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Today, Nigeria marks 65 years of independence; a significant milestone in the journey of a nation that has weathered many storms, yet continues to stand tall, proud, and unbroken. This anniversary is both a celebration and a call to reflection: a celebration of our collective resilience, and a moment to honour the sacrifices and vision of our founding fathers, who won for us the freedom we now enjoy.

Their legacy was not forged in ease, but in unity, faith, and an unwavering belief in the greatness of Nigeria. It is a legacy that inspires us to continue building a nation where peace, justice, and opportunity prevail. We must not merely commemorate independence: we must make it meaningful for every Nigerian.

Our path as a nation has been defined by resilience. Through challenges; political, economic, and social. Nigerians have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to endure and hope. The strength of our people, especially here in Kaduna State, continues to be the bedrock of our shared progress.

This is why, on this historic day, I extend a sincere call to all of us: let us work together, across our communities, faiths, and backgrounds; to confront our challenges and unlock our collective potential. It is in unity that we will continue to give life to the dream of a peaceful, just, and prosperous Nigeria.

Here in Kaduna State, we are translating vision into action. Our administration is pursuing inclusive development and renewal through strategic and people-centred investmentsespecially in the following areas:

1. Infrastructure and Economic Connectivity

We have prioritised infrastructure as the engine of development. To date, we have launched 85 urban and rural road projects, covering 785 kilometres across the state. Nearly half of these are completed, facilitating trade, reducing travel time, and improving access to markets for farmers and entrepreneurs alike. We are rebuilding urban roads, bridges, and essential public utilities to stimulate investment and elevate living conditions.

2. Rural Transformation and Agricultural Revival: Our Rural Revitalisation Agenda is reawakening the economic potential of previously marginalised communities. With the reopening of key markets such as the Birnin Gwari Livestock Market and the Kidandan Market in Giwa, we are seeing a resurgence of local commerce and a renewed sense of community confidence. More than 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have been reclaimed, equipping our farmers to produce more while enhancing food security across the state.

3. Human Capital Development: Education and health are not luxuries – they are the pillars of our future. We are executing a comprehensive reform of our educational system to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality learning. This includes infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and the integration of digital tools. Through the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, we have successfully returned over 10,728 children to the classroom. Moreover, we have reopened 535 schools previously shut due to insecurity, reaffirming our belief that education is a right, not a privilege.

In healthcare, we have turned promises into action. We have upgraded 255 Primary Health Care Centres across the state, bringing vital services closer to rural communities. These efforts are supported by our investments in three world-class vocational institutes, which are empowering our youth and women with marketable skills to thrive in an evolving economy.

4. Agriculture and Food Security: Recognising the strategic importance of agriculture, we have allocated over 10% of the 2025 budget to the sector – the highest in recent years. This demonstrates our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, promoting climate-smart practices, and strengthening the agricultural value chain to ensure long-term food security and economic growth.

5. Peacebuilding and Social Inclusion: We understand that meaningful development is impossible without peace. This is why we have deepened our investment in community security, reconciliation, and dialogue. We are expanding community policing initiatives, strengthening collaboration with security agencies, and supporting victims of conflict. Through these efforts, we are rebuilding trust across diverse communities and reaffirming our collective commitment to peaceful coexistence.

Justice, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of our governance approach. We are building a Kaduna State where policy is driven by fairness, leadership is guided by empathy, and every community, no matter how remote, has a voice in shaping our shared future.

These achievements reflect our determination to build a Kaduna that is safe, strong, and inclusive. Yet, the path ahead requires even greater cooperation between government and the people. Development is a shared responsibility. I urge every citizen to contribute, through acts of peace, through civic participation, and through unwavering belief in the promise of our state and nation.

Nigeria’s future remains bright, and Kaduna’s role in that future is significant. Under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the nation is undergoing bold reforms to secure peace, restore prosperity, and strengthen democratic governance. Kaduna stands fully in support of this vision.

As we celebrate today, let us renew our commitment to building a nation where hope thrives and unity endures. With God’s guidance and our collective resolve, we will overcome our challenges and realise the full potential of our state and country.

Happy Independence Day.

May God bless Kaduna State.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The story of Faiza Abdulkadir, a cleaner whose bank account was mistakenly credited with N4.8 million, but returned it, resonates with the essence of honesty amidst profound social and economic crises and vulnerabilities in Nigeria.

Her story, published in the Daily Trust on August 24. 2025, chronicled the struggles of a poor woman who barely gets the opportunity to eat three square meals daily, but returned the money for the ‘fear of God’ and ‘desire for peace of mind’.

Faiza works at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and survives on a modest monthly salary of N30,000 to cover essentials like food, school fees, healthcare, and other necessities for her aged mother and five children.

Her story is unique, as many individuals in Nigeria face similar economic circumstances, but her act of integrity, despite challenging economic times, has made her a symbol of honesty.

Interestingly, Faiza is a reminder for every other individual out there to live an honest life, regardless of the physical, emotional, and psychological pressures. Daily Trust’s visit to her home, located in Gwange ward, tells a story of a resilient woman who believes in making money through honest means.

Walking into the compound, this reporter saw a makeshift structure of a three-bedroom made from zinc, sitting in a flooded environment.

Showing the reporter around, Faiza said, ‘This is where I live with my mother and children. I sleep in this room, while my mother uses the other room. I’m happy with what Allah has given me. Alhamdullillah!,’ she said.

Faiza explained that she relocated to the old building after being displaced by the September 10, 2024 flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri.

‘A renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Sheriff Saleh Alhussani, took pity on our condition and sheltered us free here. We don’t pay rent, and our children have access to school,’ she said.

Since the flood washed away everything from their house, Faiza and her children spread mats on the floor to sleep and rest at the end of a tedious day.

‘You can enter the room and see, the challenges are too numerous, but as the saying goes, ‘health is wealth’, I must thank Allah for keeping us healthy,’ she said.

Receiving cash award from Borno Governor’s wife

Abandoned for 10 years

Faiza’s travails started when she found herself in a difficult situation after her husband left to pursue a business in Lagos and did not return. For ten years, she has been left with the burden of raising and caring for their five children all alone.

‘I lived with my husband in Lagos, then Abuja before he relocated me back home. This is his tenth year in Lagos without visiting home. I now have five children to cater for all alone.

‘Life is not easy. Even though he sends me money sometimes, the challenges are just enormous. I thank God for my life,’ she said.

Faiza’s struggle to return N4.8m

Narrating her story on the N4.8 million she suddenly found in her account, ironically, Faiza said she had nothing to feed her family with when she decided to return the money.

I was at work when a man called me from Kebbi State and said he mistakenly sent money to my account. I panicked when I saw that it was N4.8 million because I had never seen such an amount before.

‘He insisted that I should make a quick transfer through a POS operator but I declined. I told him that I would consult my bank the following morning so that the transfer could be done directly to his account.

‘He kept calling and pressuring me to send him the money. I told him to be patient, that as a Muslim who knows the implications of taking what doesn’t belong to me, his money is in safe hands.

‘What he didn’t know was, I look up to the reward hereafter more than keeping his money. If I eat that money, it can lead me into hellfire,’ she said

Faiza said she went to the bank as early as possible to make the transfer when another call from the man came in, still pleading with her to transfer the money.

‘I connected him with customer care. They asked him several questions and became convinced he was the owner of the money before it was transferred into the same account.

‘I felt relieved when they debited the money from my account because the issue had kept me busy for three days without eating, but the man kept disturbing me, saying that he had not seen the alert.

‘He insisted that I should return to the bank and link him up with the customer care unit, which I did, but he kept pestering me.

‘He called the following morning, saying he still had not received the money, and I had to return to the bank. At one point, I became angry and asked my elder brother to step into the matter.

‘On the last day, I was at the bank until 4pm. The bank staff were very furious with his attitude. One of them asked him to stop pushing me around, knowing fully well that his money had been transferred,’ she said.

When asked if the man had given her something or called to tell her when he received the money, she said, ‘Yes, he called and informed me that he finally received the alert, but claimed that he still had a N10,000 balance in my account.

‘This man called me twice, telling me that I should keep the N10,000 balance. God knows that we transferred the entire amount to him, except for the bank charges, which he must bear, not me.

‘I warned him not to call me again. He should sort it with the bank because not a penny has been left in my bank account.

‘I did all that for the fear of God, not him. If not, I spent a lot of money on transportation and my precious time. In fact, I had no money to even feed myself when I was struggling to get to the bank to return his money,’ she said.

Reward for honesty

Following media reports of her rare and inspiring display of integrity, Faiza received praise and support from individuals across the country.

One of the individuals who appreciated the honesty of Faiza is the First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum, who presented Faiza with a cash gift of N1 million to support her family.

At a special event organised in her honour, Mrs Zulum said she was pleased that a person of such caliber was a woman from Borno State.

‘I presented her with N1 million to support her family. She should be a role model for all men and women in Borno State,’ she said.

Also, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, announced additional support in the form of vocational equipment and food items for her.

‘Her action, especially given her financial challenges, is a rare and inspiring display of integrity, which shows that honesty is not determined by wealth but character,’ said Gambo.

Another good Samaritan who did not want his name mentioned donated N2.5 million to Faiza, describing her honesty as a rare quality that people should emulate.

Presenting the N2.5m cheque, the president of Da’awah Wal Irshaad Women Organisation, Borno State, Aisha Muhammad Aisami, said the philanthropist read the story in Daily Trust Newspaper and reached out to the organization to find the woman and reward her.

‘We, therefore, present this cheque of N2.5m to Faiza Abdulkadir, on behalf of our donor, who saw what she did. Daily Trust newspaper carried the story, and it’s widely spread. He is not from Borno State; he only read the story and sent the donations through us.

‘May Allah SWT make her steadfast in what she did and reward the donor and all those who donated to her,’ she said.

Responding, Faiza thanked the donor and the Da’awa organisation that facilitated the donation, while calling on people to fear God and stick to the boundaries.

‘If you fear God, anything that doesn’t belong to you would not attract you. We should always prepare for eternal life, hereafter, not to be deceived by the worldly gains that are temporary,’ she said.

God provided me a home – Faiza

Faiza, who expressed profound gratitude for the support she received from people across the country, said God has miraculously answered her prayers.

‘It feels like a dream because people kept calling and sending me gifts. I was overwhelmed by the number of donations I received from people.

‘It’s always been my dream to own a house, and Allah SWT has answered my prayers. I want to thank you people for amplifying my story and the donors for changing my life,’ Faiza said when asked what she plans to do with the donations.

The move by the federal government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 continues to generate disquiet in the sector with industry analysts and experts cautioning that such a move has far-reaching implications on the sector.

Besides they said it could destabilise the sector as the PIA is barely five years into its operation.

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved the amendment aimed at whittling the powers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Also it was learnt that part of the proposed amendment is to vest the power and role of concessionaire of all oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The proposed amendment would also make the NUPRC the representative of the Federation in all Joint Venture (JV) agreements with the international oil companies (IOCs) and independent companies.

Also proposed is the removal of the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI) as a shareholder of NNPC, while making the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) the sole shareholder of the national oil company.

Daily Trust reports that the federal government has JVs, Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), Sole Risks and other contractual arrangements with the IOCs. In most cases the NNPC has 60 per cent while the IOC holds 40 per cent.

If the amendment scales through the management of these JV assets would come directly under the NUPRC.

Relevant federal agencies were said to have been notified of the proposed amendment to the PIA 2021. However, the draft of the Bill is not yet in the public domain.

However, the move is generating disquiet in the sector with stakeholders warning that the amendment might destabilize the industry just a few years into the life of the PIA.

Petroleum expert and Technical Director at Template Design Limited, Bala Zaka, expressed concerns with the petroleum industry bill before it even became an Act, saying its inability to provide a win-win situation for investors and the government led to the exodus of international companies from the onshore operations.

‘For somebody like me, those were the kind of laws that needed to be introduced and some modified so that we’re going to enjoy the benefits of activities in the oil and gas industry. That was my thought when the idea of a petroleum industry bill came up,’ he said.

He added that the law ended leading to, first of all, deregulation and a skewed deregulation that encouraged some indirect hostilities that were going to force some of the international oil and gas companies to abandon the conditions and oil fields that they have developed on land and swamp and shallow waters and only concentrate on deep offshore.

He said, ‘But when the Act came up finally, the Act ended up becoming skewed. It was very clear that the Act ended up incorporating so many things that people like me with an objective mind didn’t expect. Because some of the things we discovered are rearing their heads now. First of all, it came up with deregulation.

‘Deregulation without control. Instead of focusing on liberalisation, that will make sure we invite additional investors, but also make sure there is proper organisation so that the Nigerian government, either through NNPC or whichever body, will be able to regulate in the interest of investors and the government. It didn’t do that.’

He lamented that the Act has ended up trying to privatise all the national patrimony of citizens.

‘When you go to other countries, till this moment, you see both local and international oil and gas investors investing or carrying out peaceful activities on land concessions, shallow waters, swamps, and deep offshore.

‘But with this Act now, all of us have seen that all the international oil companies have experienced artificial business climate hostilities that have forced them to leave the concessions they had on land and swamp. Many of them have run deep offshore. And the few of them that are remaining decided to leave Nigeria. That was not the kind of petroleum industry Act that I expected.’

‘A sector can be liberalised and it will do well. In the context of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, I expected to see more of liberalisation. There is a major difference between liberalisation and deregulation. When you liberalise, you allow more players to come in, but you also make sure the powers of regulatory authorities in that country are not diluted. No country will go and allow the powers of regulatory agencies to be diluted. Once you allow their powers to be diluted, then that country or that agency or that country will be like a banana republic.

‘What we should rather do in the context of Nigeria is this. Those you have put in charge of those regulatory agencies, if they are not doing well, continue to change them until you get the right people.’

On his part, Wumi Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, said concerns regarding PIA amendments shortly after its enactment may lead to policy instability, discourage long-term investment, and be perceived as benefiting select interests, thereby undermining the act’s original objectives of stability and investor confidence.

The newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, played host to some key opposition figures led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and declared that he is no longer one of them having assumed the role of a traditional ruler.

Oba Ladoja, a former governor and Senator in Oyo State, was crowned the 44th Olubadan at the well-attended coronation in Ibadan, last Friday.

President Bola Tinubu, four serving governors including the host, Governor Seyi Makinde, first-class monarchs and other top personalities graced the occasion.

However, Atiku, who was absent at the ceremony, on Tuesday, led the former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu, former Governors of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke and other prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pay homage to the Olubadan.

Atiku attributed his non-appearance at the coronation of the former Governor to protocol arrangements.

Speaking with at the private residence of tge new Olubadan in Ibadan, Atiku said it was not intentional not to honour Oba Ladoja during the coronation.

He said, ‘We are here to say congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja. We regretted that we didn’t attend the coronation. It was not intentional. Protocol arrangements did not allow us to come during the coronation, not that we didn’t want to come.

‘We know your roles and relationship with some of us. We are here to congratulate you. Kindly accept our apologies for not making it to the coronation. We regret not attending the programme.’

Responding, Oba Ladoja declared that he is no longer a politician, adding that he had good times with Atiku and other politicians in the country.

‘I’m not one of you again. I am Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I am for everybody now. I am no longer one of you. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.

‘Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in anything other than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.

‘We started from the Social Democratic Party, we were in exile together, we were in the Peoples Democratic Party together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.

‘All the religious leaders said that the only thing the leaders can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people. Ibadan people, the state, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice,’ the monarch said.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria will not disintegrate under his watch.

This is just as he asked Nigerians to stop talking about the country in the negative tone.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday while unveiling the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.

Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m for the reopening ceremony of the monument.

The President had in July 2024 renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.

The renovation of the Centre was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy provided policy direction and oversight, guiding the transformation of the facility into a national asset and a launchpad for Nigeria’s creative industries.

At the unveiling on Wednesday, Tinubu was joined by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, H.E. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the host of the occasion, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu reiterated his position that the worst is over the economic crisis and urged Nigerians to believe in themselves and give others hope they need.

‘From now on like I said yesterday, the worst is over, the economy has recovered. I’m confident that prosperity will come. Believe in yourself and give everybody the hope they need. Lift the spirit of our people.

‘This is the giant of Africa, it won’t fall on you, it wont disintegrate in my hand,’ he said.

He also urged Nigerians to stop talking about the country in the negative tone.

‘Tonight, let me say something that is very important to me, to you, government and Nigerians in diaspora, which is – stop talking about Nigeria in the negative tone. This is a country of very proud people. It is about ourselves, believing in something we inherited from our parents and great forebearers. A nation of great people, confident and dedicated.

‘Let’s build it together, this country will succeed and it is with you, myself and many other people who may not be here.

‘Please, lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria, put Nigeria first. That’s all I need to emphasize tonight. It has been a wonderful evening, I have enjoyed myself.’

Tinubu described Soyinka as one of the greatest assets of the world, saying he has contributed to nation building, courage and freedom.

‘So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,’ Tinubu said.

In his welcome remarks, the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, said the Wole Soyinka Centre is more than a renovation, but a rebirth.

He said the centre’s iconic silhouette has been preserved while delivering world-class performance halls, cinema spaces, exhibition galleries, an African literature library,

rehearsal rooms, media and medical facilities, and fully modernised

infrastructure.

According to him, the surrounding grounds now offer gardens, outdoor exhibition

areas, upgraded access, and seamless integration with the Lagos Blue Line

rail, placing culture at the heart of city life.

He said ‘This edifice has stood for nearly half a century as a proud symbol of our

heritage. Completed in 1976 and inaugurated at FESTAC ’77, it became a

beacon of African creativity and a repository of our shared history. Many here

will recall both its golden years of cultural vibrancy and the long period of

neglect that followed. Even in silence, however, the Theatre remained the

soul of our cultural identity, awaiting revival. Today, that day has come.

‘The performances we have witnessed today by ensembles from across

Nigeria bring this Centre to life and remind us that its true power lies not only

in its architecture but in the voices, movements, and stories it will host.

‘Allow me to emphasize that none of this would have been possible without

extraordinary partnerships. The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bankers’

Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, and

the Creative Economy came together with a shared purpose to deliver this

national project, with the Bankers’ Committee alone committing

approximately ?68 billion, not as corporate social responsibility but as a

deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future. This project stands as proof

that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national

purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve.’

Responding, Soyinka said ‘In all seriousness, I want to thank you for this honour. Those of you who’ve been involved in it, including your president, who’s a great conspirator, who knows how to lay ambush here and there. It’s okay. This netted yet another victim, and I want to thank you. And for all those who’ll be using this hall, let me remind you that I really represent the preoccupation, the commitment, the commitment of others. My hope is that with the recreation of this building, this institution, we won’t be going all the way to Abu Dhabi to watch African theatre.’

Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, last week in Lagos, led its various subsidiaries to make a commanding impression at the recently concluded BIG 5 and ECOBANK Expositions, showcasing the unique innovation, craftsmanship, and expansive portfolio alongside its subsidiaries.

While the Big 5 event took place at the historic Landmark Events Centre, the other held inside the expansive ECOBANK Pan African Centre, Lagos.

Conscious of the opportunity the development presented to stakeholders in the sector, Nigeria’s best in the provision of aluminium and glass solutions, ABUMET, the pioneer in design and engineering in the country, PrimeTech Nigeria Ltd as well as the company’s Excellence Centre and Julius Berger Precast Services stormed the landmark event with new innovations and revised editions of their products and services at the Landmark Event Centre.

Each Julius Berger subsidiary brought their unique flair to the events. From cutting-edge architectural designs to advanced solutions and premium aluminium systems. The stands reflected the group’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement.

A Facility Manager and officer in charge of the company’s Excellence Centre, Aleksandar Serafimoski said the Centre has a little bit more diverse portfolio.

The Commercial Manager for the Julius Berger Precast Services, Christian Bauer, said, ‘We are representing Julius Berger, and what we are basically trying to do is to showcase that we are branching out into smaller scales.’

The value of the Naira is typically compared to the U.S. dollar, which is the most widely used currency for trade and other international transactions and the world’s primary reserve currency.

Luckily for the Naira, the dollar is losing its value. In 2025, the dollar had lost about 11 per cent of its value against major currencies, dropping to its lowest value in over 50 years. Analysts describe it as one of the biggest falls since the 1970s. However, the dollar will recover; even the blind can see that.

But the issue is, what will Nigeria do when that happens? Before we answer that, we must know the value of the Naira at the moment.

Few things stir as much debate in Nigeria as the value of the Naira. It is true that, after years of relentless devaluation due to World Bank and IMF policy prescriptions tied to their loan conditions, the Naira has gained about 11 per cent against the dollar over the past year. The result is a rare moment when the Naira, long seen as perpetually weak, has appreciated even as the world’s reserve currency has stumbled.

Some say it is too strong, kept afloat by Central Bank trickery. Others insist it is too weak, beaten down by years of inflation and policy blunders. Both sides cannot be right. So, is the Naira overvalued or undervalued?

For clarity, when the Naira is overvalued, it means when it trades stronger than its true worth-say the Naira sells at N500 per USD while the fair value is actually N1,000. This will lead to exports suffering as goods will be costly abroad, but imports will become cheaper. On the other hand, the Naira is undervalued when it trades at a price weaker than its fair value-say N1,500 per USD against a fair value of N500. It will gain from exports with cheaper prices abroad, but imports grow costly, fuelling local inflation. For the record, an import-dependent economy should always seek to have cheaper imports.

As of late September, the official market places the Naira at roughly N1,500 to the dollar. On the streets, the going rate is only slightly worse, about N1,515. Compared to the chaos of a few years ago, when the gap between official and parallel rates was wide, this looks like progress on paper.

But the calm on paper only hides a real storm. The cost of the merger is being passed on to the final consumer, resulting in inflation on imported goods. Headline inflation is still punishing, running at over 21 per cent, but the 2025 budget estimated it to be 15 per cent. External debt service this year alone amounts to $5.4 billion. Foreign reserves are recovering but remain fragile. Oil still makes up more than 50 per cent of export earnings in 2025. In short, the fundamentals remain unsteady, but it is not for me to say.

A simple way to check the value of the Naira is by comparing what money buys at home and abroad. The Big Mac Index can be used here because it is a global symbol of standardisation. Assume the Big Mac burger sells for $5.79 in the U.S., while the same burger costs N3900 in Abuja. We can get the ‘implied’ exchange rate by dividing the Abuja price by the American price, which will mean about N1029 to the dollar. If we compare it with the current selling rate of N1,500, the Naira is 31 per cent, or almost three times, weaker than it ‘should’ be. That is the definition of undervaluation.

Another approach comes from the World Bank. Its figures, which compare the purchasing power of whole economies, tell a similar story. In 2023, when the dollar was around N950, the World Bank’s PPP index classified the Naira as undervalued by about 35 per cent. With soaring inflation despite rebasing and multiple devaluations since then, the gap today is probably closer to 200 per cent. In plain words, Nigerian goods and services are three times cheaper than their fair global value-this supports the result from our burger maths.

Of course, not everyone agrees. But in the reality of average Nigerians, where every imported good-from petrol to paracetamol-costs more than ever, most local analysts side with the view that the Naira is undervalued, though perhaps not as dramatically as our burger calculations show.

But let’s be clear, undervaluation is not all bad, especially for an export-oriented economy. A weaker currency makes exports more competitive. Oil, cocoa, sesame, and even manufactured goods all become cheaper to foreign buyers. That is useful for a government keen to diversify beyond oil.

But undervaluation has a dark side, especially for an import-dependent economy. Imports become painfully expensive. Nigerians rely on imports for fuel, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, and machinery. When the Naira trades at a steep discount, these goods cost far more than they should. Inflation rises, wages lose their purchasing power, and the average family feels poorer.

This is the cruel trade-off. What helps the exporter hurts the consumer. A cheap Naira may look good on paper, but on the ground, it is hardship and the cost-of-living crisis. Thanks to the deliberate, imperialist conditions imposed by the World Bank and the IMF, which devalued the Naira, among other reckless policies adopted by administrators of this administration.

So, what next? Much depends on the Central Bank’s ability to reconsider its policies. Dollar reserves are edging back towards $42 billion in 2025 from $33 billion in 2023. Surely, this is some breathing space. As long as the reserves continue to rise and the monetary policy is right, the Naira could even appreciate towards N750 per dollar. That would ease import costs and give consumers some relief.

However, this is pure blue-sky thinking. There are risks everywhere. The scariest part is that with one external action, everything will take the Naira back to its highly volatile position. A shift in US monetary policy, and this is inevitable, will make the dollar stronger. Speculation will likely increase dollar demand, and the Naira will likely be in free fall, with the dollar possibly reaching N2000 or higher. Given the heavy debt service burden, the CBN will have limited firepower to defend the Naira ‘when’ the pressure builds. Of course, we can borrow a leaf from Argentina and see how the US is planning to rescue it.

However we read it, the lesson will be grim. For households, the currency debate is not abstract economics. It is the daily reality of prices in the market. For businesses, it is the difference between competitiveness and collapse. For policymakers, it is a warning: patchwork reforms will not do.

One way to recover the Naira’s value is to address the structural problems-such as blindly accepting World Bank and IMF loan conditions, reliance on imports, overdependence on oil, and a lack of confidence among both local and foreign investors.

Until then, the Naira will remain what it is today: undervalued, unpredictable, and the image of our economic contradictions.

The Future is Now project has demanded 70% youth representation in House of Representatives, State Assemblies across Nigeria.

The demand was made at the unveiling of the project at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Young leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria converged at the event for the project.

Participants unanimously declared that the time for youth to claim their rightful place at the decision-making table is now. The emphasized that young Nigerians were not merely the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today.

Speaking at the event, the convener, a former presidential aide Laolu Akande, said the project is considering an ambitious target before the next election cycle.

He said the project is seeking ‘at least 70% of Local Government Chairmanship seats to be held by youths under 35 years; 70% of State House of Assembly seats to be occupied by youths under 35 years; 70% of House of Representatives seats to be contested for and won by youths under 40 years; and a minimum of 50% of executive appointments at both Federal and State levels reserved for Nigerians under 40 years.’

However, the interim chairman of the project, who is the member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal constituency, Abdussamad Dasuki, described the project as a national commitment to dramatically increase youth leadership at all levels of governance.

He said, while signing of the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018 served as a step forward, persistent barriers still prevent meaningful youth participation in governance.

Rep Dasuki called for a generational shift, where younger leaders not only contest elections but are supported to win and lead.

Dasuki said, ‘Today, we are not just announcing a project, but igniting a movement, one born of sacrifice, fueled by persuasion and courage, and sustained by the dreams of millions of Nigerian youth. The Future is not tomorrow – the Future is Now.

‘When a large demographic feels excluded from decision-making, frustration festers. We must act now, not only to empower, but to prevent disillusionment that can lead to instability.’

Present at the unveiling were former Minister of Youth, Solomon Dalung; Hon Ibrahim Bello Haliru (the youngest member of the National Assembly); Hon. Henry Shield; Hon Salisu Yakassai and Hon David Oloto.

After obtaining a National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science from the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mu’azu Alhaji Modu, popularly known as Village Boy, turned down a job offer with Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank). Instead, he chose to dedicate himself to community service and accountability.

As a Mandela Washington Fellow, Mu’azu committed himself to building the next generation of civic leaders and redefining Nigeria’s future through the Youth Civic Engagement Academy. The academy, launched in 2023, empowers and supports young people across the country to become active drivers of civic change in their communities.

His passion for change also inspired the creation of Spotlight Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A), a non-profit organisation focused on preventing corruption, ensuring effective resource allocation, and promoting trust in public institutions.

Mu’azu recalls that his journey into civic leadership began in 2016 while pursuing his Postgraduate Diploma at ATBU, Bauchi. He became involved with the FollowTheMoney movement founded by Hamzat B. Lawal. A few months later, he was offered a bank job but chose activism instead. ‘My journey of civic leadership and development began in 2016, while doing my post-graduate diploma (PGD) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State. I started my activism with ‘FollowTheMoney’ movement founded by Hamzat B. Lawal. A few months later, I got a job with GT Bank, with a salary of N76,000, but in ‘FollowTheMoney’ I was only earning N3,000. I asked myself if I actually wanted the job or the money. I realised that I didn’t want the money, I wanted to impact the lives of others, so I turned down the bank job and continued with the movement in 2016.’

He explained that the movement soon expanded, and he became one of the first three people selected to run a state chapter in 2017. The group gained recognition for asking critical questions about governance in Yobe, and eventually eight government agencies began collaborating with FollowTheMoney to promote transparency and accountability.

With a background in computer science, Mu’azu ensured all their activities were properly documented and published online. This commitment to transparency opened more opportunities, including his selection as a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2018.

At a workshop for community leaders

‘I applied for a Mandela Fellowship; luckily for me, I was selected in the second year of my career, in 2018. I participated in a six-week-long programme in the United State (US). Because of the proper and constant documentation of what we do, the impact and the human angle stories helped me a lot in terms of getting these kinds of opportunities.’

On his return, he was encouraged by mentors to establish his own organisation. He also rose to become North-East regional lead, and later Country Director of FollowTheMoney in Nigeria. In 2019, he incorporated Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A) as an independent trustee.

The African Youth Charter defines youth as individuals between 15 and 35. Now at the edge of that age bracket, Mu’azu says his mission is to empower others.

‘At FollowTheMoney and Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative (ST and A), something always comes to my mind. We are aging; and as young people, we ought to do things right now, because it is impossible to continue like this forever. I’m 35 now, next year, I will be 36 and based on the United Nations definition of youth, I will no longer be a youth from next year.’

This concern inspired the Youth Civic Engagement Academy. Launched in 2023 with 12 members across Yobe State, the initiative provided boot camp training, mentorship from UK-based Leadership Platform, and technical support from experts across sectors. Participants also received small grants to implement community projects.

The programme expanded to 20 fellows in 2024, and is now being scaled across the North-East, with plans to extend nationwide.

Through the academy, fellows have tackled issues in education, public health, environmental sustainability, gender-based violence, and civic engagement. Mu’azu said the first cohort reached about 50,000 people, while the second directly reached 200,000, and indirectly impacted over 500,000.

‘We’ve a system in place that tracks their performance and progress through our monitoring and evaluation system. These young people are doing an amazing job beyond our expectations. The money we are giving them is just small but they manage to do massive projects which are directly touching the lives of young people in their communities.’

In 2019, Mu’azu also introduced citizen-led tracking, a project that has monitored over 200 government initiatives across North-East Nigeria, impacting more than two million lives in five years.

‘Under the citizen-led tracking project, we have tracked over 200 projects across North-eastern Nigeria. We directly reached over 200 communities and tracked over N6 billion earmarked for basic education, primary healthcare, as well as affordable and potable drinking water, which impacted over two million people.

Also, under our ‘Know Your Legislators’, I believe we are the first organization in Nigeria that published the names, pictures, gender, political party, disability status, and other information of all 993 elected members of the 36 States Houses of Assembly.

Under the Youth Civic Engagement Academy, we have trained over 33 people, and an additional set of 25 people will be joining in September. We have also trained more than 500 people through our citizen-led tracking across communities in the North East.’

Despite numerous awards and recognition, Mu’azu believes the real success will be measured by the next generation of leaders.

‘These kinds of recognitions that we received, beyond the impact that we are making, are really encouraging us to do more but no matter how well you think you are doing it, you cannot do it forever. So we are looking at building the next generation to take over from us because in the next two or three years, we might be doing other things. So, before we leave, we want to see that there are people who will continue or even do better than what we have done in communities across Nigeria.’

He added that his vision is to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen democratic governance.

‘The legacy that I want to leave is to bring in people that are better than I am to continue doing the work, and I’m confident that the vision is already here. A lot of young people that we trained are doing amazing work, they are even two steps ahead of what we are doing. Because we are in the era of AI, they are using AI to do amazing work.’

Graduates of the academy testify to its impact.

Abubakar Musa Waziri, a member of the first cohort, said:

‘The Academy has equipped me with knowledge that for years I have been looking for but I did not get. Now, I understand what local government is all about. I also learnt how to identify a problem in the community and strategically provide a solution to that challenge or problem.

After rigorous training, I was given a mini grant to implement a civic action project in my community, which is in Fune LGA. I selected two people per ward, and trained them on the roles of local government and how they can demand accountability and transparency from the local government councils.’

Similarly, Aisha Alhaji Abba, a sociology graduate with a passion for civic engagement and humanitarian work, described her experience as transformative.

‘After six months of training at the Youth Civic Engagement Academy, I was given a mini-grant to do a project. So, I engaged with stakeholders and developed a step-down training for more than 20 young people, where we talked about the process of demanding accountability within the Almajiri system of education.’

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is set for its 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) with ‘Nigeria first’ policy in focus of the discussion at the event expected to attract thousands of manufacturers, policy makers and exhibitors.

Addressing newsmen on the forthcoming AGM in Lagos between October 14 and 16, the President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, announced Aliko Dangote, Africa’s leading industrialist, President/ CEO of the Dangote Group as the Guest Speaker.

The theme of the AGM is ‘Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made in Nigeria.’

Meshioye said the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy ‘is more than a policy directive, it is a call to action to strengthen our industries, deepen local value chains and reposition Nigeria from being a consumer driven economy to a productive economy.’

According to him, the policy represents a turning point for our nation, one that seeks to foster economic self-reliance, industrialization and national pride. ‘By mandating all Ministries, Departments, and agencies (MDAs) to patronize made in Nigeria goods and services that can be sourced locally, the Federal Government has signalled its resolve to place local industries at the heart of economic transformation,’ he said.

MAN President also hinted that the Guest of Honour on this occasion is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while other Economic Ministers, heads of government departments and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, Organized Private Sector and other stakeholders attended the grand finale of the AGM.