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Australians are growing less patient with slow systems, long wait times, and outdated processes. It’s simple, things should move faster. This shift is being felt across sectors, and businesses and public services are under pressure to improve response times and remove unnecessary steps. The push for speed isn’t just about convenience; it’s changing how organisations operate and how people interact with them.

More Australians are choosing cashless payments because they’re quicker and easier to use. People want simple, fast transactions that don’t interrupt their day. Tools like Apple Pay and Google Pay are now part of everyday routines. Whether it’s buying a coffee on the way to work or paying for groceries, tapping a phone takes just seconds.

That same preference for speed is reshaping other spaces too. For those interested in online gaming, understanding eligibility rules for Australian players has become important, especially as new platforms offer instant-play access and online bonuses tailored to verified local users. These bonus systems reward players for quick sign-ups or early deposits, mirroring the broader national trend toward efficiency and instant results.

Speed matters in work-related tasks as well. Small businesses now rely on instant transfers to pay suppliers or contractors. Faster payments mean fewer disruptions, which is key for staying on track in industries where timing can affect results.

Behind these changes is a clear pattern: people want transactions to keep up with their lives. Digital wallets, real-time transfers, and simplified payment systems are quickly becoming the norm.

A strong internet connection is now essential. Australians expect online access that works without delays.

Recent broadband upgrades are starting to meet that demand. New plans now offer download speeds far beyond what was available a few years ago. That’s made a real difference in regional areas like the Hunter Valley, where workers can now join online meetings without constant interruptions.

City residents are seeing improvements too. With more 5G coverage across major centres, mobile data speeds are much faster. This helps with everything from using GPS apps in real time to downloading large files for school or work without delays.

But the gap between metro and rural areas hasn’t fully closed. Some towns still have slower fixed-line connections that lag behind international standards. Governments are investing in upgrades to change that, and businesses are adjusting their services to work smoothly across different network conditions.

New technologies like satellite internet are also being introduced. These could help industries such as farming, where reliable data connections support tools that track crops or monitor livestock. Going forward, there’s pressure on providers to offer both speed and affordability, so no region gets left behind.

Online shopping now comes with higher expectations. Many Australians want their orders delivered within a day. To meet that, retailers have had to speed up every part of the process.

Environmental concerns are part of the picture as well. More companies now use electric vans and recyclable packaging to meet customer demand for sustainable delivery. It’s become clear that speed and eco-friendly practices can go hand in hand.

When demand spikes, like during holiday seasons, the pressure on logistics systems increases. To cope, businesses are using automation.

With more money going into infrastructure, delivery networks are set to grow even further. That’s creating more jobs and boosting spending, especially on local products, as faster deliveries make repeat purchases easier.

Reliable transport is a priority for many Australians, especially those dealing with long commutes. Upgrades to buses and trains are being made to improve travel times and help ease traffic in growing communities. In New South Wales, new rail systems and better signalling have started to cut wait times between services.

Transport is also becoming more environmentally friendly. Electric buses and trains are being added to reduce emissions, and many now include live tracking through apps, so users can see when their service is arriving in real time.

Making these changes without causing disruption isn’t easy. Public input is helping to guide route planning and schedule changes, especially for people with non-traditional working hours or families managing school drop-offs. Overall performance is improving, but occasional delays from weather or repairs still need attention.

Australians aren’t simply growing restless; they’re adjusting to a world that leaves little room for waiting. The pressure to keep up with work, family, and everything in between means systems that once seemed fine now feel too slow.

So, as life moves faster, services are being pushed to match that rhythm, and it’s clear that slowing down isn’t on the cards anytime soon.

All is set for the formal defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Enugu, the state capital.

Mbah is expected to join the ruling party alongside elected national and state legislators, members of the state executive, and party leaders from ward and local government levels across the state.

APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. Emma Eneukwu, while inaugurating a seven-man caretaker committee for the party in Enugu State, hinted at ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s influence in the South East region.

Confirming the development to newsmen at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja after taking the oath of office, the newly inaugurated Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, disclosed that the governor and his appointees would officially be received into the party on October 14.

The APC National Working Committee (NWC) had on Thursday dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee (SWC) and appointed a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.

Former Super Eagles midfielder and Chelsea’s Africa Chief Scouting Manager, Seyi George Olofinjana, has defended his decision to become the brand ambassador of SuperWinleague Lottery, describing the initiative as a credible project designed to create opportunities for footballers and fans across Nigeria.

Olofinjana was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Lagos as the face of the new lottery brand and football project during a ceremony held at the MTN Office in Falomo. The event attracted sports administrators, corporate partners, and representatives from DayEmpire Sports Marketing Management Company Ltd, the organizers of the initiative.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Chief Operating Officer of DayEmpire Sports Management, Yemisi Ayodeji Daniel, said the project aims to connect sports, entertainment, and empowerment through strategic partnerships.

‘We are starting a big project today that creates opportunities for footballers, fans, and other stakeholders to fulfil their dreams,’ Daniel said. ‘We are therefore excited to have former Super Eagles and Stoke City midfielder Seyi George Olofinjana as our brand ambassador for the SuperWinleague Lottery and other projects.

‘This partnership with top telecommunications company MTN and a renowned footballer underscores the importance of the project. Their decision to come on board confirms that the project is anchored on integrity, promise kept, and protection of our core values as an entity. At DayEmpire Sports SMM, we not only keep our promises, we value integrity because we want to build an international brand that will stand the test of time,’ he added.

In his response, Olofinjana expressed confidence in the transparency of the SuperWinleague brand, stating that his decision to accept the ambassadorial role was based on the project’s credibility and potential impact on Nigerian football.

‘I’m staking my hard-earned reputation by identifying with this brand because I’m convinced that every promise made will be fulfilled,’ the former Nigerian international said.

The SuperWinleague Lottery and SuperWinleague Football Project are designed to offer footballers and fans unique opportunities to win prizes, earn trials with European clubs, and experience top-flight football first-hand. Winners will be rewarded daily with cash prizes, jerseys, and football boots, while the ultimate prize includes European trials for the best player and an all-expense-paid trip to England for selected fans to watch top Premier League matches.

Olofinjana, who represented Nigeria at the 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, enjoyed an illustrious club career with Stoke City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Hull City before moving into football management and scouting. His involvement with the SuperWinleague brand is seen as a boost to the credibility and visibility of the project.

The unveiling marks the beginning of what stakeholders describe as a ‘new era’ of football-inspired empowerment, with MTN’s partnership signaling a strong corporate commitment to sports development in Nigeria.

Founder of Silver Cross Healthcare, Ese Onemiye, has warned that without community-led and technology-driven solutions, ensuring healthcare access for underserved populations will become difficult in the face of economic hardship and brain drain.

Onemiye, in a statement, expressed dismay over the ongoing brain drain of medical personnel from Nigeria, noting that it was a symptom of systemic neglect in areas such as workforce support, infrastructure and professional fulfillment.

According to her, healthcare professionals were not leaving for better pay but to environments where they were valued, equipped and empowered to deliver quality care.

The statement reads: ‘The ongoing brain drain of medical personnel from Nigeria is a symptom of deeper systemic neglect, particularly in areas such as workforce support, infrastructure, and professional fulfillment.

‘Healthcare professionals are not leaving solely for better pay; they are leaving for environments where they are valued, equipped, and empowered to deliver quality care. The antidote lies in building a health system that prioritizes its people.

‘At Silver Cross Healthcare, we believe retention starts with investment in infrastructure, competitive compensation, continuous training, and, crucially, mental health support for caregivers and professionals alike. Through our foundation, we also champion the emotional and economic wellbeing of women caregivers, who form a vital yet often-invisible pillar of healthcare.

‘If we want our talent to stay, we must create a culture of respect, resilience, and reward within the system. A thriving healthcare workforce is not a luxury; it is the backbone of national development.

‘Ensuring healthcare access for underserved populations in the face of economic hardship and brain drain requires adaptive, community-led, and technology-driven solutions.

‘At Silver Cross Healthcare, we champion decentralized care models, empowering family caregivers with the skills, mental health support, and tools to provide frontline care in their own homes and communities. This approach not only fills the human resource gap but also brings healthcare closer to those who need it most.

‘Technology and telemedicine are also critical. By connecting remote patients to medical professionals through virtual platforms, we bridge access gaps and reduce dependency on overburdened urban hospitals.

‘Ultimately, cross-sector collaboration among governments, private enterprises, and mission-driven organisations is crucial for pooling resources and amplifying impact. At the Silver Cross Living Well Empowerment Foundation, our commitment is clear: when we invest in the people already providing care, especially women, we strengthen the entire system from the inside out.’

The wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Bago, has officially flagged off the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign for children across the state’s 25 local government areas.

The ceremony, held in the Bida Local Government Area, marked the commencement of a statewide exercise aimed at protecting thousands of children from preventable diseases.

Speaking at the event, Hajiya Fatima Bago emphasized that the vaccination campaign is critical to safeguarding children’s health, noting that measles and rubella remain major threats to their survival and development.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, described the initiative as a milestone in the state’s healthcare delivery. He urged parents, especially mothers, to present their children for vaccination, assuring them of the vaccine’s safety and benefits.

‘It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children benefit from this important exercise. The vaccine is good for our children and has no negative impact on human development,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, explained that the campaign will cover all 274 wards in the state.

He added that alongside the Measles-Rubella vaccine, children would also receive the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), malaria treatment, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, and other routine immunizations.

Dr. Imam further disclosed that the Niger State Government has provided all the necessary logistics and resources to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted in evidence the confessional statement made by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, while being investigated over the N33.8billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Friday, dismissed the objection raised by Mamman to the admissibility of the statement he made on February 20, 2024, and eight other statements.

The ruling was on the trial-within-trial conducted by the court following a claim by the ex-minister that he did not make the statement of February 20, 2024, voluntarily and that he was not supplied with video recordings of the sessions where he made the other eight statements.

Justice Omotosho upheld that case of the prosecution that the defendant volunteered the statement of February 20, 2024, after the words of caution were administered to him as required.

The judge held that, as against the defendant’s claim that he was not in a good frame of mind when he was asked to make the statement of February 20, 2024, there was no evidence to support such a claim.

He found that although the ex-minister claimed to be ill on the said day, he did not ask to be excused, but instead, he directed his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, to write the statement for him, while he dictated what should be written.

The judge also rejected the defendant’s claim that he was not sure his lawyer wrote exactly what he dictated and that the lawyer could have added other information outside of what he dictated.

Justice Omotosho wondered why the ex-minister, who had promised to call the said lawyer as his witness in the trial-within-trial, failed to do so when he had the opportunity.

The judge held that, as against the defendant’s claim that he was forced to make the said statement, a video recording of the statement-taking session, which was played in court, showed that he was relaxed and smiling with his interrogators.

He said the conduct of the defendant amounted to a classic case of the defendant trying to deny his confessional statement, which he voluntarily made.

The judge also faulted the ex-minister’s contention that the prosecution’s failure to provide him with the video recordings of the sessions where he made other statements amounted to being denied adequate materials to prepare for his defence.

Justice Omotosho said he ought to have applied to the court to order the prosecution to provide him with all the materials he required if indeed he actually wanted them.

The judge held that the right to adequate facilities to prepare a defence is not automatic, adding that he was to apply to the court to order the prosecution to make the video available to him, an option he failed to take.

Justice Omotosho found that the ex-minister failed to prove that he was forced to make the confessional statement, adding that his complaint that he was not given the video recordings was belated.

He proceeded to admit the nine statements in evidence and adjourned till November 3 for the continuation of the trial.

Apart from the statement he made on February 20, 2024, other statements admitted by the court included those the defendant made on May 10, 2023; May 11, 2023; May 12, 2023; May 15, 2023; May 17, 2023; May 19, 2023; August 3, 2023, and August 29, 2023.

Mamman, who was a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a 12-count charge of diverting N33,804,830,503.73 released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government.

The EFCC said the offence was contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Some counts in the charge sheet read:

*That you, Saleh Mamman (male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, whilst you were the Minister of Power, conspired with other officials of your ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of N=33,804,830,503.73 through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust about the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

*That you, Saleh Mamman (male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, conspired with Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of US$655,700:00 to Mohiba Investment Ltd. (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution.

Technology expert and founder of BMONI, Jørn Lyseggen, has described Nigeria as ‘the heartbeat of Africa’s tech revolution,’ highlighting the country’s growing influence in driving innovation across the continent.

BMONI, a new financial technology platform, aims to empower young professionals and small business owners in Africa by offering smarter, more affordable, and flexible financial services compared to traditional banks.

Speaking at the platform’s official launch, Lyseggen said the company’s core mission is to equip Nigerians with world-class financial tools that enable them to participate actively in the global economy.

‘Our mission is to give Nigeria’s movers and shakers world-class financial tools to enable active participation in the global economy,’ he stated.

Lyseggen, who also serves as Founder and Executive Chairman of Meltwater, emphasised that BMONI places strong priority on security. He noted that the platform integrates patented biometric technology – backed by 22 awarded patents – with advanced encryption and collaborations with licensed financial institutions to safeguard users’ accounts and transactions.

Advisor to the platform, Gbenga Oyebode, described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for fintech innovation in Nigeria and Africa, positioning BMONI as a catalyst for inclusive digital financial growth across the continent.

‘BMONI represents a new chapter for African fintech; it’s a platform built with deep respect for the Nigerian market and a clear vision for how technology can unlock financial inclusion at scale,’ he said.

The financial platform aims to provide users with smarter ways to save in stable assets, earn more on their Naira, and transact seamlessly across borders.

Ashwin Ravichandran, Head of Product at the company, highlighted the platform’s relevance in Nigeria, where 70% of the population is under 35 and fintech transactions exceed 9 trillion Naira monthly.

‘Nigerians today want more than banking-they want freedom, ownership, and opportunity,’ he said.

The financial platform’s team spans Nigeria, Ghana, Chicago, San Francisco, Norway, and London, blending Silicon Valley-scale expertise with African insight to deliver innovation, execution, and impact.

Celebrating its launch, the platform is sponsoring Moonshot, Africa’s leading technology and innovation event, engaging with entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators to explore how fintech can drive inclusion and prosperity across the continent.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s legal and judicial philosophy, especially the tendency of courts prioritising technicalities over substantive justice.

Osinbajo, a professor of law, spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the second Prof. Yusuf Ali’s Annual Lecture organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The former Vice President said the essence of any justice system is to serve the people, not to glorify procedural formalities.

He expressed concern that many judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court, often leaned towards form rather than substance.

‘Even English courts, whose practices we inherited, have evolved beyond such rigid technicalities by allowing amendments at any stage to ensure justice is done,’ he said.

Osinbajo posited that Nigeria’s continued attachment to outdated technicalities undermined justice and eroded public trust in the judiciary.

‘In view of this, I urge legal practitioners, academics, and policymakers to adopt critical, decolonised thinking to reform legal education, legal practice, and the administration of justice,’ he said..

‘Though the Supreme Court has occasionally adopted a more flexible approach, particularly in electoral matters, inconsistency remains a major concern.

‘It is important to note that a justice system that glorifies form over substance risks losing its relevance and effectiveness,’ he said.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu (SAN), urged Nigerian lawyers and law students to confront and dismantle the lingering colonial legacies embedded in the nation’s legal system.

Odinkalu, who spoke on the topic: Towards Decolonising Legal Briefs: Effective Implementation of the Local Content Law for the Benefit of Nigerian Lawyers, noted that Nigeria’s justice system is still hooked to the rest of the world.

He said it was high time Nigeria transitioned from political independence to ideation independence by promoting local content.

The professor of Practice and International Human Rights Law said that though Nigeria is independent politically, we lack occupational independence.

Odinkalu stressed that the country’s legal framework still bore the imprint of the colonial intrusion and needed to be changed.

The guest lecturer emphasised the need to build an independent and credible judiciary as a core part of the decolonisation process.

KWASU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman, expressed gratitude to God and stakeholders for the progress recorded in the institution’s Faculty of Law.

He announced that several infrastructural projects, including a departmental building, 500-seat auditorium, and two 250-seat lecture theatres, would be completed and delivered to end users by December.

Also, Prof. Ali said all nations must have a rallying point, which Nigeria currently lacks.

The eminent lawyer said the only time Nigerians truly become united is during international football matches, a fleeting moment of togetherness that quickly faded afterward.

He urged citizens to confront the reality of systemic failures instead of romanticising the past, noting that the country still exhibited all the parameters of failure.

Prominent individuals and stakeholders from across 22 local government areas of Oyo State, under the aegis of G22 Renewed, have condemned what they described as the political dominance of Ibadan in occupying the governorship seat to the detriment of other regions.

The group, which called for a rotational governorship arrangement, comprises representatives from four of the five political zones in the state – including the ten LGAs in Oke-Ogun, five in Ogbomoso, four in Oyo, and three in Ibarapa.

They lamented that despite Ibadan being only one of the five zones, it has produced governors for a cumulative period of 26 years.

Speaking at a press conference held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, the group said the event was organized to draw public attention to what they termed an ‘intolerable imbalance and insensitivity’ in the state’s political structure.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the group, Chief Ademola Ayoade stated that G22 Renewed is made up of respected and responsible individuals who have consistently championed the unity and progress of Oyo State.

He added that for peace to reign, governance in the state must be guided by the principles of fairness, equity, and justice.

He said, ‘The purpose of this Press conference is to draw attention of the general public to the historic and intolerable imbalance and insensitivity being perpetrated in Oyo State as far as the office of Governor of Oyo State is concerned.

‘Going by the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Conatituion (as amended), Oyo state is divided into five administrative zones viz: Ibadan (11 LGAs), Oke-Ogun (10LGAs), Ogbomoso (5 LGAs), Oyo (4 LGAs) and Ibarapa (3LGAs).

‘Historically, we like to invite attention to the hegemonic trend of governance of Oyo State since the advent of civil/democratic rule using 1979 as starting point:

‘Dr Victor Olunloyo (3 months/Ibadan), Chief Kolapo Ishola (1year 11month/Ibadan), Alhaji Lamidi Adeshina (4years/Ibadan), Senator Rashidi Ladoja (4years/Ibadan), Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala (4years/Ogbomoso), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (8years/Ibadan) and Seyi Makinde (8yrs/Ibadan).

‘As could be seen, the governrishp of Oyo State has been dominated by Ibadan Zone to the exclusion of the remaining four zones. Ibadan Zone, apart from being the state capital with 11 LGAs is just one-third of the entire state in voting strength.

‘Excpet for accidental emergence of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala between May 2007 – May 2011, none of the remaining four zones comprising 22 LGAs has ever produced a governor in the state. The cumulative period of Ibadan dominance of the governorship of Oyo State is about 26years whereas it is one of the remaining zones (Ogbomoso) that ruled for only four years.’

He said further, ‘We also wish to forward attention to the pattern of governorship candidates and elections in other Southwest states contrary to the winner takes all situation in Oyo State, no particular Zone has been dominating the political landscape of their respective states.

‘For instance, since the creation of Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, apart from rotating the governorship slot, no indigenes of the state capitals of Alure, Osogbo and Ado- Ekiti has been elected as governor of these three states. The citizens of the state capitals have always ensured that the governor comes from outside the state capital.

‘It is also pertinent to state that even at the federal level, if the North had weaponised its famed voting population, no Southerner would have emerged as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is where the seeming uncompromising posture of Ibadan co-patriots becomes an issue. All told, the voting pattern in Oyo State has consistently shown that only 30percent of the voting population in Ibadan are Ibadan indigenes. The implication of this is that the remaining 70 percent belong to the other zones of the state as well as non-indigenes of Oyo State.

‘In the light of the foregoing, we on behalf of the 22 local governments outside Ibadan in the state are, by this Press conference making a clarion call on all stakeholders to effect the following changes in the political landscape of our dear state:

‘That our Ibadan co-compatriots should, in the interest of justice, peaceful co-existence, equity and fairness allow the 22 LGAs to nominate candidates for the governorship position in Oyo State for the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

‘That all political parties in the state should support this peaceful and legitimate demand of the remaining four zones in the state by ensuring that their respective parties nominate governorship candidates from any of the 22 LGAs for the 2017 general elections.

‘I’m thanking all and sundry for giving thoughts to this our humble consideration, we are confident yahy as true Democrats and dogged fighters for justice, equity and fairness, tou will join hands with us in our collective quests for changing the narratives in the political landscape of Oyo State.’

During the public presentation of the book ‘Ten Years of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,’ authored by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma, I reflected on Nigeria’s decade-long journey under successive progressive administrations as Chief Presenter. Though time did not allow me to deliver my written remarks in full, the message remains vital to our national conversation on leadership, governance, and reform.

There are moments for politics and moments for governance. Once elections are over, governance must take precedence. Our duty as citizens is to move beyond division and measure progress not by sentiment but by delivery, performance, and impact.

Over the past ten years, Nigeria’s story has been one of courage and continuity, of institutions learning discipline, and of leaders willing to face hard truths about our economy. President Muhammadu Buhari laid the foundation of fiscal prudence, agricultural revival, and infrastructure renewal. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advanced that legacy through decisive structural reforms such as removing the fuel subsidy, unifying exchange rates, modernising tax policy, and restoring credibility to public finance. These choices were not easy, but they were necessary. They broke habits that had become too costly to sustain and redirected public wealth toward productivity.

Since May 2023, government non-oil revenue has grown by more than 400 percent. This is not coincidence. It is the outcome of intentional policy and technological transparency. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee has simplified compliance, eliminated duplication, and placed technology at the centre of revenue collection. Revenue agencies that once competed now cooperate. Multiple taxation is being dismantled. Incentives for businesses are transparent and available online without intermediaries or privileged access. Every entrepreneur, large or small, can now apply for fiscal waivers or export credits within minutes. Fairness by design and technology is replacing favour by connection.

Energy stability has returned as proof that reform, though painful, delivers results. The queues that once defined our petrol stations are gone. Deregulation has reopened the downstream market and restored investor confidence in oil and gas, bringing new capital into deep-water, midstream, and modular-refinery projects. Parallel reforms in the Presidential CNG Initiative are changing urban mobility by replacing petrol fleets with cleaner and cheaper gas vehicles. At the same time, a nationwide solar-power rollout is providing electricity to schools, clinics, and small industries. Together, these initiatives reflect a balanced energy future built on efficiency, competition, and sustainability.

Security remains the foundation of every reform. In 2024, N3.85 trillion, about 13 percent of the national budget, was allocated to defence and internal security. For 2025, that figure rose to N6.57 trillion, with significant investment in equipment, intelligence, and personnel welfare. The Nigerian Air Force is modernising with 24 M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 helicopters. The Navy has commissioned new patrol ships and maritime helicopters to strengthen coastal and energy-asset protection. Across all theatres, joint operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces and intelligence agencies have neutralised tens of thousands of terrorists, insurgents and criminal elements, arrested many more, and rescued well over one hundred thousand hostages and displaced persons. The tempo has changed. Our armed forces now take the initiative rather than wait for it.

Infrastructure remains the bridge between ambition and opportunity. Across the country, more than 260 major projects in roads, bridges, ports, and pipelines are under construction or near completion. The Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto to Badagry Super Highway are redefining commerce and mobility. The national Bridge Fibre Project is expanding digital connectivity across cities and rural areas, strengthening the country’s broadband backbone and opening new corridors for education, innovation, and enterprise.

Digital governance reform is also deepening national capacity. The ongoing overhaul of the National Identity Management Commission has expanded NIN registration to tens of millions of citizens, creating a reliable digital backbone for planning, financial inclusion, and social protection. For the first time, national data is being harmonised across agencies, improving service delivery, strengthening security coordination, and helping the country plan development with precision.

Work along the River Niger corridor from Lokoja to Baro Port is progressing to enable future inland-waterway operations that can reduce transport costs and improve market access across regions. These projects reflect a deliberate effort to balance regional growth, from the Niger Delta cleanup and gas expansion in the South to new exploration in the North and industrial corridors across the Middle Belt.

Reform without human investment is reform without soul. The $2.2 billion Health Sector Renewal Programme is upgrading 17,000 primary health centres and training 120,000 health workers, while free caesarean care and subsidised dialysis are easing the burden on families. In education, student-loan schemes, digital-skills initiatives, and new STEM and AI curricula are preparing our young people for a digital economy. Through the Student Loan Fund, access to higher education is becoming a right, not a privilege. Its synergy with new financing institutions such as CREDICORP and the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company ensures that young Nigerians can pursue knowledge with the same confidence that entrepreneurs pursue capital. Free technical and vocational training at the tertiary level will supply the technicians and artisans required for industrial growth.

Agriculture and food security have become the centre of national resilience. Beyond grains, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is unlocking a trillion-naira value chain in meat, dairy, and leather. Expanded fertiliser blending, mechanisation, irrigation, and storage are supporting millions of smallholders. With increased investment in rice, cassava, and cash-crop processing, Nigeria is moving toward genuine food sovereignty. Food security is not an aspiration but a necessity for economic stability.

The government’s economic renewal is also anchored on access to finance, enterprise, and inclusion. The establishment of CREDICORP, the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company, and the Student Loan Fund has strengthened the foundation for a credit-based economy as well as human capital and domestic productivity. Together, these institutions expand access to credit for small businesses, farmers, civil servants, individuals, and students while derisking lending and empowering citizens to build their future without political connections. In promoting local production over import dependence, the Nigeria First Policy is not only conserving foreign exchange but also creating pathways for skilled youth employment and industrial apprenticeship across states.

I say this not out of any search for appointment or reward, but from a place of patriotism and perspective. From where I stand, and for every Nigerian, the true beauty of the Nigeria First Policy is that it invites us all to become participants in our country’s renewal. We can each now go into productive enterprise and live the Nigerian dream, so long as we care enough to believe in this nation and invest in our people, resources, and future.

In the midst of reform, President Tinubu’s words have been both compass and caution: ‘As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.’ That statement captures the essence of progressive governance which I define as courage guided by compassion. Under this directive, Nigeria’s social-protection system has been rebuilt on transparency and technology. The Conditional Cash Transfer programme now reaches more than 15 million households on a verified digital register, each linked to a NIN-validated wallet or bank account for direct payment. No intermediaries and no leakages. In addition, N344 billion has been disbursed in three tranches to the 36 states and the FCT to support local welfare and enterprise programmes. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which will operate across 8,809 wards, will economically engage over 10 million Nigerians and ensure that national policy translates into local opportunity.

The humanitarian principle of progressivism is simple. Reform must lift, not leave behind. Fiscal discipline restores credibility. Social investment restores trust. When citizens see roads being built, hospitals working, and social payments arriving on time, faith in reform deepens and the social contract is strengthened. Special attention is also being given to women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities through targeted enterprise and skills-support initiatives under the Renewed Hope framework.

The numbers also tell their own story of impact and renewed hope in Nigeria. Non-oil revenues continue to rise. Exports are diversifying. Nigeria has recorded its first trade and balance-of-payments surplus in years, a sign of growing production and renewed confidence in the naira. Oil output is improving, new investments are flowing into the upstream and midstream segments, and our current account is gaining strength as reforms take hold. President Bola Tinubu and his government recognise that inflation and living costs remain a strain on households, but the fiscal discipline now taking root is designed to restore purchasing power in a sustainable way. President Tinubu has also acknowledged that meaningful reform takes time. While citizens are beginning to see the first trickles of progress, the greater task is to ensure that these trickles flow downward to communities, markets, classrooms, and farms where growth becomes tangible and human.

The task ahead is to sustain this momentum but it won’t be easy. Every child must be in school. NIWA must be further strengthened to expand partnerships for safer and cleaner waterways. NDLEA must receive greater support to combat the rising threat of drug trafficking and addiction, and NAFDAC must be empowered with stronger laboratories and technology to protect the public from counterfeit medicines and unsafe food. These are not peripheral agencies. They are frontline guardians of national wellbeing, and their effectiveness determines the credibility of our progress.

Communities themselves must also understand that with all the support given to our security agencies and the military, their partnership is vital. Cooperation between citizens, traditional institutions, and security operatives will solidify these gains, strengthen intelligence at the grassroots, and prevent a return to disorder. National security is not the burden of the state alone. It is the shared duty of all Nigerians determined to protect their future.

The state governors of Nigeria, under this Renewed Hope and progressive compact, also have a historic role to play. We have faith that with President Tinubu’s commitment, they can write their names in gold, but that gold must first be mined in proper service of the people.

The progress of any nation is not measured only by its wealth, but by the collective will of its people to do right, even when it is hard. That is the essence of progressive governance and the covenant that must bind us for the next decade.

I imagine a Nigeria where every child learns, every farmer prospers, every hospital has power, and every young person earns a dignified living. That is the spirit of renewal behind this progressive decade. It is the belief that courage and compassion are not opposites but partners in building a fair and prosperous country. Tomorrow’s Nigeria is not waiting to be discovered. It is waiting to be delivered with courage, competence, and care. I am Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu and I endorse the publication of this message.

God bless our President.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.