The tariff and imminent trade war orchestrated by US President Donald Trump against Canada, China and Mexico may heighten imported inflation for Nigeria and some African countries.

Economic and financial experts say Trump’s action could also cause a fall in the price of crude oil.

Trump had on Saturday signed an executive order, imposing new tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on all imports from Mexico and most products from Canada, along with a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China.

According to the Trump administration, the tariffs are aimed at curbing the flow of drugs and undocumented immigrants into the US. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the sweeping tariffs he imposed on Mexico, Canada and China may cause “some pain” for Americans.

In swift response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced retaliatory tariffs, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced “far-reaching” levies targeting American goods.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government said it would be filing a formal complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the U.S. over President Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports.

China’s ministry of commerce promised to take necessary countermeasures to safeguard its interests.

“The unilateral tariff hikes by the US seriously violate World Trade Organisation rules,” the ministry said.

While experts see opportunities for countries with manufacturing capabilities to explore the trade war to their advantage, they doubted the capacity of Nigeria to exploit opportunities from the trade war, since the country is not a producing economy but import-dependent.

In a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP yesterday, the chief executive of Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said the tariff slammed on countries such as Canada, China and Mexico may lead to heightened imported inflation for Nigeria.

According to him, despite the tariff being a bilateral issue, it will disrupt global trade which will have implications for the global economy in the long run because of the size of the economies involved.

For Nigeria, he noted that the tariff will spark inflation in the U.S., affecting the price of imported goods from the country into Nigeria.

“Secondly, if there is inflation in the U.S. which is more likely to happen, the U.S. Fed is likely to raise interest rates, and when they do this, Nigeria will have issues with foreign portfolio investments (FPIs).

“So there is the issue of the inflationary effect transmitted to us by way of effect on our FPIs. There is also the issue of inflationary effect arising from our import from the U.S.  which we do not have much alternative for,” he said.

Yusuf pointed out that the trade war may depress the global economy, and lead to the development of new trade partnership, adding that manufacturing countries that are not slammed with the tariffs would be better for it.

Professor Michael Obadan, a former Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member noted that Nigeria’s level of exports had become quite inconsequential that the country may not be able to tap into the opportunities present in the trade war. Expressing pessimism about Nigeria’s readiness to exploit any opportunity, he said, “One will expect that if America is reducing its volume of trade with the countries affected in the tariff war, it may want to import from other countries that have not been imposed with such tariffs.

“If Nigeria were a manufacturing country and we had the capacity to manufacture and the goods are similar to the ones tariffed, it would have been an opportunity for Nigeria to increase its volume of exports and earn more foreign exchange.”

He noted that Nigeria’s economic environment was hostile to manufacturing because of the reform policies implemented in the last few years.

“Many manufacturing companies have departed the country, particularly the foreign ones, and those in the country are just struggling to produce. They are producing goods at very, very high costs because the operating environment is very hostile, and such goods are not competitive, even within the country, not to talk of abroad.

“Nigeria is not in a good position to take advantage of any trade opportunity that might be tariff war initiated by America. Nigeria is a bad shape at the moment in the area of production, particularly production of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. Trade war involves manufactured goods, mostly, maybe some extent, agricultural goods,” he said.

For his part, the chief executive of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, sees the potential threat of disruption by President Donald Trump as empty and only temporary at best.

He noted that the world had changed and countries were better prepared to absorb the shocks of tariffs and other trade restrictions.

According to him, the USA is just a country of 350 million people against the likes of China and India, and other countries that constitute the BRICS nations.

He also said the USA did not belong to any economic bloc, yet Trump was threatening countries that belong to BRICS, made up of billions in population, noting that if these countries were to retaliate, it would be the American economy that would suffer the most.

“If you restrict their sales to your country they will end up restricting your own sales to more than two billion people. Who is going to lose more? When it comes to trade war, I think America is more vulnerable than Trump is imagining.

“I see what Trump is doing as empty threat; after about three months from now, the reality will begin to dawn on him,” he said.

A frontrunner for the prime ministerial position in Canada, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in an interview with the CNN’s Global Public Square presenter, Fareed Zakaria, yesterday stated that by slamming trade restrictions on Canada, the USA was shooting itself in the leg as it depends on Canada for a huge chunk of its trade.

A development economist at Adeleke University, Professor Tayo Bello, believes the ongoing trade tensions should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to intensify its backward integration efforts.

“Trump is enforcing backward integration in America to protect jobs and industries. Nigeria should be doing the same. We have abundant agricultural land, yet we are net importers of food. We have vast crude oil reserves, yet we import refined petroleum products. The government must prioritise self-reliance and local production,” he said.

But chief executive of AntHill Concepts Ltd, Dr. Emeka Okengwu, insists that Nigeria must take advantage of this shift.

“Nobody holds absolute economic power anymore. Even though the U.S. is a dominant force, other economies are adjusting. The BRICS nations, for example, are strengthening their economic ties, and they are already some of the biggest buyers of Nigeria’s crude oil. We should leverage these relationships and move from just exporting raw materials to adding value through local refining and industrial processing,” he said.

A financial economist at Auchi Polytechnic, Zakari Mohammed, sees both risks and opportunities in Trump’s policies.

“A weaker naira could make Nigerian exports more competitive in international markets, but it also makes imports more expensive, increasing inflation. The key for Nigeria is to reduce its import dependency and build a self-sufficient economy. If we fail to do so, global economic disruptions like this will always leave us vulnerable,” he said.

On his part, chief executive of Cowry Assets Management Company, Mr Johnson Chukwu, noted that the tariffs would lead to an increase in the cost of goods and services, because countries are going to build barriers.

“The principle of competitive advantage will be jettisoned and this means everybody will try to produce everything, even when the costs of producing those things in their localities are higher.

“Donald Trump is pushing for improved oil production in the U.S. and he has also said he is going to disrupt the OPEC+ Alliance, and get Saudi Arabia to produce more. When that happens, we should expect crude prices to drop. And because Nigeria doesn’t have capacity to compensate for the drop in terms of increased production, our foreign exchange will slow down.

“Ordinarily, if you can compensate for a drop in price by increasing volume, you will not so much feel the impact but we are not in that position. So what that means is that Nigeria’s foreign exchange inflow will be negatively impacted.”

The director-general of National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Sola Obadimu said Nigeria needs to develop its trade policy that will favour and protect the nation as other nations are doing.

“Those in charge of our trade policy should bring out policy that will protect us,” he said.

The vice president of Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said by the trade war and violent threats of acquisition of independent countries, the United States of America is dislocating the world’s socio-economic order.

“The tariffs war may eventually provoke global hyperinflation and perhaps lead to recession,” he stated.

Adonri further noted that there is the possibility of a precipitous fall in the price of crude oil amidst this battle, which may batter the Nigerian economy.

“The U.S. is pursuing a covert isolationist policy aimed at revitalising their domestic production capacity.

“The impact of the policy on Nigeria can be very devastating if it adversely affects diaspora remittances and crude oil price. The situation is deteriorating very fast and if Nigeria does not react proactively by domesticating the economy like the U.S. is doing, the consequences may be very dire.”

Opportunities for Nigeria and Other Exporting Nations

While the trade war between the U.S. and its partners presents economic challenges, analysts believe it could create new export opportunities for countries like Nigeria

Speaking with LEADERSHIP yesterday, economic sector analyst, Stephen Kanabe said as U.S. tariffs will make goods from China, Mexico, and Canada more expensive, Nigeria can position itself as an alternative supplier, especially in sectors like oil, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.

Companies looking to avoid tariffs may shift production to Nigeria or source raw materials from Nigerian industries, boosting local manufacturing and job creation.

“With disrupted trade flows, Nigerian products (such as crude oil, agricultural exports, and textiles) may become more attractive to U.S. buyers seeking cost-effective alternatives to goods from China, Mexico, and Canada,” he stated.

However, a former member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Professor Michael Obadan, said Nigeria’s level of exports had become quite inconsequential that the country may not be able to tap into the opportunities present in the trade war.

Expressing pessimism on Nigeria’s readiness to exploit any opportunity, he said, “One will expect that if America is reducing its volume of trade with the countries affected in the tariff war, it may want to import from other countries that have not been imposed with such tariffs.

“If Nigeria is a manufacturing country and we have the capacity to manufacture and the goods are similar to the ones tariffed, it would have been an opportunity for Nigeria to increase its volume of exports and earn more foreign exchange.

“Nigeria’s economic environment is hostile to manufacturing because of the reform policies implemented in the last few years. Many manufacturing companies have departed the country, particularly the foreign ones, and those in the country are just struggling to produce. They are producing goods at very, very high cost because the operating environment is very hostile, and such goods are not competitive, even within the country, not to talk of abroad.

“Nigeria is not in a good position to take advantage of any trade opportunity that might be tariff war initiated by America. Nigeria is in a bad shape at the moment in the area of production, particularly production of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. The Trade War involves manufactured goods, mostly, maybe to some extent, agricultural goods.”

Economic analyst Jimoh Solomon Sule suggests that the situation could lead to increased export demand for non-U.S. suppliers, and trade diversion as companies seek alternative sourcing options. Apart from that, he said more foreign direct investment (FDI) will go to countries with strong manufacturing bases.

“Nigeria’s competitiveness could improve as disruptions in global trade force buyers to look for alternative suppliers,” Sule explained.

Crude oil, one of Nigeria’s primary exports, could become a viable alternative for U.S. importers seeking to offset changes in their trade relationships.

Trump Receives Flak

A barrage of condemnations has rained down on United States President Donald Trump following his decision to impose stiff tariffs on imports from neighbouring countries, Mexico and Canada, as well as its largest supplier of goods, China.

According to analysts, Trump’s new tariffs could drive up the prices of everyday goods, from cars and sneakers to tequila and avocados.

Trade between North America and the U.S. hit $1.8 trillion in 2023—far surpassing the $643 billion with China. Trump’s new decision imposes a 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports and 25 percent on those from Mexico and Canada, with a lower 10 percent rate on Canadian energy.

The U.S. imports billions in cars and parts from Canada and Mexico, with vehicles crossing borders multiple times during production. Experts warn a 25 percent tariff could add $3,000 to car prices.

Also, Canada, America’s largest crude oil supplier, ships billions in oil that U.S. refineries rely on. Tariffs could push gas prices up by 30-70 cents per gallon.

The U.S. imports billions in tequila, mezcal, and Canadian whisky. Retaliatory tariffs could further hurt the spirits industry, which already faces a 50% EU tariff on American whiskey. The U.S. buys $85 billion in farm goods from Canada and Mexico, including most imported fruits and vegetables. A 25% tariff would mean pricier groceries, including “guacamole tariffs” just before the Super Bowl.

Past tariff wars led to retaliatory measures on U.S. crops like soybeans and corn, forcing the government to compensate farmers. While Trump delivered aid before, many farmers prefer open markets over government checks.

 [Leadership]

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has honoured 19 generals, six professors and 10 other Kano citizens who have excelled in their chosen careers.

The state banquet in honour of the distinguished Kano sons and daughters was held at the government house Saturday night.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Yusuf congratulated those honoured for reaching significant milestones in their respective fields, emphasizing that their achievements have been instrumental to the socio-economic development of the state and the nation.

The governor, who said the event was non-partisan, assured the guests that the celebration was purely in recognition of their professional excellence, expressing his administration’s commitment to work hand in hand with the leaders without any political interference.

“You are great professionals of record, and it is this spirit of selfless service that we want to encourage and celebrate,” he said.

The governor encouraged the younger generation to pursue education and careers in various fields such as the military, police, civil service, judiciary and others, noting that would help Kano State continue to produce nationally and internationally recognised talents.

He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the event’s success, including the federal government for its support in promoting Kano’s indigenous talent.

Earlier, the chairman of the organising committee, Mohammed Jamu, explained that the event was to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Kano’s sons and daughters – individuals who have represented the state with distinction across various fields.

On his part, the leader of all imams in Nigeria, Sheikh Nasir Muhammad Adam, challenged the awardees to ensure mentorship of upcoming ones in their chosen careers.

The awardees are Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, Major General M. S. Ahmed, Major General I. S  Ali, Major General A. M. Garba, Major General Sani Sumaila Ibrahim, Major General B. U. Yahya, Major General S. Y. Bashir, Major General U. B. Abubakar, Major General Faruk Mijinyawa and Major General Jamal Abdulsalam.

Other military officers include Air Vice Marshal M. Yusuf, Air Vice Marshal G. A. Bello, Air Vice Marshal B. R. Mamman, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Usman, Air Vice Marshal M. S. Ibrahim, Air Vice Marshal K. M. Umar, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmad, Rear Admiral Aliyu Gaya and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas.

Also awarded were Prof. Shehu Ahmad Said Galadanci, CON, Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, Yakubu Adamu Kofar Mata, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, DDG DSS, Alhaji Ado Muazu, Prof. Umma Abdullahi, Prof. Hadiza Galadanci, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Prof. Hamisu Armayau Bichi, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abass and CP Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim.

Others were Dr Rislanuddeen Muhammad, Eng. Mustapha Balarabe Shehu, Arc. Hauwa Hassan Tudunwada, Ado Kabiru Minjibir Mni and Marwan Mustapha Adamu mni.

[DailyTrust]

At some point this week, it felt as if Victor Boniface was destined to leave Bayer Leverkusen to Al Nassr.

The two clubs opened talks over a possible transfer, as the Saudi Pro League side sought to replace Anderson Talisca, who has since signed for Fenerbahçe.

The news came out of nowhere, as Boniface only signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga champions until 2026 last week.

The deal made the Super Eagles forward one of the top earners at Leverkusen.

Despite renewing his contract, the 24-year-old was, however, not considered unsellable by the Bundesliga champions.

Boniface even missed Tuesday’s training session and some reports claim his bags were packed to travel to the Middle East.

All that was left was for Al Nassr to proceed with the final processes of the deal, after agreeing a transfer fee of more than €60m.

The 24-year-old was set to earn an eye watering €15m net per season.

But the deal eventually collapsed.

Al Nassr were also in negotiations with Aston Villa for Jhon Duran and opted to splash €77million on the 21-year-old.

The Colombian striker was officially unveiled on Friday, as the Saudi transfer window slam shut.

“Transfer rumours are normal in football,” Boniface, who has since returned to Leverkusen training, told SportsBoom.

“It’s always flattering when big clubs show interest, but my focus right now is 100% on Bayer Leverkusen.

“A lot of calculations have also happened here and there, but I love playing here, and I want to give my best to the team.

“What happens in the future will happen, but for now, my mind is only on helping Leverkusen achieve our goals.”

The saga has triggered a lot of conversations on and off social media, as to if Boniface should have even considered the move.

“It’s understandable. As much as I don’t like it, the reality is that football is a job for many,” Deji Faremi, co-owner of Busy Buddies and a sports analyst, tells DAILY POST.

“Especially considering where a guy like Boniface is coming from, you can see how and why that sort of move would interest him.

“An opportunity to earn more than three times what you currently earn is very tempting.

“Unless you have great belief in yourself to maintain a certain level that would make you attractive (and in line to earn that much) for years, you have to think about it,” he added.

But why did Al Nassr pick Duran over Boniface.

“Hard to tell. Duran is a younger option,” Faremi explains.

“But maybe he was also more interested in joining them. Boniface is easily the better player though. They have missed out on an excellent player.”

There are insinuations that a move to the Middle East would have affected Boniface’s chances of playing for the Super Eagles.

In the absence of Victor Osimhen, Boniface has failed to impress for the national team. And leaving Europe might have seen his stocks drop further.

“I don’t think so,” Faremi responds sharply.

“The level in Saudi is quite good and we’ve seen many players like Ronaldo, Kante remain important members of their national teams despite playing in Saudi Arabia.

“That’s another reason why it would have made a lot of sense if he moved. There was nothing to lose, except maybe a chance to be the best player in the world.”

So what next for Boniface?

Faremi adds: “If he’s turned down the offer – and not the other way round – it could suggest he would rather play in Europe, hunt for bigger and more prestigious trophies, and make a name for himself at the highest level.

“He could still make all that money Saudi are offering if he can find the form he had at the start of last season, and make a big money move to England or even Italy.”

[DailyPost]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready for any challenge from opposition leaders during the 2027 general election, the Presidency said yesterday.

It faulted comments by the political opponents against the administration, describing them as “distracting” and “Machiavellian.”

The Presidency advised the leading opposition figures and other critics – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi – to wait till the next poll before they flex muscles.

According to the Presidency, the activities of the opposition leaders are premature.

“This is 2025, not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election,” Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, said.

Also peeping into the future, former House of Representatives Speaker and ex-governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari, said there was no alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Salihu Lukman, said some of the opposition figures lacked the quality of leadership, urging them to drop their presidential ambitions.

He said: “Based on their records, they exhibit intolerant dispositions and poor relationships on account of which they have mismanaged their transitions and are today hardly in control of political structures in their states.”

At a two-day democracy conference in Abuja, Atiku, 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Obi, and former Katsina State Governor El-Rufai fired salvos at the Federal Government, saying that it was not living to expectation.

Atiku alleged that the ruling party had doled out N50 million as a bribe to each of the opposition parties to disorganise and silence their leadership.

El-Rufai, a chieftain of APC, alleged a lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the ruling party.

“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” he said.

Amaechi called for “brutal force” to take from President Tinubu in 2027, adding that if he had been president, he would have run the country differently.

Taking an exception to the comments, Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these politicians.

He described the attacks on the Tinubu Administration as predictable attempts to stir controversy while the President was away in Tanzania addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.

“While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were heating up the polity,” Dare added.

The Special Adviser described the recent Abuja gathering as an effort to spread ill will, noting that some participants resorted to undemocratic rhetoric.

“Expectedly, it was a gathering convened to further spread ill will.

“Nothing new came out of the gathering different from the opposition script we are used to,” Dare stressed.

He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these “political gladiators” and choose between “political hecklers and real progressives.”

Dare emphasised that President Tinubu remains focused on his mandate to improve the lives of Nigerians and build a resilient economy, despite the distractions.

“The only conversation he wants to have now is how to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens and constructive discourse on building a resilient economy,” he said.

Dare assured Nigerians that President Tinubu, an “avowed democrat,” remains “undistracted and unperturbed” by the opposition’s tactics.

Masari: No credible alternative to APC

Masari said that there was no credible alternative to the APC administration.

He spoke in Kafur, Kafur Local Government Area, during the flag-off of the campaign for the Katsina State local government elections scheduled for February 15.

He said: “The news making rounds in the social media that some politicians are teaming up for merger is nothing but regrouping of those who lost political favours in the APC, in terms of appointments or patronage.

“Their attempt to form an alliance will not divert the attention of APC from conceiving and implementing programmes that could assuage the pains of the common man.”

Masari urged Nigerians to exercise more patience with the APC administration, adding that the harsh economic hardship is a global phenomenon.

He added: “I am in APC today, tomorrow and always because I am not in the party for any political position or appointment.”

The former governor urged  APC loyalists to propagate the good works and ideals of the party, pleading with them to take any shortcoming as a human error.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir-Masari, urged APC members to close ranks and work assiduously to ensure the success of the party at all times.

He said the president had awarded a contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of  the Zaria/Malumfashi/Funtua/Yashe Roads, in a bid to facilitate socio-economic activities.

The presidential aide also said the president had approved the establishment of a Federal College of Agricultural at Nabanje, Masari.

He added: “I can assure you that more developmental projects will be awarded to the people of the area in due course.”

‘Amaechi’s remarks inflammatory’

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) chided Amaechi for making inflammatory remarks about the Tinubu administration.

It hailed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who warned the former Rivers governor against rhetorics.

AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima, said Amaechi incited violence to destabilise the country.

Shettima said Matawalle had sent a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that those who engage in it would face consequences.

He said leaders at all levels should take a firm stand against any form of speech that could lead to violence or civil unrest.

Shettima said Amaechi’s comment constituted a threat to national security, adding that his action undermined the democratic process.

Lukman: Atiku, Obi should drop ambitions

Lukman advised Atiku, Obi, Senator Kwankwaso and El-Rufai to drop their presidential ambitions and provide leadership for the proposed opposition political party.

Lukman, former APC National Vice Chairman (Northcentral), said in a statement: “Based on laypersons legal knowledge, many of these politicians would be adjudged to being accessories, whether before or after, to our current political travesty.

“Some of them, on account of their influential roles in past administrations and the failures of those administrations should be humble enough to take a backseat to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics.

“Instead, it is more like a case of unrepentant show of shame.”

Lukman lamented that the mindset of most opposition leaders is more inclined towards blocking political competition in the country.

He stressed: “The truth is that any political leader who is prioritising the debate about power shift over and above building a strong political party, which can set the rules and enforce it, may only be hiding behind such arguments to impose himself/herself and perhaps invariably continue the political practice of emperors and dictators.”

Atiku kicks

YESTERDAY’S reaction to opposition leaders’ criticisms of the Federal Government by the Presidency is an attack on democracy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Adviser Paul Ibe, has said.

The one-time vice president, former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Nasir El-Rufai have been under attack for condemning the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

In a statement, Ibe claimed that Dare’s statement showed “the Tinubu administration plans to take the next election in the country as ‘a combat and a fight”.

He said the Tinubu government should unite and heal the nation and desist from making careless remarks about other countries.

The statement reads: “It therefore, becomes pertinent to tell the Tinubu administration that last week’s gathering of political leaders across the country is aimed at fostering the ethos of democracy in Nigeria, making sure that elections in Nigeria are credible, and that democracy is the vehicle for progress and social justice in the country.

“We find it curious that the Tinubu government would react to these noble ideals as ‘Machiavellian inclinations

[TheNation]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how Ijebu leaders lobbied the then Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, to designate Sagamu as the capital of Ogun State when it was created in February 1976.

Obasanjo, speaking 49 years after the creation of the state, disclosed that the Ijebu leaders argued against Abeokuta being chosen as the state capital, citing land constraints.

He made this revelation at the induction ceremony and Gala Night of the Egba Legacy Network, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

The former President recounted his encounter with Gen. Mohammed, saying, “When we wanted to establish Ogun State, our brothers from Ijebu did their exercise very well. They said we don’t have land, and they campaigned against making Abeokuta the state capital. When we got to the discussion table, they proposed Sagamu instead. 

“This place we call Ogun State, before 1932, it was named Abeokuta Province, including Ijebu. When Ijebu Province was to be established, it was DO that was in Ijebu.

“They said we don’t have land, that was why it is called Abeokuta. My boss, Murtala Mohammed, had been briefed and agreed that Sagamu should be the state capital. He said, ‘We are going that way.’ But I told him, ‘Since we are going to have Kano State, then Rago should be the capital of Kano.’”

Obasanjo said this response angered Murtala Mohammed, who lashed out at him.

“He attacked me, saying, ‘How dare you?’ And I said, ‘How dare you too?’ That was how we ended the discussion.”

Obasanjo urged the Egba Legacy Network to document Abeokuta’s rich history and ensure that key figures in the development of Egbaland are recognised in their heritage tourism project.

He emphasised that Abeokuta’s proximity to Lagos should be leveraged to turn the ancient city into a major tourist attraction.

Earlier,  the Osi Apagunpote of Egbaland and Chairman of the Egba Legacy Network, Chief Lai Labode Jnr, charged new inductees to work towards the beautification and development of Abeokuta.

Labode explained that the group aimed to preserve the culture, traditions, and history of Egbaland while celebrating past and present heroes.

Among the projects planned is the Egba History and Heritage Area, which will feature statues of iconic Egba personalities, including Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Prof. Saburi Biobaku, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Chief Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief MKO Abiola, Ayinla Omowura, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Labode highlighted Ibara GRA, Oke-Mosan-Kobape Expressway, and Alake Palace as areas that will witness the first phase of the transformation.

He explained that the Egba Legacy Network, founded 18 months ago, consists of professionals committed to uniting Egba sons and daughters across the world to drive socioeconomic development.

[Punch]

Kaduna State Governor  Uba Sani who announced on January 27, 2025 that he is negotiating with killer bandits, is dead wrong.   The over  six months he said he has  been negotiating  with these vipers who  kill, maim, kidnap and collect ransom from innocent people, is a waste of  time.

The governor’s  claims that he engaged in   peace talks with the bandits  after consultations with  critical stakeholders including the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, does not sanctify  the process. In self-justification,  Governor  Sani declared: “I’d rather negotiate with bandits than to bear the weight of a single life lost in Kaduna. If not, I will be held accountable on the day of resurrection, having promised and sworn an oath.” This sounds fine. But it is only a sound. Contemporary history teaches us that negotiating with bandits and terrorists including granting them amnesty, has merely led to more deaths and a sense of empowerment by the criminals.

Governor Sani was right in 2021 when as Senator representing Kaduna Central, he vowed never to negotiate with the bandits. Drawing on his experience as part of the  Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai government that had previously negotiated with the bandits, Sani told Nigerians on Arise Television: “When you  give them (bandits)  money, these guys  are not reasonable. They are not responsible. They will use  the money  to buy more arms and ammunition to continue to attack  more people.”

In that interview he  declared: “…We don’t talk to the bandits. Or you want the Kaduna State government   to talk to the bandits? We will not do that.” He gave a cogent reason why  there should be no negotiation  with the bandits: “ They (bandits) will never retire. The most important   thing is that  we need to confront them. We are a country. We are a government. When you are elected, you must always take difficult decisions.”  That was Governor Sani three years ago. So what has changed? Is it that the bandits have repented their ways and are now candidates for heaven? Or better still, why has Uba Sani changed?

Also, he needs to disclose  the terms of agreement he has reached with the bandits. What are they getting in return from the government? What happens to their guns; will they be taken to other states, handed over to the government or simply tossed into River Kaduna? What happens to the bandits? Are they to be given land to resettle? If so, what happens to the hordes of bandits that are not Nigerians? Will they and their families be given citizenship?

I have raised these questions so that tomorrow, after having expended state resources on this fruitless journey, Sani would not like other governors who had taken this path, come with tales of woe. I think it is a bad idea  to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.  Sani had worked with El-Rufai when he was the Federal Capital Territory Minister and, moved with him to Kaduna State in 2015  when the latter was elected governor. The following year, the El-Rufai government  took state resources to pay off the bandits.  It reached out to these killers as far as the Republics of  Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Senegal.

El-Rufai told the media why his government took money out of the country to pay the killers: “Fulanis are in 14 African countries and they traverse this country   with the cattle. So many of these people were killed, cattle lost and they organised themselves and came back to revenge.”

On some of the steps his government took, El-Rufai said: “We got a group of people that were going round trying to trace some of these people in Cameroon, Niger Republic and so on to tell them that there is a new governor who is Fulani like them and has no problem paying compensations for lives lost and he is begging them to stop killing.” As Sani explained in his interview, these bandits simply used the money they were paid to buy more arms and ammunition. The result is that Kaduna State became a killing field.

Similarly, Governor Bello Masari of neigbouring Katsina State engaged in negotiations with the bandits for three years from 2016. In September 2019, he announced that:  “The negotiation is yielding results. Now I can say over 80 per cent of people under captivity in Katsina State have been released.” Masari announced amnesty and dissolved the vigilante and volunteer groups that were fighting the bandits. But nine months later after the bandits had secured all they could from the state government, the governor cried that  they had reneged.  In saying that the bandits are worse than animals, Governor Masari lamented: “How can a human being behave the way an animal cannot behave?”

When Muhammadu Buhari was President and Commander-in-Chief,  he told Nigerians that many of these bandits are trained mercenaries from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and  Central African Republic who fled Libya after Mouammar Ghadafi was defeated. So, how does   Sani hope to rehabilitate them? I am sure the governor is aware that banditry in Kaduna State is not mere criminality; that there is an ethno-religious bent. This is why the bandits have strong supporters amongst the affluent like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi who claims that the bandits are: “ a population  that is pushed  into criminality” and that; “They are a peaceful people.”  In fact, Gumi says the bandits are liberation fighters!

Also, the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello  Muhammad Matawale as  Zamfara State Governor in 2021 told then President Buhari that: “Not all of them (bandits) are criminals…some of them, sometimes were cheated by so-called vigilante groups…when the vigilante groups attacks them, they go for reprisals.” I think in order not to get  entangled in such conspiracy theories and the type of wasted journey  Governors like El-Rufai and Masari embarked upon,  Governor Uba Sani should simply uphold  his oath of office to ensure the welfare and security of the people. This includes ensuring that  criminals, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion or citizenship, are brought to justice.

As we all know, the armed forces and the security services alone cannot overcome the bandits. In fact, the greatest armour against banditry is the masses on whom it is visited.  To ensure this, all our communities should in the model of the Civilian JTF, be trained and armed to fight   bandits and terrorists. In the short term, our military should be deployed to retake all territories under the control of bandits and terrorists and, return our peoples currently in the Internally Displaced Peoples’ IDP camps back to their homes. To politicise such a basic necessity, is to endanger the whole country. 

The stock market sentiment remained mixed last week as more corporate earnings reports hit the market with impressive numbers, spiking buying sentiments, even as some results were below expectation resulting in some profit taking.

However, investors’ attraction to the shares of Nestle, Stanbic IBTC and Nigerian Breweries, NB, boosted market activities last week, as they earned over N1 trillion through the week. Specifically, the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, market capitalisation, which represents the total value of listed equities, rose to N64.71 trillion on Friday, up from N63.65 trillion previous week.  

Similarly, the NGX All Share Index, ASI another stock market performance indicator grew by 0.9% Week on Week, W/W to close last Friday at 104,496.12 bases points from 103,598.30 points the previous week.

Market analysts noted that investors reacted based on some positive corporate earnings reports for the fourth quarter, Q4’24      as well as divided declaration, while attributing the growth in ASI to gains recorded by NB , which went up by 15.5%, Nestle rose by 11.4% followed Stanbic IBTC 8.2% among others.

Meanwhile, the Year-to-Date, YtD return settled at 1.6%. However, trading activity was mixed as the total trading volume advanced by 6.3% W/W, while trading value declined by 8.0% W/.

Sectoral performance was mixed as the Consumer Goods Index went up by 4.0,    Banking Index 2.5% and Oil & Gas Index 1.0%), while the Insurance Index dropped by    -2.9% and Industrial Goods Index -0.5%.

Commenting on market outlook, analysts at Cordros Research stated: “Looking ahead, market performance is expected to be influenced by the ongoing earnings season, with sentiment likely remaining positive for companies delivering strong earnings and attractive dividends”.

Commenting as well, analysts at InvestData Consulting stated: “We expect mixed sentiments to continue as players digest corporate numbers and    more earnings reports hits the market to reveal value and give insight of dividend expectation,    while rebalancing their portfolios midst high inflation and earnings expectations. Also, sector rotation and portfolio rebalancing continued in the market with investors taking advantage of price correction to buy into value.

This is amid the volatility and pullbacks that add more strength to upside potential. Consequently, investors should take advantage of price correction. Also looking at the trends and events across the globe and domestically”.

[Vanguard]

Ehi Braimah, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Naija Times, has been named a finalist for the 2025 StudyUK Alumni Awards, a prestigious international recognition by the British Council.

The award, now in its 11th edition, honours outstanding UK university alumni worldwide and celebrates professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders across four categories: business and innovation, culture and creativity, science and sustainability, and social action.

In a statement by Toby Odo, the editor of Naija Times, Braimah, an alumnus of the University of Roehampton, was nominated in the culture and creativity award category.

“This recognition follows Braimah’s recent Chancellor’s Alumni Award from the University of Roehampton, London,” the statement reads.

“He was among three Nigerians and 20 recipients globally honoured for Alumni Innovation and Inspiration, further cementing his reputation as a top PR expert and marketing strategist.”

Last year, the Naija Times publisher was honoured with the Chancellor’s Alumni Award at the University of Roehampton in London.

Braimah was recognised alongside two Nigerians, Humphrey Aghoghovbia Jr. and Marian Adejokun, at the event held on October 22, 2024, at the university campus.

He was honoured with the Alumni Innovation and Inspiration award for his contributions to evidence-based reporting in Nigeria.

The institution praised Braimah for “promoting balanced journalism” through the Naija Times, particularly during the 2023 presidential election, and for advocating for societal reforms.

[TheCable]

E be like say, for Naija, hope don nearly turn to endangered species. If you hear wetin people dey talk for junction, inside bus, or even for beer parlour, you go think say everybody don troway hand. “Nigeria no fit better,” “All of dem na thief,” “Nothing dey work for this country”—na these kind talk full ground. E be like say e don almost become national anthem.

But wait first, make we look am well. Among all this wahala, kasala, and gbas gbos, some Nigerians still dey wey no gree fall for the syndrome of hopelessness. Dem no gree troway their belief, dem no gree turn their back on the green-white-green. Dem be real good, real patriotic Nigerians wey get steeze!

E no be news say Nigeria get her own wahala. From power wahala to bad roads, from insecurity to jaga-jaga government policies, from politicians wey sabi chop belle full to institutions wey be like e dey on life support. Man pikin go ask, “Na dis kind country person go still dey show love?”

E make sense o, because as e be so, hope don dey run comot from people mind. Even the small pikin for street fit tell you say “Uncle, country hard.” Na why plenty people dey waka comot—Japa dey reign, and na because dem wan find better life.

But even with all these, some people dey wey no go ever renounce Naija. Some dey stay because dem believe say we fit fix am. Dem sabi say e hard, but dem gree say we no fit abandon ship when storm dey blow. Dem dey here, dey hustle, dey fight, dey push, dey stand for better Nigeria.

Who be these people? E no be say dem holy pass, no be say dem get another country where dem dey hide go every December. No be say dem no fit Japa if dem want. But dem choose to stay. Dem choose to do right. Dem choose to dey honest even when e no favour dem.

You don see the civil servant wey refuse collect bribe, even when dem mock am say “You go die poor”? You don see the policeman wey no gree take egunje, wey dey do him work with pride? You don see the teacher wey dey train pikin dem with passion, even though salary no reach buy better rice for market? You don see the journalist wey dey report truth, even when e no safe? You don see the market woman wey no go cheat you even if she fit?

Dem full ground. We dey see dem, even if dem no make noise.

One day, I enter one government office, and as usual, queue don long like Lagos traffic. Na im one man waka come, come tell the oga for counter say, “Oga abeg, take this thing make you help me sharp-sharp.” The man look am, smile, come say, “My brother, if I do am for you, wetin go make system work for another person?” The other people for queue just dey look am like say na spirit. Person wey no take bribe? For this Naija? But na so dem dey, real good Nigerians wey dey do the right thing even when nobody dey look.

Some people go talk say “Na patriotism I wan chop?” Dem go yarn say patriotism na for people wey never wise, say “Shine your eye, country no send you!” But true patriotism no be foolishness. No be say you go dey blind to the problem wey dey ground. No be say you go dey act like say everything dey okay when e no dey okay.

Patriotism na the belief say, even though the country get wahala, you go do your own part to make am better. Na why some people dey vote with sense, even when dem know say rigging fit dey. Na why some people still dey pay tax, even when dem dey fear say politicians fit chop am. Na why some people go still dey campaign for justice, even when dem know say the system be like say e don break.

No be just say dem good or dem patriotic, dem get steeze. No be say dem just dey do things anyhow, dem dey do am with style, with confidence, with vim.

You don see Naija athletes for Olympics? Even when dem no get better support, dem go still represent well. You don see tech guys wey dey build things from scratch, even though government policy no help dem? You don see musicians wey dey sing about Naija, wey dey make the world see our culture? Na the steeze be that—doing the right thing, but doing am with vibes.

One man wey I sabi na taxi driver, but him no dey ever cheat person. Him dey tell you say, “Oga, na #500 go carry you reach junction, make I no use lie spoil my day.” Another woman wey dey fry akara for my area dey always give small pikin extra akara, she go talk say, “Make hunger no knack am.” Small things, but na these small things dey make big difference.

E easy to complain. Na the default setting for plenty Nigerians now. But as long as some people still dey do the right thing, e mean say hope never die. If one person dey honest, another person fit learn from am. If one person dey stand for truth, another person go fit join.

The truth be say, Naija never finish. E no easy, but we no fit just troway am like condemned iron. The people wey believe, the people wey dey stand, na dem go make the country better. Na dem be the real MVPs, the real patriots, the ones wey get steeze.

So, next time wey you wan join people dey talk say “Nigeria don spoil finish,” check around you. You go see that market woman, that teacher, that small pikin wey dey still carry flag for independence day, that guy wey dey refuse to do mago-mago. Those ones, na dem be real Nigerians.

And as dem dey hold the country for ground, make you self check yourself. You fit be one of them? You fit do your own part? Because na so change dey start—small small, from one person to another.

Nigeria go better? Yes, if the real good Nigerians no give up. If the real good Nigerians, with their steeze, still dey push, still dey hope, still dey believe.

Because at the end of the day, na we go fix this country. Na we.

So, like I’d tell Duuge, Danjuma, Fatimah, Austen, Abdulshakur, Rukky, Onyeka, Chris …Nigerians abound in their millions that want to be Nigerians for the right reasons. And it still has not changed…Those Nigerians are not easily understood because they will not give bribes, all their actions are in line with tradition, society’s good norms and rationality.

They are generally good and righteously tribalized, they believe in the principles of live and let live. These Nigerians are neither the bottom power women nor the moneybag men. They strive daily to remain patriotic and committed to the Nigerian dream despite the reality, they are disciplined and are hardworking, and they battle the stark reality that as patient dogs they may never have any bone left.

These sets of Nigerians suffer from the Nigerian experiment because of the larger majority’s inability to curb greed, inability for us to be fair and rational towards other people’s perspectives, opinions, positions and interests. The continuous inability to make sacrifices for the common good, an unwillingness to respect our institutions…like, the abuse of our health and educational institutions in the name of na government property and so it’s nobody’s own, but for the sake of these Nigerians—Nigeria will win!

Democracy thrives on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. The legislature, as the guardian of democratic governance, plays a crucial role in lawmaking, budget approval, and oversight. These functions ensure that government policies align with the public interest, resources are allocated equitably, and the executive remains accountable. However, legislative corruption, particularly the exchange of money for legislation, undermines democracy, distorts policymaking, and erodes public trust in governance. Corruption in the legislature is a reduction of the sanctity of the legislature itself and a reduction of its credibility.

In Nigeria, the escalating issue of legislative corruption is a cause for immediate concern. Public confidence in government institutions is rapidly eroding as lawmakers are perceived to prioritize personal gain over national development. At a recent Investors roundtable convened by the office of the Vice President, concerns were raised about the National Assembly’s obstructive stance towards business. Similarly, at a civil society gathering, participants alleged that the 10th National Assembly trades freely in legislation and legislative approval.

Recent allegations, such as the 2025 Budget Scandal—where the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND allegedly demanded N8 million from each university vice chancellor for budget approval—highlight the systemic nature of bribery. With 60 federal universities involved, this equates to N480 million diverted from education to corruption. University administrators, already struggling with limited budgets, are left with no choice but to comply, exacerbating the crisis in the education sector. 

The issue extends beyond education. Foreign investors report that legislative hostility and demands for illicit payments deter business. A 2023 World Bank report ranked Nigeria 131st out of 190 in ease of doing business, citing bureaucratic corruption as a significant obstacle. These corrupt practices not only discourage foreign investment but also stifle economic growth, underscoring the urgent need for economic reforms.

Civil society organisations have played a crucial role in exposing and challenging the 10th National Assembly’s corrupt practices. They have accused the Assembly of openly demanding cash or contracts before approving government projects and bills. This normalisation of corruption signals a dangerous shift in governance, where financial incentives dictate policy decisions rather than national interests. When bribery becomes a prerequisite for legislative approval, policies that could enhance economic development and social welfare are either delayed or distorted, ultimately harming the general populace.

Corruption in Nigeria’s legislature has deep historical roots. During the Second Republic (1979–1983), legislators were accused of accepting bribes to influence national policies. Research conducted in 1996 by Dr Okonkwo Cletus Ugwu has this to say about the 1979-83 set of legislators: “The executive used other patronages like allocation of plots and distributorship to lure some of the Legislators into dancing to its tune.” This historical context of corruption in the legislature underscores the need for long-term solutions to this pervasive issue.

Corruption in the legislative arm of government in Nigeria was not entirely the result of the legislators’ actions. In 1980, at the inception of the second republic, chief executives or heads of the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels introduced what was called “Assembly liaison officers”. Their main job was to lobby legislators, but it was in a negative sense here. Constituency projects entered the lexicon and were liberally abused without consequence. Transparency in the conduct of legislative business got blurred, and the culture of cash exchange for legislative support got entrenched.

The return to democracy in 1999 saw a resurgence of corruption, with lawmakers demanding kickbacks for approving budgets and bills. The infamous “Ghana-Must-Go” scandal in 2000, where lawmakers received cash-stuffed bags to pass bills, exemplifies this era. The scandal exposed how much money influenced legislative decisions, setting a persistent precedent. About four Senate residents were removed between 1999 and 2007, all linked to issues of alleged corruption. 

Between 2007 and 2015, bribery became more institutionalised. Legislators exploited constituency projects for personal gain, diverting public funds intended for grassroots development. For instance, a 2013 audit revealed that over 60% of allocated constituency project funds in Nigeria were either unaccounted for or misappropriated. Lawmakers would allocate funds for non-existent projects, facilitate the award of contracts to their associates, or inflate project costs to siphon money for personal use. In her book “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous,” former Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala revealed that in 2014, the National Assembly was allegedly bribed with ₦17 billion by the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan to pass the budget. These claims underscored concerns about the integrity of the legislative budgeting process.

Between 2015 and 2023, the Nigerian National Assembly was implicated in several corruption scandals, highlighting challenges in governance and accountability. Notable instances include allegations that in 2016, some members of the House of Representatives had inflated the national budget by inserting unauthorised projects, a practice known as budget padding. This led to internal conflicts and calls for investigations. However, the matter was not conclusively resolved.

The present-day National Assembly is increasingly perceived as a bastion of corruption, where financial inducements determine legislative actions rather than public welfare. The growing perception that lawmakers prioritise their financial interests over governance responsibilities further alienates citizens from the democratic process. Public perception of the National Assembly as the “house of corruption” has far-reaching implications. It could create a legitimacy crisis for the entire government, lead to significant erosion of public trust in that institution, generally lead to poor service delivery as every implementing agency has a ready excuse not to perform, impede oversight function due to lack of cooperation, and could worsen corruption in ministries, departments and agencies (MDA).

Legislators are elected to represent the will of their constituents and, therefore, the nation. Taking cash for legislation or even oversight is a corrupt thwart of popular will and public interest. A legislature degrades itself to the level of a bazaar floor where the highest bidder gets any legislation passed, including appropriation. The perception, rightly or wrongly, that whatever the executive wants passed, they must pay in advance does irreparable damage to the reputation of the symbol of the Nigerian people. Worse still, inviting corporate entities by the National Assembly committees to be harassed to cough out cash is a significant disincentive for investment. Although with scanty evidence, this “cash-for-legislative approval” phenomenon is now popularly referred to as the “midnight economy “.

Legislative corruption has severe and far-reaching consequences. First, it erodes public trust in the National Assembly, creating a legitimacy crisis that can lead to political apathy and instability. According to a 2024 Transparency International report, 76% of Nigerians believe their legislature is corrupt, reflecting a profound loss of confidence in governance. As citizens become disillusioned with democratic institutions, voter turnout declines, and political engagement diminishes, weakening the very foundations of democracy.

Secondly, weak legislative oversight allows financial mismanagement within ministries and government agencies, exacerbating governance failures. A 2019 report by Nigeria’s Auditor General found that over N300 billion in government funds remained unaccounted for due to weak legislative scrutiny. When lawmakers prioritise personal enrichment over oversight responsibilities, government agencies operate with little accountability, increasing inefficiency and waste.

Thirdly, when corruption dictates policy decisions, essential public services—such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure—suffer due to misallocated funds. The alleged diversion of funds in the 2025 Budget Scandal exemplifies how universities, already struggling with poor infrastructure and inadequate funding, are further deprived of necessary resources. The long-term impact includes declining educational standards, brain drain and reduced economic competitiveness.

When legislative approval paid for has economic consequences, the adverse impact is passed on to the public in the form of inflation, unfavorable trade terms, and high development project costs.

The practice of cash-for-legislative approval threatens the foundation of democracy. Its legitimacy is severely compromised when the legislature operates as a marketplace where financial transactions dictate legislative decisions. The perception that legislative approvals are contingent on bribery damages the National Assembly’s reputation and discourages foreign investment. On a broader scale, corruption in the legislative branch of government sustains social injustice and economic inequality. It undermines the making of just laws, fair competition, and economic growth by fostering an atmosphere where only those with money and connections can get legislative approval.

Without immediate reforms, Nigeria’s government’s credibility remains at risk. Corruption’s unchecked influence in legislative decision-making fosters a culture of impunity, where lawmakers feel emboldened to continue illicit practices without fear of consequences.

Restoring accountability and transparency is imperative. Strengthening anti-corruption institutions, fostering media and civil society participation, and ensuring businesses operate free from legislative coercion are critical steps toward reform. The public must recognise that democracy is not self-sustaining; it requires active participation and vigilance to hold leaders accountable. Ultimately, the Nigerian people must demand change, as the survival of democracy depends on it. The battle against legislative corruption requires collective action, persistent advocacy, and unwavering commitment to justice. Through these efforts, Nigeria can build a future where governance serves the people rather than private interests.