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FCT Council Chairmen have messed up primary healthcare, as TB, HIV patients denied care for over 2 months – NANNM Chairman

Marcus FATUNMOLE  and  Mustapha USMAN
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FCT Council Chairmen have messed up primary healthcare, as TB, HIV patients denied care for over 2 months – NANNM Chairman

PUBLIC primary health centres across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have remained shut for over two months, along with all public primary schools and the six area council secretariats. The closures are the result of an ongoing strike by workers demanding the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government in 2024, as well as other outstanding entitlements.

In this interview with The ICIR, Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan, discusses the far-reaching impact of the strike and the inaction of the area council chairmen.

Excerpts:

The ICIR: Why has your union shut down all PHCs in Abuja for over two months?

Medan: You know we have been battling with this issue of primary health care centres being closed down for over two months, and it has become an issue that every Nigerian should be worried about. The death of one single person like this is a major issue of concern.

In developed countries, if one thing happens to one person, it becomes a serious thing. I’ll give you an example with the child that died in Lagos recently, a woman who died after delivery. The issue was in the news all over, but as I speak to you, all the primary health care centres in FCT have been under lock and key because of this strike for over two months, including schools and local government secretariats, and nothing is happening.

Sadly, the area council chairmen are not even bothered, they don’t care, they are not even moved.

Another thing that is making these people behave this way is the autonomy they have been granted.  Ministers intervened in this matter. The minister intervened and released N4.1 billion to them to settle this issue. They said it when we were in the National Assembly, and they confirmed it. The Chairman of the House Committee on Area Councils invited us.

At the end, when they interrogated them, they said yes, money was paid, N4.1 billion. And the money that was paid was for Signature. The House of Representatives asked them, ‘What is signature money?’ They said it is called signature money. So, the House said, how can N4.1 billion be money that is not known? They then ordered that this money should be investigated. From then on, we have not heard from them again, and this is where we are.

The ICIR: When did this meeting take place at the House of Representatives?

Medan: That was last month, three weeks ago. The National Assembly passed the autonomy  law and the president signed it into law. Now, they are taking the autonomy for granted. They feel they are above everybody, above the law. I think it is only the National Assembly and the Presidency that can call these people to order.

They should either stop their allocation or impeach them out of that office, or we find a way of doing it.

If we are going to see an example from anywhere in this country, it is supposed to be from the FCT. This is because FCT is being ruled by the president and also the Minister, but they want to spoil it.

I think somebody should call these people to order. They just want to sabotage the president and the minister of FCT, and if nothing is done quickly on this, the people of FCT will start losing confidence in the current administration. The minister has tried, it’s just that there is nothing he can do.

Throughout the period, we went into an agreement with them, but they never respected that agreement. Apart from that, we presented that agreement to the minister, signed by all of them, that they were going to do all these things. They failed.

We went to the National Assembly—same thing. Let me tell you the truth: the Minister of State for FCT called us for a meeting. These people did not come.

When they were invited to the National Assembly, some of them went, but some refused to go. Since then, these people have never, on their own, shown concern or invited us as a union to say, ‘Please come, let’s talk.’

Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan
Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan

The ICIR: Do you know those who didn’t go to the National Assembly?

Medan: The Kuje chairman did not come. I think another one sent his own vice. Let me just be honest with you; in every industrial dispute, negotiation must be ongoing. Usually, it is the union that would say, ‘We are not going for the negotiation.’

But in this case, they don’t even call. They don’t even care. They have never initiated anything like, ‘Come, let’s sit down. What is the problem?’

The ICIR: Would you attribute the imminent end of the chairmen’s tenure to why they are doing this?

Medan: Yes. Some of them are concluding their tenure, and some of them are going to continue. Some of them are willing to even pay some of these allowances, but they have come as a union to agree that even if you have the money, don’t pay because their allocations differ. What AMAC gets is bigger than what the Kuje Area Council will get. Even if AMAC is ready to pay, they will say no, don’t pay.

We are actually on this strike for these issues: One, we say non-implementation of the minimum wage. It is a law that everybody should pay, in every state. Even some states have gone ahead to implement something more than the N70,000 that we are talking about.

Even the FCTA has gotten their own with the arrears. We don’t have problems with the minister. It is the area councils. We have almost 14 items. With the current hardship and the cost of living in the country, anything that the federal government or the government says they should pay, they refused to pay in the FCT. They refused to implement it in the FCT.

The N70,000 minimum wage, they have refused to implement it. Even the N35,000 wage award that the government gave after the removal of the subsidy, they refused to pay.

They have given them all this money, but they refused to pay. Then, the implementation of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, and the arrears, they have refused to also pay.

They also refuse to implement the N35,000, N25,000 CONMESS adjustments. Every level of government in this country has paid this one. Some people are even paying more than that, but the area councils have refused to implement.

The promotion arrears, since they came on board, they have not been paying the promotion arrears. No promotion, even, and for the few that have had a promotion, they are not paying them.

So, we have so many issues here. Even the pension that you know, the employer contributes, the employee contributes, but they don’t even remit their own.

The National Housing Fund and all those things that we are talking about, the hazard allowances that were paid to everybody, have not been paid. We don’t understand what is wrong with them.

FCT is supposed to be, at least, where every other person will at least copy from.

File: Inside a PHC, in Nigeria.
File: Inside a PHC, in Nigeria.

The ICIR: What happens to cold rooms where you store vaccines which are donated by partners, including Global Fund and WHO?

Medan: Let me tell you the dangers and what these people have caused this country. Tuberculosis patients are not supposed to miss even one medication because of the risk of them developing resistance to their drugs. Since we closed these facilities for the past two months, those TB patients have not been getting their drugs, and they stand the risk of infecting other people.

At the end of the day, even if they resume, that resistance will still continue, and the drugs may not work for them anymore. Similarly, all the people who were receiving their HIV drugs through this primary health care have not been getting their drugs. You can imagine those drugs are not in the market. Even if they are in the market, they cannot afford it.

Let me talk about the vaccination, like the oral polio vaccination that just happened. In our thinking, as good Nigerians, when the issue of polio vaccination came in, we met, and we went to the National Assembly. The National Assembly pleaded with us. The Mandate Secretary of Health called us and pleaded with us that please we should look at the innocent children in FCT. She urged us to give a waiver so that this vaccination against polio would take place, so that the FCT should not be the one to infect the neighbouring states.

We met at the level and said even if we are fighting the government, for the sake of these innocent children—so that someone doesn’t wake up tomorrow crippled or disabled because we went on strike—we said no. That was how we called all our colleagues, resumed work, and gave them access to all the cold chain rooms. We didn’t just permit them; we participated in the immunisation. That was how we concluded that.

The ICIR: Let’s look at the failure to utilise the vaccines, distribute TB, HIV drugs and others. What message is this sending to the donors like the WHO, Global Fund, and others supporting us?

Medan: That was why I said this issue should be dealt with at the National Assembly and the Presidency. They should not overlook it because it sends a signal that maybe the government is not serious about these diseases they claim to want to prevent. That’s exactly what these partners will think. But just because of ignorance or the selfish interests of Area Council chairmen, the whole country will now be looked down upon because the FCT Area Council chairmen refuse to comply with or pay civil servants the money the government has already provided.

So, it’s sending the wrong signal, not just in the FCT but across the entire country. If there’s a resurgence of polio and the resistance comes from here, even if we get support next time, they’ll say we’re unserious.

The ICIR: Can you estimate how many children and mothers could have died due to a lack of access to health facilities in the FCT?

Medan: We went on strike in late March. As of February, I may not share the document because it’s confidential, but I can produce it at any time if needed.

For example, there’s Karamajiji Primary Health Care near the National Stadium. As of February, 104 pregnant women delivered there. That tells you that if these women had come in March, they would have been in trouble.

Then there’s a PHC Kuchigoro, 28 women put to bed there before the strike. Kuje Health Centre had about 23. In Alu-Mamaji PHC, there were 11 deliveries in February. If these women had come in March, they wouldn’t have accessed care. You can imagine the implications.

I have statistics for over 70 primary health care centres – what happened within the past three months before the strike. You can use those figures to estimate how many women and children were at risk from March till now.

The ICIR: Do you have the number of PHCs in Abuja?

Medan: We have 270 primary healthcare centres in the FCT. As of today, we have only 117 nurses and midwives. If you share them, they can’t go round the PHCs. We’ve been complaining about the shortage of manpower.

Let me tell you the truth; the last recruitment of nurses and midwives done by the Area Councils was in 2008. Since 2008, there’s been no recruitment. People have retired, some have died, and others have left the country. That’s why the numbers have dropped.

In some places, they’ve closed down PHCs because the government doesn’t care. How can you have 270 PHCs with only 117 nurses and midwives?

Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan
Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Jama Medan

The ICIR: If one goes to a PHC today in the FCT, one could see many workers wearing nurses’ and midwives’ uniforms. Who employed them?

Medan: Most likely, they are CHEW or JCHEW (community health extension workers or Junior Community Health Extension Workers). In fact, most PHCs are expected to have at least one doctor. But where there’s none, nurses should be there. And we know there’s a shortage, but at least nurses should be present.

The ICIR: Do you have the number of doctors in these PHCs?

Medan: I don’t have the doctors statistics, but call me at midnight, I’ll tell you even if one nurse or midwife retires tomorrow, I’ll know. I keep track.

That’s why I know the number of deliveries for every area council. I can give you nurses’ and midwives’ data for each area council at any time. Let me give you an example—go to Area 3. There’s a PHC there but just one nurse is posted there. That’s the city centre.

That place is big enough for deliveries and minor surgeries, but only one nurse. What can she do? Even administrative work will overwhelm her, not to mention clinical duties. There are many such examples; the manpower shortage is pervasive. It’s not that there aren’t graduates. We’ve got many nurses the government can employ.

The ICIR: From your data, do we have employable nurses and midwives?

Medan: My recent survey in the FCT showed over 3,000 unemployed nurses. I have their contacts, addresses, everything. They’re roaming the streets of Abuja jobless. If you need them, I’ll bring them for recruitment tomorrow.

The ICIR: Are they licensed?

Medan: Yes. I have their current licence numbers. Over 3,000 are still here, jobless. The last recruitment was in 2008. How many have graduated since then? Even in the FCTA, the last official recruitment was around 2015. We don’t have a shortage of nurses in Nigeria.

People leaving the country don’t affect the population of those not employed. ‘Japa’ is not affecting us, it’s because they are not recruiting.

When we did a recruitment exercise last, even at the national level, we recorded thousands of unemployed nurses – more than 50,000. So, we have the manpower. Even if you decide to recruit a large number today, we already have the nurses available.

Lagos court jails nine Chinese for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud

Bankole ABE
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Lagos court jails nine Chinese for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud

A FEDERAL High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The court, headed by D. E. Osiagor, sentenced the Chinese following their arrest in a major sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was disclosed in a statement by the EFCC via X on Tuesday, June 10.

The convicts include Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, LI Dong, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Du Ji Feng, Lui Gang, and Lui Hai Rong.

According to the EFCC, the convicts were part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects apprehended on December 19, 2024.

The EFCC stated that its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 charged the Chinese in February 2025 with one count of separate charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The charge stated, “That you, LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.”

The anti-graft agency said the defendants initially said “not guilty” but changed their pleas to “guilty” in court on June 5, 2025.

Prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, pleaded with the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, a request supported by the defence counsel.

The judge, Osiagor, afterwards sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, effective from their arrest date of December 10, 2024, and imposed a fine of N1 million on each.

The court further directed that the convicts be returned to their country of origin within seven days of completing their sentences, as directed to the Comptroller General of Immigration.

Additionally, the EFCC seized the convicts’ phones, computers, laptops, and routers during the “Eagle Flush Operation.” The items were forfeited to the Federal Government.

Take-It-Back movement seeks police protection during June 12 protest

Itoroabasi Uduak UDO
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Take-It-Back movement seeks police protection during June 12 protest

THE Take-It-Back (TIB) movement has requested police protection on Nigeria’s Democracy Day – Thursday, June 12 – the day it plans to protest across the country.

Citing its constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the group emphasised its commitment to a peaceful and lawful demonstration on Democracy Day.

“We are dedicated to keeping this protest peaceful, organised, and in full compliance with Nigerian laws,” the group stated.

It added, “We also urge the police to cooperate by providing security support, as they have done during our previous protests against poor governance.”

The TIB further expressed its willingness to dialogue with law enforcement agencies to facilitate a safe and seamless protest.

The ICIR reported that the movement vowed to stage a peaceful demonstration on this year’s Democracy Day.

The group’s National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, June 3.

He said the movement “rejects the hollow ceremonies and official pageantry” typically associated with Democracy Day.

“This June 12, we march not just for ourselves, but for the slain in Benue, the displaced in Plateau, the silenced in detention, and the starving masses abandoned by the corrupt elite”, Sanyaolu said.

The group’s leader appealed to all Nigerians to stand up against “undemocratic forces in power.”

“We will not participate in the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom where none exists. Instead, we declare this day a National Day of Resistance, a day to stand against tyranny and bad governance.

“Freedom of speech is under attack. The state has turned on its citizens with an unrelenting campaign of intimidation and censorship,” the group stated.

False claim about man arrested for selling vultures in Abuja goes viral

Fatimah QUADRI
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False claim about man arrested for selling vultures in Abuja goes viral

A claim that a man selling vultures allegedly as chickens for consumption in Abuja has been arrested.

The claim, which surfaced online on June 2, 2025, was posted by an X user @drpenking.

The post featured an image showing a man squatting beside an animal from the bird family, with sacks nearby from which birds’ beaks were visibly seen.

The post alleged that the man was selling these wild birds as chicken in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The post read:

This guy was said to sell the biggest chicken thighs in Abuja. Today he was caught and it turns out he sells vultures as chicken.

It has garnered over 2.6 million views, with over 23,000 likes, more than 3,600 reposts and 2,300 comments as of June 4, 2025.

CLAIM

Image shows man arrested in Abuja for selling vultures as chickens.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

When our fact-checker conducted a Google Lens search on the image, the results led her to previous appearance of the image on X alongside a press release by the Uganda Police Force posted in 2023.

The statement noted that the incident occurred in Kiteezi and expressed concern over the illegal possession of wild species, particularly the Marabou stork, by four individuals.

They confirmed that all four suspects had been arrested and charged, and added that prosecution would follow in line with the law. This was also widely reported by local media outlets in Uganda as seen here and here.

Screenshot of the claim on X. Insert: MISLEADING verdict.
Screenshot of the claim on X. Insert: FALSE verdict.

Additionally, our researcher compared and contrast storks and vultures and noted that storks typically have long, straight beaks and fully feathered heads and necks, while vultures have hooked beaks adapted for tearing flesh and often have bald or sparsely feathered heads to stay clean while feeding.

Further checks show that storks have sleek bodies and long legs suited for wading in water, whereas vultures are bulkier with broad wings and strong claws adapted for soaring and scavenging.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the image showed a man arrested in Abuja for selling vultures as chickens is FALSE; the incident took place in Uganda and the birds in the image were storks, not vultures.

This report is republished from the FactCheckHub

Scores feared killed as gunmen launch fresh attack on two Benue LGAs

Bankole ABE
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Scores feared killed as gunmen launch fresh attack on two Benue LGAs

GUNMEN have launched fresh attacks on two local government areas (LGAs) of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred in Apa and Agatu LGAs in the troubled state, reportedly left scores of people dead.

Media reports showed that in the EdikwG’Icho community in Apa LGA, three youths lost their lives when they were ambushed and killed.

Two of the victims were said to hail from Edikwu-Echo, and the third was from Ugbokpo.

In Agatu LGA, a native of Odejo, Sunday Dutse, was reportedly killed along the Odugbeho-Ogbaulu road.

Dutse, a younger brother to a former chairman of the local government, was reportedly sacked from his community during an earlier attack and had been taking refuge in Ogwule-Kaduna, also in Agatu LGA.

These attacks came shortly after top military leaders, including the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, visited the state and promised to restore peace.

The ICIR reports that following earlier deadly attacks on Gwer West and Apa LGAs, the COAS moved to the state in a strategic push to curb the escalating violence.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the COAS was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and other senior army officials for an on-the-ground security assessment.

Oluyede had ordered additional deployment of troops and logistics to the state to pursue and dismantle criminal groups operating in the state.

According to Daily Trust, at least 270 people have been killed in the state in the last two months.

Meanwhile, The ICIR reported that the state Governor Hyacinth Alia alleged that some politicians serving in the National Assembly financed the recent attacks on the state.

The governor, however, did not name the politicians but hinted that an interim report from a judicial panel he set up revealed that many big names were involved.

He vowed to take up the matter as soon as he received the full report in the coming week.

Efforts to get detailed information concerning the recent attack were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Anene Sewuese, did not respond to messages and calls sent to her line over the killings.

Adapting to a changing workforce: embracing the new

Editorial
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Adapting to a changing workforce: embracing the new

By Deji ADEKUNLE

MID last year, I had the privilege of taking a session for members of my church community called “Navigating the Marketplace”. This is because my Church is a centre for integrated human development and aims to build every aspect of our lives, even though our spiritual growth takes preeminence. 

After reviewing the session, I think it is important to share some key points from the session here. A lot of it has to do with the current drivers of value, the skills that dominate and the gaps in our education system in Nigeria and what to do to equip yourself and give yourself a chance.

The landscape of work has evolved dramatically over the past few centuries, with the most significant shifts occurring as we move from the Industrial Age into the Information Age—and beyond. While the traditional educational system was designed to prepare students for factory and office-based roles, today’s rapidly changing job market demands a more adaptable, skill-based approach.

In the session, I delved into how the workforce has transformed, particularly focusing on the impact of this evolution on employment and wealth generation. Let’s explore some of the insights shared in what I believe was a thought-provoking session.

The transition: Industrial Age to Information Age

For centuries, the Industrial Age defined work and productivity, emphasising mass production and repetitive tasks. During this period, educational systems were built to create workers capable of fulfilling specific roles in factories and offices. Fast forward to today, and the world is now firmly in the midst of the Information Age, where technology, knowledge, and globalisation dictate how work is done.

The shift from manual labour to knowledge-based work has altered the entire nature of employment. The skills required for success have evolved, and employees are expected to be more adaptable, innovative, and tech-savvy than ever before. While many employers still focus on experience, the need for specific technical skills and the ability to learn new ones has become paramount.

Outdated educational systems

One of the most pressing issues I highlighted was the outdated nature of traditional educational systems. While schools and universities still focus largely on theoretical knowledge, they often fail to prepare students for the practical, ever-changing demands of the modern workforce. Today’s employees must go beyond textbook knowledge—they must cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and soft skills to thrive.

We need a reevaluation of our approach to education, and a shift toward skills-based learning that focuses on preparing individuals for the dynamic needs of the job market. Instead of relying solely on a formal degree, individuals must become proactive in their skill development, using online courses, self-directed learning, and mentorship to stay relevant.

Value over employment

One of the most important takeaways from the session is the idea that employees must shift their mindset from being jobholders to value creators. In the modern economy, job titles no longer define one’s worth—value does. Employees are expected to demonstrate how their contributions directly impact the success of an organisation.

Employers are no longer responsible for making employees wealthy. The wealth and career success of individuals are largely determined by the value they bring to the table. By focusing on the skills that matter most in the workplace and seeking ways to continuously improve, individuals can position themselves as indispensable assets to any organisation.

Wealth generation: The realities

The notion that employers will “make” their employees rich is a misconception. While many workers still equate job security with wealth, the truth is that wealth generation is deeply connected to the value one provides. Wealth is more likely to come from individual skills, entrepreneurship, and adaptability—rather than relying on an employer for compensation.

Entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-investment are key drivers of financial success. In an age where the traditional career ladder is no longer as stable as it once was, individuals must embrace the idea of building their path to financial independence through continuous learning, skill acquisition, and taking advantage of new opportunities.

The need for continuous learning

In a world where industries and job roles can become obsolete overnight due to technological advancements, the importance of continuous learning cannot be overstated. The need for individuals to adopt a growth mindset—constantly seeking new skills, staying informed about industry trends, and being willing to pivot when necessary cannot be overemphasised.

This self-investment in education and professional development is crucial for anyone hoping to remain relevant in today’s job market. Whether it’s taking courses in emerging technologies, developing leadership skills, or honing emotional intelligence, professionals must be committed to lifelong learning.

The power of interpersonal skills

While technical skills and knowledge are essential, interpersonal skills are what truly set top performers apart. In today’s collaborative work environment, being able to communicate effectively, manage relationships, and demonstrate emotional intelligence are critical to success.

Employers are looking for individuals who not only excel in their technical abilities but also possess strong interpersonal skills. The ability to work well with teams, navigate conflicts, and inspire others will continue to be in high demand in the workplace.

Taking control of your career

The final message of the session encourages individuals to take control of their career paths by understanding the evolving nature of work and actively shaping their professional journey. The landscape of work is not static, and the sooner employees recognize that their future is in their hands, the better positioned they will be to succeed.

This involves setting clear career goals, building a personal brand, and networking with key individuals in your industry. Successful careers are built on a combination of hard work, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

Conclusion

It’s time to let go of outdated notions of job security and embrace a career model where self-investment, value creation, and continuous learning are the keys to success. By doing so, you can build a sustainable career that not only adapts to change but thrives in the face of it.

Adekunle writes from Abuja and

Nigeria loses $4m World Bank loan over audit failures in Customs, FIRS

Harrison EDEH
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Nigeria loses $4m World Bank loan over audit failures in Customs, FIRS

The Federal Government is expected to lose $4 million from a World Bank loan after failing to meet auditing standards on key revenue reforms affecting the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The fund formed part of the $103 million Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a public financial management initiative financed through a credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA).

According to the World Bank’s restructuring paper dated June 2025, the revenue assurance audit covering the FIRS and Customs from the 2018 to 2021 financial years was assessed as not achieved because the reports submitted did not meet international auditing standards.

“Revenue assurance audit of Main Income Generating Agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service for FY 2018 – 2021, with an allocation of $ 4 million.

“These intermediate results to be implemented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation were assessed as not achieved by the Independent Verification Agent because the reports submitted for verification did not meet the requisite international auditing standards,” the document stated.

The ICIR reports that the failed audit was one of the 10 performance-based conditions under the project that the government could not deliver before the closing date of June 30, 2025. As a result, the Federal Ministry of Finance(FMF) formally requested the cancellation of $10.4 million in project funds.

“The FMF has requested cancellation of $0.9m of unused funds for Technical Assistance and $9.5 million, which is the amount allocated to 10 Performance-Based Conditions, which will not be achieved by the close of the Project on June 30, 2025,” part of the document reads.

The breakdown further shows that $ 4.5 million was tied to the uncompleted Revenue Assurance and Billing System, while $ 1 million was allocated to the development of a National Budget Portal.

According to the document, the Budget Office of the Federation, responsible for the portal, did not submit any evidence of achievement. In addition, $0.9 million in technical assistance funding was left uncommitted and has also been cancelled.

The document further reads, “The proposed change is to cancel the $10.4 million, constituting $9.5 million for PBCs that will not be achieved and verified by the closing date, and $0.9 million uncommitted funds from the technical assistance component.”

This latest adjustment follows an earlier restructuring in June 2024, when $ 22 million was dropped from the original $ 125 million envelope, bringing the project down to $ 103 million. With the new cancellation, the total funding now stands at $92.6 million.

The Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, approved in June 2018 and effective from May 2019, was designed to improve the credibility of public finance and national statistics through reforms in revenue administration, budget transparency, and data systems.

Although the government missed key targets, the project recorded progress in other areas, including revenue performance. According to the World Bank, non-oil revenue was 153 per cent of the budgeted target in 2024, up from a baseline of 64.9 per cent in 2018.

The bank attributed the increase to the unification of Nigeria’s exchange rate, improved tax administration via the TaxProMax system, and reforms that automated revenue remittances from ministries and agencies.

Other areas of progress include the launch of the Electronic Register of Beneficial Owners by the Corporate Affairs Commission, which now covers about 40 per cent of registered businesses, and the publication of a National Asset Registry and financial reports by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

The final disbursement on the project is projected at $96.04 million, which represents 93 per cent of the pre-cancellation total of $103 million.

The ICIR reported an earlier prediction by the World Bank, which projected that poverty in Nigeria would increase by 3.6 percentage points by 2027.

This projection is from the World Bank’s Africa Pulse report, released during the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, DC.

The report paints a troubling outlook for poverty reduction in Nigeria, highlighting that despite some recent gains in economic activity, particularly in the non-oil sector during the last quarter of 2024, structural issues related to resource dependence and national fragility were likely to hinder progress.

On the heels of these concerns, the $4 million loss, some analysts say, is a huge indictment of the much-touted economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government, with growing concerns over rising debts and burdensome taxes on Nigerians.

“This is a time we should be getting all the goodwill we need to fund developmental projects and grow the economy. We cannot afford to be losing concessionary funds at this stage,” a development economist, Celestine Okeke, told The ICIR.

Tinubu policies making life rosy for rich, tough for poor- Falana

Ehime ALEX
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Tinubu policies making life rosy for rich, tough for poor- Falana

HUMAN rights lawyer Femi Falana has expressed concern that the policy reforms of President Bola Tinubu are making life better only for the rich, while worsening the plight of the masses.

Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), criticised Tinubu’s economic reforms when he appeared on Monday, June 9, edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He stressed that the past two years of Tinubu’s administration have left many Nigerians struggling to survive under difficult economic conditions.

“For members of the government—and I’m talking of top officials—it’s been very rosy. One of them was singing a week ago that things are getting better.

“Of course, for the rich, the bourgeoisie, things are getting better. But for the masses of our people, things are getting tougher because they are going through an excruciating economic crisis,” Falana said.

President Tinubu came into power on May 29, 2023, and has initiated some critical reforms.

However, his economic policies, notably the fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, have driven up energy prices, transport fares, food costs, and the costs of other goods and services.

Stressing on these policies and how their implementation has left Nigerians in hardship, Falana noted that Tinubu had repeatedly appealed to Nigerians for patience and promised that his economic reforms would eventually lead to national prosperity.

“In fairness to the President, on many occasions, he has asked Nigerians to bear with him, to exercise patience, that our economic programme will lead to prosperity.

“Whether you believe that or not is another matter, but the government itself realises that there is a crisis in town, that people are hungry, that many are about to withdraw their children from school because of the rigid implementation of neoliberal policies dictated or endorsed by the IMF and World Bank,” he pointed out.

A former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, had recently criticised Tinubu’s administration policies.

In his criticism, Obi offered ways on how he would have implemented the policies on the fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, The ICIR reported.

Obi: How I would’ve implemented subsidy removal, naira devaluation

Ehime ALEX
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Obi: How I would’ve implemented subsidy removal, naira devaluation

LABOUR Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, said he would have removed fuel subsidy in a structured and organised manner, unlike the approach adopted by the current administration.

He also said he would have adopted the same structured approach in exchange rate unification(naira devaluation).

Obi spoke on Monday, June 9, with Arise Television about his stance and the step-by-step implementation of the policies, which he agreed were necessary.

“I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy. If you go to my manifesto, it’s there.

“I would have done it in an organised manner. There was nothing wrong with the removal of the subsidy. What is wrong is the haphazard way in which it was announced and implemented. Everybody knows that the subsidy regime was a solution to criminality. There was a lot of corruption, which they needed to get out of,” Obi said.

He noted that the government promised to remove fuel subsidies and save money to discontinue borrowing and have available funds to invest in critical areas of development.

He, however, questioned the specific sectors the government had put in the subsidy savings.

“With all these things, billions saved, where is it? Where is it invested in those critical areas of development?” he queried.

He stressed further that there was nothing wrong with floating or devaluing the naira, but that the government should have done it when it could boast of having productivity.

“What devaluation or floating does is that your currency becomes, in terms of value, low. You attract investment. Your products become more marketable. But where we are unproductive, you have nothing to sell. So it’s a double whammy. So in all this, I would have done the same thing in an organised manner,” the banker-turned-politician, maintained.

Commenting further on his approach to subsidy implementation, Obi said he would have tackled the criminality associated with it, which he asserted takes over 50 per cent of the issue.

“And then, whatever we’re able to save from it, have a specific place for it for investment.”

“We will have to have a national plan where all the accrued resources from the subsidy removal will be put into,” he further said.

“It is not just something you say, oh, we’re sharing it the way we used to share every other money. No, we should be able to put it in critical areas of development.”

Obi stressed that the promise of the removal of the subsidy has not yielded the expected result, stressing that what people want to see is where the funds are invested.

“It’s a very clear thing. We’re not the only country that has done that before in an organised manner,” he said.

On how he could have approached naira devaluation, Obi maintained that he would have done it in an organised manner.

He said he would have focused on ensuring that the country ramped up production in agriculture, manufacturing, and everything, while gradually implementing naira devaluation.

He argued that even in the so-called currency devaluation, “there was criminality as well.”

“I came from a background of business, banking, everything.So, I know everything that is associated with criminality in all these things, which you can be tightening while trying to do a gradual evolution,” he noted.

Commenting on how he would have improved productivity in the economy, Obi remarked that he could have tackled insecurity to enable increased agricultural productivity.

Lamenting that the network of roads across the country is no longer motorable, he suggested, “You face those roads first and use your resources to secure a country.”

He asked, “Will you provide a road to your village
when you cannot drive to your village? No!

He explained further that if the government acknowledged that insecurity is a problem, Nigerians can’t go to the farm, and there is an electricity challenge, then it should use the resources to deal with those issues.

President Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023, declared the fuel subsidy removed, and in July, the Central Bank of Nigeria floated the naira.

These twin policies have further pushed Nigerians into hardship, stifling businesses and the country’s economy. The ICIR has repeatedly been spotlighted.

Nigerian leaders looted funds my husband left in treasury – Maryam Abacha

Mustapha USMAN
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Nigerian leaders looted funds my husband left in treasury – Maryam Abacha

TWENTY-seven years after the death of former military ruler General Sani Abacha, his widow, Maryam Abacha, has claimed that funds left in the nation’s treasury by her husband were looted by subsequent Nigerian leaders.

In a TVC interview aired on Sunday, June 8, to mark the anniversary of Abacha’s death in office in 1998, the former First Lady dismissed long-standing accusations that her husband embezzled billions of dollars during his rule from 1993 to 1998. 

She, instead, alleged that Nigeria’s political elite squirrelled the public funds her husband left behind and had continued to blame her husband to mask their own theft.

She questioned the credibility of those accusing her husband of looting, asking for evidence such as signatures or official documentation proving the funds were illegally moved abroad.

“Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any money stashed abroad? And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, the monies vanished. People are not talking about that,” she said.

She claimed that the narrative surrounding the funds linked to Abacha had been deliberately distorted.

She further questioned whether ethnicity, religion, or regional bias played a role in the persistent criticism of her late husband.

“Why are you blaming somebody for something? Is that tribalism or a religious problem? Or what is the problem with Nigerians? I pray for Nigerians. I pray for all of us.

“I pray that we should have goodness in our hearts. We should stop telling lies and blaming people. Why are we so bad towards each other? Because somebody is a northerner or a southerner, somebody is a Muslim or a Christian, or somebody is nice.”

She also criticised the media, urging journalists to educate and inform the public rather than “bastardise people.”

The ICIR reports that Abacha ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998, following a military coup that ousted the interim government of Chief Ernest Shonekan. 

His regime, widely seen as authoritarian, was marked by human rights abuses, the jailing of pro-democracy activists, and the execution of critics such as Ken Saro-Wiwa. 

The late Abacha, who died in office on June 8, 1998, has been accused by successive Nigerian governments and international agencies of embezzling billions of dollars and stashing them in foreign accounts. 

The recovered loot, often referred to as ‘Abacha loot,’ has been repatriated from countries namely Switzerland, the UK, and the US, with over $3.6 billion reportedly returned to Nigeria since 1999.

Among the funds was $723 million returned to Nigeria from Switzerland in 2023.

However, Abacha’s wife said her husband had no links with the funds. 

While responding to comments about a relatively stable economy under her husband’s leadership, she suggested that Nigerians were manipulated into believing falsehoods about her husband.

“So, where did he steal the money from? So where would he have stolen the money from?” she asked. “And because Nigerians are fools, they listen to everything.”

The former First Lady further called for national unity, adding that no individual, past or present, is bigger than the country.

“Babangida doesn’t make Nigeria alone. Abacha does not make Nigeria alone. Abiola and everybody, nobody is big enough for Nigeria. Even the single man on the street is very important. We are all human beings, for goodness’ sake. All these wahala (troubles) should stop.”





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