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The Business and Property Court in London has ruled in favour of the Nigerian government in its legal case against Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited, an engineering and project management company, squashing an $11 billion arbitration award initially issued in favour of the company.
Here’s what you should know about the situation and how Nigerians are reacting.
What happened?
It started in 2010. P&ID entered into a business agreement with the Nigerian government, and the plan was to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State. It was a contract billed to last 20 years.
Two years later, P&ID claimed the deal couldn’t pull through because the Nigerian government didn’t keep their side of the agreement. According to them, the FG failed to put in place the required infrastructure to kick off the project.
The company took the case to court. On January 31, 2017, a tribunal ruled that the Nigerian Government should pay $6.6 billion in damages to the company, as pre and post-judgment interest at 7%.
The FG applied for an extension after the ruling and the application was granted by Judge Ross Cranton in September 2020.
In the application, the FG alleged that P&ID tried to defraud the country with the deal, adding that officials of the company paid bribes to secure the contract.
In March 2023, the FG argued in a trial court that the P&ID deal was conceived through dishonest means, and as such the awarded sum, which had risen to $11 billion due to the 7% pre-and post-judgment interest, should be thrown out.
Court Rules in favour of Nigerian Government
On October 23, 2023, Justice of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, Robin Knowles, upheld Nigeria’s prayer on the ground that the P&ID contract was obtained by fraud.
If Nigeria had suffered a negative ruling, this would have seen a significant hit to the country’s foreign reserves. As of May 2023, the foreign reserves stood at $34.4 billion.
How are Nigerians reacting?
The ruling has sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media. Almost everyone acknowledges paying the sum would have seriously affected the country’s already weak economy.
Tweets below:
GREAT NEWS:
UK court just ruled in favour of Nigeria in the P&ID case, squashing the $11 billion award against Nigeria.
International judges are doing justice for Nigeria without bribery but Nigerian judges are collecting bribes from Nigerians to give fraudulent judgement. Just image this judge took bribe. https://t.co/a0Fi28Tubq
United Kingdom 🇬🇧: Nigeria 🇳🇬 has won its case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited, which sought enforcement of $11 billion debt in its favor. Congratulations Nigeria. Thank you @MBuhari, You insisted and you got this for Nigeria. https://t.co/tR77PENk18pic.twitter.com/ozUDwzVu64
You’ll have your fill of grilled, peppered or fried meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival on November 11. Have you bought your Burning Ram ticket? You can do that real quick here.
On October 9, 2023, a Lagos State High Court sentenced Nigerian police officer, Drambi Vandi, to death after he was found guilty of fatally shooting Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
Vandi shot Raheem, an expectant mother, on Christmas Day in 2022 in Ajah, Lagos state. While this sentence offers respite and some level of justice to the victim’s loved ones, the country is still riddled with pockets of police misconduct and brutality against citizens.
Source: Maritime First Newspaper
In commemoration of the third-year anniversary of the #ENDSARS protest, we’ve compiled a timeline of notable dates and events that defined October 2020.
But first, what were the five-point demands of the Nigerian youths who stormed the streets in unity to demand an end to police brutality?
#ENDSARS Five-Points Demand
End SARS
Compensations for victims of police brutality
Investigation of police misconduct and prosecution of the indicted
Release of arrested protesters
Increase in the salaries of police officers
A timeline of events that shaped October 2020
October 3, 2020
A video surfaced on social media showing the moment SARS in officers Ughelli, Delta State, assaulted a Nigerian man. The clip sparked public outrage and escalated into widespread protest in the state.
October 4, 2020
Then Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, in an X post claimed the young man in the viral video from Ughelli, Delta State was alive. He claimed he spoke with the victim’s brother, Ochuko.
October 6, 2020
The protest continued in Delta State with youths blocking off major roads and ultimately driving heated conversations on X.
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October 8, 2020
Demonstration kicks off across major cities in Nigeria. Young people, including celebrities, in Lagos converge at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to protest against police brutality. Many spent the night there.
October 9, 2020
Police forcefully disperse peaceful protesters at the police headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly addressed protesters.
October 10, 2020
Protests continue across the country. The situation takes a heated turn after police officers in Ogbomosho, in a bid to disperse peaceful protesters, shot Jimoh Isiaq.
October 11, 2020
Source: Signal
IGP, Mohammed Adamu, announced the dissolution of the SARS unit. However, demonstrations continued across the country, with three more protesters shot dead in Ogbomosho.
October 12, 2020
Ebonyi youth joined the ENDSARS protest while Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State banned protests in the state. Meanwhile, stray bullets from the police killed a bystander in Lagos.
October 13, 2020
Source: Premium Times
Protesters defy Governor Nyesom Wike’s order and trooped out to protest. The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu, met President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the protests and demands.
October 13, 2020
The FG announces the establishment of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to replace the disbanded SARS unit. Governor Sanwo-Olu announced a ₦200 million fund for victims of police brutality.
October 14, 2020
Source: Rex Features
Nigerians in Belgium, the U.K., and the U.S. joined the #ENDSARS protest. Meanwhile, pro-SARS individuals attacked protesters and burnt vehicles in Lagos and Abuja.
October 15, 2020
FCT minister, Muhammad Bello, banned protests in the capital city. International hacking group, Anonymous, infiltrated the Nigerian police website.
October 16, 2020
X created a special emoji to show solidarity with the #ENDSARS movement. Meanwhile, Muslim faithfuls in Lagos held the Friday jummah prayer on protest grounds.
October 17, 2020
Two protesters died in Osun after hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest in the state.
October 18, 2020
The National Examination Council (NECO) postponed its examination for the year.
October 19, 2020
Hoodlums attacked the Benin Correctional Centre to free some inmates in one of the cells. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) condemned #ENDSARS protesters for non-peaceful and destructive actions.
October 20, 2020
Governor Sanwo announced a state-wide curfew late evening in Lagos, but some protesters remained at the Lekki Toll Gate area. Later, soldiers deployed to the Lekki Tollgate area opened fire on protesters. Gory videos and images of blood-stained Nigerian flags flooded social media.
Notable events post #ENDSARS protest
October 19, 2021
Source: The Nation
Lagos State Judiciary Panel of Inquiry concludes its findings into alleged shootings that took place on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Tollgate. The panel awarded a total of ₦410.2 million to over 70 petitioners as compensation.
October 20, 2021
Police in Lagos and Ogun insist that there should be no street protests in commemoration of one year anniversary of #ENDSARS protest.
November 15, 2021
Governor Sanwo-Olu sets up a four-member committee for white paper reports on the reports submitted by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters.
October 20, 2022
Police fire teargas at peaceful protesters who converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to mark the second anniversary of the #ENDSARS protest in Lagos.
You’ll have your fill of grilled, peppered or fried meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival on November 11. Have you bought your Burning Ram ticket? You can do that real quick here.
In 2016, I was in my final year at university. For my project, I had to do a content analysis of the Nigerian media coverage of Boko Haram insurgency for the 12 calendar months of the year under review. It was impossible to access old newspaper publications online, so I had to comb Ibadan for libraries that kept old newspapers. It was a daunting experience, mentally, physically and financially.
Source: Reuters
Seven years later, undergraduate students like me, researchers, journalists and anyone interested in our history need only carry out a simple search on Archivi.ng, a website that has successfully scanned 50 years of Nigerian newspapers in the first phase of its newspaper digitisation project.
Here’s all you should know about the team and the important work they’re doing.
What is Archivi.ng?
It’s a project committed to “digitising old Nigerian newspapers and making them accessible to everyone online.” The Archivi.ng team’s first phase goal is to upload 18,627 different newspapers and 360k pages from January 1960 to December 2010.
How did it start?
In August 2019, Fu’ad Lawal, Archiving CEO, asked a question on his Twitter page: “Who’s going to get all the Final Year research papers rotting in the Faculty storages across tertiary schools in Nigeria, and bring them online?”
Who's going to get all the Final Year research papers rotting in the Faculty storages across tertiary schools in Nigeria, and bring them online?
This need to do something with loads of research work Nigerian students churn out yearly soon metamorphosed into a different direction.
On November 10, 2019, his attention was drawn to a throwback video shared on Twitter which captured the court proceedings that led to the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and other members of the Ogoni 9.
Fu’ad expressed sadness at the fact that Nigerian knowledge seekers or researchers would only obtain the full context about the historical incident from the archives of an international publication like the New York Times.
“My own sadness is that if you want to read about this case, you’ll have to go to the New York Times.”
My own sadness is that if you want to read about this case, you'll have to go to the New York Times. https://t.co/ChzA6uTNXN
Five days later, he returned with a post stressing the need for old Nigerian newspapers to be archived. “Our old newspapers need to be archived, for the culture. Contextual reporting becomes easier when you can just google 1999, and Punch/Guardian pops.”
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Fu’ad’s tweets started to receive a cocktail of reception from followers, friends and acquaintances who shared similar sentiments. Subsequently, he drew up a concept note with a clear goal to retrieve and digitise newspapers from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010 — a total of 18,627 days. The months that followed would see Lawal, his friends and other volunteers sourcing newspapers. In less than five weeks, they’d sourced 95% of the newspapers needed for the period of focus.
But sourcing the papers wasn’t enough; they also needed a digital home where the papers could be housed and easily accessed. And this birthed Archiv.ng.
How does the website work?
The search box on Archivi.ng
If you enter specific keywords, names and dates in the homepage’s search box, it’ll return a string of scanned newspaper pages. Each scanned newspaper page comes with an AI-generated summary.
For example, when you enter the date below, it returns with the newspaper images.
At the moment, Archivi.ng only accounts for PM News reports from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010 which is approximately 50,000 pages. Publications like The Punch (1971), Tribune (1949) and Vanguard (1983) are yet to be scanned and uploaded to the archive. However, it’s all part of the goals in the first phase of the project.
Is the website free to use?
The website has been free for visitors since it launched on September 30. However, there’s an option to donate and support the project. The team has raised over $37,000 in donations but still needs at least $100,000 in funding to complete the first phase of the project.
Burning Ram tickets are now available. Get your personal meat and many more at Zikoko’s meat festival coming up on November 11th. Tickets are available here.
Liberia is set to hold elections for its presidency, House of Representatives and half of its Senate, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The current president, George Weah, is running for a second term of six years. Here are five interesting things to know about Weah and his first term.
Personal life
International football star
After dominating Liberia’s local leagues, Weah moved to Cameroon to play for Tonnerre of Yaoundé. The Cameroon national coach, Claude De Roy, noticed and recommended him to Arsene Wenger, who signed him to Monaco, bringing the star to Europe.
Weah went on to win the French Cup in 1991 with Monaco. He will later move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), winning the French Cup, the league title and reaching the semifinals of the 1995 European Champions League, where he was the top scorer. In 1995, he transferred to AC Milan, winning the 1996 and 1999 Serie A league titles. Weah won the African Player of the Year in 1989, 1994 and 1995. He also won the Best FIFA Men’s Player and the Ballon d’Or in 1995. He remains the only African player to have won the award.
His son, Timothy Weah, currently plays for Juventus. In 2022, Weah drew criticism when he was out of the country, watching his son play for the United States national team in Qatar, during the 2022 World Cup.
Musician on the side
Weah has always loved music. In 1998, he joined other football stars: Ibrahim Ba, Omam Biyik, Manuel T. Dimas, Oumar Dieng, Joachim Fernandez, Mohamed Kallon, Raul Phil Masinga and Taribo West, to team up with singer, Frisbie Omo Isibor, on Lively Up Africa, a song to raise funds for children.
Weah recorded and released music to raise awareness of Ebola as a senator, and COVID as president.
He collaborated with Liberian artists to sing the theme song of the Miss Earth beauty pageant, recorded a reggae version of the “Happy Birthday” song and several other songs to throw subs at political opponents, most of which he’s performed on past campaign trails. He also went viral for participating in Kizz Daniel’s Buga Challenge.
Accusations of infidelity
After he was fired in 2021, the Deputy Director General for Rural Broadcasting at the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), accused President Weah of extra-marital affairs, attributing his dismissal to the president’s relationship with his wife. He claimed the president even purchased a Ford Escape car for her. The official will later apologise and retract his claims. In response, Weah released a reggae song called Mr Liar Man with these lyrics: “You know I didn’t do the things you said I do, Mr Liarman”.
In 2019, another businesswoman accused the Deputy Head of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) of “badmouthing” her to the president amidst claims that they are both his mistresses.
Government policies
Free tuition
In October 2018, President Weah declared a tuition-free policy for all undergraduates in public universities. His administration also pays WASSCE fees for all 9th and 12th graders in public schools. Despite the policy, students and instructors have protested multiple times over poor educational infrastructure and non-payment of salaries. During the COVID pandemic in 2021, students of the University of Liberia protested against the e-learning platforms, questioning their functionality.
Dual citizenship
Liberian citizenship has been largely restrictive. However, in Weah’s first national address as president, he announced his support for a change in the law, and in 2022, Weah signed a bill that amended the country’s law.
While the amendment does not allow non-Negros to acquire citizenship, it permits dual citizenship by allowing Liberians to acquire a second nationality without losing their Liberian citizenship as was previously the case. The law also allows individuals to claim Liberian citizenship through their mothers.
It’s been seven months since the 2023 presidential election, and five months since Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s president.
But it doesn’t appear we’ve heard the last of the events that happened before, during and after the elections. Although the election tribunal struck out the petitions brought against the legitimacy of the elections and Tinubu’s presidency, Atiku Abubakar is still pursuing the case in court.
He has now taken the fight to the United States, convincing a court in Chicago to ask Chicago State University to turn in Bola Tinubu’s academic records. Chicago State University has complied with the court orders and released the documents.
So, what are the facts?
Tinubu’s certificate is disputable
Atiku Abubakar’s biggest argument is the authenticity of the certificate Tinubu presented to the election commission. Taking his case to a United States court, Atiku and his legal team had three asks from the University:
An example of a CSU diploma issued in 1979
Tinubu’s certificate issued in the same year
Any example of a CSU diploma that “contains the same font, seal, signatures and wording” as Tinubu’s diploma issued in June 1979.
Under subpoena, the Chicago State University has complied and released a few copies of diplomas the university issued in 1979 and subsequent years.
A copy of a 1979 CSU diploma looks like this:
However, this is a copy of the diploma Tinubu submitted to INEC:
That said, Chicago State University did confirm that Tinubu attended the institution between 1977 and 1979. But they couldn’t provide an original certificate because the university doesn’t keep original copies of students’ diplomas.
One of the transcripts Tinubu used to apply to CSU is gendered female
Another fascinating item in the documents Tinubu submitted to INEC is a certificate issued by Southwest College and presumably used by Tinubu to apply to Chicago State University. The bearer is a Tinubu Bola A., which checks out. But what’s odd is that this person’s gender is female.
This begs a question: Is this Bola Tinubu also Ahmed, our President?
What happens now?
It’s against the provisions of the Nigerian constitution to contest with a forged certificate
Section 137 of the Constitution provides grounds for disqualification from the office of President of Nigeria. It’s a long list, but its position on submitting fake certificates is clear:
A person shall not be qualified for the office of the president if they present a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With Atiku Abubakar still pursuing the case in court, one of the primary things he’ll want to prove is the veracity of Tinubu’s results — are they genuine or not?
In the end, the Supreme Court will decide on one of the following:
If Tinubu did submit and run with fake certificates
If that is sufficient grounds for disqualification
If an election rerun will be held or Tinubu’s runner-up will be declared the new president.
A Nigerian poet, Oruz Kennedy, and an unconfirmed number of fellow bus passengers have been abducted.
Here’s all we know about the situation.
When did it happen?
According to information shared by a friend, Oruz Kennedy was kidnapped on Monday, September 11, on a journey from Abuja to Port Harcourt.
“The kidnap happened on Monday. It’s not just him but the entire passengers on the bus that were kidnapped. They were coming back from Abuja and got intercepted at Kogi.”
Kennedy had attended a literary festival in the capital city and was returning home when the unfortunate incident happened.
The poet’s last Twitter post was shared on the same day at 3:34 p.m., suggesting it was a few hours before his abduction.
When spirit sings, flesh must follow I desire to complete my book in Bauchi
In a Twitter video shared on the same day, Kennedy’s wife, Faith, confirmed her husband’s kidnap. According to her, the kidnappers reached out demanding a ₦20 million ransom to secure his release.
“He was kidnapped on Monday on his way back from Abuja and the kidnappers are demanding ₦20m for his release. Most people have been calling to tell me it’s a prank, it’s fake and the rest. I’ve been the one the kidnappers have been reaching out to and I know what I heard.”
Hello, guys. A friend @oruzkennedy has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding 20 million naira. Kindly support us with any amount, to 3056553755 Budonyefa F. Okere First Bank
6411591022 USD 6411591046 £ Budonyefa F. Okere Fcmb Bank
However, on Wednesday, September 13, @tamaradogubo returned to Twitter announcing that the ransom had been slashed to ₦5 million. According to her, the kidnapper gave an ultimatum of 9 a.m., Thursday, September 14.
We have raised 2M so far but now we've been given till 9am tomorrow to make it 5M naira. I beg us all, please help. Please. The accounts for donation are below: Naira: 3056553755, Budonyefa F. Okere, First Bank USD: 6411591022, Budonyefa F. Okere, FCMB pic.twitter.com/OlDUCSc7s9
@tamaradogubo returned saying ₦4 million had been raised out of the new ransom. However, she claimed that the abductors insisted on getting the full amount before releasing him.
We are at 4 Million Naira. God bless you all. Please we need 1 Million Naira to get our friend @oruzkennedy back. Keep reposting the fliers. Send in your little token. It goes a long way#FreeOruzKennedyhttps://t.co/sqPkKhryv6
Zikoko understands that an official report was made to the police and the anti-kidnapping unit. However, Kenndy’s friend claimed, “There’s been no substantial feedback nor action from them”.
Several Nigerians on social media have equally tagged the handles of the local authorities to look into the matter.
What about the other passengers?
While Kennedy’s case has gained public attention, there are no updates regarding fellow passengers who were also kidnapped along with him.
In a tweet posted on Monday, September 11, President Bola Tinubu revealed he had struck a diplomatic deal that will lift the Dubai visa ban on Nigerian travellers.
While the UAE has been silent on their end, according to Tinubu’s tweet, there was more to his trip to Abu Dhabi. He met with their president to discuss ways to strengthen diplomatic relations and seek new investment opportunities.
Good evening Nigerians – Home and abroad,
Today, in unity with my friend, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed , we have initiated a new era of collaboration and friendship between our nations – Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Tinubu announced in a Twitter post that he met with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, September 11. The strategic discussions included the immediate removal of the Dubai visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
Recall that the ban took effect in October 2022, following a months-long diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE over flight allocations and a prior COVID travel ban. In 2021, Air Peace had requested a slot of three weekly flights from Nigeria to Sharjah Airport in UAE, but only one was granted. In retaliation, the federal government cut Emirate’s slots from 21 to one, causing the airline to pull out of the Nigerian route indefinitely.
Etihad and Emirates Airlines resume work in Nigeria
According to President Tinubu, the new deal will also see to the “Immediate resumption of flight schedules into and out of Nigeria by Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines, without any immediate payment required from the Nigerian government.”
Billions of dollars worth of investment
“An agreed framework for new investments worth several billions of U.S dollars into the Nigerian economy by the UAE government, covering multiple sectors including defense and agriculture,” President Tinubu shared in a Twitter post.
Foreign exchange programmes
Although the exact details have not been announced, President Tinubu is pushing a new foreign exchange liquidity programme between Nigeria and the UAE.
Improved foreign relations
Jagaban assured Nigerians that he’s making moves to “normalise and enhance” the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE, hence the collaboration with President Al Nahyan.
The UAE’s position
The UAE embassy’s official statement doesn’t mention a visa ban removal or flight resumption by Etihad and Emirates Airlines as announced by President Tinubu and the federal government.
While the statement confirmed that the two leaders met, it only highlighted discussions around diplomatic relations and investment opportunities.
“The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic development, energy and climate action fields. The two sides also exchanged views on several regional and international developments of interest.”
Nigerians react to news
Some Nigerians have since taken to social media to celebrate the news while others have expressed strong reservations, noting that they’d only believe when the UAE issues an official statement.
Turns out UAE lifted the visa ban on Nigeria after all.
I understand your pains, and I share in the pain too.
If you are not careful, you will turn yourself into talkative and a noisemaker if all you do is find fault in every move of the government.pic.twitter.com/Ops6wboC3I
While the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, President Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, has stressed that things will take a different turn in a bid to cushion developments that led to the ban in the first place.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Ngelale said, “Every agreement comes with mutual responsibility. There is no free lunch. What I mean by that is the notion that floodgates will open up and we go back to business as usual. That is not what Nigerians should expect. I want to be very clear about this so that everybody can understand.”
On March 1, 2023, the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results of the keenly-contested February 25 presidential election, declaring Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Nigerian President. Subsequently, he was sworn in as President on May 29, 2023.
But this didn’t mark the end of the election process.
What happened?
Nigerian elections are usually fierce contests, but no election since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 was as close as the 2023 cycle. Three favourites emerged in the months leading to the polls: Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party and eventual winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
While Tinubu’s 8,794 726 votes were enough to be victorious at the polls, it was the smallest win margin by any Nigerian President since 1999. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi followed relatively closely at 6,984 520 and 6,101 533 votes, respectively.
This wasn’t the most significant bone of contention, though. The election was also allegedly marred by violence, voter intimidation, harassment and other irregularities, begging one question: Can the legitimacy of the results be trusted?
Following INEC’s declaration, various calls emerged to invalidate the results, accusing the electoral body of multiple electoral irregularities. Since May 2023, three political parties — Labour Party (LP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied People’s Movement (APM) — have contested the INEC results that declared Tinubu president, basically telling the tribunal to evict Tinubu from Aso Rock.
Here’s what to know about the petitions
On March 21, 2023, four presidential candidates from four political parties lodged different suits with the election tribunal, seeking to nullify the results.
Labour Party (LP)
The party believes the new President and vice were not qualified to contest the election, referencing Tinubu’s alleged involvement in narcotics and his running mate, Shettima’s nomination, while being the Borno Central constituency’s senatorial candidate. Also, President Tinubu didn’t get 25% of the votes in the FCT, which according to the Labour Party, should have stopped INEC from declaring him the election winner.
The petition prays the tribunal to order a return to the polls where Tinubu and Shetimma will not participate.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
PDP’s petition also asked the tribunal to dismiss the results of the presidential elections. They argue the invalidity of the results based on electoral irregularities during the process.
Allied People’s Movement (APM)
The petition noted that Shettima’s double nomination is against the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and electoral act.
Action Alliance (AA)
The party asked the tribunal to annul the election results because its candidate, Hamza Al-Mustapha, wasn’t allowed to contest by INEC.
AA subsequently withdrew its petition.
What will the tribunal ruling mean?
The tribunal announced it’ll deliver its ruling in Abuja on September 6, 2023. One of two things will happen: uphold the election results and confirm Tinubu as President, or cancel the election and order a rerun.
If the former happens, the petitioners can seek out the Supreme Court and appeal the judgement. According to the law, an appeal should be concluded within 60 days from the date of the tribunal judgement.
Whatever the Supreme Court decides is the final judgement. There is no other place to go from there.
Highlights From the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Judgement
Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Petition: The party noted that Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, was a senatorial candidate at the time of his nomination, which, according to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act, is a case of double nomination.
The party asked the tribunal to void all the votes scored by the APC and announce PDP’s Atiku as the authentic winner of the election.
Judgement: Justice Haruna Tsammani cited the petition as “incompetent” and noted that the issues raised were pre-election matters outside the tribunal’s ruling. The election petition tribunal dismissed the APM’s case, noting that the party had no legal standing to file the motion.
Labour Party (LP)
Petition: The party’s candidate, Mr Peter Obi, sought to have Tinubu disqualified on the basis of an alleged pre-existing drug case in the U.S., making him unqualified to contest for the election.
The petition challenged his vice, Kashim Shettima’s nomination while being the Borno Central constituency’s senatorial candidate.
The petition also noted that Tinubu failed to secure 25% of votes in the FCT, so he shouldn’t have been declared the winner.
Judgement: Justice Abba-Bello Mohammed read the court’s judgement, throwing out Peter Obi’s petition to disqualify Tinubu based on a U.S. drug case. According to the court, the U.S. court fine, which led to a civil forfeiture of $460k, did not disqualify Tinubu from running for president of Nigeria.
The tribunal has also held that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were qualified to have contested the last presidential election.
Peter Obi’s motion to cancel the election result based on manual transmission has also been dismissed. According to the tribunal, INEC can transmit election results how they see fit.
Obi’s last two motions to cancel the election results on allegations of overvoting and corrupt practices and the failure of Tinubu to secure 25% of votes in the FCT have also been dismissed by the tribunal.
All of Peter Obi’s motions have been dismissed in favour of Tinubu.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Petition: The party sought the tribunal to dismiss the election results based on electoral irregularities, as well as allegations of Tinubu’s dual citizenship.
Judgement: Justice Boloukuoromo Ugo read the court’s judgement, throwing out all the motions filed in favour of Tinubu.
The tribunal made a unanimous decision
All five judge-members of the presidential election tribunal have unanimously affirmed Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s validly-elected president. Justice Haruna Tsammani, in the lead judgement, held that none of the three petitioners was able to prove their allegations as contained in the petitions. They claimed the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence.
According to Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf, “It is clear from the outset that the petitioners were engaging in wild goose chase and an inquisitorial adventure.”
Most of the exhibits and testimonies tendered by the petitioners were rejected based on “procedural blunders” and “technicalities”. The entire judgement ran for over 12 hours.
Is this the end of the road for the petitioners?
Far from it. The petitioners have the opportunity to file an appeal to the Supreme Court within 14 days to counter the tribunal’s judgement. It’ll likely be a long road ahead.
President Tinubu is steadily delivering on his promise to drive inclusion in his government. Even though it’s only a slight bump, Tinubu’s female ministers are eight in number compared to the seven in Buhari’s administration.
These are the women helping him drive his agenda for a renewed Nigeria.
Lola Ade-John
Source: People’s Gazette
Lola joins President Tinubu’s administration as the Minister of Tourism with a career in the banking and technology sectors that has spanned 30 years. She has a degree in computer science from the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, and has worked in notable organisations like Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Magnum Trust Bank Ltd. (now part of Sterling Bank Nigeria Plc.) and Access Bank.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
She’s the new Minister of State, Police Affairs, the first woman to occupy the position. The Nasarawa state indigene was the federal commissioner of the National Commission For Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). Sulaiman-Ibrahim also served as the director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from December 1, 2020, till May 27, 2021, and was a special adviser on strategic communication to the former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Onyejeocha joins the Tinubu administration as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity. She served as a commissioner for resource management and manpower development under the Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu in 2003. Onyejeocha contested for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2019 but stepped down for her main opponent, Femi Gbajabiamila, current Chief of Staff to President Tinubu. She holds a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Imo State University and another in Shipping from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Doris Uzoka-Anite
Source: The Guardian
A graduate of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Doris Uzoka-Anite is the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. She has over 20 years of experience in the banking sector and served as general manager of Zenith Bank. She served as the commissioner for finance and coordination in Imo state, under Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration,and was a member of Tinubu’s Presidential Policy Advisory Council (National Economy). Uzoka-Anite holds a master’s degree in business administration from the London School of Economics.
Hannatu Musawa
She’s the new Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. Prior to her appointment, Musawa was a special adviser on culture and entertainment to President Tinubu. The 43-year-old Katsina indigene is the daughter of famous Katsina politician, Musa Musawa. She’s a lawyer and politician with a law degree from the University of Buckingham, a degree in oil and gas law from the University of Aberdeen and a master’s degree in legal aspects of marine affairs from the University of Cardiff. She served as a deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential campaign council.
Betta Edu
Source: Momodu Media
The 36-year-old is the youngest of Tinubu’s female ministers, and she’s the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Edu, a Cross River state indigene, was the former national women leader of the APC. She was also the youngest person to serve as the commissioner of health in Cross River, under Ben Ayade’s administration. Edu has a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Calabar, and a master’s degree in public health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Uju Kennedy Ohanenye
Source: CoreReporters
She joins President Tinubu’s administration as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. Uju was the only female candidate in APC’s June 2022 presidential primaries, but she stepped down for Tinubu. She has a law degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Uju is a property magnate with several high-end properties in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and the US. She is the proprietress of Kenuj Angels School and MD/CEO of Kenuj O2 Malls both in Abuja. Through her foundation, Shower of Love Foundation, she champions several empowerment programmes focused on upgrading the economic status of women.
Mariya Mairiga Mahmoud
Source: LegitNG
She’s the new Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory. Mariya has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is a member of the National Postgraduate Medical College and the West African College of Physicians. She is a member of the implementation committee for the establishment of the College of Health Sciences at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, and a member of the Kano State Committee on Prevention of Drug Abuse among the Youth. Mariya was the commissioner for higher education in Kano State under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Lagos State Government recently declared August 21 as a public holiday in commemoration of Isese Day; a special day dedicated to traditional worshippers in the state. Here’s all you should know about the traditional celebration.
What is Isese Day?
Isese is the Yoruba word for “tradition”. Isese Day is essentially an umbrella term for different festivals celebrated by traditional worshippers in Yorubaland and in the diaspora. Some of the activities include singing, praying, chanting and offering sacrifices. Common colours worn on the day include white, red and black.
Is it a national public holiday?
It is observed as a regional holiday in some southwestern states. Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and recently, Lagos, have officially named August 20 as the day set aside to mark the traditional celebration.
When was it declared a public holiday?
Isese Day was first declared as a public holiday in August 2014, in Osun state during Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration. According to the then Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, the United Nations (UN) celebrates indigenous religions across the world on August 20.
On August 18, 2023, the Lagos state government followed suit as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared Monday, August 21, a work-free day for public servants in the state. According to Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision was taken “with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage.”
What festivals are celebrated in honour of Isese Day?
Ojude Oba, Olojo, Oro, Sango, Eyo, Osun Osogbo and Igogo are popular festivals which are celebrated in the weeks leading up to August 20 which is the grand celebration known as Isese Day.
Niger’s military, led by President Mohammed Bazoum’s presidential guards, recently installed a military junta.
In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the chairmanship of President Tinubu, convened in Abuja to deliberate on potential military action; a move which has plunged Nigerians in the country into fear of being caught in a crossfire.
Here’s what we know about the situation.
How did it start?
On Wednesday, July 26, multiple media outlets reported that some members of the elite Presidential Guard surrounded the presidential palace and denied President Mohammed Bazoum access to his official residence and office. The move by the presidential guard was indicative of another coup attempt years after an unsuccessful attempt in March 2021 — a few days before the president was sworn into office.
Hours after the clampdown, a colonel-major and spokesperson of the elite presidential guard, Amadou Abdramane, in a TV broadcast quoted by Aljazeera said “the defence and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.
Abdramane announced the closure of the country’s borders, the start of a nationwide curfew and the suspension of all institutions in the country. He also warned against foreign intervention.
Source: ORTN via Reuters TV
On July 28, 48 hours after the initial coup attempt, another member of the presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tiani, in a live TV broadcast declared himself as Niger’s new head of state.
Source: AFP
Tiani in his address on state-run TV said the intervention was necessary to avoid the gradual and inevitable demise of Niger. There was no mention of plans to return to civilian leadership.
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How did Nigeria come into the picture?
A few hours after the July 26 coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the chairmanship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the coup attempt in Niger. A statement issued to the press read in part:
“I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.”
“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”
On Sunday, July 30, the ECOWAS member states met in Abuja.
During the session, a decision was made to issue a one-week ultimatum for the coup plotters in Niger to return power to the democratically-elected government. ECOWAS reiterated it only recognised Mohammed Bazoum as the legitimate president of Niger and called for his immediate release, adding that all measures, including the use of force, will be taken if the demand is not met within one week.
Tinubu writes Nigerian senate
Following the 7-day ultimatum to Niger, President Bola Tinubu who doubles as the ECOWAS chairman, on August 4, wrote the Nigerian Senate seeking approval for military intervention in line with the earlier agreement reached at the extraordinary session of July 30.
His letter read:
“Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant. Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise. Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique. Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports.”
What does the Nigerian constitution say?
According to part II, section 5(4a – b) of the Nigeria constitution, (a) “the President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly, sitting in a joint session; and (b) “except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
“This means that for active external combat deployment, the president needs the consent of the National Assembly before deploying troops on combat duty in Niger,” Afolabi Adekaiyoja, researcher and political analyst tells Zikoko.
Senate turns down Tinubu’s request for military deployment
On August 5, a day after Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigeria’s military, the Nigerian Senate turned down his request and instead advised the president and ECOWAS to seek a political solution as opposed to military.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the resolution after the lawmakers returned to plenary. It read in part:
“The Senate calls on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen the political and diplomatic options and other means to resolve the political logjam in Niger Republic.
“The National Assembly supports ECOWAS leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in resolving the political situation in Niger and returning the country to a democratic governance in the nearest future.”
President Tinubu meets with governors of Nigerian states sharing border with Niger
President Tinubu’s decision to seek military intervention against Niger stirred mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some security experts sharing concerns about the negative impact on northwestern states sharing borders with Niger.
However, on August 6, President Tinubu in his capacity as ECOWAS chairperson met with the governors of the Nigerian states that share boundaries with Niger. The governors in attendance were Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Malam Buni (Yobe), Idris Nasir (Kebbi) and Dr Dikko Radda (Katsina). Details of the meeting were not made public.
How are Nigerians reacting?
President Tinubu and ECOWAS’ decision on military intervention has left many Nigerians divided and some prominent citizens have expressed strong reservations.
Ex-Abia State governor and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu called on the president to withdraw Nigeria’s membership from the ECOWAS and avoid unnecessary military action.
“We cannot go to war. This war is in our backyard. I plead with the president to listen to the voice of the Senate. The Senate has said no and I’m joining the Senate and I join the majority of Nigerians telling President Tinubu not to go to war for the sake of brotherhood and the sake of Africa.”
A pressure group, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders (SMBLF), equally urged the ECOWAS leadership to seek peaceful options to resolve the situation in Niger as opposed to taking military action. A communique read:
“We discourage the temptation to adopt military means to force the illegal government out of power. From our judgement, such a move will be resisted sternly by forces both within Niger and Nigeria.”
More reactions from Nigerians on social media.
It is very misleading when people try to frame a possible ECOWAS intervention in Niger as a Nigeria-Niger War. It is not. Anybody framing it this way is doing Nigerien junta propaganda work. PS. Nigeria and Niger have no reason to fight, except on the same side against ISWAP/BH.
As at today, Mr. Tinubu does not have the constitutional authority to deploy a single member of the Nigerian Armed Forces as part of the proposed ECOWAS Standby Force to invade Niger Republic.
It is not only when a state of war between Nigeria and another country is declared…
On August 11, a video surfaced on Twitter showing several Nigerians on the streets of Kano protesting against ECOWAS’ planned military action against Niger. Some of the protesters held placards while others chanted “Nigeriens are our brothers, Nigeriens are also our family,” “Niger is ours, we don’t want war, war against Niger is injustice, a plot by the western forces.”
People in Nigeria rally against military intervention in Niger.
Demonstrators chant "War against Niger is injustice" following West African bloc ECOWAS's activation order of its standby force ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/5W6OUojILa
Meanwhile, some Nigerians who live in Niger have called on the Federal Government to evacuate them from the country ahead of any intended military action. Speaking to the press, one of the individuals who has been working in Niger for over 10 years said: “The government should consider us in this issue; they should think of what will happen if these people take revenge on us and our businesses. We have been having a cordial relationship with them here but with this now, who knows what will happen to us and our businesses? All we want is for ECOWAS to take things easy.”
Another Nigerian who crossed the border to Borno state before the coup but still has relatives in Niger said: “Our relations now daily complain to us that life is becoming unbearable in Niger Republic and are appealing to the Federal Government to arrange their evacuation back to Nigeria before ECOWAS troops will move in.”
Does Nigeria have a history of sending military intervention to neighbouring countries in the past?
According to political analyst Adekaiyoja, “Nigeria has often led military efforts in the region, primarily through the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) forces. Nigeria was active in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and also had a navy team deployed to The Gambia when Yahya Jammeh refused to leave power after losing an election. Nigeria has one of the most active and well-trained troops on the continent — the challenge is that the army has been largely deployed domestically as well and there are seemingly intractable issues to address in the country.”
TRIGGER WARNING: This opinion piece covers sexual violence and social injustice
A Timeline of Silence: Why Does Sexual Violence Have Little Consequence?
Sexual violence against women is rampant. UNICEF says 1 in 4 Nigerian girls are victims before they even turn 18, and the back-to-back #StopRapingUs and #Justicefor- campaigns of 2020 uncovered just how much rape happens with impunity in our society.
It’s 2023, and UNICAL has re-called a professor to its faculty of law and re-elected him as Dean, despite unresolved allegations, including sexually assaulting a 20-year-old year student in his office on August 29, 2015. The school management suspended Cyril Osim Ndifon in 2015, only to warmly welcome him back to office in 2017, even though he was never exonerated by a court of law.
Six years later, he has returned to his original position of power.
This event pushed us to look into sexual violence allegations of the last two decades, to answer the question of how Nigeria responds to them. As we interrogate where various accused individuals are today, we discover a pattern that may enable such crimes, often letting them go scot-free without the thorough investigation, resolution or consequences they may deserve, and even punishing the accusers.
2000s to ’10s
Only a fraction of sex-related crimes make national news or trending lists on socials, and even less lead to convictions or legal acquittal. But when Godwin Okpara, a former professional footballer who was part of the Super Eagles team for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, was charged with raping his 13-year-old adopted daughter in 2005, he and his wife received a 13 and 15-year sentence respectively.
He received this sentence in France, as this is often not the case for similar offenders within Nigeria. Since his early release in 2012, he has re-entered Nigerian society, making football commentary in notable media and even criticising younger footballers, his status as a sex offender forgotten or seen as a minor setback rather than the fatal flaw it should be. Some reports of the story even misrepresent his adopted daughter as his maid.
He ended up arrested again in Ikeja in 2017, for physically assaulting his wife. The charges were dropped for lack of evidence despite the videos and photos taken by relatives who witnessed the crime. It’s giving us PTSD from the 2023 general elections, but that’s a story for another day. Meanwhile, Tina Okpara — the adopted daughter — will never forget her trauma at the hands of those who were supposed to take care of her.
Fast forward 12 years, to the set of Big Brother Naija: See Gobbe, and remember how Big Brother kicked Kemen off the show for groping TBoss while she was asleep. While we applaud the BBN organisers for the swift action, it remains curious that law enforcement never took up the case. Surely what Kemen did, and on live television too, is a crime, right? Apparently not, as the general public — including notable figures — went ahead to make jokes about it. Now, he’s everyone’s favourite celebrity trainer.
Before the concept of sex-for-grades made its Nigerian silver screen debut with Kiki Mordi’s award-winning documentary in 2019, the Nigerian police arrested, OAU professor and Anglican clergyman, Richard Akindele, for soliciting his student, Monica Osagie, in 2018. In 2020, he received three concurrent two-year jail sentences for four counts of sex-related crimes and walked free in 2022. We know OAU sacked him too, but not much else.
Emmanuel Adooh, a Covenant University student, accused the registrar and alumni association president, Dr Olumuyiwa Oludayo, of having affairs with female students. He was decrying his own expulsion from the faith-based school for having sex with his fellow students when he decided to expose them for being hypocrites. Female students came out on Twitter to support his claims with incriminating voice notes and text screenshots. Covenant University sacked Dr. Oludayo, and today, he is an HR consultant who hosts his own morning motivational show.
Later in 2021, an anonymous account popped up on Instagram. It uncovered members of Covenant University’s faculty who sexually harass students to varying degrees, using screenshots of texts as proof. While it’s not clear if they investigated these claims, the school released a statement saying they’d sacked all involved staff. One particular 41-year-old lecturer allegedly raped a 17-year-old student. Names weren’t provided, so it’s not clear if any of these people ever faced jail time.
On Twitter in 2019, two women accused furniture businessman, Michael Asiwaju AKA Mike Cash, of raping one of them. In 2015, he allegedly raped a Unilorin student but bribed his way out.
Source: Guardian Life
More allegations came out, painting the picture of a serial rapist. Michael’s response? He released nude photos and sex videos of his victims to prove they’d given him consent. The police remained inactive until he allegedly took his own life in a hotel room later in 2019.
The church, not to be outdone, has its own cases of sex allegations and scandals. In 2019, Busola Dakolo revealed that the popular pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA church, had raped her when she was 16. This came out after he denied he’d had an extramarital affair with Ese Walter in 2013. Of course, he denied the rape too. Busola received backlash despite the deluge of rape allegations from other women that followed.
She later took him to court to force an investigation from the authorities. But the court dismissed the case. The judge described it as “a frivolous suit”, “empty and purely sentimental” and ordered her to pay ₦1 million.
We still don’t know if Pastor Fatoyinbo is guilty or not, as the court didn’t even make an inquisition. However, his moral ambiguity hasn’t hindered him from being a spiritual leader to thousands, or the media from writing glowing reports about him.
Bisola Johnson accused an even more famous religious leader, Prophet TB Joshua, of holding her captive for 14 years. According to her, he regularly molested and raped her and other church members. Before the late prophet passed in 2021, he denied the allegations and discredited Bisola as unstable.
His church — the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) — released a video on their now-suspended YouTube channel. In it, Bisola begs for forgiveness for lying against him. According to church members, she always accuses the prophet and then denies it. Bisola spoke out again to say the prophet hypnotised her to make the video. She asserted that she wasn’t unstable and emphasised her stance against him. However, there is no evidence that the authorities ever investigated the case.
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The 2020s
As mentioned earlier, 2020 brought forth an onslaught of sex-related allegations. Was it D’banj whose accuser, Seyitan Babatayo, was kept in police custody for two days and threatened with a ₦1.5 billion suit until the case disappeared? He still sat as a judge of the hit singing show, Nigerian Idol, in 2022 and 2023. Or Brymo and Bollylomo, whose numerous accusations were swept under the rug in the classic Nigerian style of casual dismissal?
Let’s talk about the Twitter influencer, Comfort “Sansa” Oroboghene, accusing her fellow influencer ex-boyfriend, Tife Fabunmi, of being an abuser, blackmailer and rapist (and releasing her nudes). Tife released a public apology:
Source: Twitter
…then turned around to withdraw his apology in 2021, denying the accusations and threatening to take legal action against Sansa, in a since-deleted tweet. His Twitter account has also been deactivated as of the time of publishing.
The pandemic lockdown was both a health precaution and sex exposé catalyst. But none of the above accused have been investigated. Instead, the accusers were bullied and re-victimised into silence.
The many survivors of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, AKA Baba Ijesha, finally got some justice when he was convicted for sexual assault crimes dating back to 2013. Comedian, Damilola Adekoya, AKA Princess, whose 14-year-old adopted daughter is one of his survivors, reported him to the police in 2021. The next year, Baba Ijesha was sentenced to five years in prison, and the Lagos State Government officially listed him as a sex offender.
In 2022, Sahara Reporters published a news report about a father accusing an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). According to him, Oke Vincent, repeatedly molested his 17-year-old daughter while in custody at a police station in Enugu for five days without charge. The ASP still extorted money from him to secure her release.
The ASP ignored the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID)’s invitation and hasn’t been charged for his crimes. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume he’s continued on as an officer of the law since there’s no evidence to confirm or deny this.
The same year, Olugbenga Agboola, CEO and co-founder of Flutterwave, was accused of sexual abuse. Enquiries into the case got lost among more “grievous” financial misconduct — money laundering, insider trading, perjury — and it isn’t clear how it was resolved, if at all.
Then, Risevest co-founder and CEO, Eke Urum, was accused of sexual impropriety, among other things. But he was found culpable of everything else but sexual impropriety. While he had to step down as CEO, he’s been given a place on the board of directors.
We remember 2023 for starting on a rough note with the cash and fuel shortages of January and election palava of February. But before we knew drama was about to ensue, traditional news media focused on celebrity cancer oncologist Dr Femi Olaleye’s sexual abuse case. In September 2022, his wife took him to court for raping her 16-year-old niece for over a year, between 2020 and 2021. Kate Henshaw, a Nollywood veteran actress and one of his biggest former endorsers, has publicly reinforced the allegations against the doctor.
Dr Olaleye with Kate Henshaw. Source: TVC News
His response? A no-case submission, asking the court to dismiss the case. This is a man who routinely screens women’s most private areas for breast and cervical cancer. So the public should be relieved he’s been confined to Ikoyi Correctional Centre to await his trial, except he can make his ₦50 million bail.
He maintains his wife is setting him up, and the last public report of the case dates back to April 2023.
During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in April 2023, the topic of sexual crime and misconduct took over social media once more, but not for positive reasons. Details of Terdoo Bendega’s long history of sexual abuse were all over Twitter, and it seemed to be the perfect time for him to get his reckoning.
Between February and March, a female Twitter user shared evidence of how he’s filmed sex tapes without women’s consent, blackmailed and sold nudes since 2012 — over a decade ago. But between one survivor accusing the “whistleblower” of manipulation and the mystery surrounding Mr Terdoo’s current status, it’s not clear whether justice will ever be served.
On July 1, Twitter user @ozzyetomi tweeted about a woman who was stalked and harassed by her ex. Seven days later, said ex (TechNation ambassador, Funfere Koroye) attacked the woman in broad daylight, during a private but well-attended event at Rele Gallery, before concerned bystanders fended him off.
What followed was the online revelation that the woman had been in a physically abusive relationship with Funfere for two years, followed by two more years of stalking, harassment and threats. At least, three more people have since accused him of other forms of abuse, including rape.
The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency (DSVA) responded to the claims, promising to work with the affected woman to provide support, protection and justice. But there’s been no evidence that Funfere has been invited for questioning by any law enforcement agency so far.
Instead, between July 8 and 10, 2023, a female relative was relentlessly bullied on Twitter for not speaking up against the accused.
Hello @Koromone_K. Please call out your brother. Call Him out please. You call out men every other day. Your psychotic brother shouldn't be an exception. Except of course, you're an enabler
It’s great news that minors are likely to get justice for sexual violence committed against them. But it’s disheartening that adult women have faced backlash, high-profile defamation lawsuits and retaliatory police investigations instead of justice.
Public response is often: “You want to bring down a successful man”, forgetting that the “success” is what puts such men in the perfect position to abuse women without consequences. The big question is: why is there a notable difference in the way sex crime accusations are treated compared to murder, theft or financial crimes?
On the morning of May 27, 2023, 27- year old Amanda Fernanda packed her bags and left her home in the Benin Republic for a “relative’s” house in Makoko, Lagos.
She had just graduated from culinary school and felt she’d have more exposure and richer clients in Lagos. Her father advised that her “uncle”, a skilled caterer, would be the best person to train under.
Little did she know that she would never return home again. She was sent to Lagos not to be trained—but to be the third wife to a husband she didn’t know. She also didn’t know the relationship between her father and this man. As far as she was concerned, she was living with a stranger.
We sat opposite each other in a canoe on the murky, polluted waters of Oko Agbon Waterfront Community, Makoko, where she told me about her experiences as a “wife in hostage.” Amanda even had to cook up an excuse to leave her home and speak with us today.
Stock photo of Nigerian girl [UNICEF Nigeria/2017/Sokhin]
Wearing sadness on her face, Amanda shares, “From the moment I discovered that I was a wife and not a relative, I have been struggling to return home. The man that calls himself my husband has vowed that I cannot leave his house since he spent money on my head. And knowing who he is, he can scatter the whole of Lagos to find me.”
Aside from being an unchained prisoner in her ‘marital home’, Amanda complains about her husband’s treatment (of her) as a housemaid, the two senior wives and their cruelty, and the inability to access essential needs like food and water.
“I am the one that cooks and cleans for everyone in the house, but I am not allowed to eat their food. My husband says that my father has collected money from him. Hence, he doesn’t have the money to feed me. Even the dress I wear today is from my neighbour, not mine.”
Before Amanda can eat a meal now, she has to wash plates at local restaurants in exchange for money, ranging from N700-N800.
“I don’t know anyone here. I need someone that can give me enough money for transport to find my way out of here back home,” she cried.
“I escaped from his house after three days”
Unfortunately, Amanda isn’t the only victim of bride kidnapping in the community.
A 25-year-old lady named Gael also suffered a similar fate in June 2023—but “escaped from his house after three days.”
She currently resides in the Baale’s (community leader) stilt house on the water, where we had the chance to speak with Gael about her experience.
Gael, who has only been educated up to the junior high school level, was helping her mother sell female clothes when the incident happened.
With a furious voice, she narrated, “That morning, she sent me out of the shop on an errand. Five men ambushed me on the way and shouted, “This is our wife!” They hijacked me from the road and took me to my “husband’s” house. I’ve never seen or heard of this man before that day.”
During her stay, she blatantly refused to eat, shower or have a change of clothes. For her, she’d “rather die” than be kept “captive in a man’s house” under the guise of marriage. When she ran away, she had N8,000 in her pocket, which she used to buy new clothes for sale.
“Even if I wanted to get married before, I see no reason to do that now. I can’t live in Baale’s house forever and risk this kidnapper finding me. I rather focus on getting enough money through my business and get out of this community.”
A Culture of Bride-kidnapping in Makoko, Lagos
Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice in which a man abducts a woman for marriage. It also falls under the category of forced marriage, as the bride is unwilling to get married to the man in question.
According to a 2020 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, only a small proportion of cases of forced marriage come to the attention of police, with very few convictions. Women and girls affected by such crimes usually find it challenging to seek help and speak to authorities for fear of stigmatisation.
2023 will not be the first time the Oko Agbon community will experience bride kidnapping, as it is an ancient culture in the region.
In fact, there have been over twenty reported cases and many other unreported issues in the area over the last five years, according to Chief Hungbeji Daniel, the Baale of Oko Agbon Community.
Chief Hungbeji Daniel, the Baale of Oko Agbon Community. [Blossom Sabo/Zikoko Citizen]
The Baale says, “In 2011, the Lagos State government came to Oko Agbon and threatened to demolish the houses here if the bride kidnapping issue still continues. That’s the only reason why there aren’t as many cases as there once were before. And even then, we are not told of many cases.”
But despite this warning, the issue of bride kidnapping persists in the area. “Police and human rights organisations have come here countless times to threaten the people to stop this act, but it still continues. It’s so bad now that even when parents report these cases to the police, nothing is done. It’s almost as though we are on our own,” Baale shares.
One such parent is Pellagi Wenu, a 65-year-old single mother who has not set eyes on her daughter, Paula, since February 2023.
Pellagi Wenu, the mother of Paula, a lady who was bride kidnapped [Blossom Sabo/Zikoko Citizen]
According to Pellagi, Paula, a graduate of medicine, “just disappeared” on February 12. The man who abducted her later sent his parents to reassure her of her daughter’s safety, but she’s still not at peace. She wants to see her daughter again, as well as the man who has taken her.
With a sad demeanour, she says, “I hear my daughter on the phone every week, and she sounds like she’s doing okay, but this isn’t enough for me. I want to see my daughter again. And the man calling himself her husband should introduce himself to the family, not hide his face away.”
Is anything being done to stop this?
When Zikoko Citizen went to Adekunle Police Station, Panti, to inquire about these cases, the Superintendent, Joseph Peter, demanded a “tip” of N10,000 to release records of the incident. We refused to oblige.
We also called Comfort Agboko, the Lagos Zonal Commander of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), but she insisted that “our case was for the police, not them.”
What needs to be done to save the bride-napped girls?
Amanda and Gael, through Baale Hungbeji, have reported their cases to the police station in the Adekunle region, but they have yet to receive feedback.
And just like these two girls, several other reported issues of bride kidnapping in the Oko-Agbon community are yet to be resolved. These girls are calling to you for help. Who will save them?
Nigeria might be one of the deadliest places to live, as every day, you’re reminded that you can lose your life for avoidable reasons. Around 3 p.m. on August 1, 2023, an aircraft crash happened in Ikeja that left the four people aboard injured, and barely 6 hours after this incident, another heart-wrenching news hit the country. A Nigerian doctor—a house officer—Dr Vwaere Diaso, had died in an elevator accident at the Odan General Hospital, Lagos Island.
What happened?
According to her colleagues, Vwaere was on her way to pick up her food from the dispatch rider on the ground floor, but tragedy struck as she entered the elevator. The elevator suddenly crashed from the 9th floor down to the ground floor with a loud thud that resonated throughout the hospital.
Doctor dies in Elevator Crash at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.
A female Doctor who recently graduated from Babcock University currently on House-manship with 2 more weeks for Completion has died in an Elevator Crash from 10th Floor at General Hospital, Odan Lagos Island pic.twitter.com/mLM2s1x3o4
Although she survived the crash, albeit with severe injuries and fractures, it took the hospital management about one hour to rescue her from the accident scene. Also, she wasn’t given timely medical attention due to a delayed response from the hospital’s anaesthesia team and a shortage of blood and oxygen.
However, this sad accident could have been avoided entirely. There have been numerous reports and complaints dating back to 2020 regarding the faulty state of the elevator.
Many doctors also recounted their experiences of being stuck in the elevator more than once, but despite these complaints, there was no action by the hospital’s management.
And this act of negligence has now taken the life of a young doctor who was two weeks away from completing her horsemanship.
Has the hospital’s management responded?
On August 2, 2023, many of Dr Vwaere’s colleagues and other medical practitioners kicked off a protest to demand that justice be served. Still, until now, we’ve seen the management and the government respond in a way that’s far from acceptable.
In one of the videos from the protests, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Abiola Aduke Mafe, was reportedly seen advising the aggrieved doctors to “mourn meaningfully”. Another video showed Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos state, attributing the elevator accident to “a spiritual arrow”, which not only makes a mockery of the situation but also absolves the hospital from taking responsibility for their negligence.
If they explain Nigeria to you and you understand, they didn’t explain well 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/ooJprc5UMZ
— Big Mips; not the lil one 🦋🧚🏾 (@_funmbi) August 2, 2023
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, shared his condolences on his Twitter page and disclosed that an investigation will be conducted into the cause of the elevator’s mechanical failure.
As expected, many medical practitioners, especially house officers, are particularly disturbed by this accident, as it’s a stark reminder of the unsafe conditions they face while practising in Nigeria. Zikoko Citizen contacted some doctors, who shared their thoughts on the situation.
What the doctors said:
Williams* is a house officer and a colleague of Dr. Vwaere at Odan General Hospital. During our conversation with him, it was clear that he was heartbroken by the recent news, especially since he knew the late doctor and had considered taking the elevator just hours before the accident happened.
He says, “If I’m to describe this in one word, it’d be inhumane. This government sees us as trash; every time we bring forward complaints, they sweep it under the rug and threaten to take away our licence, and now our fellow doctor is dead”.
Williams* reveals that the elevator was installed in 2017, and its issues started about a week after its installation, but despite this, no one certified the elevator unsafe. “We won’t blame anyone for using the elevator because engineers frequently came to service it and claimed it was okay for use”. He adds that several official complaints were made to the management, but nothing was done. He says, “We need to know the company in charge of servicing the elevator and who they report to at the Odan General Hospital because that person should be held responsible for this accident”.
Another jarring revelation from our conversation with Williams* is how the lack of immediate medical intervention contributed to Dr. Vwaere’s death. Williams* shared, “There was no blood in our hospital, and when we went to the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital (LIMH) just across from us, they also had no blood”. For those who don’t know, Odan General Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Nigeria. A shortage of blood and oxygen there reflects the crippling state of Nigeria’s health sector. “She couldn’t get pain medications or analgesics, and eventually, she passed away. The system we’re working to save lives for doesn’t care about us”.
As mentioned earlier, there have been protests to demand justice for Vwaere. The protests were held at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and the Health Service Commission (HSC). The HSC is in charge of employing doctors in general hospitals around Nigeria.
VIDEO: Solidarity walk for the late Dr Vwaere Diaso as doctors protest death of colleague in hospital elevator. pic.twitter.com/9zL8SlXBos
Williams* also participated in the protest and told us, “We locked the general hospital’s main gates, some offices, the gates to the HSC, and the LIMH admin building. We can’t allow this to be swept under the rug; we can’t afford to let that happen.”
However, according to him, there’s a general lack of accountability from the management, as they’ve refused to disclose the names of the elevator maintenance company and their superiors. He also notes the disturbing attitude of the hospital’s administrative workers towards the ongoing situation, as one allegedly said, “Is she the first to die?”.
Notwithstanding, Williams* and other house officers insist that justice must be served, and those responsible should be arrested. He firmly states, “As far as I’m concerned, this is manslaughter because they were informed.”
Williams* demands that their complaints regarding the hospital’s infrastructure be addressed because, most times, they return to hostels without electricity after a hard day’s work. This is in addition to the troubling fact that many house officers, himself included, have been working for about three months now without pay. “We need to ensure that something like this never happens again. It’s not until someone dies.” He also touches on the critical issue of blood availability in the country, stating, “It’s a known fact that there’s a blood issue in Nigeria. There should be blood banks and emergency blood transfusion services.”
Also speaking on this incident is Dr. Olemgbe, who reiterates the points laid out by Williams*. He says, “Our work environments remain unsafe, and the lack of accountability is alarming. This incident, alongside a historical backdrop, reaffirms that doctors stand as endangered species in Nigeria, facing political, social, and workplace challenges”. According to Dr. Olemgbe, reforms must be put in place to ensure the safety of doctors while also creating a system that provides support and accountability.
These instances demonstrate that sometimes the increase in migration for doctors isn’t just for financial reasons but also to ensure a better and safer quality of life. And Nigeria will continue to experience a massive brain drain, especially in the healthcare sector. Dr. Olemgbe drives home this point by stating, “Doctors won’t migrate if our voices are heard and our lives are truly valued. Let this tragedy propel us towards a safer, more just future for healthcare in Nigeria.”
Nigeria is a country with a rich history and culture, but it is also a country with many challenges.
There have been conversations about the kind of Nigeria Nigerians want. We once believed in Vision 2020—the once-upon-a-time “strategic” deadline for Nigeria to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world. Where in the world are we now?
While Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa by GDP, we are in the 30th position among the 2023 largest economies in the world. We failed to meet the vision set for 2020. Critics continue to argue that one of the reasons Vision 2020 failed is that the target was way too ambitious, considering the country’s acute developmental challenges and huge dependency on oil.
On May 3, 2023, we also had former President Muhammadu Buhari launch a new national development plan, the Nigeria Agenda 2050, looking ahead to creating over 150 million jobs by 2050. Critics have also pointed out that this agenda lacks a proper action strategy.
While the government is working more on improving the state of the economy, there’s a popular desire beyond that—economics and finances—for everyday people. It’s multi-layered.
Some Nigerians dream of a Nigeria where everyone has equal opportunity, regardless of background. They want a country where hard work and determination are rewarded and where everyone has the chance to succeed.
Others dream of a Nigeria that is more independent and self-sufficient. They want a country that is not reliant on foreign aid and that can stand on its own two feet.
Of course, there is no single answer to the question of what kind of Nigeria Nigerians want. But the comments of some Nigerians (Bimbo, Laolu, Bridget, and Favour), shared with Zikoko Citizen, provide a glimpse into Nigerians’ hopes and aspirations for their country.
A Nigeria that is independent and self-sufficient
“I want a Nigeria that is independent. A Nigeria that people from all over come to for vacation. In the medical community, a Nigeria where people are referred to our hospitals worldwide because we are the best.” — Bimbo
Bimbo’s comments reflect the desires of people with access to healthcare services. Nigeria’s healthcare system is truly not applaudable and needs urgent attention. The issue of Brain Drain is a concern as many healthcare professionals seek greener pastures in other countries. As for the major health facilities, it’s not world-class for anyone to seek treatment in Nigeria, which could also help generate revenue.
A Nigeria where the son of nobody can become somebody
“When I dream of the Nigeria I want, I want a country where the child of a nobody can become somebody through sheer tenacity, hard work, and just a lick of luck. A place where good government policies favour industry and there are job opportunities for everyone everywhere, regardless of educational backgrounds.” — Laolu
Laolu’s comment about good government policies favouring industry reflects the desire of many Nigerians for a more prosperous and self-sufficient country. They believe Nigeria has the potential to be a major economic power but needs to make some fundamental changes to achieve its full potential.
A Nigeria that is more tolerant and accepting of diversity
“I want a Nigeria that’s way less religious.” — Bridget
Bridget’s comment about a less religious Nigeria reflects some Nigerians’ desire for a more secular society. They believe Nigeria’s religious diversity should be celebrated and that no one religion should influence the government or the people in making decisions that will impact everyone.
“When I think about what a better Nigeria would look like for me, I think of a Nigeria where there is truly the rule of law, where people and the government are held accountable for their actions. I would like to see a Nigeria with a better economy, where workers are properly compensated and can afford to live debt free.” — Favour
Our partner, LEAP Africa, has also unveiled “The Nigeria We Want” Report, highlighting feedback from young people across the six geo-political zones for a prosperous federal nation where everyone in every generation is secure, free, happy, and dignified.
Through its youth engagement, advocacy, and grant-giving programme, the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, they’ve disbursed grants totalling $400,000 to 130 individuals and organisations, comprising action grants, development grants, and individual grants that are designed to support initiatives in the civic participation space. Download the report here.
The Nigeria of Nigerians’ dreams is a country where everyone has equal opportunity, where hard work is rewarded, where people of all faiths and sexual orientations can live together in peace, and where tranquilly is essential. It is a country where the potential of its people can be fully realised and where Nigeria can take its rightful place as a leading nation in the world.
Do dreams like this come true?
Only time will tell if dreams like these come true. But one thing is for sure: Nigerians, especially young people, are determined to make their dreams a reality. They are resilient people with a strong sense of hope who will not give up until they have achieved their goals.
Tinubu’s policy approval rating is 2x Buhari’s, according to new approval rating data, from intelligence company Stears.
(Press Release) LAGOS, Nigeria – August 2nd, 2023. The newly introduced Stears Approval Rating (SAR) reveals that despite multiple policy changes, President Bola Tinubu’s policies have received twice as many approvals from respondents compared to those of the previous administration.
Stears conducted a statistically significant, state-wide poll to understand public sentiment in the wake of a storm of policy reforms implemented by the current administration. The inaugural Stears Approval Rating sampled 519 respondents across Lagos’ 20 local government areas.
The SAR is built from responses to 25 questions about socioeconomic policies, living conditions, institutional trust and voter status. Interviews were conducted in English, Pidgin English, and Yoruba, and lasted an average of 10 minutes.
“After Stears’ proprietary estimation model correctly predicted the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections, we wanted to continue to build on the application of data in governance and beyond. Particularly, we’re excited about how the SAR captures subtle fluctuations in consumer sentiment,” explains Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Economist at Stears.
Senior Governance Analyst, Joachim MacEbong, expressed the importance of paying attention to the survey results. He stated, “The Stears survey offers a valuable glimpse into the concerns of Nigerians, and it is clear that urgent action is needed to ease the cost burdens on citizens. Our poll showed that 42% of Lagosians are pessimistic while 32% said they were optimistic about the country’s direction.”
Figure 1.1
President Tinubu wins over Buhari’s disaffected.
When asked what they think of the social and economic policies of both the current administration and the past Buhari administration, only 12% approve of the previous administration’s policies, while 50% disapprove. For the current administration, 27% approve, with 33% disapproval. The 50% disapproval of the previous administration’s policies indicates its policy missteps.
Figure 1.2
Petrol subsidy removal
The removal of the petrol subsidy, which saw Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) go from ₦185/litre to ₦490/litre in Lagos overnight, is less popular. 58% disapprove, with only 32% approving of the decision. Stears completed data collection before the increase from ₦490/litre to ₦568/litre.
Figure 1.3
The foundation of three Indices
Based on the data collected for the Stears Approval Rating, Stears built three indices; The Approval Rating Index spotlights the public’s approval of implemented and potential future policies, Stears Confidence Score gauges trust in institutions, which is essential for mobilising citizens, and finally,, the Consumer Expectations Index is used to track how optimistic consumers are about the future, indicative of their future spending.
71% of respondents believe they will live better in a year.
Stears used responses to questions about future expectations and Nigeria’s direction to construct the Consumer Expectations Index. Most (59%) feel worse off than they did a year ago. The silver lining is that 71% of respondents think they will be doing better in a year.
Figure 1.4
We used a normalised scale of 0 (low expectations) to 100 (high expectations), and the Consumer Expectations Index score was 63. This index is designed to inform decision-makers about how optimistic consumers feel about the future.
“What we’ve done in Lagos lays the groundwork for more comprehensive indices that we plan to build from our data collection efforts in Africa soon. We continue to demonstrate how business leaders and policymakers alike can use data to understand what comes next before it happens,” said Yvette Dimiri, Director of Stears Insights.
The Stears Policy Approval team is multidisciplinary, with leadership from Joachim MacEbong and Tokunbo Afikuyomi. The team combines technical expertise across economics and governance alongside gold-standard data collection, analysis and visualisation.
For access to the complete Stears policy approval report, please visit stears.co.
——————-
ABOUT STEARS:
For global organisations investing in African markets, Stears is the data and insights provider that enables quick, accurate decisions for financial and operational opportunities. Stears users access data from various sources, economic forecasts, and constantly-updated analyses. Stears goes beyond just data to provide insights and context based on knowledge of local markets.
Yesterday, on August 1, 2023, an aircraft accident occurred around Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos state.
What happened?
A single-engine aircraft (Jabiru J430) with the registration number “5NCCQ AJ4-30” crashed into the road in front of the United Bank of Africa, Oba Akran branch, and burst into flames. This happened around 3 p.m.
Four people—two crew members and two passengers—were aboard the Air First Hospitality & Tours-operated aircraft, which was departing from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, on a test flight.
Source: Twitter/@EMUjiadughele
However, no lives were lost as the aircraft was being closely followed by an escort vehicle, which arrived at the accident scene on time and provided first aid.
What caused the accident?
According to the air control tower, the aircraft’s unintentional collision with a light pole while attempting an emergency landing was what caused the accident.
How did the government respond?
Around 4 p.m., a Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) team arrived at the scene to transfer the injured passengers to a hospital. The area was sealed off to prevent a secondary accident.
Other emergency responders that arrived at the scene were the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The NSIB is solely responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in Nigeria, and they already released a statement soliciting information like videos and pictures to aid their investigation.
An accident similar to this happened three years ago, on August 28, 2020, but sadly, this time, the three people on board all lost their lives.
Source: BBC
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Bell 206 helicopter with the registration number’ 5N BQW,’ belonging to Quorum Aviation. The helicopter was on a flight from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before it crashed into a residential building in Opebi, Lagos State.
Eventually, reports from the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) showed that the pilot’s disregard for best practices and the lack of fuel were to blame for the accident.
In Nigeria, the nation’s land force arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces is known as the Nigerian Army. Since its inception in 1863, it has been known for both challenges and achievements—from successful terrorist raids to the most inhumane human rights abuses.
Soldiers gesture while standing on guard during Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri on June 17, 2021. Photo by Audu Marte/AFP via Getty Images
But how did they get here? What’s the Nigerian Army origin story? How have they evolved time?
To answer these questions, we need to take you all the way back to 1862.
The Pre-Colonial Era
“Glover’s Hausas” And the Rise of Constabularies
The first mention of an armed force in Nigeria dates back to June 1, 1863.
On this day, a unit of 80 former slaves was established by the then Administrator of the Lagos Colony, Lt. John Glover. This was during his trip back to Lagos from Jebba in Kwara State, where he had a shipwreck. Their crew became known as the Hausa Constabulary (a police force covering a particular area or city).
The Hausa Contingent, Under Major J.A. Burdon, Took Part in the Jubilee Procession [Elliott and Fry/Pinterest]
Sir John Hawley Glover (1829-1885) [Heritage. nf.ca]
A detachment of the Hausa constabulary was assigned for their first military operation in the Asante War of 1873-74 on the Gold Coast (Ghana).
The Gold Coast Constabulary of 1873 [Great War Forum]
This was because the Gold Coast once administered the Lagos colony. The detachment was deployed at Elmina and would later form the Gold Coast Constabulary in 1879, giving rise to the Ghana Army and Police.
As for the remainder of the Hausa Constabulary, they became recognised as the Lagos Constabulary in 1879 due to a formal ordinance by a new administrator, Sir Alfred Moloney.
Sir Alfred Moloney [Find A Grave]
But the Hausa and Lagos Constabularies would not be the only ones created.
There were other constabularies too
In 1886, following the 1885 proclamation of a British protectorate over the “Oil Rivers” of Eastern Nigeria, the Oil Rivers Irregulars (made up primarily of Igbos) came into existence.
During the same year, the Royal Niger Company Constabulary was created as the private militia for the Royal Niger Company (RNC) and became the Northern Nigeria Regiment. The Royal Niger Constabulary set up its Headquarters at Lokoja.
Hausa Soldiers, members of the Royal Niger Constabulary in 1895 [Asiri/Getty Images]
In 1891, the Oil Rivers Irregulars were rechristened the Niger Coast Constabulary (NCC) as a result of a change of province name from “Oil Rivers Protectorate” to “Niger Coast Protectorate.”
It was later regularised in 1893 under the command of British officers based at Calabar and formed the Southern Nigeria Regiment. It is here that we first know that the indigenes of the NCC force were made up of “one-third Yorubas and two-thirds Hausas”. The Yoruba component was a result of indigenes that were captured from previous wars in Yorubaland.
From 1893-1897, these constabularies would continue to exist separately until war made the British rethink their military strategies.
The Creation of the West African Frontier Force
France’s invasion of Ilo in the Borgu emirate in 1897 forced the British to make plans for military conflict, as they perceived the French invasion as a means of halting their trade relations.
Hence, the first battalion of the West African Field Force was created by Colonel Lugard on August 26, 1897. It expanded from a core of draftees drawn initially from the Royal Niger Company Constabulary. Two additional battalions, the 2nd and 3rd, were created in 1898.
They argued that one central military force would lead to better coordination, an economy of force, and military efficiency in the scramble for West Africa.
This resulted in the establishment of a committee under Lord Selborne that formally separated Police (irregular) from Military (regular) functions.
It also consolidated all colonial forces—the Lagos Constabulary, the Gold Coast Constabulary, the Niger Coast Constabulary, the Royal Niger Company Constabulary, and the West African Field Force—into what became known as the West African Frontier Force under an Inspector General.
In January 1896, a “Lagos Police Force” was created, separated from the more military “Lagos (Hausa) Constabulary.” Subsequently, as part of the new Frontier Force arrangements, in 1901, the “Lagos (Hausa) Constabulary” formally became known as the Lagos Battalion, West African Frontier Force.
The remnants of the Niger Coast Constabulary and the Royal Niger Company Constabulary companies were merged to form the Calabar Battalion, West African Frontier Force.
The Split of the Northern and Southern Nigeria Regiments
In late 1899, the Niger Coast Constabulary, the 3rd Battalion West Africa Field Force, and the Royal Niger Company Constabulary were merged to form what became known in early 1900 as the Southern Nigeria Regiment, West African Frontier Force.
In May 1900, the consolidation of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the West African Field Force and Royal Niger Constabulary companies based in Northern Nigeria, led to the formation of the Northern Nigeria Regiment, West African Frontier Force, under Lugard.
The Gold Coast Regiment, West African Frontier Force, was not formed until August 1901. The Gambia Company, The Sierra Leone Battalion, and the West African Frontier Force were not formed until November 30, 1901. Therefore, the Southern and Northern Nigeria Regiments were senior to the others in order of precedence.
Colonial Era
The Origin of Present-Day Battalion Names
Due to the amalgamation of January 1914, the Southern Nigeria Regiment was merged with the Northern Nigeria Regiment to form one Nigeria Regiment, the West African Frontier Force.
Remembering the soldiers of the West African Force [Norwich Art Gallery]
From this point on, the various colonial battalions (initially comprised of eight companies each) took on new designations with specific numbers, which they have retained to this day, with minor modifications:
The 1st Battalion of 1914 was the former 1st Bn. Northern Nigeria Regiment.
The 2nd Battalion of 1914 was the former 2nd Bn. Northern Nigeria Regiment.
The 3rd Battalion of 1914 was the former 3rd Bn. Northern Nigeria Regiment.
The 4th Battalion of 1914 was the former 2nd Bn., Southern Nigeria Regiment (and thus the former Lagos Battalion, former Lagos Constabulary, former Hausa Constabulary, former Hausa Militia (or Guard) and original “Glover’s Hausas.”)
The 5th Battalion of 1914 was the former 1st Battalion, Southern Nigeria Regiment.
Various re-designations have occurred since then. However, the 4th Battalion retained its number as part of The Nigeria Regiment.
The Legacy of the 4th Battalion
During World War 1, when the number of battalions was expanded to nine, it was known as the 4th Regiment, West African Frontier Force. This was attached to the King’s Lancaster Regiment.
In 1920, after the war, the number of battalions was reduced to four but then expanded to five, several years later. The West African Frontier Force became the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1928.
Headdress of the Royal West African Frontier Force [Military Sun Helmets]
Prior to World War II, the unit was known as the 4 Bn, Nigeria Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force. During World War 2, it was known as the 4th Battalion Nigerian Rifles.
The last colours of the RWAFF used were reportedly presented in 1952 by Sir John Stuart Macpherson, GCMS, then the Governor General of Nigeria. The colours were retired in 1960, when Nigeria became independent, and remain preserved in the Battalion Officers’ Mess to this day.
The Nigeria Regiment became The Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment, the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1956, the Royal Nigerian Army in 1960, and The Nigerian Army in 1963 (when Nigeria became a republic).
Independence Era
The Effects of the Nigerian Civil War on the Army
The Nigerian army’s troops rapidly expanded with the start of the Nigerian Civil War (or Biafra War) in 1967. Troops of 8,000 in five infantry battalions and supporting units rose to around 120,000 in three divisions by the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
Soldiers in the Nigerian Civil War [Peter Williams/Wikipedia]
This also led to an extreme shortage of commissioned officers for the right positions. Newly created lieutenant-colonels commanded brigades, and platoons and companies were commanded by sergeants and warrant officers. The effect of this was the 1967 Asaba Massacre, which led to the murder of 1,000 civilians of Igbo descent.
At the end of the war, the Nigerian Army was reorganised into four divisions, with each controlling territory running from North to South to deemphasise the former regional structure. Each division thus had access to the sea, thereby making triservice cooperation and logistical support easier.
The Impact
Later, sectors for the divisions took its place in place of the 1973 deployment formula.
The Nigerian Army, as of 2019, consists of 223,000 enlisted personnel. The Nigerian Army Council (NAC) oversees the army itself.
It is organised into combat arms, which are infantry and armoured. The combat support arms are artillery, engineers, signals, and intelligence. The Combat support services, which comprise the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, supply and transport, ordinance, and finance. Others include the military police, physical training, chaplains, public relations, and the Nigerian Army Band Corps.
The 1 Division is allocated to the North West sector with its headquarters in Kaduna. The 2 Division has HQ at Ibadan South West Sector, the 3 Division has HQ at Jos North East Sector; and the 82 Division has HQ at Enugu South East Sector.
Nigerians continue to struggle with the current economic situation. From fuel subsidy removal that caused an increase in fuel prices to be at an all time high to the foreign exchange not being favourable for the Naira. In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on August 2, 2023.
But to lighten hope among Citizens, on Monday, July 31, President Bola Tinubu addressed Nigerians. And in his speech, he acknowledged that the new reforms and policies are responsible for the current hardship, but he assured everyone that these measures will eventually lead to joy for all.
But in the meantime, palliative measures will be implemented to make the lives of Nigerians easier, and these measures include:
More support for small businesses
The government recognises the role of small businesses and the informal sector in driving growth; the president pledged ₦125 billion to fund Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
Of this fund, ₦50 billion in grants will be given to 1 billion nano businesses between now and March 2024, and ₦50,000 each will be given to 1,300 nano business owners across the 774 local governments around the country. Also, a proposed fund of ₦74 billion is offered to support 100,000 SMEs and start-ups. Lastly, entrepreneurs can get loans between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million with a maximum interest rate of 9% annually and a repayment period of 36 months.
Infrastructure fund to help states
Tinubu’s speech also revealed that an Infrastructure Support Fund has been approved and will be available to all states. This support fund will target improving the living conditions of Nigerians and other pain points such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Provision of affordable transportation
With the fuel subsidy removal, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the cost of public transportation, and to bring relief in this area, the federal government has plans to spend ₦100 billion purchasing 3000 twenty-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled buses between now and March 2024.
These buses will be distributed across local governments and states to provide a more affordable transport option for Nigerians.
Support for farming and stabilisation of food prices
Recently, we’ve been dealing with many fluctuations in the prices of goods, especially food items. And to deal with this, the government plans to ensure the affordability of food, particularly staple items like rice, by releasing 200,000 metric tonnes of grains to households across the country. Also, 225,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser and seedlings will be provided to farmers to guarantee our food security.
Lastly, the agriculture sector will be further supported with ₦200 billion to ensure the food security plan of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land and all-year planting remains on course.
New national minimum wage
A new minimum wage has been the topic of discussion for a while now. And in the speech, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the federal government has been in talks with the labour unions over introducing a new minimum wage. He also promised that workers would have a salary review once a decision had been made, along with necessary budget adjustments.
The manufacturing sector will be strengthened
The president informed us that four executive orders have been signed to suspend and defer certain taxes to boost the manufacturing sector. Additionally, there are plans to allocate ₦75 billion over the next nine months to support 75 manufacturing businesses, each with the potential to enhance economic productivity and growth.
Barely three weeks after Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, promised to not tolerate coups in West Africa under his leadership as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he’s faced with his first major test.
On July 26, 2023, news of an ongoing military coup in the Niger Republic sent the world into a frenzy, with it being tagged as the “latest coup in Africa”. Soldiers of the presidential guard had detained the president, Mohamed Bazoum, in his palace in Niamey; initially, the coup was met with resistance by other military units until they supported it to “avoid bloodshed”.
In the latest developments about the coup, on Friday, July 28, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, declared himself the head of the transitional government, which he called “The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland”.
How did all this start?
The Niger Republic is no stranger to military takeovers, as this would be the fifth successful coup since its independence from France in 1960. As always, the coup plotters justify their actions with claims of poor governance, insecurity, corruption, and overall incompetence by the democratic government.
So far, the military has announced the closure of all land and air borders, the suspension of all institutions, and a nationwide curfew.
In a statement on July 30, 2023, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military group in Niger, demanding the restoration of President Muhammed Bazoum to office. They also threatened to take all necessary measures, including “using force”, to restore Niger’s democratic rule. If implemented, this would be the first time ECOWAS has considered using military power to reverse a military coup.
However, in the meantime, the following sanctions have been put on Niger to pressure the military government:
Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger
Establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger
Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS countries and Niger
Freezing of all assets of Niger in the ECOWAS Central Bank and parastatals in commercial banks
Suspension of all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions within ECOWAS countries
Travel bans on all military officials and their families involved in the coup attempt, not excluding anyone who accepts a position in the military government.
What Does It Mean for West Africa’s Fight Against Terrorism?
More insecurity
For a long time, Niger has been very instrumental in fighting Islamic insurgents and militants in the West African Sahel region. Western countries have supported and served as critical partners in the fight against Islamic insurgents with their resources. For instance, the United States says it has spent around $500 million to boost the country’s security, and it also has a robust military presence in Niger. And France has also used Niger as its base for counter-insurgency troops for about a decade.
However, the recent coup will likely result in instability worsening the fragile security state, which could worsen and lead to consequences affecting Nigeria.
Regional unrest
Before the recent military takeover, Niger served as an example of relative democratic stability in West Africa’s Sahel region, especially compared to its neighbouring countries, Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso, which have experienced coups since 2020.
But this troubling new development might indicate the growing political instability and dissatisfaction in the region and give way to even more attempted coups.
Tinubu’s response to addressing this issue matters as it can garner favour with international bodies amidst lingering concerns about his presidential legitimacy. And so far, his swift intervention has been met with interesting responses, as former President Muhammadu Buhari recently commended him for his decisive action.
Let’s say you’re President Bola Tinubu. You inherit a central bank that has lost its way under the leadership of its governor, Godwin Emefiele, who made life hard for the average Nigerian. For instance, his mismanagement of the Ways and Means advance, where he printed and recklessly advanced money to the government, contributed to inflation. As the new guy, you’ve had enough of him and decided to suspend him.
So far—DSS detainment of Emefiele aside—everything seems textbook. Until you decide to appoint someone to probe everything the CBN has done. The appointee is a man with a controversial history—a man whose name is Jim Osayande Obazee.
Who is Jim Obazee?
Obazee was born on March 28, 1965. He’s from Edo state. He is an accounting graduate from the University of Benin and holds a master’s degree in the same course from the University of Lagos. Obazee is also a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management and the American Accounting Association. He holds a certificate in strategic financial analysis for business evaluation from Harvard University.
Obazee was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) between 2010 and 2017. The FRC was formerly the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board (NASB). It sets the accounting standards used in Nigeria. In January 2017, he was sacked by President Buhari. It’s here that things get very interesting.
What controversy has Obazee found himself in?
In 2017, The Cable reported on Obazee, describing him as the “man of controversies.” Going back to 2013, he was accused of sexual harassment by his then-personal assistant. The complainant wrote a letter to the FRC describing how Obazee professed his love for her even though she was married. She claimed he transferred and eventually sacked her when she refused his advances. He defended her sack by claiming the complainant had a “history of poor performance at work.”
Obazee has also sparred with influential people. These include the former CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi, whom he recommended for the sack due to financial recklessness. Based on the recommendation, former President Jonathan sacked Sanusi in 2014.
Obazee also took on the founder of Stanbic IBTC bank, Atedo Peterside. In 2015, the FRC suspended Peterside’s FRC number and those belonging to senior bank officials over financial infractions. The FRC also imposed a ₦1 billion fine on the bank.
In 2016, Obazee squared off against Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The faceoff had to do with a directive that demanded heads of not-for-profit organisations step down after twenty years in office. This led Adeboye to step down while naming Joshua Obayemi as head of the RCCG in Nigeria while he remained General Overseer worldwide. Buhari fired Obazee and reconstituted the FRC board in 2017 due to the controversy this issue caused.
What does Tinubu want from Obazee?
According to Sahara Reporters, Obazee received his appointment letter dated July 28. The immediately effective appointment will see Obazee report directly to the president. Part of the letter reads, “You are to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent, and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment. I shall expect a weekly briefing on the progress being made.”
What have reactions to his appointment been like?
There have been mixed reactions to his appointment. Some have asked whether a thorough vetting process was conducted before the appointment.
Others say the appointment was the right call.
In any case, the next few weeks will be interesting to watch. The President and Emefiele will—for different reasons—be looking forward to learning what Obazee uncovers.
Three significant events stood out this week in Nigeria. Depending on how you look at them, they elicited reactions ranging from sheer outrage to ineffable joy. For Navigating Nigeria, we’ll take you through the rollercoaster moments that made this week memorable as July comes to a close.
Our journey begins in Nigeria’s Red Chamber, the Senate.
Akpabio’s gaffe
While Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, may have reached the apex of his political career, it seems he is still looking to outdo himself by how deep in trouble he can put himself in. We haven’t forgotten his public confession when as the Minister of the Niger Delta, he fingered members of the House of Representatives (HOR) whom he claimed benefitted from some lucrative contracts. It took the intervention of one of them on live TV to beg Akpabio to “off his mic” to stop him from incriminating everyone.
Akpabio, described as an “uncommon” senator, has promised to run an uncommon Senate. As he’s learning rather quickly, uncommon can become unpopular in a jiffy. In a viral video from a plenary session during the week, Akpabio asked the Senate to vote on a prayer to “let the poor breathe”. The manner of delivery, which appeared to be mocking, didn’t sit well with Nigerians. They lashed out at the uncommon senator.
The office of the Senate President had to issue a press release. It clarified that it was a “harmless statement” based on a motion moved by another senator to halt the electricity tariff hike.
Nigerians aren’t smiling during this period. The last thing they need is a legislature that makes fun of their plight. Let’s hope Akpabio has learned his lesson.
Tinubu’s ministerial list
President Tinubu’s ministerial list finally reached the public and was met with mixed reactions. Early observations indicated that the list had just 28 names. The names were also weighted in favour of career politicians ahead of technocrats. No portfolios were attached to them either, which is unusual. Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said it was intentional. Here’s how he explained it to the press:
“So many of these things have merits and demerits, advantages and disadvantages. I like the idea of attaching portfolios. I do because it makes it necessary for the Senate to know exactly what you’re asking and looking for.
But for now, it’s been thought wise that we stick to the tradition of sending the names and then, while the screening processes are going on, allow Mr. President and his team to look at the portfolios and the characters and see how they fit.
The first step that he has done is that these people can work wherever you put them. Except in specialized fields like attorney general and what have you. But in the main time, he believes most of them can fit in anywhere.”
Constitutional lawyer, Festus Ogun, isn’t having any of that.
[Osinachi Ohale and Onome Ebi celebrate at the full-time whistle. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]
By the time you read this, at least two days will have elapsed since the events of that heroic night on July 27 in Brisbane, Australia. Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons, beat Australia with a 3-2 score at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Football unites Nigerians more than anything, and for those 100+ minutes of that engaging contest, Nigerians went through all the motions together.
The match stats tell an exciting story.
For the most part, the Australians had control of the ball and dominated early proceedings. Nigeria, which had a solid defense for most of the game, conceded first in the 45th minute. The atmosphere was rapturous, and it looked like we would head into half-time with a loss. But the antifragile Super Falcons had different ideas.
In what was effectively the last kick of the first half after 5 minutes of added time, Uchenna Kanu scored a wonderful goal—a combination of good play and a fortuitous deflection. Cue the reactions from Nigerians halfway across the world.
By the second half, our ladies were amped. In the 65th minute, our star striker, Asisat Oshoala, was introduced to the pitch. You could hear the palpable silence in the stadium, almost as if the Australians could foretell the pain that was to come.
Osinachi Ohale put us ahead a minute later, despite getting a heavy knock in the process.
2-1, Nigeria.
Oshoala tormented the Australian backline and got her reward in the 72nd minute after a mixup in the Australian defense allowed her to score a brilliant goal from a wide angle. Taking off her shirt in celebration may have earned her a yellow card, but the iconic celebration will live long in the memory of Nigerians.
3-1, Nigeria.
[Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria celebrates after scoring her team’s third goal. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)]
Her goal made her the first African woman to score at three World Cups. She previously scored in 2019 and 2015. And while the Australians managed to pull one back deep into stoppage time, Nigeria, led by coach Randy Waldrum, emerged triumphant with three goals and three points.
3:2, Nigeria. FT.
The result leaves us at the top of the table and in a good position to make the next round. A draw in our last game against already-eliminated Ireland would be enough. This is remarkable, given the team’s issues leading up to the showpiece.
Allegations of misappropriation, delayed payments, and a war of words between Waldrum and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) led many to fear the worst. But after a resilient showing against Olympic champion Canada, where we earned a point, there was some hope that the girls might be up to something, and they delivered in fine fashion.
Whatever they do going forward, the Super Falcons deserve our utmost respect for acting professionally and bringing joy to the faces of millions of Nigerians. As always, we will be cheering them on and hope they have fun doing what they do best.
Nigeria’s next match is on Monday, July 31, at 11 a.m.
In his manifesto document, President Bola Tinubu promised to increase women’s representation in government to at least 35% of all government positions, and right now, everyone’s watching closely to see if he keeps to his word.
On July 27, 2023, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, received the ministerial list from the presidential office. This list contained 28 names, seven of which were women. And while we still await the second half of the ministerial list, so far, 25% of the nominees are women.
Hannatu hails from Katsina state and is a lawyer, politician and writer. She got her law degree from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, and Master’s degrees in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs from the University of Cardiff, Wales, and Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Before her ministerial nomination, she served as the Deputy Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC). And in June 2023, she was appointed the Special Adviser on Culture and Entertainment Economy to the President.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is a politician and businesswoman who served as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from December 2020 to May 2021.
Prior to her ministerial nomination, she currently holds the position of the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, And Internally Displaced Persons Office. She has so far been instrumental in providing support and addressing the issues faced by migrants and IDPs.
Betta Edu
Betta Edu, born October 1986, is a medical doctor, public health specialist, and politician currently serving as the National Women Leader of the APC, the youngest ever to attain the role.
She started her political career in 2015, when she was appointed as the Special Adviser on Community and Primary Healthcare to the then-governor of Cross River state, Benedict Ayade. In 2020, she served as the chairman of the Cross River state COVID-19 Taskforce, and later that year, she was appointed as the National Chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum until her resignation in 2022.
Her recent ministerial nomination would make her the first female minister from Cross River state and the youngest minister in the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
Doris Anite Uzoka
Doris is a medical doctor who has made great strides in the banking industry. She’s a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter holder by training with a specialisation in Financial Risk Management and Portfolio Management.
She also previously served as a former General Manager of Zenith Bank and the Imo state Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy under then Imo state Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Nkeiruka Onyejocha is a current lawmaker in the Abia State House of Representatives. She began her political career in 2002 with her appointment as the Abia state Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development under then-governor Orji Kalu.
She joined the Abia state House of Representatives in 2007, where she sponsored a number of Bills, including the obligatory treatment of gunshot victims, before demanding a police report. She’s also executed projects to control erosion, improve security, and repair damaged roads.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Uju is a lawyer, philanthropist, Nollywood producer and politician. She was the only female presidential aspirant of the APC in the 2023 elections before dropping out of the race.
Despite being a member of the APC, she has never held a political role; she has contributed to rural areas and communities across several states by establishing health and skill development centres.
Stella Okotete
Stella is a human rights activist and politician who formerly served as Executive Director, Business Development, of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) under former president Muhammadu Buhari. She’s also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, the Institute of Management Consultants, and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Stella has vast experience in policy formulation and execution, export finance, and international development. She’s also a philanthropist who has helped Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and the co-founder of the E’Girls Right Foundation, which caters to orphaned and abandoned children in rural areas.
The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
In July 2023, the Seychelles government banned Nigerian passport holders from applying for short-term or holiday visas.
It seems Seychelles just placed a ban on Nigerian passport holders. The thing with having a Nigerian passport is you can be postponing travel plans until you become Bill Gates and immigration policies will be like “ Dey play” pic.twitter.com/UroivUEjGM
— MunafromTravelletters (@Munachimsoooo) July 8, 2023
This led to a series of frustrated comments on the ban, with many Nigerians lamenting the recent blacklisting of Nigerians in other countries.
Let’s cut that Xenophobic bullcrap. Why is it always Nigerians? South Africa requires special authorization, Zimbabwe has issues with Nigerian passport holders, Dubai banned Nigerian passports and even Seychelles also banned Nigerian passports. Omo why na? https://t.co/Q5Yap93pdU
Turkey, UAE, Seychelles and at some point USA and Rwanda all banned Nigerians from obtaining a visa to their country because of scam. Y’all messed up Africans reputation in Malaysia and the rest of Asia too now they think we all scam
— King Munhumutapa XXIV (@MoyoChihota) July 20, 2023
But now that we’ve been visa-banned from these countries, what’s next? Well, according to the VisaGuide Passport Index, the Nigerian passport ranks 189th out of 215 countries in the world. This means that we can only travel visa-free to 26 countries worldwide.
These 26 countries are:
Barbados
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cabo Verde
Chad
Cook Islands
Ivory Coast
Dominica
Fiji
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Liberia
Mali
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niger
Niue
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Gambia
Togo
Vanuatu
Are there any additional requirements?
You still need to have a valid passport—typically for six months after your departure date—and you must buy travel health insurance in accordance with your destination country’s requirements for visa-free travel.
The ‘Nigeria-Friendly’ Countries
In countries like these, visa applications and immigration laws are more relaxed. You have the option of either applying for the visa online (as opposed to standing in long queues) or getting your visa on arrival.
Countries that grant E-visas
Just think of the usual visa process, but online. You can submit your application online, including the visa payment.
After your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa status and a document you must print and bring when crossing the border/airport. Your visa will be registered online, but some officers may ask you for a physical copy of the permit; that is why keeping the copy on your person while travelling is important.
Here are the 23 countries that grant e-visas for Nigerian passport holders:
Burundi
Cambodia
Comoros
Iran
Lebanon
Madagascar
Maldives
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Palau
Rwanda
Samoa
Somalia
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
The ‘Visa on Arrival’ Countries
Every country has specific visa policies that include who is allowed to apply for a visa on arrival. This visa is usually given for Tourism, business, family, and medical purposes.
How do you apply for a visa on arrival?
This visa is usually obtained at either the border or the airport. The steps include:
Bring the required documents with you. Each country has its own checklist of documents that you must present to apply for a visa. The documents include:
A valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least one year and include copies of your previous visas (if any).
A passport-size photograph: The number of photographs may change depending on the country.
A completed and signed application form: You can check the website of that country’s embassy or immigration authorities to see if you need a printed copy of the application.
A card or cash to pay the visa fee: If you are required to pay beforehand, you must have proof that you have finished your visa application fee payment. Also, check whether you need cash in the currency of the country you visit.
A hotel reservation or a rental agreement This is used as accommodation proof.
A round-trip ticket.
A valid travel health insurance certificate.
A bank statement.
Upon arrival, approach the designated area for the Visa on Arrival. Many countries will have a designated area to accept VOA applications, such as a counter or a booth; others will issue the visa directly at the checkpoint. You have to submit the required documents to the immigration or visa officer.
Finish the requested fee payment for your visa application. The visa fee amount can change depending on the country you plan to visit. You may also be required to pay in cash (in that country’s currency), so check beforehand to be prepared.
Wait until the border crossing issues your visa. This can take from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the country.
Here’s the list of countries that issue visas on arrival:
On Thursday, July 27, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, received the ministerial list from the president’s office. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, presented the list to Akpabio at exactly 01:19 pm.
Twenty-eight nominees have made the list, including 21 men and seven women. Who are they?
Tuggar is a politician and diplomat serving as the Nigerian ambassador to Germany. He hails from Bauchi state.
Ahmad Dangiwa
Architect and former CEO of the Federal Mortgage Bank. He’s from Katsina state.
Hannatu Musawa
Initially appointed by Tinubu as a special adviser on entertainment and culture, Musawa has now been upgraded to minister. She’s a lawyer and comes from Katsina state.
Uche Nnaji
A politician from Enugu state, Nnaji was the APC’s flag-bearer in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Betta Edu
Edu is an APC national women leader and former commissioner for health in Cross River state.
Doris Anite Uzoka
Uzoka is from Imo State. Before her appointment, she was the state’s commissioner for finance and coordinating economy.
David Umahi
Umahi was the former governor of Ebonyi. He’s a senator in the tenth national assembly.
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
Wike is a former governor of Rivers state. He was also a leading contender for the PDP’s presidential ticket before losing out and forming the breakaway group of PDP governors known as the G5 that opposed Atiku Abubakar’s ambition. He was instrumental, albeit in controversial circumstances marred by blatant rigging, to the APC winning the presidential election in Rivers state.
Muhammed Badaru Abubakar
Abubakar is the former governor of Jigawa state. He has also chaired presidential committees on fertilizer as well as non-oil revenue.
Nasir El-Rufai
El-Rufai is a former FCT minister and former governor of Kaduna state. He has served in various capacities in previous administrations and was a key ally to former President Buhari and now, Tinubu.
Ekperikpe Ekpo
Ekpo was a former senatorial candidate for the APC in Akwa-Ibom North West district. He would later step down for Akpabio, who emerged as Senate President.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Onyejeocha is a lawmaker in the House of Representatives (HOR). She lost her position as deputy whip to a lawmaker from the Labour Party. She comes from Abia state.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Tunji-Ojo hails from Ondo state. He’s a former business and management executive who forayed into politics by becoming elected to the HOR in 2019.
Stella Okotete
Okotete was, before her appointment, an Executive Director (Business Development) at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank. A position she was appointed to by President Buhari. She has also served as a women’s national leader in the APC. Okotete comes from Delta state.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Kennedy-Ohanenye is a barrister from Anambra state. She famously ran for the presidential ticket under the APC before dropping out.
Bello Muhammad Goronyo
Goronyo is from Sokoto state. He was formerly of the PDP before he defected in 2019. Goronyo was a former commissioner of information and the Zonal Secretary North West of the APC.
Dele Alake
Alake, a long-time buddy of Tinubu, is the Special Adviser to the President, Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy. His position has now been upgraded to a ministerial portfolio.
Lateef Fagbemi
Fagbemi comes from Ijagbo, Kwara State. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Mohammad Idris
Idris hails from Niger state. He was a former commissioner for information and strategy.
Olawale Edun
Edun is a banker with a corporate finance, economics, and international finance background. He was a former commissioner of finance in Lagos under Tinubu as governor. Prior to his nomination, he was a special adviser to the president.
Waheed Adebayo Adelabu
Adebayo is a former deputy governor of the CBN and a former governorship candidate of APC from Oyo State.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Sulaiman-Ibrahim was born in Jos but was raised in Abuja. She’s a politician and businesswoman who has served as Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons under President Buhari.
Muhammad Ali Pate
Pate is a politician, physician, and professor of public health. Born in Bauchi state, he was a former minister of state for health. In February 2023, Pate was appointed Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. He has, however, resigned his position to resume public office.
Joseph Utsev
Utsev has a background in engineering and hails from Benue state.
Abubakar Kyari
Kyari was a senator representing Borno North Senatorial District of Borno State from 2015 until his resignation in April 2022. He is a member and the acting national chairman of the APC.
John Enoh
Enoh is a former senator who hails from Cross River state.
Sani Abubakar Danladi
Danladi is a former acting governor and former senator whose tenure was shortlived after a Supreme Court ruling unseated him. He’s from Taraba state.
There are over 100 federal government agencies and parastatals in Nigeria, and tracking their functions and responsibilities can be challenging. In this article, we’ll spotlight some of these agencies and tell you everything you need to know about them.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The NSCDC is a paramilitary agency officially established by Act 3 of 2003. However, its earliest operations started in 1967 during the civil war under the name “Lagos Civil Defence Committee”. At that time, one of the significant duties of this paramilitary group was to sensitise civilians to enemy attacks and how to protect themselves, for instance, by identifying bombs and bomb raids and diving into trenches during bomb attacks.
The name “Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps” was adopted in 1970 and transformed into a national security agency in 1984.
These days, the NSCDC works with the police to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from threats and any form of attack. Some of their primary functions are:
Maintenance of peace and order while also protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians
Ensures and recommends the registration of every private guard company under the Ministry of Defence
Supervises and monitors the activities and operations of private guard companies
Oversees the surveillance of government facilities, projects and infrastructures at every level
The EFCC is one of the more well-known federal agencies in Nigeria. It was established by a National Assembly Act on December 12, 2002, under the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
One of the reasons behind the establishment of the EFCC was in response to the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which listed Nigeria as one of the 23 countries that were non-cooperative with the efforts of the international community to fight money laundering.
Since the establishment of the EFCC, the agency, especially under the leadership of its pioneer chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, has tried to tackle the problem of corruption and fraud plaguing the country. For instance, we’ve seen the arrests and prosecutions of politicians and high-level fraudsters such as Ade Bendel, Maurice Ibekwe, and Fred Ajudua.
According to the EFCC, their vision is to create a Nigeria free from financial and economic crises. They plan to achieve this by adequately executing their functions, which involve:
Investigating all financial crimes such as contract scams, money laundering, illegal fund transfers, counterfeiting, and advance fee fraud
Collaborating with government bodies locally and internationally to eradicate economic crimes
Adoption of measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds received from terrorist activities
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
The ICPC was inaugurated on September 29, 2000, following the recommendation of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
It was established by the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and has the major responsibility of:
Receiving and investigating reports of corruption and other offences as stated in Act 2000
Examining and enforcing the correction of corruption-prone systems and procedures
Enlightening Nigerians against corruption and other related crimes.
While it may seem like there’s an overlap between the responsibilities of the EFCC and the ICPC, there’s a major difference between both agencies. The ICPC is limited to investigating and prosecuting corruption in the public sector, but the EFCC is empowered to fight corruption at all levels, i.e., both private and public.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
The FCCPC is a federal agency established in 2019, birthed by a merger between the Nigerian Consumer Protection Council (NCPC) and the Nigerian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (NCCPC). This occurred following the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, signed into Law by former president Muhammadu Buhari.
The FCCPC aims to protect consumer rights and promote fair market competition. Some of
the functions of this federal agency include:
Investigating and enforcing consumer protection laws in Nigeria
Educating, advising and enlightening consumers on their rights
Encouraging fair market competition by investigating price fixing and market allocation
Regulating and sanctioning misleading advertisements
State Security Service (SSS)
The State Security Service, also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), concerns itself with detecting and preventing crimes that threaten Nigeria’s internal security.
Its roots can be traced to the military regime in Nigeria, when General Olusegun Obasanjo enacted NSO Decree No. 16 (1976), which resulted in the establishment of the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO). However, under the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration in 1985, he restructured the NSO through Decree No. 19 of 1986, also called the National Security Agencies (NSA) Decree, 1986. This led to the emergence of three separate security agencies:
The State Security Service (SSS)
The Defence Intelligence Service (DIS)
The National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
And some of the major functions of the SSS involve:
Prevention of any crime against Nigeria’s security
Investigation and prevention of threats of terrorism, espionage, sabotage and separatist agitations
Upholding and enforcing Nigeria’s criminal laws
Protection of top government officials like the president, vice president, senate president, speaker of the house of representatives, governors, and other visiting dignitaries.
If you’re a Nigerian reading this, then the National Anthem is not news to you. You must have probably heard it in school growing up, on television, or at public events.
But do you know who made it? Do you know about everyone involved?
Benedict Odiase
Odiase is widely credited for being “the man behind” Nigeria’s national anthem.
The anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was originally written as a poem by five different writers, and it was Odiase who was tasked with putting the poem to music. He did this by creating a melody that would capture the patriotic and aspirational spirit of the poem.
Before we go into what makes this anthem unique, especially with the words reflected, there are four things you should know about the Odiase, the composer.
He was born duringthe colonial era
Odiase was born in Edo State during the British colonial era on August 25, 1934.
He was a police officer
Odiase served in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from 1954 to 1992 and was also the Music Director of the Nigerian Police Band and the Mid-West State Police Band.
He directed Nigeria’s current national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” in 1978
In 1978, Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee”, was changed to “Arise, O Compatriots,” under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo. The former anthem was changed to promote national ownership, as the composer of the previous anthem was a British expatriate.
The lyrics of the anthem were taken from five of the best entries in a national contest.
The winners were P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan, and B.A. Ogunnaike.
What Are the Details About These Men?
P. O. Aderibigbe was a Nigerian lawyer and poet. He was born in 1933 in Ibadan, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied law. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Lagos. He was also a member of the Nigerian National Anthem Committee, which was responsible for selecting the winning poem for the national anthem. Aderibigbe died in 2010.
John A. Ilechukwu was a Nigerian journalist and poet. He was born in 1937 in Nsukka, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied English. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for the Daily Times of Nigeria. He was also a member of the Nigerian National Anthem Committee. Ilechukwu died in 2012.
Dr. Sota Omoigui was a Nigerian physician and poet. He was born in 1936 in Benin City, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied medicine. After graduating, he worked as a physician in Lagos. He was also a member of the Nigerian National Anthem Committee. Omoigui died in 2017.
Eme Etim Akpan was a Nigerian lawyer and poet. He was born in 1938 in Calabar, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied law. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Lagos. He was also a member of the Nigerian National Anthem Committee. Akpan died in 2019.
B. A. Ogunnaike was a Nigerian engineer and poet. He was born in 1938 in Ibadan, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied engineering. After graduating, he worked as an engineer in Lagos. He was also a member of the Nigerian National Anthem Committee. Ogunnaike died in 2014.
Odiase, the composer, passed away in 2013, aged 78.
Before his death, Odiase was a national award winner. In 2001, he received the Order of the Niger Award for his composition of the National Anthem.
Odiase got the National Anthem copyrighted
Odiase still earns royalties from the National Anthem since he copyrighted it through the Musical Copyrights Society of Nigeria (MCSN).
It’s worth mentioning that his family previously filed a lawsuit against MTN Nigeria in October 2013, seeking N1.5 billion in damages for unauthorised use of the National Anthem as a ringback tone.
MTN, in response, attributed the mistake to their content providers and asserted that they should not be held responsible.
A Brief Rundown of What the National Anthem Means
Let’s start with the first four lines:
Military recruitment and patriotic values
Arise, O Compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey,
To serve thy Fatherland,
With love and strength and faith
In the third line, “to serve thy fatherland” refers to Nigerian military recruitment. It means that Nigerians should be ready to defend the country when necessary.
The three principles of love, strength, and faith are the virtues every patriotic Nigerian must have for the country. Love for the fatherland, strength to make it past economic hard times, and faith that Nigeria can overcome every obstacle it faces.
The fight for independence and democracy
The labour of our heroes past,
shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might,
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity
“The labour of our heroes past” refers to the wars that our forefathers and national heroes fought for the nation.
These include the battles against British colonial masters and the fight for national independence and democracy with the likes of Sir Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, MKO Abiola, etc.
The National Prayer
The second stanza of the National Anthem is often referred to as “The National Prayer”, as it contains prayers for the country. It reads:
Oh God of creation,
Direct our noble cause,
Guide thou our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know,
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true,
Great lofty heights attain,
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
The first line of the anthem is suggestive of Nigeria’s religious sentiments. Christianity and Islam are the most dominant faiths in the country, with 50% of Nigeria’s population being Muslim and 40% being Christian.
Both share a common denominator in their belief in a supreme being, i.e., God.
The second, third, and fourth lines are a plea to God to help Nigeria with three things—direct the affairs of the nation, help our leaders make the right decisions, and give understanding to the youth.
The fifth and sixth lines are a continuation of the prayer to God, the future of the country should mature with love and honesty, guided by truth.
The last line is a call for national peace from conflicts and wars and a nation where legal justice is met in cases of wrongdoing.
People say your twenties are the best years of your life. But currently, it’s starting to look like, for many Nigerians, our twenties might be filled with groceries, floating berries and discovering new ways to cover Nigeria by foot.
It’s been barely two months since the fuel prices more than doubled from N197 to N537 per litre following the fuel subsidy removal on May 29, 2023. And while still trying to adjust to our new economic realities, on June 18, fresh news broke of yet another surge in fuel price to over N600 per litre.
According to Chinedu Okoronkwo, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the recent price hike is to help the petrol marketers themselves stay in business. He explained that the subsidy removal adversely affected their business so much that many have been unable to raise enough money to load from depots and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
It’s alarming that we’re hardly 100 days into this new government, and life’s already unbelievably hard for citizens. It will now cost almost triple the amount it did in May to fill your vehicle’s fuel tank, and due to the current 22.79% inflation rate, food will get even more expensive.
And I really hate to have to say this, but it looks like maybe Bubu wasn’t that bad. We know being president was more of a side gig for him, and his real job was touring Europe, but at least we weren’t at risk of having a $1 to N1000 exchange rate. President Tinubu promised us renewed hope, but the only thing that has been renewed is our subscription to another four years of suffering in 4D.
What Else Happened This Week?
Police Arrest Suspected Cultists in Enugu State
On July 18, 2023, the Enugu State Police Command announced the arrest of 18 members of the Black Axe Confraternity who allegedly had plans to cause trouble during their 7/7 day celebration.
The cultists were found in different locations in the state, and along with their arrest, the police recovered one pump action gun, six live ammunition (cartridges), three black berets with the inscription “Black Axe”, one sharp battle axe, three drums, three black-yellow face-caps with “Ezeagu Sub Zone 7 7” inscribed on them, and one yellow scarf. According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.
If you’ve ever wondered what the legal punishment for cultism in Nigeria is, under the Criminal Code Act, anyone found guilty of cult activities or permitting meetings to be held in their residence is liable to a 3-year imprisonment. On the other hand, the Penal Code, which applies to Northern Nigeria, allows for 7-year imprisonment.
Question of the week
It’s not news that there has been a recent hike in the tuition fees of federal universities. Do you think this surge will improve Nigeria’s quality of education?
FCCPC & Google is putting loan apps in their place! In this video, we explain how the regulator and tech giant plans to crack down on loan apps that shame borrowers who don’t pay back their loans. Watch, like and share this video #zkkcitizen#zikoko#nigeria#techcabal#politics#loan
People change their names for many reasons, such as marriage, career demands, or simply a desire for a new identity. Changing your name in Nigeria is relatively straightforward, but you need to take a few important steps.
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You may have encountered the cliche “Politics is a dirty game.” This expression often describes politics as a free-for-all fight where everything is considered fair game in the quest for power. Nigerian politics, for example, is notorious for various shady practices. During campaigning and election season, politicians and their aides take to the streets to canvass votes using different tactics. Based on this, it’s easy to conclude that politics is a dirty game.
Let’s look at three tactics promoting the idea that Nigerian politics is a dirty game.
Vote buying
Vote buying is one prominent example. It often involves an exchange in which voters sell their votes to the highest bidder. In Nigeria, you may observe this practice in internal democracies, that is, within parties when delegates get to vote on who their party flag-bearer should be. It’s also a feature in general elections.
In a paper by the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC), it notes: “In accepting or rejecting offers, or in changing or not changing their electoral behaviour, recipients may be acting, among other things, out of fear, duty, indignity, gratitude, righteousness, or calculated self-interest.”
However, vote buying isn’t necessarily always economical. It could also be a combination of economic and social rituals. In places where the practice has become deep-rooted, politicians come to expect it as a “duty.” For some Nigerian voters, it is their way of laying claim to the “national cake.”
Addressing vote buying means understanding the various institutional and socio-economic contexts that influence it, such as tradition and poverty. We should also account for the sentimental meanings people attach to these gestures before we can eradicate them.
Dog-whistling
The term is named after the dog whistle, which is audible to dogs but not humans. In politics, dog-whistling describes a communication strategy politicians use to send out a coded message. On the surface, it may appear harmless, but to the subgroup of people the message is targeted at, it carries a serious tone that may be harmful.
In America, Donald Trump’s campaign mantra “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) has been described as dog-whistling that appeals to people of white background. In Nigeria, leading up to the election, the phrase “Yoruba Ronu” (Yorubas, Think!) was widely interpreted as dog-whistling.
The term was the title of a famous play by Hebert Ogunde, which attacked the then-premier of the Western Region, Ladoke Akintola.
[Hebert Ogunde / The Guardian]
The phrase, however, took on a sinister meaning during the 2023 elections when APC Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, posted it after the 2023 presidential election. It would become a rallying cry in the subsequent gubernatorial election in Lagos that witnessed targeted harassment and violence against residents suspected to be Igbo.
Dog-whistling plays on fears, biases, or preconceptions of people without explicitly stating them. And as the Lagos election showed, it can lead to violence. As such, this tactic should be discouraged.
A bigot is one who is intolerant of beliefs, lifestyles or identities that differ from theirs. Anyone who engages in this is practising bigotry. Unfortunately, bigotry is a mainstay in Nigerian politics and takes different forms. The most prominent of which is tribalism.
Ordinarily, the term tribalism has positive connotations. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the state of existing as a tribe, or a very strong feeling of loyalty to your tribe.” However, the sense in which tribalism can be described as bigotry is best captured by Walter Schwarz in his 1966 article, “Tribalism and Politics in Nigeria.”
Schwarz was a former Nigeria correspondent for The Observer and The Economist before the military regime expelled him. Below is how he describes tribalism in Nigeria:
Tribal and ethnic bigotry is commonplace in Nigerian politics, particularly in the heat of elections. The idea that one ethnic group is superior to another, pushing stereotypes and placing ethnicity above merit, are problems that have persisted for decades.
Bigotry manifests itself in hate speech, harassment, marginalisation and the violation of human rights. It breeds distrust and makes governance difficult. So when people say politics is a dirty game, they’re likely referencing the abovementioned tactics.
Can Nigerian politics be clean?
Absolutely yes. In an earlier piece, we explained that politics shouldn’t be a do-or-die thing. We also noted that politicians should prioritise the national interest over party and selfish interests. It is possible to win elections without using any of these tactics. Yes, a difference in opinion or ideology is unavoidable, but we can disagree to agree so long we stay on the right side of the law. We should promote tolerance over bigotry, unity over dog-whistling, and a good track record over vote buying.
Ultimately, the journey to making Nigerian politics clean again can only happen with deep retrospection and a commitment by all political actors towards ensuring that dirty politics no longer has a foothold in Nigeria.
“Thanks to these women, we do not pay tax to any British monarch who has no jurisdiction on our God-given corner of this globe.” — Ndanyongmong H. Ibanga
The last episode ofCitizen History, marks the beginning of our historical exploration of Nigerian women and their fight against British colonialism. We started with the Egba Women’s Tax Revolt. The mass protest lasted three years, with arrests and assaults by British police on Abeokuta market women. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was the leader until their demands were met in January 1949.
Egba women were indelible forces of anti-colonial resistance. UNESCO.
This week, we travel back to a similar event in Eastern Nigeria. The year is 1929.
This year, women in southeastern Nigeria rose up in protest against British colonial rule. The uprising, known as the Aba Women’s Riot, was sparked by introducing direct taxation on women.
Scholars have referred to this protest as West Africa’s first women’s revolt.
Aba Women of Nigeria in the first half of the 20th century. Archival photograph
What birthed the Aba Women’s Riot?
Two words come to mind—indirect rule. We’ve discussed indirect rule as the default mode of governance in colonial Nigeria, but for those who missed it, let’s do a quick recap of the key details:
The Recap
Indirect rule is a system of administration in the colonies where local leaders—although front-facing with the people and ruling with native politics—dance to the British tune and follow all orders the administration gives.
Britain adopted this system of governance because they didn’t have enough personnel for Nigeria’s enormous land mass.
Applying this method in Eastern Nigeria was troublesome because the ethnic groups (Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Ekoi, Ogoni, and others) did not believe in the existence of one ruler but rather lived in autonomous communities. To solve this problem, the British devised a solution in the form of “warrant chiefs”.
The colonial administration made warrant chiefs tax collectors and used them to conscript youths as unwilling labourers for the colony and oversee judicial matters.
However, the British colonial officers couldn’t comprehend this practice. They considered male-dominated political organisations but ignored female ones. Combined with the extortion of the warrant chiefs, the women eventually became dissatisfied with the increased school fees and forced labour.
Now that we understand the full context, let’s visit a major event that made everything go from bad to worse for these women—the introduction of direct taxation.
The Native Revenue Amendment Ordinance of 1927
In April 1927, Lord Lugard commissioned a colonial resident, W.E. Hunt, to enforce the Native Revenue Ordinance in the five provinces of East Nigeria.
Under this ordinance, taxes or tributes were paid to the “Chief” (warrant chief). The “Chief” thereafter was to pay a portion of the tax into the General Revenue and the remainder to the Native Treasury. This was the first official tax documented in the East and was used to prepare the people for direct taxation in 1928.
When direct taxation was first launched, only men were obligated to pay taxes. That is, until an assistant District Officer, Captain James Cook, entered office temporarily in September 1929.
Cook’s Tax Revision As A Catalyst of War
In September 1929, the serving district officer, Hill, went on leave. Cook was sent as his substitute until November.
Upon taking over, he saw the ongoing direct tax roll count as insufficient because it didn’t include the number of wives, children, and livestock in the household, and he set about correcting this.
With his revision, women now had to bear the brunt of paying taxes alongside men. Combined with their other obligations, was too much for them. The tax for women became effective on October 14, 1929.
This tax revision led to a fight between a widow and a census worker—the legendary moment that set the tone of the Aba Women’s War.
The Nwanyeruwa-Emeruwa Fight
Madame Nwanyeruwa [BlackPast]
On the morning of November 18, 1929, a representative of the Warrant Chief of Oloko town, Mark Emeruwa, had one duty—to count or take a census of the people for taxation. However, he didn’t know that the women had already decided not to have themselves or their property counted!
When Emeruwa reached the house of a widow, Nwanyeruwa, he asked her to “count her goats, sheep and people,” (which meant that she would be counted based on her people and livestock). In response, Nwanyeruwa sarcastically asked if “his widowed mother was counted.” This led to a serious fight between the duo, which made Emeruwa choke Nwanyeruwa by the throat.
In anger, Nwanyeruwa went to the market square to meet other Oloko women discussing the issue of taxation and told them about the incident. When they heard of it, they decided they would no longer accept the leadership of Warrant Chief Okugo.
They used palm tree leaves to call nearly ten thousand women from other areas in the Bende District, Umuahia, and Ngwa to protest Okugo’s resignation and trial.
How Aba Women “Sat on Men” In The Riot
Under the leadership of Nwanyeruwa and the Oloko Trio (Ikonnia, Nwannedia, and Nwugo), the women protested Okugo’s resignation by “sitting on him.”
This is a traditional practice where women chant war songs and dance around a man, making his life miserable until demands are met. The protests eventually spread to the factory town of Umuahia, which sparked fear among the colonial officers.
The British District Officer jailed Okugo for two years to appease the women, ending the Oloko riot.
But that wasn’t the only protest
Another protest began in the Owerri district of Aba. This was after another census taker, Warrant Chief Njoku Alaribe, knocked down a pregnant woman during a fight. It eventually led to a miscarriage of the pregnancy.
Like the Oloko women, the women of Owerri would not take the matter lying down.
On December 9, 1929, the women protested in Njoku’s compound, during which two women were killed and many others wounded in an encounter with British police. This also led to the arrest and detention of their leader in Aba City.
On December 11, 1929, ten thousand women went to Aba City to protest against their leader’s arrest. On their way, a British medical officer was driving on the road when he knocked down two protesters, fatally wounding them. These made the women raid the nearby Barclays Bank and the prison to release their leader. They also destroyed the native court building, European factories, and other establishments. According to reports, soldiers and policemen killed about one hundred women in Aba.
The Women’s War then spread to the Ikot Ekpene and Abak divisions in Calabar province. Government buildings were burned, and a factory was looted at Utu-Etim-Ekpo on December 14. These left eighteen women dead and nineteen wounded. Thirty-one dead and thirty-one wounded women reportedly died on December 16 at Ikot Abasi near Opobo, also in Calabar province.
The Aftereffect
Until the end of December 1929, when colonial troops restored order, ten native courts were destroyed, houses of native court personnel were attacked, and European factories at Imo River, Aba, Mbawsi, and Amata were looted. Women attacked prisons and released prisoners.
When order was restored, the colonial troops killed about fifty-five women. The last soldiers left Owerri on December 27, 1929, and the last patrol in Abak Division withdrew on January 9, 1930. By January 10, 1930, the revolt was regarded as successfully suppressed.
The Rise of Female Eastern Movements
The position of women in society was greatly improved. Once only allowing the wives of elite husbands to participate in politics, the protests allowed women of lesser backgrounds to join native politics. Women were appointed to serve in native courts; some even became warrant chiefs.
The Aba Women’s Riot also inspired many other female movements in the 1930s and 1940s. This includes the Tax Protests of 1938, the Oil Mill Protests of the 1940s in Owerri and Calabar Provinces, and the Tax Revolt in Aba and Onitsha in 1956.
As a Nigerian, you quickly learn that there are many weapons fashioned against you, one of which is a landlord.
The endless struggle between landlords and tenants often exists because tenants are unaware of the rights accorded to them. Therefore, in this article, we will walk you through tenancy rights in Nigeria.
Right to property:
As a tenant, you can rent any property anywhere in the country, regardless of sex, state of origin, or nationality.
It’s in your rights that when renting a new property, a well-written tenancy agreement be presented and signed on your lawyer’s advice. The tenancy agreement should contain the following:
The full name of the tenant
The full name of the landlord
The description of the property
The total amount paid for the property
The duration of rent, i.e. the expiration and renewal dates of the tenancy
And although the law makes room for an oral tenancy agreement, it’s advisable and safer to have a written agreement, as it makes it easier to make a case in court if needed.
Rights to receipt of payment:
You’re entitled to a receipt of payment from your landlord to avoid stories that touch later on. This receipt should include:
The amount paid
Location of the property
Duration of the tenancy
Another thing to know about this is that landlords who fail to issue a receipt are liable to a fine of ₦100,000.
Right to exclusive possession:
According to the Law, once you’ve made payment and entered into a contract with the landlord, you have exclusive rights to the property.
This means that no one, including the landlord, can enter your apartment, room, or property without your permission. This also involves instances where maintenance is to be done by the landlord; you must first approve, or it’d be regarded as trespassing.
Right to habitable premises:
This means that, as a tenant, the landlord has to ensure that the rented property is fit enough for any purpose for which it’s being rented, i.e., for domestic or corporate reasons.
Therefore, if there are any issues like wear and tear, flooding, or damage to certain utilities, the landlord’s expected to fix them, and if they refuse to, you can demand a refund of your rent or end the tenancy.
Right to an eviction notice:
As a tenant, you must get a notice before being evicted from the rented property. The notice must contain the following:
The name of the landlord
The name of the tenant
The address of the rental property
The duration of the tenancy
The reason behind the eviction
Typically, the eviction notice varies depending on the type of tenancy agreement you have with the landlord:
A one-week notice period for a weekly tenancy
A minimum of one month’s notice for a monthly tenancy
A minimum of three months’ notice for a quarterly tenancy
A minimum of six months’ notice for a yearly tenancy
Also, tenants are entitled to a 7-day notice to recover their possessions after the eviction notice expires.
Did you know that every year, about 41 million (74%) people die worldwide due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs)? These NCDs also result in the annual deaths of about 17 million people before the age of 70 globally, and in Nigeria, they account for 24% of the total deaths that occur annually.
What exactly are non-communicable diseases?
NCDs, also called chronic diseases, are usually long-term diseases that cannot be spread via infection but are typically caused by genetic, physiological, environmental, or behavioural factors. NCDs aren’t specific to an age group, as they can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, or country.
Cardiovascular diseases, e.g. stroke and heart attacks
Diabetes
Cancer
Chronic respiratory diseases, e.g. asthma
One of the leading causes behind the prevalence of NCDs in Nigeria is our lifestyle choices, which involve a dependence on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) such as soda, fruit, and energy drinks.
In 2021, the federal government introduced a sugar tax, also known as the SSB tax, of ₦10 per litre on all carbonated, non-alcoholic and sweetened beverages to discourage the intake of these drinks and fight against NCDs like diabetes and obesity. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the SSB tax raise the price of these drinks by 20% to have a more meaningful impact.
Gatefield is concerned with ensuring adequate health and economic growth in Nigeria. And to create awareness and encourage public support for the increase in SSB taxes, this year they’ll be hosting a health summit exploring the theme: “Taxing Sugary Drinks and Other Fiscal Policies for Healthcare Financing”.
When’s the event?
The health summit will be held on July 25, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. You’ll have a chance to hear the thoughts and opinions of many industry giants, such as:
Dr Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health
Dr Zainab Bagudu, Board Member, Union of International Cancer Control
Dr Olumide Okunola, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank Group
Dr Alhassan Umar, President, Nigeria Cancer Society
Toyyib Abdulkareem, Senior Policy and Campaign Officer, NCD Alliance
Dr Laz Ude Eze, Founder, Talk Health Real Media Limited
Prof. Felicia Anumah, Director, Centre for Diabetes Studies, University of Abuja
Dr Usman Malami, Director General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment
How to attend the event
If you’re interested in attending the event in person or virtually, you should register here.
Serah Ibrahim, a self-acclaimed human rights frontier, shared an official document online from the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency on the morning of July 23, 2023. Ibrahim was the first social media user to make the document public. Many people, including news platforms, demanded answers and criticised the government.
What was the document about?
I need @jidesanwoolu and whoever runs the Lagos Govt @followlasg to explain this official document signed by Onafowote Idowu the DG PPA Lagos.
103 Dead Bodies to be buried by TOS Funerals on a Mass Grave?#EndSARS victims was actually written on it🤦🏼♀️.
Dated July 19, 2023, the document revealed the approval of N61.2 million. This was for a mass burial for 103 victims of the #EndSARS massacre of October 20, 2020. Onafowote Idowu, the agency’s Director-General, signed the letter and addressed it to the Ministry of Health.
An excerpt from the letter reads, “Following review of your request and based on the information provided therein, the agency has ‘No Objection’ to award the contract to MESSRS. TOS FUNERALS LIMITED at a total cost of N61,285,000 only for the mass burial for the 103, the year 2020 EndSARS victims.”
What was Lagos State’s response?
For the Lagos State Government, their reaction was to “set the record straight.” According to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, the 103 bodies in question were not from the Lekki Toll Gate.
They were retrieved from various parts of the state, such as Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo, and Ajah. The government says that some were even retrieved from a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison.
RE: MASS BURIAL OF ENDSARS VICTIMS (MISCHIEF MAKERS AT WORK)
The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some social media publications about a purported mass burial plan for casualties of the 2020 #EndSARS incident. Peddlers of the news are deliberately… pic.twitter.com/j94U8P1dkX
Ogboye also mentioned in the statement that the Lagos State chief pathologist was legally summoned to produce the full records of unclaimed bodies in the Lagos State Central Mortuary. This was immediately after the tragic incident of October 20, 2020.
He also confirmed that relatives of the lost or dead victims were advised to contact the Department of Pathology and Forensic Science at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). However, “nobody responded to claim any of the bodies.”
“After almost three years, the bodies remain unclaimed, adding to the congestion of the morgues. This spurred the need to decongest the morgues. This procedure follows very careful medical and legal guidelines if a relative may still turn up to claim a lost relative years after the incident,” he explained.
What were citizens’ reactions?
We can use two words to describe citizens’ reactions: outrage and dismay. This was because the state government had initially denied that there was “no casualty” recorded during the #EndSARs protest, particularly with the event that led to “Lekki Massacre”. Till today, the government has not been able to share a clear statement on what actually happened the night of October 20, 2020.
With this, Nigerians are reacting to the news of the mass burial and the government’s statement.
Lagos State was so effective that it immediately picked up bodies of victims before the communities had opportunity to identify and bury their bodies! These people really do not rate us at all!
On the night of the shooting at Lekki Tollgate, many of the protesters kept saying… https://t.co/TC7Ds07go3
It’s been 22 hours and this was the best lie Lagos State was able to come up with and it’s an amazing own goal.
You picked up 103 bodies but not at the Lekki Toll Gate where senseless soldiers massacred peaceful #EndSARS youths. This is the same lie Sanwo Olu told the panel and… https://t.co/TmfvYoK0CE
In November 2021, the Lagos State Government released a White Paper on the report by the EndSARS panel. This panel investigated the events of the Lekki Toll Gate incident of October 20, 2020.
According to this report, armed soldiers trying to scatter protesters away from the grounds killed nine people at the toll gate.
But Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dismissed the report as “assumptions and speculations.”
Human rights organisations like Amnesty International and CNN International, which carried out independent investigations into the event, continue to stand by their reports that protesters were shot at.
Their claim also carries weight, as many Nigerians watched Obianuju Udeh (aka DJ Switch) livestream and heard gunfire while protesters at the scene waved their flags in the air and sang the national anthem.
For the average Nigerian, July has been a rough start to the year’s second half as many await renewed hope. But for Abubakar Malami, July looks like the beginning of a series of tough months ahead. Based on the latest news reports that centre on transactions he oversaw while in office, Malami is truly having it rough.
The Cable on July 24 exclusively reported that Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), will be interrogated over at least five suspicious transactions during his time in office. While no charges have been brought yet against him, he will undoubtedly be apprehensive, going by the experiences of former EFCC chair Abdulrasheed Bawa and former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, who are both in custody and were key figures in the last administration.
So why is Malami staring down a barrel of hot soup? Here’s what you need to know.
[Abubakar Malami / The Guardian]
What are the five transactions Malami is facing investigation for?
Malami served as both the AGF and Minister of Justice under President Buhari. His appointment in 2015 made him the youngest minister in Buhari’s cabinet. In his position, the 56-year-old Malami was the point of call for arbitrage and settling disputes and transactions involving the federal government.
According to The Cable, here are the five transactions Malami is facing investigation for:
Ajaokuta settlement
The name Ajaokuta is synonymous with “wastage” and white elephant ventures. The moribund steel project in Kogi state has been the subject of several controversies.
The gist is quite long, but the abridged version of it goes something like this:
In September 2022, the FG resolved a long-standing contractual dispute with Global Steel over the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) Itakpe concessions. Instead of paying an original claim of $5.258 billion, Nigeria secured a 91% reduction and agreed to pay $496 million following threats of the dispute being taken up at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The dispute began in 2008 when Global Steel’s concessions were revoked for alleged asset stripping and tax evasion. In 2016 a modified concession agreement was executed, allowing Global Steel to retain Itakpe. The recent settlement rescued Nigeria’s steel, iron ore, and rail industries, but other allegations remain unresolved. Malami’s role in the ordeal and how he handled some settlements is what is being investigated.
Mysterious sales of recovered assets
The EFCC questioned Ladidi Mohammed, the head of the asset recovery and management unit in the Ministry of Justice, about fraud allegations in August 2022. They didn’t charge her, however. She claimed to have acted under instructions from Malami in selling recovered assets worth billions. Malami reportedly granted a confidential multibillion-naira asset recovery contract to Gerry Ikputu & Partners and their legal agent, M. E. Sheriff & Co., offering them three per cent of the value of each successful recovery. The AGF and the justice ministry were criticised for engaging private firms instead of using competent anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC for asset recovery.
[Ladidi Mohammed / The Cable]
Paris Club refunds
During Malami’s tenure, consultants who claimed they assisted states in calculating their share of the Paris Club refunds sued the FG. They demanded payment for their services.
Malami opted for an out-of-court settlement. He agreed that the states would pay $418 million to the consultants, deducted from their federation allocations over time.
This led to a public disagreement between Malami and the governors. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) accused the consultants of using Malami to obtain the states’ funds. The NGF contested the deduction, and a federal high court in Abuja restrained the consultants from transacting with the promissory notes. The case, which involves Senator Ned Nwoko, is ongoing in court.
In early 2020, Malami committed the federal government to pay Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) $200 million as a “final settlement” for the Mambilla power project dispute in Taraba state.
This settlement was to avoid an arbitration claim by Sunrise in France over an alleged breach of contract. The project, delayed since the 1970s, aims to be the country’s largest power plant with a capacity of 3,050 megawatts. Previously, Sunrise Power had accused the government of sidelining them from the project against the advice of Malami.
However, in a response dated April 20, Buhari replied to a memo by Malami regarding the settlement, saying, “FG does not have USD 200 million to pay SPTCL”. The case is still in arbitration.
Abacha loot
No story revolving around graft in Nigeria is complete without mentioning the former head of state, Sani Abacha.
In 1999, the Nigerian government hired Swiss lawyer Enrico Monfrini to recover looted funds traced to Abacha. After seven years of work, Monfrini successfully recovered $321 million from Luxembourg banks, which the Swiss government then held.
Instead of directly requesting the transfer of the funds to Nigeria, Abubakar Malami engaged two lawyers, Oladipo Okpeseyi and Temitope Adebayo. They wrote a letter to the Swiss authorities requesting the return of the funds. These lawyers were paid $17 million in “professional fees.” This figure was more than what the Swiss lawyer received for tracing and recovering the funds.
Okpeseyi was associated with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). President Buhari founded the party, and Malami was the party’s legal adviser.
Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) received a rude awakening when, on July 21, the school announced that it had “reviewed obligatory fees” upwards. The mandatory charges are coming in light of what the school said were “prevailing economic realities and the need for the University to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff, and municipal service providers, among others.”
The school said it consulted with stakeholders, including students and their guardians, before making this decision. Interestingly, UNILAG describes itself as “the school of first choice and the nation’s pride.” However, with the increment set to happen at the beginning of the 2023/2024 academic session, students may have to rethink whether they’d still stick with UNILAG as their first choice.
Here’s what fees look like now for new undergraduate students:
And here’s what fees look like for returning undergraduate students:
For comparison, previous fees for new undergraduate students were around ₦55,000, while returning students paid ₦15,000. While tuition remains free, the other mandatory expenses have gone up considerably. Understandably, the news has sparked strong reactions online.
What are the arguments in favour?
One major issue that has plagued public tertiary institutions is the lack of funding. You can draw a straight line between every strike that has occurred since the beginning of time and challenges relating to poor remuneration for staff and underfunding, leading to a paucity of research and development.
ASUU has argued for university autonomy, allowing institutions to raise funds for themselves rather than being overly dependent on government subventions. And although ASUU didn’t sanction this increase, it’s hard to see them argue against it. Some say Nigerian tertiary education is too subsidised and don’t consider the new fees expensive.
According to Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, who covers Nigerian tertiary education extensively, the hike in fees was inevitable. In a series of tweets, she explained that schools were struggling to stay afloat, with the federal government unwilling to release more funds.
She notes that for now, some subsidy is still in place, as evidenced by the zero cost of tuition. She warned that there will be more increments once full autonomy is granted to universities. This is where the Student Loan Act will come into play.
In economics, a public good is a commodity or service made available to all members of society. Typically, these services are administered by governments and paid for collectively through taxation.
A 2018 paper by the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Ethics of International Cooperation, Rita Locatelli, argues that education should be a public good in light of “current trends in the privatisation and marketisation of education.”
UNESCO recommends 15-20% of public expenditure on education. Nigeria has never met that threshold.
One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. Among those who manage to brave all odds and make it to university, they will now have to contend with this new hurdle of a fee hike. If other public universities follow UNILAG’s example, this will exclude even more students from tertiary education that they can’t afford.
So while we recognise that universities need funding and that education is subsidised in Nigeria, we also recognise that it is for good reason. The timing of this hike in light of economic circumstances is tough to justify, at least on moral grounds.
As it stands in Nigeria today, the return on investment in education is negative. This is apparent in the fact that many university graduates are unemployed. Hiking fees perpetuate the common Nigerian saying, “School na scam.” If fewer students get access to subsidised education, the outcome for Nigeria could be unpalatable.
In related news in education, the FG recently increased fees in federal government colleges, aka Unity Schools, by 122%. All of these combined will cause human capital development to slide even further. Nigeria’s prospects of leaving the ghetto might become bleak.
For now, UNILAG students are facing the brunt of it. Other universities are watching, and they will join in sooner or later. At some point, the federal government will have to lift its head out of the sand and intervene, or we could be staring at a full-blown state of emergency in Nigeria’s education sector.
It might surprise you to know that there are two types of court marriages in Nigeria. These include:
Ordinary marriage: This is a marriage between two Nigerians.
Special marriage: A marriage between a Nigerian and a non-Nigerian or between two non-Nigerians intending to marry in the country.
Court weddings are usually done in marriage registries; there are two kinds of these registries in Nigeria. We have:
The Federal Marriage Registry
This includes the Ikoyi registry in Lagos state, which covers residents in the South-West, South-South and South-East, and the Wuse 2 registry in Abuja, which covers all residents in Northern Nigeria.
The Local Government Marriage Registry
These kinds of registries can be found in each local council across states in Nigeria.
What Are the Steps Involved in Having a Court Wedding?
Declare your intention to marry in your registry of choice
The first step is to visit the marriage registry and give a notice of your intention to get married. Once this is done, the registrar will issue you a Notice Form or Form A. In this form, you’ll be expected to fill in details such as name, age, occupation and marital status.
Once done, you’ll be expected to return the form to the registrar along with two coloured passport photographs.
The Notice is entered into the Marriage Notice Book
Upon submission, the registrar enters your Notice into the Marriage Notice book, after which a copy of the Notice form is posted on the registry’s notice board for 21 days, which is in accordance with Section 10 of the Marriage Act.
The primary reason behind the 21 days is to act as a caveat or warning period, i.e., to give people aware of the intended marriage a chance to raise their objections or concerns.
Pay the set fee and swear to an affidavit
Once the 21 days expire, you’re expected to pay a prescribed fee, usually less than ₦25,000, for the marriage certificate. You are also required to swear an affidavit that confirms the following:
You and your partner aren’t less than 21 years old. In cases where both parties are under 21, written parental consent must be attached to the affidavit.
Either you or your partner have lived in the district where the marriage is intended to be held for at least 15 days.
No situation can serve as a hindrance to the wedding.
Neither you nor your partner are customarily married to a different person.
Forms C and D are issued
Once the above mentioned requirements have been met, the marriage registrar gives you a Form C that confirms compliance with the needs and that there are no lawful hindrances to the intended wedding. Following this, Form D is issued, giving you the authority to celebrate your wedding.
According to Section 12 of the Marriage Act, the wedding must be held within 3 months by the registrar or in an authorised place of worship. Failure to comply will result in the entire process starting again.
The wedding day
On the wedding day, two witnesses must be present, and it must be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The officiating officer—the registrar or a recognised clergyman—will present Form E, also known as the marriage certificate, which will contain details such as the date of the marriage, the names of the parties and witnesses, and the certificate number.
Registration of the marriage certificate
And lastly, the final step is to file your marriage certificate in the Marriage Register Book.
There are a lot of benefits attached to having a court wedding/marriage. Some reasons why you should consider it include:
It’s more convenient
Court weddings allow people to get married without going through religious or traditional processes. This way, the couple can have a more straightforward and stress-free wedding ceremony. Also, you can get married in less than an hour instead of spending the whole day.
It offers legal security
As mentioned, court marriages are recognised and protected under the Marriage Act. As such, it offers legal benefits and protection for both parties. For instance, in divorce cases, guidelines are offered that secure the spouse’s financial interests; they also provide a framework for child custody issues.
It’s more cost-effective
Everyone knows that weddings in Nigeria cost an arm and a leg, with people losing friendships over aso-ebi expenses. But with a court wedding, you can have a more budget-friendly ceremony.
The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
In 2022, David Owumi decided to make his first trip to Istanbul, Turkey from Nigeria. He had no form of cash on him except his ATM card. When he landed at the airport, he needed cash in order to pay for taxi to his hotel. But unfortunately, none of the ATMs seemed to work for him.
“I tried and tried, but all the ATMs were rejecting my card! I was stuck at the airport for quite a while because I also didn’t have any friends in Istanbul to pick me up. Eventually, an ATM did work for me, but that was after I was stuck for God knows how long. I ended up leaving the airport tired around midnight.” he reminisced.
For every 9-5 employee, a vacation sounds like the next best thing after sliced bread. However, it is easy to forget to make proper financial plans in the midst of all the excitement, and probably go broke or get stranded in the process.
In today’s episode of Abroad Life, David and Damiliel, seasoned travelers, have tips to save you from premium embarrassment to help navigate finances while vacationing in a foreign country.
“Before you depart, make sure to CHANGE CURRENCIES”
This is David’s first tip, due to his experience shared earlier. As a traveller, it is important to always try to hold in cash, the currency of the country you are going to before you leave.
“Try to make this include the expenses in your entire vacation budget if you can,” he advise.
“Make sure all your daily bills are sorted for the next month”
Damaliel advises that we should not only plan a budget for the trip but also try “to plan for the month ahead when you are back in Nigeria.”
According to him, “Saving in the current economy is quite hard, but it won’t be wise to blow your hard earned money on just the trip alone and come back home hungry. Make sure your daily bills at home are sorted out for at least the next month too.”
“Get your basic amenities sorted out before you leave”
“This includes hotel accommodation, commuting bills within the city, and feeding,” David suggests. He recommends that you try to book a hotel ahead of time that can serve both breakfast and dinner.
“It’s slightly more expensive, but it’s great to get a hotel like this in case you run out of cash, so at least you’ll not be hungry. Most hotels don’t offer lunch, but some do. If you see any like these, you should book those as well,” he says.
In terms of commuting bills, he also suggests that you search online for dedicated taxi companies that can take you around. “At least, even if you run out of money, you can still take yourself to landmarks in the city.”
“In your budget, always make sure to add money for miscellaneous expenses”
Damaliel advises that one should always budget enough money for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. And this was out of personal experience.
He says, “Sometime around 2020 or 2021, I travelled to Dubai and contacted COVID. I needed an extra $700 for a new hotel. If not, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government would have isolated everyone for safety purposes.”
“Always do the math of prices in your head”
David believes that if you are going on vacation, you should try to gather prior knowledge of the conversion rate of the country and how much things cost in general. Especially if you don’t speak their official language or lingua franca.
“If you are travelling to France, for example, and you don’t know how to speak French, it is very easy for you to get swindled of your vacation money. There are conmen everywhere, as well as ‘brick and mortar’ businesses,’ he explains, emphasising that you shouldn’t find it easy to let go of money. “Always do the math of prices in your head.”
“Get travel insurance”
Travel insurance is an important money tip for David, especially if you are travelling to a “visa-free country.”
“For countries that do not require visas, it is highly important to sort out your travel insurance. This is like an official extra budget for you aside from the one you’re carrying in case you fall sick or run into any trouble,” he advises.
