News From Nigeria
Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, has said 100,000 artisans would be empowered through the SUPA Phase 11 Deployment and Training Programme.
He also said all actions of the agency have been with the best intention to aid easy cultivation of manpower to meet industrial needs and provide continuous development/life-long skill for graduates to match them with available opportunities in the industrial sector.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the Fund completed its latest round of assessment of privately owned Training Centers collaborating with it for the delivery of SUPA program across Nigeria, Ogun explained that though SUPA was given to ITF as a mandate to address rampant quackery, unemployment and youth restiveness, the program completely aligns with ITF’s core mandate and also addresses a long-standing challenge of providing contributing employers to the Fund with skilled manpower to keep their businesses going.
The ITF boss said that SUPA Phase II deployment and training process will be pursued with vigour and in the most transparent, accountable and comprehensive manner.
‘’ ITF will increase the number of privately owned training centers from 880 (Eight Hundred and Eighty) to 1500 (One Thousand Five Hundred). This is to enable it to achieve the target of graduating 100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) artisans in this phase’’.
The Director General said the 100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) artisans will be drawn from the 29,000 that graduated from SUPA Foundation program (Phase I) last year and from the pool of over 700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand) registered artisans on its SUPA platform.
‘’As this population is scattered across every local government area in Nigeria, it is necessary to have at least two training centers per local government to guarantee ease of access by artisans’’.
According to him, the training centre accreditation will involve the examination of the corporate structure of Training Centers, evaluation of their physical infrastructure and set-up, appraisal of their training equipment and assessment of competence/qualifications of their instructors.
‘’Each Training Center is required to firstly register on the SUPA platform of the ITF. Upon completion of the registration process, the Fund will publish the list of successful training centers based on their categorizations in categories “A”, “B” and “C”. Thereafter, the Fund will begin the process of notifying artisans of their deployment to the various accredited training centers based on proximity to their disclosed residential address. The exercise will commence and end before April 30, 2025’’.
The DG stated that the Fund will do everything possible to improve the capacities of accredited training centers to meet the target of SUPA which is international certification.
‘’Over 3000 (Three Thousand) instructors from the 880 (Eight Hundred and Eighty) accredited training centers have undergone train-the-trainer courses. The Fund is developing a holistic system for equipment support for training centers and also seeking ways to ease access to finance’’.
Ogun restated that the SUPA Phase II training entails training of artisans in soft skills of Project Management, Professional Ethics and Patriotism and Industrial Health and Safety.
On Project Management, he said ITF is collaborating with the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria, (CIPMN) to deliver a bespoke certification for artisans in a special category.
‘’Both the examination and certification process of artisans in this phase will be handled by CIPMN. SUPA Phase II is to take 8 weeks and successful artisans will automatically graduate to the final phase of SUPA which is Phase III. This phase will cover the actual technical training which is based on 30% theory and 70% practical as well as training in Entrepreneurship’’.
Particularly, the ITF BOSS emphasized the sincerity and sense of direction of President Bola Tinubu to build a better nation.
He lauded him for his deep foresight.
Ogun commended the Minister of Industry for his leadership.
He applauded the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance for his solid support for the program.
He also praised the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and Nigerian Employees Consultative Association, and other relevant public and private Organizations that have reckoned with the SUPA program.
Ogun assured that in a short while, Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of all the good work being done behind the scenes by ITF in the form of better skilled workmen in relevant trade areas.
‘’The skills acquisition programme exposes graduates to local and international awarding bodies to certify them fit for local and international markets’’.
South-South leaders on Tuesday advised Kogi Central constituents not to allow political clowns, destructive elements and saboteurs masquerading as Progressives to confuse them.
“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a taunt to Kogi Central constituents and Nigerian women.
They also urged leaders in other geo-political zones to make Akpoti-Uduaghan’s cause their own.
“Some senators and Kogi APC chieftains think fake signatures and hooligans mobilized by them can lead to recalling Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate”
The South-South leaders in a statement in Port Harcourt described the six months suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as a bad idea and strategic mistake.
“If it is the intention to have unity in the Senate, then the leadership must ensure the lifting of the six months suspension”
The notable leaders praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for weathering a lot of storms.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is on the right side of history”
The statement issued by the Chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, berated some senators for playing countless destructive games and knocking down the guardrails that define the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.
They blamed the Senate leadership for sending a terrible signal of moral failure, selfishness and shortsightedness throughout Nigeria.
The highly respected zonal leaders described calls for the arrest of Akpoti-Uduaghan as foolish.
In blunt terms, the leaders urged Senator Akpabio to put aside partisanship, pettiness and unnecessary pride, modernize his approach to issues, allow sanity to return to the life of the Senate and avoid escalating the crisis.
“This is a delicate moment. We urge Senator Godswill Akpabio to think of the consequences and discuss the way out of the crisis with the Alema of Warri, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan. He should not waste energy on petition and court processes”
The respected South-South leaders also hit back at Executive Watchdog, describing its criticism directed towards Akpoti-Uduaghan as sickening and unacceptable.
They vowed to stick with Akpoti-Uduaghan throughout the crisis.
The statement highlighted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s achievements, political skills, strength and determination.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an asset to Nigeria”
Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has been recognised as a Most Influential Corporate Voice by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR. The credit came at the National Spokespersons Awards 2025 which wrapped up the just ended 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons Summit jointly organised by the Institute and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, held in Abuja, Wednesday.
According to the Chairman of the Awards Planning Committee, Mr. Segun McMedal who announced the awards, Julius Berger joined two other corporate organisations to clinch the worthy recognition as influential corporate voices in the 2024/25 year under review.
He listed the adjudication criteria to include: ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, ensuring messages are easily understood, possession of skill in tailoring communication to different media channels while maintaining message integrity, frequency and quality of media engagements, including interviews, press conferences, press releases, and op-eds and ability to craft compelling narratives that effectively communicate the organization’s objectives and achievements.
Besides, the recognition, he added, was also based on proficiency in leveraging emerging communication channels, tools, and technologies to enhance engagement and outreach as well as NIPR’s evaluation of how effectively the organisations PR objectives were met, measuring the overall success and influence of communication efforts.
Thus, being media savvy and the organisation’s visibility in the media, story telling and framing ability, the use of new technologies and the outcome and impact of the effort among others helped in determining the influence of our corporate voices of choice, he said.
In a related development, Julius Berger’s Media Relations Manager, Emmanuel Isibor won NIPR’s Outstanding Spokesperson, Crisis Management, (Private Sector) Award at the event. Citing the rise and positive visibility of Julius Berger throughout 2024 till date in the media inspite of the challenges in the sector and the general public as well as regularity of the organisation’s media reports across the print, broadcast and online platforms, McMedal said, the Award was very deserving even as he urged all winners to continue to up their professionalism in the discharge of their duties as worthy ambassadors of the Institute.
In his short remarks ahead the Awards ceremony, President of the Institute, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr, said, the summit leads to the awards. This is part of that whole process of remembering spokesperson so that you can help a voice. You have a platform to yourself. Not only that you come together to interact to learn to understand the new things going on in the industry. It is also for you to be able to showcase yourselves through crisis.
Declaring the event open on the first Day of the Summit, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the NIPR as a compelling imprimatur of professionalism in Nigeria’s public relations practice.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, emphasised the urgent need for ethical leadership communication to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, saying, “after 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has reached a point where our communication of leadership and policy must reflect the maturity of our democratic process.”
He warned that the spread of misinformation undermines democratic values, adding that, public relations should not be viewed as spin or propaganda but as a vehicle for truth. When communication is rooted in integrity, citizens are empowered to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable.
The Minister of Information, Alh Mohammed Idris Malagi, fnipr, his predecessor, Alh. Lai Mohammed, CON, fnipr, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, CFR, CON; former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, fnipr; and the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr were among the participants at the two-day event hosted by the President of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr.
Nigerians will assemble in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area on Friday, April 25 to pay homage to the memory of Bible translator, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi,
‘’Late Pa Aganbi was a lawyer, a community leader and a lover of God. He was a highly reputed politician of the Second Republic in Nigeria and the Olare-Aja (community leader) of Koko’’.
The nonagenarian, gifted interpreter and scholar died on Thursday, March 19, 2020.
The 99-year-old legal luminary, politician par excellence and an astute intellectual was interred on Saturday, May 9, 2020 in his hometown.
“Deacon Aganbi was a man of character, courage and compassion. He advanced an agenda that elevated his people”
A statement by the family announced a competitive golf tournament in honour of Deacon Aganbi.
“On behalf of Canaanland and Country Club, we are pleased to extend a warm invitation to you for the upcoming Late Olare-Aja of Koko Golf Classic scheduled for April 25 to 27, 2025. The event commemorating his legacy and celebrating the vibrant culture of our community will feature an array of sports for non-golfers, including badminton, table tennis, darts and traditional games such as Ayo and Ludo. We will also host a Cocktail Night on Friday, April 25 and an award presentation party on Saturday evening to celebrate the spirit and values our father cherished”
The statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi said the late Bible translator’s life brought a greater dignity to the country.
‘’The golf tournament celebrates the life and legacy of Deacon S. E. Aganbi, the revered founder of Canaanland, who served his people with unwavering dedication until his passing. Through this event, we aim to honour his enduring values of leadership, integrity, love and cultural stewardship, reflecting the profound impact he made during his life time’’
The statement praised Aganbi for inspiring generations of lawyers, writers and clergymen.
Deacon Aganbi served as chairman for the Itsekiri Bible Translation Project, the team that completed the Old and New Testament translation in the Itsekiri language.
“Deacon Aganbi was committed to his family and lived a great life marked by service to his people.
The statement further praised Deacon Aganbi for putting his learning to the service of the Church, using the Bible to nourish the faith and life of believers as well as for serving as a spiritual guide to many.
“The title of Olare-Oja holds deep significance in Itsekiri tradition, bestowed upon the eldest man in the community. As a custodian of heritage and wisdom, the Olare-Aja guides progress while preserving the cultural identity of the Koko community within the historic Warri Kingdom. Deacon Aganbi embodied this role with grace, balancing forward -thinking vision with a steadfast commitment to tradition”
The statement emphasized Aganbi’s extraordinary moral leadership.
‘’Deacon Aganbi lived a noble life full of meaning and purpose. He inspired people through the power of his example.
The statement praised the accomplished translator for his well-known vision and linguistics competence in the languages of the Niger-Delta region.
He would be remembered as a modern and progressive community leader, a committed citizen.
“Deacon Stephen Aganbi was a quintessential Nigerian. Throughout his political years, he proved to be an honest and courageous administrator. He also added charisma to education and astuteness both of which he displayed at difficult times’’
KOGI YOUTHS CALL ANTI-AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’S CAMPAIGNERS ENEMIES OF DEMOCRACY
Youths in Kogi Central on Friday pounced on the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo.
‘’The comments made by Kingsley Fanwo are offensive, bigoted and disgusting’’
They also described Governor Ododo as ‘’a man who can’t stand on his own feet without crutches.
‘‘Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Yahaya Adoza Bello ought to know that in a contest at the grassroots level, they have not the ghost of a chance to win in Kogi Central’’
The youths in a statement in Okene advised Fanwo to tame his appetite for falsehood against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
‘’Kogi Central constituents represent a variety of viewpoints and temperaments. The home coming of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shows how faithful the Kogi Central people are to the true spirit of democracy and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’’.
The statement issued by Kogi Central Youth Forum Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jato scolded Fanwo for penciling a chit to the public, insulting civilization and presenting a shrouded and remote figure at the peak of an unintelligent bureaucracy as a responsible person.
‘’Nothing is more important for a politician than to command the necessary abundance of understanding and loyalty on the part of the people’’
They described the Ododo government as a model of poor administration.
‘’Kingsley Fanwo’s comments on Akpoti-Uduaghan are distasteful and provocative. The APC leaders in Kogi State are officious people. They need to imbibe the values and ideals of civilization and democracy’’.
Specifically, the youths applauded the Kogi Central senator for her patriotism, leadership style and tactful politesse.
‘’The senate president is not a person. It is an institution. Senator Godswill Akpabio should not jeopardize the institution’’
They denounced the absurd idea that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s home coming was to create crisis in the state.
The youths added that the future of Nigeria, particularly Kogi State lay with politicians who realized that the people are more interested in government than politics.
‘’We urge the public not to pay attention to what the Commissioner for Information and Communication is saying’’
The statement stressed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s simplicity, personal charm, courage and bubbling nature.
‘’Our task is to prevent those behind Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and recall from committing suicide’’
Business mogul, Chief Linus Obi, on Monday paid glowing tributes to President Bola Tinubu, who he described as “a man of integrity and principles”
Obi in a statement in Lagos expressed satisfaction with the level of transformation taking place in the country.
‘’President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for promoting good governance, strengthening Nigeria’s economy, improving fiscal capacity and enhancing citizens’ quality of life.
The Igbo entrepreneur commended Tinubu for the investment in infrastructure, security, education and health in the country
‘’Even the blind can see the impressive achievements of President Bola Tinubu’’.
In the statement entitled 73 cheers to a pragmatic and purposeful leader, Obi applauded Tinubu for creating a conducive environment for businesses to flourish.
‘’President Bola Tinubu is working in the best interests of the country’’.
He lauded Mr. President for raising the bar of governance in Nigeria to enviable height, providing important political guidance on the development of the country and working selflessly for the prosperity of Nigeria.
The statement emphasized President Tinubu’s moral leadership, concern for the people, zeal for excellence and diversification of the economy.
‘’President Bola Tinubu is a true leader, bridge builder and stabilizer. He has shown excellence in governance’’
It also underscored Tinubu’s long trail of legacies in Lagos State, foreign exchange stability, oil and gas investment boom, electricity sector reforms, regional development and agriculture.
Ending the statement, Obi said ‘’Congratulations on this very important occasion, His Excellency, and may God bless you with good health, unlimited strength and long life’’
Business mogul, Chief Linus Obi, on Monday paid glowing tributes to President Bola Tinubu, who he described as “a man of integrity and principles”
Obi in a statement in Lagos expressed satisfaction with the level of transformation taking place in the country.
‘’President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for promoting good governance, strengthening Nigeria’s economy, improving fiscal capacity and enhancing citizens’ quality of life.
The Igbo entrepreneur commended Tinubu for the investment in infrastructure, security, education and health in the country
‘’Even the blind can see the impressive achievements of President Bola Tinubu’’.
In the statement entitled 73 cheers to a pragmatic and purposeful leader, Obi applauded Tinubu for creating a conducive environment for businesses to flourish.
‘’President Bola Tinubu is working in the best interests of the country’’.
He lauded Mr. President for raising the bar of governance in Nigeria to enviable height, providing important political guidance on the development of the country and working selflessly for the prosperity of Nigeria.
The statement emphasized President Tinubu’s moral leadership, concern for the people, zeal for excellence and diversification of the economy.
‘’President Bola Tinubu is a true leader, bridge builder and stabilizer. He has shown excellence in governance’’
It also underscored Tinubu’s long trail of legacies in Lagos State, foreign exchange stability, oil and gas investment boom, electricity sector reforms, regional development and agriculture.
Ending the statement, Obi said ‘’Congratulations on this very important occasion, His Excellency, and may God bless you with good health, unlimited strength and long life’’
March 30, 2025
Press Statement
Eid-el-Fitr: PDP Urges Piety, Fear of God
…Charges Nigerians to Stand for Justice, Rule of Law
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Holy Ramadan fasting urging Nigerians to allow the divine lessons, values of love, unity, peace, patience, tolerance, restraint and total submission to the Will of the Almighty Allah among other virtues imbibed during the period to guide their daily dealings with one another.
Our Party urges Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions at all levels to re-dedicate themselves to the path of selfless service guided by love, truth, fairness, honesty and impartiality in all their activities and put away acts of corruption, arrogance, manipulation and insensitivity to the plight of the people.
Indeed, the Eid-el-Fitr offers us as a nation and humanity the divine portal to redeem our nation by standing up for justice, strict adherence to the Rule of Law and accountability in the polity.
The PDP is deeply disturbed that while citizens of other countries are celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr in plenty, Nigerians are dampened in spirit due to the unbearable hardship occasioned by the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which has worsened in the last two years.
Our Party however charges Nigerians not to relent but continue to apply the lessons of Ramadan in recharging their resilience, focus and love for one another in the pursuit of a God-fearing, secure and prosperous nation that we once had under the PDP administration.
The PDP calls on Nigerians to use the occasion as usual to reach out, uplift and share with one another especially the less, privilege, the displaced and those that are hurting due to one misfortune or the other so that the joy of Eid-el-Fitr can spread to all
Our Party as always prays for the nation and wishes Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPRECIATES NIGERIANS FOR BIRTHDAY WELL WISHES, REVEALS HE NEARLY QUIT 2023 PRESIDENTIAL RACE
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians for their outpouring of goodwill and prayers as he marked his 73rd birthday.
At a special Iftar held in his honour at the Presidential Villa on Saturday night, President Tinubu thanked guests for their presence, prayers, and contributions to the nation’s development.
Acknowledging the challenges he faced on his path to the presidency, President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress.
The gathering included the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council, principal officers of the National Assembly, current and former governors, diplomats, business leaders, religious figures, and some of the President’s childhood friends.
Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu, Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, led special prayers seeking divine guidance and continued progress for the President and the nation.
Reflecting on his political journey, President Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during the 2023 election campaign when he contemplated withdrawing from the race after an encounter with a close relative.
“Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle.
“He told me, ‘The currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?'”
“I told him, ‘I am running for President, not for you and our uncle.’ I gave him the N50,000. As he walked out, he turned to me and said, ‘I don’t think you will make it.’ I replied, ‘I will make it.'”
The President disclosed that his uncle later called to confirm receiving the money but admitted that he had only given the messenger N10,000, keeping the rest.
“I was amazed. At that moment, I almost dropped the idea of running for President. But thanks to Aminu Masari and all of you who encouraged me. When I came to Abuja, Masari told me, ‘I am the Chairman of the North West Group; don’t look back’,” he said.
President Tinubu noted that he assumed office during a time of economic uncertainty and had to make immediate, difficult decisions, including removing the fuel subsidy.
“On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.
Noting that Nigeria had reached a point of no return on the issue, the President said:
“The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone. The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future,” he said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the President’s sacrifices, stating that history will remember him as the leader who took on the nation’s most complex challenges.
“Thanks to his boldness, future presidents of Nigeria will not have to wrestle with the same ghosts that haunted past administrations, including fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.
“These were the thorny issues that many before him sidestepped. But Asiwaju did not sidestep history; he came to rewrite it.
“And in rewriting it, Asiwaju has taken the bullets that many before him simply lacked the courage to face. But that is the thing about true leadership: it is not for those who seek comfort. It is for those who understand that the path to national greatness is lined with difficult choices,” he said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the President’s ability to forgive and his relentless passion for national development.
Akpabio described the President as a leader who thinks outside the box and as the ‘most audacious president’ in the country’s history.
He said that, under Tinubu’s watch, governors are getting more allocation.
“If I were a governor under your administration, I would have been a ‘supernatural governor’ and not an uncommon governor,” he said.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described President Tinubu as a leader who has broken barriers and uplifted future Nigerian politicians.
He noted that the President had taken a backseat to raising leaders for decades.
“Today, he is at the forefront because Nigeria needs him. In 2019, despite not being from his region, he supported me in my most difficult political moment. Nigeria needs leaders who rise above tribal considerations, and he has demonstrated that,” he said.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State commended the President’s decisive leadership at a time when Nigeria needed stability.
“Only a leader with deep conviction and love for the country could have taken the bold and yet necessary decisions that averted national collapse and now restoring hope and confidence across the federation,” he said.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijjani shared his personal experience of being appointed by President Tinubu despite his past activism.
“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr. President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I am giving you an opportunity to serve,'” he said.
The minister recounted a recent meeting at the World Bank, where a senior official described President Tinubu as the best reformist leader in Africa today.
Professor Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, a childhood friend of the President, reminisced about their early years and how divine providence led Tinubu to the presidency.
“Our relationship did not just start in Chicago; we played soccer together as children. While I chose the library, my brother chose politics because he loved to speak. Today, Allah has shown His greatness by guiding him to lead Nigeria.
“The city of Chicago, founded by a Black man, has educated the man who now leads the most populous Black nation on earth. I pray that Allah continues to hold his hand and guide him as he works to save our country,” he said.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
March 29, 2025
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES TENURE EXTENSION FOR COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION KEMI NANNA NANDAP
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an extension of Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap’s tenure as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through December 31, 2026.
Mrs Nandap began her career in the Nigeria Immigration Service on October 9, 1989.
President Tinubu appointed her as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, to serve till August 31, 2025.
Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures.
President Tinubu commended the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Immigration Service in fulfilling its mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
March 31, 2025
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU RECONSTITUTES NNPC LIMITED BOARD, APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN, GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.
President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.
Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.
Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central.
President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East.
Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
All the appointments are effective today, April 2.
President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board’s restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.
President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.
Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.
The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.
Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.
The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris
He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985.
Musa became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.
Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board.
Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.
Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist.
Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).
During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
April 2, 2025
Nigerian women task Tinubu on Akpoti-Uduaghan
Nigerian women on Monday spoke out against the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the signatures to recall the Kogi Central representative.
“This is the example of tyranny, harsh and unfair decisions”
They also asked President Bola Tinubu and Senator Godswill Akpabio to use their good offices to protect and defend the rights of women in Nigeria.
“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disgusted many people. The dispute in the senate caused much doubt about the honesty of male politicians in the country”
The influential women reformers at a meeting to discuss the social, civil and religious conditions and rights of women in Nigeria urged the senate to lift the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
‘It has been established that suspension and recall processes are not appropriate responses to disagreement concerning a senate president and a member of the senate.
They called upon God to afflict people behind Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall processes with madness and imbecility.
Particularly, the women condemned the violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and the treatment of women politicians as children and instruments of emotional satisfaction in the country’s politics.
Chairperson of South-South Women Rights Movement, Mrs Alice Anene presented the stance of the women to local and foreign journalists.
The highly intelligent and spirited women advised Akpabio to conduct himself honourably as Senate president.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a great fighter and remarkable public servant. She is also the most trusted and best informed person to ever represent Kogi Central”
The crusaders of women rights denounced the plot by desperate chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to get rid of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“They hired fake people and poured money into destroying Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”
The women argued that the recall process was not necessary because it might lead to more harm than good for women, Kogi Central and the nation’s democracy.
“History is recited in favour of those who have won. But in this case, recall agitators and those behind the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan Uduaghan should be ashamed of themselves”
The Joint Congress of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) and the Amalgamated Union Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) on Thursday expressed deep concerns over the troubling state of affairs at the National Theatre Complex.
‘’At the inception of the renovation of the National Theatre, the then Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, assured all stakeholders, including organized labour that the renovation would be completed within eighteen months and that no single job would be lost as a result of the process. These assurances were meant to inspire confidence, safeguard institutional integrity and protect workers’ rights during the transformational phase of this iconic national asset. However, five years after the commencement of the said renovation project, we regret to inform you that these promises have remained largely unfulfilled and the realities on the ground are now completely at variance with the assurance given’’
They also condemned the denial of access to designated offices within the National Theatre complex.
‘’This continued restriction has not only affected administrative productivity but has also subjected our members to psychological discomfort, professional displacement and operational stagnation. The absence of access to official workspaces is in direct contradiction to earlier commitments and undermines the fundamental principles of fairness and workplace inclusion’’
At a world press conference in Lagos, the Labour Unions lamented the sidelining of the management of the National Theatre, particularly the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer.
‘’The General Manager is often not informed about high-level visits and official tours within the complex. A recent example is the visit of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the delegation recently. Such visits occurring without the knowledge of the substantive management, represents a serious breakdown in institutional protocol, coordination and transparency. This anomaly has become recurrent and portends a threat to the autonomy and operational integrity of the management structure of the National Theatre’’.
The stance of the unions was presented to journalists in Lagos by Comrade Ishola Adejumo, RATTAWU Chairman, Lagos State, Comrade Bimbola Oluyeye, RATTAWU Secretary, Lagos State, Comrade Olatunji Omodolapo, AUPCTRE Chairperson and Comrade Omotola Babatunde, AUPCTRE Secretary.
‘’The National Theatre is the nation’s heritage and it will be not be ceded to any person or groups as some have chosen to frame it. That the renovation is to restore the National Theatre back to its former glory and it will cost N25, billion to do that. That no single job will be loss as more jobs will be created’’ the unions recollected the words of Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
They said workers were abandoned in the course of the memorandum of understanding signed by Lai Mohammed and the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Particularly, the unions decried the inhibition of internally organized programmes despite official payments.
‘’Equally troubling is the recurring refusal to allow National Theatre Staff and departments to organize internal programmes within the complex, even when such programmes have been duly approved and paid for through the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This deliberate suppression of legitimate institutional programing not only affect revenue generation but also contradict the very essence of the National Theatre as a hub for cultural expression and creativity’’