Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated that sustained infrastructure development remains a major catalyst for real estate expansion and long-term economic growth.
The governor made this known in a statement released on Friday, February 6, 2026, by Mr. Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Housing.
Lawal said Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at the 2026 Nigeria Construction and Real Estate Outlook Conference held in Lagos.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
The conference was organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Nigeria Group, and attracted key stakeholders in the built environment sector.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said infrastructure formed the backbone of sustainable urban development.
He stressed that infrastructure investment should be seen as essential, rather than discretionary, for cities seeking inclusive and resilient growth.
According to the governor, Lagos State has consistently prioritised infrastructure to accommodate rapid population growth and stimulate construction activities.
He said the strategy also aimed to unlock private sector investment and enhance the state’s competitiveness within regional and global markets.
“Infrastructure is not an accessory to growth; it is its architecture,” the governor said.
He added that infrastructure determines where economic value emerges and how cities expand in a sustainable manner.
Sanwo-Olu said professionalism, transparency and integrity were critical in attracting investment into the construction and real estate sectors.
He noted that investor confidence depended largely on predictable systems and high professional standards within the built environment.
The governor commended RICS for promoting global standards and supporting improved professional practices in Nigeria’s property and construction industries.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects reshaping Lagos, including the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system and ongoing road and bridge developments.
Sanwo-Olu said integrated transport planning was opening new real estate corridors and redefining land use patterns across the state.
He emphasised the importance of strong institutions in making infrastructure projects attractive and bankable for investors.
The governor cited reforms in land administration, planning approvals and public-private partnership frameworks as key achievements.
According to him, the reforms have reduced investment risks, improved certainty and enhanced project delivery timelines.
Sanwo-Olu said the reforms reflected policy consistency and continuity across successive administrations in Lagos State.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s construction and real estate outlook in 2026, in spite of prevailing economic challenges.
The governor identified opportunities in transit-oriented development, urban regeneration, affordable housing and logistics infrastructure.
He also highlighted climate-resilient infrastructure as a growing priority for sustainable urban development.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would continue to focus on climate-adaptive investments and data-driven urban planning.
He added that innovation would be strengthened through partnerships with the private sector and professional bodies.
The governor acknowledged the contributions of chartered surveyors and built-environment professionals to accountability and value protection.
He said their expertise was vital to delivering sustainable projects and maintaining public trust.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustainable urban development and responsible infrastructure delivery.
He thanked RICS Nigeria Group for providing a platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing within the sector.
The conference was attended by government officials, surveyors, developers, academics, policymakers and investors.
Participants discussed emerging trends, policy reforms, investment opportunities and the future direction of Nigeria’s construction and real estate industry.
Some health practitioners have urged the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system for effective services delivery, particularly in the management of snakebites and other critical health emergency responses.
The experts spoke on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lagos, following the death of Abuja-based music talent, Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly visited two hospitals unable to administer antivenom before she passed away.
Speaking, the 1st Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State, Dr Ewonowo Temidire, said the primary and secondary healthcare facilities should be equipped/repositioned to effectively treat snakebites.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate
Temidire underscored the need to provide the primary and secondary health facilities in the communities and rural areas with the requisites to effectively manage snakebite cases.
He said this included training and retraining of the healthcare workers, ensuring steady supply and availability of quality antivenom, provision of basic equipment and adequate funding of the healthcare facilities.
“Ensuring good quality of any available antivenom and provision of free/subsidised treatment, as well as readily availability of oxygen in the health facilities are practicable measures that can be explored by the government,” he said.
He identified inter-sectoral collaboration between the health facilities, traditional healers and faith-based organisations as another vital approach to enhancing snakebites management outcomes.
According to him, the collaboration will create and promote effective referral windows where the traditional healers/religious bodies will easily refer victims of snakebites to appropriate healthcare facilities where they can get adequate treatment.
“Oftentimes, patients with snakebites cases resort to prayers houses and tradition healers, who may transform a treatable condition into a life-threatening emergency.
“Snakebites are never treated in prayer houses. With effective synergy and sensitisation, if any snakebite case comes to the traditional healers, they will gladly refer such case to the appropriate hospitals.”
Temidire stated that tying or constricting a snake-bitten limb was no longer recommended in modern medical practice, warning that such action could worsen tissue damage and increase the risk of necrosis.
He highlighted other simple preventive measures, such as wearing protective footwear, using mosquito nets, carrying torches at night, and avoiding snake habitats, saying that could significantly reduce the risk, especially in rural areas.
Contributing, the Pioneer Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, urged health workers to avail themselves with the special trainings on snakebites management.
Nasidi, also the Chairman, EchiTAb Study Group, Nigeria, explained that the Federal Ministry of Health had a special programme on snakebites and carried out such trainings from time to time.
According to him, Nigeria already had some antivenoms called EchiTAb, specifically developed and produced against venomous snakes.
“The country has acquired and distributes effective and highly specific antivenoms to our venomous snakes areas for short term solution.
“For long term solution, efforts should be made to address the issue of self-sufficiency by establishing local production,” Nasidi said.
Stakeholders in environmental protection in Kaduna State have called for stronger collaborations and innovative strategies to address waste management challenges threatening human and ecological health.
The call was made at the Kaduna Monthly Climate Hangout organised by the Interfaith Mediation Centre in partnership with African Climate Reporters and the Kaduna State Government.
The February forum was themed “Rethinking Waste: Innovative Recycling Solutions for a Greener Kaduna”.
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State
It brought together scientists, climatologists, geologists, academics, religious leaders, journalists, youths, civil society and non-governmental organisations focused on climate and environmental protection.
The participants exchanged ideas on practical approaches to reducing waste pollution, flooding and land degradation in the state.
Delivering the lead paper, Yahaya Muhammed, Controller-General of Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiatives, urged strengthening recycling companies’ capacity to manage increasing waste volumes.
He said that public education was critical to ending harmful practices such as open waste burning, which poses serious environmental and health risks.
Muhammed said that plastic waste remained a major challenge but could be recycled into useful products with innovation and investment.
He warned against burning dump sites in residential areas, adding that proper waste management could generate income, describing waste as wealth.
He commended the Kaduna State Government for Operation Tsafta and the revival of monthly environmental sanitation exercises.
Also speaking, Bala Umar, President of the Association of Horticulture Farmers Unity and Development, Kaduna State, disclosed that farmers raise over 50 million seedlings annually using discarded sachet water.
He said the sachets were collected from streets and used as nursery materials by horticulture farmers across the state.
According to Umar, the practice converts waste into productive use while reducing pollution and flood risks.
He urged the residents to stop indiscriminate plastic disposal and support efforts toward a cleaner environment.
A Kaduna Polytechnic lecturer, Malama Halima Haruna, called for sustained public sensitisation on the dangers of improper waste disposal.
She urged the stakeholders to promote innovative recycling practices and strengthen recycling companies across northern Nigeria.
Haruna said the recycling sector had the potential to create thousands of jobs if properly supported.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samsam Auta, Co-Director at the Interfaith Mediation Centre, described the Climate Hangout as Kaduna’s strongest climate platform.
He said the forum provided space for dialogue, collaboration and policy discussions on climate change and environmental sustainability.
Auta commended journalists and media organisations for their active participation.
Contributing as a panelist, Malama Hajara Dan-Musa, Founder of Al-Ihsan Fruits Plus, shared household and community-based recycling solutions.
She highlighted compostable packaging from sugarcane bagasse, organic waste composting, food waste repurposing and simple greywater reuse methods.
Sustainability and climate action must be embedded across all sectors of the economy to ensure long-term development and economic resilience
Rep. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions, North East Development Commission (NEDC), made this known in an interview at a book launch on “Blue Economy: Gateway to a Sustainable Future”.
The book was written by Dr Chika Chukwudi, an expert in Blue Economy.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo
“Climate action has evolved from a mere policy aspiration into a national imperative due to Nigeria’s increasing climate vulnerability.
“I remain deeply conscious that Nigeria’s future hinges on how effectively climate action is embedded on all sectors of the economy.
“This publication comes at a defining moment in Nigeria’s developmental journey, when sustainability is no longer aspirational, but foundational to our economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and inter-generational prosperity.
“President Bola Tinubu made this clear when he stated, ‘the fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity but a global economic opportunity’.
“It is within this robust legal, policy, and institutional framework that the blue economy finds its strongest expression as a catalyst for sustainable growth.”
Onuigbo urged Nigerians and policy makers to ensure that they mainstream climate actions in all their development plans.
“As a futuristic legal framework, the Climate Change Act acknowledges the importance of nature-based solutions by clearly providing for it in Sec 27 thus:
“The Council shall adopt and promote nature-based solutions to reducing Green House Gas emissions and mitigating climate change issues in Nigeria,” he explained.
The chairman said that the present administration has demonstrated commendable resolve in implementing the Climate Change Act as a guiding light for national climate action.
“A key initiative that stands out among these is the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“The ministry is strategically designed to enhance the country’s ocean resources while promoting sustainable economic growth by maximising Nigeria’s 853 kilometres of coastline and an expansive maritime area of 46,000 square kilometres.
“The Ministry aims at sustainable use of ocean, sea, coastal, and inland water resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation, while preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems.”
Onuigbo added that the ministry reflects a deliberate policy shift towards recognising marine and aquatic resources as central to sustainable national development.
“Through this dedicated ministry, the government created a focused framework for managing and developing sectors, such as maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, offshore energy, and inland waterways in a coordinated and sustainable development programme.
“The Climate Change Act 2021, particularly with its emphasis on nature-based solutions, as well as integrating Natural Capital Accounting, is a forerunner in the establishment of the ministry.
“By recognising ecosystems, such as mangroves, wetlands, oceans, and coastal habitats as essential tools for climate mitigation and adaptation, the Act underscored the need for institutional structures capable of managing these natural assets sustainably.
“In Section 29(1), the Act stipulate that the Council shall collaborate with and equip the National Bureau of Statistics for developing Nigeria’s Natural Capital Accounts.”
He said that the blue economy therefore represents far more than the sustainable use of marine and aquatic resources, adding that it is a gateway to economic diversification, climate resilience, job creation, and long-term national competitiveness.
“Chukwudi’s work speaks powerfully to these imperatives, offering timely insights that will enrich policy formulation, guide industry practice, and advance academic and professional discourse.
“I commend her thought leadership and applaud the organisers and stakeholders for this laudable initiative, which further strengthens Nigeria’s climate and sustainability architecture.”
Onuigbo called on the Federal Ministry of Education to explore avenues to implement Sec 26 of the Act, which mandates the integration of climate change into the various disciplines and subjects across all educational levels.
Within the next several years, the invisible architecture of Nigeria’s democracy faces a quiet but existential threat. For decades, the local press served as the bedrock of our national identity, but today, that foundation is being hollowed out by unregulated global digital gatekeepers.
Led by Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, the President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Press is opening up. On the platform of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which represents the collective weight of the NPAN, the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), it broke the “ungolden” silence.
Segun Adediran
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, it issued a stark warning on a major threat: Nigeria’s social cohesion, national security, and democratic governance are being surreptitiously surrendered to algorithms controlled from outside our borders. It gladdens my heart.
Silently, the Big Tech firms, under the guise of technological innovation, have been killing the global media one bit at a time. But it appears the Nigerian press can no longer bear the pains of where their “shoe pinches” like their peers elsewhere. They have rightly identified the specific point where troubles, difficulties and stresses for their survival originate: Big Tech’s thieving technology.
They have also highlighted a more insidious vulnerability. In an era where foreign-coded narratives can dictate public discourse and relegate professional journalism to the margins, the “information sovereignty” of the republic is no longer a theoretical concern. It is an active crisis.
And the message is crystal clear: A new commitment to establishing terms of engagement with these global platforms will be needed to ensure that Nigeria’s national conversation is not quietly outsourced to opaque commercial interests beyond our control.
The Nigerian government should be worried. As the world pivots toward a digital-first existence, the structural pillars of the Nigerian Fourth Estate are being dismantled by global forces that owe no allegiance to our national borders, our social cohesion, or our democratic survival.
Yet, amid this mounting disruption, our policy response remains dangerously dormant. While the Presidency and the National Assembly grapple with immediate crises of security and currency, a more insidious vulnerability is being coded into our daily lives: the surrender of Nigeria’s public square to unregulated, transnational digital gatekeepers.
There is no precedent for the complexity of the current digital era. The era of the “town crier” or the monopolistic state broadcaster has given way to a fragmented reality where foreign-owned algorithms determine what a citizen in Kano, Lagos, or Enugu sees, believes, or ignores. They, “the big boys”, smile at the banks while our news organisations gnash their teeth.
Today, Nigeria’s total advertising spend is estimated to be nearing $1 billion, yet a staggering $340 million of that is being swallowed by digital platforms—primarily Search and Social Media. By 2025, social media alone is projected to command $131 million in Nigerian ad spend, while online video and banner ads – dominated by Google and Meta – will siphon off another $269 million. Recent reporting from BusinessDay (February 2026) highlights that the digital ad sector is projected to grow to $148 million in social media alone by the end of this year. Meta’s total 2024 revenue was approximately $134 billion, and Alphabet (Google) exceeded $307 billion.
This is not merely a market disruption; it is a strategic decapitation of the local press. While these global behemoths reported 2024 revenues as high as $164.5 billion globally, their Nigerian operations operate in a financial “black box,” extracting local capital while returning almost zero reinvestment into the newsrooms that provide the very content their users discuss.
When professional journalism collapses, the vacuum is not filled by silence; it is filled by chaos.
The other answer lies in the global history of democratic resilience. When nations in the 20th century realised that certain industries – telecommunications, banking, energy – were vital to national security, they created robust frameworks to ensure they remained indigenous and accountable. Journalism is no different. It is strategic civic infrastructure, as essential to the health of the republic as the judiciary.
Yet we are currently treating it as a disposable commodity in a lopsided global auction where foreign entities pay billions in taxes to the Federal Government – N3.85 trillion in the first nine months of 2024 alone – yet provide no direct compensation to the industry whose intellectual property they monetise.
The Nigerian press does not come to the government seeking a handout. We come with a warning: a democracy of Nigeria’s scale cannot afford to outsource its information sovereignty. And this is not just Nigeria’s trouble; it’s a global movement. Leading democracies have already concluded that non-intervention is a recipe for the institutional collapse of their trusted news industries.
The European Union has moved to curb gatekeeper dominance; Australia has implemented a bargaining framework that forces tech giants to remunerate local newsrooms; and Canada has enacted legislation to secure long-term funding for domestic journalism.
These nations recognised a fundamental truth: press freedom requires economic viability. A journalist who cannot afford to eat cannot afford to be brave. A newsroom that cannot fund a legal team cannot challenge corruption.
Today, the Nigerian safety net for truth is frayed. The good news is that it can be restitched. As a first step, the Federal Government should empower the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to establish a mandatory bargaining code. This would ensure that when global platforms monetise Nigerian news content, a fair portion of that value is reinvested back into the newsrooms that produced it.
Finally, we must insist on transparency in algorithmic distribution, ensuring that local, credible news is not buried under a mountain of sensationalist, offshore-driven “engagement.”
Democracy rarely prevents the emergence of new technologies, but it must serve as a check on their excesses. Citizens need to exert their influence now, demanding that their representatives protect the integrity of the news they consume. We should not allow the next generation of Nigerians to inherit a world where they cannot distinguish between a verified fact and a manufactured lie, or where their national discourse is merely a data point for a foreign corporation’s profit margin.
The decisions made in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly and the offices of the Presidency over the next two years will define the digital sovereignty of this nation. We can either act to secure a professional, independent, and viable press, or we can watch as the “last major treaty” between the truth and the public is allowed to expire.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, UN member states elected Julio Cordano of Chile as the next Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution chair.
He replaces Luis Vayas Valdivieso (Ecuador) and officially started his role same day. His first order of business will be resuming the plastic treaty negotiations, which came to a halt last year.
The election took place on Saturday during the third installment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s (INC) fifth meeting (INC5.3).
Greenpeace volunteers hold a banner calling on governments to cut plastic production outside the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations (INC5.3) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as Member State delegates gathered to vote for a new negotiation Chair.
Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations andGlobal Plastics Campaign Lead for Greenpeace USA, said: “Ambassador Cordano inherits a treaty negotiation process under strain. We have lost precious time since the negotiations began while the plastics crisis worsens by the day.
“We urge the new chair to rally world leaders to deliver a strong and effective agreement that puts people and the planet first. No more excuses. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect human health, our climate system and global biodiversity from toxic pollution, and initiate a new era of global innovation.
“Around the world, billionaires and corporate interests are challenging democratic institutions and undermining global cooperation. Effective multilateralism is a necessary condition of human survival. It is time for governments that understand this to step up to the challenge and deliver the Global Plastics Treaty that justice and science demand.”
Julio Cordano
Similarly, Nicholas Mallos, vice president of Ocean Conservancy’s Ending Ocean Plastics programme, responded: “We are encouraged by the election of the newest UN plastics treaty chair, an essential step toward reviving the stalled international plastic treaty negotiations. Now, we can get back to work on delivering an ambitious agreement that addresses plastic pollution in all its forms–from its fossil fuel origins to marine litter.
“A strong plastics treaty must include meaningful reductions in plastic production, especially of single-use plastics; efforts to address abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear – known as ghost gear – that traps and kills wildlife; and a robust funding mechanism to ensure the treaty can be carried out, especially supporting the countries most impacted by plastic pollution.”
Observers believe that Cordano’s election as the new Chair of the committee tasked with negotiating a global plastics treaty marks a significant step in the Global Plastics Treaty talks. His appointment is seen as a crucial opportunity to rebuild trust in the treaty negotiation process, which has faced challenges and delays.
Cordano’s leadership is expected to rally world leaders to deliver a strong and effective agreement that prioritises human health, the climate system, and global biodiversity from toxic pollution.
The new Chair will also face the challenge of navigating difficult divisions and addressing critical issues such as the scope of the treaty, funding, and measures of combat plastic pollution.
Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics, Philippines: “The election of the new Chair is an important step towards progress, but a treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics can only be achieved if Member States cease to protect the interests of plastic polluters. The impacts of plastic throughout its lifecycle are undeniable, and Member States need to be united in the central goal of protecting human health and the environment if we want an effective global plastics treaty.”
Shahriar Hossain, ESDO, Bangladesh: “At this stage in the negotiations, ambition, not evidence, is the missing ingredient. The science is settled, impacts are undeniable, and the moment now calls for collective political will. A credible, legally binding treaty must address plastic pollution at its source while safeguarding equity and human health.”
Robert Kitumaini Chikwanine, SOPRODE DRC: “Civil society brings the voices of affected communities, independent expertise, and the vigilance necessary for a credible treaty. The Chair must guarantee our access and ensure a transparent and inclusive process.”
Kwame Ofori, Ako Foundation, Ghana: “To millions of people who experience the impact of plastic pollution on a daily basis, this leadership is what will decide whether science, justice, and livelihoods are secured or delayed.”
Larisa de Orbe, Acción Ecológica México: “The Global South has historically been one of the regions most affected by the plastic life cycle, which is why it has taken the lead in setting the most ambitious targets. The new Presidency must recognise the region’s leadership and ensure that its voice is heard.”
Cecilia Bianco, Taller Ecologista, Argentina: “The Chair must ensure compliance with Resolution 5/14 on the life cycle of plastics, from raw material extraction to final disposal. It is essential that the treaty address the reduction of plastic production with binding global targets.”
Frankie Orona, Society of Native Nations: “Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities are living with the impacts of plastic pollution every day. Indigenous Peoples participation is essential to ensure lived realities, the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples are not sidelined in favor of polluter interests.”
David Azoulay, Environmental Health Programme Director of the Centre for International Environmental Law: “We congratulate Mr. Cordano as the newly elected chair of the INC. His leadership will be essential in guiding Member States through the next phases of negotiations toward a robust and effective global plastics treaty, and in laying the groundwork for renewed, substantive negotiations.
“Since the conclusion of INC-5.2 and the resignation of the previous chair in August 2025, the plastics treaty negotiations have stalled. Although INC-5.3 did not involve substantive discussions, Mr. Cordano’s election sends a critical signal that the process can resume.
“However, while electing a chair keeps the process alive, it won’t fix what’s broken in and of itself. Today’s session was once again dominated by the same delay tactics and obstruction that have bogged down the negotiations from the beginning. The negotiations are in desperate need of a reset.
“For years, a small handful of States have told us that consensus is the only way to make decisions – today proved that when it matters, governments can and will use all the tools of multilateralism available to them, including voting. No more delays and no more excuses – Members of the Committee must show willingness to deliver an ambitious, legally binding treaty that tackles plastic pollution starting at the source.”
Rabeb Aloui, WomenVai, Tunisia: “The election of a Chair must now translate into decisive action. A global plastics treaty is no longer optional it is a moral, environmental, and intergenerational obligation. Every delay deepens the pollution crisis and shifts the burden onto communities who did the least to cause it.”
Laurianne Trimoulla, Gallifrey Foundation, Switzerland: “Now that a Chair has been elected – congratulations to him -, let’s hope for a swift resumption of the negotiations. Let us not forget the ultimate goal: to land an ambitious, legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that includes production reduction, the protection of human and environmental health, safeguarding Human Rights, and Indigenous Knowledge. Most importantly: we have seen that voting is part of the regular UN procedure. Let’s repeat this at INC-5.4, under a strong leadership.”
Jules Vagner, President, Objectif Zéro Plastique, France: “We congratulate the newly elected Chair and recognise the responsibility that comes with guiding this process at a critical moment. The previous months have shown that facilitation alone is not enough and that leadership now requires direction.
“Plastic pollution is a systemic crisis, and systems change only when root causes are addressed. Restoring trust in this process means aligning it with science, human health, and justice, and confronting plastic overproduction head-on. The world is not asking for perfection; it is asking for ambition and action at the source.”
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC Secretariat, said: “I congratulate Ambassador Cordano on his election and look forward to supporting the Committee under his leadership as it carries forward its mandate.”
The INC process was launched in March 2022 at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), where Member States adopted a historic resolution to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
This session, held at the Geneva International Convention Centre, follows INC-5.2 in August 2025 that was also held in Geneva, Switzerland.
That meeting was preceded by five INC sessions: INC-1 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2022; INC-2 in Paris, France, in June 2023; INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023; INC-4 in Ottawa, Canada, in April 2024; and INC-5.1 in Busan, Republic of Korea, in November–December 2024.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a unified Standard Application Procedure (SAP) to guide all shoreline allocations, reclamation requests and related approvals.
The decision is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Badamasi Haiba, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD), on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Abuja.
Haiba said that the new guideline would ensure uniformity, accountability and transparency in the sector.
Nigerian shoreline
The new guidelines, according to him, are part of the resolutions of a meeting of the Technical Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Effective Control and Management of National Inland Waterways and Shorelines.
He said the committee comprised the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF).
The committee, according to him, was set up to review, harmonise and update procedures on shoreline reclamation applications, allocations and collaborative regulatory framework, in line with the directives of President Bola Tinubu and the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Under the new framework, all shoreline applications shall commence with the submission of a Letter of Intent to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
“This will be followed by a mandatory joint inspection by FMHUD and NIWA, with the participation of the applicant,” he said.
Haiba said the Committee further resolved that provisional allocations would be based strictly on survey data jointly validated and charted by surveyors from FMHUD, NIWA and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
He said this was in order to prevent encroachment into navigational channels, avoid overlapping grants and safeguard national spatial integrity.
He added that all existing shoreline grants – new, active, dormant or pending – shall be subjected to immediate review in line with the newly approved Standard Application Procedure.
“In accordance with earlier Presidential directives, any approval granted in previous years without evidence of payment of statutory assessed fees has been revoked.
“For high-sensitivity locations, including Banana Island, the Committee directed that no new approval or extension shall exceed boundaries jointly established by FMHUD, OSGoF and NIWA, adding that strict compliance shall be enforced.
“To strengthen process integrity and eliminate delays, the Committee approved a mandatory processing timeline of 14 days for each stage of the shoreline application and approval process,” he said.
Haiba explained that all Provisional Offer Letters would, henceforth, carry clear expiration clauses, while non-compliance by officers or applicants would attract appropriate administrative and regulatory sanctions.
He added that the resolutions of the Committee superseded all previous communications, directives, circulars and guidelines issued by any Ministry, Department or Agency in respect of shoreline reclamation, allocation, survey validation and related regulatory matters.
He said the committee commended the participating agencies for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, coordinated and sustainable framework for the management, protection and orderly development of Nigeria’s inland waterways and shorelines.
The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo in Imo State, has unveiled EU-funded climate-smart tools, worth millions of naira, aimed at revolutionising the country’s food security and agricultural research.
The Vice-Chancellor of UAES, Prof. Christopher Eze, unveiled the tools at a one-day “Agro-ecology Info Day” workshop, held, on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Umuagwo campus, near Owerri.
Eze said the official launch of the high-tech laboratory featured drones and soil-testing equipment, specifically designed to equip rural farmers and researchers with sustainable, climate-resilient farming techniques.
University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Imo State
The tools included compound microscope, dissecting microscope, spectrometer, blood analyser, GPS, soil auger, chlorophyll meter, munsell colour chart, and an 86 inch UHD 4k smart board, among others.
“Today represents a strong intersection of knowledge, partnership, and innovation,” Eze said.
He said that the ERASMUS+ European Union investment had transformed the university into a vital regional innovation hub.
“The laboratory will support our new MSc programme in Agro-ecology, providing the necessary infrastructure for hands-on training and the transfer of critical scientific knowledge to local farming communities,” he said.
Beyond hardware, Eze said the institution had introduced a digital marketing App aimed at “bridging the gap of middlemen and protecting farmers from inflation by connecting them directly to global consumers.”
The vice-chancellor emphasised that the country must move beyond mere “food sufficiency” toward “food sovereignty,” ensuring the nation maintained complete control over its own agricultural production and seed systems.
“To sustain this growth, the Federal Government should provide subsidies and mandate the Bank of Agriculture to offer loans at interest rates below 10 per cent without rigid collateral.
“Our focus should be how we can attain food sovereignty,” he said.
Eze further said that national security must be guaranteed “so that farmers can safely use these new technologies to feed Nigeria.”
He challenged the National Assembly to prioritise a “right to food” legislation as a vital national security measure to protect citizens and farmers during economic crisis.
According to him, if the Federal Government wants food sufficiency, it must go by policies that also include subsidies for food.
He commended ERASMUS+ EU for the strategic investment in the institution and in the future of agriculture.
In an interview, the Coordinator of the institution’s AGRICO Farm project, MSc. Programme, Dr Ayo Enwerem, said the workshop was aimed at showcasing ERASMUS+ EU project’s efforts in promoting research and food security among rural farmers.
“Our aim is to increase the capacity of farmers on agro-ecology and smart agricultural practices geared toward increased and improved food production as well as help them cope with climate change impact,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would increase farmers’ yield as well as expose the MSc. students of Agro-ecology to the use of the modern equipment.
The workshop brought together various farmer-groups, students, lecturers and other critical stakeholders.
The workshop also featured various paper presentations, including “Reclamation and maintenance of soil fertility in a continuous cropping system,” presented by Dr Adaobi Onyechere.
Another lecturer, Dr Alice Amanze, also presented a paper, entitled, “Impact of Women in Agriculture on Food Security,” while Dr Leonard Amulu spoke on “Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to mitigate effects of climate change on farm operations.”
Despite covering a small share of the planet, wetlands are essential for biodiversity, climate resilience, and water and food security, and with rapid loss underway, global commitments must now shift into real investment, policy change, and large-scale restoration.
Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, yet they are vital for life, biodiversity, and building climate resilience. The diversity of wetlands can be seen in coral reefs and mangroves, as well as seagrass beds, lakes, rivers, and peat bogs.
They provide a wide range of services, such as carbon storage, flood control, water purification, and support for food systems and livelihoods. Although they cover only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, about 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.
The Nguru-Hadejia Wetlands in Yobe State, northern Nigeria
Yet 35% of wetlands have been lost in the past 50 years, and degradation is accelerating as climate change worsens. Wetland loss is being accelerated by climate change, population growth and urbanisation, particularly in vulnerable coastal zones and river deltas, as well as changing consumption patterns that are driving widespread shifts in land and water use, including agriculture. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems builds resilient ecosystems to the challenges climate change poses on biodiversity and food and water security, such as floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.
Crucial platforms to lobby change for wetlands include the upcoming Biodiversity COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia and COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. A core priority at both events will be scaling nature-based solutions that protect restore and sustainably manage critical ecosystems.
Commitments must be turned into implementation, investment, policy reform, and on-the-ground restoration. The future of water security, food systems, and climate stability is inseparable from the future of wetlands.
In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls – many under the age of five – are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). Currently, more than 230 million girls and women are living with its lifelong consequences.
On Friday, February 6, 2026,, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the UNFPA Executive Director, UNICEF Executive Director, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women Executive Director, WHO Director-General, and UNESCO Director-General in a joint statement reaffirmed their commitment to end female genital mutilation for every girl and every woman at risk, and to continue working to ensure those subjected to this harmful practice have access to quality and appropriate services.
The UN agencies say they are building movements to end female genital mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation is described as a violation of human rights and cannot be justified on any grounds. It compromises girls’ and women’s physical and mental health and can lead to serious, lifelong complications, with treatment costs estimated at about US$ 1.4 billion every year.
Interventions aimed at ending female genital mutilation over the last three decades are having an impact, with nearly two-thirds of the population in countries where it is prevalent expressing support for its elimination. After decades of slow change, progress against female genital mutilation is accelerating: half of all gains since 1990 were achieved in the past decade reducing the number of girls subjected to FGM from one in two to one in three.
“We need to build on this momentum and speed up progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030,” said the UN bodies, adding:
“We know what works. Health education, engaging religious and community leaders, parents and health workers and the use of traditional and social media are effective strategies to end the practice. We must invest in community-led movements – including grassroots and youth networks – and strengthen education through both formal and community-based approaches. We need to amplify prevention messages by involving trusted opinion leaders, including health workers. And we must support survivors by ensuring they have access to comprehensive, context-tailored health care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.”
According to them, every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields a tenfold return. An investment of $2.8 billion can prevent 20 million cases and generate $28 billion in investment returns.
They added: “As we approach 2030, gains achieved over decades are at risk as global investment and support wane. Funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education, and child protection programmes are already constraining efforts to prevent female genital mutilation and support survivors.
“Further, the growing systematic pushback on efforts to end female genital mutilation, compounded by dangerous arguments that it is acceptable when carried out by doctors or health workers, adds more hurdles to elimination efforts. Without adequate and predictable financing, community outreach programmes risk being scaled back, frontline services weakened, and progress reversed – placing millions more girls at risk at a critical moment in the push to meet the 2030 target.
“Today we reaffirm our commitment and efforts with local and global public and private partners, including survivors, to end female genital mutilation once and for all.”
