Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele was at the House of Representatives to brief federal lawmakers on the need to pass the bills on tax reforms arguing that majority of Nigerians stand to gain from the proposed new system of tax administration.

Mr President set up the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee in August, 2023 with three very clear mandates. The first one is on fiscal governance.

For this committee to look at our nation’s finances, revenue, how we spend our money, our borrowing, the terms of those borrowing, and how we coordinate policies amongst fiscal, monetary, and trade, not only at the federal government level alone, but also across sub-nationals so that one level of government is not pulling to the right and another one is pulling to the left, bearing in mind that at the end of the day, governance at all levels is about our people.

The second mandate is revenue transformation. How do we change the narrative for our country? And that includes taxation. That includes government assets. That includes government-owned enterprises. We want NFPs to give us tens of billions of dollars in profit, dividend every year, as well as natural resources, oil and gas, and solid minerals.

The last mandate is economic growth and competitiveness. We are given the mandate to look very closely at why is it that our businesses are struggling? Why is it that Nigeria today does not have like 50 multinational companies that are headquartered in Nigeria? That even when you are not selling crude oil, they are bringing money back home. We have a company in the world today, one of the largest companies, that their turnover alone is more than Nigeria’s GDP multiplied by two.

That’s one company. So why is it difficult for our small businesses to survive beyond five years? Why are they not growing? So those issues, why is it difficult for exporters to export? We spoke to people exporting and they said they have to go through more than 22 permits, approvals, clearance. That takes about two months and they have to pay for every single one of that.

By the time you are done, if you are lucky, your product is still fit for export. In putting the committee together, we’re very, very deliberate in ensuring that the committee is representative. We have over 80 members of eminent, qualified, experienced and patriotic Nigerians from all the geopolitical zones.

We have good representation of women and youths. We had 45 undergraduates from 22 universities across Nigeria working with us at the secretariat and they attend our meetings because we also want to get the views of the young people. We have over 20 government institutions represented.

Level of consultation

We have the organised private sector represented including trade associations, manufacturers, chambers of commerce, small businesses, professional bodies, large and small accounting firms and the civil society. In doing our work, we were very clear that it has to be national interest first, national interest next, national interest at all times. We said to ourselves that if we have a Nigeria that is working, everybody will find a space within a Nigeria that is working.

We were very, very particular about using data. Every single recommendation we have in those four views are driven by data. There was nothing we’re recommending that is emotional.

When we have meetings with our stakeholders, we say to them, give us data because it’s by using data that we can look back many years from now and say we did the best for our country. We also ensure that we have a clear philosophy for our tax system, which is that our tax system must be modern, it must be simple and it must be dynamic. It must enable growth and make Nigeria competitive.

If it cannot grow, it doesn’t matter what you want to do with revenue. Revenue cannot come because people cannot give what they don’t have. We came up with what we call the socioeconomic equation that says revenue and taxes are the consequences of economic activities.

Without economic activities, there can be no revenue. And where revenues have been collected, why are they collected? So that they can improve the lives, livelihood and the well-being of the people. That is the equation.

In our view, any policy we have, whether it’s tax policy, fiscal policy, trade policy, monetary policy, if they distort economic activities, those policies are not good enough. If they undermine the well-being of our people, those policies are also not good enough because we exist as a society for the interests of our people. So, with this background in mind, we did a lot of consultations and engagements.

Private sector: We had more than 40 sector groups. We met with them, individual sector per time. From farmers to small business owners to Nigerians with disabilities, to Nigerians in the Diaspora, to large businesses, to professional associations, FinTech, and the list goes on and on.

We also had public engagements with sub-nationals, finance commissioners, head of Internal Revenue Services under the Joint Task Force platform. We had meetings with the Governor’s Forum. We had meetings with the National Economic Council. We had meetings also with the National Assembly. We were privileged to be invited by the People’s House.

Even though it was a short interaction, but we had the opportunity to engage. We had a more elaborate engagement with the Senate. We had a two-day retreat as part of these processes.We’ve had meetings with many ministries and agencies that I cannot count. We’ve also had a lot of interactions with the international community, trying to learn from other countries, trying to learn from the books. We are trying to learn from ourselves.

Why past efforts failed

What is it that we have tried in the past that hasn’t worked? Why did it not work? What is it that we tried that worked? Because sometimes we don’t celebrate ourselves when we have done the right thing, we lose sight of them. We receive a lot of support from the international community, including the United Nations Development Program, African Development Bank, and so on and so forth.

We conducted surveys, and we asked for submissions from Nigerians. We were pleasantly surprised that we received submissions from every single state in Nigeria. We were not even expecting it.

There was no state in Nigeria where we did not get submissions from people. For this, we are grateful to the Nigerian people for the trust that they have in the work of the committee. Of course, we have a dedicated website, social media accounts, and we engage through the press, radio, TV, and other platforms.

But we know these engagements are never enough, so we are always very happy for the opportunity for further engagement. So, what did we find out from the work that we’re doing? Like Mr Speaker said, and also the Deputy Speaker, what are the mischief we are trying to correct? You don’t need to fix something if it’s not broken. In doing our work, we did a lot of findings.

The first one, I’ll just put it bluntly, Nigeria is running on a low budget. For 2024, the budget of the federal government including the amendment to the Appropriation Act that added about 6.2 trillion, it came up to about 35 trillion Naira. (21:59) For all the states combined, it was 15.9 trillion.

When you add up the entire budget for Nigeria, it comes to 51.1 trillion if you convert it to US dollars. It was only $32 billion for 2024. These $32 billion is the equivalent of the budget of Kenya.

Kenya has 54 million people, plenty of poor people as well. It is less than one quarter of the budget of South Africa. South Africa’s budget for 2024 is the equivalent of $130 billion.

South Africa has a little over 60 million people. How is it that Nigeria with all the potentials we have, with all the knowledge and the experience and human capital that God has blessed us with, how is it that we’re over 200 million people and our budget is barely the size of Kenya? That budget, if you dedicate it to just transportation infrastructure alone, roads, rail, flying, it will not be enough. If you do nothing else, that budget will not be enough.

The narrative for our country cannot be changed by increasing that amount by 5% or 10%. The base is just too small. It cannot fund our development.

The next slide shows our major revenue sources as a country, and there are eight of them. The eight major revenue sources for us as a country is personal income tax. The second one is property tax. The third one is stamp duties. The next one is value-added tax. And the next one is land.

These first five are mostly controlled by the states. And then now you have three that are shared amongst federal, state, and local governments. It’s corporate income tax, custom duties, and petroleum and solid minerals revenues. These are the eight major sources of revenue for our country. The sad news, or the bad news is that every single one of those eight is significantly underperforming. The good news is that every single one of those eight presents an opportunity for our country to change the narrative.

I just told you that our budget is small. What is even smaller is our revenue. On this next slide, the entire revenue that we generated from tax in 2023, because 2024 has not ended, so we are not done with the numbers yet, so we decided to use 2023 and it was only about N17.9 trillion.

Comparison with other countries  

If you convert this to dollar, it’s less than $20 billion, so which means that our small budget is even financed by borrowing. We can’t even raise enough revenue to finance a small budget. If you look at the breakdown of our major taxes, let me start with personal income tax.

In 2023, Nigeria, the whole 36 states, plus the FCT, collected 1.5 trillion Naira in personal income tax. In that same year, South Africa collected about 50.5 trillion naira equivalent in personal income tax alone. What South Africa collected from personal income tax alone is more than our entire revenue as a federation multiplied by two.

Even Kenya, that is a very small country compared to Nigeria, with a lot of poor people, I will continue to repeat that, they collected 5.8 trillion naira equivalent from personal income tax alone, almost four times what Nigeria collected, even though our population is four times their own population. I will not bore you with the other details because of our time, but I’ll just mention one more, and that’s to do with customs. In 2023, Nigeria collected 3.2 trillion naira from Customs.

In that same year, Kenya collected 8.9 trillion naira equivalent, almost three times. When we looked at the value of what Nigeria imported and the value of what Kenya imported, Kenya imported $23 billion worth of items. Nigeria imported $66 billion worth of items.

We imported almost three times what Kenya imported and collected about one-third of what Kenya collected. Something is not adding up, and those problems, we must fix them if we must make progress as a country. We know that the Nigeria Customs Service is doing its best.

We can do better

We are just seeing that we can do more and we can do better. Some of these issues are not isolated to any agencies. They are issues to do with the system and how the system can work. One other very important study I need to share with you, Your Excellencies, is we conducted a study about national tax perception and tax morale, and this was done by the Nigeria Economy Summit Group. I had the privilege to lead the round table that did the study. We were asking Nigerians whether they would like to pay their taxes and whether they think those who don’t pay their taxes should be punished.

We were alarmed at the result that we got. Only 17% of Nigerian adults, believed that they should pay their taxes and that evasion is wrong and punishable. 83% of Nigerians would do anything but pay their taxes.

When we asked them why, they said, number one, that they do not trust governments. Number two, they said even the little that they have paid, what are they getting in return? Many of them said after paying the taxes, they have to take care of everything government is supposed to take care of. Number three reason they gave is that even when they want to pay the tax, the process is complex and is corrupt.

Two in three adults said they were asked to pay a bribe in the process of wanting to pay their taxes. Bear in mind that this study covers all levels of government, so we’re not pointing fingers at anyone. We’re just being honest with ourselves because recognising the problems we have and acknowledging them is 50% of finding the solutions.

When we ask these Nigerian people, what can government do to make you change your mind and start paying your taxes. They want transparency so they can trust governments. And they said in terms of what government should spend money on, that the government should prioritise spending on number one, education; number two, health; number three, electricity; number four, security. Look at what Nigerians told us, four things.

Those four things align perfectly with the multidimensional poverty index. So, there’s perfect consistency as to what is putting our people into poverty and where they want government to spend money. Our view is that if government at any level, local, state, federal, is not prioritising spending in these four areas, then we have the wrong priorities. If we place our people first, these must be our priorities.

 [DailyTrust]

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin has explained why the upper legislative chamber allowed the controversial tax reform bills to pass for second reading.

Jibrin, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said it was to allow experts and all Nigerians to provide their input on the bills.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration last month.

The move generated controversy with the northern governors and other stakeholders kicking against the tax reforms.

However, the Red Chamber on Thursday passed the four tax bills for second reading through voice votes.

Speaking to BBC Hausa Service on Friday, the Deputy Senate President said the senators passed the tax reform bills to give room for contributions from experts and Nigerians.

[DailyPost]

Nigeria has raised alarm over Africa’s rising debt refinancing needs, costly access to liquidity, and limited access to global capital markets for emerging economies. 

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who was represented by Mrs Aisha Omar, Director Special Projects at the Federal Ministry of Finance, raised the alarm during the 5th African Union Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning, and Integration held in Abuja on Saturday.

Edun stated that Africa’s public debt profile has significantly worsened over the years, becoming increasingly short-term and less consensual. 

“The debt service burden has escalated, increasing financing risks. Since 2011, the average maturity of Africa’s external debt has declined from nearly 23 years to around 17 years in 2022,” he said.

The minister called on African countries to collaborate in reshaping their economies to reduce dependence on foreign aid. 

“It is important for Africans to work collectively in a more coordinated manner to shape our economies so that we will not rely on aid from international partners. Only through collective endeavours can we navigate the challenging times ahead,” he stated.

Edun praised the work of African experts in harmonizing divergent interests to create a unified resolution. 

He urged ministers and central bank governors to encourage political leaders to adopt these resolutions during the February 2025 African Union Heads of State Assembly. 

“Nigeria remains eternally grateful to our experts for their efforts. I urge all ministers and governors to invite our political leaders to endorse these resolutions at the next Heads of Government Assembly,” he added.

Edun reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to host the African Monetary Institute, a precursor to the operationalization of the African Central Bank. 

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s role in advancing Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Nigeria’s fiscal and economic reforms. 

“The removal of fuel subsidies has created fiscal space for strategic investments. Targeted policies to enhance diaspora remittances have also improved our external reserves,” Cardoso noted. 

He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the session would guide the February 2025 Assembly towards aligning regional aspirations with the Abuja Treaty and Agenda 2063.

Prof. Kevin Urama of the African Development Bank (AfDB) pointed out the dire implications of Africa’s rising debt. 

“Africa’s public debt has surged by 170 percent since 2010, exacerbated by structural global debt architecture issues, recent global shocks, and weaknesses in our macroeconomic fundamentals,” Urama said.

He noted that the shift towards privately owned debt, which is projected to account for 54 percent of Africa’s total debt by the end of 2024, has increased borrowing costs. 

“Africa pays 500 percent more in interest costs when borrowing from international capital markets compared to borrowing from multilateral development banks like the AfDB,” he explained.

Urama also revealed the paradox of debt and development financing in Africa. 

“While debt sustainability risks are growing, high-cost, short-term debt options are creating sustainability challenges. This year alone, Africa is expected to spend $74 billion on debt refinancing, with annual costs projected at $10 billion from 2025 onwards,” he said.

He added that Africa’s financing challenges are compounded by declining foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio flows. 

Urama stated that FDI fell by 44 percent in 2022, while net portfolio flows dropped by 17 percent. 

“Only remittances remained resilient, rising by 2 percent in 2022. These trends underline the paradox of debt and development financing in Africa,” he said.

Urama warned that without urgent interventions, Africa risks further distress. 

“In February 2024, 20 African countries were already in or at high risk of debt distress. The rising cost of debt is diverting resources away from critical development needs,” he concluded.

As African finance ministers and central bank governors deliberate on these pressing issues, the call for collective action resonates strongly. 

The resolutions adopted at the session are expected to set a transformative agenda for Africa’s economic future.

[TheNation]

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed concern over the messages politicians send to him expressing worries over his reelection in 2026.

Oyebanji, who stressed that he would not lose sleep over the election said that he was not worried over agitations ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state, and advised politicians to stop sending him such text messages as he was committed to good governance and fulfilling his electoral promises.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday night at the monthly Evening of Praise and Worship at the Jibowu Hall, Government House Ground.

The governor said, “My belief is that God’s plan supersedes any human agenda. I will not lose sleep over the development as God is in control,” adding that his political future is in the hands of God who has never failed him.

“What God does not give a man, he cannot have it and when God makes up his mind, nobody can stop him. So, I am just saying this so that you can stop sending me text messages expressing anxieties about 2026″, Oyebanji added.

He expressed confidence in God’s ability to work out things in his favour, maintaining that God who did it for him in 2022,  would do it again in 2026.

Oyebanji, who attributed the significant progress that his administration recorded across critical sectors in the state to divine intervention despite the economic realities, said, “My focus remains on delivering good governance and fulfilling the promises I made to Ekiti people.

“God is in charge of everything including the 2026 that many people are anxious about. He will take care of everything. For now, let us concentrate on the work that has been given to us and let us do it very well.

“For those that are worried about 2026, sending me text messages every day, don’t bother yourselves. God that did the last one will do it again. Don’t bother yourselves. Some complain that I am not a politician and that I don’t understand politics. I am not bothered about this, nothing is going to stop my peace because I serve the God of peace,” the governor said.

[Punch]

By the time you are reading this, the final event at the second African Military Games will be taking place. Soldier-athletes from the over-20 African countries that finally participated will be preparing to return home after the closing ceremonies today that will bring down the curtains on a very successful AMGA 2014.

When the games began on November 18, 2024, only few could have envisaged the level of success it finally attained.It has been 22 years since the first Games were held, indicating the challenges inherent with hosting. It is not a stroll in the park. It takes courage, resources, determination, commitment and a clear vision.

When the games began on November 18, 2024, only few could have envisaged the level of success it finally attained.

It has been 22 years since the first Games were held, indicating the challenges inherent with hosting. It is not a stroll in the park. It takes courage, resources, determination, commitment and a clear vision.

Since COJA in 2003, the concept of hosting any such continental event is greeted with a stonewall of objections. COJA 2003 was a disaster, the story of squander-mania and financial brigandage, obscene scandals and blatant recklessness, all unmatched in Nigerian sports history.
It is the story of how some persons enriched themselves and impoverished sports and sports development. Their misadventure left carcasses everywhere. The Games Village was sold to cronies, not sports heroes that needed and deserved it. The stadium complex became a shameful White-elephant project that should have been a national monument in the heart of one of the the most idyllic and beautiful capital cities in Africa, but became a dead zone, a beautiful flower idling and wasting away in a desert place.

The entire shenanigans of COJA confronts Nigerians every time they drive into the city of Abuja from the airport – an accursed edifice that could have been the City’s number One tourist destination, a social, cultural, business and entertainment hub that will not sleep 27 hours every day and eight days a week, but is rather under the spell and stranglehold of an ugly, cursed past.

This week, there are signs that things may be about to change. At least the opportunity is here now, presented by the seeds of AMGA 2024.He surely did not set out to be a Hero of AMGA 2024, but circumstances have now thrown him up as the champion of a new dawn in the checkered story of Nigerian Sports.

The story of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, may be changed through the man’s singular decision to dare where angels fear, to host the military Games at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, must have seen what few others did not in choosing to undertake what no one had dared to do in two decades. His being a product of a well-established sports tradition and grounded in basketball and volleyball as a national player, must played a big role in his courage to host the African Military Olympics in Abuja at a period that several regional and even continental security crisis are everywhere.

He may not have anticipated it, but the success of the Games is resounding. AMGA 2024 was a superb management of little resources, prudent management and great organization.

The product is a first class event with many take-aways for sports development into the future in Nigeria. To have organised at all at the national stadium confirms the saying that in sport ‘impossible is nothing. Once you can dream it and believe it, you can achieve it.’

AMGA 2024 is a testament to the vision, courage and hard work of the military leadership under General Christopher Musa. With the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital City, the host city, within two months the damaged facilities and basic utilities in one of the most modern stadiums in Africa were restored for usage. It is a miracle.No one could have envisioned the final outcome of the games. Here we are after 12 days of AMGA 2024. The verdict is here for all to see. There is physical and spiritual revival of the MKO Abiola Stadium with the success of the Games.

Two weeks of sports action has fired the imagination into a new possibility, and brought life back to sports in the military, to the place of the military in Nigerian sports architecture, to the fate of the national stadium, and to rekindling of hope for sports development.I commend the leadership of the Nigerian Military under General Christopher Musa.The organisation of the Games was almost flawless, a clear demonstration of the invaluable traditions of the military in sports organization and development.Has AMGA 2024 been a perfect Games? Far from it, but it was close to it in the harvest of the envisaged dividends for hosting it.The Federal Government must now take lessons from it, examine what the military authorities did right, borrow from it, consider very quickly what to do in the short term to sustain the traffic of the public into the sports complex, and open up the beauty and viability of the environment to private sector investors in leisure, culture, entertainment and the arts.I join all Nigerians in celebrating the success of AMGA 2024, and in congratulating the Chief of Defense Staff, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and his team of officials, the entire Nigerian military for presenting Africa with a ‘Games’ that has all-round ‘success’ written all over it.Thank you General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR.

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), said he pleaded with late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for an alleged coup plot in 1995. 

Gowon said this at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government.

Recall that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government. 

Obasanjo, in spite of pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death.

He spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.

‘I sent my wife to Abacha’

While Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour.

“I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil.

“I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a thing should not happen.

“I’m glad that soon after that, things changed. And not only that Obasanjo left prison, he became our president in 1999.

“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do. I’m happy that today myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau,” he said.

Gowon also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.

The former head of state said that the state had gone through a myriad of security challenges; hence, the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune. 

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.

[Vanguard]

A federal high court in Lagos has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by crossdresser Bobrisky against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the national assembly.

Bobrisky had filed the lawsuit seeking N200 million in damages from the EFCC for alleged “psychotic trauma” and N1 billion from the national assembly for purportedly violating his right to a fair hearing.

She also requested a court order to prevent the EFCC and the national assembly from “harassing, detaining, or declaring me wanted”.

However, on November 28, Alexander Owoeye, the judge who presided over the case, held that Bobrisky’s claims were unsubstantiated and lacked credible evidence.

Owoeye said the applicant failed to provide sufficient proof to support his allegations of rights violations.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesman, released a statement on Friday wherein he quoted the judge.

“Having evaluated the evidence placed before this Court by the Applicant, it is evident that the Applicant has failed to provide credible evidence to justify the award of the declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought by him,” Owoeye was quoted to have said.

“I hold that the claims of violation of fundamental rights against the 1st and 2nd Respondents were not made out of the affidavit evidence placed before this Court.

“The Applicant’s claims against the EFCC and National Assembly were found to lack merit, and are hereby dismissed. No damages were awarded.”

BACKGROUND

The crossdresser has been in the eye of the storm since activist VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio conversation wherein she claimed that she paid some EFCC officials N15 million to drop money laundering charges against her.

Bobrisky was released on August 5, after she was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for abusing the naira.

In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that her “godfather”, alongside Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), ensured she served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.

The house of representatives joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions resolved to probe the bribery allegation. It also invited VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky, Ola Olukoyode, EFCC chairman; and Nababa to appear before the committee.

The social media celebrity, who failed to appear before the committee, was arrested on October 21 at the Seme border for allegedly attempting to flee the country.

On November 1, the crossdresser was re-arrested by EFCC officials while attempting to leave Nigeria. A video shared on Instagram showed airport officials dragging her off the plane.

The commission also confirmed that she was rearrested to assist in investigating bribery allegations against the agency after which she finally travelled out of Nigeria on November 4.

[TheCable]

Aba Power Electric Ltd, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company, is working towards obtaining more natural gas supplies from its partners to increase electricity to nine of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) in Abia State it services as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) starts the regular services of the Alaoji-Aba 132kv line.

A statement this morning by Ugo Opiegbe, the managing director of Aba Power, explained that “a team of dedicated and competent TCN engineers and technicians is scheduled to service the line from December 1 to 7 to ensure regular and quality bulk power supply to the Aba Ringfenced Area managed by Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12^th distribution company (DisCo).

“We have, therefore, been in talks with the NNPCL and Heirs Energies to increase gas supply to the 188-megawatt Geometric Power Plant in the Osisoma Industrial Layout in Aba to enable us to provide electricity to the people, businesses, and communities in the nine LGAs we cover, and they have pledged to do their best to give us increased gas”.

The NNPCL and Heirs Energies own Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17 in the Owaza community in Ukwa West LGA in Abia State as a joint venture, with Heirs Energies as the operator.

Geometric Power gets its gas from the 27-kilometre gas pipeline it built to the OML, according to Engineer Cliff Eneh, an electric power consultant in Lagos who used to work for both the Texas Power and Light company in the United States and the defunct National Electric Power of Nigeria (NEPA).

“Due to the insufficient gas supplies to the Geometric Power Plant”, Eneh told journalists today, “the electricity firm has been augmenting its own power generation with supplies from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) which uses TCN’s 133kv and 330kv lines to make them available to the Geometric Power Plant.

“This is why Aba residents and businesses might be affected by the scheduled one-week maintenance work on the Line, though Geometric Power has taken proactive steps to either minimize the impact on the customers or reduce it to the barest minimum”.

While commending the cooperation between Geometric Power and the TCN as well as the NDPHC, Engr Eneh noted that the planned TCN shutdown would not have any impact on the Aba Ringfence if there were sufficient gas supplies to the 188MW plant.

People in the Aba Ringfence, recalled the engineer, did not experience outages when there was a series of nationwide outages in October and November 2024 because there was a significant gas supply improvement to the area during this period by the NNPCL and Heirs Energies.

“Not only would the plant have started to provide full and uninterrupted electricity to all the nine LGAs under its coverage since commissioning last February 26,” said the power expert, “it would have been exporting power to the national grid to increase power availability in other parts of Nigeria since it already has installed three turbines of 47MW each, with the fourth to be installed anytime the gas issue is resolved.

“The whole nation is waiting anxiously to see the NNPCL and Heirs Energies deliver on their promise to increase natural gas supply to the Geometric Power Plant which will, in turn, provide electricity to Aba Power Electricity Ltd.

The alumni association of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, has donated a Sienna bus worth millions to its alma mater to ease the movement and activities of Principal officers in the institution.

The Association made the donation on Wednesday, during the 16th convocation ceremonies and Alumni Lecture that was held at the Folorunsho Alakija Law Faculty of the University.

The activities were lined up to celebrate the university’s academic achievements and the strides made in nurturing excellence among its students.

According to the President of the Alumni association, Mr. Busoye Ogunlade, they have been supporting the university with various donations.

The Alumni Executives also awarded some selected staff of the institution for their long-serving, dedication to the University.

Ogunlade recalled that the executives, under his leadership, purchased a set of computers for the Transcripts department, to ease collection of transcripts for old students, within and outside the country.

Mr. Ogunlade, who also chairs the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, OYSROMA, promised that the association would continue to make contributions to the development of the university.

He said the Alumni website, to be launched in December 2024, will avail old students, both at home and in the Diaspora, the opportunity to bond, towards achieving a greater goal as a body.

Ogunlade, while handing over the bus to the Vice-chancellor, said that the school authorities alone could not provide all the needs of the institution, urging all old students to endeavour to contribute to the development of their alma mater.

He noted that “to meet the increasing demand for quality education, the University urgently requires the support of its old students, to enhance the infrastructure on its campuses.”

Ogunlade prayed that the University keeps expanding in larger strides as well as every graduate of the School.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Timothy Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Ajayi Crowther University Alumni for its contribution to the university’s development. 

The vice-chancellor affirmed that the association has been a worthy partner in progress since he assumed office nearly a few years ago. 

He equally recalled that the association has made several donations towards the University.

In the vice-chancellor’s words “We are grateful to the university’s alumni for purchasing this bus. It is timely and we appreciate it.”

While explaining the numerous feats of the University in the last year, the VC said the institution has signed many pacts with various bodies and institutions which has aided academic developments, stability, accreditation, and expansion of frontiers.

The association delegation included other members of the executive, including the National Secretary, Yemisi Peters, among others.

E-signed: 

'Busoye Ogunlade,                                 'Yemisi Peters

National President,                                 Nat'l Secretary,

ACU Alumni.                                             ACU Alumni,

November 29, 2024.                               Nov. 29, 2024.

The detention of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo by the Nigerian Army underscores a glaring disregard for constitutional governance and the roles of civilian law enforcement. It reflects a dangerous pattern of military overreach, and it is now incumbent on the leadership of the Nigerian armed forces, including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa and newly appointed Chief of Army Staff Major General Olufemi Oluyede, to act decisively. Their leadership is critical to restoring the rule of law, protecting press freedom, and ensuring the military operates within its constitutional boundaries.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma John Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, claimed that Soyombo was “arrested at the scene” of an illegal oil bunkering site. Even if this is true, the Army’s actions following the arrest were not only unconstitutional but also deeply troubling. Soyombo is a civilian journalist, and Nigeria’s Constitution clearly mandates that the investigation and prosecution of civilians are the exclusive responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). By detaining Soyombo for three days, seizing his gadgets, and keeping him incommunicado, the Army has grossly exceeded its authority, undermining both civilian institutions and democratic principles.

A Leadership Test for General Musa and Major General Oluyede

This case presents a critical leadership test for General Christopher Musa, the CDS, and Major General Olufemi Oluyede, the new Chief of Army Staff. The military under their watch has demonstrated an alarming disregard for the principles of democracy, and the world is watching how they respond. General Musa, as the highest-ranking military officer, must ensure that the armed forces respect the separation of powers and adhere strictly to their constitutional roles. Similarly, Major General Oluyede, who recently assumed office following the untimely death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, must demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting civilian authority.

The continued detention of Soyombo is a stark violation of his rights and a direct affront to the Nigeria Police Force, which has been sidelined in this matter. The NPF, established under Section 214 of the Constitution, is the only body legally empowered to handle criminal investigations involving civilians. The Army’s actions not only undermine the police but also suggest a dangerous power struggle between the military and civilian institutions. This is a slippery slope that could lead to further erosion of democratic norms.

The Role of the Police and the Army’s Misstep

The Nigeria Police Force plays a central role in maintaining law and order, investigating crimes, and ensuring justice through due process. Its officers are trained to handle evidence, interrogate suspects, and follow legal protocols designed to protect human rights. By detaining Soyombo and confiscating his gadgets, the Army has not only overstepped its mandate but has also risked jeopardizing critical evidence. Any materials taken from Soyombo must be immediately preserved and transferred to the NPF to ensure transparency and accountability.

This blatant disregard for the NPF’s authority raises serious questions about the military’s intentions. Is this an isolated incident, or does it reflect a broader attempt by the military to assert dominance over civilian institutions? General Musa and Major General Oluyede must address these concerns head-on by ensuring that the Army’s actions align with its constitutional responsibilities and do not encroach on civilian governance.

Implications for Press Freedom and Democracy

The detention of Soyombo is more than an isolated case; it is a direct attack on press freedom and a warning to journalists across Nigeria. The military’s actions suggest that exposing corruption or systemic failures could lead to intimidation, detention, or worse. This is a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of accountability and transparency essential to any democracy.

The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has made it clear: “Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow.” The organization has also called for the immediate preservation of all evidence confiscated from Soyombo and its transfer to the police. The military’s continued custody of this evidence only deepens suspicions of tampering or suppression, further eroding public trust.

Calls for Immediate Action

If Soyombo remains in military custody at the time of this publication, it is imperative for the presidency, civil society organizations, and international human rights bodies to intervene. President Bola Tinubu must demand his immediate release, the transfer of all evidence to the police, and a full investigation into the military’s overreach. General Musa and Major General Oluyede must also take responsibility and ensure that such incidents do not recur under their leadership.

The Nigerian military must be reminded that its role is to support, not supplant, civilian authority. Detaining civilians, seizing evidence, and bypassing the police are actions that belong to authoritarian regimes, not democracies. General Musa, as CDS, must set a clear tone that the armed forces will respect constitutional boundaries and operate transparently.

A Defining Moment for Nigeria

This case is a critical test of Nigeria’s democracy and the leadership of its military. General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Major General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, have an opportunity to demonstrate that the Nigerian military can be a force for good—one that upholds the law and respects civilian institutions. Failing to act decisively will not only damage their reputations but also weaken Nigeria’s already fragile democratic foundations.

Nigerians must demand accountability—not just for Fisayo Soyombo but for the preservation of the principles that underpin a functioning democracy. This is a defining moment for the country, and the actions of its leaders will determine whether Nigeria continues to progress as a constitutional democracy or slides further into authoritarianism. Journalism is not a crime, and no institution, no matter how powerful, is above the law. It is imperative for the Nigerian military to act within its constitutional mandate and restore public confidence in its commitment to justice and democracy.

If, at the time of this publication, Soyombo remains in military custody, the world must take notice. The global press, international human rights organizations, national civil societies, and even the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) itself must collectively raise their voices and call for action. President Bola Tinubu must be confronted with the urgency of this matter, as must General Musa and Major General Oluyede. The continued silence of journalists, civil institutions, or the police in the face of such undemocratic practices would embolden further violations and undermine the freedoms of every Nigerian citizen.

The press, as the fourth estate of democracy, cannot afford to be silent. Civil society groups, both national and international, must demand the immediate release of Soyombo and the transfer of any evidence or confiscated materials to the NPF for proper handling. This is not just about one journalist; it is about safeguarding the core tenets of democracy. The Nigerian military must be reminded of its duty to protect the nation, not to suppress its voices. Failing to do so would represent a betrayal of the democratic values Nigerians have fought to uphold.

The Nigerian military urgently needs to establish and implement comprehensive training programs focused on civilian-military relations, emphasizing the distinct constitutional roles of the military and the police in a democracy. These programs should provide clear guidance on the military’s mandate to protect national security and address external threats, while highlighting the Nigeria Police Force’s exclusive jurisdiction over internal security, crime investigations, and civilian law enforcement. It must be stressed that the military’s involvement in civilian matters should only occur under strict constitutional guidelines and with full deference to civilian authority.

To ensure these training programs are effective, they must be led by a qualified constitutional law expert with a deep understanding of democratic governance and the separation of powers. This expert would provide critical insights into the legal boundaries of military operations and the importance of respecting human rights, transparency, and accountability. Such training should also underscore the need for cooperation between the military and civilian institutions to foster mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law.

This initiative offers a critical opportunity for military leaders, including General Christopher Musa and Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to reinforce the military’s role as a protector of democracy rather than an institution that oversteps its bounds. Implementing this training is essential not only to prevent incidents like the unlawful detention of journalist Fisayo Soyombo but also to rebuild public trust in the military as a vital and accountable part of Nigeria’s democratic framework. Without such proactive measures, the military risks perpetuating constitutional violations that could erode Nigeria’s democratic progress and damage its national and international credibility.