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Lagos State Government has unveiled activities for the 2025 Public Service Week, restating its commitment to harnessing technology to build a smarter, more agile and globally-competitive workforce.

Speaking yesterday at a news briefing at the Public Service Office, Alausa, Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bode Agoro, said the celebration would appreciate workers’ contributions and underline the administration’s focus on digital transformation.

He added: ‘The event is projected to appreciate and celebrate our ever-dedicated and committed public servants for their contributions and efforts towards the attainment of good governance and efficient service delivery.’

Agoro said the theme of the week, ‘Deepening Technology for a Smart and Agile Public Service’, reflected the determination of the government to deploy technology as a tool for transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement.

He hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for leading a digital transformation agenda that had prioritised investments in infrastructure and capacity development.

The week-long celebration will begin today with health screening for civil servants at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa and a special Jumat Service at Alausa Secretariat Mosque.

A Walk-for-Fitness will take place tomorrow in Ikeja, while an interdenominational thanksgiving service will follow at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, on Sunday.

On October 6, donations from ministries, organisations and individuals will be presented to orphanages and charity homes, alongside continued health screenings for public servants.

On October 7, officers who have served Lagos State for over 30 years will be honoured during the Long Service Merit Award Ceremony. There will be public lecture on October 8 on the theme of the celebration, as well as recognition of outstanding officers.

A variety show tagged: ‘Alausa Goes White,’ will hold on October 9, where public servants are expected to appear in white attire, while showcasing their talents at the seventh edition of Alausa’s Got Talent series. The celebration will climax with a luncheon with Governor Sanwo-Olu, during which recipients of the Outstanding Officers Award will have the opportunity to meet the governor.

Agoro praised the dedication of civil servants, describing them as ‘crucial to driving national development and addressing complex challenges confronting the nation.’

Nigeria has emphasised the need to accelerate the integration of the West African capital markets in order to unlock immense capital needed to develop the region.

Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama said West Africa faces urgent developmental challenges ranging from infrastructure deficits and climate adaptation to digital transformation and job creation.

According to him, West African countries need to accelerate the integration of their capital markets as a platform to mobilise the scale of investment needed to drive the region’s development.

Agama spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Experts Meeting on Validation of the WASRA Charter and Recognition of WASRA as the Regulatory Body for Cross-Border Securities Market in ECOWAS.

He said the initiative represented ‘a watershed moment’ in the region’s financial history, warning that each year of delay in integration represents a lost opportunity to mobilise resources for critical projects that can transform the region’s economies.

‘To meet these challenges, we require capital at scale, and the truth is simple: no single national market can provide it alone. An integrated regional capital market is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,’ Agama, who also chairs WASRA, said.

He pointed to Africa’s annual infrastructure financing gap of over $100 billion, stressing that West Africa alone requires tens of billions of dollars to modernise transport corridors, upgrade energy systems, and build resilient digital infrastructure.

‘Without integrated markets that pool liquidity and broaden investor participation, our governments and private sector will remain constrained, relying on limited fiscal space and expensive borrowing,’ Agama said.

Drawing lessons from global models, he noted that the European Union and ASEAN achieved significant economic transformation by harmonising rules, fostering investor confidence, and facilitating seamless cross-border funding.

He said: ‘The creation of a single market enabled European firms to access funding seamlessly across borders, boosting innovation and competitiveness. Closer to home, ASEAN coordinated standards and deepened financial cooperation, strengthening its resilience as a regional bloc.’

He emphasised that West Africa, with its population of more than 400 million and a combined GDP of about $800 billion, has even greater potential, cautioning that ‘potential means little without decisive action,’ he cautioned.

Agama outlined how integration would bring benefits beyond infrastructure, noting that ‘In agriculture, integrated markets can mobilise capital for value-chain development, agro-processing, and food security, which are critical priorities for our region’.

He added: ‘In the digital economy, regional capital can support innovation hubs, fintech scale-ups, and broadband expansion, ensuring that West Africa fully participates in the fourth industrial revolution.’

He further stressed that cross-border pools of capital, backed by harmonised regulation, could deliver ‘transformative impact’ across multiple sectors, including youth empowerment and job creation.

Presenting the objectives of the West Africa Securities Regulators Association (WASRA), Agama said the body was established with a clear mandate to anchor market integration.

‘First, to contribute to the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for the regulation of capital markets; ensuring their proper functioning and the protection of investors. This speaks directly to the heart of investor confidence, without which no market can thrive,’ he said.

He added that WASRA would foster integration through joint programmes and common projects, promote mutual assistance across the region, and set common standards for effective regulation. ‘Integration is not only about policy declarations; it is about practical collaboration and shared initiatives that deliver results for our markets and our people,’ he stressed.

Agama called on policymakers, especially finance ministers within ECOWAS, to champion the WASRA initiative, stating that ‘The political will of our leaders is the single most important factor in moving from aspiration to reality’.

‘WASRA stands ready, in partnership with ECOWAS, WACMIC, and WAMI, to provide the technical leadership required.’

Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun noted that the gathering marked a significant step in the collective ‘journey toward a harmonized regulatory framework, one that reflects the shared aspirations of ECOWAS member states to deepen capital market integration, enhance cross-border investments, and promote financial stability.’

Edun, represented by Mr. Hassan Adamu Jibrin, Principal Economist Federal Ministry of Finance, pointed out that validation of the draft WASRA Charter is not merely a procedural formality, but a critical foundation for institutional coherence, regulatory cooperation, and sustainable market development across our sub-region.

On his part while speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Peter Oluonye Acting Director Private Sector noted that for capital markets integration to gain traction in ECOWAS, there need to be need concerted efforts of all stakeholders at harmonizing rules, practices and regulations, to the standards acceptable to all jurisdictions.

He said: ‘We are well aware that our member states depend much on external capital flows and direct investment to sustain and deliver on economic development programmes of our governments. The region is in dire need to develop critical economic infrastructure projects, requiring huge capital investment and facilitate gross capital formation. The capital market is a major vehicle that should support this aspiration

‘The need to drive our capital markets integration initiative to break down barriers to movement of capital within the region by ensuring a harmonized regulatory space, common market information platforms, interlinked trading systems, cross-border trade and payments settlement, harmonized accounting standards and internationally acceptable governance standards and institutions cannot be over-emphasized at this juncture in our economic integration initiatives’.

Golden Eaglets head coach, Garba Manu, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to increase the qualification slots allocated to the WAFU B region, following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eaglets were beaten 2-0 by Ghana in Tuesday’s semi-final of the WAFU B tournament in Ivory Coast, a result that ended their hopes of reaching the U-17 AFCON and, by extension, the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup-now an annual event. This is Nigeria’s second straight miss at this level after also failing to qualify for the 2025 edition.

Garba, who led Nigeria to the FIFA U-17 World Cup title in 2013, argued that limiting WAFU B to only two qualifying spots undermines the region’s pedigree in youth football.

‘When the WAFU B competition started in Niger Republic, we had seven countries, and only one qualified. I raised the observation then that WAFU B is the strongest zone in Africa, and that’s why it was increased to two slots. But it is still not enough,’ he said.

He faulted CAF’s decision to award an extra slot to WAFU A in a previous edition while overlooking WAFU B, which he insists consistently produces the continent’s strongest youth teams.

‘It’s unfair. Nigeria is still rated number one at U-17 level globally, yet CAF restricts us to two slots. WAFU B deserves at least three. It will not only benefit Nigeria but also improve African football as a whole.’

Nigeria, five-time U-17 world champions (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015), have not featured at the tournament since 2019, when they exited in the round of 16 after losing to the Netherlands.

Members of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have reaffirmed their support for the Isaiah Benjamin-led National Executive, urging strict adherence to the association’s statutes in the conduct of the 2025 Lagos SWAN elections.

The members accused the current Lagos SWAN Executive Committee, led by Oladunni Olatutu, of convening a ‘kangaroo congress’ and setting up a three-man state electoral committee in clear contravention of the association’s constitution-specifically Article 12, Section G (sub-sections ii, iii, iv) and Article 12, Section I (sub-section ii).

According to them, the Olatutu-led executive usurped the powers of the Lagos SWAN congress by imposing a SWANECO team on the chapter, despite provisions that vest absolute authority on the congress, with the National Executive holding the mandate to ratify such appointments while working with SWANECO on electoral guidelines and timetable.

The members further condemned acts of intimidation orchestrated by the Lagos state executive in connivance with the Lagos State Police Command. They recalled that no fewer than 15 police vehicles and over 40 officers from different divisions were deployed to the venue at the last congress to create an atmosphere of fear and raising concerns within the stadium community.

While thanking the National SWAN for intervening to ensure that a proper congress was eventually convened, the members expressed concern over attempts by some initial SWANECO members imposed on Lagos SWAN, Victor Eyinnaya, Jerry Apeleokhai, and Joshua Uloko to frustrate other committee members from contributing positively to the electoral process.

They described their rigidity as a deliberate ploy that has stifled progress and undermined the purpose of expanding SWANECO into a full committee, as approved at the only congress recognised by the National SWAN in a letter dated 29 September.

A major grievance raised was the unrealistic pricing of nomination forms, which they described as a calculated move to turn the electoral process into a contest for moneybags, effectively disenfranchising genuine members. Despite repeated calls for a reduction in fees which pegged prices of nomination form for Chairmanship position at ?200,000; Vice Chairman at ?120,000; Secretary at ?120,000; Assistant Secretary at ?100,000; Treasurer at ?100,000; Financial Secretary at ?100,000; and Welfare Officer at ?100,000, the three-man bloc within SWANECO stood firm on their pricing structure. They justified the decision by claiming committee members were entitled to 50% of all monies realised.

This stance not only places an unfair burden on members but also raises serious ethical concerns, undermining the principles of service, transparency, and fairness expected of an electoral body. These concerns were highlighted in a protest letter earlier written to National SWAN by two other SWANECO members, McAnthony Anaelechukwu and Anulika Menanya.

The members insisted that the Lagos SWANECO, in its current form and mode of operation, is not serving the interest of fairness or inclusivity, but rather pursuing a narrow agenda that undermines the integrity of SWAN in Lagos.

They therefore called on the National Executive to urgently intervene, investigate these practices, and take corrective measures to restore credibility and fairness to the electoral process in Lagos State.

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has said that he is committed to the welfare of the people.

He flagged off a series of sweeping reforms with the launch of expanded health insurance coverage, revitalization of primary healthcare centres across the state, and new incentives for medical personnel.

Ododo described the initiatives as ‘a major step towards making quality healthcare accessible, affordable, and sustainable for every Kogite.’ He assured that his administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure while prioritizing the welfare of health workers.

In line with this commitment, the governor announced a N300,000 allowance for medical doctors posted to rural areas of the state to encourage service in hard-to-reach communities. He also revealed plans to sponsor the training of 100 medical doctors annually in partnership with the Federal University, Lokoja; Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; and the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, as part of government’s long-term strategy to address manpower gaps in the health sector.

Ododo further disclosed that doctors’ quarters would be built in strategic parts of the state, while qualified Kogites would continue to benefit from new appointments into the healthcare system.

While assuring support to health professionals, the Governor stressed that security remains critical to the wellbeing of citizens. He raised concerns over the security risks posed by trailer parks at Zariagi and Osara, which, according to intelligence reports, had become hideouts for criminal elements disguised as truck drivers.

The Governor gave operators of the parks a one-month grace period to vacate the locations, after which no trailer will be allowed to park there or in any other unauthorized area of the state, particularly during hours prohibited by law. He directed security agencies to ensure full enforcement of the order, saying the measure is necessary to deny criminals any safe haven and strengthen security operations across Kogi State.

Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, CIHP, AHF, Malaria Consortium, and Marie Stopes International, for their support in improving healthcare delivery in Kogi State.

Reaffirming his administration’s focus on people-centred governance, the governor said: ‘Together, we are building a Kogi State where good health is a right, not a privilege; where security is guaranteed, and where every citizen has a fair chance to live, work, and prosper’.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday kicked off distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads worth N2,550,297,150 for school girls in rural communities in the 36 states and Abuja.

Speaking at the launch under her Renewed Hope Initiative, ‘Flow with Confidence,’ Mrs Remi Tinubu, represented by wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, noted that the programme was a vital health intervention to empower school girls, especially in the rural communities.

It was launched simultaneously in Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos. It is expected other states will launch as soon as they get supplies.

She said: ‘In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural areas, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

‘Some who attend, resort to unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home altogether, falling behind in their studies and, in some cases, eventually dropping out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention, under the education framework of Renewed Hope Initiative is aimed at doing just that.

‘We will distribute one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities at the end of this programme.

‘All states and Federal Capital Territory will receive 10,000 packs each through governor’s wives and RHI coordinators. This is to support our girls and those to afford sanitary pads.

‘We chose disposable sanitary pads because it offers a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for a woman’s wellbeing.

‘For us at RHI, we believe no girl should choose between her dignity and her education.’

She urged chairmen of local governments to take ownership of the intervention by ensuring the pads get to girls in the rural communities.

‘The pads are not to be sold,’ she warned.

Continuing, she said ‘We spent N2,550,297,150 to procure these customised disposable pads from a local company, Uniglory, Nigeria Limited in Ikorodu, Lagos State.’

She urged corporate organisations, parastatals and agencies, and others to key into the programme so that many more girls can be reached.

The First Lady also asked monarchs, religious and community leaders to monitor the distribution to support the girls to grow into responsible and informed adults.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the programme emphasised the First Lady’s concern for the girls, especially at the grassroots.

Sir: When Bayo Ojulari assumed leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in April, he inherited more than a corporation. He stepped into a storm defined by falling oil production, chronic revenue leakages, dwindling investor confidence, and the mounting global pressures of energy transition and geopolitical competition. Six months later, the story of NNPC and Nigeria’s energy sector has begun to change.

Ojulari’s leadership has been marked by an insistence on transparency, fiscal discipline, and operational accountability. Unlike previous reform attempts that often remained trapped in rhetoric, his approach has been anchored on execution and measurable outcomes. This shift fits squarely within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes energy independence, foreign investment, domestic refining, and Nigeria’s long-term net-zero ambitions. Reform, in Ojulari’s hands, is no longer an aspiration, it is a working reality.

Daily oil production rebounded from 1.485 million barrels in April to 1.71 million in July, crossing the 1.8 million barrel mark for the first time since late 2024. In the same period, NNPC generated N20.9 trillion while halting costly refinery losses that had drained up to N500 million monthly. Operational efficiency has improved, with 100 percent pipeline availability, natural gas production climbing to 7.72 billion cubic feet per day, and major projects like the AKK and OB3 pipelines now nearing completion. Security reforms have also delivered dramatic results, with coordinated efforts nearly eliminating pipeline theft. Perhaps most notably, Ojulari introduced monthly financial reporting for the first time, signalling unprecedented transparency to investors, regulators, and the Nigerian public.

These gains are not just domestic achievements. By surpassing Angola and Libya in production, Nigeria has reclaimed its position as Africa’s largest oil producer, restoring both its credibility and its leverage in OPEC+ negotiations. In a volatile global energy market where reliability is everything, Nigeria is once again being seen as a dependable player, a factor that has begun to restore investor confidence and strengthen its geopolitical standing.

Yet Ojulari’s strategy is not confined to oil alone. He has placed sustainability and transition at the heart of NNPC’s future. Gas is being positioned as a critical bridge fuel, powering local industries, reducing emissions, and boosting LNG exports. At the same time, the company is advancing renewable energy pilots, reducing gas flaring, and exploring carbon-capture initiatives; all of which signal a shift toward greener operations. These efforts align NNPC with global environmental, social, and governance standards, positioning it to meet the expectations

Technology is another pillar of the transformation. Under Ojulari, the company has deployed AI-driven analytics to optimize production and minimize downtime, blockchain platforms to ensure revenue and supply chain traceability, and automation to enhance safety and efficiency. These moves bring NNPC closer to the practices of global energy giants like Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Petrobras, underscoring its ambition to compete at the highest levels.

The reforms are also resonating beyond corporate boardrooms. Inside NNPC, employees are experiencing a new merit-driven culture that rewards performance. Across the wider economy, Nigerian small and medium enterprises are finding expanded opportunities in the energy supply chain. In host communities, improved security and reduced oil theft are strengthening peace and trust. And nationally, stronger revenues are bolstering the budget and foreign reserves at a time when fiscal stability is sorely needed.

Ojulari is quick to acknowledge that the journey has only just begun. Scaling production to two million barrels per day by 2027 will require unwavering discipline, relentless efficiency, and an estimated $60 billion in new investment. Completing critical gas infrastructure remains central to unlocking regional integration and expanding Nigeria’s role in global gas markets. The competition will not stand still either, as Angola and Libya push to reclaim lost ground. But

Ojulari’s vision is clear: NNPC must set a new benchmark for African energy companies and emerge as a global player of repute.

The first six months of his leadership have already marked a decisive break from the past. Production recovery, record revenues, operational discipline, and world-class transparency demonstrate that Nigeria’s energy sector is capable of reform and resilience when leadership is committed to delivery. The challenge now is to institutionalize these gains and ensure that momentum is not lost.

For Nigeria, the choice is stark: to entrench excellence as the new standard, or risk sliding back into inefficiency and missed opportunity.

The opportunity is global. Above all, the momentum must not be lost.

A new faction within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House has declared itself the ‘original’ Fusengbuwa Ruling House, as preparations intensify for the selection of Awujale of Ijebuland.

The declaration was made yesterday during a news briefing at the Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum and Hall, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The new faction led by Chief Fassy Yusuf, comprises Jadiara Royal House, Bubiade Royal House, Tunwase Royal House and Fusengbuwa Royal House.

Yusuf, who addressed reporters, said the appellation ‘original’ was adopted to distinguish the group without denying membership of other family branches.

He said the purpose of the gathering was to announce the end of the mourning period for the late monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, which would formally end on October 11.

With the mourning period ending, he said the family must begin implementing the provisions of the declaration made under Section 4 (2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, Customary Law Regulating the Selection to the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy.

The declaration, which he read aloud, identifies the four ruling houses as Gbelegbuwa, Anikinlaiya, Fusengbuwa and Fidipote, in that order of rotation.

He said succession might devolve through the female line in the absence of a qualified male, provided the candidate’s mother was a true-born (Abidagba).

Responding to questions on the Folagbade Adenuga group’s claim of Abidagba status, Yusuf maintained that Folagbade was not listed among the four ruling houses in the declaration, and therefore should align with its appropriate branch.

On the issue of leadership, he said the ‘original’ group had not yet announced a family head, but is represented by himself as coordinator and Pastor Prince Bola Salami as secretary.

Membership registration forms and expression of interest forms for candidates aspiring to the Awujale stool were also unveiled at the briefing. While the forms are free, a voluntary support contribution of N2,000 was suggested for the family database registration.

Chief Yusuf addressed the rift with Otunba Owoyemi, explaining that the earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Dr. Adekunle Hassan’s group and Owoyemi had made the latter head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, with Yusuf as deputy and Salami as secretary. However, he said Owoyemi’s subsequent alignment with the Ajidagba branch violated the spirit of that agreement.

‘The world is dynamic, change is imminent, and the dynamics of change may also change tomorrow,’ Yusuf remarked. ‘But for now, this is the situation we have found ourselves.’

The briefing was attended by Otunba Odedina Emmanuel, Oloriebi of Jadiara; Prince Adewale Jadesinmi, Oloriebi of Bubiade; Prince Bolarinde Salami, Secretary of the group; Chief G.A. Sanni, Balogun of Esugbon; and Oba Prof. Titilayo Hassan, Elesugbon of Esugbon, along with several other members of the four recognised branches-Jadiara, Bubiade, Tunwase and Fusengbuwa.

The newly inaugurated leadership of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSCCM), Alausa, has pledged to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement, improve religious structures, and expand community-focused programmes to promote harmony and development.

Speaking after he was sworn-in for a second term, LSCCM Chairman, Abdulhafis Toriola, assured worshippers of the leadership’s commitment to sustaining the mosque’s legacy.

Toriola, an engineer, who’s the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, said: ‘We are going to continue to assess the mosque to look at areas of improvement in order to sustain this edifice. With Allah’s guidance, we have been able to carry stakeholders along through our three-tier structure of governance – the executive, board of trustees and mission board.’

According to him, the Imams have also been exposed to regular trainings to improve the quality of their khutbah (sermons).

‘Our message to the Muslim community is to continue to believe in Allah, obey His rules and be good ambassadors of Islam,’ he said.

LSCCM Vice Chairman and Chairman of Shamsideen Adisa Mosque, Dr. Ismail AbdusSalam, stated the need for unity and financial support from the Muslim community.

‘This is a call to serve Allah, and we cannot do it alone. We need cooperation in the form of prayers, financial support, and active participation in our projects. With this, we can harmonise the community and achieve the objectives of the mosque,’ he stated.

He urged Muslims to remain steadfast, contribute to the mosque’s programmes, and continue to pray for the leadership so that ‘Allah accepts our efforts as an act of worship.’

LSCCM Women Affairs Secretary, Hajia Jelilat Abdulhamid, said the mosque runs weekly women’s forum that provides spiritual guidance, vocational training, and counselling services. Hajia Abdulhamid, who is the Deputy Director at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), added that the forum addresses the needs of single sisters by providing platforms for marital connections, educational sponsorship programmes and support young women some of whom are currently in universities.

‘We need upright women to nurture children and strengthen families. Our society can only thrive if women return to their primary roles of building the home and raising responsible children,’ she said.

The recent arrest of notorious armed robbery kingpin, John Samuel, in Epe, Lagos State, underscores the crucial role of surveillance in modern policing. Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showed Samuel shooting at victims before robbing them, proving once again how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice.

This is not an isolated case. On January 14, 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki captured a thief breaking into a home and carting away valuables from electronics to a car. Yet, in many parts of the country, crimes go unrecorded, unreported, and unanswered.

Precisely, on September 23, gunmen riding 50 motorcycles attacked villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. They killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated freely for four hours without resistance. Such incidents highlight the consequences of ungoverned spaces and delayed responses by security forces.

Across the nation, criminals have become emboldened, ambushing security personnel and inflicting heavy losses. According to Daily Trust, at least 50 security operatives were killed in the last two weeks alone. Citizens cannot continue to live at the mercy of these attacks. Protection must extend to every Nigerian life, not just the elite.

Why CCTV and drones matter

Globally, CCTV installations and surveillance drones have proven vital in combating terrorism and organized crime. These technologies can deter crime by making offenders think twice when they know they are being watched. They identify suspects through recorded evidence and prevent attacks by enabling pre-emptive surveillance and swift response.

A surveillance drone retrieves vital information from criminals hibernating in the forest, mountain, and savannah areas, and further analysis would enable seamless arrest.

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) can fulfil a variety of roles, offering superior safety and blast protection for the occupants against direct and indirect weapons, mines, and improvised explosive devices to protect personnel.

Unfortunately, Nigeria still lags. Only a handful of states-Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom-have functional Command and Control centres, and coverage is far from state-wide. Drone deployment remains inadequate, leaving criminals free to exploit unmonitored areas.

In the present digital age, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in organized crime or cyber threats and rely on false identities to operate undetected. However, identity tracking is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the country that can monitor and verify individuals and reduce opportunities for crime.

To be fair, government interventions have strengthened the Nigeria Police Force in recent years. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has provided over 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and renovated police stations and barracks. Between 2021 and 2025, the NPF also received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, 50 Sudanese horses, and advanced training for over 10,000 personnel in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.

The Ministry of Police Affairs has added tactical vehicles, vests, and other equipment. These efforts reflect genuine commitment-but they are not enough to match the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges.

A mere trip through roads from Abuja to Sokoto, Lagos, and Calabar manifests the contribution of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund through the buffalo patrol vehicles on our highways in Nigeria. Also, reflecting is renovation of barracks and new pilot smart divisional police stations in Mpape-Abuja, Akaeze-Ebonyi, Ekinrin-Adde-Kogi, renovation of 57 police stations and 14 barracks across the country.

The way forward for a meaningful change, Nigeria must:

a. Expand CCTV coverage across states and local governments.

b. Deploy surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs), to enable proactive operations in forests, mountains, and highways without resorting to endless roadblocks.

c. Equip Divisional Police Stations with advanced gear for pre-emptive action.

d. Integrate identity technologies such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), WAPIS, and Interpol i24/7 for tracking false identities and cyber threats.

e. Promote collective security by partnering with the federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and citizens to install cameras in public places and areas without governance.

As Nigeria pursues the devolution of powers to local governments, especially financial autonomy, it must accompany this with the empowerment of local government chairmen to take responsibility for security in their domains and the improvement of the capacity of Divisional Police Stations to be accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

All criminals in the country must be on the run from the continuous onslaught of the well-kitted security personnel backed up with deployable surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) simultaneously in the states in the country to curb the migration of criminals.

In conclusion, Nigeria has the manpower and the will, but it lacks the surveillance infrastructure to stay ahead of criminals. Investing in CCTV, drones, and modern command centres is no longer optional-it is urgent. The time has come for all tiers of government to work together, patronize local manufacturers of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, and empower our police with the tools they need to deliver Renewed Hope Policing.

Renowned peak performance coach and leadership consultant, Dr. Shogo Oyeniyi, is set to host a Guinness World Record attempt for a vision board gathering.

The event will take place on November 1 at The Podium, Lekki, with participants joining in person and virtually.

Tagged: ‘Dream It, Plan It, Live It,’ the initiative seeks to bring together of dreamers, doers, entrepreneurs, career professionals, creatives, and students, who will simultaneously create vision boards-a powerful act of mapping out goals and aspirations.

‘This is more than a world record attempt; it is the birth of a global movement,’ said Dr. Shogo.

‘We want the world to see that Africa is not only a land of possibilities but also a stage where bold dreams are born and realised.’

With participants travelling from across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, as well as thousands more connecting online, Lagos is set to become the epicenter of vision, ambition, and action. The event will fuse creativity, empowerment, and transformation, igniting intentional living and purposeful goal-setting.

Organisers emphasised that the gathering is not simply about setting a record, but about inspiring people everywhere to dream bigger, act bolder, and take control of their future.

On November 1, the world will not just witness history-it will watch thousands of visions come alive.