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Editorial
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has once again brought to light the persistent issue of infrastructure vandalism, a challenge that continues to undermine the country’s power sector and prevent the delivery of reliable electricity to millions of Nigerians. At a recent Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja, TCN’s Managing Director, Suleiman Abdulaziz, ...
Editorial
The recent resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, Nigeria’s largest state-owned oil processing facility, has been met with both applause and skepticism. The news marks a significant milestone for the country’s ailing oil and gas sector, one that has long been plagued by underperformance, mismanagement, and political interference. With crude oil processing beginning ...
Editorial
Nigeria’s sanitation crisis, as highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), demands immediate and sustained attention. A staggering 95 million Nigerians lack access to sanitation services, with over 48 million forced to practice open defecation, including 18 million children. This is not just a statistic; it is a public health and human rights disaster ...
Editorial
In the wake of the emergence of the Lakurawa group in Nigeria, there is growing concern over the complex and perilous dynamics at play in the northern region. With their radical ideology and violent methods, Lakurawa has quickly become a significant threat to the security of local communities, further complicating an already strained situation that ...
Editorial
In a recent warning that has sent ripples across the nation, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised alarm over the dangers of low-quality sugar flooding Nigeria’s markets. According to the commission, this imported substandard sugar is not only a threat to public health but also to the sustainability of local industries ...
Editorial
On October 3, 2024, President Bola Tinubu took a significant step toward reshaping Nigeria’s economic future by transmitting four ambitious tax reform bills to the National Assembly. These bills—the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, addressing ...
Editorial
The persistent attacks on Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure in 2024 paint a troubling picture for the country’s already fragile power sector. From January to November, there have been no fewer than nine incidents of vandalism targeting transmission towers across the nation. These acts of sabotage not only reveal a deep disregard for national progress but also ...
Editorial
A recent report from Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has painted a grim picture of a nation in crisis. Over the first nine months of 2024, Nigeria recorded a staggering 1,712 cases of kidnapping and 1,463 murders. These are not mere statistics—they represent lives lost, families torn apart, and communities gripped by fear. The ...
Editorial
Since 2011, when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed two amendments to the 1999 Constitution into law, efforts to further amend the Constitution have largely been unsuccessful. Successive governments have tried and failed, and the ongoing amendment process has dragged on for years, with little progress in sight. Nigerians continue to criticise the existing Constitution, with ...
Editorial
The Federal government is calling for an ambitious $10 billion in private sector investment over the next five to ten years to address the nation’s chronic power supply problems. This appeal, made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in a recent meeting with the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson ...
Editorial
The recurrent collapse of Nigeria’s national electricity grid underscores the critical challenges within the country’s power sector. Despite repeated efforts to address the issue, a permanent solution remains elusive. The problem lies not just in the failure to restore power after each collapse, but in the deeper, systemic issues that continue to undermine the effectiveness ...
Editorial
In a country reeling from a series of pressing challenges, from economic instability to rising insecurity, the recent announcement that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu will lead national prayers is both a powerful and poignant gesture. Organised in collaboration with leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities, this week-long ...
Editorial
Eleven times this year, Nigeria’s national power grid has failed, plunging the country into darkness yet again, with no clear end in sight. This is not just a series of technical hiccups; it is a glaring failure of a broken energy infrastructure that cries out for urgent reform. It is clear that the time for ...
Editorial
Since the closure of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) $500 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) project, awarded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, little has been heard about the fate of the ambitious initiative. The project, designed to enhance security and public safety in the nation’s capital, was aimed at curbing the rising ...
Editorial
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election offers important lessons for democracies around the world, including Nigeria. While the political contexts of both countries differ, the principles that sustain any democracy—such as the role of institutions, electoral integrity, and public trust—remain universally relevant. Trump’s second term will provide critical insights into the challenges ...
Editorial
In the fast-evolving global landscape, the notion of age as a barrier to higher education is quickly becoming outdated. Nigeria, with its youthful and dynamic population, stands at a crossroads where the potential of its young people is still largely untapped. The recent reversal of the 18-year age limit for university admission signals an important ...
Editorial
This past Tuesday, Nigerians awoke to another alarming rise in petrol prices, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announcing that pump prices have surged to N1,060 per litre in the Federal Capital Territory and N1,025 in Lagos. This marks the second increase in just three weeks, raising concerns about the impact on everyday life ...
Editorial
The recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights a troubling reality in Nigeria’s economic situation. Despite rising debt costs, Nigeria continues to borrow heavily, raising concerns about its financial stability. The IMF warns that without significant changes, the country may soon reach a critical tipping point. During a press conference at the IMF/World ...
Editorial
The recent case involving Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, highlights a troubling intersection of power and accountability in Nigeria. Charged with assaulting a Bolt driver at his residence, the lawmaker has entered a plea of not guilty to allegations that include abuse of office and threats to life. While ...
Editorial
The recent unveiling of made-in-Nigeria laptops and tablets by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) serves as a powerful rebuttal against the widespread poverty plaguing the nation. In partnership with Imose Technologies Ltd, this initiative underscores Nigeria’s potential to harness its local resources and talent to create solutions that directly address economic ...
Editorial
The World Bank’s recent endorsement of Nigeria’s economic reforms raises pressing questions about its priorities and the impact on the Nigerian populace. Over the past five years, Nigeria has borrowed more than $24 billion from the global lender, with the Bola Tinubu administration alone accruing $6.45 billion in just 16 months. This borrowing spree coincided ...
Editorial
As Nigeria grapples with escalating security challenges, the necessity for a robust, domestically produced satellite infrastructure has become increasingly critical. Last week’s forum convened by the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in Abuja emphasised this urgency. It brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Defence, and the private sector, all ...
Editorial
Since the suspension of the Nigeria Air joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines in May 2023, little has been communicated about this ambitious project. Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika announced the suspension shortly before leaving office, and Festus Keyamo confirmed this decision, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction voided the joint venture agreement. Reports ...
Editorial
As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, a glaring hypocrisy has emerged in the expectations placed on Africa. Despite being the least emitter of carbon emissions, African nations are increasingly urged to take the lead in global climate action. This demand becomes especially disconcerting when viewed against the backdrop of ...
Editorial
The recent decision by the Nigerian Senate to establish an investigative panel in response to allegations against Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Yisa Ashiru highlights a critical juncture in the nation’s political landscape. The accusations levelled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)—that Ashiru is involved in drug trafficking—are severe and require thorough examination. Yet, ...
Editorial
The recent collapse of Nigeria’s power grid for the third time in just one week is a stark reminder of the ongoing energy crisis that has plagued the nation. Following similar blackouts last week, this latest incident marks the eighth failure of the national grid in 2024 alone, adding to a staggering total of 46 ...
Editorial
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to eradicate poverty by 2030 appears increasingly unattainable, especially in light of the World Bank’s recent report. Despite concerted global efforts, nearly 700 million people are still living on less than $2.15 per day. Projections for 2030 indicate that around 7.3 percent of the world’s population may continue to ...
Editorial
The recent petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Jigawa State, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the precariousness of life and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in our transportation systems. The loss of 140 lives, with nearly 90 others critically injured, marks one of the most devastating incidents in recent memory, leaving families shattered ...
Editorial
World Food Day (WFD), celebrated on October 16th, was established by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in 1979, coinciding with its founding on the same date in 1946. The day aims to raise awareness about the global fight against hunger. Over 150 countries observe World Food Day annually, and the 2024 theme is “Right ...
Editorial
As Nigeria navigates a challenging economic landscape under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration, an important question arises: does the Nigerian Economic Summit truly benefit the everyday citizen? This annual gathering of policymakers, business leaders, and civil society aims to forge strategies for economic growth and development. However, the tangible impact of these discussions ...