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Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, on Monday, charged stakeholders in the ongoing development of the next National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2026-2030) to incorporate strategies to address new and emerging threats to the elimination illicit drug trade in Nigeria.

Marwa gave the admonition in Niger State at the opening of a five-day workshop to develop the fifth National Drug Control Master Plan for the Country.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, in a statement, stated that the Residential Retreat funded by the ECOWAS Commission with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Marwa noted that ‘the task before us over the next few days is both strategic and historic,’ adding that ‘ drug problem continues to evolve, and so must our response’.

Drug trafficking in Nigeria has continued unabated despite the stiff measures put in place by the Federal Government.

As part of the measures, the NDLEA has embarked on high level sensitisation and public enlightenment, targeting schools at the primary levels.

According to him ‘The NDCMP 2026-2030 must be visionary yet practical; comprehensive yet targeted; and nationally owned yet regionally and globally aligned.

‘It must build on the achievements of the past, while boldly addressing new and emerging threats, from synthetic drugs to dark-web trafficking, from poly-substance use to the illicit financial flows that sustain the drug trade.’

He reminded all the stakeholders that the workshop offers the rare opportunity to deliberate, analyse and agree on strategic priorities that will shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s response for the next five years.

‘It is here that we will identify what has worked, acknowledge the gaps, and design innovative pathways for the future’, he added.

He urged all participants to bring to bear their expertise, experience and commitment, adding that the workshop is not just about producing another document but about charting a collective vision to safeguard the health, security and wellbeing of Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the Agency’s readiness to provide leadership, coordination and technical support to ensure that the new Master Plan is not only developed but also effectively implemented.

‘I also pledge that we will continue to strengthen collaboration with our partners, both within Nigeria and across the ECOWAS sub-region, for we know that the drug challenge recognises no borders’, He added.

He commended the ECOWAS Commission ‘for sponsoring this workshop, and all our partners – the European Union, UNODC, civil society organisations, professional bodies and the private sector – for their continued collaboration.

‘Together, we are shaping a future where Nigeria and West Africa will be safer, healthier and more secure.’

Speaking at the workshop,Cheikh Ousmane, the UNODC Country Representative, who was represented by Akanidomo Ibanga, commended Nigeria’s drug control efforts so far.

‘Yet, we are all aware that the drug situation continues to evolve. Global and regional dynamics – whether related to new psychoactive substances, organised crime networks, or the impact of conflict and economic pressures – all shape local realities. Our response must therefore be adaptive, coordinated, and inclusive.

The Master Plan is the instrument through which this can happen.

‘This workshop offers a unique opportunity to review the draft chapters, harmonise perspectives, and ensure that the priorities identified reflect both national realities and international standards, including those enshrined in the three international drug control conventions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control’, he stated.

While commending the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as all members of the inter-agency working groups, for the dedication and expertise they bring to the process, he said that their work will serve as a compass for coordinated action over the coming years.

Also speaking during the opening ceremony of the workshop, ECOWAS Commission Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Fatou Sow Sarr represented by Daniel Amankwaah noted that Nigeria, as a key stakeholder in regional drug control efforts, has taken proactive steps to develop national strategies aligned with international best practices.

‘The Nigeria’s current National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) will expire this year and a new plan needs to be developed to address the emerging drug threats, trafficking patterns, and the increasing burden of substance use disorders. The new NDCMP will effectively respond to current and future drug-related challenges.

‘The ECOWAS Commission, in line with its mandate to support Member States in addressing drug-related issues, is providing technical and financial assistance to Nigeria in the elaboration of the new NDCMP. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Programme and the broader regional efforts to strengthen drug demand and supply reduction mechanisms.

‘This support is a strategic step toward strengthening Nigeria’s drug control framework and aligning it with regional and international best practices.’

He assured that ECOWAS Commission remains committed to supporting Nigeria in this effort, ensuring that the new National Drug Control Master Plan is robust, evidence-based, and effectively addresses the country’s drug-related challenges’, the ECOWAS Commission chief assured.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the ceremony included representatives of the Federal Ministries of Education, Health, Agriculture, Budget and Planning as well as NACA, NAFDAC, EFCC, and NFIU.

Chizoba Atsu, a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader who has redefined Nigeria’s hospitality and events industry for nearly two decades has looked at brand building journey and said that creativity must meet consistency for a lasting impact.

Chizoba who is the pioneering Founder and Managing Director of Elle’s Icebox described creativity as sparkle that catches the eye but said creativity without consistency is like firework that dazzles and disappears.

‘In the world of events, creativity often gets all the glory. ‘It is the sparkle that catches the eye, the idea that makes people gasp, the Instagrammable moment that has everyone reaching for their phones, but here’s the truth no one tells you loudly enough: creativity without consistency is a one-hit wonder, a firework that dazzles for a second and disappears into the night sky’.

The entrepreneur under whose tenure, Elle’s Icebox has executed over 10,000 high-profile events with creativity, precision said that cconsistency is the quiet motor that powers every lasting brand.

‘It is what keeps customers coming back, what converts appreciation into trust, and what turns a memory into a legacy’, Chizoba, the author of Nigeria’s first cocktail recipe book, said.

She further explained that creativity may get folks into the room, but consistency guarantees they remember who brought them there.

‘When I founded Elle’s Icebox, imagination gave us wings. We experimented with flavours, presentation, and ventured to tell new stories using cocktails. However, if each incident had been a hit-or-miss experiment, our wings would have swiftly burnt out.

‘What propelled us forward wasn’t simply innovation; it was consistently delivering the same level of attention to detail, excellence, and commitment to offering an experience rather than just drinks’, Chizoba, whose influence extends beyond business into mentorship and capacity building said in a statement made available to BusinessDay.

The entrepreneur whose leadership covers workshops, and hands-on training sessions, empowering countless aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions said she has seen far too many innovative brands fail because they believed the ‘wow factor’ would be enough to keep them going.

‘The wow will get acclaim, but it will not establish trust. Trust develops when individuals know what to expect and are never disappointed’.

In her message to creatives, Chizoba, a speaker and mentor advised creatives to be consistent in their creative pursuits. ‘Create systems to support your artistry. Deliver with perfection even when no one is applauding. Make your brilliance reliable. Because when you combine originality with consistency, you don’t simply create moments; you generate movements’.

With global exposure and continuous learning at the heart of her success, Chizoba, the statement said has trained with leading educators in Las Vegas and London and explored cocktail cultures in more than 15 countries. ‘These experiences enrich her craft, allowing her to blend international best practices with local innovation in every creation. Her professional expertise also includes serving as a Diageo trainer, where she developed and mentored bartenders to master both technical precision and the art of storytelling through cocktails.

As a respected speaker and mentor, Chizoba maintains an influential brand presence on social media, where she shares authentic, uplifting messages that resonate with industry peers and emerging business leaders. She continues to inspire and shape the future of hospitality through her unique combination of entrepreneurial grit, creative vision, and community spirit.

Today, the statement said that Chizoba Atsu stands not only as an accomplished business leader but also as a catalyst for change. Whether curating bespoke menus, training the next generation of hospitality professionals, or leading her team at Elle’s Icebox, her mission remains constant: to connect people and create unforgettable experiences through the shared language of cocktails.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has lifted the suspension on the trading of International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc shares.

The suspension arose in connection with regulatory compliance relating to the finalisation of the 2024 audited accounts, which has now been concluded and released to the public.

International Energy Insurance has also successfully exited the legacy Daewoo loan and ‘is now firmly repositioned for growth’, according to the company in its recent notice.

‘This development signifies the restoration of normal trading activities for IEI shares and reaffirms our commitment to transparency, compliance, and corporate governance.

‘The lifting of the suspension marks a new chapter in our journey of recovery and growth. The road ahead includes our strategic recapitalisation plans, aimed at strengthening our financial base and enhancing our capacity to serve customers effectively.

‘We remain fully committed to repositioning IEI as a strong, responsible, and customer-focused insurance company.

‘With this step, we are focused on rebuilding investor confidence and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders,’ the company further said while appreciating the support of its regulators, shareholders, customers, and partners as it continues to strengthen its operations and drive sustainable growth.

You’ve called Lagos home for more than a decade. What drives your passion for this city and its people?

Lagos is a city that lives, breathes, and dreams on a global scale. I came here over ten years ago, and from the moment I arrived, I felt its rhythm, bold, powerful, alive. Over the years, I’ve been honoured with several chieftaincy titles, but beyond the recognition, I believe I was sent here by God for a purpose: to help build bridges between China and Africa, and to contribute to a Lagos that reflects its destiny as a world-class megacity. Lagos has taught me that progress is not just about infrastructure but about people, their energy, resilience, and creativity. That’s what fuels my passion for this city every single day.

You’ve worked closely with the Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. What has that collaboration been like?

His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a visionary. He sees transport not just as logistics, but as an enabler of dignity, order, and opportunity. Under his leadership, Lagos has prioritised innovation, and Lagride stands as a symbol of that forward-thinking vision. Our partnership with the Lagos State Government is built on mutual respect and shared purpose: to deliver a mobility system that works for every Lagosian. We have worked hand in hand with agencies, regulators, and private partners to ensure that what we build here can be a national model for other states to follow.

‘Beyond that, we plan to introduce more opportunities to connect investors, government agencies, and diaspora Nigerians who want to be part of this transformation.’

What inspired the creation and rapid expansion of Lagride?

We wanted to redefine what safe, smart, and sustainable transportation could look like in Africa. Lagride was built to combine technology, governance, and opportunity in one system. Today, riders can choose between electric vehicles, premium Lagride Pro cars, or verified 2022-and-above Legacy cars driven by owner-drivers. We also introduced the Lagride Partner Programme, which allows individuals to own cars through zero-collateral payment plans over 18 or 24 months. It’s a model that creates wealth, not just work.

Why are you so passionate about making Lagos’ transport system world-class – on par with Dubai and China?

I’ve seen what is possible. In Dubai, transport is the heartbeat of tourism, commerce, and lifestyle. In China, mobility connects industries, people, and innovation. Lagos deserves that same excellence because it is Africa’s commercial nerve centre. I believe that with continued partnership between the government, private investors, and citizens, Lagos can lead Africa’s mobility revolution. We already have the structure, the technology, and the human capital. What we need is belief and consistency. Lagride is proof that world-class systems can thrive in Africa.

How has China’s integration with Africa shaped your mission and work?

China and Africa are natural partners in growth. The collaboration is not just about trade, it’s about shared futures. Through platforms like the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, we’re seeing more structured cooperation in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and transport. As Vice Chair of the China-Africa Business Council, I’ve witnessed how trust, consistency, and shared value can transform both sides. I see Lagride as one of those bridges, a project that represents the best of both worlds: Chinese efficiency and African ingenuity.

How does the Lagride Partner Programme actually work?

It’s very simple. A partner makes a ?5-?10 million down payment on a brand-new ?28 million vehicle, either an EV or a petrol-powered model. No collateral is required. Lagride manages the procurement, maintenance, and tracking, while drivers are trained through the Lagride Academy. Depending on the vehicle type and usage, partners can earn ?1-?2 million monthly after costs. At the end of the 18- or 24-month repayment period, the car becomes fully theirs. It’s a sustainable, transparent, and data-driven investment opportunity.

Can you tell us more about the Academy?

The Lagride Academy is one of our proudest achievements. Every driver is trained in security, hospitality, and professional service. We work with the Nigerian Police, FRSC, LASTMA, and hospitality experts to produce captains who can work anywhere in the world.

Our goal is to raise the bar of service in transport. Over 7,000 captains have been trained so far, and we’re onboarding 10,000 more before the year ends.

Some drivers and partners often ask about daily remittance. How does Lagride ensure it’s fair?

We rely on transparency, technology, and data. Lagride’s model is designed to help drivers meet realistic daily goals, supported by consistent marketing and route insights.

Our research shows that in the last quarter of every year, the Ember months, transport volume in Lagos rises by about 45 percent. We help our drivers take advantage of that, increasing their income while maintaining standards. It’s about partnership, not pressure.

What’s next for Lagride and the CIG Group?

We are preparing to launch the Lagride Omni, a mini-bus category for families, offices, and commuters. We’re also expanding into other states with an E-Taxi for Government model powered by CIG technology, financing, and operational expertise.

Beyond that, we plan to introduce more opportunities to connect investors, government agencies, and diaspora Nigerians who want to be part of this transformation.

CIG is more than automobiles. We are in energy, logistics, and sustainable infrastructure. Lagride is a very important part of our ecosystem, but our goal is bigger: to make mobility the foundation of modern Africa.

What continues to inspire you as a business leader?

It’s always the people. Every time I see a Lagosian step into a clean, safe car, every time a driver tells me their life has changed; every time a partner calls to say their investment is paying off, that’s my reward.

I believe God placed me here to build something that uplifts others. That’s what success means to me. Lagride – Safer. Smarter. Lagos Pride.

The’ unlawful’ take-over of 2,560 oil wells and gas resources at Effiat Mbo Mangrove Islands in Mbo Local Government Area of Àkwa Ibom by Republic of Cameroon has led to a loss of huge revenue accruable to the State, an advocacy group, Open Forum has alleged.

Apart from annexing the islands, the Group has also accused Cameroon of taking over parts of Bakassi Peninsula, which Nigeria Government under the Olusegun Obasanjo’s Administration, formally handed over to Cameroon in August 2008, following the ruling by International Court of Justice (ICJ) at Hague, Netherlands.

According to the Group, the court used the Anglo-German Agreement of 1913 as a key document in its decision in ceding Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon.

The Group also disclosed that a recent report shown that there are 16 ancestral homes/villages in Effiat, Mbo Mangrove Islands.

Matthew Okono, Founder and President of Open Forum, an advocacy group, stated

‘While defending the Akwa Ibom ownership of the resolved 76 oil wells, our sister State, Cross River was trying to take back through political solution, we drew the attention of His Excellency, Gov Umo Eno to the vast Oil Wells and Gas Resources, estimated at over 2,560 wells at Effiat Mbo Mangrove Islands, Mbo LGA illegally annexed along with Bakassi Peninsula by Republic of Cameroon.’

Okono, who disclosed this during a public presentation to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly in Uyo on a position paper entitled: Agenda Setting for an Akwa Ibom without oil, said, ‘Imagine the amount of resources that will accrue to the State if the government responds to sensitive information made available to them so they can act alongside other authorities to get required results.

‘The matter is currently at the National Assembly. AKSG needs to be fully involved to avoid future controversies.’

If not for the circumstances, the resources would have raised the economic status of Àkwa Ibom as the largest producers of oil in Nigeria, thereby attracting humongous monthly revenue to the state’s purse.

Already, Akwa Ibom Government has budgeted N5 billion for Excess Crude Oil for 2025 financial year, showing that N416.7 million is being expected from Federation Account monthly.

Recall, the Senate had, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, constituted an eight-member Ad hoc Committee to investigate the allegations that the Republic of Cameroon had forcefully taken over Nigerian Mangrove Islands and maritime territories in Effiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio, announced the Committee’s composition during the plenary after most senators supported it through voice votes.

He said the Committee would be chaired by Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District.

Other members of the are Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Kaka Lawan (APC, Borno Central), Banigo Ipalibo (PDP, Rivers West), Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North), Ekong Sampson (PDP, then, now, APC, Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (PDP then, now APC, Akwa Ibom North-East).

The Senate president directed the Committee members to report to the Senate within two months with recommendations on how to address the issue.

The need to probe the forceful takeover of Nigerian mangrove islands followed a motion sponsored by Mr Bassey during the plenary.

The senator, while presenting his motion, said the Cameroonian Government had encroached on Nigeria’s islands in Akwa Ibom despite the fact that the affected islands were not part of the territories ceded to Cameroon under the 1913 Anglo-German treaties or the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of October 2002.

Bassey decried that the encroachment had significantly crashed the state’s economy, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

‘It is a monumental national embarrassment that foreign laws are being imposed by the Cameroonian Gendarmes on Nigerians living in the 16 ancestral villages in these areas. This encroachment is illegal and has resulted in a significant economic loss, particularly in oil and gas revenues.

‘It should be noted that the islands in focus were not part of the territories ceded to the Government of Cameroun by the 1913 Anglo-German treaties and the International Court of Justice’s decision of October 2002.

‘As such, the encroachment into these territories is not only illegal but has led to a huge economic loss of more than 2,560 oil wells and gas revenues, which ought to accrue to Nigeria,’ he said.

Sometimes progress doesn’t fail for lack of ideas; rather, it falters for lack of proximity.

We talk about innovation as though it lives in code, capital, and conference declarations. But the truest measure of progress is how close our solutions come to people’s everyday lives. It’s not about technology in itself; it’s about the distance between a brilliant concept and the mother waiting in a rural clinic, or the young entrepreneur who just needs digital access to unlock possibilities.

In last week’s article, I reflected on innovation as who we are. But innovation without proximity is performance. It dazzles on paper but struggles in practice. As leaders, especially in Africa’s rapidly evolving public and private sectors, we are being invited to locate progress not in the clouds of aspiration but in the closeness of impact.

‘For Africa, this lesson is timely. As we push for continental self-determination in health supply chains, digital sovereignty, and green transitions, our leadership must blend diplomacy with groundedness.’

The global headlines behind the headlines

This past week’s global news cycle was a study in contrasts. From the USAID indictment involving stolen HIV test kits in Kenya to new global pledges for digital infrastructure and climate finance, one thread runs through them all: how fragile systems can become when proximity is lost.

The case of diverted commodities is not simply a governance story; it’s a proximity story, a reminder of how complexity, distance, and limited local ownership can strain even the best-intentioned systems. When people closest to the challenge feel ownership, integrity grows stronger and trust deepens.

By contrast, India’s digital public infrastructure offers a powerful lesson in what happens when systems are designed with proximity in mind, meeting people where they are and translating access into empowerment. It worked not because of technological superiority, but because it honoured connection.

Even climate conversations are circling back to this truth. As John Kerry said in Geneva, the world’s energy transition isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about investability. That word, ‘investability’, is proximity in motion. It signals a shift from pledges to participation, from promises to practice.

Reclaiming proximity in leadership

In African development, proximity is not a soft value; it’s a structural one. The success of any programme or partnership depends less on what’s written in the strategy document and more on who feels seen by it.

When we design digital health systems in Lagos or Mogadishu, the actual innovation is not in the platform; it’s in how we ensure that the nurse using it in a rural clinic finds it intuitive, affordable, and human.

When we build cross-sector partnerships, the power lies in our ability to create belonging for government officials, private innovators, and local actors alike.

I often say that Africa’s strength is not its scale but its synchronicity: how governments, citizens, and partners can align when the goal is shared and the context respected. Proximity is the architecture of that alignment.

Proximity and trust in the age of global transitions

The world is undergoing a set of overlapping transitions – digital, demographic, and climatic – that will redefine how we measure growth and governance. The IMF’s latest research on fiscal resilience, the EAT-Lancet report on just food systems, and the new wave of private finance-led aid models all point to one reality: progress must be local to be lasting.

The risk is that in our pursuit of global relevance, we lose relational depth. We become fluent in frameworks but tone-deaf to context.

But proximity reminds us that trust is still the global currency of leadership. Without trust, data becomes suspect, and even the most elegant digital system remains a shell.

For Africa, this lesson is timely. As we push for continental self-determination in health supply chains, digital sovereignty, and green transitions, our leadership must blend diplomacy with groundedness. The distance between Addis Ababa and Abuja, Geneva and Garoua, or New York and Nairobi must be bridged not only by planes and policies but also by perspective.

The quiet revolution of staying close

The next era of leadership in Africa will not be won through scale alone but through sensitivity. The leaders who will define the next decade are those who understand that proximity is not a step backward from ambition; it is the only way to make ambition real.

In a sense, this is Africa’s moment to model what the world needs most: relational governance.

Africa has always led through community, through connection, dialogue, and shared responsibility. That ethos, if embedded in our institutions, can redefine what global cooperation looks like.

When a government official in Ghana collaborates with a startup in Kenya to digitise primary care, or when African scientists co-design solutions with communities rather than for them, proximity becomes a force multiplier. It turns partnerships into pathways and strategies into stories people can trust.

A closing reflection

The future will reward leaders who can be both visionary and proximate, global in reach but local in touch. The ones who can translate between systems and citizens, who understand that sustainability is built one relationship at a time.

So, as global conversations swirl around aid reform, climate transition, and digital acceleration, perhaps the quiet question we must keep asking is, How close are we, really, to the people we serve?

Because in the end, leadership is not about distance travelled, but connection sustained.

And progress, like trust, only grows stronger when we choose to stay close.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared Senator Adams Oshiomhole ‘persona non grata’ following his criticism of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its nationwide strike in solidarity with 800 engineers sacked by Dangote Refinery.

In an October 3 interview with Arise TV, Oshiomhole called PENGASSAN’s industrial action ‘hasty and unfair’ to other workers.

NUPENG responded sharply in a statement signed by President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, accusing the former labour leader of betraying core union principles.

‘In conclusion, the leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian Oil and Gas Workers,’ the union said.

The declaration means NUPENG will no longer participate in or endorse any labour-related event involving Oshiomhole. ‘The NLC, TUC and conscionable civil society organisations should kindly take notice,’ the statement added.

NUPENG described Oshiomhole’s remarks as a ‘betrayal of labour principles’ and a ‘distortion of established laws.’

‘We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression,’ the union said.

It stressed that PENGASSAN’s sympathy strike is protected under Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act and aligned with the global union tenet: ‘An injury to one is an injury to all.’

‘His attempts to rationalize the victimization of workers. are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and ILO Conventions,’ NUPENG stated.

The union accused Oshiomhole of ignoring the mass dismissal while condemning PENGASSAN’s response, calling his stance ‘an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia.’

NUPENG affirmed its full support for PENGASSAN and the dismissed workers, vowing to use all legal and industrial tools to seek justice.

It also urged Oshiomhole to step back from labour commentary, saying he has ‘irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers.’

Nigeria’s economy stands at a crossroads. With growth projections slowing, fiscal pressures rising, and climate shocks compounding development challenges, the search for new growth drivers is urgent. One of the least exploited but highest-potential levers is also the greenest: reforestation. The ‘green dividend’, the returns in economic, social and financial terms from restoring tree cover, is real, and Nigeria should be rising to claim it.

Reforestation: An investment, not a concession

Too often, tree planting is relegated to the fringes of environmental policy, seen as a public good with limited payback. That view is stale. Thoughtfully designed forest restoration, whether via natural regrowth, agroforestry systems, or mixed plantation models, can deliver tangible benefits to governments, communities, businesses, and individual households.

The concept is simple: trees sequester carbon, stabilise soils, regulate water cycles, enhance biodiversity, and moderate microclimates. But beyond these ecological services lies the value chain of jobs, incomes, resilience, health, and fiscal savings. Studies have shown that increasing tree cover in low-income settings can raise per capita incomes by as much as between N300,000 and N800,000 annually.

In West Africa, where land degradation undermines agricultural productivity, restoring forests can complement farming productivity. In Nigeria, especially, restoration correlates with improved dietary diversity. Households in regions where natural forest regrowth occurred have been shown to consume more fruits and vegetables and to show modest but measurable gains in living standards. Especially in rural areas, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which include fruits, medicinal plants, fuelwood, and fibres, can become resilient income sources for households.

Economic benefits at scale

From a macro perspective, reforestation and afforestation programmes bring multiple dividends:

-Carbon finance and climate markets: As global carbon trading and voluntary markets mature, Nigeria can monetise carbon credits from forest restoration. This can inject foreign exchange into public accounts and catalyse private sector investment.

-Job creation: Every stage (nursery establishment, planting, maintenance, monitoring) is labour-intensive. Estimates suggest that every million dollars invested in green infrastructure can create around 24 year-round living-wage jobs.

-Agricultural resilience: Trees in agroforestry mosaics improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and buffer crop yields against extreme weather. One study noted that integrating trees and crops yields comparable climate benefits while diversifying incomes.

-Tourism, ecosystem services, land value uplift: Healthy forests attract ecotourism, boost real estate values near green corridors, and reduce costs associated with flooding and storm damage.

-Health and productivity: Cleaner air, lower heat stress, and fewer respiratory illnesses translate into reduced health expenditures and higher worker productivity. Trees act as natural filters of pollutants and offer cooling in urban environments.

For Nigeria, which continues to struggle with degraded land, desertification in the north, and weak public finances, those are not fringe effects; they are strategic levers.

Social and individual returns

At the community and household levels, the green dividend is felt in several ways:

A. Poverty reduction and income diversification: Forest restoration offers alternative income streams, reducing dependence on single crops or extractive practices. This is especially powerful for women, youth, and smallholders.

B. Nutritional gains: As noted earlier, regrowth areas boost access to wild fruits, vegetables and other micronutrient-rich foods, helping to reduce malnutrition.

C. Social cohesion and culture: Community planting programmes can strengthen local identity, instil environmental stewardship, and bridge generational ties around common purpose.

D. Resilience to shocks: Forest cover buffers erosion, reduces flood risk, stabilises water tables, and acts as a safety net in times of climate stress.

In Nigeria, though reforestation efforts have often faltered due to tree mortality, land tenure disputes, and funding gaps, the upside remains compelling if those challenges are proactively addressed.

Constraints and the path forward

To unlock Nigeria’s green dividend, some structural hurdles must be surmounted:

-Property rights and land tenure clarity: Many rural communities lack formal title to the land they farm or restore. Without clear tenure, incentives for long-term tree care falter.

-Species choice and ecological appropriateness: Monoculture plantations (e.g., fast-growing exotics) may lock in risks. Policy should favour native and mixed species, plus natural regrowth, to maximise co-benefits.

-Mortality and maintenance: Globally and in Nigeria, the failure rate of planted trees is high unless sustained aftercare is assured. That means financing beyond planting – irrigation, weeding, and community engagement.

-Finance and incentives: The public purse cannot shoulder large reforestation alone. Nigeria needs pro-green fiscal instruments, payment-for-ecosystem-services frameworks, carbon offsets, and blended finance vehicles.

-Monitoring, safeguards and governance: Transparent tracking, community participation and safeguards against land grabs or perverse incentives are essential.

Policy levers and business engagement

To scale impact, Nigeria must translate green ambition into actionable policy:

1. National reforestation strategy with clear targets, budgets and accountability frameworks. The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) is one such institution, already tasked with land restoration in the Sahel belt.

2. Incentive schemes: Tax credits and subsidies for private afforestation, payments to communities for ecosystem services, and carbon credit frameworks aligned with global standards.

3. Public-private partnerships: Encourage forest restoration as business opportunities for firms in carbon, timber, ecotourism, and green infrastructure. A win-win: profit with purpose.

4. Capacity building and community engagement: Training local youth in nursery management, engaging traditional authorities, and ensuring inclusion of women and marginal groups.

5. Integration into agricultural and land use planning: The green dividend must not compete with food production but complement it-through agroforestry, riparian buffers, and contour plantings.

6. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation: Satellite tools, community audits, and impact reporting must ensure that promised dividends are real and equitable.

A concluding call

Nigeria’s pursuit of development must now walk hand in hand with regeneration. The green dividend is not a utopian dream but a multi-dimensional return on investment: stronger growth, more resilient communities, healthier citizens, and new revenue streams.

To neglect the forest’s potential is to limit Nigeria’s future. As the world increasingly values carbon, climate resilience, and bundled environmental goods, Nigeria can position itself not as a laggard but as a leader in Africa’s green economy.

The ongoing Seplat Tree4Life reforestation project in Edo State is proof that large-scale, successful reforestation projects designed for carbon credits and sequestration can indeed be implemented in Nigeria. It is a showpiece of what is possible when ambition, science, and corporate responsibility converge. The challenge, and the opportunity, is for other large corporations to follow Seplat’s example and commit to similar bold initiatives.

For governments, communities, businesses and individuals alike, investing in trees is not charity; it is calculus. The time to cultivate the green dividend is now.

Simba TVS has launched its new Kargo tricycle in Nigeria, designed to improve last-mile delivery and address the growing logistics challenges faced by businesses and service providers across the country.

According to the company, the Simba TVS Kargo tricycles are adapted for cargo and utility purposes, from FMCG distribution to rural healthcare delivery, providing solutions to sectors long underserved by conventional logistics.

‘Simba TVS Kargo is more than just another product, it’s a lifeline for businesses, farmers, and communities.

‘We saw the struggles created by rising costs after fuel subsidy removal and stepped in with a solution that is practical, durable, and affordable,’ Kamlesh Pitale, head of institutional sales at Simba Group said.

The company added that with a 400-550kg carrying capacity, the Simba TVS Kargo fills the critical gap between motorcycles and pickup trucks, backed by warranties, after-sales support, and customisation options.

‘The vehicles are already in use across multiple industries, including poultry, crop farming, FMCG distribution, waste management, and even healthcare,’ the company stated, noting that one standout innovation is the Simba TVS Ambulance Tricycle, designed to navigate rough terrain and reach remote communities with speed and efficiency.

‘Recent deliveries have been made to Taraba State, Port Harcourt, and the Leprosy Missions in Lafia, Abuja. Known for its maneuverability, low fuel consumption, and high performance, the Simba TVS Ambulance Tricycle has been described as a life-saving option when minutes matter.

Major players such as Multipro and Tolaram have already embraced Simba TVS Kargo. Multipro alone operates more than 165 units nationwide, replacing decades-old imported trucks that were unreliable and costly to maintain,’ they company noted.

Beyond vehicles, Simba TVS has invested heavily in after-sales infrastructure, committing more than N20 billion to service and support. With 50,000 trained mechanics, nationwide spare parts warehouses, and a 24-hour helpline, the company ensures minimal downtime for operators.

Its new ‘Service on Wheel’ campaign takes maintenance directly to customers’ locations, reducing operational disruptions.

Simba TVS also runs a youth training initiative, certifying more than 15,000 technicians in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). Riders are also given orientation sessions on maintenance, warranties, and best practices to maximize product life.

Jide Odelola, head of Marketing, said that Simba TVS Kargo is steadily becoming a permanent fixture in Nigeria’s logistics ecosystem.

‘The traction is building rapidly. Soon, Simba TVS Kargo will be the go-to special-purpose vehicle across hospitals, churches, farms, SMEs, NGOs, and government agencies. These vehicles are built for Nigeria’s realities, durable, cost-effective, and reliable,’ Odelia said.

With over 35 years of engineering expertise and a strong footprint across the country, Simba TVS is positioning Kargo as the future of last-mile mobility in Nigeria, a future that is affordable, practical, and truly transformative

At least nine out of every 10 Nigerians will no longer have to pay the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax Taiwo Oyedele, the chairman, presidential fiscal policy and tax reform committee has said. He also added that Nigerians will start enjoying benefits of new tax laws, beginning from January 2026.

Oyedele who spoke at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja on Tuesday, said that about 98 percent of the Nigeria’s population will no longer pay the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.

He emphasied that the new tax laws are targeted at protecting the low income earners or those at the poverty line.

‘We cannot tax poverty, about 97 to 98 percent of Nigerians will no longer pay the PAYE, but the 2 percent will pay more as high income earners,’ he said.