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Daniel Bwala: Ali Ndume Gets Jobs for His Children at CBN NNPC But Sends Poor Man’s Children to the Army

Political commentator and lawyer, Daniel Bwala, has criticized Senator Ali Ndume, accusing him of favoring his own children with elite job placements while encouraging less privileged Nigerians to join the military. In a statement that has stirred public debate, Bwala said, “Ali Ndume gets jobs for his children at CBN, NNPC, but sends poor man’s children to the army.”

Bwala made the remarks during a televised interview on Channel TV, where he questioned the fairness and equity in opportunities given to citizens by their representatives. According to him, leaders should lead by example and not expose other people’s children to danger while shielding their own from national service.

The statement has drawn mixed reactions from the public and political observers. Supporters of Bwala argue that his comments highlight a long-standing issue of inequality in public service recruitment and political favoritism. Meanwhile, allies of Ndume have dismissed the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.

Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, is yet to respond to the allegations. However, the comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of how public office holders leverage their positions for personal and familial gain in Nigeria’s politica l landscape.

Edo Police Nabs Woman In Possesion of Firearms

By Ebinum Samuel

The proactive and unwavering resolve by the new commissioner of police in charge of Edo state, Monday Agbonika, to rid the state of crimes has yielded result as credible intelligence at the disposal of the Command led to the arrest of one Woman and the recovery of five firearms.In the early hours ofAccording to the Command’s spikesman, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, on 10/04/2025 at about 0130hrs, the Command’s X-Squad, raided a premises located at Iguezemwahu community along Benin-Auchi Road and recovered two single-barrel guns, three pistols, seven live cartridges, one dagger, one trigger part and one Beretta magazine all concealed inside the seat of a motorcycle.

He said during the raid, one Janet Dominic ‘f’ 32yrs in whose possession the weapons were found was arrested while one Dominic surname unknown escaped from the scene on sighting the Police. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arrest the fleeing suspect.

The Command, Yamu disclosed seeks the public’s cooperation aimed at improving public safety and security in the state. Members of the public can contact the command with any relevant information or concerns through the following numbers:Emergency Control Room08077773721 & 08037646272For Complaints;PCB- 08150999335 CRU- 08100389992

Police Officer In Ekiti Taken Into Custody Over Stabbing

By Ebinum Samuel

The police in Ekiti state has arrested, taken into custody a police officer who allegedly stabbed a man in Ise-Ekiti at the weekend. According to SP Sunday Abutu, the Command spokesman, the Police Command has noticed a video circulating on the social media where a young girl (name unknown) was complaining that his father was stabbed on his palm by a Policeman serving in Ise-Ekiti due to an argument that ensued between her brother and the Policeman’s girlfriend.

Abutu disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo,upon noticing the complaint, directed the DC CID to take over the case and ensure a thorough investigation is conducted.Meanwhile, the officer in question has been taken into custody for investigation and other necessary actions. The Command has called on everyone especially the family members of the victim to be calm, as nothing short of justice will be delivered in this case as soon as possible.

Why we arrested Singer Portable -Kwara police

By Ebinum Samuel

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, also known in the entertainment industry as “Portable” following a petition received from one Mr. Okunola Saheed, popularly known as “Osupa,” against Habeeb Okikiola Badmus a.k.a “Portable”. The confirmation of the arrest of the controversial artiste is contained in a press release made available to journalists on Sunday night in Ilorin the Kwara State capital by the Police Public Relations Officer of Kwara Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

According to the statement, Police detectives of Kwara Command have taken lawful steps in line with due process to investigate the allegations.Police authority further noted that the petition borders on serious allegations which includes criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and the use of abusive and insulting words. Police maintained that in view of the weight of the said allegations and the supporting evidence presented, the Command secured a valid arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.Acting on this warrant, operatives from the Command proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, 13th April 2025, where the suspect was apprehended at about 19:25hrs.

He was immediately brought to Ilorin for further investigations.Upon his arrival, the suspect’s statement was taken in the presence of legal representatives from both parties and he is currently in custody and arrangements are being made to charge him to court without delay.The State however submitted that the Kwara State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in a fair and transparent manner urging members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information.

International Fraudster Goes Into Hiding After Younger Brother’s Arrest

By Ebinum Samuel

A Lagos based fraudster is reported to have gone underground following yesterday’s arrest of his younger brother in the state by security operatives.The security agents, according to people close to the wire transfer fraud kingpin, is said to be on wanted list of security agencies in the past 15 months over allegations of fraudulent activities with his Lebanese partner based in Ghana.

The source disclosed that the fraudster, Olamide had boasted severally before friends and his cahoots that security agents are on his Payroll.On the arrested brother whose name was simply given as Emmanuel, it was learnt that when the security agents stormed the fraudster suspected hideout, the fraudster escaped.

However , his brother who was riding in one of the fraudster cars in the area was nabbed by the agents.Even as it was not clear why the brother was wisked away, the source disclosed that Olamide, the wanted guy escaped with his SPY Police vehicle .Meanwhile, the brother arrested has been flown to Abuja.

NDLEA destroys largest seizure of 1.6m kilograms illicit drugs seized in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo. Times have changed, we’re fully prepared to hold those who defy the law accountable, Marwa warns barons, traffickers

By Ebinum Samuel

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has destroyed heaps of illicit drugs weighing about 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances seized across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state, in what is till date the largest volume of seizures to be set ablaze at a time in the history of the Agency. The public destruction of the illicit substances witnessed by representatives of government officials, traditional rulers, clergymen, other security agencies, international partners, NGOs and community leaders, among others, was conducted at an isolated location at Ipara, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogun state on Saturday 12th April 2025. Some of the illicit drugs destroyed include 123 kilograms of cocaine; 46.8 kilograms of heroin; 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis; 148,000 kilograms of codeine syrup; 3,244.26 kilograms of tramadol; 1,544 kilograms of skuchies; and 111 kilograms of methamphetamine, among others.Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the exercise is a testament to the Agency’s steadfast commitment to tackling the scourge of drug trafficking in the country.

“The sheer volume of seizures, which totals approximately 1.6 million kilograms, serves as a reminder of the grave danger these substances pose to public health until they are completely and irreversibly destroyed. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operates under a clear mandate to reduce these narcotics to rubble. At all times, we discharge this duty with the utmost seriousness and diligence”, he stated.He warned those involved in drug trafficking that the times have changed and there will be no breathing space or any safe haven for them in Nigeria. In his words, “To those still involved in the illicit drug trade, we will persist in reminding them that times have changed.

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the leadership and political will required to eradicate this menace. At the NDLEA, we are fully prepared to pursue our objective of holding accountable those who defy the law. In the past four years, we have successfully prosecuted and got convicted 10,572 such offenders, who are now serving various jail terms.”He expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo for their support for the Commands and operations of the Agency in their respective states.The NDLEA boss who was represented at the occasion by the Agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation (DAFI), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, justified the public destruction of the confiscated drugs. “The rationale is simple: to show transparency and accountability. By making this process open, we affirm our collective resolve against the insidious activities of illicit drug trafficking.

This exercise is not merely symbolic—it is forensic, grounded in evidence. Random laboratory tests are carried out to confirm the authenticity of the seized items. The substances are destroyed with the approval of the court after the cases linked to them have been brought to closure, following arrests and successful prosecution”, he stated.He said the event represents a significant milestone in the history of the Agency because “It is the public destruction of the largest seized narcotics across a spectrum of commands under NDLEA Zone 9 and Zone 11, which comprise the Lagos Strategic Command, Ogun State Command, Oyo State Command, MMIA Strategic Command, Lagos Seaports, Idiroko Border Command, and Seme Border Command”, adding that “while this accomplishment reflects our determination, it also underscores the scale of the challenge we continue to face.”

While commending the unwavering dedication of our officers, “who are working tirelessly to ensure that we do not fail in our assigned task of curbing illicit drug trafficking”, Marwa thanked both local and international partners who have continued to contribute to the success of the work of the Agency. “Likewise, our international partners—such as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA); International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) of the US; United Kingdom Border Force; National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK, the French Police; the German Police, and others—who are playing pivotal roles in bolstering our efforts.

I am also deeply grateful to First Bank of Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank, and other stakeholders including the Nigerian Military, Customs, Police, Civil Defence, Immigration, FRSC, NAFDAC, and a host of others for their support, embodying the collaborative spirit necessary for effective drug control in society”, he added.In his remark at the ceremony, Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (Rtd) commended the efforts of the leadership and personnel of NDLEA for their courage, professionalism, consistent efforts in intercepting illicit drugs before they get to communities and streets.

“Their work in saving lives, in strengthening communities and upholding the rule of law is well appreciated”, he stated, adding that the state government remains a committed partner in the fight against drug-related crime.While noting that the drug scourge is a social, economic and public health crisis, Governor Abiodun said “We must invest in prevention through education, through counseling and youth empowerment initiatives. We must strengthen rehabilitation centres and provide support systems for those battling addiction.”

The Kano Crisis and the Collapse of Public Accountability: How the Inspector General of Police Betrayed Northern Nigeria

By Muktar Adamu Wudil

In a country where public institutions are expected to uphold law and order above politics, the Nigeria Police Force has once again revealed itself as a tool in the hands of power—willing to bend facts, shift language, and reverse its own narrative, all in service of interests far removed from justice. The events surrounding the recent Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Kano, and the treatment of His Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, expose a troubling pattern of manipulation and quiet allegiance to political masters.

On April 6, 2025, the police released an official press statement explaining the withdrawal of an invitation sent to Emir Muhammad Sanusi I to appear before the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja. The release, careful in tone and posture, attempted to frame the invitation as a routine move to obtain Emir Sanusi’s account of what it described as a breakdown of law and order. It claimed that despite an agreement reached with both Emir Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero—not to hold Durbar processions on Sallah day, Emir Sanusi violated the understanding by mounting a horse after prayers. The police narrative concluded that this act triggered a confrontation leading to the death of one Usman Sagiru. Although it is curious to know in what capacity, Aminu Ado Bayero, who is now an ordinary prince since his dethronement, was asked not to organize a durbar. He is neither the Emir of Kano nor Wamban Kano.

But that version of events simply does not hold up against the police’s own internal communication, parts of which were made public by the Daily Nigerian newspaper. A police signal sent on Sallah morning clearly reported that Eid prayers across Kano were conducted peacefully. It confirmed that Emir Sanusi prayed at the traditional Kofar Mata Eid ground, later joined by the executive governor of Kano State, and that Aminu Ado Bayero prayed separately at the Nasarawa mini-palace. The report concluded that the area was calm and that events proceeded without incident. This was not speculation—it was a contemporaneous situational report from officers on the ground.

The contradictions didn’t end there. A follow-up signal, also reported by Daily Nigerian, detailed a violent incident that occurred after prayers: an attack on alleged members of Emir Sanusi’s convoy. Two vigilantes assigned to him were stabbed by a group led by one Usman Sagiru. One of the victims later died from his injuries. The attacker was arrested. Notably, the report did not attribute the violence to any procession or Durbar, nor did it blame the Emir. On the contrary, it confirmed that Emir Sanusi’s entourage had been the target of a criminal assault. Even more damning, the signal stated that the murder occurred at 12:40 p.m., hours after the Emir had already retired to his residence.

So why, then, did the police headquarters in Abuja publicly link this violence to the Emir’s act of riding a horse, an act deeply symbolic in Kano’s cultural tradition and widely considered a Sunnah of the Prophet? And why was the Emir invited to Abuja over an incident that their own internal memo shows he neither caused nor escalated?

It gets even more suspicious when one examines the original invitation letter sent to Emir Sanusi. The letter addressed him as “His Royal Highness” (HRH) and acknowledged that the incident had occurred “within your domain”—a clear recognition of his status and jurisdiction. But after the public reacted with criticism and scrutiny, the police quickly withdrew the invitation and shifted the investigation to Kano. Suddenly, in the official press release announcing that the Emir was no longer needed in Abuja, the tone changed: Emir Sanusi was now simply “Alhaji Sanusi,” and the police made no reference to the incident occurring in “his domain.” This linguistic shift was not accidental—it was strategic. It marked a deliberate effort to strip the Emir of the respect and authority initially granted in internal communication, aligning instead with a federal narrative that seeks to delegitimize him.

It is impossible to ignore the broader context: Emir Sanusi was lawfully reinstated by the Kano State Government, which has exclusive constitutional authority over the appointment of traditional rulers. Aminu Ado Bayero, the pretender, remains ensconced in the Nasarawa mini-palace under heavy federal security, defying the state government’s directive—thanks to the police, whose refuge in false neutrality continues to enable a constitutional crisis.

If neutrality were truly the goal, then why did the police deploy to protect Aminu Ado Bayero’s unauthorized occupation of public property? Why did they turn a blind eye to federal interference in a state matter, while rushing to hold Emir Sanusi accountable for being the target of a criminal assault? Why is a federal police force rewriting its own internal reports to craft a narrative that blames the victim? Since the first leaked police signal that informed Abuja of the murder stated that the arrested thugs attacked Emir Sanusi’s entourage, what is the result of the police investigation? Who hired the thugs to attack the Emir? Why is the Emir suspect in a case the Kano State police already absolved him of, and in which he is a target? Would the IGP have treated the Oni of Ife or Oba of Lagos the same way if they were involved?

These inconsistencies reveal a deeper institutional rot. The IGP did not act independently. He acted on instruction—whether whispered or direct—from political patrons who find Emir Sanusi’s presence inconvenient. Emir Sanusi’s return and uprightness threaten entrenched interests. And so, as has happened before, the system is being marshaled not to protect the law, but to suppress a man who speaks inconvenient truths.

This is no longer about a Durbar procession. It is about the Inspector General of Police surrendering the police mandate at the altar of politics. When law enforcement agencies change their story to suit shifting political winds, when the IGP redacts honorifics and revises titles to suit new allegiances, and when he ignores violence against a state-recognized first class Emir of international repute while targeting him with bureaucratic intimidation, the public has every right to ask: who is the IGP really serving?

The police’s so-called “peacekeeping” strategy is defeatist already. Rather than uphold the law and protect legitimate authority, the police reportedly pressured the Kano Emirate Council under Emir Sanusi to cancel the traditional Durbar simply because Aminu Ado Bayero also intended to hold his own. This is not neutrality; it is capitulation. If the police were truly impartial and committed to law and order, they would have enforced the governor’s lawful decision by arresting Bayero for breaching the peace and impersonating a public office he no longer holds. Bayero was formally deposed as Emir of Kano. He has neither challenged his removal in court nor contested Emir Sanusi’s reinstatement. Yet he continues to parade himself as Emir, unlawfully occupying a government facility under federal protection. That the police have not only tolerated this but adjusted lawful public activities around his unlawful presence proves their complicity.

If the police were serious about resolving tensions in Kano, they should have engaged the Kano State Governor, who—as the Chief Security Officer of his state—has both the constitutional mandate and the moral authority to guide the police response. Instead, they bypassed him entirely and treated the deposed Emir as an equal stakeholder in a matter that had already been settled by the constitution. That the police chose to act on “dialogue” with a pretender rather than follow the governor’s rightful instructions is a disgrace to due process. The complications we see in Kano today are not organic, they are artificially created and sustained by Abuja’s interference. A local matter that should have been resolved through the lawful authority of the state has been turned into a federal project of disruption. It is not Emir Sanusi’s procession that threatens the peace—it is the Abuja-backed charade of pretending that Ado Bayero still has a throne to sit on.

Mukhtar Adamu writes from Sydney, Australia and can be reached via mukyadamu@gmail.com

Dr. Bolajoko Olusanya: African pride’s success against all odds

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote:

” Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful”

-Joshua Marine

Currently ranked as the leading researcher in paediatrics in Nigeria, who is also amongst the top 5 in Africa as well as amongst the world’s top 2% highly ranked scientists, Dr. Bolajoko Olusanya ‘s illustrious life trajectory should serve as a lasting lesson on absolute faith in God, self-belief in one’s capabilities, passion and the power of persistence. Yes, “persistence pays” as the renowned American entrepreneur, Ray Kroc would say. And all that is because she suffered hearing loss right from youth, was abused by her parents who did not understand at the early stage of the hearing difficulty she went through and battled with back then.

But as at this day, she is a Member of the Hearing Loss Expert Group on the Global Burden of Disease Study. She also happens to be the Co-chair of Lancet Commission on Hearing Loss. In 2018 she received the prestigious Aram Glorig Award from the International Society of Audiology. To crown her efforts in the challenging field of scientific research she got elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) as announced in April, 2025.

That informed the decision to engage her and hear from the horse’s mouth for us to glean from her wealth of vast and varied experiences. In response to what her vision was while growing up and if she dreamt of going this far she stated that:

“I suffered abuse and maltreatment because my parents did not recognise that I had a hearing loss from birth. My misinterpretation of simple instructions because of my hearing impairment was often perceived as stubbornness or rascality.
” My hearing loss did not affect my intelligence. Because of my personal frustrations, I decided from childhood to become a nurse, and then a doctor to prove everybody wrong.” This is simply awesome and we should understand the importance of having a vision of what we want to do with our lives.

The next question was what her challenges were with regards to her studies in the early years and how did she overcome them? She explained it this way.”Because of my hearing loss, which was not diagnosed until much later in life, I always ensured a front row seat in the classroom to hear the speakers clearly. Whenever, I missed a front row seat, it was very painful as I had to struggle to follow the lectures. Most times, I sought help from my classmates to identify what I had missed by copying their notes.” That situation was certainly challenging but good enough she did not give up.

Furthermore, one wanted to know who her heroes were and what she learnt from them. In response she explained that: ” I grew up in Ibadan and I always admired family – friends who were successful medical doctors working at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

” Two of such heroes were Professor Samuel and Professor (Mrs) Oludayisi Oduntan who were both eminent consultants at UCH. In those days, being a medical doctor was an elitist accomplishment for those with good WAEC grades. The other option for those with good grades in science subjects was engineering.” That is really inspiring.

So, what are her thoughts about Nigeria’s educational system and what is needed to be done? In response she stated that: “The educational system has undergone major transformations and perhaps falling standards because of a lack of a holistic and consistent educational strategy that is devoid of political and religious interference.

” The educational sector also has been seriously impacted by the economic realities facing the country under various administrations. Public investment in the education sector has been inadequate and has contributed to falling standards.

” I will recommend that we consult our educational experts and policy makers on how to move the nation forward.” Brilliant submission worthy of implications by our policy makers and political leaders.

Having succeeded as a female medical doctor I wanted to know her views about the Girl-Child education policies in Nigeria. She highlighted that: “Gender has never been a barrier to my learning. The Girl-Child education is only an issue in some cultural settings in Nigeria. You cannot address this problem without a community-based cultural re-orientation in those parts of the country.

“Education must be regarded as a fundamental human right and Girl-Child education is in the best interest of every family and the larger society.” That is a thought – provoking perspective to the issue.

Going forward, what should be done to curtail the wave of the Japa Syndrome? In her candid opinion she stated that: “There is nothing wrong with free migration of skills and talents. Perhaps, the greatest challenge is the issue of brain drain in critical sectors of the economy. It is difficult to stop such migration as long as the fundamentals of economic survival are not addressed.”
That should certainly serve as food for thought to the concerned stakeholders.

It has also become important to know her piece of advice to the younger generation of Nigerians on morals, education and preparing for tomorrow, today. Her answer was point blank: “Don’t give up. Have faith in God.”

So, as Nigerians continue to search for heroes in virtually all the fields of human endeavour, as their beacon – bearers in the dark tunnel of mass ignorance, the erudite paeditrician, Bolajoko Olusanya has become one to serve as a moral and professional compass to guide this generation and subsequent ones on the best way forward.

Described as an exemplary scholar, disability inclusion advocate and social entrepreneur, Olusanya is actively engaged in globally impactful researches outside the traditional university/academic setting. That sets her apart as she stands head and shoulders above her peers.

With regards to her proud academic pedigree she is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria (MBBS. 1977 – 1982) and others, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, ( UK, FRCPCH 2004 Child Health)and the University College London, UK for her PhD in 2008, specializing in Child Health and Audio-Vestibular Medicine.

Worthy of note is that Dr. Olusanya is the Centre Director of the Healthy Start Initiative (HSI) and the co-founder of the Centre for Healthy Start Initiative, Nigeria (an Organisation in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council).

Interestingly, she is the Medical Director of First Years Medical Centre and Phonics Hearing Centre in Nigeria. She is involved in the study based at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Seattle, USA as well as being the coordinator/co-founder, the Global Research on Developmental Disabilities Collaborators [GRDDC].

As John Harold Johnson of Ebony Magazine rightly stated: ” The higher the obstacles we scale over in life the greater the glory”. Our young Nigerians and indeed, others should therefore, understand that and learn to turn their stumbling blocks into stepping stones, to move to greater heights. Yes, we can, as Dr. Olusanya has amply demonstrated.

I Had Double Promotion To Lieutenant Then My Thumb Was Cut Off, Bullet Went Through My Leg—Ugochukwu

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu has shared a story from his time as a soldier during the Nigerian Civil War. He disclosed that he was quickly promoted, from under-officer straight to full Lieutenant but soon after that, he was badly injured in combat.Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust TV, Ugochukwu said he got shot, lost his thumb, and took a bullet in his leg. He said the injuries were serious enough to take him off the battlefield for some time.

However, even though he hadn’t fully recovered, his battalion still chose him to serve as the adjutant Ugochukwu said that while the role of adjutant is mostly administrative, it still involved responsibilities close to the front line In Ugochukwu’s words: “I had double promotion from under-officer to full Lieutenant and then I got shot, my thumb was cut off and I had a bullet through my leg and things like that. That took me out of action for a while, but even before I had fully recovered, the battalion appointed me adjutant of the battalion. So I had to go back, but adjutant is more administrative but it also could give you some functions in the forward line”

NNPC’s Last Chance: The Rough Road Ahead for Bayo Ojulari

By Dan D. Kunle

By Wednesday, it will be one week since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent seismic shockwaves through Nigeria’s oil and gas industry with a decisive shake-up at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). The announcement triggered boardroom reshuffles and a clear-out at the top management level. The impact was immediate—and national. From Abuja to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, stakeholders have been scrambling to recalibrate. Some welcomed the shake-up with cautious optimism. Others reacted with anxiety. All agree: the stakes are high.

For years, many of us in the industry have called for deep reform. NNPC Ltd.—a company that ought to be the heartbeat of the Nigerian economy—has instead become a cautionary tale. The corporation, once a symbol of state-led ambition, has long lost its competitive edge, weighed down by inefficiencies, overstaffing, opacity, and the dead hand of political interference. Tinubu’s move, though politically risky, signals a belated but necessary acknowledgement that the status quo has failed.

Let me begin by quoting the President’s directive to the new board:

“Restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.”

This is a weighty mandate—and it reflects the true scale of the crisis. Alongside this charge, the President added another critical assignment:

“Conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.”

These are not empty words. They reflect years of accumulated dysfunction and missed opportunities—failures that have brought Nigeria’s hydrocarbon sector to its knees. The President appears ready to let technocrats lead. Now, the question is whether the leadership of NNPC Ltd., under its new Group CEO Bashir Bayo Ojulari (BBO), can rise to the occasion.

The Long Decline

For more than a decade, Nigeria has underperformed in a world rapidly shifting its energy frontiers. While other nations discovered new reserves, developed integrated energy strategies, and adapted to the shale and renewables revolution, Nigeria stalled. Major international oil companies (IOCs), frustrated by insecurity, regulatory inconsistency, and policy flip-flops, began to divest. These are not just business decisions—they are loud warnings that the Nigerian energy environment is no longer attractive.

Oil production has dropped from over 2.6 million barrels per day in the 2000s to a current average of 1.7 million. Even this is unstable, vulnerable to theft, vandalism, pipeline sabotage, and community unrest. Natural gas production is also in sharp decline. Nigeria LNG’s six-train complex at Bonny Island—designed to deliver 22 million metric tonnes annually—now operates far below capacity due to inadequate gas feedstock. Investment has dried up across the board.

At the heart of this is a trust deficit. Host communities feel abandoned. Joint venture partners are disillusioned. Investors are sceptical. NNPC Ltd. has, for years, failed to meet its counterpart funding obligations. It has also failed to operate as a truly commercial entity, despite its transition into a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The result? A sector in freefall.

BBO’s Inheritance

This is the terrain that BBO must now navigate. His appointment as Group CEO comes at a time of immense fragility, but also possibility. There is a window—brief and narrow—to reset the narrative. But make no mistake: the task is enormous.

First, BBO must rebuild confidence. This will not happen with speeches or photo-ops. It requires action. Trust must be re-established with internal staff, the board, the National Assembly, oil-producing communities, IOC partners, PSC managers, off-takers, and financiers. Each group is watching closely, and each expects something tangible.

Second, the upstream segment must be revived. NNPC E&P assets in Benin and other areas need urgent attention. Dormant fields must be activated. OML 11, long held up due to political and environmental issues, should become a symbol of a new approach—one built on transparency, negotiation, and execution. Likewise, valuable yet idle blocks like OPLs 245, 321, and 323 should be resolved. These Atlantic Basin blocks have the potential to reposition Nigeria’s oil future, if only the government and the regulator can break the legal logjam.

In addition to exploration and production, gas must be taken seriously. Nigeria’s gas reserves are among the largest in the world. Yet they remain underutilised. A comprehensive gas development strategy—focused on domestic use, industrialisation, and export—is overdue.

Don’t Compete with Private Capital

Just as the upstream needs revival, the midstream and downstream sectors demand a different approach. For too long, the federal government and NNPC have tried to control every link in the value chain. This must end. The midstream and downstream are now dominated by private players who have staked enormous capital—often borrowed at high interest rates—to build depots, pipelines, and filling stations. These investors should not be undercut by a state-funded competitor that operates without commercial discipline.

A truly reformed NNPC Ltd. must leave fuel importation, retail marketing, and depot operations to the private sector. Where the state is needed—such as in regulatory oversight, quality control, or strategic reserves—it should act with restraint and professionalism.

One success story stands out: the Dangote Refinery. At $20 billion, it is Africa’s largest industrial project and a powerful symbol of what private capital can achieve. NNPC Ltd. should collaborate with Dangote, not compete. Crude-for-products exchanges, equity swaps, and supply agreements could all be explored. This is the model for the future.

A House in Need of Repair

NNPC Ltd. itself is a sprawling, bureaucratic behemoth. Its corporate structure is bloated. Its operations are riddled with inefficiencies. Many of its subsidiaries are redundant. Internal accountability is weak. Digital transformation is long overdue. BBO must undertake a comprehensive audit of staffing, operations, and procurement practices. Streamlining is not just desirable—it is existential.

Reducing the cost of production is key. Nigeria’s oil currently costs over $30 per barrel to produce—among the highest in the world. This makes our crude uncompetitive, especially when benchmark prices are volatile. BBO must cut costs, eliminate waste, and standardise operations to global benchmarks.

Moreover, BBO’s leadership style will matter. He must be decisive, transparent, and professional. He must insulate the company from politics—no easy task in Nigeria—and let performance, not patronage, guide decision-making. If he succeeds, he will redefine what is possible in Nigerian state enterprise management.

The Clock Is Ticking

Time is a luxury BBO does not have. With the 2026 election cycle looming, attention will soon shift away from policy to politics. If reforms are not initiated quickly—within the next 12 to 18 months—they may never happen. Vested interests, both inside and outside government, will regroup and resist change.

This is why the President must not only appoint professionals—he must protect them. If BBO is to succeed, he needs political cover. He must be allowed to operate with independence. Meddling must end. Institutional sabotage must be punished.

A Test of National Will

As someone who has advised and studied this industry for more than 25 years, I have seen its peaks and its plunges. I know what is possible. But I also know what is likely, if courage fails. Nigeria is on the verge of energy irrelevance—not because we lack resources, but because we have squandered time.

We are sitting on ageing infrastructure built in the 1970s and 80s. Pipelines are leaking. Refineries are obsolete. Power plants lack gas. Meanwhile, the global energy conversation is shifting—towards decarbonisation, green hydrogen, and energy storage. We are being left behind.

If BBO and his team can arrest this decline—if they can restore credibility, efficiency, and commercial focus—NNPC Ltd. will not just survive, it will lead. But if they fail, the cost will be monumental: lost revenue, lost jobs, lost national relevance.

This is not just about fixing a company. It is about rescuing a country.