The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken its sensitisation to markets in Abuja Council Areas to curb unfair practices among traders.
The Area Councils where the sensitisation took place include Kwali, Abaji, Kuje and Gwagwalada markets.
Speaking at the exercise in Kwali in Abuja, Mr Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of FCCPC, said the engagement was part of the commission’s drive to directly connect with those who made the markets work.
Bello was represented by the Principal Consumer and Business Education Officer of the Commission, Mrs Bridget Etim.
He said the commission was at the markets to educate, and also to collaborate as the real protection came from mutual understanding, shared responsibility, and deliberate actions.
Bello said the commission was investigating and taking action against unfair practices including the re-bagging and mislabelling of food items.
According to him, we also want to listen, learn, and act.
“Let me be clear that the FCCPC has already commenced surveillance and enforcement across several markets.
“The commission is investigating and taking action against the re-bagging and mislabelling of food items.
“This occurs when old, expired, substandard, or unsafe goods are repackaged and falsely presented as fresh, genuine, or popular brands.
“This practice constitutes fraud and is widespread in the sale of staples like rice and other fast-moving consumer goods.
“It deceives consumers and exposes them to serious health risks while undermining honest traders who play by the rules.
“Another concern is the practice of price fixing by market associations and the commission is also addressing the issue of inaccurate measurements and weights, ” he said.
Bello urged the traders to report to the commission if they noticed activities of ‘bad eggs’ traders among them.
“If you see something that is wrong, such as fake products, price-fixing, or short measures, report it.
“The commission will treat such reports with utmost confidentiality,” he said.
The EVC said that transparent markets helped businesses to grow, fair prices benefit consumers while responsible trade helped in building stronger communities.
Sani Ibrahim, the Chairman, Market Association, Kwali Area Council, commended the commission for the engagement before action.
Ibrahim called for more government’s engagement to enable traders in the market to know what to do and what ought not to be done.
“We truly appreciate this day. We are thankful and very grateful that the government has remembered us, coming to us, standing with us, and showing us support.
“We need government backing, the government should be engaging with us, guiding us, showing us the way, and helping us to grow,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission has plans to take the markets sensitisation to all states of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says the harmonious working relationship among the three arms of government was good for the consolidation of the nation’s democracy.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th Assembly, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said a rancorous relationship in the government would only lead to delays in law-making and policy execution, a development he said would not be in the interest of the populace.
Onuigbo said that the executive, legislature and judiciary could work hand in hand without losing focus on their constitutional responsibilities to Nigerians.
“No system is perfect; not even the U.S. We cannot do a blanket condemnation of any arm of government.
“Though there may be some errors, it is not enough for a blanket condemnation of the legislature, judiciary or executive,’’ he said.
Onuigbo, who is also a climate change activist, said it was unfortunate that many Nigerians seem to think that the legislature was pandering to the executive.
According to him, as an arm of government, lawmakers have contributed their quota towards ensuring the 26 years of uninterrupted democracy the country has enjoyed.
He cited the aborted third term agenda of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, and the invocation of the doctrine of necessity incapacitated as part of the legislative interventions that rescued the nation’s democracy of imminent danger.
“The National Assembly shut down the third term agenda. At the same time, the application of the doctrine of necessity ensured that then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, took over power when then President Musa Yar’Adua was incapacitated.
“The legislature is growing; it is finding its feet in the democracy space, though there may be weaknesses.
“They have passed laws that produced institutions like the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) that strengthened the present democratic dispensation,’’ Onuigbo said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the legislature and other arms of government, adding that when compared to other well established democracies, Nigeria’s civilian rule was still in embryo stage. (NAN)
The Redeemer’s University, Ede, in Osun, on Tuesday distributed foodstuffs, clothing and other items to indigent residents in the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, tagged “Love Show Case”, was part of ongoing activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the university.
Speaking during the programme, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Shadrach Akindele, said that the distribution of the items was in the fulfilment of the scripture to show love to mankind.
Akindele, represented by his deputy, Prof. Peter Aderonmu, said the university wanted the host community “to feel the love of its 20th anniversary”.
“We are in such an economy that people at the top don’t bother about what happens to the people at the grassroots .
“One of the ways to show the love of Christ is to reach out to them and that is what we are doing today.
“The university will continue to show love to the residents in the community,” he said.
Also, Prof. Olalere Adeyemi, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, said the gifts were to bring succour to indigent residents in the community.
“The university is sitting on a tripod of teaching, research and community service.
“What we are doing today is to fulfill the third aspect of it, which is community service through the showing of love.
“Now that we are doing our anniversary, we want to give back to the society”, he said.
Earlier, the wife of the VC, Mrs Hannah Akindele, urged the beneficiaries of the items to continue to pray for the progress of the university.
One of the beneficiaries, Opeyemi Ibrahim, commended the management of the university for the gesture.
According to Ibrahim, the few items I collected will go a long way to meet my needs.
Similarly, Ajibola Kareem, another beneficiary, said that the gesture of the university should be emulated by others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed include; food, clothing, shoes, sanitary pads, electronics gadgets, among others.
The beneficiaries were given numbers to pick items of their choice, while the distribution of electronics gadgets such as washing machine, freezer and mobile phones were done through a raffle draw. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is set to collaborate with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to introduce gratuity.
In a statement issued by the commission in Abuja, it said that the framework was for civil servants in treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The Director-General (D-G) of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, said this when she visited the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF).
According to Oloworaran, the gratuity scheme will be established in line with Section 4(4)(a) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA 2014) for retiring employees of Federal Government treasury-funded MDAs.
She said it was estimated to cost the government about N30 billion per annum as determined by PenCom and confirmed by the 2024 stakeholders committee on outstanding pension liabilities.
Oloworaran said that the amount represented a modest, but impactful intervention to improve the welfare of those who had served the nation with dedication.
According to her, the persistent issue of delayed payments is due to the delay in payment of accrued rights.
The D-G said that the previous collaboration between PenCom and the OHCSF yielded significant progress.
She said this include securing a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the N758 billion bond to clear outstanding pension liabilities under the CPS.
Oloworaran also unveiled a one-time, comprehensive online enrolment exercise to establish the accrued pension rights liability of all serving federal employees of treasury-funded MDAs who were in service prior to June 2004.
She said that this online verification and enrolment exercise would begin in August.
The D-G said it would enable PenCom to present to the government the amount so determined with a view to possibly raise bond to settle the entire liability once and for all.
Oloworaran said that the determined accrued pension rights for every eligible civil servant would be credited into their individual Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).
She said that some of the benefits of the enrolment retirees would start earning returns on these funds, and the system would become shielded from political transitions, as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) would take full control.
Oloworaran said that the commission was developing a digital application to streamline the enrolment process.
She said that PenCom plans to deploy the online application by August and sought OHCSF’s support to issue a circular directing all MDAs to participate in the enrolment and submit the necessary documentation.
Oloworaran said in addressing challenge of uncredited pension contributions among MDAs not enrolled in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), some contributions were often made without accompanying schedules.
According to her, contributions are often made without accompanying schedules.
Oloworaran said that PenCom had ntroduced a new pension contribution remittance system that requires all employers to henceforth, utilise selected Payment Solution Support Providers (PSSPs) for the remittance of their employees’ contributions.
She said that this ensures accurate and prompt remittance of pension contributions into respective RSAs of employees.
The D-G also requested the head of service’s assistance in issuing directives to IPPIS office in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and MDAs not on IPPIS, such as tertiary institutions, self-funding agencies, and others to utilise selected PSSPs for remittance of monthly contributions effective June.
The HCSF, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, expressed her support for all the initiatives and commended PenCom for its proactive approach to improving pension administration.
She pledged to issue the necessary circulars to MDAs and to collaborate closely with PenCom in developing the modalities and securing the approvals for the gratuity scheme.
Walson-Jack said civil servants have been calling for gratuity and expressed her full backing for the proposed gratuity scheme.
According to the statement, PenCom and OHCSF agreed to establish a standing committee to work on the outlined reforms and address any emerging issues in the future. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
In Nigeria, a silent and rapidly escalating crisis—Gaming and Gambling Addiction—is overwhelmingly affecting public health and social well-being, particularly among the youth.
Physical ailments like hypertension, diabetes and cancer often overshadow public health discussions, but mental and social well-being are emerging as critical, often-overlooked, drivers of risky behaviours such as problem gaming and gambling.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines gambling as risking something of value on an uncertain outcome for a potential increased return.
This includes traditional betting, casino games, lotteries, and bingo, with electronic gambling machines (EGMs) and certain online casino games carrying the highest risk of harm.
The lines between “gambling” and “gaming” are increasingly blurred, especially as modern gaming platforms incorporate “gambling-like” elements such as “loot boxes’’.
Regardless of whether it’s skill or chance, the consequences are alarmingly similar – severe financial stress, relationship breakdowns, family violence, profound mental illness, and even suicide from unmet expectations or commitments.
So grave is the concern of addiction that in 2018, the WHO formally added both online and offline gaming disorder to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), describing it as “a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour” that “takes precedence over other life interests.”
The escalating societal impact was the central focus of the Responsible Gaming Symposium, organised by Gamble Alert, an NGO.
Under the theme, “Building a Sustainable Industry Through Responsible Gaming Practices,” the symposium held in Lagos united health professionals, industry regulators, gaming operators, and researchers to forge a comprehensive framework for addressing gambling addiction and championing player well-being.
Some dignitaries at the Responsible Gaming Symposium, organised by Gamble Alert, an NGO.
Prof. Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration at the University of Ibadan and a Professor of Social/Health Psychology, highlighted how digitisation had profoundly amplified the problem, making gambling “socially acceptable across all age groups” and accessible through smartphones and social media.
His observation, “When you open your Bible app, you even see gambling advertisements” testified to its pervasive integration into daily life.
Olapegba presented alarming statistics that an estimated 60 million Nigerians were actively involved in gambling, collectively spending a staggering 1.8 billion naira daily.
In spite of this massive engagement, he questioned the government‘s oversight, saying, “The government is regulating, but it’s unclear whether they’re promoting or preventing gambling’’.
He warned that gambling becomes problematic “When it pushes you to lose control of your budget, when you can no longer stick to your financial plan.”
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasised that gambling wasn’t just an economic issue, but a critical public health concern affecting mental, social, and physical health.
He was represented by Dr Tolu Ajomale, the Director/Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health.
According to him, the broader scope of health is beyond the purely physical, drawing attention to the often-ignored pillars of holistic well-being.
“Health is wealth when you are well, socially; when you are well, mentally and when you are well, physically’’.
Causes and Negative Impact
Shedding light on the hidden human cost of gambling, he explained that gaming and gambling waves and addiction had become a worrisome behaviour in society, emphasising that it wasn’t just an economic issue, but a critical public health concern affecting mental, social, and physical health.
He linked the rise of addictive behaviours like gaming and gambling to socio-economic pressures, driving individuals, especially younger people, toward gambling as an “escape” mechanism.
According to him, in a challenging economic climate, many individuals seek escape or a misguided path to resilience, sometimes succumbing to vices.
Also, the increasing accessibility of digital platforms places vulnerable populations at greater risk, particularly with younger individuals engaging in online gaming where age verification is a significant hurdle.
“The most concerning, is the fact that with digital platforms making gambling increasingly accessible, vulnerable populations are at greater risk of developing addictive behaviours’’.
While acknowledging the legal and ethical arguments put forth by the gaming industry, the commissioner highlighted the undeniable evidence of gambling addiction’s devastating impact on individuals’ social, mental, and physical health.
“This calls for greater responsibility from gaming operators to ensure players possess the mental capacity and legal maturity to participate.
“Many people who are often involved with gambling become addicts, and evidence of addiction is usually seen in their social lives, to their mental health, to their physical health.
“For the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the repercussions of gambling addiction are a public health problem, demanding proactive measures.
“Yet, the challenge lies in shifting the focus of decision-makers, who often prioritise economic gains over human well-being.
“It always boils down to the naira,” he lamented, referring to the common focus on financial metrics.
Proffering solution, he challenged the industry to prioritise player well-being over profits, suggesting a reframing of the industry’s sustainability
“The sustainability of the gaming industry depends on the well-being of its players’’, saying that a healthy client base is essential for long-term profitability.
Mr Fisayo Oke, CEO and Founder of Gamble Alert, decried the “worrisome loose gaming industry,” asserting that responsible gaming was not just a moral imperative but a critical business strategy.
He stressed that player safety should be mandatory, not optional.
“The sustainability of the industry depends entirely on how safe customers are, highlighting industry accountability and player education as crucial dimensions.
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) also sounded alarm over rising online gambling risks, especially among the youths.
Mr Bashir Are, CEO of LSLGA, represented by Mrs Adetoun Adeyemi, emphasised their commitment to “promoting responsible gaming and safeguarding the public.
“A partner reported over 180 calls for gambling addiction help between January and July 2024, leading to free counselling,’’ he said.
The LSLGA called for broad stakeholder support to tackle this emerging social challenge.
Indeed, the human toll is stark.
A “gaming/gambling addict’’, Yusuf Adewale (Not real name) lamented how frustrating it was to be hooked on gaming.
“When I sleep, I dream of playing and winning.
“I don dey play for over five years. I have spent plenty money to play. Many times, I don borrow money to play. I play and replay. Yet, I have not won anything.
“I spend all I make on gambling and gaming.’’
Sadly, Adewale said he would keep playing until he, perhaps, wins one day.
Discussions also revealed significant challenges, notably the lack of a centralised database to track self-excluded players, as problem gamblers circumvent exclusion by switching operators.
Industry leaders also acknowledged the problem.
An expert emphasised the critical need for coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable players like Adewale.
However, they asserted that there were mechanisms in place to check gaming addiction and underage gaming, but how many operators adhered to those?
Mr Abayomi Oketope, President of the Association of Casino Owners and Gaming Operators, stressed the need to “build in responsible gaming” for business sustainability.
Mr Gossy Ukanwoke, CEO of BetKing Nigeria, affirmed their commitment to “responsible gaming practices and safeguarding the welfare of customers,” including robust Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols.
Mr Olajide Oladuro, Chairman of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, warned against viewing gambling as a career, stating, “Gambling is not a way for anybody to get prosperous.”
He emphasised, “It is just something that you do at leisure with your loose change, and you don’t stay bent on it’’.
To stem the tide, he advocated for extensive grassroots sensitisation, local radio campaigns, strict enforcement against underage gambling, and educating youth about alternative opportunities.
The consensus underscored the industry’s growing awareness of gaming/gambling addiction’s potential to disrupt finances, mental health, and social relationships, demanding urgent societal intervention and robust protective measures.
As such, as the country confronts the growing challenge of gambling addiction, the experts’ passionate plea is a critical wake-up call.
The path forward demands a united front: gaming industries must prioritise player protection, governments must implement robust regulations, and communities must foster awareness about mental health risks.
The true measure of a society’s progress isn’t just economic growth, but how it safeguards the most vulnerable.
By recognising gaming and gambling not merely as an entertainment option, but as a potential public health threat take the first step toward meaningful change.
With digital platforms making gambling increasingly accessible, the stakes have never been higher.
Experts advocate collective responsibility to protect individuals’ well-being, understand underlying triggers, and create supportive environments that offer healthier alternatives to economic and emotional escape.
The conversation has begun. Now, action must follow. (NANFeatures)
*** If used, kindly credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged marketing authorisation holders to submit their products to the agency for visibility on the agency’s Greenbook app.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the call at a two-day Sensitisation and Awareness Workshop on Greenbook, Traceability Project and Paediatric Policy in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Greenbook app was officially inaugurated by the agency in 2024, to help Nigerians verify the authenticity of medical products and fight against counterfeit drugs.
Adeyeye, represented by NAFDAC’s Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, Mr Bitrus Fraden, said the submission would help the agency to update its database on the Greenbook App.
She said: “We are still waiting for many marketing authorisation holders to submit more information about their products.
“Some have been slow in doing this, which is why a product may be registered but not yet visible on the Greenbook.
“We are calling on all manufacturers and marketing authorisation holders to provide the required information so that consumers can identify fake or substandard products through the Greenbook app”.
The D-G said the workshop was organised to sensitise stakeholders to its Greenbook, traceability project and paediatric policy to ensure that both regulator and the regulated were on the same page in combating fake medical products.
“Traceability is a legal framework for tracking products along the supply chain, while the Paediatric Regulation 2024 is designed to address the special medical needs of children.
“With this technology, stakeholders can detect and prevent the entry of fake products into the supply chain.”
“Over the years, Nigeria, like in other Low and Middle-Income Countries, has grappled with a man-made evil called substandard and falsified products.
“These products are produced by our greedy businessmen and their international collaborators to get rich or make money, making it the worst inhumanity of man to fellow men,” she said.
She noted that the agency had deployed various measures to combat falsified products which included NAFDAC consumer safety publications, publication of counterfeit products in daily newspapers, the Shine Your Eyes programme on national TV among others.
Adeyeye added that counterfeiters had assumed more sophisticated dimensions to advance their trade, hence the need for the agency to adopt modern technologies and means to mitigate their activities.
The D-G urged all stakeholders in the healthcare space to support the agency’s laudable initiatives to ensure the consumption and usage of only safe, and efficacious medical products for Nigerians.
Also, NAFDAC Coordinator for South-West Zone, Mrs Rose Ajayi, said the workshop was aimed to keep stakeholders abreast of the agency’s policies targeted at combating counterfeit and falsified drugs.
Stakeholders from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Nurses, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria and others were represented at the workshop. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday congratulated Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms on his 50th birthday.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President described the tax expert as a trailblazer.
He also described the accomplished accountant and economist as someone who exemplifies excellence, resilience, and innovation in both public and private service.
Tinubu highlighted Oyedele’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, to academic and professional distinction at top global institutions such as the London School of Economics, Yale University, and Harvard Kennedy School.
He noted that Oyedele had demonstrated merit, discipline, and integrity which were the foundations of genuine achievement.
“When I inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms on August 8, 2023, I tasked the committee under his chairmanship with a bold mission to reform Nigeria’s tax and fiscal landscape.
“I urged him to raise our tax-to-GDP ratio to 18 per cent within three years, and make the business environment more attractive.
“Although, I am awaiting the harmonised four tax bills for assent, indications are that the reforms will enable us to reach our targeted tax-to-GDP ratio, which has already risen from 10 per cent to more than 13.5 per cent” he said.
The president commended the former Africa Tax Leader at PwC for his pivotal role in championing a fairer, simpler, and more growth-oriented tax system for Nigeria.
He also appreciated Oyedele’s efforts to streamline taxation, provide relief for low-income households, and ensure that Nigeria’s fiscal policies promote inclusive economic growth.
As Oyedele marks his golden jubilee, Tinubu said he looks forward to his continued contributions to academia and to mentoring the next generation of leaders through youth empowerment initiatives.
The president prayed that God grants Oyedele continued strength, wisdom, and fulfillment as he continues his dedicated service to Nigeria and humanity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyedele was born on June 18, 1975, in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State.
He was appointed Chairman Tinubu’s Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms on Aug. 8, 2023 and had been in the forefront of efforts to revamp Nigeria’s tax system. (NAN)
In today’s volatile and uncertain environment, organisations and their leaders in Nigeria are confronted with a complex web of strategic challenges that demand more than operational excellence.
Indeed, they require courageous governance, visionary foresight, and agile execution. One of the most critical issues is the persistent gap between short-term survival and enduring profitable growth.
Boards and executive teams often find themselves reacting to daily fires, unable to pause, reflect, and recalibrate their organisations to remain resilient and relevant in a world of constant disruption.
The story of Volkswagen Nigeria serves as a cautionary tale in this regard. Once a beacon of industrial promise, it failed to adapt to evolving market realities and industrial policy shifts, eventually shutting down. What could have been a thriving automotive hub turned into an emblem of missed strategic renewal.
Fast forward to recent years, even multinational giants have not been immune—GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), after operating for over five decades in Nigeria, exited in 2023, citing a harsh business environment and supply chain disruptions that leadership failed to foresee or sufficiently mitigate.
Stakeholder trust, once easily assumed, is now increasingly fragile. Governance lapses, inconsistent communication, and a disconnect between leadership decisions and societal realities have eroded confidence.
Today’s leaders must move beyond compliance and embrace strategic empathy, while boards must evolve from ceremonial oversight to active custodians of purpose and accountability. This erosion of trust was palpable in the downfall of Savannah Bank. The bank once held strong public confidence, but inadequate risk management, weak board oversight, and governance failings undermined its credibility and led to its eventual revocation.
The lessons are clear: trust, once lost, is hard to regain, and its loss has institutional consequences that can be existential.
Procter & Gamble (P&G), another global powerhouse, also closed its Nigerian manufacturing operations in 2023. While they remain present via imports, the strategic withdrawal from local production reflected not just currency volatility, but a deeper governance gap in adapting to regulatory shifts and aligning operations with evolving local realities.
As digital disruption accelerates, many organisations remain stuck in outdated modes of operation. Executives may lack the fluency to drive innovation, and boardrooms often struggle to frame the right strategic questions around cybersecurity, platform shifts, and future-of-work dynamics, leaving critical blind spots unaddressed.
The collapse of NITEL exemplifies this. As Nigeria’s national telecoms provider, NITEL stood at the centre of a digital revolution it failed to lead. Mired in bureaucracy and bereft of bold leadership, it missed pivotal transitions to mobile and data-led services. Private competitors surged ahead while NITEL clung to outdated infrastructure and hierarchical governance models. What was once a national asset became a casualty of digital stagnation and strategic inertia.
Similarly, Sanofi, the French pharmaceutical giant, halted local operations and shifted to an import-based model in 2023. This decision reflected the consequences of poor long-range planning and an overdependence on fragile supply chains without the buffers or scenario plans that effective boards ought to oversee.
The dissonance between strategy and execution is another silent saboteur. Grand visions articulated in the boardroom frequently lose momentum as they cascade, if at all, through layers of management. Performance frameworks remain fixated on lagging indicators, missing the very metrics that drive agility, innovation, and stakeholder impact.
Today, similar gaps are visible in the retail sector. Shoprite, once hailed as the gateway to modern retail in Nigeria, exited in 2021. Rising operating costs, insecurity, and supply chain challenges were contributing factors, but at the heart of it was an inability to localise strategy, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and empower in-market leadership to execute effectively in a dynamic environment.
Meanwhile, few leadership teams are truly prepared for the geopolitical shifts and regulatory unpredictability that increasingly shape the African and global business terrain. Boards and executives must cultivate the ability to read these signals early and act with speed, clarity, and conviction. Those who fail to anticipate disruption often become overwhelmed by it.
The experience of Niger Insurance offers yet another telling lesson. Once a strong player in Nigeria’s insurance sector, its fall was driven by undercapitalisation, regulatory breaches, and insufficient board oversight on financial sustainability. Strategic drift over the years, worsened by governance complacency, led to regulatory sanctions and loss of market relevance. Its story reflects the cost of reactive, rather than anticipatory, leadership.
Equally pressing is the issue of talent flight and the growing leadership vacuum. Experienced professionals leave, promising talent becomes disillusioned, and without deliberate action, the winning culture erodes. Succession becomes reactive rather than strategic, and organisations lose the very people who should shape their future. Underpinning all of this is the absence of a compelling strategic narrative. In too many organisations, there is no single, shared story that inspires alignment, enables execution, and rallies internal and external stakeholders around a unifying purpose.
When the narrative is unclear, the mission falters. When leadership is silent or misaligned, organisations lose their moral and strategic compass—and eventually, their market position.
These challenges, while daunting, are not insurmountable. They are inflection points. They are urgent calls for directors, executives, and public sector leaders to think differently, lead boldly, and govern strategically. This is exactly what TEXEM’s powerful executive development programme, Strategic Governance and Leadership: Steering Excellence in Turbulent Times, scheduled between July 16 and July 17 at Wheatbaker, Ikoyi, is designed to deliver. It is a transformative platform for those ready to lead their organisations with clarity, courage, and a deep sense of purpose.
Guided by an exceptional faculty, this programme brings together rare insight and practical relevance. Bradley Jones, Executive Director of the UAE–UK Business Council, offers participants the benefit of a global perspective shaped at the highest levels of government and corporate diplomacy. His expertise is shaped by his work as a former advisor to five foreign ministers in the UK and his proven experience in equipping leaders to navigate complexity, drive performance, and lead change.
Leveraging TEXEM’s tested and proven methodology, he will provoke critical thinking, challenge assumptions, and foster deep learning that endures long after the programme ends.
What makes TEXEM different is not just what is taught, but how it is delivered. This isn’t passive learning—it’s an immersive experience that blends robust academic content with experiential techniques.
Participants engage in simulations, live case studies, reflective assessments, gamified learning, and peer-driven dialogue. It is a rich, dynamic environment where knowledge is not just acquired but tested, contextualised, and applied. This methodology ensures leaders leave not with notes, but with new mindsets, frameworks, and strategies they can immediately put to work.
For organisations, the value is tangible and lasting. Boards emerge better equipped to steer strategic direction and ensure long-term value creation. Executive teams gain the confidence and capacity to lead in uncertainty and translate vision into measurable impact.
Governance mechanisms are recalibrated to reinforce strategic priorities, enhancing performance and stakeholder alignment. Transparency and accountability become cultural anchors, not mere aspirations. The ability to lead digital and structural transformation becomes embedded, rather than outsourced. Internal leadership pipelines are reinvigorated, and the seeds of succession are planted with intention. And, perhaps most powerfully, a shared strategic language begins to emerge—one that cuts through noise, dissolves silos, and aligns the entire organisation behind a common purpose.
The exits of GSK, P&G, Sanofi, and Shoprite from Nigeria serve as sobering reminders of what happens when strategic misalignment, weak foresight, and inadequate governance go unaddressed.
TEXEM’s programme empowers leaders to anticipate disruption, align boards and management with clarity of purpose, and embed resilience into the very fabric of the organisation. It is not just an opportunity—it is an antidote to organisational fragility, a lifeline for those who wish to lead with impact, and a strategic imperative for those determined to thrive in turbulent times.(NAN)
Mr Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director of the Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), says the scheme is critical to improving the living standards of Nigerians and curbing corruption across the system.
Nwagba stated this on Tuesday during a ‘Meet the Press’ event organised by the Presidential Media Team at the State House, Abuja.
He said the initiative launched less than a year ago has delivered consumer credit to over 100, 000 Nigerians, with civil servants making up a large percentage.
“The idea is simple: when civil servants can access consumer credit to improve their homes, buy vehicles, or handle personal needs, the pressure to engage in corrupt practices significantly reduces.
“Corruption becomes less comfortable when your basic needs are already met,” he said.
Nwagba explained that the well -conceived Tinubu-led government initiative was not just about access to financing, but about creating real, dignified economic alternatives for Nigerians.
According to him, the CREDICORP mandate include improving quality of life and strengthening local industries by enabling Nigerians to access consumer credit to buy locally made goods.
“The President has made it clear that improving lives is a top priority.
“If people can access credit responsibly, it reduces the pressure that pushes them into corruption or financial missteps.
“At the same time, it drives demand for Nigerian products and helps create jobs,” he said
He also announced plans to roll out a nationwide consumer credit programme targeting 400,000 young Nigerians, beginning with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), under the YouthCred scheme.
To ensure sustainability, Nwagba emphasised that strict repayment mechanisms are being put in place, in line with global best practices.
“Beneficiaries must repay their loans on schedule.
“Defaulters may face restrictions such as being unable to renew their passport, obtain a driver’s license, or even rent a house,” he warned.
Nwagba said that as part of a broader effort to build a centralised and reliable credit infrastructure, the Federal Government is working to link individual credit scores directly to the National Identification Number (NIN).
“All financial institutions, whether commercial banks, FinTechs, or microfinance lenders will be mandated to report loan performance.
“Every Nigerian will have an accurate and traceable credit score.
“No matter where the loan originates, unpaid credit will be tracked and recoverable,” Nwagba said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Olanike Kolawole, Executive Director of Operations at CREDICORP, confirmed that the youth credit initiative will cover individuals aged 18 to 35.
She said that the programme is being executed in collaboration with participating banks, technology firms, and youth-focused organisations.
“YouthCred is not just a credit product, it’s a generational investment in financial confidence, trust, and economic inclusion,” she said.
The agency estimates that Nigeria needs about N183 trillion naira in credit to support broad-based development, noting that the government alone cannot provide this capital.
“No government has that kind of money, We need all financial institutions to buy into this and commit to sustainable consumer credit.
“With the right infrastructure, lenders will be more confident, and Nigerians will have better access to credit.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) is a Federal Government-backed Development Finance Institution (DFI), established to democratize access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s working population.
CREDICORP prides itself as Nigeria’s first fully paperless government agency, operating with just 19 staff members, using AI-powered, digital-first systems and a fleet of fully electric vehicles. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Kano State Government has intensified its campaign to eliminate open defecation in the state through the distribution of sanitation and campaign materials to six local government areas nearing Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The items were distributed through the state’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Sumaila, Bebeji, Bunkure, and Tofa local government areas.
Speaking during the presentation in Kano, the Managing Director of RUWASA, Engr Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa, urged residents to embrace hygienic defecation practices in line with Islamic teachings on personal hygiene.
He said the use of latrines has long been part of the architectural designs of traditional homes in the region, and that RUWASA’s role was to reinforce these values to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
“To achieve ODF, we must sustain vigorous campaigns that involve teamwork. All stakeholders must take ownership of the process and act as ambassadors, especially at the grassroots,” he said.
Isa called on Supervisory Councillors and Heads of Departments to support the upcoming validation exercise by the National Task Group on Sanitation and UNICEF.
He also directed that the distributed materials be delivered to schools through the Local Government Education Authorities, stressing that children remain the most vulnerable to sanitation-related diseases.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Measurement and Evaluation at RUWASA, Hajiya Isyaku Mukhtar, said the meeting was convened to share progress and challenges following the agency’s recent field visits.
She urged the representatives of the six LGAs to intensify efforts to meet the ODF targets under the National Emergency Programme, which the state governor, Kabir Yusuf, supports passionately.
Highlights of the event included presentations on WASH protocol, hygiene promotion, and ODF sustainability strategies.
Items distributed included Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, improved latrine covers, Tippy Taps with sanitiser, and public enlightenment banners. (NAN)
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