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Nigeria’s Flamingos will slug it out with New Zealand and Paraguay in test games on October 10th and 14th barely two days after landing in Casablanca ahead of the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup I Morocco.

The Flamingos expectedly departed Abuja in the early hours of today aboard Royal Air Maroc, as they begin the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The team is scheduled to arrive in Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, Casablanca where they will settle into camp before heading to Rabat for the tournament proper.

The team will then move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, where all participating teams will be housed for the competition.

The Flamingos have been drawn in Group D, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before facing France three days later – both matches scheduled for 8 pm Nigerian time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) and Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1) in the city of Sale.

Their final group stage encounter will be against Samoa on October 25, with kickoff set for 5 pm. at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) still in Sale.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side head into the tournament full of confidence, having played 10 tune-up matches, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any. Their dominant form in camp so far, coupled with a well-balanced squad, underscores their determination to go one step further than their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has resolved to reposition and rebuild the party ahead of 2027 general election.

It said it would no longer tolerate indiscipline, internal sabotage, or imposition of candidates, which, according to the party, led to its defeat in the 2023 polls.

A communiqué at the end of Oyo APC Leadership Summit held in Ibadan, attended by party elders, stakeholders and representatives from 33 local government areas of the state, said the summit reviewed the state of the party from 2022 to date and resolved to reposition the party for victory in the next election cycle.

The communiqué was signed by Alhaji Olayide Abass (state chairman), Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite (state secretary), Chief Akin Oke (former state chairman), Chief Iyiola Oladokun (chairman, Elders Advisory Council), Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Brimo Yusuff, Alhaji Adisa Gbayawu, and Chief Timothy Jolaoso.

It said: ‘We resolved to put in place every necessary strategy to win all elections, presidential, governorship, federal as well as state legislative. We condemn in strong terms, the terrible condition of the 33 local governments under the current PDP administration.’

The party lamented what it described as ‘gross indiscipline’ among some of its members and officeholders, which it said had weakened the party’s internal cohesion.

The communiqué added: ‘It is unfortunate that notable party leaders and even elected office holders are fond of engaging in acts capable of sabotaging the party. We, therefore, resolved that the state Executive Committee under the chairmanship of Alhaji Abass should constitute a Disciplinary Committee that will be saddled with the responsibility of punishing erring party members, who henceforth engage in acts of sabotaging the party in line with the constitution of the APC.’

On the issue of internal democracy, the summit identified the imposition of candidates as a key factor behind APC’s poor performance in 2023.

”We note that the imposition of candidates for elective and party positions was responsible for the failures of the party in the 2023 governorship and House of Assembly elections,’ the communiqué said.

‘Henceforth, the processes of electing party candidates and officers must be credible, transparent, free and fair. ”Activities of some aspirants who are seeking elective positions have been floating and nurturing groups, and this is further causing divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that party interests must take precedence over and above personal interests.

‘Aspirants are enjoined to concentrate efforts on promoting the party, instead of promoting group interests. We also note that some aspirants have been campaigning and making inflammatory comments capable of deepening divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that campaign activities are premature at the moment, most especially taking cognisance of the INEC guidelines.’

The communiqué equally expressed concern about the misuse of social media by some members to spread misinformation and internal disputes.

‘We note that there is a gross misuse of social media platforms by some party members and such misuse is further causing divisions within the party. We therefore resolved that the use of social media as a means of passing information concerning the party must be controlled.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged eligible citizens, particularly residents of Mushin local government to take full advantage of the ongoing continuous voters’ registration and transfer exercise.

At a sensitisation forum, an INEC official, Abiodun Oje, said that the initiative was designed to ease the process for citizens to register, transfer, or update their voter information with ease.

‘This exercise concerns every eligible citizen, particularly in Mushin Local Government. You don’t need to travel long distances. You can transfer your registration to where you reside, whether interstate, inter-local government, or even within the same community,’ he said.

He noted that the transfer process covers interstate, inter and intra-LGA movements, ensuring that voters are not disenfranchised due to relocation.

Abiodun also emphasised the pivotal role of community based associations and socio-political groups in sensitising residents on the importance of participating in the exercise.

‘As leaders and influencers in your various communities, be it in the markets, among artisans, or within socio-political groups, you occupy a strategic position in mobilising our people,’ he said.

What started as an informal gathering of colleagues, young artists and studio apprentices over two decades ago at Kunle Adeyemi Studio in Mushin, Lagos, has morphed into a movement of creatives. In like manner, the group consisting of over 40 artists of different generations is making its debut exhibition that is featuring 25 of them at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos from October 4 till 17.

Tagged Testament of legacy, time and space (A story of Kunle Adeyemi and his studio contacts), it features painting, water-colours, paintocast, paintographs, prints and mixed media by artists who drank from the pool of Dr. Kunle Adeyemi’s studio practice.

For Adeyemi, he has in a long time quietly nurtured the idea of keeping the studio contacts while praying for the right time for it to take shape. ‘Now that I am retired from public service, I believe the moment has come to devote some of my time to the professional growth and development of all those who have, at one time or another, passed through the Kunle Adeyemi Studio. ‘It has always been a God-given privilege to serve as your Studio Instructor-whether through SIWES, Industrial Attachment, Master’s or PhD research programmes, Apprenticeship, or any other form of training,’ he said at the preview session of the exhibition.

According to him, the objectives of establishing the practice-based exhibiting group include to rekindle in us the creative spark first ignited during our studio experience; become more visible in the contemporary art space; encourage one another in fulfilling our calling as practicing artists.

Reassuring members that the group is voluntary, he said nobody was compelled to join, but stressed the belief in unity was strength.

‘As a first step, I propose that we begin this year with a two-week art exhibition at the National Museum. We shall all be joint partners and beneficiaries of the project, working under principles of transparency and mutual respect. Let me also emphasise that no one in this group is above another. Though we may be at different stages of life and professional development, as artists we share the same pedestal of calling. This exhibition, if given the chance to breathe, will connect our humble beginnings with our present realities and future aspirations.

‘Let us view life as an opportunity to lift others. Each of us has stories of struggle and growth to tell; this platform is one way to honor that journey and project it into the future,’ he added.

Curator of the exhibition and CEO, Irachy Consult, Dr. Bukola Jaiyesimi said the exhibition weaves together diverse artistic perspectives on how legacy is shaped by dimensions of time and space. She noted that the exhibition ‘encourages contemplation of how art captures, distils, and projects human experiences across temporal and spatial boundaries.’

The participating artists include Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, Kolawole K. Olojo-Kosoko, Olumuyiwa Olusola Adeyinka Akingbade, Dr. Kafaru Abiodun, Dr. Doyin Labode, Titi Badmus Ganiy, Asholasa Daniel, Daniel klotoe, Olusegun Oduyele, Olufemi Onagoruwa, Ojo Olaniyi, Dr. Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe, Okemakinde Abiodun, Akingbade Oluwamayowa, Taiwo Emmanuel.

Others are Oyetumoh Yusuf, Dayo Adeyemi, Jimoh Luqman, Kehinde Adenle, Ajose Ayomide, Dr. Stella Awoh, Mofunayan, Olayemi Otuyelu Madu, Lotachukwu Ayogu-Eze and Azeez Razaq.

One of the participants, Olumuyiwa Olusola is a water-colour artist who paints stories of resilience, joy, and tradition. His works transform everyday scenes into timeless reflections on legacy, time, together and space. With a gentle yet powerful touch of watercolor, he celebrates the struggles that lift us upward and the rhythms that bring us together.

Through his art, Olusola shares the beauty of ordinary moments and the strength they carry for generations. His watercolor practice reflects on resilience, tradition, and human connection.

‘The fluidity of the medium allows me to capture fleeting moments while honoring the legacies that endure across time and space,’ he said at the preview.

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to strengthen workplace safety practices among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also inaugurated the Safety First Campaign and unveiled the first-ever Occupational Safety Cadre in the Lagos State public service.

Speaking yesterday at the third Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference held in the state, with the theme, ‘Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a catalyst for nation Building,’ Sanwo-Olu, reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting workplace safety, public health and environmental protection.

Sanwo-Olu described the new occupational safety cadre as a groundbreaking initiative and the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that it will institutionalise safety as a professional discipline within the Lagos State civil service.

He said: ‘For the first time, safety will not just be treated as a hard-core responsibility but as a recognized career path, complete with its own structure, training, and expertise.’

These steps will ensure that generations of Lagosians benefit from a professional core dedicated solely to occupational safety and health.’

The governor also highlighted the role of technology in driving modern safety standards, just as he announced the deployment of drones for surveillance, body cameras and thermal detection tools to enhance monitoring, enforcement, and emergency response.

In his keynote address titled, ‘Occupational Safety and Health as the Catalyst of Sustainable Nation Building,’ the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said there is overwhelming evidence that inadequate workplace safety continues to pose significant risks to workers globally.

He cited studies that showed between 10 to 30 per cent of industry workers suffer injuries, occupational diseases and health hazards on a yearly basis, which include physical accidents, exposure to harmful chemicals, long term respiratory complications amongst other issues.

According to him, the consequences of work-related accidents and illnesses are profound and result in lost workdays, reduced productivity, and rising healthcare costs.

He said while various African countries are ensuring safer work environment, Nigeria must position itself as a regional leader in embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) -driven safety practices across all sectors, from high-risk industries to MSMEs.

‘By integrating global standards, technology, and accountability, we can build workplaces that are safe, competitive, and resilient,’ he said.

Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Lanre Mojola said the agency realised enforcement action is reducing as compliance is increasing. He assured that the agency will continue to increase inspection across the state as enforcement is returned.

Mojola also stated that the agency will ensure that Vertical Transportation Equipment are fully enforced to the letter as Lagos continues to move on. He reiterated that over 20,000 facilities already registered have GPIS with pictorial evidence.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Special Duties and lnter-governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, stressed that occupational and general public safety remains a top priority to the State Government, noting, ‘every Lagosian, deserves to live, work, and move freely without any fear.’

The Federal Government plans to refinance Nigeria’s expensive debt portfolio.

This is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the nation’s debt service costs and overall cost of borrowing.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made this known yesterday.

He spoke at the 55th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Abuja.

The ICAN conference, which started on Monday, is themed ‘Building Resilience: Aligning Reforms for Nigeria’s Development’.

No fewer than 13,000 Chartered Accountants were expected, according to ICAN President Mallam Haruna Yahaya.

The conference will end on Friday.

Edun explained that the decision to refinance the country’s high-cost debt was driven by a sharp rise in debt service obligations in recent years. According to him, ‘Debt service costs have surged: Treasury bill rates rose from 8% in 2023 to nearly 24 per cent, and external debt service almost tripled from budgeted N2.7 trillion to N6.7 trillion in 2024.’

Refinancing expensive debts involves replacing high-interest loans with new, lower-interest facilities to ease pressure on government finances, free up resources for developmental spending, and improve the country’s fiscal sustainability.

The move is consistent with the government’s medium-term growth strategy, which seeks to build a productive economy anchored on private sector investment, openness, and efficiency.

According to Edun, ‘Our growth strategy is centred on productive capital formation through increased private investment. We are working to achieve an output growth of 7.0 per cent GDP by 2027/2028, thus enabling the removal of millions of our citizens from poverty,’ Edun said.

He added that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is determined to transition the Nigerian economy into one driven by competition and innovation, with the government acting as a facilitator rather than a dominant player.

‘We are transitioning to an economy anchored on openness, competition, and efficiency, where the private sector is the engine of growth, and government efficiently plays its role as foreseer and enabler,’ the minister stated.

Edun explained that the Federal Government is also making substantial investments in the digital economy to unlock new opportunities for the country’s predominantly young population. He noted that over 65 per cent of Nigerians are under the age of 35, presenting a unique demographic advantage that must be harnessed through technology and innovation.

‘We are making bold investments in the digital economy. Through Project Bridge, a $2 billion Public-Private Partnership project supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, we are expanding fibre optic coverage by 90,000 km, building on the existing 35,000 km network,’ the minister said.

‘Our goal is 70 per cent nationwide internet penetration, reaching all LGAs and wards. This initiative addresses digital infrastructure gaps and promotes inclusion, especially for women and youth, paving the way for a tech-driven future,’ he added.

On government’s finances, Edun stated that Nigeria’s fiscal position has recorded significant improvement in the last two years, noting that revenue has grown by over 70 per cent in nominal terms.

He attributed the increase to key reforms implemented under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the liberalisation of the foreign exchange and fuel markets, and the automation of revenue collection systems.

‘The demand for development remains high as we strive to improve upon output growth and significantly enhance productivity. In part, this will be achieved by raising our infrastructure stock from its current level of less than 40 per cent of output towards the global benchmark of 75 per cent,’ Edun noted.

He said the government is deploying a range of innovative measures to mobilise domestic resources to meet development financing needs, particularly in a global environment constrained by limited liquidity.

Among these initiatives, he mentioned formalising the large informal sector-particularly in real estate and agriculture-as revealed by the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures.

Edun also mentioned the expansion of the tax base through the new Tax Reform Act, which harmonises tax processes and reduces multiple taxation to enhance productivity.

‘We are also working to strengthen digital revenue collection platforms,’ he added.

According to him, the government is also leveraging ‘asset financialisation by optimising the federal government’s balance sheets,’ with the expectation that subnational governments will adopt similar strategies to improve fiscal efficiency and revenue performance.

On social protection, Edun said the administration is expanding and strengthening its social investment programmes to reach more Nigerians in need.

‘This is being achieved through enhanced digital identification systems, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, efficiently and transparently,’ he said.

He called on members of the accounting profession to play an active role in supporting fiscal and economic reforms through improved transparency and accountability mechanisms.

‘As custodians of financial integrity, your role is pivotal in this reform journey,’ Edun told ICAN members.

‘I urge ICAN to develop a transparent rating model for accounting firms, especially in tax audit, aligned with global standards-perhaps a ‘4-star to zero-star’ system that promotes accountability and excellence.’

The minister’s remarks at the ICAN conference reinforce the Tinubu administration’s determination to restore fiscal stability, drive private sector-led growth, and position Nigeria for sustainable economic transformation through prudent debt management, innovation, and digital inclusion.

Parthian Pensions Limited has advocated increase in financial literacy to enhance and deepen adoption of pension scheme in the country.

This is even as the newly approved Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) is focusing on the micro pension market to gain fresh Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders into its customer base.

The Head of Operations, Parthian Pensions Limited, Mr. Adetunbi Ashaye while speaking at a Journalists Conference in Lagos called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s pension sector to educate Nigerians on the importance of subscribing to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

While highlighting some of the developments in the industry that demonstrate its potential for growth, he said, people that are clamouring to exit the scheme, have forgotten so soon the past bad experiences is the reason the new scheme came on board.

He said: ‘The previous pension system was unfunded. Now that it is funded through the contributions of the employees and the employers, it is highly regulated. What really needs to happen is the need to drive financial literacy because people in Nigeria see pension as insignificant, something that is not important,’ he advised.

‘The impact of the scheme to the economy is ensuring that people have good retirement; people have good life after they have stopped working. In other words, what we need to do in the industry as operators is to ensure financial literacy. We need to let people know what is going on and why they should continually support the contributory pension scheme,’ he added.

Saying most Nigerians see insurance and pensions as unnecessary, he noted that, ‘their concern is that, if they cannot provide for their immediate needs, which is food, shelter and clothing, why should they save? And it still boils down to a Micro Pension Plan.

‘What should be happening in the industry now is to simplify, digitise micro pension plans, and ensure diversification in different ways so that we can reach out to everybody.’

With pension assets projected to reach N29 trillion at the end of the year, he said, ‘the pension industry performance in the first quarter, 2025 shows N79 billion was paid for Programme Withdrawal and N54 billion for Annuity.

‘There is also the certification of asset classifications, and what we need is transparency, which is what PenCom is doing, people are looking and seeing how the funds are growing.’

Meanwhile, he said, his PFA will leverage on the opportunities provided by micro pension plan to enrich its customer base and bring more people who are not currently covered under the regular scheme into the pension safety net.

‘Though, we are one of the late entrants into the industry, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have what it takes to excel. So, we are technology driven as we leverage technology for effective service delivery to our contributors. This is effective and it’s going to drive people and companies towards us.

‘In another instance, we are going to flood micro pension space which still remains untapped. About 70 to 80 million people are in that space. So, we are not just coming into the business, to cannibalise RSA holders, we are coming to bring on board new RSAs and chart a new course,’ he assured.

Saying its prospective contributors should expect simplicity, and less complexity in onboarding, he added that, ‘they can onboard from the comfort of their homes. We care about you (our customers) and we will always check on you. There is human face to every service we render. We will drive towards financial literacy. We are the pension manager of choice, trust and we will get that actualised.’

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has impounded prohibited goods worth over N1.18 billion in the last six weeks and arrested four suspects in connection with the seizures.

It also said the main online recruitment examination for all shortlisted candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadres will hold on October 9, 2025.

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, the Comptroller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu said the Unit intercepted 125 prohibited goods in Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Lagos states.

Displaying the seized goods at the Federal Government warehouse in Ikeja, the C, Shuaibu, highlighted the seizures to include, 5,015 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 15 used (Tokunbo) vehicles; 640 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 431.8kg and 460 jerrycans (25 litres each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Others, according to him, are 143 bales of used clothing, two jumbo sacks of used shoes, and one sack of used clothing; 390 bottles of Codeine, 310 foreign-branded drugs, and 19 cards of Tramadol; 210 pieces of used tyres; and one 20-foot container (ONEU 2419369 FTC) containing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate, intercepted for false declaration.

He added that the operations were intelligence-driven and aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, protecting the economy, and ensuring consumer safety from hazardous and counterfeit goods.

Four suspects, he said, were arrested in connection with the seizures and would be handed over to the relevant agencies for investigation and prosecution

Shuaibu emphasised the unit’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, noting that the confiscated pharmaceuticals and cannabis would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), respectively.

The Controller reiterated the enforcement of the 2016 Federal Government ban on the importation of foreign parboiled rice through land borders, warning that ‘selfish and unpatriotic individuals’ who continue to flout the policy would suffer heavy losses.

Beyond enforcement, Shuaibu disclosed that the unit recovered N39.27 million in revenue through demand notices issued for import duty shortfalls between September 1 and October 7, 2025.

Receiving the drugs, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasir Bungudu, commended officers of the NCS for their vigilance and intelligence in intercepting another shipment of Indian hemp believed to have been smuggled into the country through sea.

Bungudu also lauded the Customs’ sustained efforts in combating drug trafficking, describing their operations as ‘dogged and intelligence-driven.’

‘This is another Indian hemp that is not produced in Nigeria. It was brought in through the sea and the river. I thank the Customs for their ability to track and arrest the culprits. Their intelligence and timing in making such arrests are commendable,’ Bungudu said.

He assured that the NDLEA would continue to strengthen its collaboration with the Customs Service to curb the smuggling of illicit drugs into the country, especially through waterways and land borders.

The NCS, via its official X handle said the Oct 9 online examination date for shortlisted candidates marked a major step in its ongoing recruitment process aimed at strengthening manpower across operational commands and border posts nationwide.

The NCS explained that candidates have been grouped into three batches-A, B, and C, and are required to log in using their National Identification Number (NIN) via (https://updates.customs.gov.ng) to check their batch, date, and time of the examination.

‘Strict compliance with the assigned Batch and Time is mandatory. Failure to adhere may lead to disqualification,’ the Service cautioned.

It further warned candidates against the use of calculators, mobile phones, or other devices during the examination, noting that any attempt to violate the rules could jeopardise their chances. The NCS also advised applicants to avoid multiple log-ins or switching browser windows, as such actions might affect their participation in the exercise.

‘Only Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre candidates are to take part in this stage of the examination. Applicants of the Superintendent Cadre are not to participate at the stage,’ the statement read.

The online examination, Customs said reflects its growing emphasis on technology-driven recruitment and personnel development, a strategy that aligns with its broader digital transformation agenda. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has continued to modernise its operations, enhance border management efficiency, and promote transparency in staff selection and deployment.

By adopting online testing platforms, the NCS aims to reduce human interference, ensure merit-based evaluation, and reach applicants from diverse locations across the country. This approach, the Service said, not only promotes fairness but also supports Nigeria’s transition to a digital public service environment.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, fairness, and transparency throughout the recruitment process, assuring candidates that only merit would guide selection decisions.

A total of 58 start-ups in Nigeria and other parts of Africa raised over $140million last month ramping up the total cash raised this year to date to over $2.2 billion, new data released yesterday has shown.

According to Africa: The Big Deal, the latest update of the monthly start-up deals database gave quite a bit of work, as September saw a total of 58 companies raise $140 million on the continent (exc. exits). From an amount point of view, this is below average, yet equivalent to what had been raised in Sept 2024 ($146million), and above the Sept 2023 tally ($124million).

What is notable though, is the number of ventures who raised at least $100k last month, the second-best in a year (just behind July), the data noted.

Of the $140million raised, $105million (75per cent) were equity, and the rest mostly debt ($32million) and some grant funding ($3million, including 16 match-funding grants from DEG Impulse as part of their new develoPPP Ventures cohort in East Africa – see here and here). The five largest transactions of the month were all equity: Kredete (fintech, Nigeria) announced its $22million Series A; Pura Beverage closed their $15million Series B (not technically a start-up, though they’ve decided to go the VC route for their financing), Contractable (identity, South Africa) bagged $13.5million, Intella (AI, Egypt) closed a $12.5million Series A; and The Invigilator (education, South Africa) secured $11million.

There were also five exits announced in September, including three in South Africa where a consortium led by Twofold Capital acquired fintech TaxTim, edtech Rekindle acquired EpiTek, and fintech Street Wallet acquired Digitip. In North Africa, logistics start-up Cathedis was acquired by super app start-up Ora Technologies in Morocco, and healthtech Duaya acquired EXMGO in Egypt.

‘If we zoom back and look at quarterly numbers, start-ups in Africa have raised $785million in Q3, which is lower than Q2 ($963million) but significantly higher than Q1 ($461million). It is however a very strong Q3, comparing very favourably to the same quarter in 2024 ($649million), 2023 ($496million), but also 2022 ($612million). Start-ups in Africa have now raised $2.2b in 2025 to date (‘YTD’, exc. exits), which is only about $40million from the total raised in the whole of 2024,’ the report noted.

‘Woe betide a society whereby their dead leaders are better than their leaders that are alive’ . Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule CFR, the Late Dan Masanin Kano, and Former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations

For the record, I am from Northern Nigeria, a Muslim, and a patriot of Nigeria. I am currently not a member of any political party. However, I am worried that our narratives and posturing as northerners will not change our collective situation for good unless we tell ourselves the truth and take the necessary actions.

By the way, while I am talking about northern Nigeria, the people from other regions in Nigeria should also take my message as a mirror for their regions, so that they can also make progress. Because we all have similar tendencies.

The Crux of the Issues.

It is proper and very important for interest groups of northern Nigeria, like other regional, ethnic, and religious groups in Nigeria, to continue advocating for good governance and pushing for more equitable leadership and representation at the federal level, while keeping the fee of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fire.

However, in my view, the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and the actual solutions will depend on how we, the northern elites and establishment, view the issues, our sincerity of purpose, and the actions that we take to address them. The root causes of most of the challenges facing Northern Nigeria are more regional and local than federal. Therefore, we must refocus, expand our vision, and change our mindsets if there is to be any hope of redemption, growth, and development.

Living in denial and blaming trade will only complicate and exacerbate our situations. The combined ticking time bombs of tribalism, ethnic jingoism, religious extremism, religious bigotry, hypocrisy, poverty, jealousy and envy, greed, hatred, erosion of our core values, corruption, etc., are part of the multi-dimensional issues that we must address as our realities. Indeed, we must also accept that the issues are mostly self-inflicted, either deliberately or inadvertently.

Consequently, political grandstanding and gaslighting will not help us but only make our matters worse. The population growth rate of northern Nigeria, the preponderance of out-of-school children, rising unemployment, youth restiveness, rising social vices, insecurity, etc., in northern Nigeria reflect our dire situation, which calls for sincere and sober reflections. Without decisive actions to contain the ugly trends rather than blaming trade, we will be doomed.

Some questions for all of us who are Nigerians from the northern region are as follows:

Having produced the highest number of Presidents and Heads of State in Nigeria, and having been key stakeholders in the political evolution of this country, how many banks are owned by northern Nigerians? How many media houses are owned by northern Nigerians? How many manufacturing plants, or factories, are owned by northern Nigerians, apart from Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu, and a few others? How many industries or factories in Nigeria are operated or managed by northern Nigerians? How many of the former State Governors of northern Nigeria have even a ‘pure water’ factory where they have employed 10 people? How many of all former State governors of northern Nigeria, former and serving Senators, and Members of the House of Representatives are actually employing people or that actually have scholarship programs/systems whereby they are supporting children from their constituencies, with their own money, or the money they have taken from us? How many of us own or are managing (at top level) the insurance companies, and other private financial institutions, corporate organizations, apart from the Non-Executive Directorships that we are occasionally given, to give a semblance of national outlook for Companies that are owned majorly by southern Nigerians in which we have no real stake, etc.? These are the critical indicators that will tell us whether we are moving in the right direction or not. Today, most of the masses in northern Nigeria are ‘on their own’, with no help from the elites.

Most times, we, the elites, only speak out loudly when it comes to issues that directly affect us or our children, but not really for the common good. How did we allow our region to slide into the abyss of over 80 million out of over 133 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians? Are these issues entirely the fault of a President, i.e., President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari, or the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Why do we have to shout all the time about issues that we are also responsible for? For example, we have a situation whereby a former northern State governor, who was a governor maybe 15 years ago, has become a glorified personal assistant to a current state governor. This speaks volumes to how we are making progress as northern Nigerians, or as Nigeria in general, because, by the way, this is not just a northern Nigeria issue.

Certainly, if we are able to speak truths to ourselves, we may start moving in the right direction. Most of our leaders block their ears, close their eyes when they are in power, whether as Presidents, Vice Presidents, State Governors, Deputy Governors, Federal and State legislators, Judges, Chief Executives, Civil Servants, etc., but they shamelessly become ‘latter-day activists’ when they leave office, having failed to deliver good governance during their tenures. It is time that we, the people of Northern Nigeria, start calling out such leaders.

For the past 65 years in Nigeria, from independence to date, in every administration, northern Nigerians have been given the opportunity to lead or to serve. Whether the number is enough or not is not the issue. Recently, the late President Muhammadu Buhari was the President for eight years. How did our northern leaders, who were given the opportunities, perform? How did they change the fortunes of northern Nigeria within those eight years? Not long ago, during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, most of the top government officials who were found blameful or responsible for the diversion of the funds that were appropriated and disbursed for the procurement of weapons to fight terrorism were from Northern Nigeria. They were found to be in cahoots with misappropriating money that was meant to save/ protect their people, other Nigerians, and residents from being looted, kidnapped, raped, maimed, and killed daily in thousands. What This is the height of wickedness! Shame! What did the northern elders, elites, or citizens do, or what are they doing to stop these menaces and evil tendencies of self-service?

Currently, the two Ministers of Defense, two Ministers of Agriculture, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Minister of Information, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Transport, the National Security Adviser, etc., are from northern Nigeria. It does not matter what political party is in power at the federal level; we always have a significant share of power and the highest number of representatives in the power dynamics of Nigeria. Therefore, what should matter is how we perform and how we utilize the opportunities.

Self-Service OR Sincere Agitation?

For instance, months into the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was agitation by the Northern elites that there was a plan by the administration to sack northerners from CBN, etc., when 70% of the children in the CBN are our children, i.e., children of the elites. What about the children of Shoe shiners or peasant farmers, etc? Are we addressing the issues of almost 70% of our public primary and secondary schools that are dilapidated, with our children that sit on bare floors, in open areas? How about the teeming Almajiris that we maltreat? Is that the responsibility of the federal government? We all know that the State governments are primarily responsible for primary and secondary schools’ education, and yet we have over 10 million children and youngsters out of school. How are we, the elites, also speaking truth to our state governors to ensure that they do the needful? So, these are the posers for us to address as Northern Nigerians.

Moreover, 70% of the leaders from North and indeed from Southern Nigeria came from humble backgrounds. But most of them forget where they come from, only when they need their votes. The fact is that about 60 or 50 years ago, they were given opportunities by leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, etc., and yet most of them have abandoned their people. Most of them were like the Almajiris of today, and yet they were given those opportunities to excel and become leaders in their Country. Now, all they think of is themselves and their children. Yet here we are blaming all our woes on any President who is in power.

Therefore, I urge our political, religious, traditional leaders, top leaders, intellectuals, and the entire elites to have a moment of introspection.

In the subsequent episode, I will continue expounding on the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and how I think we should best address them.