How Mobile-First Design is reshaping online shopping in Nigeria

Nigeria’s economy is increasingly driven by mobile connectivity. Walk through busy streets in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities, and one thing becomes obvious-phones dominate. Not laptops or desktops, but smartphones.

That shift is backed by data. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reports that Nigeria has over 147 million internet subscriptions with penetration around 68%, driven largely by mobile usage. Broadband penetration has also crossed the 50% mark, showing how deeply mobile internet is embedded in daily life.

For retailers, that changes everything. Designing for desktop first and ‘adjusting later’ doesn’t cut it anymore. Mobile first design, especially for Nigerian shoppers respond to is now the standard rather than an added advantage.

Mobile-first starts with real user behavior

Mobile-first design is not about shrinking a desktop site. It is to build for the smallest screen first, then expand.

The reason for the mobile-first is that, in Nigeria most users browse on smartphones with their internet speeds vary widely and data costs still influence behavior.

NCC data shows mobile data usage has surged over 140% in three years, reflecting how people rely on their phones for everything from shopping to payments.

A website that loads slowly or looks cluttered on mobile does not just frustrate users, it pushes them out.

Speed determines whether users stay or leave

When a shopper clicks a link, the experience must be instant. Slow loading pages, lagging images, or unresponsive buttons can end a visit before it even begins.

In a market where network quality can fluctuate, speed is not optional any longer, it is a survival. Lightweight pages, compressed images, and clean code make the difference between a bounce and a sale.

Mobile-first design prioritises fast loading, minimal data consumption, and smooth navigation, ensuring users can interact comfortably regardless of network conditions.

Simplicity influences buying decisions

Nigerian online shoppers prefer clarity over complexity. Mobile-first design naturally encourages simplicity by removing unnecessary elements and focusing on what matters.

Clean layouts, clear product displays, and straightforward navigation reduce friction in the buying process. This is especially important for users browsing while commuting or multitasking, where quick decisions are more likely than detailed comparisons.

When products are easy to view and understand, purchasing decisions happen faster. When they are not, users move on quickly.

Trust is shaped by design quality

Online shopping in Nigeria still carries a degree of caution. Customers often look for signs that a business is credible before making payment.

A poorly structured or cluttered mobile site can immediately reduce trust. On the other hand, clean mobile-first design builds confidence through clear product images, transparent pricing, accessible contact information, and visible payment options.

These elements signal professionalism, which plays a major role in customer decision-making.

Checkout experience determines sales

Many businesses succeed in attracting traffic but lose customers at checkout. On mobile, the process must be fast, simple, and friction-free.

Long forms, multiple steps, or limited payment options increase drop-off rates.

Streamlined checkout processes, autofill features, minimal input fields, and flexible payment methods such as cards, transfers, and digital wallets significantly improve conversion rates.

Given Nigeria’s diverse payment preferences, flexibility is essential to completing sales.

Local behaviour shapes design needs

Mobile-first design in Nigeria must reflect local usage patterns. Users frequently switch between apps, rely heavily on mobile data rather than Wi-Fi, and generate most traffic from social media platforms.

As a result, websites must load quickly on return visits, handle interruptions without losing progress, and integrate smoothly with social traffic sources.

Ignoring these behaviours leads to missed opportunities and lower engagement.

Content must match mobile reading habits

Large blocks of text do not perform well on small screens. Mobile-first content is structured to be short, clear, and easy to scan.

Product descriptions, for example, should highlight key benefits quickly without overwhelming the reader. The goal is not to say everything, but to communicate what matters most in the shortest possible way.

Data trends confirm the shift

Recent figures reinforce the dominance of mobile usage. Nigeria recorded over 13 million terabytes of internet data consumption in 2025, driven largely by

mobile access and digital services.

This reflects a growing reliance on smartphones for everyday activities. Retailers who align with this behaviour gain a competitive advantage, while those who do not risk falling behind.

Execution is the real differentiator

Mobile-first design is not new, but its importance has grown significantly. What now matters most is execution.

Businesses offering similar products at similar prices often see different results based on user experience. Faster pages, cleaner interfaces, and simpler checkout processes consistently lead to better performance.

In many cases, success is determined not by what is sold, but by how easily it is sold.

What Nigerian Retailers Should Focus On

Mobile-first design is not new, but its importance has grown significantly. What now matters most is execution.

Businesses offering similar products at similar prices often see different results based on user experience. Faster pages, cleaner interfaces, and simpler checkout processes consistently lead to better performance.

In many cases, success is determined not by what is sold, but by how easily it is sold.

Mutfwang seeks more action on continent’s climate-security crisis

Africa’s deepening climate and security challenges took centre stage at Bingham University, as policymakers, diplomats and scholars converged for the second PICDA International Conference, organised by Ambassador Bulus Lolo Centre for Diplomacy, Conflict, Peace and Plural Studies, with a resounding message: the continent’s overlapping crises are no longer abstract-they are unfolding in real time and demand urgent, coordinated action.

Delivering a powerful intervention, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, warned that the intersection of climate change, insecurity, terrorism and governance failures has evolved into a ‘compound risk landscape,’ stressing Africa faces existential threat driven by environmental stress, weak institutions and rising violence. Speaking further, the governor represented by Julie Sanda, director general of Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, urged governments to move beyond fragmented responses and adopt integrated strategies that link climate policy with security and development planning.

‘We are no longer dealing with isolated challenges,’ he noted. ‘Climate change, insecurity and governance failures are reinforcing one another, creating complex and unpredictable outcomes that directly affect our people.’ He illustrated this with realities from Plateau State, where erratic rainfall, land degradation and water scarcity disrupted traditional farming and grazing, often pushing communities into conflict. Without effective institutional mediation, he noted, environmental adaptation can devolve into competition-and ultimately violence.

Mutfwang noted his integrated approach, including restructuring the Ministry of Environment to incorporate climate change and mineral development, as well as adoption of a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (2026-2030). He pointed to grassroots peacebuilding initiatives, early warning systems and community-driven conflict resolution mechanisms as critical tools for sustaining stability.

Closing his remarks, he challenged participants to ensure the conference translates into tangible outcomes. ‘Beyond this room,’ he said, ‘our people are not waiting for more analysis-they are waiting for governance that works.’

The conference, themed ‘Climate Change, Insecurity, Terrorism and Crisis of Governance in Africa,’ drew participants from across academia, government and the diplomatic community, all echoing concerns about the growing convergence of risks across the continent.

In opening remarks delivered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Musa Dankyau, underscored the urgency of a unified response, describing climate change as an increasingly potent driver of displacement, livelihood disruption and conflict. He warned that corruption and institutional weaknesses continue to undermine effective interventions, calling for policies that simultaneously address environmental sustainability, security and governance reform.

Similarly, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by Venerable Jibrailu Dabong, described climate change as a ‘threat multiplier,’ linking desertification, erratic rainfall and shrinking natural resources to the escalation of farmer-herder conflicts across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the wider Sahel. He cautioned that governance gaps manifested in inequality, marginalisation and poor service delivery have created fertile ground for terrorism and criminality to thrive.

Adding intellectual weight to the discourse, former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, presented a lead paper highlighting how climate variability is intensifying poverty, displacement and competition over scarce resources. He pointed to the dramatic shrinking of Lake Chad and rising conflicts in the Sahel as stark examples of environmental decline feeding instability, while warning that weak governance often determines whether such pressures escalate into violence.

Beyond national efforts, speakers repeatedly called for stronger regional cooperation and global support, particularly in addressing Africa’s widening climate finance gap and the transnational nature of security threats.

Earlier, Director of the ABLC, Dr. Olushola Magbadelo, described the conference as both timely and strategic, noting that nearly 70 research papers and multiple high-level roundtables would contribute to policy recommendations and academic outputs aimed at shaping governance responses across the continent. The director disclosed that the post-conference outcomes included the production of an actionable Communique that would be shared to government offices at federal and state levels, Conference Proceedings, and a maiden Journal of Conflict and Peace Studies.

The ABLC brought together an array of distinguished voices, including members of the diplomatic corps, academics, policymakers and international partners, thus reinforcing its role as a growing platform for dialogue and action on Africa’s most pressing challenges.

Contractors seek Oyedele’s intervention on debts

Contractors and officials of MDAs have called for action by Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, on backlog of unpaid government obligations.

Stakeholders in the public and private sectors said the minister faces an immediate test of leadership, amid calls for intervention to address liquidity constraints threatening critical sectors of the economy.

Contractors, many of who financed government projects through bank loans, said prolonged delays have pushed them into financial distress. Many warned that failure to act could trigger mass protests.

‘We have delivered on contracts, yet payments are stalled. Many firms are on the brink, and patience is running out,’ a contractor involved in federal infrastructure projects said.

Officials in MDAs also decried persistent funding gaps, particularly in sectors as power, defence and healthcare.

A senior civil servant said irregular budget releases have continued to hamper service delivery and project execution.

‘The banking sector is exposed to the crisis. Financial institutions confirmed a rise in non-performing loans linked to government contracts, with some lenders moving to recover assets and initiating legal proceedings against defaulting contractors.

‘This is no longer isolated. It is becoming systemic, with implications for financial stability,’ a banking executive said.

Analysts said the situation is a critical challenge for Oyedele, whose appointment has generated high expectations due to his private sector experience.

While some stakeholders anticipate action, others caution that entrenched bureaucratic processes could slow reforms.

An analyst noted: ‘There is urgency, but the system can be a constraint. The expectation, is that he restores confidence.’

Attention also turned to his predecessor, Wale Edun, whose handling of domestic debt drew mixed reactions.

While critics faulted the slow pace in settling obligations, others argued the approach was aimed at managing inflation and controlling liquidity.

An economist said: ‘There is a notion delaying payments contain inflationary pressures. But many believe administrative bottlenecks played a bigger role than policy.’

The debate comes amid concerns over Nigeria’s fiscal position, with stakeholders questioning the disconnect between official claims of improving foreign reserves and GDP growth, and the rising burden of both domestic and external debt.

However, several economists argue that settling local debts could deliver immediate economic benefits.

Injecting funds into contractors, they say, would boost purchasing power, revive stalled projects and stimulate broader economic activity.

For Oyedele, the challenge lies in balancing fiscal discipline with the urgent need to ease financial pressures across sectors.

Stakeholders insist that his early decisions will shape confidence in the government’s fiscal direction.

FG moves to expand deep blue project

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has unveiled plans to expand the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, as part of efforts to sustain maritime security and drive growth in fisheries.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a meeting with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), noting that a proposal has already been submitted to the Federal Government for the project’s upgrade.

Oyetola said the Deep Blue Project has played a key role in Nigeria’s sustained zero piracy record for over four years, attributing the achievement to enhanced surveillance and coordinated use of air, land and sea assets.

He explained that improved maritime security has boosted investor confidence, increased shipping traffic and reduced insurance premiums, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea, once considered a high-risk maritime region.

The minister added that expanding the project would consolidate these gains and further position Nigeria as a regional leader in maritime security while strengthening the country’s blue economy.

On fisheries, Oyetola said the government is intensifying efforts to reduce reliance on fish imports by boosting local production. He revealed that output rose from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, marking the first significant increase in a decade.

‘The initiatives are underway to revive fishing terminals and support artisanal fish farmers nationwide, with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency and expanding export capacity’ he said.

The minister announced that the United States has approved Nigeria’s Turtle Excluder Device certification, enabling Nigerian shrimp exports to access U.S. and European markets.

He noted that the development is expected to increase foreign exchange earnings and create jobs across the fisheries value chain.

Earlier, NESG Chief Executive Officer, Tayo Aduloju, commended the ministry’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a framework for sustainable resource management, improved governance and private sector participation.

He also praised Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the ministry and advancing reforms aimed at strengthening the economy.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the ministry and other stakeholders in the marine and blue economy sector.

Does sugar ‘feed’ cancer? The truth explained

One of the most common questions patients and families ask after a cancer diagnosis is whether sugar should be avoided completely. The belief that ‘sugar feeds cancer’ is widespread, often shared on social media, in communities, and sometimes even in informal advice. This has led some patients to drastically cut out sugar or all carbohydrates in the hope of slowing or stopping cancer growth. But what does science actually say?

The relationship between sugar and cancer is more complex than a simple yes or no.

Where the myth comes from

The idea that sugar ‘feeds’ cancer comes from the fact that all cells in the body, including cancer cells, use glucose (a type of sugar) for energy. Cancer cells often grow and divide rapidly, so they tend to consume more glucose than normal cells. This has led to the oversimplified conclusion that eating sugar directly ‘fuels’ cancer growth.

However, this interpretation is misleading. The body does not allow food sugar to travel directly to a tumour in a way that can be controlled by diet alone. Whether you eat sugar, rice, fruits, or bread, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose and carefully regulates how it is used through hormones such as insulin.

Cancer cells use glucose, but so do all other healthy cells in the body, especially the brain, muscles, and immune system.

What really happens in the body

The human body is designed to maintain a stable level of glucose in the blood, regardless of diet. If you stop eating sugar completely, your body will still produce glucose from other sources, including proteins and fats. This means cancer cells will still have access to energy.

Because of this, there is no scientific evidence that completely cutting out sugar can stop cancer growth or cure the disease. Similarly, no evidence that eating sugar directly causes cancer to grow faster in a predictable or controllable way.

However, this does not mean diet is insignificant. A diet high in added sugars, such as sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is a known risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancer. In this sense, excess sugar consumption may indirectly increase cancer risk over time, but it is not a direct ‘fuel switch’ for existing cancer.

Nutrition during cancer treatment

For patients already undergoing cancer treatment, nutrition becomes even more important. Treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can increase the body’s energy needs and cause side effects such as loss of appetite, nausea, or weight loss.

In this context, eliminating entire food groups, such as carbohydrates or sugar, can sometimes do more harm than good. Patients may become weak, lose weight, and struggle to tolerate treatment.

Instead, doctors and nutritionists often recommend a balanced diet that includes a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. The goal is to maintain strength, support the immune system, and help the body cope with treatment.

Natural sources of sugar, such as fruits and milk, are generally considered safe and provide important nutrients. The key concern is not sugar itself, but excessive intake of refined and processed sugars.

The bottom line

The idea that ‘sugar feeds cancer’ is an oversimplification of a much more complex biological process. While cancer cells use glucose for energy, so do all other cells in the body.

There is no scientific evidence that cutting out sugar will stop cancer or replace medical treatment.

What matters more is overall health; maintaining a balanced diet, a healthy weight, and following evidence-based medical treatment.

Patients should be cautious about extreme diets or claims that promise to ‘starve’ cancer. Such approaches can sometimes lead to malnutrition and weaken the body during a time when strength is most needed.

Could that tooth pain be pulpitis?

Pulpitis is a dental condition that happens when the soft inner part of the tooth, called the pulp, becomes inflamed. This inflammation usually begins as a result of untreated cavities, which develop from tooth decay or from injury to the tooth. When a cavity starts, oral microorganisms produce acids that slowly erode the hard, outer layers of the tooth, the enamel and dentin.

If this decay is not treated early, it can reach the pulp, causing irritation and inflammation known as pulpitis. If pulpitis is left untreated, it can cause severe pain and may eventually lead to the loss of the tooth.

Understanding how cavities develop and progress helps explain why pulpitis occurs and highlights the importance of early dental care to prevent worsening of the condition.

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the dental pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. There are two main types of pulpitis: Reversible and irreversible.

Reversible pulpitis is a mild form of inflammation where the pulp can heal if the tooth is treated promptly, often with a filling. Irreversible pulpitis is a more severe inflammation where the pulp cannot recover, and this usually requires more extensive treatment, such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

The main cause of pulpitis is dental caries, commonly known as cavities. As mentioned earlier, bacteria in the mouth produce acids that erode the enamel and dentin, eventually reaching the pulp and causing inflammation. Other causes include trauma to the tooth, such as cracks or chips that expose the pulp to infection. Repeated dental procedures can also irritate the pulp, as can certain chemical irritants from dental materials.

Symptoms, diagnosis

Symptoms of pulpitis include pain that can range from sharp discomfort to severe throbbing. This pain often worsens with exposure to hot, cold, or sweet foods. Teeth may become highly sensitive to temperature changes or sugary substances. In advanced cases, swelling and tenderness may occur in the surrounding tissues. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth can also be signs of bacterial activity and decaying tissue inside the tooth.

Dentists diagnose pulpitis through clinical tests such as tapping the tooth, checking sensitivity, and sometimes using X-rays to see the extent of the damage. Treatment depends on the type of pulpitis.

For reversible pulpitis, a simple filling or crown may be enough to heal the tooth. For irreversible pulpitis, root canal therapy or extraction is often necessary.

Early intervention usually saves the tooth, while delays increase the risk of tooth loss.

Preventing pulpitis involves good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Controlling diet by limiting sugary and acidic foods helps reduce the risk of cavities.

Protective habits, such as avoiding chewing hard objects that can crack teeth, are also important. Regular visits to a dentist are vital, especially in communities where untreated cavities are common, to catch problems early and thus prevent pulpitis from developing.

Networking for a new generation

AS the first and only professor at the Boston University’s College of Communication’s first PR school, Monique Kelley says her students are surprised when she points out that Forbes, in a recent article, listed networking as one of the top 20 skills PR professionals need to develop to succeed.

While the article says these are effective at internal communications, she points out in an article in PR News that ‘networking is essential for all communications and business functions at large.’ And that can make a difference in one’s overall career.

For Kelley, it seems students are puzzled at what networking means. And you can’t blame them. Definitions of networking typically describe it as a transaction that takes place between individuals. According to the journal Career Development International, ‘Networking is defined as a goal-directed behavior, which occurs both inside and outside of an organization, focused on creating, cultivating, and utilizing relationships.’

While most professionals know they should network, according to a Linkedin global survey, only half or 48 percent keep in touch with their networks when things are working well.

It has, in short, become a one-shot deal, not evolving into a long-lasting relationship. Why has this happened? The leading cause: not having enough time, not wanting to ask strangers for favors, and also introverted or shy professionals feeling like they can’t effectively network.

Kelley, who has also written a book, ‘Redefining Networking: How to Lead with Your Unique Value’, nevertheless sees opportunities in this.

‘Instead of looking at networking as a transaction, what if we looked at it as an ongoing way to contribute value to audiences who could benefit from mutually supportive relationships?’ she asks.

Here, she shares with us an example of a three-step process of effective networking in her article: Networking Redefined: How PR Students (and Others) and Break Through. 1. Identify your value.

Consider what makes you unique and the value you can provide to an organization, and or/people. As you gain more experience and widen your network, this value may evolve over time.

2. Find an audience.

Are these customers, shareholders, the communities, or colleagues? Not every service or company is for everyone. Neither is your value. Try to benefit from the value you provide. The more specific, the better.

3. Communicate Your Value.

Kelley says that the art of storytelling is one way you can communicate your value. This could be done ‘through content in Linked in and other social media, as well as smaller and curated social events where you have 1:1 conversations and start to establish relationshipsIs your specialty fashion, the arts, politics, or business? Develop your skills in this and communicate those you have that can contribute to an organization and industry.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom- based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chair.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com..

Sweden’s secondhand clothing swaps offer a trendy way to cut environmental waste

Alva Palosaari Sundman scoured the racks of secondhand clothes in Stockholm for hours in search of the right pair of preowned jeans.

The 24-year-old art student was among hundreds of people attending an annual clothing swap on Sunday at a community center in Sweden’s capital. They exchanged their own clothes to ‘shop’ for others. Similar events drew thousands across the country to reduce the environmental cost of clothing production. Palosaari Sundman said she enjoyed seeing others pick out the clothes she’d brought. ‘It’s like, ‘Oh, OK, it gets a new life with this person,” she said. ‘It just feels a bit more humane.’

The UN Environment Program cites fast fashion as major player in environmental damage, producing up to 10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. Discarded clothes gorge landfills that scar landscapes in developing countries, and the plastic fibers used to make cheap fabrics pollute oceans. To produce a pair of jeans, for example, roughly 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of water is required, UNEP has said.

Sweden’s clothing swap initiative began in 2010 and has grown. Last year, some 140,000 people participated in 140 swap events and took home more than 44,000 preowned items.

Sweden is often seen as environmentally advanced, but the reality is more nuanced. Clothing consumption contributes to roughly 3 percent of a Swede’s total emissions, according to Mistra Future Fashion, a research institute. Swedes last year were banned from throwing away clothes in the regular trash in a European Union bid to boost recycling. But the measure backfired when municipalities’ collection sites were overwhelmed, leading to stockpiles of unused textiles, and the government reversed part of the rule in October. The swap events are organized by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. Its chair, Beatrice Rindevall, said each Swede throws away around 9 to 10 kilograms (20 to 22 pounds) of clothes.

Swedes on average buy around 25 new items of clothing per year, according to the society, and 90 percent of items in wardrobes are never used.

Govt. flags negligence and vulnerability in Treasury payments after $ 2.5 m theft

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has pointed to ‘negligence and vulnerability in Treasury payments’ following the $ 2.5 million cyber breach linked to a Government debt transaction, framing the incident as part of broader systemic weaknesses in public sector processes.

In a Facebook post, Abeysinghe said the breach reflected longstanding deficiencies in administrative systems rather than an isolated failure, noting that inefficiencies in Government services continue to expose operations to risk and fraud.

‘We all know Government services are inefficient and vulnerable to risk and fraud; it may take many years to fix such through the use of digital transformation. We have started, but it will take some time,’ he said.

Referring directly to the Treasury incident, he said: ‘Now the negligence and vulnerability in the Treasury payment.’

Abeysinghe placed the breach alongside a series of recent operational issues, including delays in curriculum book printing, Customs clearance bottlenecks under fast-track processes, and complications in coal procurement, arguing that all stem from process and capacity gaps within the State sector.

‘All four counts to deficiency in the process or people in Government services and these need to improved, many more will get exposed,’ he said.

He added that while the Government remained accountable, addressing such structural weaknesses would require sustained reforms and institutional changes.

‘Whilst acknowledging we are accountable it needs lot of efforts to streamline the system,’ he said.

The Deputy Minister also defended the Government’s broader economic management, stating that despite external shocks in 2025, including ‘Trump tariffs and Ditwa,’ Sri Lanka had recorded ‘a significant economic performance in 2025.’

The $ 2.5 million breach has intensified scrutiny over the integrity of Treasury payment systems at a time when Sri Lanka is navigating a critical phase of fiscal consolidation and debt restructuring, with investor confidence closely tied to the credibility of public financial management.

The Daily FT last Friday reported that the Treasury sought to reassure creditors that external debt servicing would continue despite the breach, which was linked to a bilateral repayment and exposed vulnerabilities during a transitional phase in public debt management.

Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said authorities remained engaged with creditors and had taken steps to avoid disclosures that could compromise ongoing investigations, while maintaining that the Government’s ability to service debt was not at risk.

The incident, involving funds due to Export Finance Australia, was traced to manipulated communication channels, with investigations ongoing into whether internal control lapses or procedural weaknesses contributed to the diversion.

The episode has drawn attention to verification processes within the External Resources Department and the risks associated with the transfer of public debt management functions from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to the Treasury, a period described by officials as ‘vulnerable’ due to overlapping responsibilities and evolving controls.

Fifty years since Vaddukoddai, lessons that cannot be ignored

Fifty years have passed since the adoption of the Vaddukoddai Resolution in May 1976, a defining moment in Sri Lanka’s modern political history. What began as a shift in political strategy by the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), under the leadership of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, marked a decisive move from demands for devolution to a call for a separate Tamil State. The resolution, and the electoral mandate sought in 1977, remains one of the most consequential turning points on our country’s path toward the civil war in 1983.

Interpretations of the Vaddukoddai Resolution vary sharply depending on political perspective. Tamil nationalists often frame it as the culmination of prolonged frustration, decades of failed negotiations, broken promises, and systemic marginalisation by successive governments. From this viewpoint, the demand for separation was not an initial aspiration but a last resort after meaningful power-sharing arrangements repeatedly failed to materialise.

Conversely, Sinhala nationalist narratives tend to portray the resolution as evidence of a long-standing separatist agenda within Tamil politics. In this reading, Vaddukoddai was not a reaction but a revelation, a formal articulation of an enduring desire to divide the country.

It is plausible that sections of the Tamil political elite, particularly those rooted in Jaffna’s upper-caste leadership, initially deployed the idea of separation as a strategic bargaining tool to secure greater autonomy. However, once the call for independence entered the political mainstream, it proved impossible to contain. The older generation of leaders, grounded in parliamentary politics, gradually lost influence to a younger, multitenancy that embraced armed struggle as the primary means of achieving statehood.

Regardless of interpretation, the significance of Vaddukoddai lies not only in its immediate political impact but in the lessons it offers fifty years on. One of the most critical among these is the necessity of preserving democratic space for all citizens, especially minorities. When avenues for political expression are restricted, whether deliberately or through structural inequities, grievances tend to harden, and nationalism becomes an easily exploitable force.

Despite the end of armed conflict in 2009, many of the underlying issues that contributed to it remain insufficiently addressed. Tamil communities continue to seek meaningful recognition of their language, culture, and regional identity, particularly in the areas where they have historically lived. The absence of a durable constitutional framework that accommodates these aspirations within a united country represents a persistent gap in the nation’s reconciliation efforts.

This unresolved space creates fertile ground for renewed polarisation. Elements within the Tamil diaspora, often removed from the daily realities of life in Sri Lanka, continue to advocate for separatist ideals, sometimes invoking historical milestones like Vaddukoddai as rallying points. At the same time, such activism risks reinforcing fears within the Sinhala community, where memories of past conflict remain vivid. In this dynamic, each form of nationalism feeds the other, perpetuating a cycle of suspicion and resistance.

The danger lies not necessarily in an imminent return to war, but in the entrenchment of division. A society that remains fragmented along ethnic lines, even in the absence of violence, cannot fully realise its potential for stability or progress.

At its core, the path forward requires a rejection of exclusionary nationalism in all its forms. It demands a renewed commitment to a political culture that values pluralism, protects minority rights, and fosters genuine dialogue. Only by creating a State that respects and represents all its citizens, irrespective of ethnicity, language, or religion, can Sri Lanka ensure that the forces which once drove it toward conflict are not allowed to re-emerge.