Perspectives
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Otti’s uninformed aides: the case of Abia’s financial illiteracy, by Obinna Oriaku
The Deputy Speaker was absolutely right when he stated that Abia State receives about ₦38 billion monthly, according to the state’s own Quarter 2, 2025 Budget Performance Report. The report, published by the Abia State Government, provides undeniable evidence that exposes the ignorance of certain government aides who struggle to grasp even the most basic principles of public finance. The…
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Generals, Marabouts and Boko Haram, by Lasisi Olagunju
General Lucky Irabor wrote a book that attracted a gathering of Generals in Abuja last Friday. Irabor, in the book, describes the January 1966 coup as “a shield that became a sword;” a solution that became a problem. He may be right. Bishop Matthew Kukah, who reviewed the book, described the January 1966 coup as the nation’s primary crime scene.…
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A truly honourable man at 69! By Temitope Ajayi
When his name appeared on the list of ministerial nominees, the natural assumption was that he would head the Ministry of Information. That assumption was not misplaced. Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals, is an outstanding journalist, a renowned editor as well as a public and political communication czar. He excelled in his previous roles as Editor of National…
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Whose report shall we believe on the Nigerian economy? By Dapo Okubanjo
There has been a lot of public commentaries on the state of the Nigerian economy in the last 28 months, from the sublime to the outrightly ridiculous. Indeed almost as soon as President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 29 2023 and made his “subsidy is gone” announcement, it looked like all hell was let loose in the aftermath of…
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Seven days on the road with Dave Umahi, by Segun Showunmi
A chance encounter in a barbershop It began in the most ordinary of places a salon in Abuja. Clippers humming, young people talking, frustration simmering beneath the jokes. “The Maraba–Abuja road is a nightmare,” one of them said, and the others nodded in agreement. I listened quietly, thinking to myself how our roads often tell our stories of neglect, patience,…
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Garlands for the Guardian of the Mines at 69, by Kehinde Bamigbetan
Today, 6 October 2025, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake clocks 69. For many in Nigeria, the name conjures memories of his decades as a journalist and public communicator. These days, it represents a new hope for sustainable reform in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and Africa’s mining industry. To understand the minister, you must know…
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Dangote, NUPENG, PENGASSAN and public interest, by Bolanle Bolawole
Two of my ardent readers and friends prevailed on me to comment on the on-going scuffle between Dangote refinery on the one hand and the two Labour unions in the oil and gas sector, NUPENG (Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers) and PENGASSAN (Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria) on the other. While junior workers…
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Ibadan Politics and the subtext of Taye Currency’s psychi-art-ric performance, by Oladeinde Olawoyin
(I) Taye Akande Currency, the psychi-artiste from Foko, is presently in the eye of the storm. He has been the subject of scorn and attacks on social media and even in different places across Ibadan due to what turned out as the highlight of his performance at the Olubadan coronation ceremonies penultimate Friday, where he sang: “Were la fi n…
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High point of Nigeria’s participation at UNGA 80, by Tunde Rahman
A major human foible is the tendency to pursue symbolism at the expense of substance. It is not a particularly Nigerian flaw. But the desperation that has characterised our politics, especially amongst the opposition, often makes it seem so.An example is the criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s inability to personally attend the recently-concluded 80th session of the United Nations General…
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Food import waivers: Abuja’s quick fix, Northern farmers’ slow death, by Baba El-Yakubu
Food waivers may win applause in Abuja, but they spell slow death for northern farmers. We are witnessing a repeat of Nigeria’s worst policy mistakes—short-term fixes with devastating long-term consequences Last week, I attended a seminar-like meeting that passionately debated the issue of recent food import waivers – its meaning, implications, and ramifications. Food is everybody’s business, and we must…
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