Access to essential urban services – such as water, sanitation, transport, energy, and waste management – is more than just infrastructure. It’s a matter of gender equality.
Women in the eThekwini Municipality gained insights from a collaborative exchange with Hamburg Wasser, part of an EU-funded project focused on water supply, gender integration, and customer engagement services. Photo credit: Claudia Wendland
When these services are inadequate, women, particularly those from marginalised communities, bear the heaviest burden. But when cities prioritise gender-responsive urban services, they unlock opportunities for women’s economic empowerment, health, and leadership.
Inclusive urban services are not just about fairness; they are fundamental for resilient and thriving cities. UN-Habitat says it is at the forefront of this transformation, working with partners to bridge gender gaps in urban development.
Empowering women in e-mobility
In Kigali, Rwanda, a pioneering project is reshaping the transport industry for women. The SOLUTIONSplus initiative, led by UN-Habitat and the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, the City of Kigali, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Rwanda, and Ampersand Rwanda, is integrating gender-inclusive strategies into electric mobility.
Through driving training, and financial support for electric vehicles, 49 women have successfully joined the moto-taxi industry, achieving a driving test success rate of 69 per cent.
Key lessons from this initiative highlight the importance of addressing local gender dynamics, ensuring safety, fostering women-led networks, and implementing policies that create long-term opportunities for women in transport.
Women leading change in water utilities
In the water sector, an EU-funded partnership between eThekwini Water and Sanitation (South Africa) and Hamburg Wasser (Germany), supported by UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), is advancing gender equality. This initiative is increasing women’s representation in water utilities, fostering leadership, and shaping gender-inclusive policies.
The results are promising: a 133 per cent increase in gender peer exchanges, greater knowledge-sharing, and policy reforms at operational and management levels. Expert guidance from non-governmental organisation Women Engage for a Common Future has further enhanced gender mainstreaming efforts, ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping urban water management.
Women and youth in the Blue Economy
The Go Blue Project, supported by the European Union, is transforming economic opportunities in Kenya’s six coastal counties. This initiative prioritises women and youth, aiming to create 3,000 new jobs and equip 10,000 beneficiaries with skills in sustainable resource management.
A standout success is the material recovery facility in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, where women waste pickers, once working in hazardous conditions, now have formal employment with improved working conditions and protective equipment. The project’s broader impact includes municipal solid waste strategies and an action plan that has already generated 100 long-term jobs in waste management.
Beyond employment, Go Blue promotes integrated land-sea planning to support sustainable urban development and marine conservation. By fostering climate resilience and economic growth, the initiative ensures Kenya’s coastal communities can thrive while protecting vital ocean resources for future generations.
Why gender-inclusive urban services matter
Governments, private sector actors and development partners should take bold action to embed gender equity in urban service delivery. This means integrating gender-responsive policies into urban planning, ensuring women’s voices are represented in decision-making and committing to long-term investments that empower women in urban spaces. Addressing these disparities is not only a matter of justice but a strategic move towards building stronger, more inclusive urban economies.
The Enugu State Government says it is set to launch its 260 Smart Farm Estates meant to revolutionise agriculture and get residents to farm.
Gov Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State
Mr. Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industralisation, said this on Monday, March 31, 2025, while leading a team of inspectors on behalf of Gov. Peter Mbah to the site of the Smart Farm Estate pilot project at Akpawfu in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
It will be recalled that the state government had earmarked N2 billion in the 2025 budget for Smart Farm Estates initiative across its 260 political wards in the 17 council areas of the state.
The initiative is under Gov. Mbah’s grassroots agriculture revolution tagged: “One Ward, One Smart Farm Estate’’.
Ubru said that there was a need for step-down town hall meetings for farmers in council areas to take advantage of the initiative
According to him, “time should not be wasted in organising the town hall meeting with the targeted farmers”.
He called on individuals, cooperative societies, communities, corporate organisations and other agencies in the state into agriculture and agro-industrialisation business like IFAD-VCDP and FADAMA to key into the initiative for collaboration in the interest of the people.
The commissioner explained that the “One Ward, One Smart Farm Estate Initiative” would be a game-changer for the people, as the governor was putting everything in place to ensure that people received its maximum benefits.
“It will be done in hectares of land, where all types of farming activities such as crop farming and exotic/economic plant such as cocoa, casava, sorghum, vegetables, exotic pepper and spices among others will be practised.
“The state government will actively collaborate with local government councils to ensure that the initiative works efficiently as well as engage the people, especially youths, in each locality to participate in the initiative as it holds lots of benefits.
”The One Ward, One Smart Farm Estate initiative will solve so many issues particularly unemployment among youths in localities, hunger, food insecurity and knowledge gap on modern agriculture practices as workshops will be organised at local levels,” Ubru said.
The commissioner expressed satisfaction on the zeal demonstrated by the consultant and his team so far in the project.
“I must confess that the zeal demonstrated here is in consonance with the aspirations of His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on all projects targeted towards shoring up the state’s economy, especially agriculture and agro-industrialisation projects.
“I am personally happy with the level of security infrastructure placed here and the State Ministry of Agriculture will always be available for any need to ensure that the success story attained by this pilot farm continues,” he added.
Corroborating, the Senior Personal Assistant (SPA) on Agriculture to the Governor, Mr. Mike Ogbuekwe, explained that the initiative was meant to diversify the state’s economy through agriculture and agro-industrialisation aimed at shoring up the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“The Smart Farm Estates are expected to grow local needed crops as well as special crops and other agricultural produce for export such as Sorghum and Ose Nsukka, the special aromatic and ornamental yellow pepper of Nsukka,” Ogbuekwe said.
He also informed the commissioner of the approach by Nigeria Breweries to the state government to work out a partnership for the supply of Sorghum which is its principal raw material at the appropriate time.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Victor Ngwu, said that there was a need for staff of the ministry with experience in communication and documentation to be part of the initiative to get reliable data and statistics.
Earlier, the Consultant to the Smart Farm Estate pilot project, Mr. Friday Nnaji, said that the pilot project was 200 hectares of farmland to be allocated to 200 farmers of the local council with each to grow a specific crop.
“The pilot Smart Farm Estate has two entrance points located at its opposite points and there will be an unstoppable electricity supply as well as water supply in the Smart Farm with a plan for irrigation as well as adequate security.
“As you can see, we have commenced the perimeter fencing of the whole farm area; while the central warehouse for the farmers is already constructed above lintel level,” Nnaji said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps.
Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance
Fungal diseases are an increasing public health concern, with common infections – such as candida, which causes oral and vaginal thrush – growing increasingly resistant to treatment. These infections disproportionately impact severely ill patients and those with weakened immune systems, including individuals undergoing cancer chemotherapy, living with HIV, and who have had organ transplants.
“Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable, but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance ad interim.
“Not only is the pipeline of new antifungal drugs and diagnostics insufficient, but there is also a void in fungal testing in low- and middle-income countries, even in district hospitals. This diagnostic gap means the cause of people’s suffering remains unknown, making it difficult to get them the right treatments,” added Nakatani.
The fungi in the top “critical priority” category of the WHO’s fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) are deadly, with mortality rates reaching as high as 88%. Advancements in treatments mean that more people are likely to be living with immunocompromised conditions, which also could mean increases in cases of invasive fungal diseases. This is a complex challenge to manage due to inaccessibility of diagnostic tools, limited availability of antifungal medicines, and a slow and complex R&D process for new treatments.
Constrained process in developing treatments against deadly fungal infections
WHO’s report on antifungal drugs highlights that, in the past decade, only four new antifungal drugs have been approved by regulatory authorities in the United States of America, the European Union or China. Currently, nine antifungal medicines are in clinical development to use against the most health-threatening fungi, as detailed in the FPPL.
However, only three candidates are in phase 3, the final stage of clinical development, meaning few approvals are expected within the next decade. Twenty-two drugs are in preclinical development, an insufficient number to feed a clinical pipeline considering the dropout rates, risks and challenges associated with earlier development stages.
Issues with current antifungal treatments include serious side effects, frequent drug-drug interactions, limited dosage forms and the need for prolonged hospital stays. The report highlights the urgent need for safer antifungal medicines, possibly reducing requirements for continuous drug monitoring.
Antifungal medicines that work against a wide range of severe infections caused by fungal priority pathogens are also needed. Children are particularly underserved with few clinical trials exploring paediatric dosing and age-appropriate formulations.
WHO recommends investing in global surveillance, expanding financial incentives for drug discovery and development, funding basic research to help identify new and unexploited targets on fungi for medicines, and investigating treatments that work by enhancing patients’ immune responses.
Landscape report of diagnostics for fungal priority pathogens
The new diagnostics report shows that while commercially available tests exist for fungal priority pathogens, these rely on well-equipped laboratories and trained staff, which means that most people in in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not benefit from them. All countries, but particularly LMICs, need faster, more accurate, cheaper and easier testing for a broad range of fungal priority pathogens, including diagnostic tools that can be used at or near point-of-care.
There are many challenges with existing antifungal diagnostics; they work only for a limited range of fungi, are insufficiently accurate and take a long time to obtain results. Most of the tests are not well suited to primary and secondary health facilities as certain diagnostics require stable electricity supplies within suitable and equipped laboratories.
Health workers often have insufficient knowledge about fungal infections as well as the impact of fungi growing more resistant to treatments, resulting in limited ability to perform the testing needed to determine the appropriate treatment.
WHO calls for strengthening the global response against invasive fungal diseases and antifungal resistance and is also developing an implementation blueprint for the FPPL.
Global Action Against Incinerator Alliance (GAIA Africa) has called for ban on importation of unmanageable second-hand clothing that cannot be reused, repurposed, or recycled in Africa.
A campaign against waste colonialism
This is contained in a statement by Carissa Marnce, Africa Communications Coordinator for GAIA Africa, to mark the 2025 Zero Waste Day in Lagos on Monday, March 31.
The statement said that textile wastes were severely impacting African communities.
According to it, the fashion industry generates 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually, much of which end up in the Global South.
It said that Kantamant Market in Ghana, for example, has become a hub for secondhand clothing, where approximately 15 million items are imported each year, commonly referred to as “Obroni Wawu” or “dead white man’s clothes.”
“Unfortunately, most of these garments are of such poor quality that they are discarded immediately.
“These wastes fill landfills, clogs waterways, and pollute the environment, all while undermining local textile industries and sustainable economies,” the statement said.
It said that the 2025 theme, “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles,” highlighted the hidden reality of the global fashion industry, which produced excessive waste that often contaminates African nations.
The alliance urged fashion brands to take responsibility for the waste they generated, ensuring sustainable end-of-life solutions for textiles.
It called for investment in local textile industries to support African textile production through policies that promoted quality, sustainability, and circular economies.
The organisation also encouraged consumers worldwide to move away from fast fashion and adopt sustainable clothing choices.
GAIA Africa urged African governments, policymakers, and citizens to reject the waste colonialism that threatened Africa’s environment and to build a fashion industry that respected both people and the planet.
Desmond Alugnoa, Ghana, GAIA Africa’s Programme Manager for the Zero Waste and Climate Programme, said that Africa could not become a dumping ground for fast fashion’s waste.
According to him, this is not charity; this is waste colonialism. We refuse to be the world’s landfill.
“We demand urgent policies that stop the export of unmanageable textile waste to Africa and hold corporations accountable for the full lifecycle of their products.”
The statement also quoted Jacob Johnson Attakpah, Ghana, Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) Project Manager for Zero Waste Cities Programme, as saying: “Africa refuses to be at the receiving end of textile waste, especially from the west because our systems cannot handle them, but even if they could, it is unconscionable to produce waste that you cannot manage.
“The fashion industry must embrace circular design, responsible sourcing, and innovative recycling to move towards true zero waste.
“On this International Day of Zero Waste, we must advance systemic change that prioritises sustainability over fast fashion’s disposable culture.”
The statement likewise quoted Nirere Sadrach, Uganda, End Plastic Pollution (EPP) Founder and Team Leader, as saying: “The influx of second hand and used clothes which are being imported in large amounts is partly responsible for the textile waste crisis.
“Those trading in these second hand and used clothes are claiming that they are ‘cheap’ and affordable to all.
“However, they ignore the huge cost coming with the waste they generate since these textiles are used for a short time and then dumped.”
Sadrach said that some countries in the global north were also practicing waste colonialism by using the used textile trade as a door to export their waste to poorer countries.
“Also the companies producing these items in richer countries for first time use are also pretending to be unaware of the harm they are causing.
“And they seem to be far from taking responsibility to address the waste problem they are causing when their products are consumed as second hands in poorer countries.”
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is to procure compactor trucks and lease them to Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in waste management to boost operations and ensure a cleaner Lagos.
A compactor truck
Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, who gave the assurance in an interview in Lagos, said that LAWMA had continued to support the PSP operators to ensure that they would be better equipped to discharge their duties more efficiently and responsibly.
He noted that their operations were being subsidised by the state government monthly to encourage them.
According to him, the growing population of Lagos State requires more efficient and effective waste management.
“Unfortunately, because of the economic situation, volatility in the foreign exchange market and increasing cost of diesel, a lot of the PSP operators are struggling.
“We are developing an intervention programme where we are going to bring in trucks and make them available to them on lease basis,” Gbadegesin said.
The LAWMA boss said that the intervention had become necessary to eliminate gaps in service delivery by the operators.
He said that LAWMA, with the support of 428 PSP operators, had been evacuating waste from all parts of the state, plying 40 routes two or three times daily to ensure a cleaner Lagos.
He appealed to residents of the state to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste to ensure sustainability of the environment.
Some Ondo State-based environmentalists have taken the advocacy on the importance of wildlife conservation and waste-to-wealth creativities to Lagos State.
The art exhibition
The Ondo State Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, Ms. Olayemi Olapeju, at an art exhibition on Monday, March 31, 2025, urged Nigerians to desist from killing wildlife for food.
Olapeju said the art exhibition was organised to sensitise the public against killing wildlife for food.
The drive against the extinction of the African bush elephant and other wildlife in the country was inspired by America’s preservation of the American eagle from extinction.
The art exhibition involved the transformation of TV screen into canvas to unveil America eagle coins “thorncarving”.
The NO TO EXTINCTION “thorncarving” exhibition takes centre stage in Lagos, as the artist and her team transform refuse TV screens into canvas to unveil America Eagle coins thorncarving.
The specific aim of the exhibition was to address the extinction of African bush elephants and promoting waste-to-wealth artwork.
The art exhibition, chaired by former Ondo state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Funso Esan, was to sensitise the public on the importance of wildlife conservation and waste to wealth creativities.
In his keynote address, Esan noted that Africa should adopt a strong policy for habitat protection and conservation action.
According to him, wildlife are decimated by habitat destruction and illegal shooting, causing decrease in population.
“Extinction is forever and the wildlife current endangered state means there is still hope to pull the wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
“So, we need concerted efforts of both government and the public for our wildlife to be protected,” Esan said.
“The ‘thorncarving’ coins artwork we are showcasing today, that features the stately image of the celebrity United States of America bald eagle, which is glued on the screen of discarded skyworth television screen is to exemplify both waste to wealth initiative.
“It also portrays how wildlife that are at the risk of disappearing completely can soar back like we saw the soaring back of bald eagle bird in America.
“In 2008, U.S. government minted coins featuring bald eagle image to commemorate the return of bald eagle to America, so in due course, Africa Bush Elephants’ return from endangered will become a success story too,” he said.
On her part, Olapeju, explained that the artwork was created by NO TO EXTINCTION or L’EXTINCTION artist from Ondo State.
She explained that the thorn carving coins were carved by herself, Mrs. Bolajoko Ayeni and Mr. Charles Olulaja Akeredolu, son of thorn carving inventor, late Chief J. D. Akeredolu.
“We decided to transform junked television screen into valuable art canvas as part of waste-to-wealth artistic creativity to reduce environmental impact of non-biodegradable electronics on our landfills.
The eagle coins are also to represent wildlife that have made strong return from the brink of extinction,” she said.
Kloto 1, Golfe 1 and Golfe 7 communes in Togo have officially signed a pioneering insurance policy aimed at reinforcing their resilience against flooding. This parametric insurance project, designed to provide rapid compensation in case of extreme rainfall, marks a significant step forward in climate risk management in the West African nation.
Togo’s Minister of Environment and Forest Resources, Katari Foli-Bazi. Photo credit: Site officiel du Togo, République Togolaise
The groundbreaking mechanism was conceived in collaboration with AXA Climate, a specialist in parametric insurance and climate change adaptation solutions. The insurance package was underwritten by SUNU Assurances Togo, selected as a local insurer, while ARC Ltd. was chosen as reinsurer thanks to its recognised expertise in parametric insurance.
The collaboration was carried out in coordination with the Direction Nationale des Assurances du Togo.
Fatou Acolatse, Managing Director of SUNU Assurances IARD Togo, said: “SUNU is proud to support the Togolese communes in this innovative project. As a local insurer, we put our expertise at the service of people’s resilience.”
Anaïs Symenouh, spokesperson of ARC Ltd., said: “This partnership with SUNU Assurances and the Togolese communes exemplifies our commitment to developing innovative and accessible solutions, closely aligned with the needs of local communities. By joining forces, we are laying the foundations for a proactive and supportive response to disasters.”
The implementation of the project was supervised by the Agence Nationale de la Protection Civile (ANPC), which also played a key role in the elaboration of contingency plans for each township. The Agence Nationale de la Météorologie (ANAMET), meanwhile, ensured the installation of 10 TAHMO weather stations in the communes, enabling precise measurement of rainfall to activate the compensation mechanisms.
Each weather station will be able to trigger up to 50 million CFA francs when it measures a given rainfall threshold over the course of a day. The funds will be used to pump water and help the victims.
Winny Dogbatse, Mayor of Kloto 1, said: “Our residents have already suffered the dramatic consequences of the floods. This insurance gives us the means to act immediately to protect the most vulnerable populations.”
Koamy Gbloekpo Gomado, Minister for Regional Planning and Development and Mayor of Golfe 1, said: “This is a major step forward for our commune. Thanks to this system, if the hazard or parameter is realised, we will autonomously obtain the necessary resources for a rapid and effective response.”
Aimé Koffi Djikounou, Mayor of Golfe 7, said: “The implementation of this parametric insurance marks a turning point for our risk management. We are now better prepared for floods and can react with greater anticipation.”
The coordination between local stakeholders was orchestrated by the project team of PADIE.
Emile Atigaku Afelete, Director of the PADIE association, said: “The cumulated work of local government, national agencies acting on behalf of the Togolese state, private sector operators and development partners enabled us to craft a solution adapted to the realities in the field.”
Funding for the project was made possible by co-financing from the InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) and a premium subsidy from Humanity Insured. Each municipality contributes up to 20% of the total cost of the annual premium, guaranteeing the affordability of the product.
Olga Mursajew, InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) representative in charge of the project, said:“ISF is committed to developing innovative insurance solutions for vulnerable populations. This project in Togo demonstrates that it is possible to design financial protection mechanisms at the local level.”
Caroline Birch, project manager for Humanity Insured, said:“We have learned a lot from our collaboration with the national players. It’s a pleasure for Humanity Insured to partake in the success of this project;”
The insurance is designed to trigger one payout per station. The technical structure of the insurance product was designed by AXA Climate.
Eliot Pernet, AXA Climate project manager, said: “This project shows that parametric insurance can play a key role in strengthening the resilience of communities to climate risks.”
This project has been described as a major advancement for the protection of local communities against climate liabilities in Togo.
A young female aurochs has left European Serengeti, the well-known large herbivore reserve near Prague. It headed for west Slovakia, where it will establish a new breeding group on the Slovak side of the White Carpathians.
The young female aurochs. Photo credit: Vojtech Lukas
“It’s the first ever breeding group of aurochs in Slovakia. We’re pleased that we have been able to spread breeding groups of large ungulates to other places in Central Europe,” said Dalibor Dostal, director of the European Wildlife conservationist organisation.
The arrival of the female aurochs from European Serengeti enjoyed great attention in Slovakia, with several TV crews waiting for its release.
“The White Carpathians are an ideal location for large herbivores. Scientists state that it was herds of large ungulates in particular that had helped create the biodiversity and huge abundance of flowering plants in this area in the past, which humans followed up later with their considerate management,” added Dostal.
That is why European Wildlife is currently negotiating with Slovak conservationists about common projects in this area.
Preparations for capturing the female aurochs were complicated. Owing to the fact that bluetongue disease is spreading in Central Europe, it was necessary to vaccinate the female repeatedly against this disease, which prolonged and postponed the preparations for its transport.
The herd of back-bred aurochs, the first group of these animals in Central and Eastern Europe, has been inhabiting the large ungulate reserve in Milovice since 2015. Back then, the animals arrived from the Netherlands, where the local Taurus Foundation is involved in their breeding.
The Coalition of Concerned Progressives (COCOP), a civil society group, has condemned the call for the removal of Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, describing the call as misguided, uncalled for and mischievous.
National grid lines
Reacting to a report by a group purporting to be concerned about happenings in the power sector, COCOP said the group was only seeking relevance while ignoring the strides in the power sector since Chief Adebayo Adelabu took over in August 2023.
A statement signed by John Okwaji, National Coordinator, and Richard Ibeh, Secretary of COCOP at the weekend, said efforts to downplay the progress made in the power sector “based on financial inducement and political differences are doomed for failure as it lacks conviction”.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Coalition of Concerned Progressives (COCOP) has been drawn to recent calls by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) demanding the removal of the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. While we respect the right of individuals and groups to express their opinions, we categorically state that such calls are misguided, premature, and fail to acknowledge the significant progress being made in Nigeria’s power sector under the Minister of Power and Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s leadership.
“Not only that, it is clear that those making the call have either not been following developments in the power sector since the Minister assumed duty or are only being mischievous. We are aware that the political season is here and we understand what is happening. We know these groups parading themselves as concerned citizens are merely concerned about filthy lucre, having been induced by their puppet masters while ignoring the several years of neglect and rots in the sector that Minister Adelabu met on ground.
“For the avoidance of doubt, since his appointment, Chief Adelabu has demonstrated unwavering commitment to reforming and revitalising Nigeria’s power sector, achieving measurable milestones that lay a solid foundation for sustainable energy growth. Contrary to the claims of stagnation, the following key achievements under Chief Adelabu stand as testament to his dedication and effectiveness.
“Through proactive measures, including improved grid management and infrastructure upgrades, the frequency of national grid collapses has significantly reduced compared to previous years. We are aware that the Ministry has intensified efforts to modernise transmission infrastructure to ensure reliable power supply nationwide. Within the period of Chief Adelabu stewardship, the pilot stage of the Siemens deal had reached an advance stage of 95 percent completion as at December 2024 with the installation of 10 mobile substations and 10 power transformers.
“With the completion of the pilot stage, the first phase of the Siemens deal will soon commence. We all know that the Siemens deal was initially signed in 2019 but due to financial, regulatory constraints and Covid 19, nothing was achieved until 2023 when President Bola Tinubu signed an accelerated agreement to fast-track the project which is expected to strengthen the transmission infrastructure and ultimately reduce instances of grid collapse. Adelabu has diligently followed up on this and the results are obvious to all and sundry.”
The statement also reeled out some achievements of Adelabu as Minister of Power.
“When Chief Adelabu was appointed as Minister of Power, electricity generation had always peaked at an average of 4000 megawatts, despite the brilliant Nigerians that had held sway as Ministers of Power. However, under Chief Adelabu and with the support of President Tinubu, Nigeria was able to achieve a historic record of 6003 megawatts of available generation while a historic generation evacuation of 5801.84 megawatts and a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh) were achieved in the same period. All these were achieved in less than two years.
“Also, under the leadership of Chief Adelabu, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has expanded access to electricity in underserved communities through solar mini-grids and stand-alone systems. The Ministry is also driving Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy, aligning with global best practices and the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
“In order to ensure reduction in estimated billings and improve liquidity in the sector, the FG government through the Ministry of Power has embarked on mass metering project. The Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is expected to close the over seven million metering gap with the provision of two million Meters per year for the next five years. Households and businesses will soon start benefiting from proper metering, thereby reducing arbitrary billing and improving transparency in the power sector.
“The Ministry has championed critical policy reforms, including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs to attract private investment and ensure sector sustainability. These reforms are essential for long-term growth and have already begun to yield positive results.
“Unlike previous administrations, Minister Adelabu has fostered an inclusive approach, engaging with labour unions, distribution companies (DisCos), generation companies (GenCos), gas companies (GASCOs) and consumers to address challenges and implement lasting solutions.
“We are also aware that the Ministry has successfully attracted new investments from private and foreign development partners into the power sector, facilitating partnerships that will drive infrastructure development, improve generation capacity, and create jobs for Nigerians.
“While we recognise that challenges persist – many of which are systemic and inherited – the call for the Minister’s removal disregards the foundational reforms being implemented to ensure lasting solutions. The Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to delivering stable and affordable electricity to all Nigerians, and Minister Adelabu’s strategic approach is central to this vision.
“We urge the CNPP and CNCSOs to engage constructively with the Ministry, rather than resorting to unfounded calls for removal. The focus should remain on collaborative efforts to build a power sector that meets the needs of all Nigerians. “We urge the Honourable Minister to remain undeterred in his mission to transform Nigeria’s power sector and calls on all stakeholders to support these efforts for the collective benefit of the nation.”
The Oyo State Government, community leaders, victims and other stakeholders have cried in one voice against the menace of land grabbing in the state.
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
The respondents expressed their unanimous views in a survey conducted in Ibadan, the state capital, on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Seyi Makinde, said the government, determined to curb the menace, established the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force in January.
The CPS said the government has resolved to check the excesses of land grabbers, popularly called “Omo onile”, once and for all.
He encouraged individuals whose lands or property had been forcibly encroached upon to seek redress with the task force at the state Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
He emphasised the agency’s readiness to attend to them accordingly.
According to him, the state is ready to stop the unlawfulness by fully deploying government resources and applicable law.
“People have the right to their lands, and no one should forcibly occupy them. Such acts are now criminal under the anti-land-grabbing law.
“Forceful occupation of land is no longer acceptable. In the past, conquering land was seen as a triumph, but today, it is a crime.
“Therefore, anyone attempting this must be prepared to face the consequences,” he said.
He assured victims that erring individuals would face the full wrath of the law because the present administration has zero tolerance for land grabbing.
Stakeholders, while condemning the act, advised the state government to make the task force effective enough to deter those planning such illegality.
Chief Alaba Alayande, a community leader at Aba Alamu, via Omi-Adio, Ido Local Government Area (LGA), says land grabbing brings severe consequences for individuals and communities.
He noted that it has led to displacement, loss of livelihood, economic hardship, and social unrest, thus impacting the environment and exacerbating inequalities.
A leader in Ologiri Village, Ido LGA, Mr. Tajudeen Ayinla, said land grabbing could be deeply traumatic, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of loss and dispossession.
Ayinla said that loss of land and access to resources could lead to poverty, food insecurity, and reduced income opportunities for individuals and families.
According to the Baale of Ogidiland, Ona-Ara LGA, Alhaji Mohammed Abdul-Azeez, land grabbing disproportionately affects marginalised groups such as small farmers and women.
The community leader said such activities could lead to long-term disputes and unrest, leading to instability within communities.
“Individuals are displaced with disrupted livelihoods; social ties can weaken, leading to a sense of fragmentation and loss of community identity.
“Land grabbing can also lead to deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity, impacting the overall health and sustainability of the environment,” the Baale said.
While commending the state government for setting up the task force, Abdul-Azeez said the havoc and unrest caused by land grabbers were no longer acceptable.
“In recent years, land grabbers have caused havoc and unrest in different parts of the state by dispossessing legitimate landowners of their properties, thereby stifling commercial activities in the state.
“It is, therefore, important that the state government, not only identifies the effects of the problems being perpetrated by these unscrupulous elements on commercial activities and peace of the citizenry, but also finds lasting solutions to the menace.
“I strongly believe this is the reason behind the creation of the task force.
“Furthermore, the need to protect investors and maintain law and order may have also led to the setting up of the task force.
“This, by implication, will encourage the verification of legal claims through litigation rather than resorting to violence.
“It is good to know that henceforth, anybody or a corporate entity who uses threat in any form to deprive people of their legitimate property should be treated as a criminal in the state,” said the Baale of Ogidiland.
Chief Bolarinwa Bashiru, the leader of Odejobi Community, Omi-Adio Area of Ido LGA, saw land grabbing as limiting access to essential resources, such as water, forests, and grazing lands.
He said this would have a more negative impact on the well-being of communities.
According to Bashiru, disrupting the traditional lifestyle of those who rely on agriculture and other resource extraction will force them to the cities to engage in menial jobs.
A lawyer, Adeyemi Okunade, said those aiding and abetting land grabbers would also be penalised with the creation of the task force under the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law, 2016.
“The Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law, 2016, prohibits forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, fraudulent and violent conduct pertaining to landed properties, with offenders liable up to 15 years imprisonment,” he said.
Okunade attributed the recent trend of land grabbing in the state to factors including the growing demand for land, driven by urbanisation and development projects.
He said the increase in land demand had created an environment where land grabbers could thrive, using tactics such as forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties.
“Additionally, the activities of land grabbers have been linked to violence and intimidation, making it difficult for legitimate landowners to protect their properties.
“It’s worth noting that the state government has declared zero tolerance for land-grabbing activities, and those found wanting risk up to 15 years imprisonment,” he said.
To curb the menace, Okunade called for the review and amendment of existing laws, an increase in penalties, and the establishment of a clear procedure for land acquisition, transfer and registration.
“There is a need for a mandatory land registration system – a digital land registry, allowing public access to land records.
“In addition, there is a need to establish an independent oversight body to monitor and investigate land transactions.
“There is also the need to provide legal assistance, alternative dispute resolution methods and creation of public awareness campaigns.
“Others include special courts, strictly for land grabbing matters, and more government involvement in land issues,” Okunade said.
However, an architect, Mr. Rotimi Omoniyi, alleged that land grabbing started gaining ground due to the support perpetrators receive from community chiefs and traditional rulers of the areas involved.
Omoniyi said he had clients who had been victims, as lands sold to them were resold to others by the same people.
“The practice will continue because those involved have the backing of the families who sold the lands and maybe those of the traditional rulers in the area,” Omoniyi said.
A farmer, Mr. David Ayoola, said he became a victim of land grabbers because he left his land unattended for a long time.
“When I got there, I discovered another person had built on it, and though I was offered another place, it was far from the initial one.
“I, however, took the offer so that I would not lose my money, as they were not ready to pay back,” said Ayoola.
Mr. Lamidi Waheed, Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in Oyo State, identified land grabbing as one of the challenges members encounter while working on sites.
However, he noted that every legitimate surveyor has legal protection from being victimised by land grabbers while on sites.
“With this law, beating up a surveyor on the site attracts 10 years imprisonment.
“The highest thing a land grabber can do is to ask us to leave the site, and we’ll leave peacefully and report to our client.
“We strongly condemn any form of brutality by land grabbers against our members,” he said.
