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PENGASSAN to call off strike after FG’s intervention in Dangote Refinery dispute

Bankole ABE
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PENGASSAN to call off strike after FG’s intervention in Dangote Refinery dispute

THE Federal Government has announced that workers recently disengaged by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will be redeployed to other subsidiaries within the Dangote Group.

This follows the resolution of a protracted industrial dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, October 1, stating that the affected workers would retain their salaries and benefits despite the redeployment.

“After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately begin the process of redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the group, with no loss of pay. No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” Dingyadi said.

According to him, the truce followed a compromise by both parties, with PENGASSAN agreeing to suspend its nationwide strike action. He stressed that the right to unionise was guaranteed under Nigerian law and should be respected.

He further explained that both sides had reached a compromise, noting that “PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike. Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith.”

“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN,” the minister stated.

The development comes after weeks of confrontation between the refinery’s management and PENGASSAN, which accused the company of arbitrarily transferring and dismissing unionised staff while replacing them with foreign nationals. The refinery denied the allegations, insisting the restructuring was driven by operational needs.

The standoff escalated into industrial action after PENGASSAN directed its members to cut gas and crude oil supply to the refinery, a move that triggered widespread disruptions. By September 30, the Nigerian Independent System Operator confirmed that the strike had forced several gas-powered plants to shut down, resulting in a reduction of national electricity generation by approximately 1,100 megawatts and leaving major cities, including Lagos and Abuja, without power.

The House of Representatives had also intervened at the height of the crisis, mandating its Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to mediate. The committee urged PENGASSAN to resume supplies, warning that the dispute threatened the downstream sector, discouraged investors, and could worsen fuel scarcity.

During this period, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) criticised the union for grounding economic activity, describing the refinery as a critical $20 billion national asset that should not be paralysed by labour action.

The ICIR earlier reported that tension had been brewing since September, when PENGASSAN alleged that more than 800 Nigerian employees were unlawfully dismissed after workers unionised. The union stated that the dismissals coincided with the submission of its first membership list to management, a claim that the refinery rejected.

Previous efforts by the Federal Government to broker peace had ended in deadlock, with both sides holding firm on their positions. PENGASSAN insisted that its members would not resume work until alleged anti-labour practices were reversed, while the refinery maintained its right to restructure in line with global industry standards.

At Wednesday’s meeting, however, both parties reached common ground under government mediation. The Minister expressed optimism that the resolution would restore industrial peace in the oil and gas sector, which is central to Nigeria’s economic stability.

“The refinery is a key national asset, and industrial harmony is essential to enable it to deliver on its promise of boosting domestic refining capacity and reducing reliance on imported petroleum products,” Dingyadi said.

65th Independence: Nigerians question Tinubu’s claim of N330bn shared to poor families

Mustapha USMAN
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65th Independence: Nigerians question Tinubu’s claim of N330bn shared to poor families

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 1, announced that his administration has disbursed N330 billion to eight million Nigerian households under its social investment programme.

The disbursement has raised several unanswered questions from some Nigerians who demanded accountability on such payments amid the rising economic crunch faced by most Nigerians due to the impact of Tinubu’s reforms.

The president, in his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, said the intervention is part of efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians.

“Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of N25,000 each,” the president stated.

While touting other economic milestones, including a 4.23 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025 and inflation falling to 20.12 per cent—the lowest in three years—the president acknowledged that many Nigerians are still battling the rising cost of living.

He urged citizens to endure what he described as “biting effects of inflation,” adding that “Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.”

“Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more. 

“YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement,” the president added.

However, many Nigerians took to social media to dismiss the claim of the N330 billion reportedly disbursed to eight million households, raising questions about the evidence and classifications of those who benefited from the disbursement.

They also noted that they are not aware of anyone who has benefited from the scheme.

While The ICIR cannot independently confirm whether any Nigerian has benefited from the distribution, it should be noted that such initiatives are often described as vague and unverifiable, with little evidence in the public domain to track actual beneficiaries. 

Over the years, successive governments have announced similar cash-transfer programmes, yet many citizens said they have never seen the funds nor know anyone who has. 

On X (formerly Twitter), users questioned the transparency of the programme, with some describing it as “audio money” and others demanding evidence of beneficiaries. 

A social media user @DeeVoidElder wrote, “They say ₦330 billion has been given to 8 million households. But honestly, where did it go? In my own community, no one has seen anything. Sometimes it feels like we are not even part of this country, or maybe these are just figures thrown around for headlines.

“Let’s break it down. ₦330 billion divided among 8 million families is about ₦41,000 each. Tell me, what can ₦41,000 do for a family in Nigeria today? Food alone can finish that in a week. Transport and fuel will consume it in a few days. That is not real support, it’s just crumbs presented as a big achievement.”

Another user with the handle AJDaniel questioned, “If N330 billion truly reached 8 million households, we should be seeing a visible impact in local communities. But with rising poverty, inflation and hunger, many are asking: where exactly did the money go?”

Also, Ali, with a username itsaleeyou, said, “Instead of this meaningless tokenism, that money could have been used to fix our collapsing schools, revive hospitals, create jobs, or even stabilise electricity, things that would actually change lives. Nigerians are hungry and tired, yet you keep serving us fairy-tale statistics. Stop insulting the intelligence of the people you’ve failed.”

Despite increased killings, Tinubu says Nigeria winning war against insecurity

Mustapha USMAN
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Despite increased killings, Tinubu says Nigeria winning war against insecurity

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 1,  declared that Nigeria’s armed forces are winning the battle against terrorism, banditry and separatist violence, even as figures show a surge in killings across the country.

In his Independence Day broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, Tinubu praised the military, saying they are ‘winning the war against terrorism.’

He also noted that they have stamped out Boko Haram terror in the North-east and banditry in the North-west.

He also stressed that ‘Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.’

“We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. 

“They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes,” he said.

But data reported by Reuters in July shows that at least 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and bandits in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 2,194 recorded in the whole of last year. 

The report, which quoted figures from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), also documented 857 abductions and deadly assaults on security forces, including the killing of more than 17 soldiers in Kaduna and Niger States and over 40 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Zamfara.

The situation worsened in June, when 606 people were reported killed nationwide, including nearly 200 in coordinated attacks on Yelewata and Dauda communities in Benue State.

Recall that The ICIR reported how the recent wave of violence swept through Logo and Ukum LGAs in April and May was only the latest in a long series of attacks that have devastated communities across Benue State. 

In Logo, Ukum, Gwer West, Guma, and other conflict-prone areas, residents said they have lost count of the number of attacks over the years. Some entire villages have been razed, and those who once thrived on subsistence farming now depend on aid or live in IDP camps with no clear path to reintegration with their homes.

This was the same situation in Plateau state, earlier this year, where dozens of people were killed in Plateau communities.

On September 30, residents of Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State fled their homes following a deadly attack that claimed at least 12 lives, including the Baale of Ogbayo.

The ICIR also reported that the Oke-Ode attack was the latest in a series of violent raids across Kwara in recent weeks. 

On September 26, security operatives arrested five suspected kidnappers, including a notorious abductor, and seized 127 bags of cannabis hidden in a lorry loaded with yams along the Babanla–Oreke–Oke-Ode axis. Among the suspects was Tukur Ibrahim, identified as the mastermind of an August 8 abduction in Babanla.

The rising insecurity has triggered growing fear and protests in communities. Earlier in September, residents of the Isin Local Government Area barricaded the Ilorin–Omu-Aran–Kabba highway to demand stronger government intervention.

65th Independence: Nigeria has turned the corner,‘ the worst is over’, says Tinubu

Mustapha USMAN
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65th Independence: Nigeria has turned the corner,‘ the worst is over’, says Tinubu

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 1, assured Nigerians that the country has overcome its most difficult phase and is now on a path of economic recovery and stability.

In his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, the president stated that reforms undertaken by his administration since May 2023, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, have begun to yield results. 

He said the second quarter of 2025 recorded a 4.23 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product, the fastest in four years, while inflation dropped to 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest in three years.

Tinubu listed 12 key achievements under his government, including a record non-oil revenue of over N20 trillion, improved external reserves now at $42.03 billion, the stabilisation of the naira, and a consistent trade surplus. 

He also said oil production had risen to 1.68 million barrels per day, with domestic refining of petrol resuming for the first time in four decades.

“We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023. 

“We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous “Ways and Means” advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

“We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September—the highest since 2019,” he added.

According to Tinubu, the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent, adding that the ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. 

He stressed that tax law is meant to expand the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and provide tax relief to low-income earners.

Tinubu also said the country has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters, saying “We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ₦7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.”

The president mentioned that oil production has rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023. 

He added that the increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta. 

While acknowledging the challenges posed by rising living costs, the President said the sacrifices Nigerians endured were necessary to avert economic collapse. He urged citizens to embrace productivity, patronise locally made goods, and support the government’s reforms.

The ICIR reports that the President’s declaration of victory over economic turmoil came against a backdrop of persistent challenges.

Food inflation is still high at 21.87 per cent and remains out of reach for millions, unemployment is widespread, and the government’s social investment programmes, while notable, have struggled to match the scale of deprivation.

Tinubu’s admission that Nigerians continue to grapple with a high cost of living underscores the gap between government statistics and the daily realities of households, analysts say.

New report warns of failing health infrastructure, rising costs of drugs in Nigeria

Mustapha USMAN
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New report warns of failing health infrastructure, rising costs of drugs in Nigeria

NIGERIA’S health system is facing severe strain and is unlikely to meet global targets for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), according to a new report by the Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) of the University of Nigeria, the Nigerian national centre for the African Health Observatory – Platform (AHOP).

The AHOP Country Health System and Services Profile, released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, revealed how Nigeria’s health sector had been struggling with weak governance, chronic underfunding, and decaying infrastructure.

The report warned that the system was not on track to achieve UHC, with a service coverage index of just 38.4 per cent. 

It also noted that overall, Nigeria’s health system delivered only 45 per cent of its potential, far below the African regional average of 56 per cent, adding that access, quality, and demand for essential health services scored 41, 40 and 42 per cent respectively.

This, the researchers said, left millions of Nigerians without reliable care.

“Moreover, Nigeria’s overall health system performance, at 45 per cent, is below the World Health Organization African Region average of 56 per cent. Performance in terms of sociocultural access has improved, with more women and girls in education and employment than before, which could in turn improve access to health services if financial risk protection and functional health facilities are implemented,” Executive Summary of the report read in part.

It added that about 80 per cent of the country’s health infrastructures “are dysfunctional”, consequently forcing many Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.

This shortfall is estimated to cost the country over $1 billion annually in outbound medical tourism as Nigerians seek care abroad.

According to the report, the healthcare costs fall heavily on individuals and that out-of-pocket spending accounts for 75 per cent of all health expenditure, leaving many households vulnerable. 

Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria spends just five per cent of its annual budget on health, well below the 15 per cent target agreed under the Abuja Declaration in 2001. 

While private providers deliver 70 per cent of services, regulation and accountability mechanisms in the private sector remain weak. 

The researchers stressed that Nigerian government struggled with implementing reforms such as the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2023 and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. 

They noted that Nigeria had 3.95 doctors per 10,000 people, below the recommended 4.45 ratio, adding that domestic pharmaceutical production meets only 30 per cent of national needs, leaving the country dependent on imports, while only 51 per cent of childbirth deliveries are attended by skilled health workers.

“The current health workforce crisis is attributed in part to the insufficient implementation of existing policies and strategies, notably strengthening coordination between the national and subnational levels. 

“Capacity and competency shortfalls, industrial unrest, unfavourable working conditions and poor remuneration, especially in the public health sector, have negatively affected clinical outcomes and eroded public confidence in the health workforce. Mass emigration of health care personnel (brain drain), especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly weakened the remaining workforce. 

“Health workforce production, distribution, deployment and retention are constrained by common implementation challenges. The unreliability and incompleteness of health workforce data pose a significant challenge, with data on the distribution of the health workforce by cadre, gender,” the report added.

It said while policies and reforms existed on paper, weak coordination between federal, state, and local governments hindered progress.

“National policies and guidelines on medical product regulation and distribution exist but are poorly implemented and audited. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control plays a critical role in regulation, market authorisation and supply. Annual procurement plans for medical products and health technologies in Nigeria are coordinated and prepared by the FMOH Department of Procurement for ministries, departments and agencies. Assessing the quantities of medical products that need to be produced and imported is based on past consumption patterns. 

“More stringent policy implementation, tighter policy evaluation structures and the stipulation of sanctions are needed to support supply-side regulation. Existing national production capacity meets just 30% of the country’s needs, making Nigeria overly reliant on imported pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Foreign direct investment in the pharmaceutical sector and tax incentives offered to local producers are needed to increase domestic production capacity,” the report stated.

22 dead as youth-led protest spreads in Madagascar

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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22 dead as youth-led protest spreads in Madagascar

PROTESTERS in Madagascar returned to the streets on Tuesday, a day after President Andry Rajoelina dismissed his cabinet in an attempt to calm unrest that had already left 22 people dead.

According to the United Nations, earlier demonstrations were met with a heavy police crackdown, leaving at least 22 people dead and over 100 injured, even though the government dismissed the figures as unverified and “based on rumours or misinformation”.

The ICIR reported that the police in Madagascar declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew after violent protests by Gen Z on Friday, September 26, sparked by recurring power outages and water shortages.

In Antananarivo, hundreds of mostly young protesters took to the streets, but the demonstration was forcefully broken up as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Drawing inspiration from “Gen Z” protests in Indonesia and Nepal, the youth-driven movement is challenging entrenched misgovernance, driven by frustration over persistent water and power outages in the impoverished Indian Ocean nation.

On Monday, September 29, Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet, issued an apology for his ministers’ inaction, and pledged to address the nation’s challenges.

But the move failed to halt the demonstrations, as organisers called for another rally in the capital Tuesday morning.

“They call us the TikTok generation, a generation of idiots, and when we rise up, they won’t even let us speak,” a student protester said Monday, dressed in black in line with a call on social media to mourn those killed.

“Mr Andry Rajoelina, when you led protests, you were allowed to, it was fine. But when we young people rise to fight for our country, you try to silence us,” she said.

A strong police deployment was stationed in and around the city centre on Tuesday.

On the outskirts, activity slowly picked up as schoolchildren filled the streets and people pulled carts, though traffic stayed sparse.

Protesters are calling for the resignation of Rajoelina, a former mayor of Antananarivo, who rose to power through a coup that removed former president Marc Ravalomanana.

“When the Malagasy people suffer, I want you to know that I feel that pain too, and I have not slept, day or night, in my efforts to find solutions and improve the situation,” Rajoelina said late Monday.

The 51-year-old leader, who skipped the 2013 election under international pressure, returned to power through the ballot in 2018.

Philibert Tsiranana, who governed during the post-independence era, was compelled to cede power to the Army in 1972 after a popular uprising was violently crushed.

The protests began in the capital, Antananarivo, on Thursday and later spread to other cities across the nation of nearly 32 million people, according to World Bank data.

Following last week’s protests in Antananarivo, widespread looting broke out overnight.

On Monday, he called for applications for a new prime minister within three days, ahead of forming a new government.

Madagascar, the world’s top producer of vanilla, the second most expensive spice after saffron, remains among the poorest nations globally. 

In 2022, nearly 75 percent of its population lived below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

Court adjourns Sowore’s arraignment in cybercrime case over non-service of charges

Bankole ABE
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Court adjourns Sowore’s arraignment in cybercrime case over non-service of charges

THE arraignment of human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, stalled on Tuesday, September 30, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the failure of the prosecution to properly serve him with the charges.

The government, through the State Security Services (SSS), had filed a five-count charge against Sowore for allegedly publishing false and defamatory statements against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his verified X handle and Facebook page in August 2025. Also listed as defendants in the case are X Corporation, owners of the social media platform X, and Meta Platforms Inc., operators of Facebook.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Sowore’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, objected to the arraignment, insisting that his client had not been served with the charges. He argued that since it was a joint charge involving multiple defendants, all parties must be served before proceedings could commence.

Prosecution counsel, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), countered the claim, maintaining that service had been effected.

However, after examining the case file, the presiding judge, Mohammed Umar, ruled that Sowore had not been personally served, though the other defendants had received the charges electronically.

The court thereafter ordered that Sowore be served in open court. He accepted the service but invoked his right to a minimum of three days to study the charge and prepare his defence. The court granted the request and adjourned the matter to October 27 for arraignment.

During the session, counsel to Meta, Tayo Oyetibo, a senior advocate, also confirmed that his client had just been served in court and queried why Meta was included in the suit since no specific count was directed against it. X Corporation was not represented in court.

The charges against Sowore stem from posts he made on August 25 and 26, 2025, in which he referred to President Tinubu as a ‘criminal’ and accused him of falsely claiming during an official trip to Brazil that corruption no longer existed in Nigeria. The government alleges that the posts violated Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and Sections 375 and 59 of the Criminal Code Act.

According to the charge sheet, Sowore was accused of using social media platforms to incite public disorder and tarnish the president’s reputation. The prosecution contended that the statements were false and intended to cause fear and unrest.

Before approaching the court, the SSS had written to X Corporation and Meta, demanding the removal of Sowore’s posts and suspension of his verified accounts. The agency also directed Sowore to retract the statements, issue public apologies on social media and in two national newspapers and make a formal representation to its headquarters. Sowore refused, describing the order as unlawful.

In a letter to the SSS on September 12, 2025, the activist said the agency lacked the legal authority to compel him to retract his criticisms of the president. He cited the 1985 Court of Appeal judgment in Arthur Nwankwo v. State, which declared criminal defamation unconstitutional, and invoked his rights under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Sowore, who has previously contested Nigeria’s presidential elections on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), said he would not be deterred from holding leaders accountable.

The case will resume on October 27 when Sowore and the co-defendants are expected to take their pleas.

NOSDRA, NIPC, ICPC top 2025 Transparency Index as over 500 MDAs perform poorly 

Mustapha USMAN
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NOSDRA, NIPC, ICPC top 2025 Transparency Index as over 500 MDAs perform poorly 

THE National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has emerged as the most transparent public institution in Nigeria in the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).

The report unveiled in Abuja, on Tuesday, September 30, by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), NOSDRA led all 575 assessed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a score of 78.84 per cent.

The agency was followed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (78.21 per cent) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (78.13 per cent).

Most federal institutions scored poorly in the report, with many falling below the 50 per cent benchmark for average on openness, accountability, and compliance with statutory disclosure requirements.

According to the Centre, the index was conceived to strengthen integrity mechanisms in Nigeria’s public sector by assessing whether MDAs publish vital information on their websites and portals as required by law. 

The assessment focused on five key variables namely financial transparency, procurement, human resources and inclusion, control of corruption, and citizen engagement, with each attracting 20 per cent.

Top and bottom performers

A review of the report showed that out of 575 public institutions assessed, only six crossed the 50 per cent average threshold.

Beyond the earlier listed agencies, Development Bank of Nigeria (62.60 per cent) Tertiary Education Trust Fund (54.12 per cent) and Bank of Industry (51.29 per cent) were ranked 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Conversely, over 400 institutions scored within the range of 36 and 10 per cent, with no evidence of publishing basic governance information online. 

More alarming was that about 100 institutions recorded below 10 while nine institutions scored zero.

This means that they failed to publish any of the required information on budgets, procurement, staffing, or anti-corruption policies. 

Many of these included federal colleges, polytechnics, teaching hospitals, and river basin authorities.

For instance, Nigerian Coal Corporation, Federal Government staff Housing Loans Board, Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Hadrian-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, and Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha scored zero in the ranking. 

Also, key ministries fared poorly. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development were graded zero.

The Ministry of Power (21.0 per cent), the Ministry of Works and Housing (14.50 per cent), Ministry of Health (14.50 per cent), and Ministry of Defence (14.50 per cent) ranked low, which further highlighted persistent opacity in sectors critical to Nigeria’s development.

Legal obligations ignored

While presenting the report, the Executive Director of the Centre, Umar Yakubu, noted that public institutions are statutorily required under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007), the Freedom of Information Act (2011), and the Public Procurement Act (2007) to publish information such as budgets, procurement details, recruitment policies, audit reports, and anti-corruption frameworks.

According to him, while transparency is a vital principle of good governance, the findings show widespread disregard for binding statutes, with most institutions failing to meet even basic disclosure obligations.

Yakubu added that the 2025 Index revealed that despite government rhetoric on openness, Nigerian citizens continued to face barriers in accessing information about how public funds are allocated and spent.

The Centre urged all MDAs to align with Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan and ensure that transparency is embedded in day-to-day governance.

On his part, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, while delivering his welcome address described the Transparency and Integrity Index as one of Nigeria’s most vital platforms for promoting accountability in public service.

He explained that the parameters employed were in line with the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms (NSPSR 2021–2025) and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

Arabi noted that the Index complemented the work of anti-graft bodies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and aligned with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). 

While acknowledging the support of development partners such as the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Arabi urged MDAs to embrace transparency as a core governance principle rather than treat it as a compliance exercise.

Arise News anchor Somtochukwu was brought to Maitama Hospital dead – FCTA

Bankole ABE
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Arise News anchor Somtochukwu was brought to Maitama Hospital dead – FCTA
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed grief over the death of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was killed during an armed robbery at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, in the early hours of Monday, September 29.

In a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the death of the 29-year-old journalist and trained lawyer as “tragic and painful,” assuring that her killers would be apprehended.

“I feel pained that such a wonderful soul could be cut down in its prime. It is sad,” Wike said, adding that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was working closely with the police to ensure a thorough investigation.

The statement added that Mandate Secretary of Health at the FCT, Dolapo Fasawe, said Maduagwu was brought to the Maitama General Hospital dead at about 4:30 a.m. on Monday. Wike said the preliminary medical report would be forwarded to the police to aid their investigation.

“The police will unravel the circumstances surrounding her death and bring those responsible to justice. At this period, we will continue to pray for the Almighty God’s support for the management of Arise News, especially the Chairman, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, and the family and friends left behind by the deceased,” the minister stated.

Wike described Maduagwu’s death as a loss not only to her colleagues but also to the Nigerian media and the entire nation. He prayed for the repose of her soul and strength for her family to bear what he called “an irreparable loss.”

The ICIR reports that media reports had blamed the Maitama Hospital, which has a history of allegations of delaying response to emergencies, for failing to promptly attend to Maduagwu when she was rushed to the facility for treatment.

However, an X user, Sani Yusuf, who claimed to be the deceased’s neighbour, and witnessed the robbery attack absolved the facility of any blame.

“You guys need to stop peddling information that is untrue. I personally paid for and filled her (Maduagwu) and Barnabas’s form, and I brought her ID to the hospital. The hospital never delayed treating anyone. Yeah, I have my personal gripe with them for how they handled the emergency. But stop spreading information that is not true,” he wrote.

Arise News, in its reaction to the killing, had described Maduagwu as “a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers,” noting that her passion and professionalism left a lasting mark on the newsroom.

Her killing has reignited concerns over rising violent crimes in Abuja. An ICIR report in August highlighted how the FCT has been grappling with recurring cases of armed robbery, kidnappings, cult clashes, and one-chance attacks despite repeated assurances of improved security.

Residents of Katampe and neighbouring Mpape have long complained of midnight invasions by armed robbers and violent street attacks. In April, armed men stormed a hotel in Mpape and robbed a driver attached to the Zamfara State governor’s convoy before police apprehended the suspects.

The city has also witnessed several one-chance killings, including the death of Freda Arnong in July and Greatness Olorunfemi in 2023, both victims of gangs posing as taxi drivers to rob passengers.

The killing of Maduagwu comes barely three months after the murder of a caregiver, Chinyere Anaene, and a toddler in Dawaki, another Abuja community, a crime that shocked residents and underscored persistent safety concerns.

Although the FCTA has cited reports suggesting a decline in crime rates, incidents like Maduagwu’s killing continue to fuel doubts about safety in Nigeria’s capital city.

How non-appointment of ambassadors threatens student exchange gains, Nigeria’s UN security council ambitions

Harrison EDEH
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How non-appointment of ambassadors threatens student exchange gains, Nigeria’s UN security council ambitions

NIGERIAN foreign missions abroad could be facing some limitations with respect to harnessing gains from the students foreign exchange programme and approval limits below $1,000 in the absence of ambassadors, diplomatic analysts have said.

Nigeria could also face backlash in the search for a permanent security seat at the United Nations Assembly with the non-appointment of ambassadors who are professional lobbyists for such high-level diplomatic engagements.

President Bola Tinubu made a case for the United Nations permanent seat at the UN Security Council, a post that requires intense diplomatic lobbying, albeit having foot soldiers in place, such as ambassadors.

Harping on the consequences of not having an ambassadorial appointment, analysts say, Nigeria is low-ranked in the diplomatic circle as a result of not having ambassadors under President Tinubu in most parts of the world.

Since President Tinubu recalled all the Ambassadors on September 2, 2023, Nigerian foreign missions have been without  ambassadors.

Diplomatic analysts say Nigeria could lose out on some foreign-interests advantages, such as student exchange programmes, multilateral and bilateral engagements, which in most cases require the presence of an Ambassador and not a charge d’affaires.

Specifically, the role of ambassadors and high commissioners is to market the specific countries where they represent and serve as an official representative of the country in a foreign mission.

“I discussed with a deputy Chinese ambassador, and he expressed worries that Nigeria is lagging on student exchange programmes because of poor follow-up from diplomatic missions and, most importantly, [lack of] an Ambassador,” Mukhtar Imam, a professor of Political Science and International Relations and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Al-Muhibbah University, Abuja, told The ICIR.

“The approval limit of $1000, and non-attendance of high-level diplomatic meetings are limitations to Nigeria not having Ambassadors under President Tinubu. In diplomatic parlance, there are limitations on where charge d’affaires can go and what an ambassador can do,” he added.

He stressed that both career and non-career diplomats have clearly defined roles, noting that “where you don’t have ambassadors in these countries, it means that these functions are halted or completely grounded.”

“It doesn’t speak well of Nigeria with our strategic position in Africa,” he added.

At the highest level of diplomatic engagement, the charge d’affaires has limitations on the functions they can perform.

“Charge d’affaires are administrative heads and have limits to the amount they can approve in consulate administration. In diplomatic parlance, there’s a limit to where a charge d’affaires can speak. In a huge gathering where ambassadors are gathering for an international meeting, he cannot be allowed to speak there,” Imam disclosed further.

The ICIR reports that without ambassadors to lead economic missions and negotiate bilateral agreements, Nigeria may miss out on potential foreign investment opportunities

For instance, Nigeria’s diaspora contributes over $20 billion annually to the economy, but without proper diplomatic representation, this amount could dwindle as follow-up engagement that requires top-notch diplomatic follow-ups could be lacking because of the absence of ambassadors.

More so, Nigeria’s absence from key diplomatic meetings can weakens its influence in multilateral bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, and the United Nations, diplomatic analysts say.

This reduces the country’s ability to shape decisions that impact its economic interests.

Speaking in a similar vein, Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, said not having an Ambassador for over two years have cost implications on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Tinubu needs an adviser in foreign policy to ensure implementation of bilateral agreements and proper follow-ups to a successful fruition.

“I don’t know who’s in charge of foreign policy at the villa,” he queried.

He stated that the President owes Nigerians an explanation, while also rejecting the notion that the non-appointment was due to a lack of money, even when the government claimed to meet revenue targets before the end of the fiscal year.

He stressed that governments across the globe grade diplomatic relations low for countries that don’t have Ambassadors in their respective countries.

He further said that Nigeria’s intense campaign for a permanent seat at the United Nations may not have the needed breakthrough without ambassadors who need to lobby allied countries for such positions.

The ICIR reports that since September 2, 2023, when envoys of 109 diplomatic missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates, were recalled and ordered to return on or before October 31, Nigeria has not had full diplomatic representation in the rank of ambassadors.

The development comes with the possibility of harming the gains Nigeria is expected to reap from the President’s recent trips to China, France, South Africa, Brazil and the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to Nigeria, informed analysts say.

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