Feted for his humility and unorthodox approach, Pope Francis struggled to make the far-reaching changes to the Catholic Church that many progressives hoped to see.
Pope Francis. Catholic communities have committed to switch the management of their finances away from fossil fuel extraction. Photo credit: dailytimes.com.ng
He faced a furious conservative backlash nonetheless.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who died on Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88, established many firsts during his 12-year leadership of the Catholic Church under the name of Pope Francis.
He was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to be named after St Francis of Assisi, a medieval monk who lived in poverty and sought to rid the Catholic Church of corruption.
He was also the first pontiff – at least in modern times – to face open calls for his resignation and accusations of heresy from disgruntled traditionalists.
Pope Francis has faced multiple health challenges in recent years. At a young age, he had his right lung partially removed, making him particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.
He has been hospitalised several times for mainly lung-related conditions. His most recent hospital stay began on February 14 and lasted more than a month, when he was first diagnosed with bronchitis, then with a complicated respiratory ailment and finally with double pneumonia.
When he was elected, on March 13, 2013, Francis quipped that he came “almost from the end of the world.” Three days later, he said he wanted to lead “a poor church, for the poor.”
He took command at a time of deep crisis: his predecessor, Benedict XVI, was the first pope to resign in almost 600 years, in the wake of the global clergy sex abuse scandal and the VatiLeaks affair which exposed alleged cronyism and infighting within the Vatican’s walls.
Early in his papacy, Francis’ unusually free remarks and unorthodox displays of humility made him immensely popular, particularly among those who were not usually close to the Catholic Church.
The Argentine-born pope took up residence in a Vatican guest house rather than in a palatial apartment, shunned some of the most ornate papal garments, and picked an ordinary hatchback, rather than a limousine, as his official car.
In July 2013, he famously said of homosexuals: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?”
Months later, he made the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
But as his papacy progressed, Francis’ popularity waned, as he proved to be less radical than some progressives had imagined him to be. At the same time, the pontiff faced a furious conservative backlash.
Francis made “mercy” a key tenet of his papacy. He saw this as meaning that the Catholic Church had to focus less on the strict enforcement of its doctrine and more on reaching out to those who stray from it.
This informed the 2016 papal document known as Amoris Laetitia, which eased a long-standing ban on Communion for remarried divorcees, much to the chagrin of traditionalists who felt it undermined Catholic dogma on the indissolubility of marriage.
In their outraged response to Amoris Laetitia, arch-conservatives went so far as to accuse the pope of heresy. Opposition to Francis’ relatively flexible pastoral approach was so strong that it fuelled talk of a schism.
Traditionalists often looked to the late Benedict XVI as an alternative source of papal authority. But apart from the occasional incident in which the retired German pontiff’s remarks were seen as critical of his successor, the previous pope remained loyal.
Francis said he had had a good relationship with Benedict, following the retired pope’s death, which contradicted claims that there had been tension between the two in the nearly 10 years following Benedict’s resignation.
He lamented the idea that observers were attempting to drive a wedge between the two shortly after the pope emeritus’ death at the end of 2022. “I believe that the death of Benedict has been instrumentalised,” Francis said.
Francis, who was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936 to Italian immigrant parents, held strong views on social and environmental justice, earning him the “Marxist” sobriquet in US right-wing circles.
He cried out against Mediterranean migrant deaths, called climate change deniers “stupid,” and denounced US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall along the Mexico border to stop migrants coming in as “not Christian.”
In terms of concrete reforms, however, Francis’ legacy is mixed.
Pope Francis was the first pope to appoint women to senior roles in the Vatican. In June 2022, he introduced reforms to allow lay people, and thus also women, to head dicasteries, which are like ministries in the Vatican.
On the issue of whether women should be allowed to serve as deacons however, Francis did not budge.
In an interview with Argentinian news website Infobae in March 2023, Francis declared his openness to revising the celibacy rule for priests, yet no concrete measures were pushed through during his tenure.
Francis ignored demands for a rule change on both divisive issues coming from a 2019 summit of bishops from the Amazon region.
Under his watch, limited progress was made in addressing the decades-old scandal of paedophile priests. New papal laws made it compulsory for clergy and leaders of international associations to report cases of abuse and cover-up to their church superior – although not to the police.
Francis also struggled in his attempts to reorganize the Vatican’s central bureaucracy, the Roman Curia, with delays in the drafting of a new Vatican constitution. As for the Vatican’s finances, he only partially succeeded in making them more transparent.
One notable misstep was his appointment of controversial Australian Cardinal George Pell as the Vatican’s de-facto finance minister. Pell was forced to resign over allegations of child abuse that eventually earned him a conviction and a six-year jail sentence. That verdict was later overturned after he spent 400 days behind bars and Francis spoke out against the “injustice” the former cardinal had faced.
The late pope led the Catholic Church through turbulent times, most notably during the coronavirus pandemic.
Francis, who was known for going deep into crowds to be close to the people, was forced to keep his distance from his supporters for almost two years. He presented his usual public masses to a lonely St Peter’s Square.
The coronavirus pandemic also plunged the Vatican into financial troubles, leading Francis to cut the salaries of senior clergy and scrap rules that granted Vatican members free accommodation.
On foreign policy, one of Francis’ achievements was a landmark 2018 deal which ended decades of hostility between China and the Vatican. Some, however, criticized this as a sell-out to Beijing’s communist regime.
In 2016, in a wide-ranging interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Francis was asked how he would have liked to go down in history.
He responded, “I have not thought about it, but I like it when someone remembers someone and says: ‘He was a good guy, he did what he could, he was not so bad.’ I would be happy with that.”
Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON) has urged the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to prioritise the plight of women farmers for enhanced agricultural production and food secured nation.
Women. Photo credit: UN Women/Joe Saade
Mrs. Mary Afan, immediate past President of the association made the appeal in an interview on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Abuja.
Afan, who identified women farmers as responsible for food production in the country, however, said that they lacked access to land, fund, credit, mechanisation and extension services, among others, in the country.
She said that they could only farm between zero and two hectres of land because cultures and traditions denied women ownership or inheritance to land in the country and some parts of Africa.
The agric expert, however, urged NADF to prioritise smallholder women farmers in all its programmes and interventions geared towards food security and sustainability.
“NADF should give special attention to smallholder women farmers who are the major producers of food, we put food on the table of every household.
“So in making sure that this fund intervenes in bringing food security to the nation, the interest of smallholder women farmers have to be considered.
“We appeal for the fund to intervene in procuring small farming implements, like power tiller and hand planters that the women can operate independently,” she said.
According to Afan, if we don’t encourage smallholder farmers, we will be at risk of not being able to feed ourselves as a country and we would lack empowerment in that area.
“Special interventions should be looked into on how smallholder women farmers will be able to have access to NADF directly because when it passes through commercial banks, the organisation will have big challenges of access.
“We are over two million grassroot farmers grouped into cooperatives, so NADF can leverage on SWOFON in ensuring the nation achieve food security and sustainability.
NADF established by the Federal Government is mandated to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
These include, providing financial and technical support to agricultural projects that boost food production, create jobs and improve farmer livelihoods.
It also promotes sustainable development and food security by bridging the funding gap, facilitating access to finance for farmers, and strengthening the agricultural ecosystem.
The Police Command in Bauchi State has confirmed a tragic industrial accident which claimed the lives of four workers at the Gubi Water Treatment Plant in Bauchi, the state capital.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State
The spokesman of the command, CSP Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Bauchi.
He said the incident occurred during a sludge cleaning operation inside the plant’s tunnels.
Wakili listed the victims as Shayibu Hamza (48), Abdulmalik Yahya (29), Jamilu Inusa (29) and Ibrahim Musa (42).
They were all residents of Firo village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
Wakili said the workers had entered a clarifier to dislodge pit pipes when the incident occured.
“They were retrieved unconscious from the tunnel and rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where they were later confirmed dead.
“Police personnel were swiftly deployed to the scene as investigation into the cause of the incident commenced.
“The management of the water treatment facility is said to be cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure a thorough review,” he said
Wakili, however, stressed the importance of stringent safety measures in such high-risk environments.
“Safety must be non-negotiable in operations like this,” he said.
He urged the management and workers across the sector to adhere strictly to established safety protocols.
Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, extended condolences on behalf of the command to the victims’ families, colleagues and management of the plant.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police to improving safety standards to prevent such occurrences in future.
Meanwhile, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has condoled with the families of the four workers who lost their lives at the Gubi Dam.
In a condolences message, Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a moment of profound sadness to the entire state.
“This devastating incident has cast a dark shadow over Bauchi State as we mourn the loss of these hardworking and committed public servants.
“They died in the line of duty contributing to the essential task of ensuring clean water supply for people,” he said.
The governor said the sacrifice and service of the deceased would never be forgotten, stressing that their legacy would continue to inspire all those who work tirelessly to build a better state.
He prayed for the repose of their souls, and Almighty God grant the families the strength to bear the loss.
Mohammed stressed the need for enhanced safety protocols and strict adherence to established guidelines in government and industrial operations.
He also tasked workers to prioritise safety in their duties to prevent future occurrences.
The governor said the state government has commenced investigation to unravel the cause of the accident, improve workplace safety and pledged support to the bereaved families.
Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88, was one of the greatest climate champions we have ever had.
Pope Francis’s passing comes during the 10th anniversary of the publication of his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’, which examined long-standing Catholic environmental teaching in the light of today’s planetary crisis.
Pope Francis’s leadership has borne initiatives that transformed the Catholic Church into a powerful force for action on the planetary crisis and have had an influence far beyond the Church itself.
History’s first Latin American pontiff, he used his position as the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics to educate and highlight the climate crisis from day one of his papacy.
Pope Francis
He repeatedly drove home the moral, ethical, and spiritual issues around its causes and effects.
He urged, cajoled, and appealed repeatedly to world leaders to listen to the climate science, to reach meaningful international agreements, to deliver the transformative change needed to tackle the crisis, and to protect the poor.
Climate justice was always central to his message.
He said he was disturbed that global warming had been accompanied by a general cooling of multilateralism, a growing lack of trust within the international community, and a loss of shared awareness that we are all part of the same family of nations.
At the COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai in 2023, Pope Francis reminded global leaders that “now more than ever, the future for us all depends on the present that we choose”.
He went on to pose a question for the global leaders and climate negotiators that he asked them to answer. It was: “Are we working for a culture of life or a culture of death?”
Pope Francis speaks virtually with former US President Bill Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting in New York on 18 September 2023. Established in 2005, the CGI convenes global leaders to create and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, inclusive economic growth, and health equity
Listen to the cry of the Earth, he told them. Hear the plea of the poor. Be sensitive to the hopes of the young. Protect the dreams of children and ensure they are not denied their future.
These were among the core messages Pope Francis delivered, not just at COP28, but right throughout his papacy.
When he was elected Bishop of Rome in 2013, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio chose the name Francis.
It was a deliberate effort to honour Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century saint, now the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology.
The Pope said he was inspired by Saint Francis because his life highlighted an inseparable bond between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.
Now, eight centuries later, climate change is front and centre – and represents a very real existential threat to those inseparable bonds
Pope Francis said: “The destruction of the environment is an offence against God, greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable, and threatens to unleash a conflict between generations.”
He published two major Papal Encyclical Letters about the matter, and by so doing ensured the climate crisis is now central to the Church’s social teachings.
Papal Encyclical Letters are the highest-level teaching documents that any Pope can issue.
His first climate change Encyclical was published in 2015. It is called “Laudato Si”, which means “Praise be to You”.
It is a term directly from the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi.
In this document, Pope Francis said the Earth is like a sister or mother who sustains and governs us. He then lamented the harm people now inflict on the Earth through the irresponsible use and abuse of the good things it offers.
He said we have come to see ourselves as lords and masters of the Earth, entitled to plunder it at will.
Soil, water, air, and all forms of life are now sick, and the Earth is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor.
“It is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
“In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish.
“Industrial waste and chemical products utilised in cities and agricultural areas can lead to bioaccumulation in the organisms of the local population, even when levels of toxins in those places are low.
“Frequently no measures are taken until after people’s health has been irreversibly affected.
“These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture, which affects the excluded just as it quickly reduces things to rubbish,” he said.
Laudato Si’ was published ahead of negotiations for the Paris agreement in May 2015, and Pope Francis engaged in diplomacy to ensure the accord’s passed with a reference to keeping global temperatures below the threshold of 1.5C This benchmark temperature has had a significant impact on ensuring climate ambition since. The agreement passed, and the Holy See is a party to it.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which was launched by Pope Francis, has spurred a wide range of Catholic institutions to develop practical plans for action on ecology, touching 20 million people to date.
Care for creation has become an increasingly important part of how Catholics live their faith. The ecumenical Season of Creation and annual Laudato Si’ Week, which are co-sponsored by the Vatican, and the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, for which Pope Francis issued annual messages, engage millions of people each year in prayer and action for our common home on these occasions. These exemplify how the message is now mainstream in Catholic life.
Pope Francis inspired many other faith leaders and faithful to take action for creation, breathing new life into the global “faith environment” movement. Faith-led action on the environment has increased significantly since 2015. Ahead of COP21 in 2021, Pope Francis hosted 50 faith leaders at the Vatican, which led to a groundbreaking multi-faith statement. Other significant developments include the publication Al Mizan, which is known as the “Muslim Laudato Si’”.
Laudato Si’ was the inspiration behind Laudato Si’ Movement, which was named by Pope Francis himself. This global movement is leading community-based initiatives across 140 countries. The organisation’s documentary featuring Pope Francis and frontline leaders has been seen by well over 10 million people.
Eight years later, in 2023, Pope Francis published his second encyclical letter about climate change.
This one was called “Laudato Deum”, meaning “In praise of God”.
It was published on October 4, which is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.
“Laudato Deum” was yet another urgent cry from Pope Francis for global climate action, which he said has become more pressing than ever before.
It highlighted again how the effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people and said every family ought to realise that the future of their children is at stake.
He said the situation is close to breaking point and the world is not reacting fast enough.
In one passage he described it as “chilling” to realise that technology has given those with the economic resources “an impressive dominance over the whole of humanity and the entire world”.
It is extremely risky for a small part of humanity to have such a power, he said.
He also took a very clear swipe at some of the richest countries in the world, who place economic and business objectives above the need for climate action.
“The climate crisis is not exactly a matter that interests the great economic powers, whose concern is the greatest profit possible at minimal cost, and in the shortest amount of time,” he wrote.
The Holy Father highlighted that greenhouse gas “emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of poor countries”.
He shared the global sense of frustration about the slow pace of agreement at international climate negotiations.
He said these negotiations “cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries that place their national interests above the global common good”.
This he called “a failure of conscience and responsibility” that “will not be forgotten”.
Pope Francis also pushed back against any attempt to link climate change to population growth in poorer countries.
“It is not the fault of the poor, since the half of our world that is most needy is responsible for scarcely 10% of toxic emissions, while the gap between the opulent few and the masses of the poor has never been so abysmal. The poor are the real victims of what is happening,” he said.
Pope Francis told global leaders that in the end the purpose of being in power is to serve. He said it is useless to cling to an authority that will one day be remembered for its inability to act on climate change when it was urgent and necessary to do so.
Reactions have trailed the Pope’s passing.
Mark Campanale, founder and director of Carbon Tracker, said: “Pope Francis’s legacy goes far beyond the body of the Catholic Church. As a visionary leader, he sparked lasting momentum for a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards lasting sources of renewable energy. Although we’ve lost a great leader, the seeds of an ethical vision for this planet, our common home, will continue to bear fruit in the years to come.”
Tzeporah Berman, founder and chair of the steering committee of the Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty, said: “There is no doubt that Pope Francis made a huge impact on progress towards a future without fossil fuels. His moral authority stands in stark contrast to governments that want to put their heads in the sand and pretend that climate change isn’t happening. His leadership has shed new light on the climate crisis that affects us all.”
Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and Third Act, said: “Pope Francis – informed by science and scripture – understood many things deeply, one of them solar energy. Under his leadership, he moved to make sure Vatican City will soon be the only nation on earth powered entirely by the sun, and he did it in a letter (Fratello Sole) that makes specific reference to his namesake in Assisi and his Canticle of the Sun. The world has lost a great champion, but he left a light shining!”
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and founder of Project Dandelion, said: “I met with Pope Francis on several occasions, and among many qualities, I respected his leadership on climate justice. Pope Francis reminded us that the climate crisis is not only an environmental emergency – it is a moral challenge. He spoke out many times about the climate and nature crisis, raising his voice for those least responsible yet most affected: the poor, the marginalised, and future generations.
“With the courage of his convictions, he called us to care for our common home and to recognise that the fate of the Earth and the fate of humanity are one and the same. His leadership urged a new kind of solidarity – rooted in compassion, justice, and the deep understanding that we are all connected.”
Monsignor Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the French Bishops’ Conference, said: “Laudato Si’, published in June 2015 just before COP21 in Paris, was a tremendous catalyst for Catholic engagement, both worldwide and particularly in Paris in the lead-up to the COP. Many initiatives that were being prepared suddenly found an echo in parishes, were joined by enthusiastic volunteers, and gained credibility. As Auxiliary Bishop of Paris, I was a joyful witness to this.”
Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman of the Office of Human Development, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said: “Long before Pope Francis, activists at the grassroots recognised that environmental problems and climate change affected the poor most, and that they are the hardest hit. However, it took a spiritual leader of Pope Francis’ statue to give a tremendous boost to integral ecology.
“In Laudato Si’ the Holy Father has elucidated the concept beautifully. He did not use high theological terms or scientific jargon to describe integral ecology. Rather, he simply stated that the cry of the earth is the cry of the poor, and thus holistic solutions are needed.”
Bishop Serverus Jjumba, Bishop of the Diocese of Masaka, Uganda, said: “Pope Francis chose to exceptionally promote integral ecology when he published, for the first time in the history of the Church, teaching on stewardship consolidated in one single document titled ‘Laudato Si’. The document was issued as an encyclical – a very high level of doctrinal authority. It was also crafted to be a document for all faiths and cultures, another vital ingredient that built synergies across the board to solve the climate crisis, an issue that must truly be everyone’s concern.”
Bishop John Keenan, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “We thank God for the Pope’s service which was always human and humble in its informal style and with a message of God’s universal love and unconditional mercy that brought hope to so many. A man of the poor who lived simply, Pope Francis was a voice for the voiceless and all those who find themselves on the margins in our world.
“A man of peace, he called the Church to listen to everyone, to move forward together as a family, to find a conciliatory approach to those of different beliefs and lifestyles, for an end to conflicts across the world and for the care of Creation as God’s precious gift to humanity.”
Lorna Gold, executive director of Laudato Si’ Movement, said: “As the spiritual leader who guided our Church for 12 years, Pope Francis breathed new life into centuries of Catholic teaching. As the man who inspired me and our movement, his warmth, humility, and commitment to the common good showed us a new way forward. He sparked a sense of new hope and beginnings for many, so it’s fitting that Pope Francis passed into eternal rest during Easter, when we celebrate the renewal of all life. We pray thanks for the gift of Pope Francis and for sharing in his precious few moments on Earth.”
According to the Laudato Si’ Movement, Pope Francis’ legacy has profoundly transformed Catholics’ understanding of the relationship between humanity, creation, and the Creator. Standing on scripture, centuries of scholarship, and decades of papal statements on the environment, he brought Catholic teaching to life in a new way for today’s ecological crisis, influencing not only the Church but global policies, interfaith dialogue, and grassroots activism.
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has extended its congratulations to Mr. Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), on his prestigious win as the Spokesperson in the Oil and Gas Sector Award for 2025.
Mr. Femi Soneye (middle) being presented the NIPR award
The award was given to him on Thursday, April 17, by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
In a release on Sunday, April 20, GOCOP President, Ms. Maureen Chigbo, commended Mr. Soneye’s exceptional achievement, describing it as a testament to his professionalism and dedication to impactful communication.
The release, signed by Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, Publicity Secretary of GOCOP said: This recognition is a shining affirmation of your commitment to transparency, professionalism, and effectiveness in strategic communication of your company’s policies to its various publics in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector,” she said.
Chigbo said that Mr. Soneye’s leadership in corporate communication at NNPC Ltd. has set a new standard for public communication in the industry, and his emergence as the recipient of this award is a reflection of his exceptional skill and integrity.
Chigbo is particularly happy that Mr. Soneye is a good ambassador of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) where he was a member before his appointment as the chief communications officer of the NNPCL.
Mr. Soneye’s achievement, she said, is a badge of honour not just for him, but for the entire organisation.
On behalf of GOCOP’s 120 members, Ms. Chigbo congratulated Mr. Soneye and urged him to continue to lift the image of the national oil company to greater heights.
“GOCOP commended Mr. Soneye for his outstanding contribution to corporate communication in Nigeria and celebrates his well-deserved recognition.
“We are proud to have you as a member, and we pray to God to grant you many more blessings of good health of mind and body to continue to excel in your job and service to the nation,” she said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has further clarified his statement on the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) emphasising that the President Tinubu administration intervention has helped to further galvanise the project.
Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu
According to a statement highlighting the major milestones of the Present Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration on the PPI also known as Siemens deal, Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, said the inauguration of the Tinubu administration in 2023 brought added fillip to the Siemens Power Project as an accelerated contract was signed to ensure visible progress in the project.
“There is no way the Minister’s statement that no significant progress on the project was made until the present administration was inaugurated, can be faulted when the major milestones between 2023 till date are considered.
“No doubt, there have been significant improvement in the PPI since the inauguration of the present administration on May 29, 2023.
“The Presidential Power Initiative was conceived in August 2018, born from the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Germany, with the goal of transforming Nigeria’s power sector by increasing generation, transmission, and distribution capacity. This administration, under the leadership of President Tinubu, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the PPI, recognizing its critical importance to opening up the economy and galvanising national development.
“To ensure the expeditious delivery of improved power supply to industrial clusters, households, and businesses, President Tinubu mandated the signing of an Acceleration Agreement. This commitment has translated into tangible results. Under the present administration, leadership, strengthened programme governance has expedited contract and financing approvals, leading to faster project implementation.”
While acknowledging efforts of past administrations on the PPI, the Minister said some of the key milestones under the present administration, apart from the execution of an Acceleration Agreement with Siemens Energy to fast-track the implementation of the PPI, include the approval of a new technical direction for the PPI, ensuring Siemens Energy focuses solely on upgrading and modernizing the transmission subsector through a Turnkey approach while the President also approved that the distribution scope be delivered by other reputable Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Companies with the requisite technical, financial, and financing capacity.
The strategic decisions aim to increase grid capacity by an additional 4,000MW by the end of 2026, with an aspirational target of an additional 2,000MW, as directed by the Economic Management Team in 2024. Noteworthy is the fact that the implementation of the PPI commenced with the installation and commissioning of ten (10) Power Transformers and ten (10) Mobile Substations across the country under the Pilot Phase of the PPI, which was manufactured and delivered in October 2023. In 2024, there was a focus on the implementation of the Pilot Project and the project initiation activities of the main phase of the PPI.
Also. under the administration, FGN Power Company implemented several transmission projects across the country, which have collectively increased the transmission wheeling capacity by over 700MW for industrial clusters, businesses, universities, and homes.
The statement evince surprise that of all the key achievements of the administration in the power sector as listed by the Minister of Power, all someone could pick out of the achievements of the administration in the power sector under the leadership of the Minister is the issue of the Siemens deal.
What has happened to other major milestones that the Minister highlighted? How many mega watts of electricity did the administration meet on ground, and what is the situation today?
The focus should be on the impact being made in the power sector rather than singling out an aspect of all that is being done.
The statement further highlighted some major take away from the Ministerial briefing which include: Market and regulatory reforms such as the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs for Band A customers which raised market revenue by ₦700 billion in 2024; a 70 percent increment from the previous year, improving financial viability and further push for the sector to achieve sustainability and full commercialization.
“The establishment of National Independent System Operator (NISO), marking the functional unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria will strengthen governance and enhance performance of the Nigeria power grid and increase investor confidence in the sector.
Also, regulatory oversight was successfully transferred to 11 states in total– Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Plateau States with Plateau and Niger States happening within the last 100 days.
In area of generation, peak available generation rose to an all-time peak of 6,003 MW on March 4, 2025. A new generation evacuation peak of 5,801.44MW and maximum daily energy record of 128,370.75 MWh was achieved on the same day. NDPHC restored 345 MW of idle capacity and improved 14 transmission lines. Restoration of 345MW power turbine back on the grid – 120 MW in Omotosho NIPP, 112.5 MW in Benin NIPP, and 112.5MW in Calabar NIPP. Off-grid and interconnected solar mini-grid projects were commissioned across several states in the country. Specifically, 550KWp at Bakin Siyawa and Kwande communities in Plateau, 440kWp Mini-Grid in Cross River State, 990kW Mini-grid to Power 3,900 Households in Niger State, and 510KwP solar hybrid mini-grid in communities in Osun State.
“The process to ensure full evacuation of Zungeru and Kashimbila hydropower plants is also at an advanced stage while the Makurdi hydropower and Kaduna thermal plants are under development. Kaduna plant with a capacity of 215MW should be ready for evacuation by the end of the year. Ongoing partnerships with Sun Africa and Skipper Electric to expand renewable capacity with the introduction of utility-scale renewable energy specifically Solar Energy. This will increase the available capacity and energy mix while boosting the country’s energy security, all these happened within the period the Tinubu administration was inaugurated.”
On transmission, the Presidential Power Initiative’s pilot phase added 700MW through infrastructure upgrades in 13 locations. Over 70 transformers were added between 2024 and 2025 by the transmission company of Nigeria through Internally generated revenue, and through the World Bank and Africa Development Bank Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project Programme adding over 12,000MVA transformation capacity to the Nigerian grid.
A ₦25 billion budget has been allocated as part of effort to complete ongoing transmission projects in the 2025 appropriation act. In addition, work is ongoing to regionalise the grid via the Eastern and Western Super grid frameworks to strengthen the grid’s resilience against grid disturbances. In order to bridge the meter gap, the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) launched with an ambition to add 2 million meters annually. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been set up to drive the PMI implementation. Currently, ₦700 billion funding has been raised from the FAAC and as part of efforts to fulfil the target for the year, procurement has commenced for the deployment of 1.1 million meters.
In addition to the PMI, the World Bank’s DISREP project targets 3.2 million additional meters. The first batch of 75,000 meters under the DISREP has been delivered and a second batch of 200,000 meters is expected in May. Some of the distribution companies are undergoing restructuring and enhanced performance monitoring has been put in place by the Regulator to ensure improved service delivery. Under the stewardship of the Minister, the Energizing Education Programme and DARES initiative are expanding access to clean power for millions.
The Energising Education Programme (EEP) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), to provide sustainable and clean power supply to 37 Federal Universities and 7 University Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria with seven completed and ready for commissioning. As part of effort to improve human capacity and local content in the sector, a landmark agreement was signed between the Rural Electrification Agency and Oando Clean Energy for a 1.2GW solar power plant with a recycling line. This will enhance sustainability in solar panel deployment.
However, the Minister is the first to acknowledge challenges in the sector. Such challenges include the ₦4 trillion in outstanding subsidies and unsustainable tariff regimes, rampant vandalism, electricity theft, and chronic bill non-payment, poor investment by some operators especially in the distribution infrastructure and resistance to the sector commercialisation by the electricity consumers which is impacting on the sector’s liquidity.
Despite all these challenges, the Ministry says it has made strong strides in sector reform, access, and infrastructure upgrade while the foundation for long-term transformation has been laid, with a commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and result-oriented power sector development.
The Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) says Nigeria needs 5,000 cold trucks and 100 cold rooms to tackle its N3.5 trillion annual post-harvest losses.
Cold truck
The association’s President, Mr. Alexander Isong, who disclosed this in an interview Lagos, said Nigeria produces approximately 55 million metric tonnes of food annually with 40 per cent of it lost due to poor cold chain infrastructure.
This, he said, translates into an economic loss of over N3.5 trillion annually.
Isong said Nigeria needs 5,000 cold trucks and 100 large cold rooms, with a 500-tonne capacity each, to enhance the country’s cold chain infrastructure.
According to him, Nigeria has small minute cold rooms at the moment.
“Nigeria is next to zero, we have very small minute cold rooms that don’t scratch the surface. The produce that has some cold room is imported fish,” he said.
Isong noted that cold chain can play a vital role in combating food insecurity in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially harvest-losses.
“If the government’s primary concern is not combating post-harvest losses, achieving the goal of completely eradicating food insecurity in Nigeria will indeed be challenging.
“The cold chain infrastructure in Nigeria is woefully inadequate, posing significant challenges for organisations.
“The primary obstacle is the lack of adequate cold storage facilities, which severely hampers efforts to address post-harvest losses.
“Cold chain is an integral part of agriculture, and without sufficient investment, the sector’s growth and potential is severely limited
“One major issue is the funding and investment gap. Nigerian banks often lack understanding of the cold chain sector, making it difficult for organisations like OTACCWA to secure loans,” he said.
He also lamented the poor awareness and adoption of cold rooms.
“Many people view cold chain as a “fancy” aspect of agriculture rather than a crucial component,” Isong said.
He said this misconception necessitates awareness campaigns to educate farmers, middlemen, marketers, and the general populace about the importance of cold chain in agriculture.
“The industry faces further complications due to inadequate logistics and market ties. Without a continuous cold chain, produce certification is unattainable, severely limiting export opportunities.
“The goal is to strengthen logistics and increase the appeal of Nigerian produce in the market by establishing solid market linkages and maintaining a consistent cold chain.
“The absence of policy guidance and regulatory frameworks for cold chain in Nigeria is another significant obstacle.
“With various agencies and bodies having fragmented roles, a comprehensive cold chain policy is essential to bring the sector up to par with global standards,” he said.
He explained that the sector’s reliance on small-scale farmers and lack of cooperative aggregation makes it challenging to implement large-scale cold chain solutions.
“Additionally, middlemen who dominate the market may be hesitant to adapt due to limited knowledge or concerns about disrupting their existing business operations.
“The industry faces further complications due to climate and environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures and humidity.
“These factors can cause produce to spoil quickly in the absence of a cold chain. Seasonal production cycles lead to price fluctuations, further complicating the sector.
“Cold chain can help increase the variety of food available in Nigeria, particularly for perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and proteins,” Isong said.
Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, has reaffirmed the country’s strong partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group during high-level discussions to accelerate the nation’s economic transformation agenda.
AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina
At a meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with a Bank Group delegation led by Leila Mokaddem, Director General for Southern Africa, Vice President Gaolathe outlined Botswana’s priorities – digitisation, agricultural commercialisation, and revitalisation of state-owned enterprises – with a focus on transitioning from public sector dominance to private sector-led growth. The government will ensure a civil service that works, invests in transformative infrastructure, and diversifies the minerals sector.
“We are well placed to deepen the relationship with the African Development Bank to support private sector initiatives,” Gaolathe said, highlighting the country’s potential to become a major player in the automotive industry that should be developed and expanded.
He lauded the long-standing relationship between Botswana and the African Development Bank. “I have also seen how the Bank has modernised and continued to grow. It is an organisation I greatly admire and will continue to partner with in our economic transformation agenda.”
Mokaddem underscored the Bank Group’s commitment to supporting Botswana’s development course in alignment with the country’s Vision 2036.
“Our evaluation points to reforms, capacity development, and enhancement of the private sector as key to the country’s economic development,” she said, noting that Botswana has the means and capacity to become a regional logistics and manufacturing hub.
The Bank Group’s Deputy Director General for Southern Africa and Country Manager for Botswana, Moono Mupotola, also emphasised the strength of the partnership and the institution’s readiness to continue supporting the country.
During the talks, the African Development Bank Group delegation outlined short- and medium-term initiatives to bolster the country’s growth targets. These included the Governance and Economic Resilience Programme (GERSP) to strengthen fiscal performance and private sector participation, with potential funding support of up to $1 billion, of which $304 million is available this year, as well as technical assistance to address implementation challenges in Botswana’s public investment programme.
Regarding sustainable water supply, the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project will address critical water and sanitation needs by building a 700-km pipeline between South Africa and Botswana.
Other interventions include comprehensive transport sector support involving roads, railways, aviation, logistics, and energy sector development, including funding for feasibility studies of key transmission lines connecting to South Africa and Zambia.
“Issues such as water, energy, and skills mismatch need to be addressed for the private sector to develop and grow,” Mokaddem noted. She stressed the Bank Group would leverage its capacity and expertise to support Botswana’s diversification efforts.
The meeting underscored the benefits of previous African Development Bank investments, including the Lobatse Clay Works and Delta Automotive Technologies, which demonstrate the potential of targeted economic support.
Africa’s natural gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) potential is a cornerstone of the continent’s energy future. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report, Africa’s gas reserves could support a fourfold increase in LNG exports by 2040.
Mozambique’s Coral North FLNG ship
Gas-to-power initiatives offer a vital solution to the continent’s electricity access challenges, while also providing a pathway to monetise underutilised gas resources. With the right investments and collaborative efforts, Africa is poised to unlock the full potential of its gas sector, driving economic growth and energy security.
Major Projects Driving Africa’s Gas Potential
Several large-scale projects are driving Africa’s gas potential, with LNG exports seen as a critical part of the continent’s energy future. Africa has the capacity to increase its LNG export capacity almost fourfold by 2040 – says the AEC’s report – with a projected 175 million tons of LNG per year. Currently, Africa’s LNG exports stand at around 40 million tons, suggesting massive room for growth.
Mozambique, a major growth driver for the continent’s LNG sector, has the potential to achieve LNG export capacity of up to 50 million tons by 2040, though this potential has been tempered by security concerns, particularly in onshore areas. These challenges have led companies to look toward smaller offshore floating LNG (FLNG) solutions. For example, the Eni’s Coral North FLNG project in Mozambique is being developed incrementally as an offshore solution, though it remains smaller in scale than the onshore alternatives.
Other key projects include significant developments in Senegal and Mauritania. These nations are poised to become major LNG exporters, with developments such as the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project – co-led by bp and international partners – expected to play a pivotal role in the continent’s LNG growth, especially as it progresses to its second phase.
Risk Factors and Investment Outlook
While the path to realising Africa’s gas and LNG potential presents challenges, there are significant opportunities for growth. As noted in the report, developing both domestic and export markets is crucial to fully unlocking the continent’s gas resources. Large-scale pipeline projects, such as the West African Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, could play a vital role in connecting African gas to additional markets, including Europe. Although these projects face financing and political complexities, successful collaboration and strategic investments can pave the way for their advancement, unlocking new economic opportunities and expanding Africa’s energy reach.
Security remains one of the most significant risks, particularly in regions like Mozambique, where insurgencies have already disrupted major projects. While offshore FLNG projects, such as Coral North, provide a more flexible and secure option, they also come with higher capital costs and reduced production capacity compared to onshore facilities.
AEW 2025 to Highlight Growth Opportunities
Africa’s growing role in the global energy market, along with its proximity to key international markets, positions it as a critical player in the future of natural gas. The Chamber’s report emphasises that Africa’s gas potential can be fully realised with the right investments, including de-risking strategies, improved regulatory frameworks and greater collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders and financiers.
This year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference provides a vital platform for addressing challenges and opportunities within Africa’s gas and LNG sector and discussing strategies for unlocking Africa’s full energy potential. With investment in gas and LNG projects continuing to grow, AEW 2025 offers a strategic opportunity to showcase the continent’s progress, identify investment gaps and promote collaboration among governments and the private sector to mitigate risks.
The Kano State Government says it will attract over $10 billion investment in renewable energy and solid minerals development from its partnership with prestigious Moroccan companies in the next five years.
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State
The state government also said the stage was set for the signing of a series of investment Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Morocco.
This is contained in a statement on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Kano by Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the media aide to Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf.
He said the agreements would focus on renewable energy, agriculture and commerce, as part of the state government’s drive to reposition its economy.
Dawakin-Tofa said the development was sequel to a high level investment mission to Morocco led by the governor.
He said the delegation held strategic meetings with key Moroccan institutions including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the Moroccan Agency for Africa (OCP Africa) and the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce.
According to Dawakin-Tofa, the agreements will also explore areas such as investor identification, financing models, and cutting-edge technologies for energy storage and efficient distribution, particularly for industrial use in Kano.
He said the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce, one of Africa’s leading private sector platforms, expressed its willingness to collaborate with the state in areas of renewable energy and solid minerals development.
“This partnership is expected to boost the state’s economy and contribute to the projections of attracting up to $10 billion in investments over the next five years in line with the state’s strategic investment plan,” he said.
Dawakin-Tofa said the delegation also met with OCP Africa, one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers.
“OCP welcomed the partnership, proposing new agricultural development projects that include fertiliser blending plants, advanced supply chain systems, and support for smallholder farmers through modern farming technologies.
“The visit marks a major milestone in the state’s pursuit of global partnerships to fast-track industrial growth, clean energy transition, and sustainable agricultural development.”
According to Dawakin-Tofa, one of the major outcomes of the visit is a proposed partnership with MASEN, which included technical collaboration to support Kano’s transition to clean energy.
“MASEN, renowned for managing one of Africa’s largest solar power plants in Ouarzazate generating 500 megawatts has pledged to share its expertise, lessons learned and offer technical support for Kano’s Light-Up Kano Initiative, which aims to generate 2,000 megawatts of solar energy within five years.”
