Africa’s top clean energy trailblazers have been crowned in the first Africa Energy Entrepreneurship Award, launched by Octopus Energy and the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Africa Council.
Photo shows award winners Nimsy Agro Solar Concept. From left to right: Ibrahim Ishaya (Co-founder and Head of Operations), Rachel Wada (Customer Care Officer), Onimisi Charles Atere (Founder and Team Lead), Eneye Aiyede (Account Intern), and Polycarp Katung (Finance Manager).
More than 50 early-stage businesses from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe entered the award programme, on a mission to solve some of the continent’s biggest energy challenges.
Nigerian start-up Nimsy Agro Solar Concept took the top prize, planting the seeds of a farming revolution. Launched in 2018, their solar-powered irrigation pumps have helped over 5,000 smallholder farmers swap costly diesel for free sunshine, putting money back into communities’ pockets.
With bold plans to reach half a million farmers by 2030, Nimsy’s work comes at a crucial time as Africa faces growing climate pressures — from rising sea levels to flooding, drought and famine*.
Onimisi Charles Atere, Founder of Nimsy Agro Solar Concep,t said: “Winning this award is an incredible moment – a validation of the hard work that’s gone into building the business. It has unlocked exciting opportunities like being nominated to apply for the Earthshot Prize and resources to scale our innovations to reach more farmers while creating rural jobs. A huge thank you to Octopus Energy, the SMI, and everyone who’s supported us – the future of solar-powered agriculture is bright!”
Two runners-up also made their mark: PAM AI uses artificial intelligence to optimise mini-grid energy, making it smarter, more efficient, and affordable for businesses and communities. KAMIM Technologies develops solar-powered cooling systems, helping farmers keep their harvests fresh longer and slash food waste in underserved communities.
The winners received grant funding, expert mentoring and on-the-ground support to supercharge their impact across the continent.
Africa is fast becoming a clean energy powerhouse, with a surge in entrepreneurship driving rapid growth in abundant solar, wind and off-grid energy. Having already created over 320,000 jobs; the sector is set to unlock another three million by 2030 – boosting energy access across the continent.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation and member of the SMI Africa Council, said: “Launching the SMI Africa Council’s first Energy Entrepreneurship Award is an incredible honour. Africa is full of brilliant minds tackling energy challenges with creativity and ambition, unlocking a resilient and affordable energy for communities. We were blown away by the level of applications for this award and hope it’s created a valuable springboard to support entrepreneurs as they continue to scale their businesses. ”
Dr. Hubert Danso, CEO of Africa Investor Group and Co-Chair of the SMI Africa Council, stated, “The SMI Africa Council’s Energy Entrepreneurship Award, in partnership with Octopus Energy Generation, is a bold initiative to nurture and celebrate Africa’s future energy leaders. Their innovations will drive green industrialization, transform the continent into a global hub for green technology manufacturing, and unlock an era of affordable, constant clean energy. Their success is not only Africa’s but the world’s.”
The potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform Nigeria’s built environment is shown in a new global survey, which finds adoption of the technology in the sector is outpacing other countries.
AI enhanced city planning
Embracing AI: Reshaping Today’s Cities and Built Environmentexamines attitudes and adoption of AI by those shaping our cities across 10 countries – Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Singapore, the UK, and the US.
The survey, commissioned by global sustainable development consultancy Arup, asked engineers, architects, city planners, and digital leaders in the built environment how they are using AI. The research found that almost half (46%) of professionals across Nigeria’s built environment sector are using AI every day in one way or the other. They reported using specific AI tools for city and infrastructure design far beyond chatbots and large language models like ChatGPT.
These tools include large scale simulations, evolutionary algorithms, and science-based AI. Design work, project management, and supporting better decision making are the most popular uses for the technology in the country.
The survey found overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards AI with almost 83% of Nigerian respondents seeing it as an opportunity. Only 7% see it as a risk to jobs.
Many respondents believe AI can help projects be delivered on time and on budget, while also helping to tackle the climate and nature crises – citing solutions such as waste reduction, developing sustainable materials, and optimising renewable energy.
The vast majority of professionals in Nigeria (93%) believe it is important to have ethical guidelines for AI in the built environment. More than half (55%) also have apprehension about the dominance of global tech companies in AI development.
Arup commissioned the research to show how AI is already changing the way cities and infrastructure are designed. The firm is calling for increased focus on developing AI tools that can help decarbonise the sector and restore nature, while delivering resilient infrastructure for a growing global population. In 2024 there was $252 billion of corporate investment in AI.
Arup AI experts argue if just 10% of this investment was used to design AI for major challenges in the built environment, it could help radically transform the sector and improve people’s lives.
Tom Wilcock, Digital Services Leader for the UK, India, and Middle East at Arup, commented: “This survey shows the scale and pace of AI adoption for the design of cities and infrastructure in Nigeria has been impressive, outpacing many countries around the world. But we need to make sure the technology delivers the sustainable and inclusive infrastructure – from sustainability to growth that meet’s people’s needs.
“For AI to have the biggest impact we need to embrace new approaches in industries that are often risk averse, with deeper collaboration on technology development and data sharing.”
A fresh wave of confrontation appears to be brewing in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, as the Dangote Refinery, a flagship $20 billion investment by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, finds itself at odds with some oil marketers.
Dangote Refinery
At the heart of the dispute lies a struggle for dominance, pricing power, and market control – issues that industry players warn could reshape the nation’s energy landscape.
Alhaji Dangote recently raised alarm over what he described as “entrenched interests” and “oil cabals” attempting to sabotage his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. Speaking at an investor forum in Lagos, the industrialist expressed concern over continued resistance to locally refined fuel, despite increased production from his facility.
“We are fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day,” Dangote declared.
He accused certain international oil companies of withholding crude supply from the refinery, in violation of the country’s domestic crude allocation policy. Additionally, he alleged that regulators were granting import licenses to marketers for substandard petroleum products, further undermining local refining efforts.
“In a system where, for 35 years, people are used to counting good money, and all of a sudden, they see that the days of counting that money have come to an end, you don’t expect them to pray for you,” Dangote said. “Of course, you expect them to fight back.”
The billionaire businessman noted that those resisting the refinery’s survival are individuals who profited from decades of subsidised fuel importation. He later clarified that his criticism was not directed at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), but rather at private marketers and traders who had become accustomed to windfall profits from fuel imports.
Scepticism from Marketers Amid Rising Imports
Despite the refinery’s increased output, recent data suggests that many marketers have continued to rely on foreign supply. Between March 1 and May 9, 2025, importers brought in 2.57 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, according to vessel movement data from Blue Sea Maritime.
Specifically, 755.7 million litres were imported in March, 1.47 billion litres in April, and 331.3 million litres in just the first 10 days of May. At an average landing cost of N948 per litre, this represents a staggering N2.42 trillion spent on imports during the 70-day period.
This reliance on imported fuel persists despite substantial improvements in local refining capacity, raising questions about the motivations of the marketers.
Dangote’s concerns are not new. As far back as 2024, he voiced frustration over alleged sabotage, and at one point reportedly stated that he regretted building the refinery due to resistance from powerful interests.
Regulatory and Legal Challenges
In response to the ongoing challenges, Dangote Refinery initiated legal action against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), seeking to halt the issuance of import licenses to fuel marketers. The case is currently pending before a federal high court.
This legal maneuver has further intensified tensions within the sector, with marketers accusing the refinery of attempting to dominate the market through the courts rather than through open competition.
Mixed Reactions from Industry Players
Reactions to Dangote’s claims have been mixed across the industry. While some stakeholders express solidarity with the refinery’s mission to end Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, others have voiced concerns about what they see as an emerging monopoly.
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), called for a balanced approach.
“There should be no form of discord in the downstream sector over the source of petroleum product purchase,” he said. “Let Dangote refine with naira-for-crude, and let others operate freely. There will always be competition in business, but it should be healthy.”
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), also acknowledged the competitive pressure posed by Dangote’s operation but encouraged resilience.
“Every businessman wants to survive. If you are doing well, others will naturally push back. But we support Dangote because he’s helping Nigerians. Even though price slashes sometimes hurt our margins, it’s part of business,” Ukadike said.
DAPPMAN Raises Monopoly Concerns
On the other end of the spectrum, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) expressed strong reservations about the refinery’s growing influence.
Speaking on a TVC programme, DAPPMAN Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, rejected Dangote’s “oil cabal” narrative, insisting that the industry was made up of stakeholders with legitimate business interests.
“There is no cabal in the downstream sector,” Adewole said. “But yes, there are vested interests. Our members have invested billions over the years to keep fuel flowing when no one else could. They deserve fair returns.”
He warned of the dangers of allowing a single refinery to dictate market trends, stressing that Dangote’s current operational model excluded bulk depot owners from purchasing products on fair terms.
“Dangote Refinery prefers a selective approach. We have depots in Calabar, Port Harcourt and other cities ready to buy in bulk – 10,000, 15,000 metric tons – but access is restricted. That is not how a fair market should function,” Adewole stated.
He also lamented that price changes made after products had been dispatched had forced marketers into losses.
“We didn’t come out to make noise. But many of us have absorbed massive losses due to sudden price reductions after dispatch,” he said.
Refinery Output Improving, Imports Dropping
Despite the tensions, recent figures suggest that Dangote Refinery is gradually altering the dynamics of fuel supply in Nigeria. According to NMDPRA data, daily imports of petrol fell from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to just 14.7 million litres as of April 13, 2025 – a 67% decline.
The reduction is attributed not only to Dangote’s increased output, but also to resumed activity at the Port Harcourt refinery and several modular refineries. The NNPCL, which was once the largest importer, has significantly scaled back its foreign purchases, preferring to source locally.
While this shift is seen as progress toward self-sufficiency, DAPPMAN maintains that it is too soon to eliminate fuel importation entirely.
“Stopping imports now would be chaotic. We still have demand the refinery alone cannot meet. Let’s adopt a phased transition strategy,” Adewole advised.
He emphasised that operations at private depots continue to bear the brunt of fuel distribution in the country, despite challenges in logistics and financing.
“Depot operations are tough. Equipment is ageing. Capital costs are high. To import 20,000 metric tons, a marketer needs exposure of over N20 billion, often bank-funded at high interest rates,” Adewole said.
A Sector at a Crossroads
Industry analysts warn that the current standoff between the Dangote Refinery and other players could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.
While Dangote’s investment promises a transformative leap toward refining self-sufficiency, the fears of monopolistic practices, regulatory bottlenecks, and exclusionary trade models continue to stoke anxiety among stakeholders.
As the court deliberates on the legality of current regulatory actions and as marketers weigh the financial and logistical implications of shifting from imports to local sourcing, the next few months could prove decisive for the downstream oil sector.
For now, one thing is certain: the fight for control of Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain is far from over.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed condolences on the death of a former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), saying the state has lost a great son.
The late Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade
The late Captain Olubolade, also a former Minister of Police Affairs and a governorship aspirant in the state, died on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the age of 70.
Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, rued the demise of the former Minister of Police Affairs, saying: “Ekiti has lost a great son who made indelible impact in his military career, public service and in politics.”
He described Olubolade’s death as a huge loss not only to Ekiti, his home state, but to Nigeria, a country he served during his stellar military career, and as a distinguished politician and public servant.
The governor noted that the late Navy Captain’s legacies will forever be remembered in Bayelsa State, where he helped lay a solid foundation for the development of the South South state and also at the federal level where he served as a Minister in three different ministries.
According to Oyebanji, Olubolade shone like a glittering star as Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Minister of Special Duties and later as Minister of Police Affairs during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He noted that the deceased’s foray into politics after his retirement from the military was borne out of his desire to serve and contribute to the development of Ekiti State, where he ran for the governorship position on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), and later Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor described the deceased as an apostle of politics without bitterness, who believed in the Ekiti project and worked assiduously with other patriots for the development of the state.
He prayed to God to grant the immediate family, friends and associates of the deceased, the people of Ipoti Ekiti, as well as the entire people of the State the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Oyebanji said: “On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I express condolences to the children, members of the immediate and extended families of the late Navy Captain Olubolade on the demise of this illustrious Ekiti leader and pray that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the departed eternal rest.”
The first daughter of the late Olubolade, Oluwayemisi Akinadewo, is married to the Publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, who is a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The Lagos State Government says it has delivered 9,970 homes in the past six years as part of ongoing efforts to tackle housing deficit and make home ownership more accessible to residents.
Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, at the Ministerial Press Briefing
The state Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, made this known on Tuesday, May 13, during the Lagos State 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing at Alausa, Ikeja.
The event is part of activities marking the second year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Akinderu-Fatai said the administration was determined to ensure that more people, especially low- and middle-income earners, would have access to decent and affordable housing.
“We have commissioned and handed over 18 housing estates across strategic locations including Sangotedo, Igbogbo, Epe, Odo-Onosa Ayandelu, Badagry and Igando,” he said.
According to him, additional 4,052 housing units are under construction, while 2,224 units are in the planning and design stages.
These projects, he said, were expected to be completed between the end of 2025 and early 2026.
He said the state government adopted a mix of funding models to drive delivery of homes, including direct budgetary allocations, joint ventures with private developers, and public-private partnerships.
One of the standout initiatives, he noted, was the Rent-To-Own scheme run by the Lagos State Mortgage Board.
He said that the programme allowed residents to pay for their homes in manageable monthly instalments for years instead of paying upfront.
“So far, over 20,000 Lagosians have benefitted from the Rent-To-Own scheme, and 212 of them have completed payment and are now proud homeowners,” the commissioner said.
Akinderu-Fatai said that housing remained a key component of Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, which focused on Transportation, Health, Education, Economic Growth, Entertainment, and Security.
He gave the assurance that the government was not compromising on quality.
“It is not just about numbers. We are making sure that the homes we deliver are livable, safe, and built to last.
“All our estates are being developed with basic infrastructure and amenities to ensure good quality of life,” he said.
On challenges, the commissioner identified rising cost of construction materials as a major obstacle.
He, however, said that the state was finding ways to cushion the impact through local sourcing and innovative financing.
“We know the need is great, and we are doing everything possible to meet it.
A Professor of Natural Product Chemistry at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Bamidele Okoli, has advocated for greater reliance on natural resources to address health and environmental challenges.
Bingham University, Karu
Okoli made the call during the university’s 7th Inaugural Lecture, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The lecture is titled “The Gift of Mother Nature: The Key to Utopia.”
He defined “utopia” in this context as an ideal ecosystem where humans and nature coexist harmoniously, comparable to the biblical Garden of Eden.
Speaking on the topic, Okoli emphasised that the best approach to solving current health and environmental problems was by depending more on natural resources.
He noted that synthetic products and fossil fuels, which were often used in modern solutions, could actually contribute to the very problems they were meant to solve.
“Most of our drugs are synthesised and some are produced using fossil fuels.
“In the process of developing these synthetic drugs, we inadvertently create more health and environmental challenges.
“The best solution is to rely more on natural resources in addressing health issues and building a utopian nation through natural products.
“A utopian society, in this context, is one where we tackle these issues using what nature provides,” he said.
Okoli urged the Federal Government to prioritise the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources for health and environmental benefits.
“The government can use the National Orientation Agency to promote the importance and benefits of our natural resources.
“Likewise, agencies like NAFDAC should support the production and use of natural resource-based drugs.
“We can’t keep losing out on what makes us African,” he added.
While acknowledging the challenges in translating research into commercial applications, he stressed the need for greater investment in sustainable practices and public education to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, commended Okoli for delivering his inaugural lecture and noted its significance in advancing academic culture.
Ayuba expressed his satisfaction that the university was strengthening its academic tradition through regular public and inaugural lectures.
“By the time we reach the tenth inaugural lecture, we will compile and publish a volume, our first official collection of inaugural lectures,” he said, adding that copies would be available for interested readers.
He emphasised that inaugural lectures reinforced values such as scholarship, research, excellence, interdisciplinary dialogue, and knowledge sharing within the university system.
“It is a forum that brings together students, staff, and the public, fostering stronger ties between the university and society,” he said.
Describing the lecture topic as timely and relevant, Ayuba said it explored how nature and ecosystems contributed to building an ideal society, stressing coexistence and mutual respect.
“It reminds us of the profound relationship humanity shares with nature, a connection that influences our lives, culture, and sustainability.
“As we celebrate the gifts of Mother Nature, we must also acknowledge our responsibility to preserve, conserve, and manage the environment sustainably for future generations,” he added.
Director-General, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, has called for bold and coordinated actions to tackle displacement of people within their own countries.
Amy Pope
Pope said in a statement on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, that the number of internally-displaced people would continue to increase rapidly if such actions would not be taken.
Pope reacted to the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2025 (GRID) released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).
According to the report, a record 83.4 million people were living in internal displacement at the end of 2024 and disaster continues to drive much of the displacements.
The GRID is a crucial tool to shape policies, support evidence-based responses and inform durable solutions for millions of people living in internal displacements worldwide.
Key data for this report is provided by IOM through its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) which is the world’s largest source of primary data on internal displacement.
In 2024 alone, 20.1 million new conflict-related internal displacements were recorded, with 9.1 million coming from only two countries, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the report showed.
Pope said that the figures were a clear warning.
“The report is a call for preventive action, to use data and other tools to anticipate displacement before it happens.
“It also calls for the humanitarian and development sectors to work together with governments to develop longer-term solutions to prevent displacement,” she said.
According to the report, internal displacement of 83.4 million people by the end of 2024 shows an increase of 7.5 million from the 2023 figure of 75.9 million people, which was also a record.
The report showed that disasters remained a major driver of internal displacements in 2024, with a record 45.8 million new disaster displacements, nearly double the annual average of the past decade.
“A total of 29 countries and territories reported their highest disaster displacement figures on record, with cyclones accounting for 54 per cent of all disaster displacements last year.
“As the frequency, duration and intensity of weather-related events continue to worsen, these figures are expected to continue to rise,” the report said.
It also showed that the U.S accounted for more than 11 million movements after several major hurricanes prompted mass evacuations.
“Maintaining a strong evidence-based reporting on the world’s most salient displacement situations and identifying which interventions have been most impactful will be our objective in 2025 and beyond,” IDMC had stated in the report.
The Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, urged residents to take ownership of government’s facilities to ensure sustainability.
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State
Its State Programme’ Manager, Mohammed Auwal, disclosed this during an advocacy visit to the Chairmen of Chikun and Igabi Local Govrnment Areas in the state.
He said that the residents should take ownership of such projects by getting involved from their planning to construction and having behavioural change towards government’s facilities.
According to Auwal, the residents often abandon such facilities for the government to make repairs when they are faulty.
“We are here to advocate to you to take the lead in sensitising the residents tp importance of taking ownership and protection of government’s projects in your communities.
”Little things get spoilt and the communities will abandon them expecting the government to come back and fix them.
“Your voices matter, let everyone understand that these boreholes are theirs
“These toilets are for them, if they don’t take care of them, no one will, own, protect and sustain them,” he said.
Auwal said SURWASH’s mandate in the state wad focusing on improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in both the rural and urban areas.
He added, “This is achieved through the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, which Kaduna is one of the seven participating states.
“The programme aims to meet the SDG 6 target of providing water and sanitation by 2030, with a specific focus on increasing access in rural areas.
“Treat all SURWASH’s infrastructures as community properties,not government properties.form or strengthen your Wash communities.
“Make sure women, youths, elders and the vulnerable have a voice, support the communities’ leadership to make WASH-related decisions that benefit all.”
Auwal further urged the residents to imbibe the habit of protecting facilities in thier communities.
He continued: “Don’t let a few to spoil them for everyone. Guard these facilities from vandalism, misuse and neglect.
“Stop harmful practices like open defecation, dumping refuse near water points or using toilets as storage rooms or shops, support local bylaws and watch groups to monitor and protect WASH facilities.”
“If you see something, say something. report broken taps, stolen items or wrong use to the WASHCOMM or implementing agencies.
According to him, SURWASH was not just a government programme but a programme for all.
Auwal said, “The water points, toilets and hygiene facilities in the communities were built with the residents in mind but their success depends on the residents.
“These facilities must serve us today and tomorrow, that’s why maintenance is everyday’s job .”
In their responses, the Chairman of Chikun LGA, Salasi Nuhu-Musa, expressed his commitment to tackling issues of vandalism and misuse of boreholes.
He also said that more awareness would be taken to the grassroots on the importance of taking ownership of the projects.
The chairman also vowed to ensure that in the next one year, all boreholes in the LGA were fully functional.
Sani Abdul of Igabi LGA said even though his local government was the largest in the state, they would immediately form a committee to ensure that the awareness campaign commenced.
He also promised that the residents would imbibe maintenance culture.
The United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) has urged students from higher institutions and secondary schools to find plausible solutions to the impact of climate change in Katsina.
Mrs. Stella Terver, the WASH Programme Officer, UNICEF Kano Field Office, speaking at the sensitisation workshop
Mrs. Stella Terver, the WASH Programme Officer, UNICEF Kano Field Office, said this in Katsina at a two-day sensitisation workshop organised for the students on green rising initiative.
The event was in collaboration with the Ideas and Data Global Academy, through the state Ministry of Environment.
According to Terver, this activity is all about alternative projects under the green rising initiative; adding, “Because what we’re doing under climate change is green rising and genuine.
“It’s all about engaging the youths, the community and the students to make sure that they have the understanding of what climate change is.
“They should also understand how it impacts on their lives, the environment, and what action they can take to either adapt or mitigate against future occurrence.”
According to her, the activity also aimed to make the students understand how they can build their capacity around climate related entrepreneurship.
Terver explained that the outreach was about reaching out to the students to sensitise them, build their capacity on climate issues and how they can address them in their society.
She stated, “At least they will be able to address the issues within their context, villages, or environment.
“It may be through planting of trees, or plastic waste management, there are a whole lot.
“At each secondary school, we are targeting 200 students, and we are looking at 10 schools in each Local Government Area (LGA).
“We have Bakori, Batagarawa, Bindawa, Baure, Charanchi, Danja, Daura, Dutsinma, Dutsi, Funtua, Ingawa, Kafur, Kaita, Kankia, Kurfi, Kusada, and Mai’adua LGAs,’’ she said.
Terver said UNICEF would support the establishment of climate action clubs in secondary schools that would be able to nurture the trees and be able to sensitise other students.
She said that for each of the universities and other higher learning institutions, UNICEF was looking at 200 students that would be trained to sensitise others.
“These students will move down and sensitise other people on green rising and then get them registered.
“We’re looking at each student being able to mobilise 250 students.
“We are targeting sustainability to make sure that at the end of the day, these trees that are planted, will grow and be able to produce edible fruits.
“Because in schools, we’re advocating for planting edible fruits, which will also add to the nutrition of the students or the pupils in that school.
“It might not be an immediate thing, because we know when you plant it takes time to nurture it to survive and then to begin to produce edible fruits,” Terver said.
According to the WASH officer, they are looking at making sure that the environment is climate-friendly for the students, adding,”so that there will be no littering of plastics, and other types of wastes.”
Malam Mustapha Shehu, the representative of the Ideas and Data Global Academy, said that the exercise would enable the students to be able to register on “Yoma”.
According to him, Yoma is a platform of trusted partners, bringing freshest opportunities to keep the students’ skills sharp and stay in the loop with what is happening in the working world.
He said it was an app that the youths were being assigned to develop their capacities on climate change and be able to have some innovative ideas.
Shehu said they could be supported to assess a climate fund in order to expand.
Also, Malam Nura Abubakar, the Director, Waste Management and Environmental Assessment, State Ministry of Environment, said the government would do everything possible to ensure the success of the project.
He called on the public to desist from the indiscriminate disposal of wastes so as to avoid flooding and other devastating environmental hazards.
Conservator of Park (CP), Old Oyo National Park, Mr. Tesleem Kareem, has said the park, though grappling with sustainability challenges, remained one of Nigeria’s most valuable ecological and cultural treasures.
Old Oyo National Park
Kareem on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Ibadan underscored the management’s commitment to ensure its profitability to all stakeholders.
While identifying the challenges, the CP also revealed some of the steps already taken and the ones being considered to mitigate the situation.
The park, home to a rich variety of wildlife and steeped in cultural and historical significance, spans 2,512 square kilometres of open plains in Oyo town.
Located in the South-West zone of Nigeria, the park spreads across 10 Local Government Areas in Oyo State and one in Kwara.
Its breathtaking landscapes and wealth of natural resources underscore the need for adequate funding and consistent maintenance.
The conservator says beyond its ecological value, Old Oyo National Park serves as a source of revenue for the Federal Government (FG) through tourism and research-related activities.
“It attracts visitors eager to explore its scenic beauty, study its biodiversity, and connect with the remnants of the ancient Oyo Empire that once thrived in the history of the Yoruba people,” he said.
NAN, however, reports that despite its immense potential, the park continues to battle with issues such as underfunding, poor infrastructure, security and limited public awareness.
According to Kareem, with strategic investment and renewed focus, Old Oyo National Park can become a major driver of sustainable tourism and national heritage conservation.
“The number of visitors to the park has dropped from 98 per cent to about 50 per cent, reducing revenue from 90 per cent to about 60 per cent.
“Although the park is still generating income in millions of naira, it cannot be compared with when security and the economy were better.
“In the past, when the country was okay, we generated a lot of revenue.
“If the country is secure, national and international tourists will return to the park,” he said.
The CP says the park protects biodiversity, fauna and flora, water and mountains, and uniquely promotes archaeological and historical sites.
“It preserves the cradle of the Yoruba race called Oyo Ile, where the Yoruba race started in the 17th and 18th centuries.
“Oranmiyan, as the king established the then Oyo empire,” he said.
According to the conservator, the park also encourages and provides education on wildlife and nature conservation.
“It promotes grounds for research fellows and students to, at least, experience or gain knowledge about what they are being taught.
“It serves as an outside laboratory to most wildlife institutions,” Kareem said.
Despite the park’s positive services, Kareem identified poaching, wildlife hunting, illegal logging and mining as some of its challenges.
“Wherever you have illegal mining, it attracts banditry and kidnapping,” he said.
Kareem, however, reiterated that the park managers would not relent in their mandate of protecting, managing and conserving resources for the present and future generations.
He said the park is collaborating with the military and other security agencies to curtail the security challenge, thereby attracting more tourists, was paying off.
“We mostly organise joint patrols to control the park,” he said.
In addition, he said the park had engaged digital and modern technology to monitor games, intruders and confront illegal activities destroying aquatic life, plants, animals and natural resources.
“We use drones, cyber trackers, sign cameras, camera traps, GPS, map reading and even helicopters for surveillance.
“These modern gadgets help to record the kinds of games that walk around and check intruders’ activities and hideouts,” he said.
However, he identified the lack of a constant power supply as a hindrance to effective and maximised technological means of securing and administering the park.
According to him, the park relies on an alternate power source, such as solar panels, to discharge its operations.
The conservator reminded the public that the Act establishing the park had empowered its officials to bear firearms.
“As a paramilitary body, we have the power to arrest and prosecute intruders who cause harm to the park,” he said.
To this end, Kareem said that about 200 offenders had been jailed since the park’s establishment in 1991, while many others enjoyed the privilege of the option of a fine.
The conservator, however, said there was no option of a fine for anyone caught by park rangers hunting or killing endangered animals such as elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, lions, eagles and monkeys.
“If you kill any of these animals within the park or areas very close to the park and you are caught, there will be no option for a fine; you will be jailed,” he said.
Yet, he said not all cases ended up in courts, as some were rather handled through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) involving the supporting communities.
Kareem said the park management would, therefore, continue to work with community leaders and other societal influencers to sensitise the public on the need to protect and patronise the park.
“We need to make the public understand the rich culture of Nigeria as we work with about 115 supporting communities where the park is located,” he said.
He also called for the partnership of individuals, private institutions and non-governmental organisations with the park to establish its overall benefits to humanity.
“Outside the fact that we are promoting, protecting, conserving, and preserving biodiversity, we are still promoting the culture of the people.
“So, we are appealing to all stakeholders, as this park, with its natural resources, is a capital-intensive organisation,” he said.
