this structure represents the embryo of a private monopoly. The union fears that if unchecked, Dangote could replicate his dominance in cement and sugar industries where competition has virtually disappeared and prices remain high despite earlier promises of affordability.

‘We cannot allow a repeat of the cement story in oil,-Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG General Secretary. Dangote dismisses such fears as unfounded, arguing that over 30 other refinery licences have been issued by government, and that his refinery is meant to complement, not dominate, the market.

Yet the optics tell a different story. The refinery’s scale and vertical integration have already created a structural imbalance that smaller marketers and tanker owners fear they cannot survive.

Echoes from cement and sugar industries are cautionary tales. This is not unfamiliar territory for Nigerians. When Dangote Cement rose to prominence in the early 2000s, it was celebrated for reducing import dependence. But as competitors faded, the market narrowed and prices climbed.

The same story played out in the sugar industry, where government import restrictions designed to encourage local production instead entrenched Dangote’s dominance, leaving smaller producers struggling.

The lesson, according to NUPENG, is clear: Monopoly, whether public or private, always comes at a cost. Today, the risk is that Nigeria’s newly deregulated oil sector could be quietly reconsolidated under one private empire.

Labour unrest and market anxiety

The standoff has already triggered shockwaves across the industry. In early September 2025, NUPENG threatened a nationwide strike, accusing the Dangote Refinery of ‘anti-labour practices.’ The move, backed by PENGASSAN, raised fears of fuel scarcity and price instability.

The DSS and the Federal Ministry of Labour intervened, brokering a temporary truce. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, guaranteeing workers the right to unionise within a given period.

Yet many within the labour movement doubt the sincerity of Dangote’s concession, seeing it as a temporary appeasement to buy time until his market dominance is irreversible.

Meanwhile, smaller marketers report restricted access to supply, delayed allocations, and rising logistics costs, symptoms, they say, of an emerging one-gate control over Nigeria’s oil economy.

At stake are not just workers’ rights or business interests, but the rule of law itself. If the Dangote Group continues to limit union activity or dominate market access, it risks violating Nigeria’s trade, competition, and labour laws.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA, 2019) prohibit monopolistic practices that ‘prevent, restrict, or distort competition.’ Any conduct that ‘amounts to abuse of a dominant position’ can attract penalties, including forced divestment or fines.

No nation deregulates only to replace a public monopoly with a private one. To do so would betray the very philosophy of a free and fair market economy.

It is within this context that I join NUPENG and all advocates of economic justice in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act decisively. The Tinubu administration has championed market reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and downstream liberalisation. Yet those reforms must not pave the way for private monopolisation disguised as efficiency.

The federal government must enforce competition laws under FCCPC and NMDPRA frameworks; Protect small and medium marketers from exclusionary practices; Ensure full recognition of NUPENG’s union rights at the Dangote Refinery as well as diversify refinery licensing and crude access, preventing any single entity from controlling the entire value chain.

President Tinubu must look beyond the excitement of a local refinery and see the long-term danger of allowing a single titan to dictate prices, access, and opportunity.

At stake if left unchecked is that Dangote’s dominance could rewrite Nigeria’s economic DNA, shifting the nation from public monopoly to private empire. Workers could lose their bargaining power, smaller firms could collapse, and government itself might one day negotiate not with an industry, but with an individual.

If fairness and competition prevail, Nigeria’s deregulated market will thrive. But if silence and complicity endure, the nation may soon find itself in a refined version of economic feudalism, where the refinery becomes the new fortress of power.

NUPENG’s battle with Dangote, therefore, seems not just a union struggle; it is a national test of will.

Can Nigeria build a capitalist economy that is competitive yet compassionate, dynamic yet democratic? In an era where power increasingly resides in private hands, NUPENG stands battered but unyielding as the last wall between monopoly capital and the Nigerian worker. The government must choose between an open market that empowers millions or a private monopoly that serves a few; between workers’ dignity- or corporate dominance; between a refinery for the nation or a nation at the mercy of one refinery. History, as always, will remember who stood where.

Casemiro will don the captain’s armband for the 17th time in Brazil’s friendly against South Korea today , with the experienced midfielder embracing his leadership role both on and off the pitch under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Back in the squad since the Italian’s arrival after a long period away, Casemiro has been a key figure for Brazil since his international debut in 2011 and will resume his captaincy after a two-year hiatus.

His last outing as skipper came in October 2023 against Uruguay, but Ancelotti, who was his coach for several years at Real Madrid, has decided to reinstate him as the leader of Brazil’s young squad preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

‘I am one of those players who thinks that there are several leaders, several ways of leading. Each one leads in their own way. I like to give more examples of how to do things – how to arrive, how to be, where to be, how to work,’ Casemiro told a press conference on Thursday.

The 33-year-old, who moved to English side Manchester United in 2022, acknowledged his prior relationship with Ancelotti helped establish the trust that he could lead the team.

‘Without a doubt, my relationship with the coach, whom I have known for over ten years, creates a greater affinity. But I like to show it – being the first, being at the gym, setting an example for the younger players,’ he added.

Brazil will follow Friday’s match in Seoul with another friendly against Japan on Tuesday at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium, as Ancelotti continues to refine his squad ahead of next year’s tournament.

A coordinated raid by 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and Department of State Service (DSS) has led to the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Akpan, in Akwa Ibom State.

A highly placed military source told The Nation on Friday morning that Akpan, operating along the Oron/Ibaka axis, was arrested on October 7, during a raid of his hideout at Eket Local Government Area of the state.

According to the source, Akpan is currently in DSS custody for further investigation.

Giving an update on the Army’s successes in other parts of the country, the source said that on October 8, troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion at Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State arrested an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) fighter while attempting to infiltrate the town.

‘Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect served as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and Niger Republic, with the intent to spy on troop movements under the guise of a surrendering fighter. He has since been handed over to 403 Amphibious Brigade for further investigation,’ the source said.

‘Also, three ISWAP/JAS terrorists, including a female, voluntarily surrendered to 68 Battalion troops at Bosso, Niger State, citing intense military pressure and hardship in terrorist enclaves around the Tumbun Marcobina axis. The suspects, originally from Konduga and Jabilam, have been profiled for further debriefing.’

In another development, the source said, 4 Demonstration Battalion on a snap checkpoint along the Lere-Saminaka-Kaduna Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Kaduna State, intercepted two suspects conveying 1,307 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four mobile phones and ?27,000 cash.

According to the source, initial investigations have indicated that the ammunition was being transported from Barakin Ladi in Plateau State to Zamfara State.

‘Additionally, 222 Battalion at Bazamri Village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, engaged terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to flee and recovering two RPG bombs and a belt containing 150 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition during exploitation operations.’

The source revealed that across other regions, troops arrested multiple criminal suspects, recovered illegal arms, dismantled illegal refining sites and intercepted stolen crude oil and petroleum products in Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi and Plateau States.

‘In the course of anti-oil theft operations, troops recovered over 6,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, seized several boats and vehicles used for transporting illicit petroleum products and destroyed multiple illegal refining ovens and equipment in line with established directives,’ the source said.

It assured that the Army remained committed to safeguarding law-abiding citizens, protect communities and create secure conditions for economic growth.

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of four soldiers during the recent insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu, located along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.

In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, the Army said the troops successfully repelled the attackers despite intense gunfire.

While earlier reports suggested that eight soldiers lost their lives in the encounter, the Army officially confirmed only four fatalities.

According to the statement, the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on the camp using sporadic rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and armed drones but were ultimately subdued by the superior firepower of the Nigerian troops.

The statement read, ‘Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.

‘The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms. Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.

‘Unfortunately, own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter.

‘The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu-Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.

‘In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility.

‘Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.

‘As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

‘The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended and the public assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.’

Meanwhile, travellers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano highway faced severe hardship on Thursday after the Nigerian Army blocked the road for more than seven hours following an insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu.

Hundreds of commuters were stranded on both ends of the highway, unable to proceed to their destinations. Many long-distance travellers heading to Bauchi, Jos, Abuja, and Kano were forced to turn back after realizing they could not continue their journeys in good time.

Those who chose to wait were held up until about 1:00 p.m., when the road was finally reopened, though with heightened security checks that caused heavy gridlock at multiple checkpoints along the route.

One of the stranded passengers, Mustapha Yaya, a master’s degree student at the University of Maiduguri who was traveling from Damaturu, lamented missing his 2:00 p.m. lecture due to the prolonged road closure.

‘It’s almost 1 p.m. now, and we are still stuck at Benishik, about 80 kilometers from Maiduguri. I doubt we’ll get moving in the next hour because the road is still blocked. I’ve already missed my lectures today,’ he said.

A commercial driver, Abdullahi from Kano, who was en route to Abuja, said he had to suspend his journey after all his passengers decided to cancel their travel plans.

Findings by The Nation revealed that the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano highway had remained free from insurgent attacks for more than three years until the latest incident.

Several travelers expressed fear over the renewed attack and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the route remains secure.

‘This is the only safe road we have to Maiduguri. We’ve enjoyed relative peace for years, but this attack has made us anxious again. We’re calling on President Tinubu to secure this highway for travelers,’ said Abubakar, one of the passengers.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, has navigated a tumultuous political landscape on his journey to govern. Much like the biblical David, he has faced numerous challenges and adversaries, ultimately emerging victorious, particularly during his re-election campaign. Demonstrating unwavering resilience akin to that of a wounded lion, Abiodun’s determination and tenacity were rewarded as providence smiled upon him, fulfilling his ambition for a second term. Today, he celebrates his accomplishments; his heart swells with gratitude, and he dances with the joy reminiscent of David’s biblical celebrations.

Equipped with a strong background as a seasoned businessman and an oil and gas mogul, Abiodun entered the murky waters of politics with an entrepreneurial mindset. This background has been instrumental in transforming Ogun State into a more attractive investment hub, positioning it as the nation’s industrial heartland. His administration’s focus on creating an environment conducive to business has drawn millions of investors, facilitating job creation and enabling the government to generate substantial income from these investments.

Under Governor Abiodun’s leadership, Ogun State has experienced remarkable growth, marked by significant infrastructural advancements across various sectors, including roads, education, agriculture, industrialization, security, job creation, housing development, and women empowerment. His commitment to public service extends to the welfare of civil servants, ensuring that they are supported and motivated. Abiodun’s tireless efforts have made Ogun State a beacon of prosperity, establishing it as a safe haven for both residents and investors alike.

Unlike many of his gubernatorial peers who view a second term as an opportunity to coast on their previous successes, Abiodun remains deeply committed to furthering Ogun State’s development.

Within just two years of his second tenure, he has surpassed expectations and set a new benchmark for achievement. His initiatives have not only transformed the state but have also garnered praise from pundits who note his exceptional performance against the backdrop of his first term.

Abiodun’s strategic vision to position Ogun as the preferred destination for investors is complemented by policies aimed at streamlining operations. The ‘ease of doing business’ initiative has received accolades from manufacturers, who appreciate the incentives and expedited approvals that facilitate their ventures. One of the highlights of his tenure is the recent inauguration of the Ogun Agro Cargo Airport, which offers a direct flight route to Abuja via ValueJet. This development is poised to be a game-changer, significantly reducing travel time and improving accessibility for residents and businesses.

As Governor Abiodun continues to deliver on his promises, he effectively silences critics and skeptics alike by demonstrating the tangible benefits of his governance. The dividends of democracy are being realized under his stewardship, and as he strides confidently forward, there is growing consensus that he may indeed be one of the most impactful governors in Ogun State’s history.

Nigerian rapper Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, has opened up on why he cannot abandon his music career.

Speaking in an interview with Hip TV, the rapper said his drive for making music comes from passion rather than financial rewards.

Erigga noted that while many artistes quit the industry each year due to various challenges, he remains unwavering because music is an inseparable part of his life.

He emphasised that his love for music goes beyond money or fame, describing it as the core of his existence.

‘Every year, people leave music for real-life issues. But I can’t stop. Music is life. It’s what keeps me going. Take the business and everything out of it, it’s more of a passion. I can’t disappoint my fans,’ Erigga said.

The British Academy of Management (BAM) has honoured Professor Christian Harrison of the University of Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, with the 2025 BAM Medal for Contribution to Communities.

The award ceremony, which took place at the University of Kent’s Sibson Building during the Grand Opening Ceremony of this year’s BAM Conference, recognised Professor Harrison for his long-standing and exceptional service to the BAM community.

Established in 2024, the BAM Medal for Contribution to Communities celebrates individuals who have made remarkable impacts within the Academy’s networks and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Recipients are nominated by the BAM Council, Fellows, and SIG Chairs, and the final selection is made by the Awards and Executive Committees.

Professor Harrison was commended for his outstanding leadership of the Leadership Special Interest Group, his co-founding of the BAM African Studies Track-now in its fourth year-and his valuable contributions as a Council member who co-led the Management Knowledge and Education Teaching Practice Conference for several years.

A respected scholar of leadership and management, Professor Harrison has been widely recognised for advancing leadership studies and fostering academic collaborations between Africa and the United Kingdom.

The British Academy of Management described the recognition as a ‘prestigious and well-deserved honour,’ highlighting Harrison’s exceptional contribution to the growth and vibrancy of the BAM community.