Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a rapid, decisive implementation strategy—similar to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump—to achieve an ambitious ₦500 trillion national budget by 2026/2027.

In a 35-page policy report titled “OAL Governance and Economic Analysis and Forecast 2025: To Nigeria Can Succeed,” Agbakoba commended Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal but stressed that economic reforms must translate into tangible improvements for everyday Nigerians.

“The paper presents a comprehensive strategy for transforming Nigeria from a resource-dependent to a production-driven economy capable of generating a ₦500 trillion budget,” he said.

“This target requires reimagining Nigeria’s economic architecture and governance to reduce debt and boost revenue.”

Agbakoba cited the need to replace extractive institutions—those concentrating wealth among elites—with inclusive ones that spread economic and political power more broadly, drawing on the book “Why Nations Fail” by Acemoglu and Robinson.

Two Imperatives for Economic Transformation:

Restructure Governance:

Devolve power to states and local governments

Enact constitutional reforms to reflect true federalism

Ensure judicial independence

Tackle corruption and reform public services

Sectoral Interventions to Unlock ₦500 Trillion:

₦85tn: Oil & gas reform (shift from “Contract Oil” to “Development Oil”)

₦65tn: Tax reform and revenue collection

₦50tn: Asset monetization via MOFI and PPPs

₦45tn: Development of critical minerals

₦40tn: Unlocking dead capital through property rights

₦35tn: Maritime and blue economy

₦30tn each: Aviation sector and digital economy

₦25tn each: Local content enforcement and strategic trade policy

₦10tn: Space industry development

Agbakoba emphasized that executing this plan requires “Trumpian speed”—rapid, concurrent actions across multiple fronts, bureaucratic streamlining, and leveraging technology.

“The success of these policies will not be judged by statistics or international praise, but by their impact on ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.

“Can the market trader in Onitsha earn more? Is food more affordable in Kano? Can a farmer in Benue access healthcare and education?”

He reiterated that Nigeria’s economic underperformance is due more to institutional failure than resource scarcity.

“With strategic reforms across sectors like maritime, aviation, oil and gas, digital economy, and trade, Nigeria can become a ₦500 trillion economic powerhouse,” Agbakoba said.

“This transformation is not just necessary—it is the moral imperative of our time.”

He concluded with a rallying call: “With our natural resources, strategic location, and resilient people, Nigeria has all it takes for economic greatness. It’s time to make Nigeria and Africa great again.”

[Vanguard]

Crude oil price has dropped to $59 for the first time since February 2021. 

Brent crude, global oil price, fell by 5.09 percent to $59.62 per barrel at 12.30 WAT while US West Texas Intermediate fell by 5.54 percent to $56.28 per barrel on Wednesday.

The recent decline in oil prices follows an announcement by President Donald Trump on April 2, imposing sweeping global tariffs (including 14 percent on Nigeria) on all imports into the US.

Moreso, on April 4, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies decided to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May.

The current oil price threatens Nigeria’s oil revenue, as it is lower than Nigeria’s 2025 budget benchmark of $75 per barrel.

Speaking on the development, Jide Pratt, chief operating officer (COO) of Aiona, and country manager, Tradegrid, said the recent drop in oil prices means lower revenues and lower foreign reserves for Nigeria, especially with the suspension of the naira-for-crude deal.

“We’ve seen an increase in foreign exchange (FX) rates, which does not help monetary or fiscal policy,” he said.

“Personally, I believe it does show that the benchmark for our budget leaves a lot to be desired. More importantly, we are on the road to a supplementary budget and loans.

“We need to sell off some assets tothe  private sector and enable growth in our economy to buffer low crude oil prices.”

Since the country depends largely on oil revenue, Pratt said “there can be no better time to really diversify”.

On Monday, Wale Edun, the minister of finance, said the oil price plunge will have an adverse effect on Nigeria, and to curtail any price effect, “we are intensifying efforts to ramp up crude oil production”.

“We are also focusing on non-oil revenue mobilisation by FIRS and Customs” he said.

“Budget adjustment and prioritisation where possible, and also innovative non-debt financing strategies.”

Nigeria’s oil production fell to 1.46 million barrels per day (bpd) in February — below the 1.5 million quota set for the country by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The output level is below the 2.1 million barrels of oil per day target set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for 2025.

[TheCable]

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the 37-year-old military leader of Burkina Faso, recently declared that no country has developed under democracy, insisting instead that his country is undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution” and not bound by the dogmas of democratic governance. For many, especially in the West, such statements might sound like a rejection of modern civilization. But for those who choose not to be sentimental, his words ring true with a kind of clarity African nations desperately need.

Traoré’s assertion is not an attack on democracy itself; rather, it exposes the naivety and hypocrisy in believing that democracy, without foundational development, can bring prosperity to the people. The bitter truth? Democracy, as practiced in much of Africa today, is a grand illusion, more about appearances than results.

Since the wave of democratization that swept across Africa in the 1990s, most countries have transitioned from military or autocratic regimes to so-called democratic governments. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and others now hold regular elections, have multiple political parties, and tout themselves as democratic states.

Nigeria has been practising democracy uninterrupted since 1999, yet remains plagued by epileptic power supply, dilapidated infrastructure, mass poverty, and endemic corruption. Despite being Africa’s largest economy, over 133 million Nigerians are classified as multidimensionally poor (NBS, 2022), and the government still relies heavily on foreign loans and handouts to survive. The legislature, an institution that symbolizes democracy, is bloated, secretive, and consumes billions in allowances while ordinary citizens beg for palliatives.

South Africa, often lauded as Africa’s most sophisticated democracy, faces crippling inequality, rampant crime, rolling blackouts (load shedding), and mass unemployment. The very freedom that democracy guarantees has not translated into economic equity or social stability.

Kenya, Zambia, and Malawi have had multiple peaceful elections, but economic progress has remained slow, stunted by elite capture, donor dependence, and political instability. In fact, many democracies in Africa are caught in a vicious cycle where elections become more of a power struggle between elites than a pathway to progress for the people.

Without a doubt, the myth of democracy is that it is being seen as a prerequisite for development. Let’s examine how the world’s current powerhouses got to where they are.

For instance, China rose to become a global economic titan without embracing democracy. Under an authoritarian model, it lifted over 800 million people out of poverty (according to World Bank) in just 40 years through strict policies, industrialization, and disciplined state-led growth. The same country that the West criticizes for human rights abuses has built more infrastructure, educated more citizens, and expanded its economy faster than any democratic nation in history.

Singapore, under Lee Kuan Yew, was essentially a benevolent dictatorship. Lee famously said, “What a country needs to develop is discipline more than democracy.” He was right. Singapore rose from a third-world port city to a first-world financial hub, not through liberal elections, but through vision, planning, and meritocracy.

Rwanda, under President Paul Kagame, has one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, with high scores in security, infrastructure, and public health. Yet Rwanda is not a full democracy by Western standards, Kagame’s rule has been accused of authoritarian tendencies. But Rwandans today enjoy cleaner cities, better roads, and functional governance compared to many of their “democratic” neighbours.

To not a few people, elections without development is political theatre. This is as in Nigeria, democracy has become more about elections than governance. Politicians focus on winning power, not on building nations. Voters are weaponized with bags of rice, cooking oil, and Naira notes. Once elected, leaders loot the treasury, empower their cronies, and disappear into air-conditioned offices until the next election cycle.

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask, “What then is the essence of democracy when it fails to uplift the poor, protect the vulnerable, or stimulate economic growth?”

Traoré’s comment strikes at the heart of this hypocrisy. Democracy has been elevated as the gold standard of governance, yet it has become a theatre of corruption and chaos in Africa. When he said, “Democracy is only the result,” he meant that genuine democracy is the byproduct of development, not the foundation of it.

Not only that, democracy offers “Free Speech” Illusion.  One of the most touted features of democracy is free speech. But what use is freedom of speech when it’s only used to complain about bad governance year after year? What value does it have in a system where speaking the truth changes nothing? As Traoré rightly said, libertinism, unrestricted expression without structure, often leads to societal disorder, especially where education and civic awareness are low.

Given the foregoing shortcomings of democracy, It’s time Africa wakes up to the reality that democracy, in its current form, is not working. The continent needs a governance model that prioritizes security, discipline, infrastructure, human capital, and national interest above blind imitation of Western systems. Call it benevolent dictatorship, developmental authoritarianism, or “popular progressive revolution” like Traoré says, what matters is results.

African nations should not be ashamed to chart their own paths. The West had its revolutions. Asia had its one-party states. Why must Africa be chained to a democratic model that doesn’t serve its people?

Democracy, in its pure form, is beautiful. But beauty without substance is deception. Captain Ibrahim Traoré may have ruffled feathers, but his boldness is refreshing. His leadership is forcing Africans to ask hard questions we’ve been avoiding for decades.

We must build strong institutions, robust economies, and literate societies first. Only then can democracy take root and flourish. Until then, democracy, African style, will remain a glorified charade.

My family and I join millions of Nigerians in extending our warmest birthday wishes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a formidable political strategist of our time, as he turns 73.

This particular birthday holds unique significance, as it coincides with the conclusion of  Ramadan and the observance of Christian Lenten period. For Tinubu, a devout Muslim, celebrating his birthday on March 29 at the end of one of Islam’s most sacred periods—Ramadan—adds a profound spiritual dimension. Additionally, the fact that it aligns with the period of Lent being observed by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), makes it even more remarkable. The convergence of these three significant religious events is certainly noteworthy.

It is, therefore, unsurprising that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, paid a heartfelt tribute to her husband, referring to him as her “knight in shining armor.”

For those unfamiliar with the phrase, “knight in shining armor” originates from medieval European folklore and symbolizes chivalry, bravery, honor, and unwavering loyalty. This image, which first emerged in 12th-century literature, embodies key virtues such as:

1.                              Chivalry – Upholding a code of honor, loyalty, and the protection of the weak.

2.                              Bravery – Courageously facing challenges and adversity.

3.                              Loyalty – Demonstrating steadfast devotion to one’s cause, country, and loved ones.

4.                              Honor – Committing to principles that uphold personal and family integrity.

These attributes align closely with Tinubu’s public service record. From his early days as a pro-democracy activist to his tenure as a senator, governor, and national leader of the ruling party, he has consistently demonstrated political resilience and strategic brilliance. It is in this context that the First Lady’s description of him as “My Knight in Shining Armor” appears fitting.

Beyond his wife’s admiration, Tinubu has also received praise from past Nigerian leaders. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom Tinubu served as the ruling party’s key strategist, described him as an influential figure in Nigeria’s political history:

“No doubt, the annals of the country will not be complete without mentioning President Tinubu’s significant roles as an entrepreneur, party stalwart, activist, and a serial winner of democratic elections. I am truly proud of my association with Asiwaju.”

Similarly, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, under whose regime Tinubu was forced into exile due to his pro-democracy activism, acknowledged his leadership qualities:

“There comes a time in the life of a nation when an uncommon personality and courageous disposition define the essence of problem-solving leadership. With your background in the struggle for the emancipation of ordinary Nigerians and your commitment to deepening democracy, your history speaks for itself.”

Babangida further praised Tinubu’s resilience, stating:

“You have come to lead Nigeria at a very challenging time in our history, and your leadership thus far has been remarkable, bold, and encouraging. Only those who have been in leadership positions understand the complexities involved in governing a nation like Nigeria.”

These endorsements reinforce Tinubu’s political standing. However, as he marks this milestone, opposition forces are mobilizing to challenge his presidency in the 2027 election.

Going by his concluding part of his tribute, Babangida has apparently endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

“A results-oriented and pragmatic leader like you is well-suited to tackle the current challenges, particularly given the innovative policies and strategic direction your administration has pursued so far.”

Babangida’s tribute stands out to me because, in several of my past media engagements, I have argued that President Tinubu is making the tough decisions that Babangida, as a former military head of state, was unable to implement to rescue Nigeria from economic decline. Specifically, Babangida’s failure to fully execute the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of 1984/85—choosing instead to step aside under pressure—plunged the country into a state of arrested development, leading to the socio-economic and political struggles that persist today and which Tinubu’s reforms are dismantling.

It is noteworthy and commendable that Babangida himself has acknowledged Tinubu’s determination to follow through on difficult reforms, a path he hesitated to complete before stepping down in 1993.

Even former President Muhammadu Buhari—whose tenure as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 was marked by repression, rivaled only by General Sani Abacha’s rule from 1993 to 1998—has given due recognition to Tinubu’s critical role in helping him achieve the presidency in 2015 after multiple failed attempts.

For me, the key takeaway from the tributes by both Buhari and Babangida is that they reinforce the “Knight in Shining Armor” title bestowed upon Tinubu by his wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Their acknowledgments align with the characteristics of a knight: chivalry, bravery, loyalty, and honor.

While we have yet to see birthday tributes from other former Nigerian leaders like General Abdulsalami Abubakar and former President Goodluck Jonathan, there appears to be a broad consensus on Tinubu’s political influence.

I have previously stated that Tinubu is implementing reforms that past leaders should have introduced and completed over the last four -five decades.

In his book Political Style: The Artistry of Power (1995), Robert Hariman examines the political craftsmanship of historical figures, including Vaclav Havel, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. He highlights how each leader’s style shapes their political effectiveness and the crises they encounter.

Tinubu exemplifies this idea of political artistry. Aristotle famously described humans as “political animals,” naturally inclined to engage in governance and power dynamics. Though trained as an accountant, Tinubu has evolved into a master politician, refining his approach from his early days as a senator under Babangida’s transition to democracy. His journey—from opposition leader to president—has drawn both admiration and criticism, particularly from former allies like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, who are now among his growing list of political adversaries.

Hariman identifies four dominant political styles in his book:

1.                              Realist Style – Rooted in Machiavelli’s The Prince, this approach prioritizes power, calculation, and emotional control.

2.                              Courtly Style – As seen in Kapuscinski’s The Emperor, it revolves around hierarchy, decorum, and reverence for leadership.

3.                              Republican Style – Inspired by Cicero, this style emphasizes rhetoric, consensus-building, and civility.

4.                              Bureaucratic Style – Echoing Kafka’s The Castle, this focuses on institutional procedures and governance structures.

Tinubu has, at different times, demonstrated elements of these styles. His distinct mannerisms, strategic thinking, and political resilience have made him a phenomenon in Nigeria’s contemporary political landscape.

This explains why, ahead of the 2023 presidential election, he confidently declared “Emi lo kan” (It’s my turn) in Yoruba, asserting his right to lead after years of king-making—a claim even former President Buhari acknowledged.

Despite his proximity to power, Tinubu faced significant obstacles, including the naira redesign policy, which created cash shortages and threatened his campaign. He later recounted how a close associate questioned whether he could succeed under such conditions. Yet, he remained resolute, stating, “I will make it.” True to his words, he secured the presidency.

In my book Becoming President of Nigeria: A Citizen’s Guide (2023), released before the party primaries, I argued that Tinubu had a strong chance of winning the presidency, even though zoning considerations had not officially favored him.

In chapter six (6) titled Political Frenzy and Fireworks Surrounding the Jostle for Presidency of Nigeria in 2023 Against a Politician from the Yoruba Ethnic Stock as detailed from pages 99-110, the case was made for Tinubu’s eligibility based on former Ogun state governor, and elder statesman,Aremo Segun Osoba’s optics.

At that time, Peter Obi’s rise through the Labour Party was not yet fully in play. In the Conclusion chapter of the book (p.301) one had also predicted the contest would primarily be between Tinubu (APC) and Atiku Abubakar (PDP).

All that is contained in my article titled “How to Become the President of Nigeria , 2023” first published on September 15, 2021 by Thecable.ng and later on page 331 -332 in my book by the same title published in 2023.

Tinubu’s political acumen is well-established. However, some believe he may have weakened his position by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2024. Critics argue this move could alienate Niger Deltans, while his supporters maintain that he acted decisively to prevent a violent crisis in the volatile region.

Among his challengers is Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna governor who was instrumental in Tinubu’s 2023 victory but was later sidelined from a ministerial position, after being nominated. El-Rufai is reportedly working to unify opposition parties under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to replicate Tinubu’s 2015 strategy against the PDP. Whether he will succeed remains to be seen.

Another formidable opponent is Rotimi Amaechi, the former Rivers governor and transportation minister, who contested against Tinubu in the APC primaries. While it wise not to take any threat forgranted, he may not be such a threat as his influence in Rivers state politics has been whittled down by the immediate past governor and current minister of the F.C.T, Nyesom Wike.

An anecdote: ‘l once asked a wiseman, how do l know who is real (amongst my followers) and he replied, ‘Remove the benefits and see who’s left’ appears to ring true in Rivers state, as loyalty is being determined by who is benefiting and who has the ability and capacity to keep dispensing benefits.

Regardless of opposition, Tinubu remains a master strategist who has reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape. His ability to build coalitions and outmaneuver opponents was evident in the formation of the APC, which unseated the PDP in 2015. As governor of Lagos, his policies—including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and revenue reforms—laid the foundation for the state’s economic growth.

His adaptability is another strength. Over the years, he has adjusted to shifting political realities, often turning challenges into opportunities.

Of course, Tinubu is not without controversy. Some critics allege discrepancies in his age, questioning whether he is truly 73, as officially stated, or older, based on past reports. However, in a world where information can be manipulated with Aritificial Inteligence tools, such claims remain unverified. Moreover, age falsification is widespread among Nigerian civil servants, with many reducing their official ages to extend their careers.

To address this issue, the National Assembly should consider criminalizing age falsification and making it highly enforceable as part of the ongoing constitutional review.

Ultimately, Tinubu’s rise to power is a testament to his political skills. While some admire his leadership, others strongly oppose his methods. But instead of resorting to insults to me for this analysis based on objective principles, critics should articulate their reasons for opposing him so that meaningful political discourse around the strenghts and weakness of president Tinubu’s reforms can take place.

On that note, once again, on behalf of my family and l, happy birthday, Mr. President—Asiwaju of Lagos and Jagaban of Borgu, and congrats to madam first Lady Oluremi Tinubu who has been standing by her husband like the Rock of Gilbraltar.

•Magnus Onyibean entrepreneur is public policy analyst, author and  advocate, development strategist.

Nigeria’s code top-level domain (ccTLD), the .ng, has not attained stability with data showing continued fluctuation in its adoption and usage pattern.

Indeed, as of March 2025 and almost 20 years after the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) was created, birthing the .ng, data showed that adoption is still at about 231,556.
Data from NiRA showed that in January, there were 9,591 registrations, 8,339 renewals and 215 restorations, which amounted to 234,083. In the same month in 2024, the total figure was 215,496 and it was 184,425 in 2023. For February 2023, the figure was 185, 461; in 2024, .ng saw 217,527 adoptions and in 2025, it was 232,853.  In January 2023, the total figure was 189, 158; 221,017 in February and 231,556 in March.

For emphasis, a domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet protocol. The right to use a domain name is delegated by domain name registrars accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – the international organisation charged with overseeing the name and number systems of the Internet.    

The ccTLD .ng domain name is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, which has the .ng as the suffix of every official email address that originates from Nigeria. In the United Kingdom, all official email addresses end with .co.uk, in the United States of America, they end with .com/.usa, while in South Africa, official email addresses end with .co.za.

The .ng is 0.000504353 of the world’s 365.5 million registered and functional ccTLD. This is despite the country’s over 200 million population and about 160 million Internet users.

As of last year, The Guardian’s check on the African region showed that South Africa, with a 60.4 million population, had 1.25 million registered and active .za and Kenya’s population at 53.7 million, had 93,446 registered .ke users.

Many factors have been adduced for the slow traction earned by .ng since its inception. These include Nigerians’ preference for foreign products, the high cost of the domain name and the unwillingness of some registered Nigerian businesses to move online.

The President of NiRA, Sola Akinsanya, in an interview with The Guardian last year, said the forex crisis was driving the adoption of the domain name in the country. Akinsanya explained that globally there has been a decline in domain name adoption and ccTLDs too are not equally spared, they are also affected.

“So, what is driving the growth we are seeing on this side is the exchange rate, because if you look at the Nigerian economy now, the exchange rate has equally gone up. The amount for those on the other TLDs, I mean the .com; .net, among others has gone up significantly.

“So, the situation now is you either adopt the .ng (which is far lesser) and the amount is cheaper with naira availability or you rather start looking for a dollar that is scarce and expensive, which you might not equally get and the rate of renewal of the global TLD domain platforms are equally very high. So, that alone is making people adopt more of the .ng.”

Further, he said inflation has gone up, equally making so many people adopt .ng. Akinsanya said NiRA is equally doing more capacity building and awareness, saying the body is spending a lot to get this done and ensure .ng gets more visibility because it is a natural result, which gives more value like the .com and others.

According to him, the MDAs are gradually seeing the light, largely due to the intervention of the Federal Government through NITDA, which ensures that there is a training once every quarter, for all MDAs in the country to make sure that they are on the .gov.ng domain name.

The NiRA president said the greatest challenge to the adoption of Nigeria’s domain name remains patriotism.

The United States has intensified its trade conflict with China, announcing a steep 104% tariff on Chinese imports after Beijing failed to meet a Tuesday deadline to lift its retaliatory tariffs.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the new tariffs during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating they would take effect at midnight on April 9.

Leavitt reiterated Trump’s belief that China made a strategic error by retaliating against earlier U.S. tariffs.

“The president, when America is punched, he punches back harder, that’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight.”

Leavitt also noted that Trump would be “gracious” if Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to negotiate a deal, signalling a potential opening for dialogue despite the escalating tensions.

The move followed Trump’s assertion that China is eager to “make a deal badly.”

The additional 104% tariff builds on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan, which already included significant levies on Chinese goods.

LEADERSHIP recalls that China responded to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff with a 34% reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports, vowing to “fight to the end” and accusing the U.S. of “blackmail.”

The Trump administration has justified its aggressive trade measures by accusing China of employing non-market policies that grant it “global dominance in key manufacturing industries” and “decimating U.S. industry.”

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump emphasised the importance of tariffs to his economic agenda.

He stated, “We’re not looking at that,” in response to calls for tariff relief, while leaving the door open for “fair deals and good deals with every country.”

A 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines has been proposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

During a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, the proposal was made by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama.

Maida explained that the initiative is part of efforts to balance consumer rights with operational realities in the telecommunications sector.

He stated that the telecommunications industry has played a significant role in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation in Nigeria, stressing that the prevalence of mobile services and the flexibility offered by prepaid plans have benefitted millions of Nigerians.

According to him, with the evolving landscape, it has become necessary to address emerging challenges that could undermine consumer rights, saying that the proposed framework seeks to address the issue of unclaimed recharges when accounts become inactive.

Maida noted, “The Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 stipulate that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated. If the inactivity continues for another six months, the line may be recycled.”

Maida explained that under the new framework, subscribers whose lines have been churned would have a one-year window to claim their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership, adding that the initiative is geared towards balancing consumer protection with the practicalities of maintaining an efficient telecommunications industry.

He said that the debate remains whether operators should be required to refund unused airtime or whether the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ should prevail, pointing out that the goal is to establish a framework that protects consumers while ensuring the continued efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.

The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, while speaking, said the Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges is a critical step in fulfilling the commission’s mandate to develop regulatory instruments that foster a vibrant communications market.

The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has directed its members to mobilise ahead of taking over offices of the Labour Party(LP) nationwide following the Supreme Court ruling that sacked Julius Abure as National Chairman of the party. 

In a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC directed the LP National Executive Committee (NEC) to appoint an interim leadership which will conduct an inclusive Special National Convention for the party in line with the provisions of the LP Constitution and the consent judgement.

“To resolve the leadership vacuum in the Labour Party, the surviving institutional members of the LP National Executive Committee (NEC) are expected to appoint an interim leadership which will conduct an inclusive Special National Convention for the party in line with the provisions of the LP Constitution and the consent judgement. Any step outside these constitutional procedures will be an affront to the rule of law and would be tantamount to an unmitigable assault on constitutional rule. Such mischief will be stoutly resisted by Nigerian workers and people,” the statement partly reads.  

It added: “We use this medium to put every Nigerian worker, labour party members and patriotic citizens on alert. We will no longer condone the antics of inconsequential characters like Mr. Julius Abure whose only relevance is their availability for mischief and inanity at the behest of silhouettes in the corridors of power. 

“The Supreme Court is one of the most enduring institutions and beacons of not only the rule of law but our sovereignty as a country. Nigerian workers and people, especially genuine members of the Labour Party will not sit back and watch unscrupulous elements desecrate Nigeria’s laws and the well-founded judgement of the Supreme Court.

” If we fail to take action, it means that we have accepted the complete deconstruction of the institutions of state and the desecration of the shared values that bind all of us as one people under constitutional rule. 

“As authentic Labour Party leaders known to all Nigerians continue to take steps to recover and reposition the party as the vehicle for the emancipation of the Nigerian masses, we wish to warn that characters like Julius Abure should advise themselves to recuse themselves from the path of complete self-destruction they have embarked upon through their headless and heedless affront to the judgment of the Supreme Court that has swept their existence into oblivion. Just as we warned him about a year ago that Nigerian workers and genuine members of the Labour Party will always collect what belongs to them no matter how long a mischief lasts. 

“By this communication, we urge every worker in Nigeria, all genuine members of the Labour Party and all lovers of democracy to be on standby to once again peacefully repossess all offices of the Labour Party nationwide. The leadership of the NLC Political Commission and other concerned Labour Party stakeholders will issue necessary directives to this effect.”

The congress put the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service on notice, saying that they have a constitutional duty to enable and enforce the judgement of the Supreme Court.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove every insignia of Abure and his National Working Committee from its portals.

“We are also putting all the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service on notice that they have a constitutional duty to enable and enforce the judgement of the Supreme Court. We expect their cooperation as we pursue the rule of law. Any action to the contrary, will present our dear country as a banana republic. 

“Finally, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which had always pleaded alignment with the pronouncement of the court of law in the leadership issues in the Labour Party to give full effect to the conclusive judgment of the Supreme Court by removing every insignia of Mr. Julius Abure and his National Working Committee from its portals.”

Responding to the threat by the NLC to take over its offices, National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh said the NLC has no right to attack any of its offices because there is no trade dispute. 

The party said the latest threat by the NLC is “pure blackmail on INEC and security agencies to do the wrong thing.”

Ifoh, in a statement on Wednesday morning in Abuja, said the party would take every legal means to “deal with Ajero and his gangsters should they attempt to resort to self help.”

The statement reads: “The attention of the Labour Party leadership has been drawn to a statement issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero threatening to attack the offices of the Labour Party across the nation. Ordinarily, we would have ignored that threat but  there is need to assure our teeming members of our commitment to keep the fate and resist all forms of rascality and intimidation from persons who think themselves to be above the laws of the land 

“We therefore see NLC’s latest threat as pure blackmail on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security agencies to do the wrong thing. 

“The Supreme Court is clear about party leadership in which the courts have no business. The Supreme Court stated  that courts can not interfere in the internal affairs of  a political party.  The Courts didn’t sack the NWC nor held the tenure to have lapsed. We advise  Joe Ajaero and his ilks to seek legal advice if they can not comprehend a simple court pronouncement. 

“Nigerians will recall that the Labour Party executive that was elected in 2019 whose tenure was to expire in June 2023, was extended in Asaba for one year by the National Executive Committee of which NLC attended and played a key role. The tenure was to end in June 2024, however, before the end of that duration, the National Convention was conducted in March 2024 in line with our party constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act as amended which ushered in the present leadership. There has never been any vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party.

“We must note that we didn’t go to court with Nenadi Usman or any other person on  account of leadership because leadership was not in dispute. We only went to court to compel INEC to give us uploading code for Ondo state governorship election. This was the case when Nenadi Usman and Mr Nwokocha came to join. 

“We had warned them against the illegality of convening an unauthorised NEC meeting in Umuahia. Every outcome of that meeting is inconsequential, null and void, and of no value. They are again aggregating in Abuja this Wednesday in furtherance of their illegality. 

“Threats to attack offices and organizations have become the hallmark of the NLC under Ajaero. Recall that in 2024, NLC forcefully broke into our national headquarters carting away valuables. That matter was reported to the police. The recent threat to invade our office was leaked to us by some members of the NLC, hence we alerted the nation.

“Ajaero should by now learn that attacking law-abiding citizens, hooliganism and rascality is not a trait of a good unionist. He should be concerned more about workers welfare. He has since politicised the Labour Union in Nigeria and he is no longer fit to occupy that exalted office. We have once advised him to quit unionism and join politics but he will not listen.

“We must state categorically that the NLC has no right to attack any Labour Party office because there is no trade dispute. Based on the trade dispute Act, you can not picket or declare a strike without  a trade dispute. In any case, we do not have any staff of the NLC in our employment. There is no Union in our offices.  their action is purely an illegality. 

“Let it be known that we will take every legal means to deal with Ajaero and his gangsters should they attempt to resort to self help. We will not hesitate to write to the Registrar of Trade Union to discipline them if they resort to taking laws into their own hands.

“Finally, we will seek the protection of the security agencies but where they defy the security agencies, we will have no option but to mobilise our members across the nation to resist them.”

“As President, I reaffirm this administration’s steadfast dedication to the welfare and empowerment of the Nigeria Police Force. A secure Nigeria is vital for our collective prosperity, and this vision begins with ensuring that our police force is well-equipped, well-trained, and well-motivated.  We are resolute in our commitment to police welfare and comprehensive reform.” – President Bola Tinubu at the maiden National Police Day celebration in Abuja on April 7, 2025

An April 2, 2025, press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated, “The Nigeria Police Force is set to host the maiden edition of National Police Day on April 7, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja. This historic event, which will run from April 2 to April 7, 2025, will feature a series of impactful humanitarian and community-based activities, including medical outreaches, community engagements, exhibitions by security companies and partners, among other programmes, aimed at fostering stronger police-community relations. The National Police Day was pronounced by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on the 19th April 2024, during the Nigeria Police Award and Commendation Ceremony in Abuja. The National Police Day is designed to celebrate the dedication, sacrifices, and achievements of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring national security. It will provide a platform to recognise the force’s pivotal role in safeguarding lives and property while reinforcing public trust and collaboration in maintaining law and order.”

An April 7, 2025 statement on the website of State House on the National Police Day said inter alia that the President outlined decisive measures his administration is currently putting in place to immediately engender an effective and formidable police force, including provision of modern tools and technology to enhance the operations of the force, as well as adequate accommodations, accessible healthcare and quality education for families of police personnel. In a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu was quoted as saying, “In this light, we are taking decisive steps to improve the conditions under which our police officers serve. Adequate housing, accessible healthcare, and quality education for your children are priorities we are committed to fulfilling.  These promises will begin to materialise immediately. We are also determined to equip you with modern tools and technology to enhance your effectiveness in combating crime. Furthermore, we will ensure that your salaries and benefits reflect the gravity of your responsibilities and the risks you face daily. Anything less would be unacceptable,” he stated.

Earlier, IGP Kayode Egbetokun said beyond commemoration of the day of the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force, the National Police Day offered the opportunity to remember fallen heroes and acknowledge the heroics of men and women of the Police in theatres of operation across the country and beyond.  The IGP said the day also provided a platform to emphasise the renewed call for excellence, professionalism, and respect for human rights, among other virtues that the new police force embodies.  He highlighted the reform agenda of the police force under his leadership, noting that the reforms are hinged on building a force that commands trust and professionalism, enforces justice and promotes national development through enhanced security and policing of the country.

The high points of the event were the inspection of the guard by the Vice President, procession by tactical units and other security organisations, and the silent drill display by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Also present at the event were the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Makki Yallemen and other members of the National Assembly; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa and other Service Chiefs. Others include Deputy Governors of Delta, Ondo and Enugu States; heads of security and paramilitary organisations; representatives of the Minister of Police Affairs, the Police Service Commission, former Inspectors General of Police and retired senior police officers, among others.

It is indeed a welcome development to have a day set aside to recognise the gallantry of the Nigerian police. I was privileged to discuss the significance of this day on Citizen 93.7 FM Abuja and the NTA News 24 programme called Nigeria Today on Monday. As far as I am concerned, beyond the fanfare of celebration, National Police Day is a call to action. As we all know, Nigeria is severely challenged in terms of security. Yet, Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution says security and welfare shall be the primary purpose of government. Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and other crimes are unsettling Nigerians and are cited as part of the reasons some of our elite are leaving the shores of Nigeria for a more secure environment. Moreover, no foreign investor will want to bring his or her hard-earned resources into an insecure environment.

Beyond the rhetoric, Nigerians want to see a more improved policing system. No country is crime-free, but it seems Nigeria’s security architecture needs to be retooled, as the institutions meant to protect the country seem overwhelmed. Indeed, many communities have to hire vigilantes and private security guards to provide security for their communities. While there is no gainsaying that Nigeria Police officers and men are trying their level best to provide security, however, poor funding, inadequate training, lack of professionalism, inadequate equipment and facilities, abuse of office, corruption, lack of proper motivation and inadequate personnel are some of the bane.

While the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari did a lot to improve the lot of the Nigerian police through the amendment of the Police Act, establishment of Police Equipment Trust Fund, order to recruit 10,000 constables annually from 2016 or thereabouts, and salary increase for the police personnel, it is disheartening that the Nigerian police performance is still sub-optimal. An intra-organisation faceoff between the Office of Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission stalled the recruitment of police constables while litigation ensued until the Supreme Court upheld the PSC as the rightful body to recruit all personnel from constable to senior cadre.  The impact of the Police Equipment Trust Fund has not been well felt over the years, while there are not enough budgetary allocations to fund the force.

Solutions to Nigeria’s policing challenges should include the scrapping of the Ministry of Police Affairs. This is not necessary as the Police Service Commission is a constitutional body established by Section 153(m)  of the Nigerian Constitution, and its responsibility as stated in the Third Schedule of the Constitution, Section 30, says, “The commission shall have the power to – (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.” Keeping the Ministry of Police and Police Service Commission is a needless increase in the running cost of the Nigeria Police. The President should do as he did last year with the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports while resuscitating the National Sports Commission. The second recommendation is for the President to throw his weight behind the establishment of state police. This is long overdue. Thirdly, Nigeria Police should learn to respect the fundamental rights of citizens. The illegal arrest and detention of suspects should be a thing of the past. I posit that the retirement age of police personnel should be increased to 65 years. This will ensure that experienced personnel are retained to help in the fight against crime.

Anyone not trained to respect elders or people in positions of authority would have described some of the latest pastimes of the National Assembly as the acts of people without a sense of why they were elected as legislators in the first place. What is mostly coming out of the NASS reeks of buffoonery, far from matters appertaining to the well-being of Nigerians.

There is a story of a retired university vice-chancellor who was scandalised by the greed of his colleague senators, who wanted to fix huge salaries and allowances for themselves. He, as majority leader, however, found a way to manoeuvre his colleagues off their wayward path.

You may have seen videos of Elisha Abbo, who once represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, bellyaching over unpaid allowances, pay-outs that he did not take and how he was hounded out of the Senate because he did not support Senator Godswill Akpabio to become Senate President.

At the end of the day, Senator Abbo was removed from the Senate by a court judgment that pronounced that his seat be yielded to Senator Amos Yohanna of the opposition People’s Democratic Party that it determined had won the election.

Recently, senators have been projecting negative images of sexual harassment, and distracting everyone with a contrived and bungled recall of a female senator, said to be a victim of sexual harassment by principal officers of the Senate.

The courts that have obviously become irritated even told both the Senate President and his sparring partner not to grant press interviews on the inanities that the two of them are putting the Senate and Nigerians through.

In addition to these allegations of the peccadilloes of some principal officers of the Senate, the legislators thought that they could waste precious time over the asinine issue of putting a cap on the age of those who can contest elective offices.

Members of the House of Representatives who have apparently lost sight of their responsibilities have successfully advanced a bill to ban Nigerians older than 60 years from contesting elective offices of the president, governors and their deputies, to the Second Reading.

These very unserious legislators need to know that Winston Churchill, regarded as the greatest Englishman that ever lived, began his second term as British Prime Minister in 1951, when he turned 77, and ended his tenure in 1955, at the age of 81.

Also, Konrad Adenauer, who took over the position of Chancellor (or Prime Minister) of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, when he was already 73, left it after 14 long years, in 1963, at the advanced age of 87.

Both men, and American President Ronald Reagan, who became President in 1981, at the age of 69, and left office in 1988, at the age of 77, performed excellently well as chief executive officers of their respective countries, in the delicate Cold War years that came with the threat of a nuclear war.

None of these men betrayed any signs of frailty when they were in office. Of course, it has been argued that the immediate past President Joe Biden of America appeared to be absent-minded during his re-election debate.

Maybe those legislators have never heard the Yoruba folktale of animals who killed their mothers during a famine, only to learn that the wiser canine took his mother to heaven, from where she lowered food supplies to him whenever he was hungry.

They are probably unaware of the Yoruba observation that whereas the hands of the juvenile cannot reach the rafters, the hands of the elders cannot pass through the thin neck of the gourd. They also may not have heard of the Yoruba saying that it is with the wisdom of the young and the old that Ile Ife was built.

And by failing to extend this unnecessary age limitation to elections into the legislative houses, the legislators are demonstrating that they are in office to serve only their personal interests. One can only hope that the Senate will not join the mindless circus.

The idle legislators also thought it was necessary to remove the immunity clause of the vice president and deputy governors, clearly forget that Sections 143 and 188 of Nigeria’s Constitution have already provided impeachment as a tool to remove the president, the governors and their deputies so that they could face legal prosecution for any wrong acts they may have committed while in office.

The disingenuous legislators somewhat failed to realise that if the Vice President or any deputy governor was going to carry out any corrupt acts, it must have been with the indulgence and connivance of their principals, who are the President or the governors.

They also did not seem to remember that it is the governors, and not their deputies, who usually become the guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the end of their tenures, after which they would have lost their immunity.

But the 60 legislators who are proposing Nigeria’s return to the parliamentary system of government got it right. In addition to not being as expensive as the presidential system, the parliamentary system can hold the prime minister, who is a member of the parliament, more accountable than the presidential system.

It is important to note that the adoption of the presidential system was not exactly the choice of Nigerians, but that of General Olusegun Obasanjo, an alumnus of the over-centralised command-and-control system of his military alma mater.

But to segue for more compelling and urgent matters of state, one hopes that the delegation of the Rivers State caucus of the NASS, led by Senator Barina Mpigi, reminded Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, that the revised 2025 budget that he is preparing must be presented to the National Assembly for approval.

This is in line with the resolution of the National Assembly to set up an ad-hoc committee with members from the two chambers to exercise oversight functions over Rivers State under the state of emergency that has temporarily rendered Governor Siminilaye Fubara hors de combat and placed the state under the sole administrator that was appointed by President Bola Tinubu, in clear breach of Nigeria’s Constitution.

In any case, Section 11(1) of the Constitution makes it clear, “The National Assembly may make laws for the Federation, or any part thereof… with respect to… providing, maintaining and securing of (assets)… as may be provided by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services (that will be funded by provisions of the statutorily approved budget).”

Also, Section 11(4,5) provides, “At any time when any (state) House of Assembly… is unable to perform its functions… the National Assembly may make laws… on matters (including annual budget) as may appear to be necessary or expedient… until the National Assembly is able to resume its functions…”

If they are serious about this oversight assignment, which they told President Tinubu that they will perform, they will be making legitimate operational expenses and the project expenditures that Admiral Ibas will naturally like to embark upon.

Caesar’s wife must not only be beyond suspicion, she must be seen to be beyond suspicion. She may also be helped to be beyond suspicion. The National Assembly must pay more attention to its responsibilities and stop its inanities.