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Editorial
The tragic capsizing of a boat on the Niger River on Independence Day, which left no fewer than 150 passengers feared dead, is a reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures in our waterways. The incident, occurring in Gwajibo village while the boat was en route to a Maulid Nabbiy celebration, highlights the ...
Editorial
There is an alarming urgency regarding the future of Nigeria’s public university system. Recent statements from President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, during the ASUU State of the Nation conference in Abuja, underscore this reality. Academics from both local and international institutions gathered to discuss pressing issues, and Osodeke’s warnings ...
Editorial
Nigerians have long lost count of the promises made by the Federal Government and its petroleum managers, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), regarding the restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the other refineries in the country. The turnaround maintenance project, which began in 2021, has cost an astonishing $1.5 billion and ...
Editorial
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of government in fostering innovation cannot be overstated. Dr. BosunTijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, recently addressed critics of his ministry’s push for artificial intelligence (AI) and talent development. His vision, articulated at the Moonshot by TechCabal event, underscores a crucial turning point for ...
Editorial
The Federal Government (FG) should intervene to resolve the conflict between the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara to allow the citizens to enjoy true Dividends of Democracy in the state. The rift between the two elephants may escalate into violence, threatening the state’s stability and security. Just ...
Editorial
As President Bola Tinubu approaches a cabinet reshuffle 17 months into his tenure, the move comes as a necessary response to growing public dissatisfaction with the performance of several ministers. Speculation around this reshuffle has intensified in recent weeks, driven by a widespread belief that certain portfolios have not lived up to expectations. The administration’s ...
Editorial
Nigeria’s security landscape has reached a critical juncture, demanding urgent attention and action. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja recently highlighted a reality that many have been reluctant to confront: the nation has only two million security personnel for a staggering population of 200 million. This alarming ratio emphasises a glaring inadequacy ...
Editorial
Urbanisation, a fundamental aspect of human development, traces its roots back to Ancient Mesopotamia around 4300 BC. In Nigeria, however, this phenomenon took a distinct turn during the colonial era, particularly in the early 1950s, when about 19 percent of the population began migrating to urban centers. By 1985, this figure had climbed to 24 ...
Editorial
The recent decision by the Nigerian Senate to reject a bill aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for private investigators represents a significant setback for the professionalisation of a sector that is increasingly relevant in today’s complex socio-economic landscape. Proposed by Senator Osita Ngwu of the Peoples Democratic Party, the bill aimed not only to ...
Editorial
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should establish clear economic pillars to drive growth, stability, and development. These pillars can serve as a roadmap for Nigeria’s economic progress. Macroeconomic Stability, Financial Inclusion, Agricultural Development, Industrialization, Infrastructure Development, Human Capital Development, Export-Led Growth. and Digital Economy The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria ...
Editorial
Nigeria’s presentation at the 79th United Nations General Assembly was not merely a diplomatic formality; it was a compelling call to re-evaluate the frameworks that govern global governance. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, addressed critical issues that extend beyond Nigeria’s borders, including climate change, debt relief, and the stark ...
Editorial
The recent allegations against Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, present a significant challenge for the Bola Tinubu administration. With accusations from notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the integrity of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity is at stake. In a striking video, Turji claimed that the former governor ...
Editorial
The high cost of living in Nigeria has become undeniable, especially since the controversial removal of the oil subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government on May 29, 2023. Families across the country are now struggling to afford basic food items, as prices soar in response to fuel pump prices ranging from N1,250 to N1,500 ...
Editorial
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again found itself at the precipice of industrial action, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria. This latest warning underscores the long-standing grievances that continue to plague our nation’s public universities and the urgent need for resolution. ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke’s statement on ...
Editorial
In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing surge in ritual murders, a horrific trend that now ensnares our youth. Once thought to be the domain of hardened criminals, these heinous acts have infiltrated the lives of teenagers and young adults, including university students. The case of Damilola Olowoyo, a 17-year-old undergraduate at the Federal ...
Editorial
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads in its pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in achieving universal access to sanitation. A recent UNICEF report reveals that the country needs approximately 20 million toilets to eliminate the rampant practice of open defecation—a stark indicator of our national failure with just seven years remaining until the 2030 ...
Editorial
The prolonged turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries, especially the Port Harcourt facility, has become a troubling saga. Launched before 2021, this initiative has devoured millions of Naira without producing tangible results. As a result, the hope for these refineries to resume operations has faded, leaving many Nigerians disillusioned and frustrated. For years, government officials have ...
Editorial
The escalating tension between the Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has reached a critical juncture. With a three-week ultimatum now in place for the settlement of outstanding salaries, the stakes have never been ...
Editorial
In recent weeks, Nigerians have faced a harsh reality that starkly contrasts with the assurances given by their leaders. The choice presented to the public was described as a “devil’s alternative”: accept a national minimum wage of N250,000, contingent on a rise in fuel prices to between N1,500 and N2,000 per litre, or settle for ...
Editorial
The recent revelation by the Federal Ministry of Power that 63 transmission towers were vandalised between January and August is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector. The ministry’s statement, laced with a sense of mortification, highlighted the devastating impact of vandalism on the country’s infrastructure and economy. The statistics are alarming ...
Editorial
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces a formidable challenge in the forthcoming 21st of September Edo State governorship election, with the commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, playing a pivotal role in its effectiveness. The stakes are high, as the major political parties and their supporters have made it clear that they intend to make ...
Editorial
Hyperinflation has gripped Nigeria with a ferocity that undermines the very fabric of society. Characterised by an uncontrollable rise in prices, hyperinflation reveals the dire state of our economy, driven largely by an excessive money supply that far exceeds the availability of goods and services. This crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with the Naira now ...
Editorial
Nigeria has earned a notorious reputation for unchecked violence and murderous mayhem, perpetuated by non-state actors who seem to operate with impunity. The latest report from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) paints a grim picture: 55,910 civilians killed between October 2019 and September 2023, with 81 percent of these deaths occurring on ...
Editorial
The catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, which has submerged large parts of the city and displaced over 200,000 people, underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to reevaluate and strengthen its flood management strategies. Nearly 30 years after the Alau Dam’s previous collapse, the recent disaster serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities and ...
Editorial
The core of the #EndBadGovernance protests that rocked Nigeria in August were in the inability of Nigeria’s poor to sustain their demands over time, a factor that emphasises the need for both national and local governments to engage earnestly with their grievances. To ensure that these voices are not merely heard but acted upon, it ...
Editorial
The recent floods in Nigeria, particularly in the North East, have unleashed a devastating trail of death and destruction, leaving countless lives lost and entire communities submerged. The sheer scale of the disaster poses the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and sustained support for affected populations. The statistics projected that at least 170 people ...
Editorial
Since the turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery began in 2021, there has been a continuous stream of promises regarding the project’s completion and the subsequent restart of the facility’s production. Despite the change in administrations and numerous ministers, the situation remains unchanged. Former President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the project and handed it over ...
Editorial
The recent decision to increase the petrol price by the NNPC is tone deaf, and nothing short of a betrayal of the Nigerian populace. This reckless move is a stark reminder of how disconnected the ruling elite is from the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens. Instead of addressing the economic hardships plaguing the country, ...
Editorial
Nigeria has earned a notorious reputation for unchecked violence and murderous mayhem, perpetuated by non-state actors who seem to operate with impunity. The latest report from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) paints a grim picture: 55,910 civilians killed between October 2019 and September 2023, with 81 percent of these deaths occurring on ...
Editorial
In a move that threatens to stymie the academic ambitions of countless young Nigerians, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, recently announced a significant policy shift. Effective from 2025, no Nigerian child under the age of 18 will be permitted to sit for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Recall that the ...