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Many motorists and road users are feared dead as a fuel laden tanker on Friday fell and triggered fire along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway in Ogun State.

It was gathered that the tanker fell on its side and spilled its content along the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu/Interchange stretch of the expressway.

The spokesman of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, in a traffic alert, said the development resulted into a fire outbreak.

He blamed the crash on speeding and loss of control on the part of the driver.

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Akinbiyi said the casualty figures could not be ascertained yet, but rescue and emergency services are ongoing.

The statement read, ‘The case of an inferno caused by a 30,000 fuel laden tanker which fell on its side and dispensing its content in the wee-hours of today around 0100hrs (1am), along the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagam/Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway, due excessive speed and loss of control has been reported.

‘The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the road side, as well as the destruction of a cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

‘Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue/emergency services made of the TRACE, Ogun State and Nestle PLC Fire Service, FRSC and the Police are still on ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and decantation process.

‘The general public, particularly the motoring public on transit along the route are implored to be calm, patient and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic put in place by TRACE, Police, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, AMOTEKUN and the NSCDC.

‘However, any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident is highly regretted.’

The positive rally of the local currency against the dollar continued yesterday with the naira exchanging at N1,455 to one dollar even as forex speculation declined, at an all-time low as the gap between the official and parallel market rates has significantly dropped.

The naira, which has sustained rally across markets in recent months, trading at N1,455/$ as of yesterday according to the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and N1,460 to N1,470,$ at the unofficial black market.

Daily Trust reports that the naira is making its strongest gain in the year with the improvement attributed to surge in foreign reserves to $43.05 billion and drop in speculative FX activities as the impact of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) reforms continue to drive positive sentiments and confidence across markets, according to analysts.

A country’s currency is an instrument of her pride. For the Nigeria naira, a turbulent past that saw it lose its significant value is almost over, according to analysts.

The local currency rebound is being driven by a combination of stronger demand for the naira, reduced speculative trading, and rising foreign reserves now at $43.05 billion.

Besides, the forex reforms instituted by the CBN Olayemi Cardoso are now yielding great benefits from reduction in forex speculation and narrowing of gaps between official and parallel markets.

The CBN leadership has continued to take major steps to keep the naira stable in line with its exchange rate stability objective.

The apex bank is boosting FX supply to retail end users, reducing distortions in the market and maintaining effective foreign reserves management and accretions.

The injection of liquidity into the market and rising compliance with FX regulations have reduced sharp depreciation of the naira at official and parallel markets and buoyed foreign investors’ interest in the domestic economy.

The naira stability is also driven by inflows from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), substantial contributions from International Oil Companies (IOCs), and the CBN’s interventions to authorised dealers.

There is also renewed interest of Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the FX market-driven by improved market confidence, a more efficient FX framework, and strengthening macroeconomic conditions.

The CBN chief Cardoso recently announced that gross external reserves remained robust at $43.05 billion on September 11, 2025, compared with $40.51 billion at end-July 2025 with an import cover of 8.28 months.

‘Similarly, the second quarter 2025 current account balance recorded a significant surplus of $5.28 billion compared with $2.85 billion in the first quarter of 2025,’ Cardoso stated during the 302nd monetary policy committee meeting held in Abuja last week.

FX speculations drop

A Bureaux De Change (BDC) trader based in Marina, central Lagos, Garuba Sarki, said many dealers lost huge funds as they sold below purchase rates as exchange rate gap narrowed.

‘I know some BDC operators that sold dollars below the purchasing rate. This is expected to continue in the weeks ahead. Also, the expected dollar inflows to the economy will help strengthen the naira position against the dollar,’ he said.

Analysts at Commercio Partners attributed the rally and gradual narrowing of the exchange rate gap to a combination of stronger demand for the naira, reduced speculative trading, and improved foreign reserves.

Head of Research at Commercio Partners, Ifeanyi Ubah, expressed optimism that the positive sentiment would be sustained in the near term, supported by increasing external buffers.

‘Nigeria’s rising external reserves are reflecting a healthier external position for the country. With reserves strengthening, speculative activity subsiding, and oil earnings supporting inflows, many market watchers believe the naira’s current rally has a stronger foundation compared to previous cycles of volatility,’ he said.

Call for caution

However, other experts caution that sustaining this momentum will depend on the government’s ability to maintain macroeconomic discipline, boost crude oil production, and diversify export earnings.

President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said key policies like the Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, rising investors’ confidence, and foreign direct investment supporting policies are effectively putting FX speculators in check.

He said the FX Code implementation is comprehensively addressing various aspects of market conduct and practices.

Daily Trust reports that the policy authorises the CBN to establish and enforce directives regarding the standards for financial institutions under which FX deals are to be conducted.

Gwadabe said the code further entrenches transparency and accountability in the FX market, and continually sustains naira stability and rally.

He also backed CBN’s position that all institutions engaged in the foreign exchange market must also provide the CBN with a detailed implementation plan outlining how they intend to achieve full compliance with the FX Code.

Cardoso had at the launch of the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code), emphasised integrity, fairness, transparency, and efficiency as critical pillars for driving Nigeria’s economic growth and stability.

According to Cardoso, ‘The FX Code represents a decisive step forward, setting clear and enforceable standards for ethical conduct, transparency, and good governance in our foreign exchange market. The era of opaque practices is over. The FX Code marks a new era of compliance and accountability. Under the CBN Act 2007 and BOFIA Act 2020, violations will be met with penalties and administrative actions.’

Gwadabe, said the policy shifts showed the level of creativity, policy and hard work the Cardoso puts in ensuring that more forex flows into the economy and remain accessible to businesses.

Boosting remittances inflows

As part of its efforts to boost diaspora remittances and support naira stability, the CBN recently announced the introduction of two new financial products designed to serve Nigerians living abroad.

The Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account was created to streamline remittances, encourage investments, and foster financial inclusion among Nigerians in the diaspora.

It said, ‘The Central Bank of Nigeria is pleased to inform the general public of the introduction of the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account targeted at Nigerians in diaspora.’

The Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account was designed to facilitate remittances by allowing non-resident Nigerians to remit foreign earnings into Nigeria and manage funds in foreign currency or naira.

Deposits from sources such as salaries, allowances, and dividends are supported, alongside spending on family maintenance, education, and healthcare.

On the other hand, the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account provides an opportunity for NRNs to invest in Nigeria’s financial markets, including foreign currency-denominated bonds, fixed deposits, and local assets like equities, government securities, and mortgage products.

The CBN explained that both accounts offer currency flexibility, enabling holders to maintain balances in either foreign currency or naira.

Account holders will also be able to convert funds between the two currencies at prevailing exchange rates through authorised dealers.

The CBN’s initiatives have supported continued growth in these inflows, aligning with the institution’s objective of doubling formal remittance receipts within a year.

The remittances in the economy is expected to increase based on CBN’s ongoing efforts to bolster public confidence in the foreign exchange market, strengthen a robust and inclusive banking system, and promote price stability, which is essential for sustained economic growth.

In a report: ‘Diaspora remittances: The power behind Africa’s sustainable growth’, Regional Vice President of Africa at Western Union, Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, said remittances may be measured through the movement of money, but their real impact is measured in lives changed.

He disclosed that in 2023 alone, $90 billion flowed into Africa from its global diaspora, an amount that rivals the Gross Domestic Product of the entire region.

He said that remittances symbolize deep ties that keep communities connected across borders. ‘Families with a breadwinner working abroad depend on these funds to provide vital support for day-to-day needs. They also build the foundation for broader financial stability,’ he said.

For remittances to be truly transformational, it begins with understanding and meeting people’s aspirations. Ensuring individuals who strive for more can send and receive funds, regardless of their financial status, is crucial. We must cater to diverse needs.

‘In a continent renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, offering multiple channels for remittance access is key. Whether through bank accounts, digital wallets, mobile money apps, or cash pickups, this flexibility ensures that funds are delivered in ways that best suit local realities. Providing innovative and inclusive solutions empowers individuals to not only manage their immediate needs but also to invest in long-term growth opportunities,’ he added.

According to him, every remittance is a seed of change – a deliberate investment in a future where borders blur.

‘The future of remittances in Africa transcends mere financial support. By strategically directing funds into sectors that need them most, Africa’s diaspora is not just sending money home; they are building resilient economies and challenging traditional models of progress,’ he said.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, says the commission has secured a cost relief of over N19 billion for Nigerian pilgrims in preparation for the 2026 Hajj.

Usman disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on Friday upon his return from Saudi Arabia, where he embarked on an emergency visit on September 22 to negotiate improved service delivery and cost efficiency for Nigerian intending pilgrims.

According to him, the relief followed engagements with Saudi partners and executives of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, which resulted in a reduction of over N200,000 per pilgrim across the 66,910 slots allocated to Nigeria.

‘This achievement is not just negotiation, but results. It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at easing the burden on our people,’ the NAHCON boss said. He noted that beyond the relief, the trip laid a stronger foundation for the 2026 exercise, with several contracts already signed. These include Masha’ir services with Mashariq Dhahabiyya Company, transport services with Daleel Al-Ma’aleem, and accommodation and feeding services in Madinah’s Markaziyya area at competitive rates.

The chairman added that NAHCON had held frank discussions with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, drawing from the lessons of the 2025 Hajj to make firm recommendations for better service delivery.

He also announced the inauguration of the 2026 Hajj Tour Operators Screening Committee, saying only qualified operators would be cleared to serve Nigerian pilgrims.

‘The days of shortcuts and cutting corners are over,’ Usman stressed.

In addition, NAHCON has commenced intensive staff training to sharpen its workforce ahead of the commencement of operations.

On Hajj fares, Usman said the 2026 rates were deliberately announced early to encourage timely payments and smooth planning. The fares include Maiduguri/Yola axis to pay N8,118,333.67; northern states N8,244,813.67 and southern states N8,561,013.67.

He emphasized that by October 8, 2025, states are expected to remit 50 percent of fares to NAHCON to maintain their allocations, while full payment by all pilgrims must be completed by December 31, 2025.

‘These deadlines are not just administrative. They are crucial to guarantee early camp bookings, stronger contracts, and efficient services,’ he explained.

Usman urged discipline, foresight and cooperation from stakeholders, saying the success of the 2026 Hajj must be built early rather than improvised.

Motorists using the Abuja-Keffi highway continue to face agonizing delays around the Mararaba community in the Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State. Abuja Metro reports that Mararaba town, which is densely populated due to its proximity to Abuja, is suffering from a lack of a good road network. This includes the major highway which serves as a critical entry point to the nation’s capital.

Vehicles, including those that convey the hundreds of commuters who travel into Abuja for work in the morning and return to communities as far as Keffi in the evening, are frequently caught in gridlock in Mararaba.

When Abuja Metro visited the road at the weekend, motorists directly linked traffic gridlock to the numerous potholes on the road.

A trip that should take less than 30 minutes now lasts between three and four hours, leaving commuters exhausted and businesses drained.

The congestion is most severe along the one-kilometer stretch from Zenith Bank Junction through Building Materials to Sharp Corner U-turn, where potholes, flooding, and poor road design have turned daily travel into a nightmare.

A resident, Victor Balogun, said ‘I spend more than one hour from Mararaba to AYA, a journey that should take less than 10 minutes.

”From Mararaba to this checkpoint alone, we spend more than three hours. People are suffering on this road.’

A tricycle operator, Chinedu Valentine, described the situation as unbearable, urging government to act:

‘The traffic is too much; people are stranded every day. Government should help us, we don’t know what to do again,’ he pleaded.

A resident, Mustapha Sani, said there was jubilation last December when the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, awarded a contract for rehabilitating the expressway to Messrs China Harbour Engineering Co. Nigeria Limited.

He disclosed that the project commenced early this year from the area where the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) shares a boundary with Nasarawa State, starting with the lane leading toward Keffi.

He said the work has so far been executed around communities along that lane, including New Nyanya, Masaka, and Auta-Balaifi, with similar work progressing from the Keffi town axis. As a result, motorists now enjoy a hitch-free movement along the rehabilitated lane, but are unfortunately suffering ‘hell experience’ on the opposite lane.

Mustapha listed about six notorious potholes along the affected lane in Mararaba town, starting around the Orange Market junction and moving to locations including: Shafa filling station, ECWA church U-Turn, Aso junction, Sharp-corner, and the Building Materials Market near Zenith Bank. He noted that all the listed locations are often flooded during the rainy season, forcing motorists to move slowly or even remain parked for extended periods.

Sani demanded that the construction company responsible for the project fast-track their work and make an emergency effort to fix the affected potholes to save motorists from unnecessary wastage of working hours.

He added that the situation is also affecting residents with emergency needs, such as those being taken to hospitals, as well as school students.

Sani also pointed out that motorists and commercial motorcyclists or tricyclists are causing accidents by driving against traffic (one-way or opposite direction) in an effort to avoid the gridlock.

Economic impact and commuter woes

Also speaking, a trader at the Building Materials Market in Mararaba town, Ayogwu Okudele, said the situation has caused them to lose patronage.

According to him, many customers can no longer afford to visit the market and are instead going to other neighboring markets within or outside the community.

He noted that many of their members have to engage the services of commercial motorcyclists when coming to or leaving the market to reach their destinations on time.

Our reporter gathered that commercial bikes are charging between N500 to N1,000 for a short trip from desperate clients who cannot afford to miss their appointments.

A commercial motorist operating along the road, Hassan Ogbola, said that drivers, on average, spend between one to two hours around the listed potholes alone and must visit a mechanic frequently to repair damaged parts.

He disclosed that he makes only about three round trips to Abuja on average days, lasting from morning until he closes in the evening, all under ‘difficult experience.’

Ya’u Adamu, the secretary of the Gravel and Sharp Sand Suppliers, Mararaba branch, linked the problem of the potholes to the absence of functional drainages and culverts around some portions of the road. He said their union previously used to volunteer by supplying gravel and stones to refill the potholes where necessary, but the situation has now grown beyond their capacity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has mobilised civilians JTF fighters and troops to Kirawa, a town in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) following the withdrawal of Cameroonian soldiers stationed in the town.

Boko Haram terrorists had invaded the town after the soldiers’ exit, killing residents and setting houses ablaze.

During an assessment visit on Friday, Zulum regretted the incessant terrorist attacks on the town.

‘Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn but that doesn’t mean that the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant,’ he said.

‘We resettled this town about 7 years ago, with the support of Cameroonian soldiers. Unfortunately, they (returnees) were displaced by the insurgents.

‘I duly notified the Nigerian military of the dangers of leaving this town without security. This is a border community. Wilgo, Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori, among others are border communities that have to be protected because of their strategic importance.

‘Unfortunately, my request did receive the deserved attention, and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalised everything we worked so hard to rebuild.

‘Two lives were lost but 50 houses and our heavy duty equipment, and eight vehicles were burnt down. We thanked God the casualties were not much.’

Zulum said he had a meeting with the Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army, and the Commander of the Multinational Task Force on the security measures to be put in place in the area.

‘All of us have agreed that within the shortest possible time, the Nigerian army will deploy soldiers to Kirawa town.

‘The second measure we have undertaken is in the area of providing support to our gallant civilian JTF and vigilante. I listened to them and we will provide them with the needed equipment to safeguard the town.

‘Most importantly, we are looking into the possibility of getting some modern technological equipment that would address insecurity challenges in the general area,’ he said.

To the people, he said: ‘You need not to panic. I see no reason why very few members of Boko Haram will come to defeat the entire community without resistance.

‘I’m also pleading with the Nigerian military to be more committed, because what matters is not the number of soldiers we need to keep here but how committed they are to fight back the terrorists during military operations.

‘Above all, we need Military operations, for sometimes, military operations were not conducted in Borno State, and that has been instrumental to what we have been witnessing now. The renewed insurgence attacks.

‘We are pleading with the federal government, and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and procure equipment so that the military operations should begin in annex since the rainy season is about to be over.

‘But you have to take note of this very important thing, which is continuing military operations, we need not to just embark on operations after a few months we slow down or withdraw’ he said.

Zulum, who stressed the need for the military to sustain operations throughout, said the UN resolution clearly states that military operations have to be followed by stabilization, recovery, reconstruction and resettlement.

‘That means, whenever we capture a certain place, we have to put in place mechanisms for all these things, otherwise, all the gains may be futile.’

‘But my only plea to the federal government as well as the Nigerian Army military is, let us do everything possible to ensure that we sustain the peace that we have achieved 7 or 8 years ago.

‘Kirawa was never displaced 7 years ago, when the security situation was so bad, and now that the security is better than before, I see no reason why Kirawa would be displaced.

‘Because, once Kirawa is being displaced, other adjoining communities like Pulka and Ngoshe would be displaced, and gradually it will reach Gwoza local government headquarters and the road be cut off.

‘Yes, I’m aware that the Nigerian Army has lean numerical strength, I’m very much aware. But we have certain strategic towns and villages that have to be kept on ground’ he added .

He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for his immediate response and the measures taken to forestall future occurrence, after the town was attacked.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has called on government agencies and the private sector to boost their patronage of Made in Nigeria products.

This is just as she endorsed the Nord automobile brand, calling on Nigerians to embrace the auto manufacturer.

The Minister spoke on October 1st 2025 when she visited the Nord automobile assembly plant inside the University of Lagos, UNILAG, to pick up her newly acquired Nord Demir SUV.

The Minister was received by the representative of the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research. Prof. Bola Oboh, as well as the Chairman of Nord Automobiles, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said: ‘With the Africa Continental free trade zone agreement, you should be able to scale your industrialization and your production, across Nigeria, you have two assembly plants, here and Epe, and your capacity is more than enough to meet increasing demand of Nigerians and I am glad that you told me that.

‘You have corporate clients, four of the top ten companies in the Nigeria Stock Exchange, we are going to be encouraging the private sector and all Nigerians to patronize Made in Nigeria products, this is a proudly Made in Nigeria product, right here at the University of Lagos where I am a product of.

‘As a ministry, we are committed to supporting your sector, and Mr. President has prioritised Nigeria First’.

Also speaking, the representative of the UNILAG VC, Prof Oboh said, ‘We are happy with the initiative of the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that made in Nigeria goods should be patronized.

‘In UNILAG, we are proud that not only do we have this assembly plant, which is also producing electric vehicles, we are proud because we are a Green campus, we have Green buses, and Nord is also about to launch their green vehicles. Our students intern here on a regular basis’.

The Nord Automobile Chairman, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi while appreciating the Minister for the support, said, ‘I am happy to say that you are a customer, or user or driver that I will always tell people about, our own Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, of my own country, drives a Nord vehicle. I am very happy about this.’

He equally thanked UNILAG for the partnership, which, according to him, ‘has transformed into one of the most important parts of the company. It has been an amazing decision for us.’

Nord Automobiles assembles a range of automobiles, including sedans, pickups, sports utility Vehicles and buses as well as electric vehicles and tricycles.

A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday criticised the leadership and members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over their recent action against Dangote Refinery.

Oshiomhole specifically described the recent union’s strike action which was suspended on Wednesday as ‘ill-considered’, arguing that new private sector investors like Dangote should be given time to stabilise before facing intense labour action.

The former governor of Edo State, who stated this when he appeared on Arise News, maintained that the union was supposed to have faced Dangote Refinery alone if at all it must fight rather than shutting other establishments.

Daily Trust reports that both PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery have been at loggerheads following the unionisation of some employees working with the refinery. The company had subsequently sacked over 800 of its employees, and replaced them with foreign nationals from Indian, according to PENGASSAN, a development both unions in the oil sector frowned at.

While the company premised its decision on alleged sabotage, the union maintained that Dangote Refinery flouted Labour laws, International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions and the Nigerian constitution.

Specifically, the development triggered a rapid response from PENGASSAN, whose members shut down export terminals, blocked vessel loading, and locked offices across oil and gas facilities.

After marathon negotiations involving the federal government, labour leaders, and security agencies, a communique was signed on Wednesday morning at about 2:30 am where Dangote Group agreed to re-fix sacked employees.

However, reacting to the development on Friday, the former NLC President noted that the oil union’s decision to shut down facilities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other firms because of issues at Dangote was ‘ill-considered’.

He said, ‘In pursuing war, you have to recognise that the tools you deploy must not hurt innocent people, like the tomato sellers who cannot get fuel to move their goods because there is a quarrel between one refinery and one union.

‘An employer has to exist, mature and be strong enough to guarantee good-paying jobs. If you cripple a business before it even finds its feet, you are also destroying the jobs you claim to protect,’ he said during the interview monitored by our Correspondent.

Oshiomhole, who is also a Senator in the 10th Assembly, said while the unions have the right to defend workers, they must do so in ways that do not create wider economic hardship.

The lawmaker, while affirming that the right to unionise is fundamental, called for caution and balance, insisting that their recent move was hasty and unfair to other workers.

He added, ‘I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers. When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs.

‘Freedom of association is not just a constitutional right, it is a God-given right. But with that freedom comes responsibility, both the employer and employee must exercise their rights in a way that is fair.’

He adde, ‘I suddenly witnessed long queues at filling stations and people came to me to ask, ‘why are we not at work today, what has happened to the oil industry?’ And the reason was that PENGASSAN had decided that NNPC be shut down, several other companies shut down, all because of a problem in one refinery.’

Referencing his reign as President of NLC, Oshiomhole maintained that when there is a dispute, a specific employer should be targeted, not all the employers in the sector.

‘We had a big battle with Union Bank of Nigeria over their policy on married couples working together. But even when we had the capacity to shut down all the banks, we didn’t. We recognised that the alleged offence of Union Bank could not be said to apply to others,’ he recalled.

Authorities of the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday, said the threats being experienced on maritime domains are often asymmetrical, fluid, and transnational in nature.

It also stressed that Nigeria, like many other nations in the Global South, stands at a critical crossroads, adding that Nigeria’s national security landscape is rapidly evolving.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, stated this at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, during a seminar on research and development for senior officers.

Daily Trust reports that the seminar, with the theme: ‘Utilizing Emerging Technology for Enhanced Operational Effectiveness,’ was organised by the Transformation Branch of the maritime force.

Speaking before the main lecture was held, Ogalla, who was represented by the Chief of Communications and Information Technology, Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, said it is important to adequately support the personnel of the force with the latest technology in order to meet the demands of 21st-century naval operations.

‘Nigeria, like many other nations in the Global South, stands at a critical crossroads.

‘Our national security landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a complex interplay of threats ranging from maritime crimes such as piracy, illegal bunkering, smuggling, and sea robbery, to onshore insecurities that continue to threaten critical infrastructure and economic lifelines.

‘In our vast maritime domain, which plays host to critical oil and gas infrastructure, the threats are often asymmetrical, fluid, and transnational in nature.

‘Notably, the adversaries we confront are increasingly leveraging modern technologies, including unmanned platforms, encrypted communications, and advanced navigation systems, he said.

‘It is, therefore, becoming abundantly clear that the battle for maritime security and dominance will no longer be won by numerical superiority alone.

‘Rather, our success will depend on superior innovation, intelligence, adaptability, and technological sophistication. In essence, the NN must remain ahead of the curve through proactiveness and innovation,’ the naval chief explained.

Ogalla added that globally, technology has become the cornerstone of modern naval operations.

Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, has emerged as one of the standout leaders to be honoured at the forthcoming Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025, holding on October 9-10 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Governor Namadi is being recognised with the Federal Government’s GovTech Public Service Award for his groundbreaking reforms and consistent push to digitise governance, modernise service delivery, and prepare Jigawa’s youth for the digital economy.

Since assuming office, the governor has championed ICT as a driver of socio-economic growth, establishing the Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency as a central hub for innovation and digital policy.

Through this institution, Jigawa has rolled out forward-looking initiatives that place the state at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

A major highlight of his administration is the training of nearly 30,000 teachers in digital literacy, a deliberate investment in education designed to empower the next generation with 21st-century skills.

In addition, his flagship JIGAWA COMPETE Initiative has introduced tools such as the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) software, which captures real-time data on schools, teachers, students, and infrastructure – a game-changer for evidence-based planning.

Governor Namadi has also pushed Jigawa into the global tech conversation by partnering with Gluwa and the Office of the Vice President to launch a Blockchain and AI Training Program.

The scheme has equipped hundreds of Jigawa youths with skills in blockchain fundamentals, AI data annotation, and digital marketing, giving them opportunities to compete in the fast-growing Web3 and AI markets.

Beyond education and youth empowerment, his administration has embraced e-governance and data-driven strategies to strengthen service delivery in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and finance.

These reforms reflect a clear commitment to digital transformation, transparency, and efficient governance

The recognition comes as part of the third edition of the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).

This year’s theme, ‘Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,’ aligns perfectly with the Namadi administration’s vision of a digital-first Jigawa.

Governor Namadi will receive the award alongside other distinguished leaders, including Governors Alex Otti (Abia), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), as well as several federal ministers and heads of key government agencies.

For Jigawa State, the honour is both a national endorsement of Namadi’s digital governance model and a clear signal that the state is charting a bold path into Nigeria’s tech-enabled future.

Nigerian billionaire Arthur Eze has secured four offshore exploration blocks in Liberia through his company, Atlas Oranto Petroleum Limited with plans to invest over $800m.

This followed the agreement between the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and Atlas Oranto Petroleum International Ltd.

Four Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in Paris, representing Liberia’s first major upstream oil agreements in more than a decade were signed.

The contracts, sealed under the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Law of Liberia, will take effect once ratified by the National Legislature and approved by Liberian President Joseph N. Boakai.

They cover offshore Blocks LB-15, LB-16, LB-22 and LB-24 in the Liberian Basin and include a $12 million signature bonus, alongside planned investments of over $200 million per block.

LPRA Director General Marilyn T. Logan described the deal as a ‘turning point’ for Liberia’s petroleum industry.

‘Atlas Oranto’s entry into Liberia is a testament to the country’s hydrocarbon potential and commitment to ensuring African companies play a leading role in our upstream programme,’ she said, adding that the contracts would help deliver wider economic benefits through employment opportunities, capacity building and the transfer of technical expertise.

Atlas Oranto, one of Africa’s largest privately owned oil and gas firms, operates in more than 20 countries. Its Executive Chairman, Prince Arthur Eze, framed the Liberian deal as a long-term partnership.

‘We are proud to join Liberia at this historic moment. We see Liberia not just as an investment destination but as a partner for success,’ he stated.

Liberia’s long-stalled ambition to develop its offshore oil reserves has received a boost with the entry of Nigerian firm Atlas Oranto Petroleum, which signed four production sharing contracts with the government last week.

The agreements, valued at a $12 million signature bonus, are seen as a potential turning point for a sector hindered for years by political uncertainty and global oil price volatility. Liberian Officials say the deal could help diversify an economy still reliant on iron ore, rubber and gold.

At the signing ceremony in Paris, President Boakai said: ‘Our goal is to ensure that Liberia’s resources are managed with transparency and responsibility. These contracts will be implemented with strict standards of environmental protection, strong local participation, and clear accountability so that Liberians benefit directly from the opportunities created.’

Arthur Eze’s footprint

Atlas Oranto operates in 22 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Zambia.

In 2010, the Nigerian billionaire was awarded three oil blocks in Liberia for US $200,000 each and later sold them to Chevron the same year for over US $250 million, marking a significant early profit in his West African operations.

Arthur Eze is a philanthropist, politician, and the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, the largest privately held Nigerian exploration and production group.

Atlas Oranto Petroleum was founded by Arthur Eze in 1991. The company currently has 22 oil and gas licences in 12 jurisdictions across Africa. It has assets in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and several Atlas Oranto operated blocks.

To date, the company is the largest holder of oil exploration blocks in Africa.

With its latest contracts in Liberia, Executive Chairman Arthur Eze strengthens the company’s African footprint while extending Atlas Oranto’s reach into global frontier energy markets.