An NGO, Concerned Nation Builders Initiative (CNI), has urged the Federal Government to focus on addressing critical socio-economic challenges to restore hope and improve the lives of Nigerians in 2025.
According to the group, the renewed hope Nigerians are yearning for entails, among others, accessible roads
Speaking in an interview in Epe on Thursday, January 2, 2025, Mr. Ladi Kassim, the Welfare Director of the organisation, emphasised the need for actionable steps to tackle the nation’s pressing issues.
“The renewed hope Nigerians are yearning for entails a stable economy, improved infrastructure, the protection of lives, quality healthcare, and accessible roads. These are the building blocks of good governance,” he said.
He called on the government to prioritise the rehabilitation of dilapidated roads and the provision of safe transportation systems.
He urged the government to address the nation’s security challenges, make a provision for citizens to have access to clean water, food security, and functional healthcare systems.
“Many communities across Nigeria still lack access to clean water, leaving residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases. The government must act decisively to bridge these gaps,” he said.
Kassim urged all tiers of government to implement policies and projects that would significantly enhance the well-being of Nigerians, particularly those in underserved rural areas.
“A nation cannot thrive when its citizens are deprived of the basic essentials of life,” he added.
He called on the federal government to make 2025 a turning point, a year of transformation and renewed confidence in national leadership and development.
The Kaduna State Government says it is reviewing its policy documents on agriculture to align with global best practices.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State
Murtala Dabo, Commissioner for Agriculture, who spoke at a two-day Agriculture Policy Revalidation meeting in Kaduna, said the ease of doing business would be also revised to attract investments in the sector.
The revalidation meeting is in partnership with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Dabo said the investor friendly policies would also boost skills of the small holder farmers to enhance food production in the state.
The two-day revalidation workshop is being organised by the Kaduna state Policy and Agricultural Systems Strengthening (PASS) project.
According to Dabo, the reviewed policies will address critical areas on the ease of doing agribusiness, contract farming, gender in agriculture and soy beans policy in the sector.
He said that the state government’s efforts, in partnership with AGRA, demonstrated a commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and driving economic growth in the state.
Dabo commended AGRA for encouraging smallholder farmers by providing them the needed platform to enhance their productivity, stressing that smallholder farmers contributed no fewer than 87 percent to all agricultural produce in the state.
The commissioner assured that the policy, if implemented, would enable the state to enjoy food sufficiency, increased income and livelihood among the active practitioners in the sector.
Dabo said the draft of the reviewed policies would be presented to the Gov. Uba Sani for his assent after due process.
He urged all stakeholders to give the exercise the attention it deserved.
Dabo added that that proper planning was required and the outcome of the exercise would be the centre upon which all decisions in the agricultural sector would be based.
Alhaji Abubakar Abba, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry and Project Head, said the policy review committee was constituted to review the existing frameworks governing contract farming, gender inclusivity, soy beans and the ease of doing business.
According to him, the policy seeks to review, assess, identify and propose policy amendments that promote equity, sustainable agricultural growth and gender parity while aligning with national and international best practices.
On the ease of doing business, he said the committee was aimed at identifying barriers that hinder the smooth operation of agribusinesses in the state.
“The policy seeks to identify challenges, propose actionable solutions, streamline regulatory processes while improving infrastructure and fostering a more enabling environment for agricultural businesses,” he said.
Bage Bungwon, who doubles as state Director for Agricultural Services and Project manager, said the policy was a statement of action and a fundamental tool in achieving agriculture development.
He said the policies would give direction; provide objectives, strategies, among others.
Mr Abel Adejor, Lead convener, Policy and Citizens Initiative, said that the document was developed in 2019, but needed to be reviewed to meet current situations and economic realities for better performance.
Adejor expressed optimism that the state government would key into the document for it to become a law for strategic performance in the agriculture sector.
He said the gender policy would particularly attract women and youth into the agriculture sector.
According to him, the policy on soya beans will equally attract massive investment in the production of the produce given the large market for it in the state and the country.
The state government had allocated more than N70 billion or 9.3 percent of funds in its 2025 budget to bolster performance of the agriculture sector and boost food security.
Executive-Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), Dr Michael David, says addressing food insecurity will ensure sustainable national development.
Dr Michael Terungwa David
David, who stated this in an interview on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Abuja, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure the availability of nutritious and affordable food for all Nigerians.
“The Right to Food Act 2023 has provided the necessary legislation that is essential for ensuring that every citizen has access to adequate, nutritious, and affordable food as a fundamental human right.
“Access to adequate and nutritious food is a fundamental human right enshrined in international treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” David said.
He stated that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 identifies food provision as one of the government’s economic objectives.
“The specifics of what the government must do and what citizens can expect from this provision are not clearly outlined, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive clause in the Constitution,” he added.
David noted that, to address the clause, the Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, was signed into law on March 3, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This legislation referred to as, the “Right to Food Act,” significantly amends the food provision clause to enhance food security for the nation and its people, making it a priority in government policies.
“According to the Right to Food Act, 16A (1) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that – (a) strategies that guarantee food security of the nation regarding availability, accessibility, and affordability of food to the citizens are initiated, undertaken, and implemented.
“Despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential, millions of Nigerian’s face hunger and malnutrition,” he said.
According to him, factors such as poverty, climate change, conflict, and inadequate agricultural support systems exacerbate the food insecurity crisis.
He noted that the Right to Food Act has numerous benefits ranging from guaranteeing access to food, ensuring that all Nigerians have consistent access to adequate and nutritious food.
The GIFSEP boss therefore emphasised the need to promote agricultural development through massive investment and support for small holder farmers.
David maintains that ensuring food security is not only a moral obligation but a strategic investment in Nigeria’s prosperity and stability.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has stressed the importance of preserving ecosystems to enhance climate resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods for communities.
NCF’s Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, speaking at a side event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024
Director-General of the foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, said this during a side event at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held November 2024 at Baku, Azerbaijan.
Dr. Onoja, a conservationist and environmental advocate, made the submission in a presentation during the session on “Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Africa”, where he highlighted Nigeria’s biodiversity and the role of conservation in mitigating climate change.
While underscoring the need for global support to implement nature-based solutions in Africa, Onoja recognised the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations, and advocated for equitable access to climate financing.
He called on developed nations to fulfill their commitments to fund adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable regions.
Onoja drew attention to successful initiatives by the NCF such as the restoration of degraded forests in Nigeria and the promotion of community-led conservation projects.
“The conference has reaffirmed the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change.
“Nature is at the heart of our solutions, and it is imperative that we work together to protect our planet for future generations.
“Nigeria has a pivotal role to play, and the NCF remains committed to leveraging the outcomes of COP29 to drive sustainable conservation and climate action in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He said the post Baku COP29 outlook looked bright for the world and for Africa.
“NCF acknowledges the progress made at COP29, particularly the agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal to triple climate finance, reaching $300 billion annually by 2035.
“This aligns with Africa’s need for robust financial support to enhance adaptation and mitigation efforts, especially in vulnerable communities.
“The Loss and Damage Fund also provides much-needed resources for countries suffering from the irreversible impacts of climate change,” he said.
He added that African countries were, therefore, encouraged to craft climate plans for tapping into the secured $300 billion in carbon finance annually by 2035.
“They should leverage existing local endowments, renewable energy, natural resources and a young workforce to create pathways to climate-positive growth in Africa.
“It is important to note that there’s still a huge golf in funding for activities that harm nature, which is thirty times more, compared to those that preserve it.
“The promised funding of $300 billion is a meager 10 per cent of the yearly allocation for global energy infrastructure.
“We hope that the funding provision keeps increasing in the years to come,” he said.
Onoja said that the NCF’s participation at COP29 aligned with its mission to promote sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.
“Through this global platform, the foundation continues to amplify its voice and strengthen its resolve to combat the climate crisis,” he said.
He said that COP29 brought together world leaders, environmental experts, and stakeholders from nearly 200 countries.
“This was aimed to discuss and negotiate actions to address the global climate crisis and set new goals for climate finance, adaptation, and mitigation,” he said.
Onoja, who led the NCF delegation to COP29, was also part of the Nigerian Government delegation.
The Nigerian electricity sector is facing a grim outlook, says Mr. Chinedu Bosah, the National Coordinator of the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE).
A power grid
Bosah, who raised the alarm on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in an interview, said it was essential to address the issues plaguing the industry.
According to him, the performance of Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in 2024 has been “abysmal.”
Bosah said the sector was marked by widespread consumer complaints about erratic power supply and sky-high electricity billing.
The energy expert criticised the DISCOs for prioritising profits over infrastructure investment, which had left the power supply system in disarray.
One of the significant issues affecting the sector, according to him, is the pervasive problem of estimated billing.
“Approximately 55 per cent of households connected to the national grid, around seven million, still lack meters.
“Meters, which should be provided free of charge by the DISCOs, have become an expensive commodity due to a profit-driven meter supply mechanism.
“In 2024, many consumers were forced to purchase prepaid meters at exorbitant prices from Meter Asset Providers (MAP), exacerbating the financial strain on households.
“This is a clear example of how the privatisation of the sector has turned it into a money-spinning venture at the expense of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
The electricity tariffs have also soared, with Bosah warning that the current structure is becoming unaffordable for many Nigerians.
He compared the high Band A tariff to an “apartheid-styled” system, where only the wealthy could afford power, leaving the majority in darkness or consuming minimal electricity.
According to him, this is a stark reminder that electricity should be considered a basic right, not a privilege.
Bosah argued that the sector needed to shift away from privatisation and toward a more democratic control, where the needs of the people are prioritised over profits.
He also noted that vandalism of electricity infrastructure was another persistent issue, attributed to rising poverty and the lack of effective policing.
Bosah emphasised the need for stronger community engagement and democratic control over local security forces to protect critical power infrastructure.
“A significant factor contributing to the sector’s crisis is the shortage of gas for power generation.
“As a country rich in oil and gas resources, Nigeria should be investing more in gas exploration and transportation to ensure a steady and affordable supply for power plants.
“However, the government’s lack of investment and reliance on multinational companies have led to high gas prices, further compounding the sector’s challenges,” he explained.
Bosah called for a reduction in gas prices from $2.4 per MMBTU to below $1 per MMBTU to enable more power generation and improve the economy.
According to him, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which manages the country’s electricity grid, has also faced severe shortcomings in 2024.
Bosah criticised the outdated infrastructure and frequent grid collapses, which left the nation in darkness for hours at a time.
“The most recent grid failure, which occurred on Dec. 11, marked the 12th collapse of the year.
“This highlighted the pressing need for modernisation and investment in the transmission network.
“The core issues in Nigeria’s power sector—neglect, lack of investment, and failed privatisation – have led to a system in disarray, with generating plants operating at a fraction of their installed capacity.
“Despite having the potential to generate 14,000MW of electricity, the country struggles to produce even 4,000MW on average, further illustrating the scale of the crisis,” he said.
He added that if public funds “currently being misallocated” were invested in the power sector, Nigeria could achieve affordable, uninterrupted power supply.
The solution, he insisted, was in nationalising the sector and placing it under the democratic control of workers and communities.
Bosah said without such a bold step, the sector would continue to suffer, with the current state of chaos and underperformance extending into 2025 and beyond.
The Chairman of Oyo State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, has urged the Federal Government to implement business-friendly policies to grow the nation’s economy in 2025.
Oyo CAN Chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju
Akinyemiju, who gave the advice in his New Year message in Ibadan on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, charged the government to implement policies that would also reduce tax on food products, support agricultural activities and provide adequate security for the farmers.
The Oyo CAN boss urged political leaders to work inline with principles of justice, fairness and equity.
Akinyemiju advised government at all levels and political leaders to see themselves as representatives of God and be transparent for peaceful co-existence in their constituencies.
“Our economic situation is currently going through a tough phase, we understand is for the greater good but let us be accountable.
“We should continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that peace and security are sustained in all nooks and cranny of the state and country at large.
“To be security conscious at all times is very important as we are the best security officers for ourselves.
“Criminals must not be encouraged or given any opportunity to operate within our neighbourhood. If you see something, say something,” he said.
He also urged religious leaders to remain faithful to God that called them to His service.
“God who called us knows we have needs, that doesn’t stop us from making our human effort through appropriate planning and implementation.
“Let us be faithful in the line of our various ministries and callings, we all are accountable to God and in due time He will reward us for our labour.
“God sees all that we do, therefore, let each man or woman obey the voice of the inner man in him/her.
“Let us all continue to work/walk in peace, love and harmony, make plans on how to better your life in 2025; the Lord remains gracious to us this year,” Akinyemiju said.
Russian state-owned energy company, Gazprom, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, said that it had halted the transit of gas through Ukraine due to Kyiv’s refusal to extend a gas transit agreement with Moscow, TASS reported.
Oil and gas infrastructure. Photo credit: ShutterStock
The Russian company in a statement said that the five-year agreement between Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz, which governed the cooperation between the two countries’ gas transportation systems, had expired on January 1.
“As Ukraine repeatedly and clearly refused to extend these agreements, Gazprom was deprived of the technical and legal ability to supply gas for transit through Ukraine from January 1, 2025. The supply of Russian gas for its transportation through Ukraine stopped at 8:00 a.m. Moscow time,” the Gazprom statement said, according to a report by TASS.
The deal had facilitated the transit of 40 billion cubic metres of Russian gas through Ukraine each year. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated that a new agreement for gas transit would not be possible, as it was too late to negotiate a deal just before the New Year. In response, Kyiv had declared its intention to cease the transit of Russian gas.
A few day earlier, Gazprom had announced that it will reduce natural gas supplies to Moldova to zero starting January 1, 2025, citing contract violations and the Moldovan government’s failure to settle debts for gas deliveries.
In a statement, the Russian energy company said it had notified Moldovagaz, one of the largest enterprises in the energy sector in the country, on Saturday about Moldova’s repeated failure to meet payment obligations under the current contract, which constitutes a breach of its terms.
“In this regard, based on the provisions of the contract and applicable norms of Russian legislation, PJSC Gazprom will introduce a restriction on natural gas supplies to the Republic of Moldova to 0 cubic metres per day from 8:00 am Moscow time (5:00 a.m. GMT) on January 1, 2025,” the Russian company said in a statement, TASS reported.
The company in its statement noted that the restriction will remain in effect until Gazprom notifies Moldovagaz in writing otherwise, TASS reported.
Gazprom emphasised that it reserves all legal rights, including the option to terminate the contract and to seek compensation for damages and penalties from Moldovagaz for non-compliance or inadequate fulfillment of its contractual responsibilities.
A Bauchi-based agronomist, Nuru Masa, has advised farmers to adhere to the forecasts and predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to guide their decisions on crop varieties.
Agriculture
He also advised them to adopt good agricultural practices to maximise yields and ensure food security.
Masa said this in an interview on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital.
According to him, climate unpredictability such as erratic rainfall pattern significantly impact farming, adding that farmers need to consider early, medium and late maturing crop varieties based on recommendations by the agency.
He underscored the importance of comprehensive planning and proper farm management, as farmers transited from wet to dry season activities, stressing that successful crop production involved critical steps, including site selection, land preparation, pest and disease management, irrigation and timely harvesting.
“For instance, the type of ridges during the dry season differ from those required for wet season farming.
“Providing the right conditions for seedlings such as adequate water, nutrients, pest and disease control are vital for crop establishment.
“Understanding crop maturity and harvesting at the appropriate time is essential in ensuring optimal quality and yields. Visual signs of maturity such as the greening of crops do not always indicate physiological readiness for the harvest,” he said.
The expert identified climate, soil fertility and moisture as critical determinants that influence crop production, and urged farmers to ensure soil suitability for the crops and fertilisers as well as adequate water supply and proper farm management practices.
While advising farmers to utilise extension services, Masa urged them to adopt preventive measures against pests and diseases, as well as improve their enterprising skills.
The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has given unregistered dealers a two-week ultimatum to join the association or face legal consequences.
Scrap and waste dealers
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in Lagos, Alhaji Sarki Soja, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of NASWDEN, said that full-scale enforcement would take effect at the expiration of the ultimatum.
According to him, the aim is to boost scrap business in Nigeria and improve the image of the association.
Soja said that the association planned to work with law enforcement agencies to crack down on unregistered dealers and those involved in illegal activities.
He said that membership of the association would offer benefits, including being part of the association’s database.
He said that the association had more than seven million members at the moment.
The chairman said that misconceptions about dealing on scrap and waste needed to be eliminated.
He said that it was high time every individual in the line of business came under the umbrella of NASWDEN.
Mr Lekan Adebakin, Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee of NASWDEN, said that governments should do more for the association, which he described as a major revenue earner.
He said that members of the association had continued to experience challenges such as extortion and multiple ticketing, urging that these should be addressed.
The Chairman of NASWDEN, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Adedotun Adewale, said that the association’s database would be automated.
He said that the members would receive identification cards and reflective jackets with codes to distinguish them as legitimate scrap dealers.
“We are taking steps to ensure that all criminals hiding under our business are brought to book.
“We are creating a strong data base to checkmate the excesses, we will ensure that we have easier identification of genuine scrap dealers.
“We need to upgrade ourselves, we constitute the cleaner Lagos initiative,’’ he said.
A Space Engineer, Brig. Gen. Michael Agu (Rtd), has underscored the need for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to build Nigeria’s space competence for global competitiveness.
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
Agu, who was the pioneer National Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng), said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
According to him, part of the space competence facilities is establishing an Assembly, Integration and Testing Laboratory (AIT) for satellite designing, manufacturing and testing.
He said that the Nigerian space ecosystem and NASRDA had the requisite manpower to roll out space products and services.
“Looking at the entire space industry value chain, starting from launch services and operating a satellite, and the application, NASRDA is there already.
“Part of the challenge, however, is that they don’t have the AIT centre to package their design. This has been an issue for a while but there is the eagerness.
“The skilled workforce they have should be put into use. Space has different areas and the global space ecosystem is highly competitive.
“Besides operating a satellite, a space agency can be engaged in different things, like manned space flight, unmanned space flight and sending of space porks into space.
“It also includes operating a space station and NASRDA should be looking up to these.
“With the achievements and skills available to NASRDA and the Federal Government, we can dominate the world and our presence in space has made Nigeria a space competent state.
“It is, however, left for us to develop that competence to the level to go beyond operating a satellite,” he said.
Agu stated that all the building blocks for NASRDA to excel and compete globally were available, adding that the industry was a highly competitive industry that required lots of knowledge and power.
On the achievements of NASRDA, the former chairman said space had so many compartments, which included space products and services, space infrastructure, space economy and space workforce, among others.
Scoring NASRDA high in space infrastructure and space workforce, Agu stated that space product and services should be dependent on the support they got from government to roll out the necessary products.
He, however, said that the agency had the requisite manpower to roll out space products and services, including satellites.
“NASRDA has grown, it is well established, and they have all the necessary building blocks to take the space industry to the next level in Nigeria.
“I see Nigeria as one of the 15 topmost countries in the world in terms of space competitiveness, and that will depend on different factors and also a step-by-step approach.
“We will have to set objectives and work towards attaining the objectives now that we have both civil space and defence space.
“NASRDA should convert any weaknesses into strength and any threats to their progress into opportunities,” he said.
