Coleman Technical Industries Limited: Powering Nigeria’s Digital Future and Africa’s Fibre Revolution

In a moment of profound national pride and continental significance, Coleman Technical Industries Limited (CTIL) has launched the largest fibre-optic cable manufacturing factory in Nigeria, and indeed Africa. The landmark unveiling, which coincided with the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, marks a defining chapter in Nigeria’s industrial and digital transformation story, one that blends half a century of manufacturing excellence with a bold vision for the continent’s technological future.

For fifty years, Coleman Technical Industries has stood as a symbol of indigenous innovation, resilience, and quality. Founded in 1975 with the mission to localize cable production and reduce dependency on imports, the company began modestly in Idimu, Lagos, producing basic electrical wires. Over the decades, it expanded operations through massive investments in new plants at Arepo and Sagamu, becoming a trusted brand in power cables, communication lines, and industrial conductors. Its unwavering pursuit of excellence earned Coleman a place as the largest wire and cable manufacturer in West Africa and today, it has elevated that legacy into a higher realm with the launch of Africa’s most advanced fibre-optic cable factory.

The new facility, located in Sagamu, Ogun State, has the capacity to produce over nine million kilometres of fibre-optic cables annually. Built with cutting-edge technology and supported by partnerships with international engineering experts, the factory represents not only the first of its scale in West Africa but also a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ambitions. Fibre-optic cables, which form the backbone of broadband connectivity, data transmission, and modern telecommunications, are essential to every aspect of a 21st-century economy from internet access and fintech to cloud computing and smart cities. By producing these cables locally, Coleman is bridging a decades-long technological gap, reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening Africa’s ability to build and maintain its own digital highways.

The economic and industrial implications of this achievement are immense. Coleman’s new fibre-optic factory is projected to generate over 20,000 direct jobs and more than 200,000 indirect employment opportunities within its first five years, spanning logistics, telecom installation, engineering, training, and distribution. The company has set its sights on a ₦15 trillion revenue milestone, with over half of that expected from export earnings. This move positions Nigeria as a net exporter of fibre-optic cables, a feat that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago. Beyond revenue, the factory is expected to save the country hundreds of billions in foreign exchange annually by drastically cutting down on the importation of fibre-optic cables and related components.

Coleman’s economic vision is structured around a clear expansion and impact timeline. In its first operational year, the factory will focus on commissioning, workforce stabilization, and meeting domestic demand, producing roughly 20 percent of its total capacity. By 2026 and 2027, production is expected to scale to 70 percent, with exports beginning across West Africa to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and the ECOWAS region. By 2028, full production will be achieved, establishing Nigeria as the continent’s largest supplier of fibre-optic cables. At that stage, the company expects revenues exceeding ₦10 trillion annually, with more than 50 percent of its products serving international markets. By 2030, Coleman aims to fully integrate automation, backward production of raw materials, and sustainability systems, transforming Sagamu and Arepo into Africa’s fibre-optic manufacturing hub.

The implications for Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure are both immediate and transformative. The country’s broadband penetration currently hovers around 45 percent, hindered by the high cost of imported fibre and limited local availability. With Coleman’s local production now online, the cost of fibre deployment is projected to drop by up to 15 percent, allowing telecom operators and infrastructure companies to extend broadband networks to more rural and underserved communities. Over the next five years, this could push broadband penetration beyond 70 percent, unlocking digital access for millions and empowering sectors such as education, healthcare, e-commerce, and financial technology. The government’s ongoing initiative to deploy over 90,000 kilometres of national fibre routes will find a strong ally in Coleman’s massive capacity and commitment to indigenous supply.

On a continental scale, Coleman’s expansion into fibre manufacturing positions Nigeria as a critical supplier in Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy. As data centres multiply, cloud storage expands, and cross-border fibre projects connect African nations, the demand for high-quality cables continues to rise. Rather than importing from Asia or Europe, African countries can now source from Nigeria, shortening delivery timelines, cutting logistics costs, and building regional resilience. Coleman’s goal is not just to serve Nigeria or West Africa, but to make the country the continent’s go-to hub for fibre infrastructure, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision of integrated economic development and intra-African trade.

The ripple effects of this achievement extend far beyond manufacturing. Local production of fibre-optic cables means new opportunities for technical education, skill development, and research partnerships. Coleman’s ongoing plans for backward integration including local production of copper, aluminium, and cable sheathing materials, ensure that the value chain remains rooted within Nigeria’s borders.

Of course, the road ahead will demand continued policy alignment, infrastructure reliability, and access to affordable financing. But Coleman’s progress over the past five decades from a small electrical wire producer to a regional industrial giant is proof that Nigerian manufacturing can compete on the global stage when vision, technology, and tenacity intersect.

As the lights of the new Sagamu factory gleam across Ogun State, they symbolize much more than machinery or metal. They represent a nation’s shift from dependency to self-reliance, from consumption to creation, and from importation to innovation. Coleman Technical Industries Limited has not only written a new chapter in its corporate journey; it has rewritten the story of African industrialization. In the quiet hum of its new production lines lies the promise of a digitally connected continent, one powered by Nigerian ingenuity and built for the future.

Benedict Oramah: The Nigerian Visionary Who Reimagined Africa’s Economic Destiny

There are Nigerians who make headlines, and there are Nigerians who make history. Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, the quiet but formidable mind behind the rise of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), belongs to the latter. His journey from the classrooms of Nigeria to the commanding heights of continental finance is not just a story of personal success, it is the story of a nation’s brilliance shaping Africa’s destiny.

Born in Ahoada, Rivers State, and educated at the prestigious University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Oramah’s academic foundation was steeped in Nigeria’s tradition of intellectual excellence. But it was his foresight, forged in the crucible of Nigerian resilience and enterprise, that would later transform Afreximbank into one of the most powerful development institutions on the continent.

When he joined the Bank in 1994 as a Chief Analyst, few could have imagined that he would rise to re-engineer its DNA. By the time he became President and Chairman of the Board in 2015, Afreximbank was already respected. Under Oramah, it became transformational. His conviction was bold and simple: Africa must trade with itself, finance itself, and grow through its own ingenuity. It was the kind of confidence one only finds in Nigerians, a nation that has learned to turn limitations into leadership.

During his tenure, Afreximbank’s assets soared from about US $6 billion in 2015 to more than US $40 billion by 2025, but those figures tell only part of the story. What Oramah achieved was far deeper. He recast the Bank from a mere financier into a builder of systems, a catalyst for continental integration and industrialisation. His leadership was a masterclass in turning bold vision into working infrastructure, in marrying intellect with institution.

At the heart of that transformation were two groundbreaking initiatives that now define the architecture of Africa’s trade future: the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA).

Through PAPSS, Oramah solved one of Africa’s oldest headaches; cross-border payments. Before PAPSS, an exporter in Lagos who sold goods to Accra often had to settle transactions through the dollar or euro, losing time and money. Today, thanks to PAPSS, that payment can be made instantly in local currencies. It is a distinctly African solution, built by African minds, under Nigerian leadership. The system connects commercial banks, payment providers, and central banks, with Afreximbank acting as settlement agent and guarantor. By 2025, PAPSS had been adopted in 16 African countries and was saving the continent billions of dollars in conversion and transfer costs each year. It is, in truth, Africa’s first real step toward financial sovereignty and it carries the unmistakable stamp of Oramah’s thinking: practical, strategic, and proudly African.

But Professor Oramah did not stop at enabling payments; he knew Africa needed the muscle to produce what it trades. Thus came FEDA, a visionary investment arm of Afreximbank headquartered in Kigali. FEDA was designed to fill a critical gap -the shortage of equity capital for industries that process, manufacture, and add value within Africa. With more than US $670 million already mobilised across multiple fund strategies, FEDA invests in projects that create jobs, diversify exports, and power regional trade. Its purpose is clear: to make Africa a continent that sells finished products, not just raw materials. That mission echoes the entrepreneurial spirit Nigeria is known for, the refusal to settle for less, the drive to own the full value of one’s creation.

Together, PAPSS and FEDA are not just programs; they are living embodiments of Oramah’s philosophy. PAPSS ensures African trade flows freely. FEDA ensures that what flows is produced and owned by Africans. One provides the system; the other, the substance. Both are hallmarks of Nigerian ingenuity -practical, ambitious, and transformative.

Under Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank achieved record financial results: over US $42 billion in total assets, a profit of US $215 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone, and a liquidity ratio of over 20 percent, remarkable figures by any global standard. Yet, beyond the balance sheets lies the deeper legacy: an institution now woven into Africa’s economic fabric, one that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its global peers while still speaking the language of the continent it serves.

It is no accident that such leadership emerged from Nigeria, a nation that has long provided Africa with some of its sharpest minds and most determined reformers. Oramah’s story reinforces a simple truth: when Nigeria leads with vision, Africa follows with progress. His success validates the intellectual depth and strategic capability Nigeria continues to export to the world.

Even in his international outlook, Oramah never lost sight of the spirit of home. When he expanded Afreximbank’s reach to the Caribbean, linking Africa with its diaspora through trade and culture, he did so with a conviction rooted in Pan-African pride,the same pride that flows in every Nigerian who believes the continent’s future belongs to its people.

As he stepped down from the presidency in 2025, his colleagues in Grenada planted a flamboyant tree to honour his leadership, a symbol of growth, rootedness, and renewal. But for Africa, and for Nigeria especially, that tree represents more than a farewell; it represents continuity. It reminds us that seeds sown with purpose will outlive the sower.

Today, as African nations trade more with one another, settle payments in their own currencies, and build industries that create value at home, the fingerprints of Professor Benedict Oramah and by extension, Nigeria are unmistakable. His legacy is not just the growth of a bank; it is the rise of a new continental confidence.

He took Afreximbank from strength to greatness, but more importantly, he gave Africa something priceless: belief in its own economic power. And like the best of Nigerian sons, he did it not with noise, but with results-quietly, brilliantly, and unforgettably.

The Soaring Green Falcons: Nigeria’s New Chapter of Triumph and Talent

On Sunday, October 26th, 2025, the world witnessed a story of courage, pride, and unstoppable spirit. Under bright skies and roaring anticipation, the Green Falcons of Nigeria took flight into history, defeating the Ireland women’s team 10–0 to secure a coveted spot in the Women’s Rugby League World Series Finals.

Their remarkable journey to the world stage began weeks earlier with a display of dominance that set the tone for their rise. In the first leg of a two-match friendly series against the Leopardess of Ghana, the Green Falcons delivered a resounding 40–0 victory in Alaro City, Lagos, a performance that announced Nigeria’s readiness for the global arena. Not stopping there, they went on to defeat Ghana again 24–8 in the second leg, sealing the series in emphatic fashion and fueling confidence ahead of the World Rugby Series in Canada.

Those back-to-back triumphs were more than just warm-up games; they were statements of intent. The Falcons played with precision, power, and unity, embodying the relentless energy that defines the Nigerian spirit. Each tackle and pass reflected not only athletic skill but a burning desire to lift Africa’s flag higher than ever before.

When the team arrived in Canada, they carried with them the hopes of a continent and they did not disappoint. In the final clash of the series, a thrilling 80-minute encounter split into two intense rounds, the Green Falcons faced the formidable Fijiana squad. Every moment on that field was charged with passion. They attacked with heart, defended with grit, and showed the world that they were not just participants but contenders.

Though Fiji ultimately lifted the 2025 Rugby World Series trophy, the story of triumph belonged to Nigeria. For the first time in history, an African nation had reached the finals of the Women’s Rugby League. That moment resonated beyond sports , it was a symbol of possibility, a testament to what happens when belief meets preparation and courage meets opportunity.

The Green Falcons have become more than a rugby team; they are now the embodiment of a nation’s aspiration. Their journey mirrors the story of Nigeria itself, vibrant, determined, and rising. Against challenges that might have subdued others, they stood tall, proving that greatness is not born of circumstance but of conviction.

From their dominant victories over Ghana to their historic run in Canada, the Green Falcons have redefined what Nigerian women can achieve on the global stage. Their success is a reminder that Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its people, in their creativity, resilience, and unyielding drive to shine.

As the world celebrates their courage, one truth stands clear: Nigeria is on the rise. The Falcons may not have lifted the trophy this time, but they lifted the pride of a nation. Their journey has inspired a new generation to dream bigger and to believe that no peak is too high to conquer.

The sun may have set on the 2025 Women’s Rugby League World Series, but a new dawn has risen over Nigeria, bright with promise and purpose. The Green Falcons have flown into history, and with them, the spirit of a nation soars higher than ever before.

In their wings, Nigeria rises. 

Fauziyya Muhammad Auwal - the Rise of Nigeria’s First Female Astronaut

In the heart of Northern Nigeria, where tradition and determination often meet at a delicate crossroads, a young woman has risen to embody what is possible when dreams refuse to be silenced. Fauziyya Muhammad Auwal stands today not only as a scholar but as a symbol of what the future can look like when courage, intellect, and opportunity come together in harmony.

Currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Physics at Kaduna State University (KASU) while serving as a Research Fellow at Copperbelt University, Fauziyya’s academic journey shines with rare brilliance. Her special focus on Space Physics has seen her explore the mysteries of the cosmos, the interplay of particles, light, and forces that define the space beyond our skies. And today, that dedication has earned her a historic recognition: she has been selected as the First Nigerian Astronaut Candidate with Titans Space Industries.

This remarkable achievement marks a moment of deep pride, not only for Nigeria but for the African continent. It is a story that transcends personal success and speaks to the boundless possibilities of vision, hard work, and belief. Fauziyya’s accomplishment is a testament to the heights that can be reached when the mind is encouraged to wander beyond boundaries and dream without fear.

Her story, however, carries a resonance far deeper than her academic distinction. In Northern Nigeria, where the pursuit of education especially for young girls still faces cultural and systemic challenges, her journey is both revolutionary and redemptive. Though progress has been made in recent years, the reality remains that many young girls in the region still face limitations that hinder their educational growth. Yet, amid these odds, Fauziyya stands as proof that brilliance can bloom anywhere, that talent can rise from any soil, and that potential knows no regional divide.

Her success represents a quiet but powerful shift , a change in the narrative that has long shadowed Northern Nigerian girls. She shows that intellect and cultural identity can coexist beautifully, that tradition and ambition can hold hands rather than clash. Through her, the world sees that Northern girls are not constrained by circumstance but capable of greatness when given the chance.

Fauziyya is a reminder that all it takes is one spark to ignite a thousand flames. When a young woman is supported to learn and to lead, she does not rise alone, she lifts her community, her region, and her nation with her.

As an aspiring lecturer and researcher, Fauziyya is already walking the path of legacy. She represents a bridge between learning and inspiration, between knowledge and mentorship. Her presence in academia tells young students that science is not a distant pursuit reserved for others, it is a living, breathing path open to anyone willing to persevere. She embodies what happens when faith in one’s ability meets opportunity: a transformation that ripples far beyond the individual.

Her achievement as Nigeria’s first astronaut candidate is not just a milestone in science; it is a message to Nigeria, to Africa, and to the world that dreams from the North can reach the stars. She stands as a torchbearer for young women everywhere, showing that even in fields long dominated by men, excellence has no gender.

Fauziyya Muhammad Auwal is more than a student of the stars; she is one herself bright, guiding, and unafraid to shine. Her story is a promise of what the future holds when young minds are empowered and when education becomes the key, not the privilege.

When Excellence Breaks Boundaries: Osun Girl Shines as Best Student in Anambra, Proving Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity

In a deeply inspiring moment that speaks to the power of education and unity, Miss Saka Aliyat, a young girl from Osun State in Nigeria’s Southwest, has emerged as the overall best graduating student at Choice De Immaculate Demonstration School (CIDS) in Obosi, Anambra State, located in the Southeast. Her remarkable accomplishment is more than a story of academic excellence, it is a story of hope, harmony, and the boundless promise of a united Nigeria.

Nigeria is a nation blessed with vibrant cultures and distinct regional identities. The Southwest, home to the Yoruba people, is celebrated for its scholarly traditions and early embrace of Western education, producing some of the nation’s greatest thinkers and reformers. The Southeast, inhabited largely by the Igbo, is renowned for its industrious spirit, creativity, and pursuit of excellence in every sphere of life. Both regions, while unique in heritage and expression, have long contributed immensely to Nigeria’s progress. Yet, between them lies a history layered with competition, pride, and sometimes misunderstanding, products of the broader national struggle to fully harmonize diversity.

Against that backdrop, the triumph of a Yoruba girl in an Igbo heartland is profoundly symbolic. Miss Saka’s success reminds us that the human mind knows no tribal boundaries, and that excellence, when nurtured, transcends geography, language, and tradition. Her recognition in a region different from her own shows the openness and fairness of the Anambra school community, a powerful example of meritocracy where ability, not ethnicity, earns applause. It also underscores how Nigerian schools can become safe spaces where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated, where the child of one region can thrive fully in another.

Aliyat’s achievement echoes a deeper truth: that education remains one of the strongest bridges across Nigeria’s divides. Within the walls of a classroom, children learn not only subjects but also empathy, respect, and shared purpose. They sit side by side, exchange stories from different cultures, and begin to see one another not as strangers but as friends and fellow dreamers. It is in such environments that the foundation of national unity is quietly laid, one lesson, one friendship, and one shared success at a time.

Her story is a refreshing reminder that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. When opportunities are given without prejudice and when merit is recognized without bias, greatness emerges effortlessly. Miss Saka’s brilliance represents the Nigeria where children can rise from any corner and be celebrated anywhere; where a Yoruba girl can be crowned best among Igbo peers; where excellence, not ethnicity, defines identity.

This moment is not merely a personal victory for Miss Saka Aliyat, it is a national triumph.

From Osun to Anambra, from Yoruba to Igbo, this young girl’s story lights a path toward a more inclusive and hopeful future. And in that light, one sees not just the success of a brilliant student, but the quiet, radiant promise of a nation rediscovering its unity through the triumphs of its youth.

NIPOST Unveils a New Dawn of Digital Progress with Automated Payment Solution

Nigeria took another bold step forward in its journey toward a modern, digitally driven economy with the unveiling of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Automated Payment Solution for inbound international delivery items. The initiative, launched in Abuja under the supervision of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, marks a defining milestone in the nation’s quest to modernize public service and promote efficiency through innovation.

The new system is designed to simplify customs and delivery payments for international parcels,  a process that, for years, has been weighed down by long queues, manual procedures, and limited transparency. With this innovation, individuals and businesses can now make payments seamlessly and securely online, transforming the way Nigerians engage in cross-border trade and logistics. It represents a forward-looking approach that places convenience, accountability, and digital access at the center of national progress.

Speaking at the launch through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, Dr. Tijani described the initiative as “a living example of how a modern public service should operate in partnership with innovators, technology, and citizens.” His statement reflects a growing national philosophy, one that values collaboration and creativity as key drivers of development.

What makes this achievement remarkable is the model behind it. NIPOST worked in collaboration with private-sector innovators including Paystack, Sendbox, and Messenger, a partnership that underscores the immense potential of synergy between government agencies and technology-driven enterprises. Together, they have shown that progress is not a solo effort but a collective pursuit powered by shared vision and innovation.

The introduction of the Automated Payment Solution is part of NIPOST’s broader transformation journey, a deliberate effort to reposition the postal service as a dynamic institution that can thrive in the digital era. Once perceived as a traditional postal agency, NIPOST has steadily evolved into a forward-thinking logistics and service organization, leveraging technology to meet the expectations of a fast-changing society. This new system reinforces that commitment, proving that Nigerian institutions can adapt, innovate, and lead in shaping a digital future.

Beyond its technological significance, this initiative carries deep economic and social implications. It promises to boost Nigeria’s e-commerce ecosystem, making it easier for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and global traders to exchange goods and services without the usual bottlenecks. By enhancing transparency and cutting down on processing delays, it strengthens public confidence in national systems and contributes to the country’s ease of doing business.

For millions of Nigerians who rely on international deliveries, this development is more than a convenience, it is a reflection of national growth, signaling that Nigerian institutions can compete globally and serve citizens with integrity, speed, and precision. It also mirrors a broader digital awakening taking root across sectors, where technology becomes not just a tool but a symbol of national advancement.

The unveiling of the NIPOST Automated Payment Solution is, therefore, a celebration of Nigerian ingenuity and resilience, a reminder that progress thrives where vision meets innovation. It showcases the nation’s ability to transform legacy institutions into engines of digital excellence and stands as a proud example of how technology can bridge the gap between public service and citizen satisfaction.

As Nigeria continues to stride confidently into a new digital era, initiatives like this reinforce the nation’s determination to modernize, empower, and lead. The NIPOST story today is one of renewal, proof that with collaboration, innovation, and a progressive mindset, Nigeria’s public institutions can indeed deliver world-class solutions for its people.

NNPCL’s Bold Refinery Revamp: Rekindling Nigeria’s Energy Independence

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has unveiled an ambitious plan to revamp and modernize the nation’s three state-owned refineries, in what could become one of the most significant turning points in Nigeria’s industrial and economic history. The initiative aims to end decades of dependence on imported fuels, strengthen energy security, and restore the country’s pride in its ability to refine its own crude oil.

For years, Nigeria- Africa’s largest oil producer, has faced a paradox: exporting millions of barrels of crude oil while importing the refined products it consumes. The new refinery revival plan signals a decisive shift from that dependency, combining technical ambition with patriotic resolve.

Speaking about the development, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, reaffirmed the corporation’s determination to make Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products. He explained that the company’s strategy is not just about repairing infrastructure but about rebuilding confidence, creating jobs, and reigniting the nation’s industrial heartbeat. Ojulari emphasized that the refineries would no longer operate under purely government control but through strong partnerships with reputable private and international firms that possess proven refinery expertise. This, he noted, marks a new era of transparency, efficiency, and commercial discipline.

Among the facilities targeted for full rehabilitation are the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in Delta State, and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State. Together, these refineries have a combined capacity of about 445,000 barrels per day. Once functional, they are expected to meet domestic fuel demand and further position Nigeria as a potential exporter of refined petroleum products within the West African sub-region.

The Port Harcourt Refinery, established in 1965 and expanded in 1989, remains the country’s largest, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day. Though it has struggled with mechanical setbacks in recent years, it is expected to be the first to return to operation under the new model. The Warri Refinery, commissioned in 1978 with a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, once served as a major supplier to southern industries. It will undergo modular upgrades and technology integration to restore its efficiency. The Kaduna Refinery, commissioned in 1980 with a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day, plays a critical role in serving northern Nigeria. Its revival is considered essential for energy access and national economic balance.

Past rehabilitation efforts have cost the nation billions of dollars, with limited success. But this time, the NNPCL insists things will be different. The corporation is now embracing a model that prioritizes performance over politics, partnership over isolation, and accountability over bureaucracy. It is leveraging the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act to ensure that refinery operations are commercially viable and globally competitive.

Analysts believe that if successfully executed, the refinery overhaul could save Nigeria billions of dollars annually in fuel import costs, conserve foreign exchange, and generate massive employment. Beyond the economic gains, the plan has become a symbol of renewed national confidence, an affirmation that Nigeria can rise above past inefficiencies and take control of its destiny.

Communities in Rivers, Delta, and Kaduna States are already expressing cautious optimism. Many believe that a functioning refinery will not only improve fuel supply but also revitalize local economies through job creation, service contracts, and industrial growth. Energy experts have also hailed NNPCL’s openness to private investment, describing it as a pragmatic step that reflects global best practices in the oil and gas sector.

The corporation is currently conducting technical and commercial reviews to determine the most viable operational model for each refinery, whether through outright rehabilitation, joint operation, or high-grading. While no specific completion dates have been announced, insiders say the process is being fast-tracked under a new “accelerated but accountable” framework to ensure tangible results within the shortest possible time.

The challenges are undeniable, ranging from funding constraints to infrastructure decay and policy uncertainty but the opportunity is equally immense. A successful refinery turnaround could transform Nigeria from a nation that merely exports crude to one that refines excellence, strengthens its economy, and reclaims its rightful position as Africa’s energy leader.

In the words of NNPCL’s Chief Executive, “This is not just about fuel. It’s about faith-faith that Nigeria can refine her destiny again.”

As the country watches with renewed hope, the refinery revival stands as both a test and a testament to the Nigerian spirit: resilient, resourceful, and ready to rise once more.

The Genius Called Wole Soyinka

“The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”

- Wole Soyinka, 1972

A Rebel with a Pen

In a world that often bows to power, Wole Soyinka has spent a lifetime standing upright. The white-haired sage with the piercing eyes and thunderous eloquence is more than Nigeria’s most celebrated writer, he is the conscience of a nation, the architect of modern African literature, and one of the few intellectuals who has turned words into weapons of truth.

Born Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka in 1934 in Abeokuta, a historic town in southwestern Nigeria, his story begins in a house where books and beliefs collided. His father, Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, was a stern Anglican schoolmaster; his mother, Grace Eniola, a spirited trader and activist known as “Wild Christian.” Between hymns and ancestral chants, young Wole learned early that life was a stage of clashing worlds and that he, perhaps, was destined to be its playwright.

The Making of a Mind

As a child, Soyinka devoured books and lived in imagination. He walked through Abeokuta’s winding paths, absorbing Yoruba myths, listening to stories of gods, spirits, and tricksters. Those tales would one day blend with his education in English literature to form a voice unlike any other, one rooted in Yoruba cosmology yet steeped in the craft of Shakespeare and Sophocles.

After attending the prestigious Government College, Ibadan, and later University College Ibadan, Soyinka traveled to England in 1954 to study English literature at the University of Leeds. There, he encountered a different world, one of intellectual freedom and artistic experimentation. At the Royal Court Theatre in London, where he worked as a dramaturge, he studied modern drama and learned how the stage could challenge the state.

But Soyinka’s mind was never meant to linger abroad. Nigeria was gaining independence, and he felt called to return home, not as a bystander but as a storyteller of the new nation’s soul.

A Voice for a Nation

When he returned in 1960, Nigeria was young, hopeful, and fragile. Soyinka founded the 1960 Masks Theatre Company and wrote A Dance of the Forests, a play commissioned for the nation’s independence celebration. It was not the patriotic anthem the government expected; it was a mirror, sharp, unsettling, and prophetic. In Soyinka’s forests, the spirits of the past warned the living not to repeat their mistakes. Many were offended; others were electrified. A dramatist had arrived, one who would not flatter power.

His plays, The Lion and the Jewel, The Trials of Brother Jero, The Road, and later Death and the King’s Horseman, became landmarks of postcolonial literature. They were witty, musical, and tragic all at once, blending satire with myth, and philosophy with politics. He did not just write about Nigeria; he wrote as Nigeria,its humor, its madness, its genius, its contradictions.

Chains and Courage

But Soyinka’s pen did not stay confined to the stage. In 1965, angered by electoral manipulation, he stormed a radio station in Ibadan and replaced a government propaganda tape with his own recorded message. For this, he was briefly jailed. Two years later, during the Nigerian Civil War, he tried to mediate peace between the warring sides. The military government branded him a traitor and locked him in solitary confinement for twenty-two months.

The silence of the cell became his second education. On scraps of paper smuggled in, he wrote poems, fragments of pain and defiance later published as A Shuttle in the Crypt. Out of his ordeal came one of the most haunting sentences ever written by an African author: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”

When he was finally released, he emerged not broken but burning, a man of iron will and lyrical rage.

The World Takes Notice

By the 1980s, Soyinka’s name had become a synonym for intellectual resistance. In 1986, he became the first Black African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, celebrated for his “wide cultural perspective and poetic intensity.” The world applauded; Nigeria exhaled with pride. Yet the laureate himself remained modest, even wary of fame. “The Nobel is an alarm clock,” he said. “It wakes one up to greater responsibility.”

He used that platform to speak against dictatorships across Africa and beyond. In his essays, The Open Sore of a Continent and Climate of Fear, Soyinka dissected the anatomy of oppression. His speeches- often fiery, always fearless, made him both a cultural icon and a political target. Exile, for him, was not escape but strategy. Wherever he went, from Harvard to Dakar, from London to Lagos, Soyinka carried Nigeria in his voice.

The Return of the Elder

In the twilight of his years, Soyinka remains as restless as ever. His later works, including You Must Set Forth at Dawn and the 2021 satirical novel Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, prove that age has not dulled his wit nor softened his criticism. He writes now with the clarity of one who has seen it all - colonialism, dictatorship, democracy, and the persistence of human folly.

Then, in 2024, came an unexpected twist in his long, storied life. The Nigerian government announced that the National Arts Theatre in Lagos would be renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, the highest cultural honor the nation could bestow. At first, the ever-defiant Soyinka accepted with “mixed feelings,” having long opposed the cult of personality in public monuments. But when the renovated theatre reopened in 2025, on Nigeria’s Independence Day, he stood before the crowd, humble, amused, and visibly moved.

It was as though the circle had closed: the same stage he once used to challenge Nigeria now bore his name.

The Legacy of a Lion

At ninety-one, Wole Soyinka remains the living bridge between tradition and modernity, between Yoruba ritual and global literature. He is the poet as protester, the dramatist as dissenter, the scholar as rebel. His hair may be white, but his words are still fire.

To call him a genius is not mere flattery, it is recognition of a mind that has wrestled with history and turned it into art. He has taught the world that freedom is not a gift, but a duty; that silence is a kind of death; and that a nation without culture is a body without a soul.

As the lights rise each night on the stage that now bears his name, the message of Wole Soyinka endures: that art, at its truest, is the conscience of humanity and that the written word, when wielded with courage, can shake even the mightiest of thrones.

Anambra State Tops BudgIT’s 2025 Fiscal Performance Ranking

Anambra State has emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in the 2025 Fiscal Performance Ranking released by BudgIT, marking a major milestone in subnational governance. The civic-tech organization’s annual State of States report, published on Tuesday, assessed all 36 states on parameters such as fiscal sustainability, revenue generation, debt profile, capital investment, and transparency. The 2025 edition, titled A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis, Growth, Decline and Middling Performance, presents a telling story of how a handful of states are beginning to rewrite Nigeria’s fiscal playbook through prudence, innovation, and better governance systems.

At the top of this year’s ranking sits Anambra, followed closely by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo States, all of which demonstrated resilience and fiscal agility in an environment still recovering from sluggish national growth, subsidy removal pressures, and inflationary headwinds. The report highlights that only five states, Anambra, Abia, Kwara, Ogun, and Edo — generated enough Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund at least 50 percent of their operating expenses, a metric that signals fiscal independence and managerial strength. In contrast, over 25 states still rely on federal allocations to meet more than 70 percent of their recurrent obligations, underscoring the uneven fiscal health across Nigeria’s subnational entities.

BudgIT’s data reveals that collectively, Nigerian states generated ₦3.8 trillion in IGR in 2024, up from ₦2.9 trillion the previous year — a 31 percent rise. However, disparities remain stark: Lagos alone accounted for nearly 30 percent of that total, generating about ₦1.1 trillion, while smaller states like Yobe, Ebonyi, and Taraba brought in less than ₦20 billion each. Lagos maintained its strong position in second place overall, driven by diversified revenue streams from its service economy, improved tax collection systems, and ongoing investments in digital governance infrastructure. Yet, while Lagos leads in absolute numbers, states like Anambra and Kwara have been praised for fiscal efficiency — spending less to achieve more and demonstrating lower debt exposure.

Kwara’s performance was especially notable. Ranked third, the state has steadily risen through the ranks in recent years by prioritizing capital investment and transparency. In 2024, Kwara devoted about 72 percent of its total expenditure to capital projects — one of the highest ratios in the country — and posted a debt service-to-revenue ratio below 10 percent, far better than the national average of 26 percent. Abia State, ranked fourth, also made impressive gains, propelled by reforms that improved its IGR from ₦19.4 billion in 2023 to ₦27.8 billion in 2024 , a 43 percent jump. Edo State rounded out the top five, buoyed by disciplined financial planning, enhanced property tax systems, and a focus on infrastructure renewal under its ongoing digital governance reform.

BudgIT’s findings also reveal that for the first time in years, state governments collectively allocated more to capital expenditure than recurrent spending. Total capital outlay rose to ₦7.63 trillion in 2024, representing an 88 percent increase from ₦4.06 trillion the previous year, while recurrent spending grew by just 17 percent. This shift signals a more investment-driven mindset among top-performing states, emphasizing infrastructure, education, and healthcare as growth enablers. However, despite these encouraging signs, the report also highlights execution gaps: on average, states implemented only about 67 percent of their education budgets and 58 percent of health budgets — a reminder that budgeting excellence must translate into on-the-ground delivery.

Beyond fiscal ratios, BudgIT assessed transparency , the degree to which states publish timely budget documents, citizen budgets, and expenditure reports. Lagos, Anambra, Ekiti, and Edo emerged as leaders in fiscal openness, each scoring over 80 percent in the Fiscal Transparency League. These states maintain functional e-procurement platforms and regularly update their Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF), citizen-friendly budget summaries, and implementation reports online. Transparency, the report argues, remains the cornerstone of sustainable fiscal performance: states with higher openness tend to attract greater investor confidence and achieve better development outcomes.

In contrast, states such as Kogi, Imo, Benue, Jigawa, and Yobe languish at the bottom of the fiscal performance index, burdened by weak revenue generation, heavy debt obligations, and limited budget transparency. For instance, Kogi’s debt servicing consumed over 35 percent of its total revenue, while Benue and Yobe spent more than 80 percent of their budgets on recurrent obligations. BudgIT notes that without significant reform particularly in local tax collection, expenditure discipline, and transparency , these states risk prolonged fiscal fragility.

At the national level, the 2025 State of States report paints a complex picture. While a few states are breaking free from dependence on federal allocations, the federation as a whole remains heavily centralized. On average, 62 percent of state revenues still come from FAAC disbursements, making them vulnerable to oil price volatility and federal fiscal policy swings. BudgIT calls for deeper fiscal decentralization, urging states to expand their IGR bases through property taxation, improved land administration, and public-private partnerships, especially in non-oil sectors like agriculture, services, and manufacturing.

Anambra’s ascent to the top symbolizes more than just good accounting; it signals a shift toward performance-oriented governance. The state’s ability to fund 60 percent of its operations internally, maintain one of the lowest debt-to-revenue ratios in the country (below 9 percent), and allocate nearly 70 percent of its expenditure to capital projects demonstrates strategic discipline. Similarly, Lagos continues to embody the scale and sophistication of fiscal modernization, Kwara represents the rise of smaller but well-managed economies, Abia shows how reform-minded administrations can deliver rapid progress, and Edo highlights the dividends of digitized governance. Together, these states are proving that subnational governments can lead Nigeria’s path toward sustainable growth if they combine fiscal prudence with transparency and developmental ambition.

Ultimately, BudgIT’s 2025 ranking is both a celebration and a challenge. It celebrates the few states that are charting new fiscal futures through innovation and accountability, but it also challenges the rest to catch up. Fiscal responsibility is no longer a technical metric; it is a governance imperative. As BudgIT’s report subtly suggests, Nigeria’s fiscal future may not depend solely on federal reforms but on how boldly its states learn to govern, generate, and grow.

Nigeria’s Global Appeal Grows as 170 Foreigners Seek Citizenship

Citizenship of the biggest Black nation on earth is a valuable asset, one that carries not just rights, but a profound sense of belonging to a country rich in culture, influence, and opportunity. That sense of belonging is what 170 foreigners from across the world are now seeking, as they apply to become citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the applications have been carefully reviewed by the Ministry and recommended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval. The move marks another significant step in Nigeria’s growing global appeal, as people from diverse nationalities seek to formally identify with the country’s economic potential and cultural dynamism.

According to the Ministry, the 170 applicants fall into two categories, those seeking citizenship by naturalization and those applying through registration. Each applicant has undergone rigorous background checks, security screening, and verification to ensure full compliance with Nigerian laws.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that Nigerian citizenship is not given lightly, describing it as “a privilege, not a right.” He noted that the interest shown by foreigners reflects the growing confidence in Nigeria’s stability, reforms, and leadership direction.

“Nigeria is becoming a land of renewed hope. When people from other nations decide they want to call this place home, it means something is working,” the Minister said.

For many, the attraction is clear. Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, its booming entertainment and technology sectors, and its resilient economy make it a country of promise. From business leaders to skilled professionals, many foreigners now see Nigeria not only as a place to invest, but also to live, raise families, and contribute to its progress.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and due diligence in all citizenship processes, ensuring that every new citizen aligns with Nigeria’s values and aspirations.

As the applications move to the final approval stage, the development underscores a broader narrative, Nigeria is not just a country of over 200 million people; it is a global destination of identity, pride, and potential.

Citizenship of the largest Black nation is, indeed, more than a passport, it is a statement of belief in Africa’s future, and in Nigeria’s role at its heart.

Nigeria’s $1 Billion Port Renewal: A Bold Leap Toward Global Maritime Excellence

When a nation decides to rebuild its gateways, it rebuilds its future. Nigeria’s recent approval of a $1 billion modernisation project for the Lagos seaports marks one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure moves in decades ,.a clear signal that Africa’s biggest economy is ready to compete at the world’s busiest docks.

For years, the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, Nigeria’s main maritime arteries, have struggled under the weight of inefficiency and ageing infrastructure. Congestion, poor access roads, manual documentation, and long vessel delays had become the daily reality for traders and shipping companies. Trucks formed endless queues along Apapa’s narrow roads, sometimes waiting days to offload goods. Importers lost millions in demurrage, and logistics companies factored delay as part of their business model. It was a symbol of how far Nigeria’s infrastructure had fallen behind its potential.

Now, the story is changing. The federal government’s approval of the $1 billion project is more than a financial decision; it is a declaration of intent. The plan seeks to transform Lagos into a world-class maritime hub by rebuilding berths, deepening channels to allow larger ships, digitising port operations, and introducing technology that replaces slow manual systems. It aims to create a port environment where ships are cleared faster, goods are processed electronically, and efficiency replaces frustration.

The vision is inspired by global examples. In Singapore, cargo moves almost seamlessly thanks to automation and real-time data tracking. Rotterdam in the Netherlands runs its operations with artificial intelligence that predicts traffic and optimises vessel berthing. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port has set a benchmark for speed and scale, linking over a hundred trade routes through a system built on efficiency and innovation. Nigeria’s model borrows from these success stories, combining private-sector participation with modern digital systems to create an environment that reflects the energy and ambition of Africa’s largest economy.

This transformation comes after decades of slow progress and missed opportunities. The inefficiency of Lagos ports had long been a drag on national growth, making trade more expensive and discouraging foreign investors. Businesses across the country paid the price in higher logistics costs, and ordinary Nigerians felt it in the price of goods. The new modernisation effort seeks to correct that, turning Nigeria’s ports into enablers of growth rather than obstacles to it.

But this development is not just about machines and structures. It is about people. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs in construction, logistics, and transport. It will also encourage local technology companies to build systems for cargo tracking and documentation. Training opportunities will arise for young Nigerians to learn new maritime and engineering skills, while surrounding communities benefit from improved roads and business activity.

At a continental level, the move puts Nigeria back in contention as the maritime leader of West and Central Africa. Countries like Kenya and Djibouti have already modernised their ports, but Nigeria’s scale and strategic position make this project uniquely powerful. If implemented transparently and efficiently, it could set a new standard for African trade infrastructure, reducing dependence on foreign ports for regional commerce.

Still, the challenge ahead is enormous. The success of this project will depend on sound management, honest implementation, and long-term maintenance. Without discipline, even the most ambitious plans can falter. Yet, there is renewed optimism that this time, Nigeria will get it right. The approval comes at a moment when global trade is shifting toward efficiency, digitalisation, and green logistics , a direction Nigeria must follow to remain competitive.

When the new Lagos ports begin operation, and cargo is cleared in hours instead of days, it will mark more than just the completion of a project. It will mark a turning point in how Nigeria is seen by investors, traders, and its own citizens. Ships docking at Apapa and Tin Can will not only carry goods, they will carry the story of a nation rising to meet its potential.

Nigeria Takes the Lead: Hosting Africa’s First IPI Power Meeting

Nigeria has once again stepped into the spotlight with a bold stride, one that places her at the heart of Africa’s media evolution. In a historic move that reflects both national pride and continental leadership, Nigeria is set to host the maiden edition of the International Press Institute (IPI) Africa Power Meeting. It is more than an event; it is a statement of strength, vision, and the nation’s renewed commitment to shaping Africa’s media future.

At a time when the world is watching Africa with rising interest, its creative industries booming, digital media expanding, and young voices becoming louder, Nigeria has shown that she is not just walking with the times; she is leading the pace. The hosting of this first-ever IPI Africa Power Meeting signals Nigeria’s growing influence in the global media space and reaffirms her role as the powerhouse of African storytelling.

For decades, Nigeria’s press has been known for courage,fearless journalism, bold editorial voices, and media institutions that have stood firm even in difficult eras. From the days of nationalist publications that fought for independence to modern digital platforms shaping public discourse today, Nigeria’s media has always been a force of truth, resilience, and transformation. Hosting this prestigious gathering is, therefore, a recognition of that legacy and the promise of a greater future.

This meeting will bring together influential media leaders, editors, publishers, innovators, and policy-shapers from across Africa and beyond. Conversations born on Nigerian soil will influence how the continent confronts misinformation, strengthens press freedom, leverages technology, and elevates African narratives on the global stage. It is an opportunity for Nigeria to champion a united media front that speaks boldly, ethically, and with African interests at heart.

For young journalists across the country, this moment is inspirational. It signals that their dreams are valid, their voices are needed, and their creativity is seen. For the industry, it is a chance to showcase excellence, forge partnerships, exchange ideas, and elevate standards. For Nigeria, it is a moment of pride, a moment that says, “Africa looks to us because we lead with courage.”

This milestone also aligns with a new wave of global recognition Nigeria has been gaining from entertainment and sports to technology, diplomacy, and economic expansion. The world is taking notice of the Nigerian spirit -resilient, dynamic, and unstoppable. Hosting the IPI Africa Power Meeting is one more reminder that when opportunities arise, Nigeria rises to the occasion.

As the nation prepares to welcome the world, the message is clear: Nigeria is not just part of Africa’s media future, Nigeria is shaping it. This event lights a torch that will burn brighter than the meeting itself; it lights a path for collaboration, innovation, and a strengthened African voice on global platforms.

With pride, unity in purpose, and patriotism in stride, Nigeria stands ready. Ready to host, ready to lead, and ready to inspire.

Nigeria has taken the first leap. Africa is watching. The world will remember.

The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management: Africa’s Wings of a New Dawn

In the vast landscape of Nigeria’s educational and technological renaissance, a new light is rising, one born of vision, courage, and faith in Africa’s boundless potential. The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management stands today as more than a dream fulfilled; it is a promise to the next generation, a promise that Africa can build, innovate, and lead in the skies and beyond.

Founded by Captain Isaac David Balami, an aircraft engineer, pilot, and one of Nigeria’s most passionate voices for aviation development, the university represents the culmination of years of advocacy for self-reliance and excellence in technical education. From his humble beginnings in Borno State to his rise as a symbol of innovation and leadership, Balami’s journey has been one defined by faith, grit, and an unrelenting desire to see young Africans take control of their destinies. His life story mirrors the essence of the institution , that with vision and purpose, the sky is not the limit, but only the beginning.

The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM) is not just another university; it is a revolution in thought and practice. Its mission is to bridge the long-standing gap between academic theory and practical industry application. Here, students will not merely read about aeronautics , they will live it. From flight simulations to aircraft maintenance hangars, from drone technology labs to innovation workshops, the institution is designed to immerse its students in real-world experiences that mirror the fast-evolving global aviation environment.

But the brilliance of IBUAM lies not only in its commitment to science and engineering; it is also in its focus on management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Balami understands that the aviation industry is not sustained by pilots and engineers alone, but also by visionary managers, regulators, and thinkers who can guide complex systems and inspire sustainable growth. Through its dual emphasis on aeronautics and management, the university aims to raise graduates who are both technically sound and strategically minded , men and women who can build, fly, manage, and transform.

The university is conceived as a hub for innovation and research , a place where young minds will design the future of African aviation and aerospace technology. Its laboratories and partnerships will foster collaboration with global institutions and aviation bodies, ensuring that its programs meet international standards while reflecting Africa’s realities. The broader vision is clear: to move Africa from being a consumer of aeronautical technology to becoming a creator of it.

Yet beyond the laboratories and classrooms lies the soul of IBUAM , a commitment to values. The institution is built upon three enduring pillars: character, competence, and leadership. Every student is expected not only to master the science of flight but to embody the discipline, integrity, and moral strength that aviation demands. As Isaac Balami often says, “A man who can build or fly an aircraft without character is a danger to the world.” The university therefore seeks to produce leaders who are not just skilled, but principled; not just ambitious, but responsible.

At its core, The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management stands as a symbol of possibility. It embodies the belief that African youths, when given the right environment, can compete and excel anywhere in the world. It is a testament to vision , that one man’s dream, when guided by purpose, can ignite a movement that transforms generations.

For thousands of aspiring aviators and innovators across the continent, IBUAM is a message of hope , that the future of African aviation will be defined not by imported expertise but by homegrown excellence. It is a call to rise above limitations, to dream with purpose, and to understand that true leadership begins with service and discipline.

In the words of Captain Balami himself, “We are not just building a university; we are building Africa’s future in the skies.” And indeed, as the sun rises over this bold institution, it carries with it the promise of a new dawn , one where the dreams of countless young Africans finally take flight. 

Nigeria Set to Reclaim Third-Largest Economy in Africa by 2026, Says IMF

Nigeria is poised to reclaim its position as Africa’s third-largest economy by 2026, according to new projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its October 2024 World Economic Outlook, the IMF places Nigeria’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at about $334.34 billion by 2026 surpassing Algeria and trailing only South Africa, projected at $401 billion, and Egypt at $400 billion.

The Fund attributes Nigeria’s steady climb to a series of bold economic reforms undertaken in recent years. Key among these are the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy, the unification of exchange rates, and renewed efforts to restore oil production. Though these measures initially triggered inflationary pressures and a rise in the cost of living, they are laying the groundwork for a more stable and transparent economic environment. The reforms have strengthened fiscal revenue, reduced distortions in the foreign exchange market, and helped rebuild investor confidence.

Nigeria’s recovery is also being buoyed by rising oil revenues as production levels improve after years of disruptions caused by theft, underinvestment, and regulatory uncertainty. With oil output gradually stabilizing and global prices remaining relatively strong, Nigeria's fiscal position has improved, enabling greater flexibility in managing public finances. Beyond oil, growth in technology, creative, and services industries is helping to diversify the economy. These sectors, powered by a young and dynamic population, are attracting foreign investment and creating new opportunities across the country.

The IMF’s projections reflect Nigeria’s growing economic resilience, but the report also cautions that sustaining progress will depend on consistent policy implementation. Stability in the exchange rate, investment in infrastructure, security improvements, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises will be vital in ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in living standards. Economists note that while reforms are beginning to show results, Nigeria’s long-term success will hinge on its ability to balance macroeconomic stability with social inclusion.

Nigeria’s anticipated rise to become Africa’s third-largest economy once again signals renewed confidence in the continent’s most populous nation. It underscores the transformative potential of structural reforms and demonstrates how policy discipline, innovation, and resilience can drive recovery even amid global uncertainty. As Nigeria’s economy continues to evolve, the coming years may well mark the beginning of a more sustainable era of growth and opportunity for the nation and its people.

Turning the Page: Nigeria Wins Back Global Confidence and Opens a New Chapter

Nigeria has turned a new page , one filled with hope, renewed trust, and a brighter economic outlook. On Friday, the global financial watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), finally removed Nigeria from its grey list. And with that single announcement, a cloud that had hung over the country for almost three years began to lift.

For many Nigerians, the grey-list label felt like a heavy burden, a stamp suggesting that the country was a risky place for business and a haven for illicit funds. It slowed investments, made international transactions tougher, and placed doubt on Nigeria’s financial reputation. But instead of accepting the label as a permanent stain, Nigeria chose to fight back.

The journey was not easy. It demanded discipline, reforms, cooperation across institutions, and a renewed commitment to transparency. Government agencies tightened regulations, banks strengthened compliance processes, and financial experts worked round the clock to clean up the system. Quietly, step by step, the country rebuilt trust.

Friday’s announcement was more than a diplomatic win, it was a moment of national pride. It sent a loud message to the world: Nigeria is cleaning up, rising up, and ready for business.

For investors, this development signals fresh confidence. It means easier global transactions, more foreign partnerships, and a more welcoming environment for business. For entrepreneurs, it lights a path towards growth, support, and investment. For ordinary citizens, it is proof that positive change, even if slow and difficult , is possible when a nation chooses to do the right thing.

But this achievement is not only about financial systems. It is a lesson in resilience. Nigeria was given a challenge, and instead of shrinking back, it rose with determination. This moment reminds one that labels do not define a people, the response to them does.

Now, the door is open wider than before. The world is watching, not with doubt, but with renewed interest. The responsibility ahead is to keep the momentum, stay vigilant, and ensure that this progress becomes permanent.

Nigeria’s removal from the grey list is more than a headline, it is a symbol of hope. It shows that when a nation believes in its potential, works with unity, and stands firm on integrity, things do change.

Today, Nigeria steps back into the light, stronger, wiser and ready to grow. And this is only the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with opportunity, credibility, and a brighter future for the nation and its people.

Nigeria Takes the Lead on the Global Energy Stage

Nigeria has entered a new chapter of global pride as two of her sons rose to lead the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), a body that brings together the world’s major gas-producing nations. Their emergence did not happen by chance. It is a story of vision, discipline, perseverance and the remarkable truth that excellence grown in Nigeria can rise to the world stage.

For Dr. Philip Mshelbila, his journey began long before the global spotlight. A trained medical doctor who later built a successful career in the energy industry, he climbed through years of technical work, leadership responsibilities and strategic decision-making. As the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, he has been known for his calm-but-firm leadership style, his commitment to operational excellence and his belief that Africa has a meaningful voice in the energy future. When he was elected Secretary-General of the GECF, it was more than a personal achievement. It was a moment that signalled that Nigeria’s knowledge, skills and global credibility in the gas sector had reached a new height. His election gives Nigeria not only a seat at the global table, but the power to influence conversations on gas development, investment, cleaner energy pathways and opportunities for emerging economies.

Alongside him is a leader from the public sector whose work is equally inspiring. Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), has spent years advocating for gas as a tool for national development, job creation and economic transformation. His leadership is driven by the belief that gas can power industries, support households, strengthen the economy and position Nigeria as a continent-wide energy leader. His selection to preside over the GECF Ministerial Meeting in 2026 places Nigeria in a rare position: holding both the administrative and ministerial leadership at the same time. It sends a message of trust, that Nigeria has the capacity, vision and experience to lead global energy discussions with wisdom and fairness.

These two leaders represent different sides of the same story. One rose through corporate expertise, strategy and operational leadership, while the other built influence through public service, diplomacy and national policy. Yet their paths meet at the same destination - global leadership. Their emergence shows young Nigerians that there are many routes to excellence, and that impact can be made whether one starts in the private sector, public service, academia or entrepreneurship.

It also comes at a time when the world is redefining its energy future. Nations are seeking cleaner and more reliable sources of energy, and natural gas is seen as a bridge to a more sustainable future. Nigeria, with its vast gas resources, has long been described as a “sleeping giant”. The rise of these two leaders is a call for that giant to wake fully. Under their leadership, Nigeria can push for investment in gas pipelines, power plants, local processing, industrial growth and skills development. It can shape fair global policies that protect the interests of developing nations. It can secure partnerships that help young professionals gain knowledge, training and global exposure. And most importantly, it can ensure that gas wealth translates into better lives for ordinary Nigerians.

There is also a deeper message that their rise carries. It reminds the world that brilliance exists in Nigeria. It tells the continent that African voices are not only participants in world affairs , they can guide the direction. It shows young dreamers in classrooms, offices and communities across the country that they do not need to shrink their dreams to fit their surroundings. With discipline, competence and consistency, their stories too can inspire the continent.

Their leadership is a gift of pride to Nigeria, but also a responsibility. The world is watching how Nigeria will use this opportunity. Will it open new doors for investment? Will it shape policies that benefit Africa? Will it develop its people to stand tall in the global arena? The answers lie in the choices made in the years ahead.

What is certain is that the journey of Dr. Philip Mshelbila and Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has already lit a torch. It is a torch for Nigeria’s energy future, a torch of African leadership and a torch of inspiration for every Nigerian who dares to dream beyond borders. Their story teaches us that success does not start on the world stage, it begins in quiet dedication, consistent growth and the courage to serve with excellence.

Nigeria now stands at a powerful moment in history. Two of her own are helping guide the direction of global energy. Their rise is not simply a celebration of personal achievement, but a call to every Nigerian to lift their eyes, work with purpose and remember that global leadership is not out of reach. It begins here, it begins now, and it begins with believing that the world will listen when Nigeria speaks.

Nigeria Emerges as Africa’s Fastest-Growing Entertainment Market

Nigeria is fast becoming the star of Africa’s entertainment and media scene, and recent findings by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) show just how quickly the industry is rising. The report highlights that Nigeria’s entertainment and media market was valued at about US$9 billion in 2023 and is set to reach US$13.6 billion by 2028, making it one of the fastest-growing in Africa and one of the most dynamic in the world.

A major reason for this impressive growth is Nigeria’s youthful population. With a median age of about 18.1 years, the country has a large audience that consumes content daily, from music and movies to games and social media entertainment.  The widespread use of smartphones and the rapid rise of mobile internet access mean young people can now stream music, play games, watch videos, and engage with online content more than ever before. This shift to digital platforms has created new opportunities for content creators, advertisers, and entertainment companies.

PwC notes that some of the fastest-growing areas in the industry include internet advertising, video games and esports, online streaming services (OTT), music, radio and podcasts.  Internet advertising alone is expected to more than double between 2023 and 2028, as more businesses turn to digital platforms to reach their audiences.  This shows a clear move away from traditional media to online content.

Nigeria’s rise is also powered by the global success of its creative talents. Nollywood films, Afrobeats music, comedy skits, and social media creators are gaining international attention. Their success has helped position Nigeria as a strong cultural export hub, attracting foreign interest and investment into the sector.

However, the journey is not without challenges. Issues such as piracy, weak intellectual property protection, high production costs, electricity shortages, and limited modern infrastructure still affect how much creators can earn. There is also the challenge of turning large online audiences into actual financial gains, as many consumers are price-sensitive and hesitant to pay for subscriptions or premium content.

Despite these hurdles, the future remains bright. The industry has huge room for expansion because many areas are still developing, such as gaming, animation, esports, film production technology, and digital distribution channels. With better policies, improved infrastructure, and stronger protection for creative works, Nigeria could unlock even more value from this booming sector.

For creators, investors, and policymakers, PwC’s projections send a clear message: Nigeria is on track to become Africa’s entertainment powerhouse. New digital opportunities are emerging, global platforms are paying attention, and young Nigerians are shaping the future of media consumption. If the country builds on this momentum, the entertainment and media industry could soon become one of Nigeria’s biggest contributors to economic growth, job creation, and global cultural influence.

Dangote’s Bold Move: Expanding Lagos Refinery to 1.4 Million Barrels a Day in a Bid to Make It the World’s Largest

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest businessman, has revealed plans to expand his $20 billion oil refinery in Lagos, aiming to increase its production capacity from 650,000 to about 1.4 million barrels of oil per day. This ambitious move will make it the largest single refining facility in the world and one of the most significant industrial projects ever seen in Africa.

The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, began operations as a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial rebirth. Built to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel, it has already started supplying petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel to local and regional markets. The decision to double its capacity represents more than just expansion, it reflects a long-term vision to make Nigeria a global energy hub capable of meeting Africa’s fuel needs and exporting refined products to international markets.

By scaling up production, the refinery is expected to transform Nigeria’s oil industry in several ways. It will allow the country to refine more of its crude oil locally, save billions of dollars spent on fuel imports, and boost the value of the naira by improving foreign exchange earnings. It will also create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly through logistics, shipping, and manufacturing chains. Beyond these economic gains, the expansion will strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key energy supplier to the continent, helping neighboring countries reduce their own reliance on imported fuels.

To fund the expansion, Dangote is exploring several financial options, including securing new international credit facilities and offering a small portion of the refinery’s ownership to investors through a public listing. These steps will attract capital and allow more Nigerians and global investors to take part in what is set to become one of the most profitable industrial ventures in Africa.

While the plans are bold, they come with challenges. Increasing capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day will require more crude oil supply, larger storage and shipping facilities, and improved transportation networks. It will also demand careful coordination with Nigeria’s oil regulators and partners to ensure stable crude supply and fair pricing. There are environmental and operational risks as well, but Dangote’s team believes these can be managed through advanced technology and strict global standards.

The refinery’s expansion has implications that reach far beyond Nigeria. With Africa’s growing population and energy demand, a plant of this scale could reshape trade flows and influence fuel prices across the region. It could also compete with established refineries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, creating new export routes and partnerships.

For Nigeria, the benefits are clear: more jobs, more energy independence, stronger industrial growth, and a better global image as a country capable of executing mega projects. For Africa, it signals a shift toward self-sufficiency and industrial strength.

Dangote’s vision is as ambitious as it is transformative. If successful, the Lagos refinery expansion will not only redefine Nigeria’s oil industry but also stand as a proud symbol of African innovation, determination, and economic renewal.

Nigeria’s First International Airshow Set to Redefine Aviation in Africa

When the skies over Abuja open to the roar of aircraft in December 2025, it will mark more than the start of an airshow, it will signal a new chapter for African aviation. From December 2 to 4, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will become the centre of global attention as Nigeria hosts its first-ever Nigeria International Airshow (NIA). The event is already shaping up to be a defining moment not just for the country, but for the continent’s aviation future.

For decades, Africa has struggled to claim meaningful space in the world’s aviation ecosystem. Despite a population of 1.4 billion people and rising demand for travel, the continent handles less than 3% of global air traffic. Limited intra-African connectivity, high operating costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and dependence on foreign maintenance hubs have slowed progress. But the coming airshow aims to challenge old narratives and introduce Africa as an emerging force in aviation innovation, investment, and talent.

The lineup of confirmed speakers offers a glimpse into the event’s magnitude. Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, will lead conversations alongside top industry voices such as the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, NIA Chief Executive Bria O. Williams, and other influential business, regulatory, and technical leaders. Their presence reflects a rare synergy between government, private sector, and international partners, one that many observers believe is essential for long-term reform.

But perhaps the most compelling story is not who will be speaking, but what the event represents. For Nigeria, hosting this airshow is both a declaration of readiness and a test of vision. It signals a deliberate intention to transform the country from a major aviation market into a continental hub where aircraft are not only flown, but built, serviced, financed, and innovated around. For Africa, it suggests a shift toward cooperation rather than competition, with opportunities for technology exchange, joint ventures, and harmonised air travel policies.

Beyond the conference halls and aircraft displays, the airshow is expected to serve as a marketplace of possibilities. Exhibitors will include aircraft manufacturers, aviation technology firms, logistics companies, training institutions, start-ups, and service providers seeking access to Africa’s rapidly expanding travel and transport market. Major attractions include an Innovation Pavilion, aircraft display zones, and business match-making sessions designed to connect investors with growth-ready ventures. For young innovators in drone technology, aerospace engineering, and air mobility solutions, this could be the launching pad their ideas have been waiting for.

Attendance will not be limited to industry insiders. The organisers have opened the event to the public, including students and aviation enthusiasts, many of whom may be witnessing an airshow for the first time. Through initiatives such as the NIA Academy and career engagement programmes, young Nigerians will interact with pilots, engineers, industry experts, and potential mentors. In a sector often perceived as distant or elitist, this exposure may change the trajectory of countless dreams.

International participation is expected to be strong, with interest already indicated from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Visa-on-arrival for ECOWAS citizens, e-visa options, and planned shuttle services from selected hotels to the venue are aimed at making attendance seamless. Organisers are advising early accommodation bookings, as Abuja is expected to receive a surge of visitors during the three-day spectacle.

The excitement surrounding the airshow is not merely about aircraft displays, it is about the momentum it could unlock. If successful, the event could stimulate investments in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, regional airline partnerships, training institutions, research centres, and aviation start-up ecosystems. It could also accelerate the implementation of continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), both of which seek to make flying within Africa easier, cheaper, and more profitable.

In the months leading up to December 2025, industry watchers will be tracking developments closely. Will Nigeria deliver a benchmark event? Will the conversations lead to real policy shifts and partnerships? Will the airshow become a recurring platform that positions Africa on the global aviation calendar?

What is certain is that something significant is taking flight. For the first time, Nigeria is preparing to open its skies not just for air travel, but for ideas, innovation, business, and continental cooperation. The 2025 Nigeria International Airshow may last only three days, but its impact could be felt for decades by a generation of pilots, engineers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who will look back and say: it all began here.

From “recipient” to “participant” : How Northern Nigeria is joining and shaping Nigeria’s digital economy

Northern Nigeria is entering a new chapter, one defined not by dependency, but by participation, contribution, and a growing sense of ownership in Nigeria’s digital future. What was once seen largely as a “recipient region” of national IT initiatives is steadily transforming into a budding contributor to the country’s tech economy. The shift is still in its early stages, yet the signs are clear: talent is emerging, structures are forming, and the narrative is changing in real time.

The movement is visible in Kano, where a fresh wave of startup activity is taking shape. A symbolic but important milestone came when the state’s IT development agency secured $50,000 in cloud credits for promising tech startups small in scale, yet a catalytic boost for innovators who often struggle to access the tools needed to build and test solutions. The Digital Kano Conference 2025, held within the same momentum, brought entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors to the same table to exchange ideas, pitch solutions, and frame a Northern-led innovation agenda. These are the early building blocks of an ecosystem events, support systems, and an emerging community of doers that every tech hub globally has passed through on its rise.

Across the region, the talent pipeline is widening too. The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme has opened doors for Northern youths to gain exposure to digital careers once associated mostly with Lagos and Abuja. With private-sector backing, including MTN’s ₦3 billion support and new financing pathways created through the Development Bank of Nigeria, these skills are no longer theoretical; they are translating into internships, freelance work, and early-stage startups. The visibility of Northern participants within the programme is steadily rewriting assumptions about where tech talent comes from in Nigeria.

Yet perhaps the most profound development is not hardware, training, or conferences, it is a shift in mindset. A recent scholarly study on AI adoption among SMEs in Northern Nigeria offers an important truth: access alone is not enough. The research shows that even when broadband, digital tools, and training are available, many small businesses remain hesitant to embrace AI. What’s missing is not information, but belonging, a sense that technology understands their context, language, work patterns, and values. It calls for a move from “digital inclusion” to “digital belonging,” a concept that resonates deeply in a region shaped by tradition, community, and trust-based markets. If technology is to thrive in the North, it must feel like ours, not like something imported or imposed.

The potential of the region is undeniable. With its young population, entrepreneurial informal sector, and strong footprint in agriculture, trade, logistics, education, and public services, Northern Nigeria is perfectly positioned to drive homegrown digital solutions. Tools that help farmers access markets, small shops track inventory, teachers deliver blended learning, or hospitals manage patient data can have transformational reach across the region. But unlocking this potential requires more than inspiration, it requires distributing power, internet access, and opportunity evenly enough for ideas to grow. Infrastructure gaps, especially around electricity and rural connectivity, continue to limit how far and how fast digital adoption can spread.

Even with these constraints, the early sparks show what is possible when intentionality meets talent. The cloud credits offered to startups, the convening of local innovators, the integration of Northern youths into national tech talent programmes, and the new language of “belonging” in the digital conversation all signal that the region is no longer waiting for solutions, it is beginning to shape them. The next leap will come from embedding digital support at the community level: equipping small businesses with hands-on guidance, delivering tools in local languages, ensuring first wins are practical and visible, and connecting innovators with real customers and real problems, not only competition stages.

Northern Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is nascent, but it is undeniably forming. What happens next will depend on maintaining momentum, building confidence, and ensuring that technology feels like a lived, local reality, not a distant national trend. If the region leans into this moment with the same courage that sparked these early shifts, it won’t merely “catch up” with Nigeria’s digital economy, it may redefine it from the everyday realities of markets, farms, schools, and communities that represent the heartbeat of the nation. And that would mark not just participation, but true contribution, a future where the North is both shaping and sharing in Nigeria’s digital prosperity.