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Editorial
The recent claim by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been channelled to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda has reignited widespread concern and demands for a thorough investigation. While U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills has dismissed the allegation, stating there is no ...
Editorial
The ongoing interference in the admission processes of Nigerian universities is stifling their autonomy, which is essential for their growth, and undermining the quality of higher education in the country. Overregulation by the Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC) has created an environment of uncertainty, ...
Editorial
Since the removal of fuel subsidies by the current administration, Nigerians have been grappling with an unprecedented rise in the cost of goods and services. The soaring prices have placed immense pressure on ordinary citizens, particularly the lower and middle classes, who now struggle to afford basic necessities. Prior to this shift, the cost of ...
Editorial
The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun, has been a game-changer in the South-West region of Nigeria. The security outfit to tackle the growing insecurity, kidnapping, and influx of unauthorised individuals from Northern Nigeria, Amotekun has achieved numerous successes and its effectiveness in addressing regional security challenges. As a complementary force to the Nigerian ...
Editorial
The passage of Nigeria’s 2025 budget has been fraught with controversy and uncertainty, raising concerns about its impact on the nation’s economy and the welfare of ordinary citizens. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed budget of ¦ 47.9 trillion has been met with scepticism, with many questioning its ability to address Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges. A ...
Editorial
The debate surrounding the fate of unclaimed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Nigeria has recently gained attention, particularly following a report suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might consider destroying over six million uncollected cards. However, INEC has swiftly debunked this claim, asserting that no such policy is under consideration. While this may ...
Editorial
By Sodiq Adelakun Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has sternly prohibited the practice of assigning manual labour to schoolchildren after he uncovered an alarming incident at the School for Arabic Studies. During an unannounced visit to the institution, the governor discovered that students were being forced to dig a trench for the installation of a ...
Editorial
The ongoing battle against the proliferation of counterfeit goods in Nigeria has once again come to the forefront, with the House of Representatives urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency to address the surge of fake products in the country. This call resonates deeply with the general public, who are all too ...
Editorial
It is deeply concerning that certain telecom operators have, without due consultation or consideration, raised their tariffs in the name of implementing a 50% increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This increase has been introduced ahead of the scheduled negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour on the matter. Such an action ...
Editorial
Commonly referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa’ due to its large population, robust economy, and abundant natural resources, Nigeria is blessed with over 200 million people. Seventy percent of the population comprises youth who have high potential to contribute positively to the country’s economic growth. With a huge percentage of youth in Nigeria’s population, ...
Editorial
The recent death of Dr. Joe Madu, a Nigerian doctor who tragically passed away after complaining of severe cough and chest pain, underscores the persistent and systemic issues within Nigeria’s healthcare system. Dr. Madu, who trained at Abia State University Medical School and aspired to become a surgeon, was in the early stages of his ...
Editorial
The Nigerian government’s proposed increase in the 2025 budget, from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, is a double-edged sword. While an increase in the budget size might be crucial for addressing pressing national issues, it comes with a significant risk of exacerbating inflation if not carefully managed. This proposed expansionary fiscal policy, outlined by President ...
Editorial
In recent weeks, discussions surrounding the planned increases in electricity and telecom tariffs in Nigeria have generated considerable debate, and rightfully so. While there are many supporting the tariff hikes as necessary measures for sector sustainability, the broader implications of such increases on the average Nigerian cannot be overlooked. These price hikes, which will inevitably ...
Editorial
It is no longer news that the Eastern Rail Corridor Project, initiated during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which sought to link the South Eastern part of Nigeria to the rest of the nation, has been largely abandoned. This refers to the rail corridor stretching from Port Harcourt to Aba, Enugu to Benue, and up to ...
Editorial
The recent alarm raised by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) over the diversion of 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily, intended for local refineries, has brought to light a significant issue affecting Nigeria’s energy sector. According to PETROAN, oil-producing companies have been rerouting this crude to international markets, thereby stalling ...
Editorial
Since the assumption of office last year, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has been actively engaging with other government agencies in an effort to combat corruption in Nigeria. Through high-level partnerships with various stakeholders, the EFCC has aimed to foster collaboration towards the complete eradication of corruption in ...
Editorial
As the 2025 rainy season looms, there is little optimism regarding the state of Nigeria’s federal roads. Despite the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi’s assurances that all federal roads would be in good condition by the end of 2024, the reality is far from what was promised. Instead, road users continue to face bad experiences, ...
Editorial
The frequency and devastation caused by petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria have reached alarming levels, and both the government and citizens must recognise this as a national emergency. In just the past few weeks, over 100 lives were tragically lost in petrol tanker-related accidents across Oyo, Niger, and most recently, Enugu States. These horrific events ...
Editorial
Population census is the backbone of a nation’s statistical system and its importance cannot be overstated. A country without accurate data from a proper population census is akin to existing in the dark, without a clear sense of direction. Sadly, this is the situation in Nigeria today. The last successful and widely accepted census in ...
Editorial
The ongoing destruction of Nigeria’s power infrastructure is no longer just an inconvenience but a looming threat to national security and economic stability. Over the past month alone, more than 18 transmission towers were vandalized in various states including Rivers, Abia, and Kano, and parts of the nation’s capital, Abuja, were plunged into darkness due ...
Editorial
Infrastructural vandalism in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has become a growing and worrying issue that demands immediate action. The damage caused by these criminal acts not only puts public safety at risk but also impedes the city’s development and the country’s overall progress. A key first step in tackling this problem should be enhancing security measures ...
Editorial
The recent briefing by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on the federal government’s plans for using the savings from fuel subsidy removal is notable. However, it raises a crucial concern among many Nigerians: despite the government’s promises, the benefits of this policy shift have yet to make a significant difference in the ...
Editorial
Nigeria’s population growth has reached a critical juncture, with rapid increases in numbers placing immense pressure on the nation’s resources, economy, and infrastructure. By the end of 2025, the country’s population is expected to reach 237 million, an increase of over four million from 2023. More alarmingly, experts predict that the population could reach 450 ...
Editorial
The relief many Nigerians hoped for with the reopening of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries appears to have been short-lived, as the recent hike in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and, by extension, the pump price, has dashed these hopes. This increase, endorsed by both the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ...
Editorial
The power vested in Nigerian governors under Chapter 6, Section 212 of the 1990 Nigerian Constitution to exercise the prerogative of mercy is a fundamental aspect of the judicial system. This provision allows governors to pardon convicted individuals, offering them a chance for redemption. However, as with any power, its use must be responsible, measured, ...
Editorial
The stark contrast between the fast-paced political manoeuvrings of US President Donald Trump and Nigeria’s notoriously slow and bureaucratic political processes cannot be overstated. Upon assuming office, Trump wasted no time, quickly signing a series of executive orders that initiated immediate policy changes. From border security to climate agreements, his presidency was characterised by decisiveness ...
Editorial
In a rapidly changing global landscape, nations must constantly reevaluate their foreign policies to safeguard their interests and enhance their international standing. For Nigeria, a country with a rich history of leadership in Africa and on the global stage, this process is no longer a matter of choice, it is a necessity. The administration of ...
Editorial
The escalating food insecurity in Nigeria is a crisis that continues to worsen, despite the federal government’s repeated assurances and promises. Six months ago, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari pledged that food prices would experience significant reductions within 180 days. Yet, millions of Nigerians are still grappling with soaring food prices, as staple ...
Editorial
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate has once again risen, from 33.60% in November to 34.8% in December 2024. This continual increase in inflation is a growing concern for the nation, particularly since the current administration took office on 29th May 2023. The inflation rate escalated sharply following President Bola ...
Editorial
The long-standing dispute between telecom companies and financial institutions over the N250bn Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debt has finally reached a critical juncture. In a move that underscores the intensifying pressure on telecom operators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorised the disconnection of USSD services for nine financial institutions, starting January 27, 2025. ...