Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) have reached an amicable settlement over the long-standing disputes surrounding the concession agreement for Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), paving the way for the commencement of regional flights from the terminal.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, announced the landmark resolution in Abuja on Tuesday, which brings an end to more than 18 years of legal battles and disagreements between the Federal Government and the private concessionaire.

The agreement is expected to strengthen the public-private partnership arrangement at MMA2, improve airport infrastructure, create employment opportunities and restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Under the terms of the settlement, both parties have agreed to waive historical claims against each other and establish a framework for meeting their respective obligations going forward.

A major component of the agreement is the commencement of concession fee payments to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by BASL under the original concession arrangement.

The development marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the government and the terminal operator, as FAAN is expected to begin receiving concession fees after nearly two decades of disputes over the agreement.

The settlement also clarifies the ownership and operational status of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which has been formally recognised as the property of the Federal Government and placed under the operation of FAAN.

The clarification resolves one of the major areas of contention between the parties and is expected to provide greater certainty regarding the management of aviation infrastructure within the Murtala Muhammed Airport complex.

In another significant development, BASL will be permitted to expand its apron facilities and commence regional flight operations from MMA2 across Africa, up to the terminal’s full operational capacity.

The planned regional operations are expected to expand the terminal’s role in Nigeria’s air transport network, providing additional opportunities for airlines and passengers while strengthening connectivity between Lagos and other African destinations.

The expansion of apron facilities is also expected to improve the terminal’s capacity to accommodate increased flight operations and support the development of additional aviation-related services.

Clarifying all issues during the announcement, Keyamo said the agreement removes the concessionaire’s exclusive rights under Article 2 of the original concession. It also expressly recognises the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) as belonging to the Federal Government and being operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

According to the minister, this resolves a major point of disagreement and gives the government room to plan future airport developments within the revised contractual framework.

‘The other important feature is the waiver of the concessionaire’s exclusive rights under Article 2 of the original concession agreement.

‘The agreement explicitly recognises that GAT belongs to the Federal Government and is operated by FAAN. This removes the central point of conflict and allows the government to plan future developments within the revised contractual framework.

‘In return, the Federal Government has agreed to allow Bi-Courtney to expand its apron and accommodate regional flights within Africa at MM2, to the extent of the terminal’s full capacity.’

The arrangement could reshape how airport facilities and traffic are allocated between the government and the concessionaire. Nevertheless, the practical impact will depend on the approved scope of expansion, operational capacity and applicable regulatory requirements.

On claims, Keyamo said, ‘On the other hand, the Federal Government has also made concessions. The agreement provides for the release of historical claims against the concessionaire, including accumulated concession fees and specified ancillary payments arising before the agreement was executed.

‘The public should understand that this is a reciprocal settlement. Both parties have agreed to surrender certain claims so that their relationship can proceed on clearly defined terms.

‘However, settling past claims comes with clear obligations for the future. Upon execution of the agreement, the concessionaire is to commence payment of the concession fees due under the original agreements.

‘FAAN has not earned a kobo from MM2 for the last 20 years because of these disputes. Today, FAAN begins to earn its money back.’

In response, BASL, led by its Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for resolving the longstanding disagreement through the aviation ministry.

Babalakin said the dispute had persisted for more than 18 years despite the facts and issues remaining substantially unchanged. He credited the president’s intervention through the minister with helping the parties find a solution.

‘We have found a solution to this issue,’ Babalakin said, expressing appreciation to the president and thanking Nigerians.

He argued that the settlement would unlock quality employment opportunities, particularly jobs offering attractive remuneration. He also anticipated improvements to the airport’s appearance and renewed progress on abandoned projects.

Babalakin further said the compromise deal could encourage people who feel discouraged when disputes arise with government.

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the call by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for PDP candidates to collapse their political structures and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The faction described the minister’s ‘rainbow coalition’ as the ‘greatest threat to electoral democracy’, warning that such an alliance could turn Nigeria into an electoral monarchy.

The faction stated its position on Tuesday through its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who said Wike’s message was directed at individuals who pretended to belong to the opposition while working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

It added, ‘The true and principled members of the Peoples Democratic Party are not part of the shameless, self-serving support for the APC-led Federal Government and its destructive policies.’

Ememobong maintained that the opposition’s primary responsibility was to provide Nigerians with an alternative to the incumbent government rather than support its policies.

He went on, ‘The paramount duty of the opposition is to provide an alternative to the incumbent, not to massage their ego.’

Ememobong added that any political alliance involving opposition parties should be aimed at strengthening their capacity to challenge the ruling party, not supporting it.

‘If at all opposition parties are to have an alliance, it will be amongst themselves, not with the governing party,’ he stressed.

The faction urged loyal PDP members to remain steadfast while awaiting the judiciary’s decision on the party’s leadership dispute.

Ememobong said the faction’s case had been heard by the Court of Appeal and that it was awaiting judgment, expressing hope that the outcome would restore the party to its rightful owners.

‘Our case at the Court of Appeal has been heard, and we await judgment. We know that the entire judiciary is conscious that justice delayed is justice denied’, he further stated.

The faction also cautioned Nigerians against what it described as elite accommodation and state capture disguised as political collaboration, urging voters to use the 2027 general election to reject political actors it accused of being insensitive and irresponsible.

Incidentally, the faction, which has an Interim National Working Committee (INWC) in place, is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and is not fielding candidates for the elections.

The legal team of Senator Shehu Buba Umar, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in the 2027 general elections, has reaffirmed that there is no encumbrance against his candidacy, stressing that he remains the party’s candidate under the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

Reacting to the Allied Peoples Movement’s (APM) suit challenging Senator Shehu Buba’s candidacy, Jibrin S. Jibrin, Esq., a notary public, Barden Galambi, Danmalikin Miri, and coordinator of Senator Shehu Buba Umar’s legal team, stressed that there was no cause for alarm over the candidacy.

In a statement titled ‘Our Response’, he said: ‘As the legal team of Senator Shehu Buba Umar, PRP governorship candidate in Bauchi State, and the party, our attention has been drawn to a press briefing by Jidauna Tula, Esq., APM’s legal adviser in Bauchi State, on the suit filed by his party at the Federal High Court in Bauchi challenging his nomination as the PRP candidate for the governorship election scheduled for February 2027.’

According to him, ‘Now, our client, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, and the party (i.e. PRP), having not been formally served with the court processes concerning the matter, we will refrain from discussing the matter until the court papers are served on our client and the party.’

Jibrin added: ‘Even at that, however, we reiterate the fact that Senator Shehu Buba’s emergence as the PRP governorship candidate in Bauchi State, apart from being an internal affair of his party carefully and properly conducted in accordance with the applicable laws, is one subject in respect of which we, the legal team, have issued a comprehensive statement recently, which was published by both mainstream media and other online media outlets.’

He added: ‘So, as stated in our statement in reference, our client, Senator Shehu Buba, and indeed all PRP candidates’ tickets in Bauchi State, are intact and in full compliance with the law in every material particular.’

According to him, ‘Therefore, pending further developments regarding the said suit filed by APM, we will leave the matter at that. As always, we remain highly appreciative of the outpouring of support, concern and goodwill being extended to Senator Shehu Buba Umar from far and near each time issues concerning him rear their heads.’

The legal team coordinator added: ‘As firm believers in the Almighty and His awesome authority, we look forward and are hopeful for the realisation of His will that will see Shehu Buba emerge victorious in the election. The massive support for his candidacy, which is increasing on a daily basis, is nobody’s doing but Allah (SWT).

‘He has seen us come this far, and by His grace, He will guide us to a resounding victory at the polls.

‘Once again, thank you all, as it shall remain well with Shehu Buba, PRP, Bauchi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

The Military High Command on Tuesday said that in renewed efforts to end lingering security challenges in the country, troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 27 kidnapped victims and recovered a motorcycle in Katsina State.

This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, ‘on 16 October 2026, troops of Sector 1 received a distress call on terrorist activities in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area.

‘It was reported that terrorists had abducted 27 residents, comprising 15 males and 12 females.

‘Troops responded swiftly, pursuing the terrorists along the Gangare – Kamba axis.

‘On contact, troops engaged with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their victims and flee in disarray.

‘TAll 27 victims were rescued unharmed during exploitation of the area. They have been profiled and handed over to community leaders for reunification with their families.

The statement added that in a separate operation on the same day, troops conducting a fighting patrol around Kurba village in Kankara Local Government Area encountered terrorists on three motorcycles.

According to the statement, ‘the terrorists fled on sighting troops, abandoning one motorcycle.

It further explained that the successful operations underscored the sustained offensive posture and operational effectiveness of the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in denying terrorists freedom of action and safeguarding vulnerable communities across the Joint Operations Area.

The statement noted that the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, commended the troops for their gallantry and swift response, and assured residents of Katsina, Zamfara, and adjoining states of the task force’s unwavering commitment to restoring lasting peace and security.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday swore in the reappointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, and the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, charging them to deploy the wealth of experience they acquired during the first term of his administration to deliver on their responsibilities without delay.

The Governor declared that his second-term administration would not tolerate anything short of excellent service delivery, noting that the reappointment of the two officials placed greater responsibilities on them to serve the government and the people of Ekiti State.

At the brief swearing-in ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji clarified the nature of the two offices, explaining that while stakeholders could nominate commissioners and special advisers, the SSG and Chief of Staff were his personal choices and closest administrative aides.

He commended the two officials for their loyalty, dedication and contributions to the administration, describing them as steady hands who had served creditably as foundation appointees since he assumed office four years ago.

The Governor stressed that their reappointment was a call to greater service and higher responsibility, urging them to hit the ground running and demonstrate renewed humility, commitment and dedication to duty.

Govenror Oyebanji cautioned them against becoming complacent, overconfident or too comfortable in their positions, emphasising that the demands of the second term required a higher level of diligence, discipline and accountability.

Governor Oyebanji also noted that the two officials would face considerable pressure in the coming weeks as they would be expected to multitask and provide administrative support to cover existing vacancies in government pending the constitution of the full cabinet.

The Governor reminded them that their appointments were made possible by the mandate freely given to the administration by the people of Ekiti State, urging them to remain accessible, respectful and compassionate in their dealings with citizens.

‘Treat our people with courtesy; be compassionate, humble, fair and God-fearing. It is their votes that brought us here. So, by extension, they are our employer.

‘They put us into this job. We cannot get to office and assume to be lords over them,’ he said.

While congratulating the appointees, their friends and family members present at the ceremony, the Governor urged them to continue to pray for the success of the administration.

He described their reappointment as evidence that good performance attracts greater responsibility, while acknowledging that there were areas in need of improvement during the first term.

‘This reappointment is, therefore, proof that the reward for good work is more work. But I will be dishonest if I do not acknowledge that there were areas in need of improvement.

‘You, therefore, have no reason to grope around. The burden that comes with this, however, is that I will be less tolerant of lapses than I was in the first administration because you cannot claim inexperience again,’ the Governor said.

Speaking on behalf of the duo, Prof. Adubiaro expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for the confidence reposed in them, commending his compassionate leadership, humility and unwavering support throughout her public service and academic career.

She also lauded the Governor for what she described as an unbroken record of good governance in Ekiti State, noting that the developmental strides recorded during his first term had earned him widespread respect across different segments of society and laid the foundation for continuity and further progress.

The SSG pledged the renewed commitment of the two appointees to the service of the state, assuring the Governor that they would not take their reappointments for granted but would redouble their efforts to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday, October 28, declare open the 2026 Colloquium of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS), with discussions focusing on strengthening the civil service and improving governance in Nigeria.

The two-day event, scheduled for October 28 to 29 at different venues in Abuja, will bring together serving and retired public service leaders, policymakers, development partners, and other stakeholders to examine the role of the civil service in national development.

According to a statement by Sir Olusegun O. Adekunle, Chairman of the CORFEPS Planning Committee, the colloquium will hold at the Rotunda Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

The event is themed, ‘Navigating the Headwinds of Governance: Centrality of the Civil Service.’

The immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, will deliver the lead paper, drawing on his experience in public administration and governance.

His presentation will be examined by a panel comprising the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack; a retired Federal Permanent Secretary and pioneer Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Dr. Habiba Lawal; and the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. MacKalba Danjuma Usman.

The session will be chaired by Senator Cyril Olawale Fasuyi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters.

Discussions will focus on strengthening the civil service’s institutional permanence while promoting impartiality, transparency, accountability, efficiency, productivity, and integrity.

Participants will also examine strategies for improving citizen-centred service delivery as Nigeria navigates contemporary governance challenges and prepares for another political transition.

The colloquium will feature the unveiling of the maiden edition of the CORFEPS Journal, an initiative aimed at promoting informed discourse on public administration, governance, and national development.

Expected attendees include members of the Federal Executive Council, serving and retired permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and commissions, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic community, development partners, civil servants, and representatives of civil society organisations and the media.

The National Chairman of CORFEPS, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, will welcome participants to the event.

Other prominent public service figures expected include Engr. Ebele Okeke, Nigeria’s first female Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The colloquium is the flagship event of the 2026 CORFEPS Week, which will continue on Thursday, October 29, with the council’s Annual General Meeting at 10 a.m. at the Olusegun Obasanjo Hall, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The programme will culminate in the CORFEPS Dinner and Awards Evening at 7 p.m. at Aso Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

Instituted in 2025, the CORFEPS Awards recognise individuals whose contributions have strengthened the Nigerian civil service and advanced national development.

This year’s ceremony will honour additional founding icons of the council and former Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation.

According to the statement, the awards reflect the council’s commitment to celebrating the contributions of past public service leaders while establishing a credible and transparent framework for recognising outstanding service by serving officials.

The council said the 2026 CORFEPS Week underscores its determination to harness the institutional memory, experience, and expertise of retired public service leaders to build a more effective, accountable, and citizen-focused civil service.

A Coalition of Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Education Institutions in Nigeria has petitioned the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment over the alleged exclusion of university-employed medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals from arrears of the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tool Allowance.

The group also said it had served pre-action notices on 14 federal universities over the alleged exclusion and approached the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for legal support in pursuing the matter.

National Chairman of the coalition, Musa Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the affected workers were members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union and had union dues deducted from their salaries.

According to him, the workers were being excluded from CONTTA by some universities because they were on the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure rather than the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure.

Shehu argued that the salary structure should not be used as a basis for denying the workers the allowance, claiming that some federal universities had already paid CONTTA to healthcare professionals on the CONHESS and CONMESS salary structures.

He cited the University of Ibadan, University of Abuja, University of Port Harcourt and Obafemi Awolowo University among institutions he said had mapped the affected health workers to the relevant CONTISS equivalents and paid the allowance.

The coalition alleged that other institutions, including the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, had not paid the affected workers.

Shehu said the coalition had served statutory pre-action notices on the vice-chancellors and governing councils of 14 federal universities as it prepared for possible litigation at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

He said the coalition had also approached SERAP to seek legal support for a possible public-interest action over what it described as discriminatory treatment of its members.

The group further alleged that local officials of SSANU and NASU had failed to protect healthcare professionals who were members of the unions despite the deduction of check-off dues from their salaries.

The coalition called on the Federal Government to direct the National Universities Commission and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to clarify the eligibility of non-teaching staff for CONTTA regardless of their salary structure.

It also urged the government to direct universities that had allegedly excluded the affected workers to pay their outstanding arrears and investigate the circumstances surrounding the disputed payments.

‘Our members are heavily agitated. While we await a response from SERAP and a mediation summons from the Ministry of Labour, let it be known that the countdown to a total industrial crisis across university health centres has begun,’ he said.

However, the coalition’s claims could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

The affected universities, SSANU and NASU, should be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations, particularly the claims concerning the payment of CONTTA, the deduction of union dues and the alleged exclusion of healthcare professionals.

The Federal Government is seeking a balance between digital technology and physical healthcare, with stakeholders targeting nationwide implementation of the National Telemedicine Guidelines from 2027 to 2031 to expand access to healthcare, strengthen patient safety and connect underserved communities to specialist services.

The stakeholders, including government officials, medical regulators and development partners, said the successful rollout would require clear professional standards, sustainable financing, reliable digital infrastructure and effective referral systems linking online consultations to physical healthcare facilities.

They spoke at the Nigerian Telehealth Conference 2.0 in Abuja on Tuesday, organised by Mobihealth International with the theme, ‘The Future of Healthcare is Connected: Click and Brick.’

The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the expansion of telemedicine required clear legislation and professional guidelines to address accountability when remote medical consultations resulted in complications.

Fasawe said doctors had long provided medical advice through telephone calls and other informal channels without adequate structures to define their responsibilities.

‘Most of us here are doctors, and I want to say that we have all practised telemedicine at some point. Every day, our relatives, our friends, people from the village would call us and say, ‘My neighbour has this problem, what do I do?’ or ‘My child has been vomiting all night, what do I do?” she said.

She disclosed that the FCT had introduced a pilot telemedicine initiative about two and a half years ago, which continued to operate informally in its primary healthcare facilities.

According to her, structured telemedicine services could reduce unnecessary journeys to specialist hospitals, cut healthcare costs and improve access to medical advice for people living far from advanced facilities.

‘The measure of digital transformation should not just be how many calls we made. It should be how well it serves our people, from the city centres all the way to the rural communities,’ Fasawe said.

She called for clinical standards, cybersecurity, professional indemnity and clearly defined institutional responsibilities to accompany the expansion of digital healthcare.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mobihealth International, Dr. Funmi Adewara, said stakeholders had recently completed the validation of the National Telemedicine Guidelines and agreed on an implementation timeline covering 2027 to 2031.

She, however, noted that the guidelines remained subject to ministerial approval and other institutional processes, adding that the next priority was to translate the policy framework into practical healthcare services.

‘Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and in the 21st century, no Nigerian or African should have to travel for four hours to access a consultation that technology can safely facilitate in four minutes,’ Adewara said.

She explained that connected healthcare should link patients to medical professionals, communities to hospitals, pharmacies to prescriptions, laboratories to clinicians and primary healthcare facilities to specialist services.

According to her, telemedicine must strengthen rather than replace healthcare workers by supporting timely diagnosis, referrals and continuity of care.

‘Policies do not treat patients. Guidelines do not, by themselves, connect rural communities to doctors. And innovation without implementation cannot deliver universal health coverage,’ she said.

Adewara called for interoperable systems, clear regulatory pathways, sustainable reimbursement arrangements, workforce training and stronger public-private partnerships to move the country beyond isolated digital health projects.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas Ibrahim, said digital technology was one of the eight pillars identified in the initial health policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

She said telemedicine could help pregnant women in remote communities obtain timely medical guidance, enable mothers to access specialist advice for their children and connect patients at primary healthcare centres to specialists in secondary and tertiary hospitals.

However, Anas warned that digital healthcare must not replace competent health workers, reliable diagnostics, essential medicines or emergency services.

She identified electricity, internet connectivity, sustainable financing, regulation, interoperability, data privacy and cybersecurity as essential requirements for nationwide implementation.

Anas urged stakeholders to measure progress through improved health outcomes rather than the number of digital platforms launched.

She said the proposed Abuja Declaration on Telehealth 2026 should establish clear recommendations, identify responsible institutions and provide realistic steps for implementation across federal, state and local governments.

The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. Fatima Kyari, said the council was developing telemedicine regulations as part of its ongoing review of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria.

Kyari said the framework would address professional competence, patient identification, data protection, cybersecurity, medical records management, prescribing and complaints handling.

‘Telemedicine is not medicine without accountability. It is proper medicine delivered through another channel,’ she said.

She stressed that doctors providing remote consultations must be registered to practise in Nigeria, including practitioners living abroad who offer services to Nigerian patients.

Kyari also disclosed that the council was updating its digital register of medical practitioners to enable telemedicine platforms to verify the professional credentials of doctors through an application programming interface.

She said professional indemnity insurance was necessary to manage clinical risks and protect patients in cases of negligent practice.

Emphasising the need to link digital consultations with physical care, she said: ‘For every telemedicine platform that has a click, you must mention where that brick is, otherwise you are practising illegally.’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, said the validation of the national guidelines marked an important step but stressed that effective implementation would determine their impact.

Ursu said WHO had supported the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through capacity development, technical reviews, stakeholder consultations and the development of the implementation framework.

He identified five priorities for successful implementation: strengthening existing health systems, ensuring interoperability, protecting patient safety and privacy, promoting equitable access and aligning stakeholders behind a nationally led framework.

‘From WHO’s perspective, the real question is not simply how much technology and how much connectivity we deploy, but whether this technology helps countries, Nigeria, to deliver better, safer and more equitable health services to its people,’ he said.

Ursu warned against creating disconnected digital platforms, saying telemedicine should be integrated into primary healthcare, referral networks and existing health information systems.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Dr. Abiola Oshunni, said telemedicine could also strengthen disease surveillance, early warning and emergency response.

He said connected healthcare platforms could help frontline health workers identify unusual symptoms, report potential public health threats and transmit information to relevant authorities for timely action.

However, he stressed that telemedicine systems must complement existing disease surveillance structures rather than duplicate them.

The Chairman of the Conference of Health Commissioners and Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said digital healthcare could help Nigeria address workforce shortages and geographical barriers to medical services.

Filani said telemedicine and other digital platforms offered opportunities to improve access to affordable healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, as health professionals continued to migrate across countries.

He urged policymakers, healthcare providers and technology companies to work together to expand the responsible use of digital health solutions.

Similarly, the Director of Specialist Hospitals Division, Dr. Amina Z. Kazaure, who represented the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, said telemedicine could improve remote consultations, specialist support, follow-up care and referral coordination.

She called for the integration of telehealth into primary healthcare and hospital services, investment in digital infrastructure and workforce capacity, sustainable financing and evidence-based monitoring of results.

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Dr. Oloya Abdullahi, pledged the agency’s support for public education on telemedicine through its nationwide structures across the 36 states and the FCT.

He said the agency would work with Mobihealth International to promote credible health information, address misconceptions and build public confidence in digital healthcare.

Issa-Onilu stressed that public awareness and trust were essential to ensuring that citizens could safely use available telemedicine services.

The Country Director of the Doctors Medical Aid Foundation (DMAF), Dr. Hameed Adediran, who led the panel discussion, said the successful transformation of healthcare through digital innovation required coordination across key sectors, with patients at the centre of decision-making.

‘This conversation sits at the intersection of policy, regulation, financing, and of course, at the heart of it all is the patient,’ he said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may announce the implementation of a fuel tax on inauguration day if re-elected, a move it claims could push the price of petrol above N1,500 per litre.

The party was reacting to disclosures made by Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele on the sidelines of the IMF meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, that the government would introduce a fuel tax once economic conditions improve.

Reacting on Tuesday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the government already has provision for the tax in law.

‘They have already enacted the law for a 5% tax on fuel under the Nigeria Tax Act. And President Tinubu has signed it into law since June 2025. If they are not activating it yet, it is because of re-election. Once Tinubu is re-elected, he will announce the new tax law on the inauguration ground, just as he did for fuel subsidy in 2023,’ Abdullahi said.

The party said that at a petrol price of N1,450 per litre, a 5% surcharge passed on to consumers would raise the price to N1,522.50, with severe implications for transportation, food distribution, small businesses, and household expenditure.

‘This Tinubu-led APC never runs out of new ways to make survival more expensive. Each time Nigerians struggle to recover from one punishing policy, another burden is waiting around the corner. A government that has already removed fuel subsidies and subjected citizens to unprecedented economic pressures should be discussing relief, not preparing additional taxes,’ the party said.

The ADC questioned the justification that the tax would support road infrastructure and fuel-price stabilisation, saying Nigerians deserve measurable improvements before being saddled with additional obligations.

‘We recall that as governor of Lagos State, in December 2003, Tinubu vehemently opposed the fuel tax being contemplated by the Obasanjo administration, describing it as ‘double taxation’ that placed unfair burden on citizens,’ the party said.

The party urged Nigerians to consider the fuel production subsidy proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

‘It’s the only way to bring down, not only the cost of fuel, but also the cost of living generally,’ the party said.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Tuesday, charged newly appointed commissioners and special advisers to translate their appointments into measurable results, warning that his administration will not tolerate inefficiency, complacency, corruption, or unnecessary bureaucratic delays as it approaches the end of its tenure.

The governor gave the charge while swearing in three commissioners and three special advisers at the International Conference Centre, Gombe, describing the appointments as part of efforts to strengthen the machinery of government, deepen institutional capacity, and sustain effective service delivery.

He said governance is a continuous process requiring competent hands, fresh perspectives, and steadfast commitment, adding that the new appointees were selected to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the implementation of government policies, programmes, and projects.

Inuwa Yahaya reminded the commissioners that they are assuming office at a critical stage of the administration, when public expectations remain high and the time available to deliver on its mandate is increasingly limited.

The governor directed the commissioners to familiarise themselves immediately with the policies, programmes, projects, and institutional responsibilities of their respective ministries, while providing the leadership necessary to achieve tangible outcomes.

According to him, ‘I expect each of you to work closely with your Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials to ensure effective coordination, prudent management of resources and timely implementation of government decisions.’

‘You must avoid unnecessary bureaucratic delays, strengthen internal accountability and ensure that every available resource is directed towards delivering tangible benefits to our people. At this stage of our administration, we have neither the luxury of time nor the resources to accommodate inefficiency, complacency or administrative lapses,’ he said.

Addressing the newly appointed special advisers, the governor emphasised the importance of their roles in strengthening executive decision-making and improving policy implementation.

He urged them to go beyond routine recommendations by identifying emerging challenges, developing practical solutions, and supporting effective coordination across their respective areas of responsibility.

Reflecting on the administration’s journey since 2019, Inuwa Yahaya expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the progress recorded across key sectors, notwithstanding the challenges encountered, including the COVID-19 pandemic, two economic recessions, fiscal pressures, and security concerns.

He said his administration has remained steadfast in its determination to build a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Gombe State, noting that substantial investments have been made in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, environmental protection, urban development, and institutional reforms.

According to him, the government has also strengthened the state’s economic foundations, improved the business environment, and pursued policies designed to expand opportunities for citizens.

The governor further highlighted reforms undertaken in the civil service, land administration, and local government administration, among other areas, to build a more efficient, accountable, and responsive system of governance.

He declared that the remaining months of his administration will be characterised by renewed energy, greater discipline, and intensified service delivery, rather than a slowdown in government activities.

Inuwa Yahaya further charged members of the State Executive Council and other political appointees to consolidate the gains recorded since 2019 and ensure that the institutions, policies, and projects established by the administration continue to benefit the people beyond its tenure.

Reaffirming his commitment to the state’s long-term development, he reiterated his determination to leave Gombe better than he met it, urging all government officials to remain focused on delivering on the administration’s mandate.

The governor also reminded the appointees that public office is a sacred trust that must be discharged with the fear of Almighty Allah, integrity, justice, equity, and fairness.

He warned against corruption, indiscipline, abuse of office, and any conduct capable of eroding public confidence in government, while urging the appointees to uphold the principles of accountability, peaceful political engagement, and respect for democratic institutions.

Announcing the portfolios of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Inuwa Yahaya named Dr. Ahmed Wali Doho as Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Cooperation; Nasiru Adamu Degri as Commissioner for Water Resources; and Dr. Muhammad A. Bello as Commissioner for Policy Coordination and Performance Tracking.

The governor also announced a minor cabinet reshuffle, redeploying Alhaji Shehu Yerima Abdullahi to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to fill an existing vacancy.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment to strengthening governance, deepening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the machinery of government remains responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.