In a Father’s Day message on Sunday, Obi said he found himself asking “a difficult question” about the country’s trajectory.

“Are we cursed or are we the cause?” he asked.

Obi said he grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful, where students interacted freely without divisions based on religion, ethnicity or region.

“I grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful. In my primary, secondary school and university days, students related freely without divisions of religion, ethnicity, or region. We simply saw ourselves as Nigerians,” he said.

He added that during his early business years, partnerships were based on trust and competence rather than ethnic or religious considerations, noting that the naira commanded respect internationally and Nigerians enjoyed greater global mobility.

The former Anambra state governor also recalled a time when travel across the country was safer, and roads connected communities more effectively.

“I also lived in Nigeria, where I travelled across the country—from Onitsha to Lagos, Maiduguri, and Calabar—without fear. Roads connected people, and life was more secure,” he said.

Obi further said public institutions enjoyed stronger trust in the past, including confidence in elections, accountability in governance, and more stable universities, healthcare systems, and infrastructure.

According to him, Nigeria’s Armed Forces and police were also widely respected for their roles in peacekeeping and international stability.

The former presidential candidate lamented that many of these gains have eroded over time, pointing to worsening insecurity, reduced opportunities for young people, and declining national unity.

“Today, as a father reflecting on Nigeria, I am pained that much of this has changed. Insecurity has grown, national unity has weakened, and many citizens no longer feel safe,” he said.

Obi also expressed concern over Nigeria’s perceived decline in global influence, citing the country’s absence from recent international gatherings such as the G7 summit, where countries like Egypt and Kenya were reportedly invited.

He, however, urged Nigerians not to remain passive, calling for greater civic participation and responsibility.

“As fathers, we must not only lament. We must not bequeath this reality to our children. We owe them a better Nigeria built on security, opportunity, fairness, and national pride,” he said.

Obi stressed the importance of voter participation, urging citizens to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), vote responsibly, and protect the integrity of their votes.

“Change will not come from complaints alone but from citizens who choose and defend accountable leadership,” he said.

He concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying a better country remains possible with unity and determination.

The post “Are we cursed or are we the cause?” — Peter Obi laments Nigeria’s challenges first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Yilwatda spoke in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing coordinators of the renewed hope ambassadors during a workshop focused on developing a strategic communication framework for disseminating the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the role of the ambassadors has become increasingly important at a time when misinformation spreads rapidly and citizens require accurate information about government policies and programmes.

He said President Tinubu inherited an economy weighed down by structural challenges, including unsustainable fuel subsidy payments, multiple exchange rate windows, declining investor confidence, revenue leakages and a rising debt burden.

Despite the challenges, Yilwatda said the administration opted for bold reforms aimed at long-term economic stability and prosperity.

“President Tinubu chose courage over convenience and made bold reforms aimed at long-term national prosperity over short-term political comfort,” he said.

The APC chairman argued that three years into the administration, the impact of those reforms was becoming visible through stronger macroeconomic indicators, improved fiscal management and growing investor confidence.

He said Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to more than $50 billion, while government revenues had increased through improved tax administration, transparency and the removal of fuel subsidies.

Yilwatda also cited increased investments across key sectors of the economy and a trade surplus of N7.55 trillion recorded in the first quarter of 2026 as evidence of improving economic performance.

He highlighted major infrastructure projects being executed by the administration, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, describing them as critical components of a broader economic architecture designed to support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

The APC chairman further pointed to investments in education, healthcare and social protection, noting that about 1.5 million students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Yilwatda, however, said the achievements would have limited impact if they were not effectively communicated to citizens.

“Policies do not speak for themselves. Projects do not speak for themselves. Statistics do not speak for themselves. People speak,” he said.

He urged the renewed hope ambassadors to translate government policies into language that ordinary Nigerians could understand and relate to, using real-life examples to demonstrate the impact of reforms on communities and individuals.

According to him, the task before party members is not only to prepare for future elections but also to help build confidence in governance and support the administration’s vision of a prosperous and globally competitive Nigeria.

The post Yilwatda to APC members: Tell Nigerians how Tinubu’s reforms are transforming the economy first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Obi spoke on Saturday during a visit to Aba, where he met with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the invitation of Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south.

According to him, while Nigeria is endowed with economic potential, particularly in production hubs like Aba, poor leadership has continued to hinder the country from maximising its strengths.

“When I speak about moving the country from consumption to production, Aba remains one of the cities that will contribute immensely to that,” Obi said.

He noted that Aba’s established garment and shoe industries could significantly boost Nigeria’s economy if properly managed and supported, drawing comparisons with countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam where similar sectors generate substantial revenue.

Obi said garments and footwear production earn as much as oil revenue for those countries, adding that Nigeria could achieve similar outcomes under effective leadership.

“Our challenge remains competent leadership with capacity, compassion, and commitment to the development of our country, as it is in other comparable nations,” he said.

During the visit, Obi also granted a one-hour interview on Magic FM — his first radio and television appearance for the year — where he reiterated his position on economic transformation through production.

He commended Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, for ongoing efforts in the state, and expressed appreciation to Abaribe and ADC stakeholders for the reception and engagement.

The post Peter Obi: Nigeria’s challenge remains lack of competent leadership first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Olakunle Nafiu, director-general of NYSC, said SMEDAN remains a critical partner in the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) programme, which has trained and empowered thousands of corps members to establish businesses across the country.

Nafiu spoke when Charles Odii, director-general of SMEDAN, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The NYSC DG said the scheme continues to pursue policies and programmes that promote national unity, integration and socio-economic development, adding that SMEDAN’s interventions have contributed to the growth of corps-owned businesses.

“SMEDAN is a key partner of the NYSC because it has helped in birthing corps businesses that are contributing to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP), thereby boosting the national economy,” Nafiu said.

He commended the agency’s impact across various value chains, particularly in entrepreneurship advocacy, financial literacy, skills acquisition training and access to funding.

Nafiu added that the NYSC would continue to prioritise the SAED programme and strengthen partnerships with funding institutions to improve corps entrepreneurs’ access to loans and grants.

Earlier, Odii stressed the need to review the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both agencies to further enhance the empowerment of corps members with business skills and relevant tools.

He said SMEDAN currently supports over 39 million small businesses nationwide and called for the creation of an NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) group dedicated to increasing public awareness of the agency’s programmes.

Odii described SMEDAN as the federal government’s apex institution for small business development, with responsibilities spanning job creation, poverty reduction and industrial growth, noting that the NYSC remains a strategic partner in achieving these objectives.

“Right from the orientation camp, we want corps members to become business development service providers,” he said.

He added that SMEDAN is also willing to train NYSC officials with skills that could enable them to become business owners after retirement.

The post NYSC reaffirms partnership with SMEDAN on corps members’ empowerment first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Edun was recognised with the honour for his longstanding and impactful service to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a globally respected youth development initiative that equips young people with life skills, leadership capacity, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award operates in more than 130 countries and territories, including Nigeria, where thousands of young people benefit from structured programmes focused on personal development, community service, physical well-being, and skills acquisition.

In a statement on Tuesday, President Tinubu described the honour as well deserved, noting that it reflects Edun’s decades-long commitment to empowering young people and strengthening institutions that nurture leadership and character.

He added that Edun’s international recognition aligns with the core priorities of his administration, particularly youth empowerment, human capital development, and national renewal.

“Mr Edun’s recognition by His Majesty, King Charles III is a testament to a lifetime of service that transcends borders and speaks to the universal values of mentorship, discipline, and opportunity for young people,” the statement reads.

Analysts say the minister’s pivotal role the president’s economic reforms also accounted for his recognition by King Charles III.

Under his watch, Nigeria has witnessed strong revenue growth and fiscal performance, generating N6.9 trillion in Q1 2025, which represented about 40 percent year-on-year growth, attributed to FX policy reforms and improved fiscal governance.

Edun has supervised Nigeria’s economy growth, improving by 4.23 percent in Q2 2025, the highest quarterly expansion in a decade outside the post-COVID rebound, with broad-based sectoral contributions.

Edun has championed the release and use of the rebased growth domestic product (GDP), giving a clearer picture of economic diversification beyond oil.

He also spearheaded the successful issuance of the country’s $2.35 billion in Eurobonds with a record-breaking order book, signalling strong investor confidence in the economy.

Inflation has decelerated for the seventh consecutive period and is now below 15 percent, reflecting improving price stability and the effectiveness of coordinated fiscal and monetary actions.

The post Tinubu: Royal honour reflects Edun’s lifetime of service, youth empowerment first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The office of the tax ombud of Nigeria announced the date in a statement, detailing plans to strengthen taxpayer protection and improve confidence in tax administration.

President Bola Tinubu recently appointed John Nwabueze as the pioneer tax ombud and chief executive officer (CEO) of the office.

Announcing the appointment earlier, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said the office was established to enhance transparency and accountability in the tax system while providing a structured and impartial mechanism for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

According to Onanuga, the tax ombud office will receive, review and resolve complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues in line with existing laws and regulations.

He added that the office is also empowered to institute legal proceedings on behalf of taxpayers at no cost, provide information on the functions of tax authorities, and promote awareness of taxpayers’ rights and obligations.

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary (CPS), Chudi Achife, Nwabueze said the establishment of the office reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to seamless tax dispute resolution and the protection of taxpayers against arbitrary actions by revenue agencies.

Nwabueze commended the president’s economic policies, noting that they were stabilising the Nigerian economy and steering the country towards sustainable prosperity.

He cited improvements including a declining inflation rate, stable exchange rate, growing foreign reserves, rising investor confidence, a bullish market, and an export surplus.

The Tax Ombud, who has over two decades of experience in tax administration and policy in Nigeria and the United States, said the new office underscores the President’s foresight in reforming tax administration.

“Establishing the Office of the Tax Ombud demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ingenuity and pragmatic leadership in ensuring fairness, accountability and efficiency in tax administration,” he said.

Nwabueze also praised Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, for his role in implementing the renewed hope agenda across the economy.

He disclosed that the office has lined up a series of press briefings and stakeholder engagements to inform Nigerians of its vision and plans for a fair, transparent and efficient tax justice system ahead of its formal take-off in 2026.

The post Nigeria’s tax ombudsman to begin operations January 1, 2026 first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Idris spoke in Abuja on Monday during his ministry’s end-of-year press briefing, addressing concerns over the federal government’s new counterterrorism doctrine, which classifies armed groups operating outside state authority — including bandits, militias, armed gangs and their enablers — as terrorists.

“Nigeria has to defend itself as a country by observing the highest standards of procedure,” the minister said.

“All our armed forces are trained, collaborate with international partners, and operate under strict protocols of engagement with terrorists. We must commend them for this professionalism.”

Reviewing the federal government’s performance in 2025, Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained focused on restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding investor confidence.

He said Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.98 percent in the third quarter of 2025, driven largely by sustained expansion in the non-oil sector.

Idris added that headline inflation declined for eight consecutive months to 14.45 percent in November 2025, noting that food inflation was also easing steadily.

According to him, Nigeria’s external reserves rose to about $44.56 billion, helping to stabilise the naira and boost investor confidence, while the country recorded a trade surplus of N6.69 trillion in the third quarter of 2025 — a 27.29 percent year-on-year increase.

He also disclosed that investor confidence was reinforced by a massively oversubscribed Eurobond issuance that attracted orders worth about 400 percent of the $2.3 billion target.

On infrastructure, Idris said economic reforms were deliberately tied to delivery, stressing that “an economy cannot grow faster than the infrastructure that supports it.”

He said Nigeria recorded a peak daily energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours on March 4, 2025 — the highest in the country’s history.

The minister added that the government rolled out the presidential metering initiative and issued the first bond under the presidential power sector debt reduction programme.

According to him, the federal government committed over N1.5 trillion to road infrastructure in 2025 — the largest such investment in Nigeria’s history — anchored on four legacy highway projects: the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, the trans-Saharan highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe expressway.

“These are not conventional roads,” Idris said, noting that they are being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement designed to last between 50 and 100 years, reduce maintenance costs and promote local content.

He said reforms also extended to agriculture, with President Tinubu approving the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion.

The minister further confirmed the release of all 230 abducted pupils of St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state.

Idris said while 2025 focused on strengthening foundations, 2026 would prioritise building a secure, competitive and prosperous Nigeria.

The post Mohammed Idris: FG fully prepared to protect Nigerians against terrorists first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The extension was announced in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Maiwada said the decision aligns with the service’s commitment to deepening trade facilitation, securing supply chains, and strengthening compliance with global standards.

He added that the new date reinforces the service’s resolve to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition for all stakeholders.

According to him, the full migration from the fast-track scheme to the AEO Programme is consistent with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE framework of standards and supported by Sections 108 to 111 of the NCS Act, 2023.

He encouraged Fast Track beneficiaries yet to complete their migration to initiate and finalise their AEO applications via the official portal: aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.

“The extended timeline provides operators with ample opportunity to meet programme requirements and secure AEO certification without disruption to their business operations,” he said.

Maiwada added that enquiries, technical support, and guidance are available through the official helpdesk: aeo@customs.gov.ng.

He emphasised that only companies duly certified under the AEO Programme will continue to enjoy the facilitation privileges previously available under the Fast Track Scheme.

The spokesperson described the AEO programme as a globally recognised compliance-based initiative offering benefits such as expedited cargo release, reduced documentation, lower inspection levels, pre-arrival processing, and greater predictability in cross-border trade.

Maiwada also announced that the NCS will convene a comprehensive stakeholders’ engagement forum on December 18 in Lagos.

The forum will provide practical guidance on the migration process, demonstrate application procedures, and address compliance-related concerns.

He said participants will engage directly with the AEO implementation teams and gain access to detailed information on programme requirements, benefits, and operational modalities.

“The NCS urges all Fast Track beneficiaries to take advantage of the extension period, participate in the engagement forum, and complete their transition to the AEO Programme,” he said.

According to him, proactive participation will strengthen compliance, improve supply chain efficiency, and support a more secure and transparent cargo clearance ecosystem.

He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to driving trade efficiency, enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness, protecting national revenue, and promoting a predictable and transparent system that supports legitimate business.

The post Nigeria Customs extends AEO migration deadline to January 31, 2026 first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Speaking at a recent engagement, Dangote said the success of Nigerian engineers trained through his conglomerate proves the country’s talent can compete anywhere.

“The biggest challenge for us now is how to create jobs,” he said.

“When we built this refinery, the Nigerian engineers that we hired performed so well that Qatar came and poached those new engineers who were trained as expatriates in Qatar—18 of them.”

He noted that his companies have trained more than 67,000 Nigerians, including 18 indigenous engineers who worked on the $19-billion Dangote Refinery, but lamented that the absence of large-scale projects across the country leaves many of these skilled professionals under-employed.

He urged both government and the private sector to invest in major infrastructure and industrial projects that can absorb the growing pool of highly trained workers.

“If we have fully educated people, we have to have some smart people,” Dangote said.

“What pains us is that after training 67,000 people, nobody is doing any other big project where they can now get work.”

The chairman of Dangote Group added that future ventures, such as a new fertiliser plant, will again rely heavily on Nigerian engineers, underscoring the need to create more opportunities at home to keep top talent from leaving.

The post Dangote says Nigerian engineers excelled so well Qatar poached 18 from his refinery team first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA director-general, praised the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy for “demonstrating government’s commitment to grow the economy through the development of the organised private sector.”

“This action—alongside the withdrawal of the proposed 5 percent telecom tax—further affirms the administration’s determination to promote enterprise sustainability and competitiveness, and to enable job creation at scale,” Oyerinde said.

He called on the Nigeria Customs Service to “immediately implement the directive.”

The NECA chief urged other federal and state agencies to align with the government’s renewed hope agenda by eliminating “unnecessary and cumbersome charges and levies that only add to the burden of organised businesses.”

Citing the financial reporting council’s continued enforcement of suspended levies, Oyerinde described the agency’s defiance of presidential directives as “worrisome and unacceptable.”

He reaffirmed that organised businesses remain committed to driving investment, trade, and employment, while offering “sound economic recommendations to government at all levels.

The post NECA hails suspension of 4% FOB customs charge, urges full implementation first appeared on The Times of Abuja.