Category: General News

By Correspondent

Dr. Dauda Adamu, Director-General, Tinubu National Alliance for 2027 (TNA’27) and National Coordinator, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Stability Project, says President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima remained focused on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda to the Nigerians.

Adamu, in a statement on Monday, emphasised that it is imperative to state without ambiguity: there are no cracks in the Presidency.

He added that there is no vacancy in Aso Villa, and certainly no vacancy in the Vice President’s office, saying ” what we have is a united, dependable, and purpose-driven leadership.

The director general said that the recent speculations in some corners of the media attempting to suggest tension, disloyalty, or any form of rift between the President and his Vice are nothing but unfounded tales.

He described the speculation as a desperate distraction from the evident progress being made by President Bola Tinubu administration.

” These rumours are not only false but are being deliberately weaponised by those who fear the success and stability of the current government.

” Instead of acknowledging the visible achievements under this administration, they resort to conspiracy and misinformation to stir doubt where none exists” he said.

He recalled that during the recent APC National Policy Summit earlier this year, President Tinubu himself dispelled these doubts when he publicly described Vice President Shettima as “a Tick Tact Team”—a metaphor for a well-oiled, rock-solid unit.

” He did not mince words in affirming Shettima’s position as a dependable partner, a trusted ally, and a foundational pillar in Nigeria’s national transformation journey.

” That remark was not a flourish of political theatre; it was a deliberate and sincere acknowledgment of the strategic synergy and mutual trust that defines the Tinubu-Shettima relationship.”

He said that Vice President Shettima, from the onset, has shown unwavering loyalty, clarity of purpose, and administrative dexterity.

” Shettima continues to provide strong support to the President in both foreign and domestic engagements—whether representing Nigeria on the global stage, supporting national security efforts, coordinating humanitarian interventions, or contributing to the economic agenda.

” He has proven himself not only as a loyal Vice President but as a statesman with deep understanding and commitment to the development of this country.

” The Tinubu-Shettima ticket was not an accident of convenience—it was a deliberate convergence of competence, character, and shared progressive ideals.

” Their joint mandate is built on a foundation of trust and a common vision to uplift Nigeria.

” This administration is not distracted by gossip; it remains fully engaged with the pressing task of nation-building—delivering key infrastructure projects, revitalising agriculture, tackling insecurity, empowering young people, stabilising the economy, and restoring confidence in our democratic institutions.

” These are the pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and they are being pursued with vigour by a Presidency working as one cohesive unit.

He called on all Nigeria particularly the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rise above rumour and political distractions.

” Let us not be drawn into speculative narratives that only serve the interests of a few.

” Instead, we must stay focused on the broader national mission and lend our support to a leadership that has shown courage, consistency, and capacity. Now is not the time for political noise. Now is the time to consolidate, to build, and to stand firmly with the democratic leadership that Nigerians freely elected.

He insisted that there are no cracks in the Presidency, no betrayal, no division. Only loyalty, clarity, and commitment.

Dr Adamu noted that the bond between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima is one forged in trust, mutual respect, and national responsibility.

” With this kind of leadership maturity and political stability, Nigeria is in safe hands. The road ahead is long, but with unity at the top and the collective will of the people, our nation will not falter.”

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s virtues of sacrifice, obedience and submissiveness to the will of Allah, in order to be successful in life.

Etsu Nupe made the appeal in his Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah in his domain and Nigerians in general to mark the Eid-el-Adhah celebration at the Idi praying ground in Bida on Friday.

“Today’s celebration is a commemoration of total submissiveness and obedience to the will of Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail.

“It is also a lesson on the virtue of keeping our promises to Allah and to our fellow man,” Abubakar said.

“Prophet Ibrahim made a vow to sacrifice his son to Allah, and when it was time to fulfil the promise, he didn’t back out. That is a strong virtue worthy of emulation.

“It was in appreciation of that gesture that Allah converted what would have been a human sacrifice to that of a sheep,’’ the Royal father added.

The traditioal ruler advised Muslims to shun societal ills and to always endeavour to do good, for the betterment of all.

“Societal ills like bribery, corruption, drunkenness and gambling do not do any good to man, society, or the Muslim faithful, hence all believers are enjoined to avoid them

He implored ‘Muslim Ummah’ in his domain and the country at large to reflect on the significance of the celebration, which bordered on encouraging piety, sacrifice and love.

Abubakar admonished Nigerians to strive to live in peace with each other, irrespective of any religious, political, cultural and ethnic affinities.

“We should also continue to be our brothers’ keepers so as to collectively bolster peace, unity and the even socioeconomic development of the country.

“The Almighty Allah has created us in different ways, with varying potentials and faiths, cultures and ethnicities .

“Our rich diversities should serve as our formidable unifying factors and not dividing ones. The Almighty Allah has not made a mistake by creating us together in Nigeria,”he said.

Abubakar appealed to wealthy individuals in the country to assist the less privileged to enable all and sundry celebrate the Sallah celebration with ease.

“God has endowed wealth on people not for themselves and their immediate family, but for the benefit of entire society.

“The present socio-economic predicament that we are now facing requires such assistance from well to do individuals in the country.”

The monarch charged Muslims faithful in the country to continue to pray to God to assist President Bola Tinubu and other elected and appointed leaders to overcome the current economic meltdown.

He charged the his people to send their children to school to acquire both western and Islamic knowledge.

Abubakar prayed for the safe return of Muslim Ummah who are in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s pilgrimage.

The Chief Imam of Nupe, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun in his sermon, advised Muslim faithful to always fear God and to always remember the day of reckoning.

NAN

2025 Eid-el-Kabir: Makinde advocates single term of 6 years for president, governors.

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has advocated a single term of five or six years for elected political office holders across all levels of government in Nigeria, as against the current double term of four years each.

 

The governor stated this on Friday, when Muslim faithful, including clerics, traditional rulers and political office holders paid a visit to his Ikolaba, Ibadan residence, shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, held at the Eid Ground, Agodi, Ibadan.

 

The delegation, led by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; former deputy governors, Barr Hazeem Gbolarumi and Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin; and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.

 

Addressing the delegation, Governor Makinde congratulated the Muslim faithful on witnessing the year 2025 Eid-el-Kabir and thanked them for their prayers and commitment to the state as well as their unflinching support for him and his government over the past six years, urging them to continue praying for the success of his administration.

 

He noted that a single term of five or six years is enough for any government to focus and serve the people and deliver on its mandate, calling for a constitutional amendment to effect this.

 

Governor Makinde said, “First, let me use this opportunity to say Barka Da Sallah to our Muslim faithful and we shall have the opportunity to celebrate many more by the grace of God.

 

“I was just looking at the trajectory for me in government. I have spent six years already and due to no fault of anybody, we lost the year 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“We lost almost one year, campaigning all over the place for the second tenure. Now, people have started distracting us on what I want to do next and all of that. So, I feel that, effectively, the time we can say we are very serious with governance is just about five out of the eight years.

 

“That is why I feel if you remove all these distractions, a single tenure of five or six years is actually enough to focus and do the work that we are trying to do in eight years.

 

“Well, we shouldn’t be afraid to say the fact based on data that is available to us. It has nothing to do with me. If they say I should end it, so be it.

 

“So, I am just calling the attention of our people to this because it is a constitutional issue. We should start looking at it. I know that it has been brought to the attention of the National Assembly but, quite frankly, it is a model that should work for this country.”

 

Delivering the message of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja called for more support for the government and prayed for more success and achievements for Governor Makinde’s administration.

 

While speaking with newsmen after the Eid prayer, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Lawal, urged the Muslim Ummah to always exhibit the valuable lessons of obedience, trust and true sacrifice to the will of God, which are the doctrines and lessons taught by the Holy Quran.

 

He thanked the Governor for his commitment to the welfare of workers and the people of Oyo State through prompt payment of salaries and called for more cooperation from the people of the state so that dividends of democracy would further be delivered.

 

While offering special prayers for Governor Makinde, Professor Kamil Oloso, prayed for more successes for the administration. He also expressed the appreciation of the Muslim community in the state to the governor for his unwavering support.

 

Also in the delegation that visited the governor were the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi; PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; Oloye Nureni Akanbi, commissioners, chairmen and chairpersons of local government areas as well as other government functionaries.

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The National Chairman, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, says President Bola Tinubu is fully committed to reviving the horse racing in Nigeria for the nation to be at par with its contemporaries globally.

Dantata made the statement at the finals of the, “2025 Renewed Hope Horse Racing Competition in Zaria, Kaduna State on Sunday.

“President is undoubtedly committed to reviving horse racing in the North and Nigeria in general.

“This has been evident by his sustained support to all our activities,” he said.

According to Dantata, Tinubu has also been hugely facilitating ongoing efforts by the federation to make horse racing a truly national event.

The national chairman stated that the support of the president, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), had been serving as an elixir to do everything humanly possible to take horse racing to greater heights.

He commended the Chairman, NSC, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, for his efforts in ensuring the success of the racing competitions in Nigeria.

Dantata said, “we are aware that the president has serious respect for the northern traditions and also wants the unity of the north,

“That is why he is intensifying support for these activities that at more of northern tradition and Islam.

“We want to see horse racing becomes a national and an international event and the president and other critical stakeholders are our real motivators and benefactors in this direction.

“They include our indefatigable Grand Patron, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar Ibn-Umaru, Grand Patron 1; Emir of Zazzau , Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, Grand Patron 11”.

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar who is also the Life President, among others, are also motivators.

Dantata explained that Nigeria was taking a lead in the sport in the comity of nations in Africa

According to him, “we are happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that this has become a reality.

Five countries participated in the event: Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali.

“They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria

Also, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, extolled Tinubu’s relentless efforts to bolster the sport in Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.

The Etsu Nupe said the federation was dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by bringing from various regions through a shared passion for equestrian activities.

Alhaji Abubakar noted that the efforts would be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports.

According to Abubakar, this has become necessary to prevent culture and traditions from going into extinction.

“The race, which is traditional in nature, further provided an opportunity for the display of culture and various cultural activities,” the royal father said

The Emir of Zazzau, in Kaduna state, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu-Bamali, urged the federal and state governments and other stakeholders to accord top priority to horse racing in Nigeria.

The Emir urged that attention being given to football should be extended to other sports, especially horse racing in the country.

Nuhu-Bamali solicited for more funding, provision of facilities as well as the sponsorship of more local and international horse racing competitions.

“Sports bring people, communities and countries together, the derby will be sustained and replicated,” the emir who is also the Grand Patron 11 of the federation, added.

Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed Horse’, maintained its winning streak to clinch the first position as the fastest horse for the fifth time.

At the end of the epochal tourney, six cars were won, including the one clinched by Tinubu’s horse that maintained its title for the fifth consecutive time.

Six Toyota vehicles and N50,000 cash were presented to the first position winners of various categories of the race.

The second position winners got N700, 000 each while the third and fourth position winners received N500,000 and N350,000 respectively.

Also, a horse owner from the neighbouring Niger Republic garnered two cars while the emir of Zazzau’s horse carted away a car.

Similarly, tasty stable clinched two cars, while two horse owners from Barchi State and Kebbi each hauled a car.

Dignitaries present at the event included, Kaduna state Gov. Uba Sani represented by his Special Adviser on Traditional Rulers, Alh. Muntari Ibrahim (Jarman Zazzau), Speaker of the House of Representative, Tajudeen Abbas represented by Alh Lawal Sama’ila Yakawada (Chairman North West Commission.

Others are, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal represented by Alh. Mansur Salanke, while, Danmadamin Hadejia and Barnawan Hadejia, represented HRH Emir of Hadejia and Bauran Gumel and Walin Gumel represented HRH Emir of Gumel.

By Taiye Olayemi

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has partnered with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to combat domestic and sexual violence, with a particular focus on the girl-child.

The partnership was unveiled as part of activities marking the 2025 edition of AXA Week for Good, the global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the insurance company.

The collaboration will see AXA Mansard and DSVA embark on a series of sensitisation campaigns, employee-led school activations, and public awareness drives designed to educate and advocate against sexual and gender-based violence in Lagos State.

Speaking after a partnership meeting at the DSVA headquarters in Lagos, the Head of Marketing at AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye, commended the efforts of the DSVA.

Ogunyooye in a statement, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting ongoing initiatives that protect vulnerable groups, especially young girls.

“For us at AXA Mansard, our posture is that the future shouldn’t be at risk. And if we have to protect the future, then we must protect the children.

“So, building on our works against sexual and gender-based violence, we thought it fit to work with the DSVA during this edition of our annual global CSR week, AXA Week for Good.

“We note the remarkable works that DSVA is doing in combating domestic and sexual violence in Lagos and sees this partnership as an opportunity to let them know that their work is appreciated, but more importantly is working with them around this shared interest to rid our society of violence,” he said.

Citing the 2014 National Survey on Violence Against Children in Nigeria, Ogunyooye highlighted that 25 per cent of girls in Nigeria experience sexual violence before the age of 18, while 15 per cent of those who are coerced or forced into sex become pregnant.

“What is even more disturbing is that these acts often occur in places where children should feel safest, their homes and schools.

“Over time, this contributes to the dangerous normalisation of violence against children, often justified by cultural norms,” he said.

Also, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, welcomed the partnership, describing it as timely and necessary.

She emphasised the importance of private sector collaboration in reinforcing the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

“Partnerships such as this are critical in amplifying our message and broadening our impact. DSVA is committed to providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure that the AXA Week for Good achieves meaningful results,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

She noted thst the year’s campaign theme, “Being a Girl Shouldn’t be a Risk,” aims to spotlight the impact of domestic and sexual violence on the girl-child and mobilise community and institutional support for prevention efforts.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship initiative under AXA Mansard’s employee volunteering platform, AXA Hearts in Action. In 2024 alone, employees of the company volunteered over 20,000 hours toward community development projects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Philomina Attah

Abuja, May 30, 2025 The newly appointed Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Mrs Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, has pledged to lead a renaissance in the care and inclusion of Nigeria’s senior citizens.

Akinyemi-Obe said this when she officially assumed office, during the hand-over ceremony in Abuja on Friday.

She promised a future where Nigeria’s elders are not only cared for but celebrated as vital contributors to the nation’s ongoing story.

In her speech, with the theme, “Restoring Dignity, Enabling Purpose”, she expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting her with the role.

She said that her appointment was not a privilege but a solemn responsibility to honour those who had shaped the nation.

“In line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are committed to building a compassionate, inclusive society.

“We will ensure that no citizen is left behind, especially those who have laboured through the decades to build this great nation,” she said.

Akinyemi-Obe promised to champion dignity in retirement, quality healthcare, lifelong learning, protection from abuse and a strong voice for senior citizens in national affairs.

She commended her predecessor, Dr. Emem Omokaro, for pioneering leadership, and vowing to build on her legacy.

“We are not starting from scratch. We are building on a foundation of dedication and excellence,” she said.

Recognising the NSCC staff as the engine of progress, Akinyemi-Obe pledged to prioritise their welfare, enhance workplace conditions and foster a culture of innovation and recognition.

she said that caring for elders was a collective responsibility, and called on all sectors, government, private organisations, NGOs, faith-based groups, and the youth to key in to the gesture

“Together, we will weave a safety net of care, respect and opportunity for our elders.

“To Nigeria’s senior citizens, you are not forgotten. You are not a burden. You are the living libraries of our nation, the guardians of our values, the beacons of resilience.

“We see you. We celebrate you. We are here for you.

“Let us be the generation that made ageing in Nigeria a catalyst and not a crisis for compassion, for inclusion and for national renewal,” she said.

Earlier, the outgoing D-G of the Centre said that under her stewardship,NSCC achieved historic milestones.

She highlighted the development of Nigeria’s first comprehensive policy on ageing, the establishment of action plans and programmes tailored for older persons and the creation of legislative foundations that shifted national narratives.

“We built the systems and engagement mechanisms to reach stakeholders and older persons wherever they are.

“A particular proud achievement was the launch of empowerment programmes and the rigorous needs assessment conducted across the country.

“We proved, with evidence, that older persons are still capable and contributing. There are published reports that now serve as blueprints for further action,” she said.

Omokaro also addressed the evolving care economy, noting the challenges faced by families and the critical need for professional caregiving.

She celebrated the establishment of national standards for geriatric care, the creation of a skills council, and the accreditation of teaching hospitals.

According to her, all of these promise to create jobs and set new benchmarks for quality care.

As she handed over a comprehensive report documenting the NSCC’s foundational years, she expressed her trust and confidence in the incoming D-G.

“My sister, this is all we have done in four years. You can call it the foundation, but I know you are going to set the roof on it,” she said.

By Taiye Olayemi

AIICO Insurance Plc has emphasised the vital role of mindful inclusion of visually impaired children within the society.

Mrs Abimbola Shobanjo, AIICO’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Manager, made the call on Thursday during a visit to Bethesda Home and School for the Blind in commemoration of the 2025 Children’s Day.

Shobanjo said the kind gesture was a commitment to inclusive and impactful corporate social responsibility.

She said, “Children’s Day is a powerful reminder of the hope that young lives carry.

“At AIICO, we are intentional about reaching every child, especially those who are less privileged or differently abled.

“Our visit to Bethesda is about more than giving; it’s about recognising their worth, reminding them that they matter, and reaffirming our belief that they belong and have a bright future ahead.”

Shobanjo noted that the initiative was part of AIICO Insurance’s broader strategy to drive meaningful social change, championing education, inclusion, and the well-being of vulnerable groups across Nigeria.

Beyond the donation of essential food items and gifts, AIICO staff spent quality time with the 286 children at the home listening, learning, and sharing laughter.

The leadership of Bethesda Home & School for the Blind expressed deep appreciation for the visit and generosity shown by AIICO, noting the positive emotional impact it had on both the children and staff.

By Stanley Nkwocha

The trademark of governance in a democracy is its regular consolidation. This has been the challenge with Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999. Yearly, at individual and corporate governance levels, aspirations are set out to be pursued – objectives to be achieved and missions to which unflinching commitment is required. Where the vision is strong, the pursuit is fierce.

The slogan of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency on assumption of office on May 29, 2023 was, and remains, a significant cut-down on insecurity, poverty, enhanced transparency in the conduct of government affairs and management of the nation’s commonwealth, increased provision of infrastructures as well as enhancing economic condition of Nigerians.

In this pursuit, President Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, set out to pursue economic transformation with all the vigour available to them. They spent the first few months criss-crossing the length and breadth of the global investment space, all in a bid to explain to the world the ease of doing business in Nigeria and why the country should be the investor’s delight.

Undoubtedly, the last two years of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have unveiled what is possible where a president is engrossed in selfless service to his nation, and his deputy is devoted to his boss’s policies, principles and ideals. Senator Shettima has consistently declared that he will remain loyal to his principal, President Tinubu, whom he has described as a reformer, builder and visionary leader. At various fora, he has constantly assured Nigerians that the President is fully committed to his campaign promises encapsulated in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Two years down the line, it is evident that the administration’s multi-pronged approach is working. The economy has witnessed positive growth in the last two years and is progressing strongly. Just like the President has maintained that he will not have respite until Nigeria’s reputation as a $1trillion economy and investment destination is restored, his deputy, Senator Shettima has sustained the tempo in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), with meaningful government interventions, programmes and initiatives being spearheaded in the office of the Vice President.

Below are some of the key accomplishments of the Tinubu administration initiated and overseen by the office of the Vice President in the last two years:

AGRICULTURE

It has been manifestly clear from the beginning in 2025, when President Tinubu was seeking the position of the president of the country, that agriculture was going to be the major thrust of his administration. It is not surprising to see the President living up to that promise. The administration set out a regime of incentives to make farming more attractive once again, as it was in the 60s when Nigeria had groundnut pyramids in the North, cocoa in the West and palm oil in the East. Then Nigeria had enough to feed its population and an excess for export.

To this effect, Vice President Shettima embarked on international diplomacy to attract agricultural investments. As chairman of the NEC, he has been overseeing several agricultural initiatives. At the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in China in November 2023, he promoted Nigeria as a safe investment destination for the agricultural sector. During his visit to the United States for the African Development Bank (AfDB) World Food Prize-facilitated Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, he sought investors’ commitments towards Nigeria’s agro-food sector development.

The Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere. The partnership aims to establish a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria to boost agricultural mechanisation and food production. Under the agreement, John Deere is to supply about 2,000 tractors annually to Nigeria over the next five years. The Vice President played a key role in initiating this partnership during his visit to the United States, where he met with John Deere officials.

Also, the international engagement tripled the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) agricultural interventions in Nigeria from $500 million to over $1 billion. The cumulative effects of the commitment from AfDB include the groundbreaking for the federal government’s Specialised Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) recently performed in Kaduna and Cross River State to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reduce food import dependence. SAPZs are designed to industrialise rural economies by adding value to agricultural products, attracting investment, and reducing youth unemployment. Others are improved fertiliser availability for farmers, the establishment of Agro-Rangers to address farm security issues, and the implementation of modern agricultural practices.

In a bid to advance the Green Imperative Agricultural Project, the Vice President presided over the commercial signing of the $1.1 billion Nigeria-Brazil Green Imperative Project at the Presidential Villa. This initiative seeks to modernise Nigeria’s agriculture sector by supporting smallholder farmers and integrating them into global value chains. A government-catalysed, private-sector-driven agricultural industrialisation programme in Nigeria, VP Shettima is championing the Green Imperative Programme as an important component of the government’s broader strategy to boost agricultural productivity, increase crop yields, and make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

And to lead by example, Vice President Shettima launched the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme in 2024. This personal initiative includes the distribution of essential farming inputs such as tractors, seeds, fertilizers, and herbicides to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season; financial support of N100,000 per month to 50 beneficiaries for 4 months during the planting period, and the provision of startup funds up to N30 million for farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms.

FOOD SECURITY

Throughout the history of humanity, agriculture has always played a pivotal role in social and economic development. Firstly, robust agriculture engagement ensures food security, which is the fundamental and best form of security because a nation that cannot feed its population is vulnerable, and in fact is sitting on a time bomb. When President Tinubu came to power in 2023, the first appeal he made was for Nigerians to return to the land, for therein lies true prosperity.

Acting on the President’s directive, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), an initiative of the administration to tackle hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria. The PFSCU is tasked with harnessing resources and ideas from stakeholders, including state governors, to modernise farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer. If a person is food secure, it typically means that sufficient quality food is available, they have enough resources to buy food for a nutritious diet, and they have stable access to adequate food at all times.

NCP AND ECONOMIC REFORMS

In 2023, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) committee to drive the economic reforms of the Renewed Hope administration. The Council has remained a key institution in Nigeria’s journey toward a market-driven economy, balancing the challenges of reforms with the need for sustainable development. In late 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired a meeting of the National NCP focused on the recapitalisation and restructuring of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). This initiative has helped greatly in revitalising the bank and making it more effective in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The Vice President has been actively involved in efforts to transform the BOA into a more robust financial institution capable of providing enhanced support to farmers and agribusinesses across Nigeria. Under Shettima’s supervision, there have been discussions about increasing the BOA’s capital base to strengthen its capacity to provide loans and other financial services to the agricultural sector. The Office of the Vice President has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other relevant stakeholders to streamline the operations of the BOA and make it more accessible to smallholder farmers. There have been plans to leverage technology to improve the BOA’s reach and efficiency, including the possible introduction of digital banking services tailored for farmers. This is because the Vice President has been advocating for partnerships between the BOA and international development finance institutions to increase the pool of funds available for agricultural lending.

NUTRITION

Under the leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima as Chairman of the National Council on Nutrition, Nigeria launched the transformative Nutrition 774 Initiative, a bold and historic step to tackle malnutrition in all 774 local government areas. Designed around the principle of “One Plan, One Report,” the initiative ensures alignment and coordination across federal, state, and local levels, anchoring nutrition at the heart of governance. The initiative was formally endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) and launched with a compact signed by all 36 state governors, signalling unprecedented political commitment to ending malnutrition. To date, over 200 Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN) have been activated. In another first, House Committees on Food and Nutrition have been established at both the federal and state levels to institutionalise legislative support and drive budget prioritisation. As Nigeria’s first-ever government-led nutrition framework, and in line with the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, Nutrition 774 provides a structured, multisectoral platform to align all actors—public, private, and development partners—around shared goals of improved financing, stronger accountability, and measurable results. The framework champions local ownership and cultural relevance, empowering communities to lead in addressing malnutrition based on their unique cultural, social, and environmental realities.

HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT (HCD) AND EDUCATION

As part of its resolve to position the nation among top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by building a healthier, better-educated, and empowered Nigeria, the Tinubu administration stepped up government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) initiative aimed at improving education, healthcare, and skills training across the country to boost economic growth and create a more productive workforce. Under the chairmanship of Vice President Shettima, NEC took the initiative to its second phase (HCD 2.0), which focuses on areas like gender equality, climate change, digital economy, financial inclusion, and food and nutrition. It also aims to address unemployment, the informal sector, and low labour force participation. About 24 million Nigerians are set to benefit from the federal government’s Human Capital Development initiative, which aims to improve education, healthcare, and skills training across the nation. During the HCD Steering Committee meeting, VP Shettima insisted on swift, data-driven implementation of education, health, and workforce programmes across states. To this end, he launched the HCD Dashboard to monitor progress on key indicators like youth unemployment and learning poverty.

Also, the Vice President, implementing President Tinubu’s educational reform vision, launched the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), an initiative aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s educational infrastructure and modernising curriculum delivery systems. This programme addresses critical gaps in the educational sector while preparing students for the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.

MSMEs

The Expanded National MSME Clinics is another initiative launched by the Tinubu administration to support and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria, including in the agricultural sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima has played a central role in championing and overseeing the MSME Clinics programme, launching editions in states Benue, Ogun, Enugu, Jigawa, Borno and Ekiti States, with federal government grants for business owners. The MSME Clinics aim to boost economic empowerment and support small-scale enterprises, including agricultural businesses, by facilitating access to finance, markets, skills, and regulatory compliance. The MSME Clinics have led to the launch of major ultramodern fashion hubs in these states. The fashion hubs are expected to create millions of jobs.

ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

In April 2025, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to address national grid reliability. Also, VP Shettima, in meetings with the World Economic Forum President and other global stakeholders, championed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and Lake Chad recharge. These projects aim to address energy shortages in West Africa, strengthen Nigeria’s export footprint, and boost agricultural resilience in the Sahel.

The commissioning of the 181MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba is a significant addition to Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity under the Tinubu administration, providing much-needed power to industrial and commercial users in the South East region. The Vice President also launched strategic collaborations between Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and private sector partners to supply dedicated power to major industrial clusters. The initiative began with the Agbara Industrial Cluster in Ogun State and aims to provide a consistent, reliable power supply without requiring public funds injection.

His leadership in chairing critical decisions to decentralise the national grid, as directed by President Tinubu, is a strategic shift toward more resilient and efficient power distribution systems that can better serve Nigeria’s diverse geographical and economic needs.

REVITALISATION OF THE NIGERIA-BRAZIL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

In March, VP Shettima coordinated preparations for the revival of Nigeria-Brazil bilateral ties, which had stalled for over a decade. Discussions are now set to enhance cooperation in agriculture, health, military technology, and tourism, anchored on the upcoming Brazil-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.

RSPIC

The Tinubu administration launched the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC), a national initiative aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by internal displacements across Nigeria. The project, which is in its pilot phase, focuses on 7 states disproportionately affected by farmer-herder conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna. Last year, Vice President Shettima, representing President Tinubu, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the RSPIC project in Kaduna State. Earlier, VP Shettima had inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the RSPIC initiative, fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of Nigerians affected by conflict.

While the primary focus of the RSPIC is on providing relief and rehabilitation for conflict-affected communities, it is also linked to the administration’s efforts to address food insecurity in Nigeria. The areas targeted by the RSPIC have been significantly impacted by farmer-herder conflicts, which have disrupted agricultural production and food supply. By resettling and rehabilitating these conflict-affected communities, the RSPIC aims to restore their livelihoods and access to food, thereby contributing to the broader goal of improving food security in Nigeria.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Vice President Shettima has played an important role in advancing financial and economic inclusion as a foundation stone of the administration’s development agenda. In April 2024, he led the signing of the landmark Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, uniting federal and state actors, financial institutions, and development partners around a shared commitment to integrate over 30 million unbanked Nigerians into the formal economy. He followed this with the launch of a national operating model aimed at transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through improved access to credit, digital payments, and financial literacy. And to promote economic growth and financial inclusion, the Vice President, in February 2025, inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI). The financial inclusion efforts of the administration have been serving as a vehicle that helps Nigeria to bring life to dead capital.

Indeed, while the first half of President Tinubu’s first term in office can best be described as a remarkable and impactful success story, the unalloyed belief in his economic policies, institutional reforms and developmental ideas, especially by his lieutenants led by VP Shettima, is as inspirational as it is legendary.

As the administration steps into mid-term of its first term in office, there is no doubt that President Tinubu’s foresight, vision, reforms, well-thought-out policies and programmes will impact tremendously on the lives of Nigerians. His absolute trust in the capacity of the Vice President and all others in the cabinet to plan and execute the programmes and interventions of the Renewed Hope Agenda will motivate them to ramp up the business of governance for the overall benefit of the people.

Nkwocha is the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the President (Office of the Vice President)