Former Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, on Tuesday averred that Nigeria is at war and the country’s leaders must be ready to fight the economic and security challenges confronting the nation.

In a string of posts on X, Mr. Akande lamented the rate of the American dollar to the Nigerian naira which has climbed to an all-time high of N1800/$1.

He also bemoaned the activities of food smugglers out of Nigeria despite that the country is facing food crisis, sparking protests all over the country, no thanks to the economic hardship occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy and floating of the naira mid-2023 by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akande, television host of Inside Sources on Channels Television, said those who want to rubbish Nigeria are unrelenting but leaders must be bold and unsparing to stamp them out.

The Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst who has been unequivocal about his stance on bold leadership said the current echelon of people in government must win this war.

He wrote: “Naira is now N1,800 to a dollar! LORD HAVE MERCY! And in one night, 45 trucks attempting to smuggle food out of the country amid rising food prices here in Nigeria!

“Thankfully, the trucks were intercepted according to the Vice President. Let’s be frank with ourselves, it’s like Nigeria is at war!

“Hopefully, our leaders are READY for this fight. [This was the point of My Take last Friday on #InsideSources @channelstv].

“Those who want to rubbish Nigeria are unrelenting, Mr. President & team must rise up with boldness; win this fight once & for all. 1800 Naira to the dollar?”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has added a new twist to the controversial primaries for the Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September 21 saying it is yet to be concluded.

The party therefore fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024 for the completion of the process.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, stated these while reading the decision of its National Working Committee (NWC) in a meeting held on Tuesday night.

He said, “At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to consider the report on the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, the National Working Committee (NWC) deliberated on the report and resolved that the Edo State Governorship Primary Election has not been completed, and has now fixed Thursday February 22, 2024 for the completion of the Primary Election Process.”

The poll, which was conducted on February 17 had produced three winners.

The Chairman of Electoral Committee of the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma, had announced Dennis Idahosa as winner, while returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as winner.

Elsewhere, Ojo Babatunde, who claimed to be representing the returning officers in all the local governments declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.

Following the confusion that ensued, both Dekeri and Okpebholo had written the appeal committee of the party to demand their certificates of return.

Another aspirant, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, insisted on Tuesday that no election held in the state contrary to results that were announced.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Morka disclosed that the election has not been completed, adding that the process will continue on Thursday.

He said, “I am here to give you the outcome of the emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of our party held today regarding Edo State governorship primary election.

“At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 to consider the report on the Edo governorship primary election, the National Working Committee of our party deliberated and resolved that the governorship primary election has not been completed and has now fixed Thursday, February 22 for the completion of the APC Edo State” primary election process.”

Meanwhile, the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, had earlier congratulated Idahosa on this emergence as the party’s candidate.

It was nor clear as of press time what led to the decision of the party’s NWC led by Ganduje.

President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s directive followed the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

According to the statement, “Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.

“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.

“Following the example of the Presidency, Chief of Staff also urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dragged a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Husaini Mohammed Auwal, before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged N998,421,564 fraud.

Auwal was arraigned alongside his company, Humak Global Business Links before Justice J.O Abdulmalik on Monday on a six-count charge bordering on allegations of illegal financial transactions.

According to a statement shared by the EFCC on its official X handle, the defendant was arrested following a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) of criminal conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining money by false pretence.

The commission said that Auwal’s company, between 2016 and 2017, carried out BDC businesses without a valid licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, an offence that contravened Sections 57 and 59 (5) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

It also alleged that the defendants, on or about August 10, 2020, received a total inflow of N47,250,000 from Khadab Ventures and Trust Limited into Humak Global Business Link’s First City Monument Bank, FCMB, account number 4497159015 in excess of N10 million and failed to report same to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), an offence under 11 (1) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The EFCC said the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, adding that the prosecutor, Deborah Ademu Eteh, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional facility.

The defence counsel, it said, called the attention of the court to an existing bail application and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.

“Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till February 23, for a hearing of bail application and March 21, 2024, for trial. She also ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC`s custody until the adjourned date,” the statement read.

Auwal was arrested by the EFCC following intelligence received by the Commission on April 28, 2022, from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, which showed that the defendant was allegedly receiving huge wire transfers from diverse entities through his company`s account and would promptly transfer such funds to various accounts, violating the daily transfer threshold.

Again, the defendant was also allegedly operating a BDC without an appropriate licence.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has fixed Tuesday, March 5, 2024, for the computer-based test (CBT) for successful applicants for Police recruitment from the just-concluded credentials and physical screening held in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, stated this while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday.

He said a total of 171,956 applicants scaled the screening exercise to take part in the computer-based tests for the general duty positions.

According to him, “The commission after the meeting of the Police Recruitment Board on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 approved that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, should conduct the computer-based tests for the Police applicants because of its long-standing pedigree in such examinations.”

The 171,956 applicants shortlisted are made up of 25,818 females and 146,138 males.

The PSC also said successful candidates from the computer-based test will be required to appear for medical examinations before they proceed for training.

Meanwhile, the chairman of PSC, Dr Solomon Arase, has said the commission was on course to conclude the exercise on time so that successful candidates can be quickly injected into the system to join in the renewed war against insurgency and banditry.

President Bola Tinubu’s government is targeting $10 billion in revenue generation to increase foreign exchange liquidity and stabilize the naira, Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed on Tuesday.

Addressing the inaugural Public Wealth Management Conference in Abuja, Shettima outlined the administration’s plans to optimize management of federal assets and investments towards unlocking their revenue potential.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) with the theme, “Championing Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity”.

According to the president, his administration will generate millions of jobs by leveraging Nigeria’s extensive public assets to maximize and double the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What the President is Saying

Reading the President’s Keynote address, VP Shettima stated:

“The Federal Government set a goal to raise at least $10 Billion in order to increase foreign exchange liquidity, a key ingredient to stabilise the Naira and grow the economy.
“At the core of this is ensuring optimal management of the assets and investments of the Federal Government towards unlocking their revenue potential. This includes our bold and achievable plan to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next 8 years.”

However, Tinubu pointed out that years of mismanagement and underutilization have affected Nigeria’s assets, both within and beyond its borders, resulting in revenue losses that have impeded economic growth.

Meanwhile, he assured that the newly restructured Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which is to act as custodian and active manager of these assets, will now take the center stage.

The President further emphasised transparency and accountability as key principles, believing that improved corporate governance, innovative partnerships, and attracting alternative investment capital will significantly increase returns.

What you should know

President Tinubu’s government’s move to merge the forex windows in mid-2023 triggered a significant drop in the Naira’s value, with its exchange rate against the Dollar escalating from roughly N700/$1 to an unprecedented level of over N1,500/$1.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has partly attributed the significant foreign exchange challenges facing Nigeria to the absence of inflow of foreign exchange into the country due to lack of confidence from investors.

To address these challenges, the CBN revised the operations of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), restricting them to inbound transfers only and mandating that international transfers be paid out in Naira.

This policy impacts major IMTOs, including Western Union and MoneyGram, and is part of broader efforts to stabilize the foreign exchange market.

  In a presentation to the Senate two weeks ago, Cardoso revealed that around $1 billion has been invested in the FX market over the past couple of weeks, adding that CBN’s recent policies have contributed to this positive trajectory.

The Lagos State Government has said the Ikeja Computer Village is a residential area, hence the reason for the proposed relocation of the electronic gadgets village to Katangua in Abule-Egba area of the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, disclosed this on Tuesday, during a visit to the electronic gadgets’ centre in Ikeja.

The assessment was conducted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other pertinent government bodies responsible for such affairs.

Babatunde said that by law, the Ikeja Computer Village is currently located in a residential area, adding that the plan to relocate the centre to Abule Egba has been delayed due to certain reasons.

He, however, said the issues were being addressed already, declaring that occupants of the residential area within the computer village would soon be relocated and settled in Katangua, Abule Egba

He said, “Where the Computer Village is located is, was, and will continue by law to be a residential area, hence we must follow the law. Katangua is the area designated (for such activity) by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, particularly the Office of Physical Planning.

“We chose Katangua because of the good road network, we are certain that we are not going to be having traffic problems once Katangua is ready to receive the people from Computer Village. The expanse of land is such that when you drive in, the person would get lost because of how huge the place is, it is not something that was not well thought of, it is within the model city plan for the area.

According to Bababtunde, it is incorrect to state that the market is congested, adding that no market springs up without the population around the area.

He added, “We are moving the village into a place where their business would thrive while maintaining the status quo, Ikeja Computer Village was a residential area before, it is presently, and I think it will continue to be a residential area., we must ensure that things are being done according to the law, since the law states that it is a residential area, it should remain as such.

“Katangua market will majorly accommodate the traders within the computer village, they would have market stores and outlets, and they would also have secured title to the stores allocated to them so that if they want to take loans from the properties they have within the market, they can use that with any bank. In addition, there would be banking facilities, clinics, schools, crèche, storage facilities, and some housing including hotels where those who come to the place outside of Lagos would be accommodated within the area.”

Speaking on the price outlook, Babatunde asserted the question was difficult to answer at the moment because of the increase prices of building materials.

He stated, “It would be difficult to answer the question presently, I would have spoken on it if it were last year. You know what the price of cement was a few weeks ago, you know what it is today, so I think it is better for the people who would be constructing the facility to drive the cost, but we must control it. In terms of road accessibility, the access is being planned by the government.”

The Special Adviser noted that the relocation was gradual and consultations with market leaders and the development of the katangua site had already commenced.

He disclosed, “We are planning with the people, they are also ready and we will continue to carry them along on the katangua plan.”

It was earlier reported on Saturday that the Lagos State Government was set to relocate the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangua in the Abule-Egba area, in a bid to re-organise the markets in the state.

Arising from a stakeholder meeting on February 20, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) confirmed that it has resumed operations after down tooling for two days.

Its national president, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, broke the news in Abuja after a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); representatives of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and others.

The NARTO boss also confirmed that the marketers have increased the freight rate of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N32.

He said since the marketers were still calculating the actual figure, he could not state a particular amount of the new freight rate.

He noted that the association would direct its members to start lifting petrol immediately.

During a Senate session on Tuesday, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio stated that many of the recent protests over Nigeria’s economic hardship have been sponsored campaigns.

“You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there. Most of those sponsored protests are not aware of the kind of efforts being made by this Senate to tackle the situation,” Akpabio declared.

“There is no father that wants to see his child sleep in the night without food, with their stomach grumbling. So we must provide.”

The Senate President did not provide evidence to back up his claim that the protests have sponsors behind them.

The comments come amid widespread demonstrations and civil actions across Nigeria over surging costs of living, unemployment, and hunger.

Nigeria has a new crop of digital television stations, in their hundreds and possibly thousands, that are giving terrestrial, cable/pay, and free-to-air TV operators a run for their money. These unlicensed, unregulated, and mostly untrained TV stations comprise the numerous digital content pages that litter the country’s social media space. From regular everyday happenings to the seldom seen and unheard of, these digital stations offer an array of creative content, featuring comical and sidesplitting moments, junk journalism, societal trends, loyalty tests, blind dates, pranks, and all sorts of citizens’ reportage and social experiments that reflect the appetite of its audience, and exposes the underbelly of a weakening social fabric. This piece discusses the proliferation of digital content creators in Nigeria, from the perspective of seven distinct categories. It also highlights key creative clusters and interesting sectoral nuances based on observation.

In January 2021, Africa Polling Institute (API), an Abuja-based opinion research think-tank, released its first study on Nigeria’s digital content space, titled:  Skit Economy: An Assessment of Digital Content Creators in Nigeria. I served as principal investigator on the study, which sought to examine the ubiquity of digital content creators, especially amongst the protuberant youth demography. The study adopted a mixed methods approach, gathering quantitative and qualitative data to explore the potential of skit-making to create jobs, generate wealth, and stimulate the economy; while examining the challenges faced by creatives. Firstly, we highlighted the huge appetite for digital content in Nigeria, as two-thirds of citizens affirmed that they watched comedy skits, as a way to relax and de-stress. Secondly, social media platforms like Facebook (58%), Instagram (34%), and YouTube (18%) are the channels through which people watch digital content. Thirdly, content creators have evolved from producing content for merely fun and comedy, to disseminating information, marketing commercial brands, and advocating social change. Fourthly, Broda Shaggi (35%), Mark Angel (26%), Mr. Macaroni (15%), Taaooma (12%), and Lasisi Elenu (11%) were ranked the top five skit-makers in Nigeria.

Following the release of the publication and the traction generated, API constituted a Digital Content Observatory that has continued to monitor trends within the new media space in Nigeria, and this piece draws extensively from our observations. We have observed, for example, that the sub-sector has become highly proliferated, growing exponentially over the last two years, with hordes of new entrants now making a living, and addressing themselves, as Content Creators. In addition, many digital content creators, especially on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, now focus on specific niches of creative content, as opposed to being jacks of all trades. Consequently, within these niches, consumers are exposed to the good, bad, and ugly; from the funny, informative, and inspiring, to the ridiculous, uncouth, offensive, and outrightly unbelievable. The Observatory has identified at least seven distinct categories of digital content pages on Facebook alone, discussed below, consistently dishing out creative content, keeping viewers hooked, and fiercely competing for screen time with other television outlets.

Comedy Skits – Traditional comedy skits from the likes of Broda Shaggi, Mr. Macaroni, Lasisi Elenu, Taaooma, Sydiwundi, Josh2Funny, Nasboi, TriClowns, Davidsyn Comedy, and AshMusy, constitute the first distinct category of digital content pages you’ll find on Facebook. These folks produce skits mainly for entertainment; and often for marketing and informational purposes, such as EgungunOfLagos, whose skit attempts to cost the outfits of his celebrity guests; OlaofLagos, who advertises luxury cars; and Gehgeh, who offers entrepreneurship and financial counseling in pidgin English. Interestingly, over the last couple of years, artists like Sabinus, Brain Jotter, Layi Wasabi, and GorosoEkiti have honed their arts to gain significant influence within the social space.

Movies – The second category comprises social media pages that regularly post content from Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood. Often, these Facebook pages upload short captivating clips from recent Nollywood movies, while directing the public to their YouTube pages to watch the full movie. They include Confirm Nollywood, Nollylove Movies, NollyMateTv, NollyVision, and Mirian Movies on Facebook. This is not forgetting the likes of RuthKadiriTv, OmoniOboliTv, DestinyEtikoTv, AdaKirikiriTv, and UchennaMbunaboTv among others consistently dishing out great Nollywood movies on YouTube. I will leave these for a future piece.

Pranks – The third category are tricks and mischievous acts targeted at the unsuspecting public. While some people may find them funny, others find them quite offensive, as they often constitute public nuisance. Imagine raising false alarms to scare people, disguising as a madman to irritate passersby, eating a stranger’s food without invitation, or fooling around with the ubiquitous cucumber-in-pant ruse termed Gbola prank. The main culprits in this category are Machigoldpranks, Untouchable Comedies, Flowerboy Comedy, Teaserprank, Bob2funny Comedies, DerexxTv, McNoni, Iamtrinityguy, TwinsOfAfrica, and CheffingKing, whose latest escapade has been the phony and raunchy character, Dr. Akajiukwu, who specializes in ladies' massage. Creatives in this category are merchants of [vawulence] as they call it, and their slogan is “I don’t want peace, I want problems always”.

Blind Dates and Loyalty Tests – These are pages that help singles find love and match-make those in search of relationships. The frontliners are Playmate Comedy, Blind Date TV, NonsMiraj, Splendor’s Diary, NaijaNicki, and Freshwin_Officiall. A subset of this category specializes in matching older ladies/sugar mummies with younger sugar boys, as seen on Sweet.Curlins, Qualityc Comedian, and Chidera Comedy. Interestingly, while some persons have been lucky to find their soul mates on these platforms, others have ended up in rather unpleasant gbas-gbos. Yet, there are persons already in relationships who seek to test the loyalty of their partners, thus reaching out to content creators like - The Honour, Officialjulezz, The Help House TV, and Keezynasion.

Conflict Resolution – Yet again, some digital content pages have become experts in conflict resolution, especially as it pertains to relationship issues, family disagreements, and dealing with life’s challenges. These content creators are filling a major gap in alternative dispute resolution, as you would often find cases that should ordinarily be reported to the police or taken to the courts being treated and settled amicably. The leading lights in this category are MC Reality, Deacon_Famous, Chiamaka Ugoo Tv, Maryjanetv, Ada Uli, Sonia Official, IpallyTalker, JattoTV, PavicTv, AnnyCourage, OG Baba1, Theo Ayoms, and Spartacuz Nation.

Confessions – If you think you’ve heard unbelievable stories, you may need to check out this category of digital content. They present shocking, unbelievable, and even dreadful happenings; similar to confessions one would find on Nkan Mbe, the now-rested 1990s Yoruba show that presented strange occurrences back in the day. On these Facebook pages, you’ll hear about confessions and exposés that would make your ears tingle, from persons in distress as a result of the repercussions of past deeds, who consider these content pages appropriate for public confession. The heavyweights are UncleNasco, Skitlord Comedy, Rosy TV, Nobodybunu, De RealOma, Alamnaco, and Comedian Gwagon.

Philanthropy – The seventh distinct category of digital content are pages that engage in charity and philanthropic activities. The impact of these content creators on the lives of their beneficiaries can be instantly seen and felt. Although most content creators often do “giveaways” as a way to reward loyal fans and drive followership, pages under this category exist purely for charitable causes. OsitaPopcorn is a leading philanthropist in this space. He has recently incorporated the OsitaPopcorn Foundation and acquired a bus to enhance his charity operations. Other pages under this category include: Oga Amos and A. A. Clown, who continue to put smiles to the faces of ordinary Nigerians through their extraordinary acts of kindness.

In conclusion, we’ve observed that most content creators have unique straplines that differentiate them from others. For instance, MC Reality would say, “What’s up everybody, my name is MC Reality, the sugar daddy of Lagos. Normally I don’t do this, and all of una know say this kind thing, I no dey do am”. Naija Nicki would say “What’s up my people, it's your girl Naija Nicki, you like what you see? If I give you, you no go like chop am? Ah yin ah, Anya”. Besides, content creators operate in clusters, where newbies have the opportunity to be mentored by more experienced creators. As expected, Lagos has the largest cluster of content creators, where the likes of Lasisi Elenu, MC Reality, and Untouchable Comedies operate. Portharcourt cluster has the likes of Sabinus, Romeo_wj, Wonderdtalk_ (Ndubaby), Mr_Lyfe, Freshalbino_1, and Twizzy; and Bayelsa cluster has Rosy TV, Alamnaco, Tumomo aka Nobodybunu, IpallyTalker’s Gabriel the Voice Note Guy, Steven Blinkz, and Edwin Neyo. Others include the Abuja, Enugu, Benin, Asaba, and Calabar clusters. Without a doubt, the proliferation of these digital TV stations has come to stay, given the extremely low barriers to entry. Nigeria’s Facebook population alone has been projected to hit 51.8 million in 2024. We live in an era where content is king. Thus, as long as these digital content stations continue to dish out great content, they will continue to keep regular TV stations on their toes.

Bell Ihua mni, is a Visiting Professor of Practice at Coal City University, Enugu, and Executive Director at Africa Polling Institute. He can be reached on X @Bellemskey or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.