The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has inaugurated a new executive council after a keenly contested election in Lagos.
The new EXCO is headed by Danlami Nmodu, as President. Other officers include Mr. Olumide Iyanda, Deputy President; Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, General Secretary; Mr. Akeem Oyetunji, Deputy General Secretary; Ms. Ngozi Onyeakusi, Treasurer; Mr. Moses Ebosele, Financial Secretary; and Ms. Kemi Yesufu as Publicity Secretary,
Members of the Danlami Nmodu led GOCOP Exco
With the inauguration, Nmodu took over from immediate past president of GOCOP and publisher of RealNews, Dr Maureen Chigbo.
In his acceptance speech after inauguration, Nmodu expressed gratitude to members of GOCOP for finding him worthy of the office of President.
He promised to abide by the ideals, rules and regulations of the guild in order to take the body to a higher level of growth within the online publishing community in Nigeria.
“I take the responsibility of the office seriously. Our members shall come first. I promise to work harmoniously with other exco officers and members to take GOCOP to a higher level of growth,” he declared.
Nmodu also promised to create more human capital and business opportunities for all members of GOCOP.
The presidency was the only contested position during the election between Mr. Danlami Nmodu and Mr. Segun Adeleye. The other officers were returned unopposed.
Declaring the result of the election, Mr. Yusuf Ozi-Usman, Chairman, Electoral Committee, GOCOP 2025, stated that out of a total of 120 registered members as of October 8, 114 were qualified, by the provision of GOCOP constitution to vote and be voted for.
He also disclosed that, out of the 114, 80 members attended the Annual General Congress in person, while 71 voted physically, some nine members did e-voting.
Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal,
As Nigeria charts a new trajectory toward becoming an economic powerhouse in Africa, critical infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway represent a beacon of hope and progress. This 700-kilometre standard highway, now advancing simultaneously across several states of the federation, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, embodies the vision of a connected and unified nation. This lofty and ambitious project has the potential to transform our coastal regions into hubs of commerce, tourism, and innovation, much like major infrastructural developments seen in nations such as Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
Surajdeen Alabede
The true beauty of this project lies in its vast potential to boost economic growth by facilitating faster trade, reducing transportation costs, and creating thousands of jobs both during construction and long after completion. Imagine seamless travel along our stunning Atlantic coastline, unlocking opportunities for ecotourism, aquaculture, and blue economy initiatives capable of generating billions in revenue while showcasing Nigeria’s natural splendour to the world.
Beyond the economic benefits, enhanced connectivity will not only bridge urban centers but also empower rural communities, fostering inclusive development and attracting diaspora investments that strengthen our global ties. Indeed, this highway is far more than asphalt and concrete; it is a symbol of national unity, visionary leadership, and Nigeria’s unstoppable march toward progress under the present administration.
However, as stewards of our nation’s resources, we must confront the sobering realities that come with such grand endeavours. The highway’s proposed route through ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, wetlands, barrier islands, and biodiversity hotspots in the Niger Delta, raises significant environmental concerns that could undermine the very progress we seek to achieve.
Ongoing construction activities such as dredging, land reclamation, and earthworks are already contributing to the degradation of natural habitats, resulting in loss of species, the spread of invasive species, and a troubling increase in roadkill involving fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Research shows that coastal erosion is already prevalent at rates up to 8 meters per year in states like Lagos and may speed up due to altered sediment dynamics and vulnerability to sea-level rise, leading to saltwater intrusion, subsidence, and heightened flooding risks. Runoff, sediments, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons pollute coastal water, thereby threatening aquatic life, fisheries, and community water sources, with potential for eutrophication and toxicity in lagoons and estuaries.
Also, air and noise pollution during construction exceed standards, impacting human and animal health, while long-term traffic could worsen greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat islands without proper offsets. These impacts not only jeopardise our rich biodiversity but also affect vulnerable communities, potentially displacing livelihoods and deepening social tensions amid ongoing land disputes.
This project can still be a model of sustainable development if we prioritise mitigation strategies grounded in global best practices and supported by rigorous environmental oversight. Foremost, it is essential to enforce comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) across all project sections, ensuring full compliance before further advancement, in line with Lagos State regulations and federal environmental guidelines.
Additionally, the creation of wildlife corridors, mangrove restoration programmes, and artificial reefs will help restore habitats and preserve ecological connectivity. To protect the coastline, authorities should implement soil-stabilisation measures, such as ocean-wave barriers, improved drainage systems, and bioengineering techniques, to stabilise shorelines and mitigate the effects of sea-level rise.
The contractors handling the project should be encouraged to use low-emission machinery, dust-suppression measures, and noise barriers to significantly reduce environmental pollution. Regular monitoring of air, water, and soil quality should also be mandated to ensure adherence to environmental standards. Furthermore, transparent stakeholder engagement involving local communities, environmental NGOs, and diaspora groups is vital for building trust, addressing genuine concerns, and fostering a shared sense of ownership of this project.
In conclusion, the federal government must integrate sustainable funding and long-term maintenance plans that prioritise green infrastructure, such as cool pavements and the integration of renewable energy along the route.
Your Excellencies, let me remind you that Nigeria’s legacy depends on balancing ambition with responsibility. By heeding this call to duty, you can ensure the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway becomes a triumph of progress that preserves our environment for future generations to come. Let us build not just a road, but a sustainable future.
By Surajdeen Alabede, a Nigerian Canadian environmental professional, environmental protection and sustainability advocate and Co-Founder of Environmental and Green Initiative for Sustainability (EGIS)
The Lagos State Government has restated its zero tolerance for illegal and unapproved buildings within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, saying such developments pose serious risks to public safety.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said this in a statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Lagos.
The state government had recently demolished illegal structures in different parts of the state including around the trade fair complex.
Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide
The demolition exercise around the trade fair area had been perceived as targeting particular ethnic group by some aggrieved residents.
Olumide however said that the government’s enforcement was backed by the Supreme Court judgment of 2003, which empowers states to control physical developments within their territories, except in areas under exclusive federal use.
He also said that the state government’s stance was in line with its mandate to ensure a safe, orderly and sustainable physical environment, as provided by the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992 and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019.
The commissioner therefore gave all developers and occupants within the trade fair complex a two-week deadline to regularise their building approvals with the ministry.
According to him, the exercise at the trade fair complex is not about land ownership or title but about ensuring that all buildings have valid planning permits.
He cautioned some political actors, especially those from the south-east, against misrepresenting facts and using ethnic sentiments to discredit the government’s enforcement efforts.
The commissioner stressed that the ongoing action was not targeted at any group but part of a wider exercise to maintain order and public safety across Lagos.
Olumide listed places where illegal structures had also been removed to include Pelewura Market, Bombata Market, LSDPC Ilasan Estate, Otumara in Ebute Metta, Alaba Rago, and Oluwole Market.
According to him, these areas are largely occupied by different ethnic groups.
He noted that other states such as Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo had also carried out similar demolitions to enforce urban renewal and flood control measures without ethnic bias.
”It is therefore wrong for anyone to attach ethnic meaning to the enforcement in Lagos. The actions of the state government are always guided by law,” he said.
He urged all residents and stakeholders to support the government’s efforts to achieve a safe, well-planned and sustainable city for everyone.
Representatives of member governments and other Global Environment Facility (GEF) stakeholders gathered from October 7 to 9, 2025, in Kasane, Botswana, to review proposed plans for the multilateral trust fund in its ninth funding cycle for the 2026-2030 period.
The GEF can be a “source of hope” for international action on threats to nature, and related environmental threats, the head of the multilateral trust fund told its donor and recipient countries as they held their second formal discussions in preparation for the GEF-9 funding cycle.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson
Addressing representatives of donor and recipient countries, agencies, civil society, and observers from the wider GEF community, CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, made the case for a robust ninth replenishment that would help deliver a safer, healthier future for people and the planet.
“In uncertain times, it is extremely important that we’re able to give hope for a brighter future,” said Rodríguez. “The GEF, and this crucial ninth replenishment, can be a source of hope and optimism to help achieve global environmental goals and live in harmony with nature.”
“Building on ongoing reforms to increase efficiency and effectiveness, the replenishment takes place as the GEF further evolves towards a whole of government and whole of society approach,” he added.
The GEF-9 investment period, which will span from July 2026 to June 2030, aligns with a crucial time for the world to make progress toward 2030 environmental goals, and growing inter-related threats including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Building on the first replenishment meeting held in Paris in May, GEF donors and partners, meeting in hybrid format, held further discussions on the proposed GEF-9 strategic programming directions and policy package, and a draft report by the GEF Independent Evaluation Office on the GEF’s overall performance (OPS8).
The meeting was opened by Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations and Acting Minister of Environment and Tourism, Botswana, who highlighted the GEF’s “critical” support in meeting its obligations under the Rio Conventions.
Thanking delegates for their participation, he said, “Your presence here today signals your commitment to ensuring the GEF remains a strong and effective mechanism for financing environmental action across the world – especially in the places and communities that need it most.”
In advance of the meeting, delegates visited Chobe National Park, part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). As the largest land-based transboundary conservation area in the world, KAZA is among ecosystems that are vital to biodiversity, tourism, and regional stability. GEF-funded projects across the region have helped to improve the ways protected areas are managed and financed.
The replenishment meeting was co-hosted by the World Bank, which is one of the GEF’s 18 partner agencies as well as its trustee, with responsibility for the mobilisation of resources for the trust fund every four years.
The third official replenishment meeting is planned for January 2026, and a pledging meeting is expected to take place next April. A final decision about the size and ambition of the GEF-9 funding envelope is expected to be taken by June 2026.
Lead reviewers under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and consistency of technical expert reviews of Parties’ Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). These reports assess the actions countries have taken to deliver on their climate commitments, and help inform decision-making, attract climate finance, and strengthen national climate policies over time.
BTRs provide key data on national greenhouse gas emissions, progress towards national climate plans (NDCs), as well as information on finance, technology transfer, and adaptation efforts, among others. Successful technical expert reviews of BTRs are essential to assessing progress on climate action and identifying where further efforts and support are needed.
Lead reviewers
The 2025 annual meeting of lead reviewers was held virtually in September, bringing together 63 experts from both developed and developing countries. Observers included the co-chairs of the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC).
Lead reviewers ensure the quality, objectivity, and timeliness of technical expert reviews, providing continuity and consistency across Parties. They meet annually to discuss ways to improve the efficiency and consistency of the review process.
Since July, lead reviewers have been working in groups to strengthen BTR reviews. During the September meeting, they adopted conclusions aimed at boosting the effectiveness and impact of reviews, while welcoming progress by the UNFCCC secretariat in organizing the 2024-2025 review cycle, including the rollout of simplified reviews for Annex I inventories.
Participants also agreed on guidance covering seven key review areas, including flexibility for developing countries, inventory methods, and the treatment of NDC targets and mitigation measures. The meeting underscored the importance of continued Party support – both financial and through expert nominations – to sustain the review process.
Later this month, UN Climate Change will present the first BTR synthesis report, providing an initial picture of Paris Agreement implementation. The report will highlight progress made in mitigation, adaptation, and support, while identifying areas where additional efforts are needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has cautioned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against actions that contravene Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regulations, reaffirming that strikes and lockouts are expressly prohibited within such zones for a period of ten years from commencement of operations.
The Authority’s Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, stated this in Abuja following reports of escalating industrial tensions and “frequent and excessive external union infiltrations” that have disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery, the country’s largest private industrial complex.
Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi
In a statement signed by Dr. Martins Odeh, Head of Corporate Communications at NEPZA, the agency described the recent shutdown of critical oil and gas facilities by PENGASSAN as unlawful within the context of the Free Trade Zone framework.
PENGASSAN had last week directed its members to down tools over allegations that the Dangote Refinery dismissed about 800 workers who had joined the union. The company, however, denied the figure, maintaining that only a few workers were disengaged “for acts of sabotage” as part of an ongoing organisational restructuring.
Dr. Ogunyemi expressed concern over the escalation of the dispute, noting that the refinery’s FTZ status meant that all labour-related grievances should have been channelled through the Authority.
“Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones (NEPZA) Act provides that ‘there shall be no strikes or lock-outs for a period of 10 years following the commencement of operations within a Zone, and the Authority shall resolve any trade dispute arising within a Zone,’” he said.
According to him, the provision imposes a 10-year prohibition on strikes and lockouts within Free Zones, while still allowing workers the right to form or join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.
“We are pleased that the conflict has been de-escalated. Dangote Refinery is a declared FTZ that continues to benefit from tax incentives and customs duty waivers to support the economy, and NEPZA regulates it.
The Free Trade Zone scheme in Nigeria is slightly over 30 years old, and we ought to be familiar with the scheme and the global rules that guide the operation of this world economic model, which aims to accelerate economic development and industrialisation,” he said.
Dr. Ogunyemi emphasised that trade disputes originating within any Free Zone must be referred to NEPZA for resolution, clarifying that this restriction applies solely within the zones and not to the wider Nigerian economy.
He also drew attention to Section 24(1) of the NEPZA Act, which limits the application of external laws within Free Zones, noting that such laws are only operational to the extent that they do not conflict with NEPZA’s enabling Act.
“Consequently, in cases of conflict between the Trade Unions Act (TUA) or Trade Disputes Act (TDA) and Section 18(5), the provisions of Section 18(5) take precedence as the more specific regulation governing Free Zones,” he stated.
The NEPZA chief commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt intervention in resolving the dispute, describing it as a demonstration of responsive governance and a commitment to safeguarding a critical national asset.
“It is a sign of President BAT’s maturing democracy that this has been resolved quickly without deleterious effects on our economy,” he said.
Dr. Ogunyemi reiterated that while industrial relations are part of the process of economic transformation, stakeholders must operate within the legal and administrative frameworks designed to protect investments and ensure the sustainability of industrial growth within the Free Zones.
According to recent Nigerian media reports and a statement by the oil regulator itself, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has cancelled the approval for TotalEnergies $860 million sale of its share in the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Joint Venture to Chappal Energies. The Joint Venture was managed by Shell prior to the sale of the Shell Petroleum Development Company to Renaissance.
Although public details are scarce as to the collapse of the Total-Chappal deal, media reports record the NUPRC spokesperson as confirming that Chappal Energies failed to raise the funds, and as a result TotalEnergies reportedly did not fulfil its requirement to pay regulatory fees and cover funds for environmental rehabilitation and future liabilities.
TotalEnergies
In a reaction to the development, a group of 106 representatives of Nigerian and international civil society organisations, community groups and concerned citizens haswelcomed NUPRC’s enforcement of the regulations it is mandated to enforce but regretted that it has taken months for the decision to enter the public domain.
“The Nigerian public has a right to be informed of such developments as and when they occur,” the campaigners stated.
They went further: “Now that the Total-Chappal deal has been revealed to have been founded on sand, the question arises why did the deal obtain ministerial consent in the first place? And, if Ministers gave approval for a deal that was without foundation, what other permissions have been similarly granted?
“In particular, the cancellation of the Total-Chappal sale calls into question President Tinubu’s decision to over-rule NUPRC’s advice that the sale of SPDC to Renaissance did not meet the regulatory requirements. That advice is understood to have rested on concerns over Renaissance’s technical and financial ability to pay for the historic liabilities of SPDC for cleaning up pollution from its operations and facilities, which are likely to run into tens of billions of dollars.
“We therefore call for the Shell-Renaissance deal to be subject to independent review. If NUPRC’s concerns were indeed well founded, there is a huge risk that the Nigerian people will end up having to pick up the tab for cleaning up SPDC’s mess. We also call for the release of the Environmental Evaluation Studies (EES) for each sale, and also the S&P assessment that was reportedly commissioned by NUPRC to assess the sale of SPDC to Renaissance.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It rests on the active involvement of citizens. As we mark the posthumous birthday of Ken Saro-Wiwa on 10th October and approach the 30-year memorial of the Ogoni-9, we demand action against these companies and their abusive practices.
“We call on civil society groups and parliamentarians to take up the call for the government to take urgent measures to ensure that the legacy of pollution caused by international oil companies is immediately cleaned up to international standards. And that the companies pay, not the Nigerian state and its peoples. It is unacceptable that the companies should profit at the expense of Nigeria.”
A damning investigative report presented at the 13th Pan-African Conference on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (PAC) on Thursday, October 9, 2025, alleges British American Tobacco Kenya may have evaded up to $28 million in taxes through a mysterious gap between cigarette production and reported sales.
The report, titled “Missing Millions: A Cross-Examination of British American Tobacco Kenya’s Tax Bill,” reveals discrepancies of up to 9.6 billion Kenyan shillings ($93 million) in the company’s revenue statements for 2017 and 2018.
A cross-section of participants during the event
Marcel Metze, director and editor at The Investigative Desk, presented the findings during a side session on financing climate action at the 13th Pan-African Conference on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation.
“We’re talking about somewhere between 18 and 28 million packs, which was somewhere between 10 and 20% of annual domestic production in Kenya,” Metze said.
“We call these the missing millions of cigarettes. We don’t know where they went.”
The report calculated the missing cigarettes’ sales value at approximately $94 million.
Production vs. Sales Discrepancy
The investigation conducted a meticulous cross-examination of British American Tobacco Kenya’s annual reports; production data submitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority and independent sources including the World Health Organisation and World Bank.
Metze outlined a seven-step analysis process to examine the discrepancies.
“If BAT Kenya produced 100 packs of cigarettes in 2016 and sold 100 packs, which was happening at that time, this changed in the years after,” Metze said.
“Production went down to 72%, but sales went down to 61%. So they sold less than they produced.”
The investigation found that, in 2017, British American Tobacco Kenya reported a 7% decline in domestic sales volume while production data showed a 2.3% increase, with an estimated retail value of 13 billion shillings – 37% more than the 9.5 billion shillings revenue declared.
In 2018, the discrepancy expanded further. Production data suggested up to 16.8 billion shillings in revenue against the company’s reported 11 billion shillings.
Cumulatively from 2016 to 2021, domestic production declined 28% while sales volumes reportedly fell 39%, defying market trends from Euromonitor and WHO data showing slower consumption drops due to tobacco’s addictive nature.
Tax Implications
Metze said the investigation verified excise payments and found them correctly reported — the only data point without discrepancies.
“The reporting of that is correct. It’s the only issue in which we find that,” he said.
However, when comparing potential revenue from entire production against reported sales, notable differences emerged in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The investigation accounted for potential stockpiling of overproduced cigarettes but found minimal impact.
“The effect of that was only minimal. No real impact,” Metze said.
“They could explain only a small part of the missing cigarettes, the missing millions.”
Even using conservative revenue estimates with high retail margins and zero inventory value, unexplained revenue gaps remained.
“We found that the tax value of the missing cigarettes, especially in the years 2017 and 2018, was somewhere between 660 million and 2.9 billion Kenyan shillings, which is about $6.5 million to $28 million,” Metze said.
Company Response and Impact
British American Tobacco Kenya rejected the allegations when the report was published in February, stating it “pays all taxes in line with applicable laws” and attributing discrepancies to “other costs not paid to BAT Kenya.”
The company refused to provide details, citing commercial confidentiality.
Metze said the report generated significant attention.
“The BAT Kenya campaign reached more than 200 million people, which is a huge number,” he said.
“There was global attention for the report across Africa but also the United States and UK.”
The Kenya Revenue Authority announced an investigation following publication but has not released results.
“We haven’t heard anything of that investigation since, so we don’t know what’s still going on, whether there are any results,” Metze said.
Shortly after the investigation announcement, British American Tobacco Kenya announced two directors would leave the company.
Excise-Led Pricing Strategy
The investigation found British American Tobacco Kenya maintained stable revenues despite declining sales through price increases matching government excise raises.
“One of the reasons that BAT Kenya could keep its revenue at the same level is that they raised their prices in accordance with the government prices in excises,” Metze said.
“It’s as simple as that. Excise-led pricing, we call that.”
The company’s dividends increased 65% from 2017 to 2020 despite reported volume declines.
Contradicting the Illicit Trade Narrative
British American Tobacco Kenya blamed declining sales on what Metze called a “perfect storm” narrative – porous borders, illicit trade, economic challenges and excise hikes.
However, the investigation found contradictions.
“Illicit trade allegedly rose to 25% of the market in 2020, yet competitor Mastermind’s share remained static, and overall consumption didn’t plummet as claimed,” Metze said.
The company’s revenues stayed stable or grew on an inflation-adjusted basis despite the alleged market challenges.
“We see that the number of Kenyans that die of smoking each year would be 12,000,” he said. “That’s a lot of people.”
While smoking rates have declined, the number of smokers has grown.
The investigation documented farmer exploitation in Kenya’s Migori region, where most tobacco is grown.
“For small farmers, life has remained difficult,” Metze said.
“They don’t profit from the profits the companies make. They need to take loans for seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, which keep them just barely on the level or even below that.”
The report estimated damage to the Kenyan economy at $333 million per year – eight times British American Tobacco Kenya’s profit.
Follow-Up Investigation
Metze announced a new investigation examining trade between British American Tobacco Kenya and British American Tobacco Uganda, focusing on potential tax avoidance.
“We are investigating the trade between BAT Kenya and BAT Uganda, where we have a focus on the tax avoidance that might be taking place in this trade,” he said.
The project, supported by the University of Bath and Tax Justice Network Africa, is expected to take 18 months to two years.
“We see again in this trade large discrepancies between reported production, production that is done in Kenya for Uganda, and what is actually imported into Uganda,” Metze said.
“We also have clear indications of profit shifting from Kenya to Uganda.”
He noted the Netherlands plays a role because Uganda has a favorable tax treaty with the country.
“More details, of course, you will have to wait for,” Metze said, indicating publication is planned for early 2026.
Conference Context
The presentation occurred during a side session organized by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development and the Centre for Economic and Social Rights, focusing on financing climate action and addressing the debt-illicit financial flows nexus.
The argument centered on lost revenues from illicit flows that could fund sustainable development and climate adaptation.
The 13th Pan-African Conference, themed “Honouring a Legacy, Building a Future: A Decade of the HLP Report,” commemorates the 2015 High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
That landmark report found Africa loses at least $50 billion annually through illicit flows – 65% from commercial practices, 30% from criminal activity and 5% from corruption.
Corporate Structure
The investigation profiled British American Tobacco Kenya’s complex structure within the broader BAT Group, with subsidiaries in Kenya, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, facilitating potential profit shifting.
British American Tobacco dominates Africa’s tobacco market with 50% to 80% market share in many countries and 70% to 80% in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
The company exports from Nairobi to 20 markets across the continent.
The report referenced British American Tobacco’s history of tax avoidance, including a 2020 investigation titled “Big Tobacco, Big Avoidance.”
Debt and Climate Finance Connection
Conference experts tied the findings to the debt-illicit financial flows nexus, noting illicit flows cost Africa $100 billion to $240 billion annually according to OECD estimates.
Panelists argued that properly collected tobacco taxes could generate revenues for green transitions and climate adaptation.
They advocated integrating anti-illicit flow measures into climate finance strategies, with British American Tobacco Kenya’s alleged avoidance exemplifying how extractive industries drain funds needed for development priorities.
Regional Hub Expansion
British American Tobacco elevated its Nairobi operation as a regional hub in 2023, positioning for growth across Africa’s youth-heavy demographic despite health warnings about smoking.
Kenya’s Trade Minister Moses Kuria’s 2023 social media post praising tobacco as a tax contributor drew criticism as echoing the industry narrative.
Kenya’s Economic Context
The findings come as Kenya, classified as a lower-middle-income economy, grapples with budget deficits, large debts and International Monetary Fund-mandated reforms.
Aggressive tax avoidance by multinationals reduces government income amid rising civil unrest over tax hikes on ordinary citizens.
While taxes on Kenyans increased in 2023 and 2024, annual excise adjustments for cigarettes were halted – a move the report criticized as favoring big tobacco.
Farmer Exploitation Details
The investigation documented conditions for contracted farmers in Migori region who receive overpriced inputs on loan and labor intensively for six months.
After deductions, families earn around 20,000 shillings ($140) annually – equivalent to 38 cents per day, below the extreme poverty line of $2.15.
In 2023, amid British American Tobacco Kenya’s record 6.9 billion shillings in profits, farmer pay was cut 20% to the lowest level in five years.
Health risks include respiratory issues from curing tobacco in smoke-filled huts. Farmers cannot eat their crop, worsening food insecurity.
Research by economist Peter Magati shows tobacco farmers operate at losses when labor costs are factored in, while those switching crops double their incomes.
The World Health Organisation’s Tobacco-Free Farms initiative has helped more than 2,000 farmers transition to beans for the World Food Programme, but 36,000 remain in tobacco cultivation.
Call for Accountability
The presentation at the Pan-African Conference underscored calls for stronger accountability measures against corporate tax avoidance.
Session participants recommended strengthening tax cooperation, linking debt relief to illicit flow curbs and mobilizing domestic resources for climate finance.
The conference’s focus on the High-Level Panel Report’s decade-old legacy emphasized unfinished business in stemming illicit flows to build resilient futures.
As Africa faces climate vulnerabilities and debt burdens, the British American Tobacco Kenya case illustrates how corporate evasion undermines development progress.
Whether Kenya Revenue Authority acts on the investigation’s findings remains uncertain, but the presentation signals growing pressure for accountability in extractive industries across the continent.
The four-day conference continues through Friday at the Sandton Convention Centre.
It is co-hosted by the African Union Commission, U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, Africa Tax Administration Forum, Tax Justice Network Africa and the Economic Justice Network.
The “Missing Millions” report was authored by Tim Luimes and Mirjam van der Puijl of The Investigative Desk, with editing by Marcel Metze.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has lamented the yawning gap between campaign promises by politicians and realities of governance on the ground.
Delivering the Keynote Address at the 9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Masari, who spoke on the theme: Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects, listed four conditions to bridge such gaps in the interest of democracy.
Aminu Masari giving his keynote at the 2025 confab organised by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
To Masari, political actors must campaign with responsibility, insisting that such campaign promises should be realistic cost and achievable within the available resources.
“Unrealistic pledges made merely to capture the mood of the electorate should be challenged and exposed. Only then can we begin to elevate our political culture and make sure that the process justifies the end. Second, governance must be anchored on strong institutions. With capable institutions, policies can be implemented more consistently and transparently.”
According to him, the third leg must imbibe honest communication with citizens by political leaders. He tasked leaders to explain the trade-offs, why certain promises may take longer, why resources must be reallocated and how progress will be measured.
“Fourth, citizens themselves, including civil society and the media, must understand realities and properly communicate those realities in addition to holding leaders accountable. They should track promises, and demand transparency instead of creating sensational headlines to attract followers, especially now that the number of followers translates into monetary gain.”
Looking at the challenges before political leaders in fulfilling campaign promises, the former Katsina State governor named limited resources, competing demands and unexpected crises.
“Many manifestos are aspirational documents, not grounded in the reality of available resources or institutional capacity. Fiscal constraints are also a big factor. Campaign promises hinge on the resources available to any country. In many African nations, and more specifically in our case, budgets are still heavily dependent on a single commodity: oil. Yet, as we all know, the price of oil is beyond our control. It is volatile, shaped by global market forces, geopolitical tensions, and other complex and unpredictable factors.”
Masari said beyond resource volatility, there are also unforeseen emergencies that force governments to reorder their priorities with COVID-19 as a vivid example. He said such emergencies consume time, energy and resources and compel governments to suspend plans and promises across all sectors, resulting in campaign promises suffering in the long run.
“Here in Nigeria, insecurity remains a persistent challenge. It undermines production, disrupts livelihoods and reduces national revenues. It compels the government to divert enormous resources toward security operations. Another major issue is weak institutions. Even when funds are available, corruption, bureaucracy and inefficiency can derail delivery.”
He concluded that reconciling campaign promises with governance realities is not just about avoiding embarrassment for politicians but about protecting the integrity of democracy itself. The keynote speaker warned that if citizens repeatedly see promises made and broken, they lose faith in the system.
“But if they see even modest progress explained honestly and delivered consistently, they will continue to believe in the promise of democracy. Let our promises be realistic, our expectations be modest, our governance transparent and our accountability strong. In doing so, we can transform hope into progress, and democracy into a vehicle of real change.”
Masari commended the EXCO and members of GOCOP on its 9th anniversary and consistently created platforms for the people to have honest conversations about the future of our democracy.
“This is where journalism at its best, and more specifically GOCOP in this digital age, becomes indispensable. You and your profession are the bridges between the leaders and the people. You shape narratives, hold leaders accountable and track progress.”
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has appealed to stakeholders, customers, and communities within its franchise area to join efforts in combating energy theft and vandalism of power infrastructure.
Speaking at the Agbara Customer Engagement Forum held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Lagos, EKEDC’s Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the growing menace of energy crimes.
Participants at the EKEDC Agbara Customer Engagement Forum
Momoh, who was represented by Mrs. Iyiola Ezichi, Head of Customer Experience at EKEDC, noted that energy theft and vandalism hampered electricity distribution and threatened national development.
Stakeholders at the forum represented the Agbara Business Unit, which includes Agbara, Aiyetoro, Aradagun, Badagry, Igborosun, and Oko-Afo zones.
Momoh said the event was designed to foster dialogue with customers, listen to their concerns, and seek collaborative solutions to persistent challenges in power supply and infrastructure maintenance.
She acknowledged complaints from customers, which included delayed meter installations, fallen poles, overloaded transformers, unresponsive fault reporting systems, and perceived over billing.
“We’ve heard the customers and are actively working to resolve these issues through continued infrastructure investment and community engagement,” Momoh said.
She added that EKEDC has committed millions of naira toward power infrastructure upgrades across both rural and urban communities to improve service delivery.
Momoh also urged communities to avoid unsafe practices such as building under power lines and patronising unqualified electricians.
“Customers must be safety conscious – hire certified electricians, avoid walking under high-tension wires during rainfall, and never allow non-EKEDC staff to tamper with connections.”
On the issue of energy theft, she warned that illegal connections and meter bypassing resulted in higher electricity bills for compliant customers.
“We implore residents to expose perpetrators in line with the ‘see something, say something’ principle,” she added.
She also appealed for greater vigilance and community support in protecting installations from cable theft and vandalism.
Reiterating EKEDC’s zero-tolerance policy on energy crimes, Momoh warned that offenders will face full legal consequences.
She noted that the company continued to invest in modern infrastructure to strengthen supply and eventually deliver uninterrupted electricity daily .
Also speaking at the forum, Mr. Madukiei Obiamaka, Head of EKEDC’s Group Extension High-Cost Generating Project, highlighted ongoing investments in power projects across several communities.
He warned customers against employing unauthorised technicians – commonly referred to as “NEPA 2” – due to the dangers and illegality of such practices.
He also emphasised household electrical safety, warning against overloading sockets and using wet hands with appliances.
Community leaders also voiced support for EKEDC’s initiatives, Mr. Festus Eweka, Chairman of the Agbara Consumer Consultative Forum, urged residents to stop vandalising power infrastructure and instead, take ownership of community assets.
Similarly, Mr. Omokaro Emmanuel, Chairman of the Agbara Estate Infrastructure Technical Committee, encouraged EKEDC to enhance outage communication and adopt advanced fault-detection systems.
He praised the forum as an important platform for peaceful resolution of ongoing power issues.
EKEDC reaffirmed its commitment to expanding infrastructure, enhancing safety, and improving electricity distribution through customer-focused policies and continued stakeholder engagement.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has expressed its commitment to exploring embedded generation and alternative energy partnerships to ensure a more stable power supply, especially for critical business zones.
Managing Director, IBEDC, Mr. Francis Agoha, said this on Thursday in Ibadan during a breakfast meeting with Maximum Demand (MD) customers from the Ibadan region.
Agoha noted that the move would help reduce dependence on the national grid and enhance reliability for industrial clusters.
Embedded generation refers to power produced within the distribution network, right where it is needed, instead of relying on transmission from distant plants through the fragile national grid.
Embedded plants serve local areas directly.
The meeting provided IBEDC customers with the opportunity to physically present their complaints and challenges regarding stable power supply needed to run their businesses.
Issues discussed included customer band allocation and supply hours per day, high voltage, incessant power outages, and fluctuations, among others.
Agoha assured consumers that IBEDC had begun implementing digital monitoring systems that would provide near real-time visibility of power supply performance at customer endpoints.
According to him, the initiative will enable faster fault detection, proactive maintenance, and transparent service reporting.
“This meeting is particularly significant because it coincides with the celebration of Customer Service Week 2025, a global event dedicated to appreciating customers and the professionals who serve and support them.
“The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Mission: Possible,’ captures our renewed energy toward making the impossible possible by delivering the quality, reliable, and consistent power supply that Nigerians deserve.
“We are institutionalising a structured Key Account Management model that integrates regular engagements, both physical and virtual, to ensure continuous feedback, better planning, and shared accountability between IBEDC and its premium customers.
“The challenges in Nigeria’s power sector are well known. However, we firmly believe that collaboration is the bridge to improvement.
“When customers and service providers work as partners, the solutions we develop are more sustainable and impactful.
“Feedback from this meeting will form the foundation for our service improvement roadmap and future engagements across our franchise area,” he said.
Agoha further stated that each Maximum Demand (MD) customer had been assigned a dedicated relationship manager to ensure faster complaint resolution, proactive communication, and tailored service delivery.
The event also featured a question-and-answer session on several power-related issues, including effective collaboration and communication channels between IBEDC and customers, prompt electrical fault detection, and the replacement of outdated equipment, among others
