Nigeria has unveiled an investment pipeline worth $78.5 billion, comprising 65 bankable projects, as the Federal Government seeks to attract foreign capital and accelerate job creation following recent economic reforms.
The investment initiative, unveiled at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand, attracted expressions of interest from investors in Asia and Europe.
The Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, also secured fresh commitments for cooperation on power, infrastructure, fiscal governance and economic development.
At the meetings, the delegation presented key economic indicators, including growth of about 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, four consecutive months of declining inflation, foreign reserves above $55 billion, a tax-to-GDP ratio of 12.5 per cent and public debt equivalent to 36 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The government said the next phase of its economic agenda would focus on converting these gains into faster growth, more productive investments and employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Speaking at the meetings, Oyedele stressed that economic stability must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, particularly through the creation of sustainable jobs.
“Stability was the first test. Growth that employs our people is the second,” he said.
The minister warned that advances in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies could produce economic growth without sufficient employment opportunities if governments failed to prioritise job creation.
He cited projections that about 1.2 billion young people would enter the global labour market over the next 10 to 15 years, while approximately 400 million jobs would be available, according to the World Bank.
Oyedele urged the Bretton Woods institutions to place employment generation at the centre of their assessment of economic performance, arguing that growth figures alone would not adequately measure the success of reforms.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position against returning to fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates, signalling its commitment to maintaining the direction of current economic policies.
The investment initiative, known as Projects Nigeria, was among the major outcomes of the meetings. It is designed to present viable projects to prospective investors and mobilise capital for development across key sectors of the economy.
Nigeria also secured World Bank Group support for power and infrastructure development through guarantee instruments intended to help unlock investment.
On economic management, the IMF agreed to continue providing technical assistance in fiscal governance, transparency and statistics, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United States Treasury and the European Union made commitments to deepen cooperation with Nigeria.
Another major outcome was the conclusion of Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Group of 24 (G-24), during which the country advanced calls for a quota-based IMF system, fairer credit ratings and more affordable financing for developing economies.
The Federal Government said the outcomes of the meetings reinforced its efforts to attract long-term investment, strengthen economic institutions and expand opportunities for businesses and workers.
With the $78.5 billion investment pipeline, the government is seeking to position Nigeria as an attractive destination for international capital while shifting its economic priorities towards growth that generates jobs and improves livelihoods.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and former Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar have declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, urging northern political leaders to mobilise voters across the region.
The leaders made their positions known on Saturday during the commissioning of the national secretariat of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern political support group established to mobilise backing for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the next presidential election.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Shettima expressed confidence that the North would support Tinubu for a second term, citing the administration’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects and interventions aimed at addressing the region’s development challenges.
However, he acknowledged the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians, saying the administration had a responsibility to explain its policies, achievements and outstanding challenges to the public.
The Vice-President said the government inherited an economy under severe pressure, including foreign reserves of $3.9 billion and more than N27 trillion in Ways and Means financing obligations.
He argued that Tinubu’s economic decisions were necessary to prevent a deeper crisis, claiming that the country’s foreign reserves had risen to approximately $58.9 billion under the administration.
Shettima said the government remained committed to tackling insecurity, expanding economic opportunities and reducing poverty, but stressed that the experiences of struggling households, unemployed graduates and traders must inform policy decisions.
He also assured northern Nigerians that a second Tinubu administration would not disadvantage the region, pointing to planned agricultural initiatives and other interventions expected to benefit farmers.
Shettima warns against APC divisions
The Vice-President identified internal divisions within the APC as a major threat to the party’s electoral prospects, urging leaders to resolve disagreements and concentrate on mobilising voters.
He cited political developments in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue as evidence of the party’s expanding reach, claiming that defections by opposition lawmakers and other political figures had strengthened the APC’s position in parts of the North.
Shettima said endorsements by prominent politicians would not be enough to secure electoral victory without sustained engagement with voters at the grassroots.
He challenged political appointees and party officials to demonstrate their value by mobilising support in their communities, wards and polling units for Tinubu, state governors and legislative candidates.
In his remarks, Yilwatda said the North had several reasons to support Tinubu’s re-election, highlighting infrastructure development, social investment programmes, federal appointments and projects across the region.
He cited road projects, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway and sections of the Trans-Saharan Super Highway, as examples of the administration’s efforts to improve connectivity and economic activities.
The APC chairman also listed the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, irrigation infrastructure, railway development, healthcare interventions and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) among initiatives he said would benefit northern communities.
Yilwatda urged political leaders to translate their influence into grassroots mobilisation, calling for Tinubu and Shettima to be returned for another term.
Sani invokes North-South power rotation
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, speaking on behalf of northern governors, also declared support for Tinubu’s re-election.
He referred to the political understanding surrounding the rotation of presidential power between the North and South, noting that the North had benefited from eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Sani argued that the region should respect the arrangement that enabled it to occupy the presidency for two consecutive terms, while acknowledging that the arrangement was not constitutionally binding.
He urged APC members to extend their support beyond the presidential ticket to governors, National Assembly members and state legislators contesting the 2027 elections.
Earlier, Badaru, Director-General of A4A, described the organisation as a coalition of northern political leaders united by their support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
He said the group’s backing was based on the administration’s record, citing infrastructure development, social investment programmes, student loans and what he described as improvements in security.
Badaru acknowledged that challenges remained, particularly in the security sector, but maintained that progress had been recorded.
He said the newly commissioned A4A secretariat at No. 4 Port Harcourt Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, would coordinate the organisation’s activities across the North.
The facility comprises three blocks, each with three floors, offices, conference facilities and a situation room for monitoring campaign operations.
According to Badaru, the group plans to extend its mobilisation activities to states, local governments, wards and polling units, targeting traders, farmers, young people, women and religious communities.
The declarations at the commissioning underscore the APC’s efforts to consolidate its political support in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the party’s leaders emphasising unity, policy advocacy and grassroots mobilisation.
The National Assembly has warned against manipulation of staff promotions by external interests, cautioning that violations of established rules could trigger court battles, administrative embarrassment and institutional instability.
The legislature also called for an end to unsustainable ad-hoc staff training arrangements, urging management to make greater use of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to improve the professional capacity of parliamentary personnel.
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamoru Ogunlana, made the position known on Saturday at the opening of a three-day retreat for top management of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Ogunlana said the National Assembly Service was a professional institution whose appointments, promotions and staff development must be guided by merit, competence, experience and performance in line with the National Assembly Service Act 2014 and the applicable Scheme of Service.
He warned that allowing considerations outside the established legal and administrative framework to influence promotions could expose the institution to serious consequences.
“Where appointments or promotions are influenced by considerations outside the National Assembly Service Act 2014, and the applicable Scheme of Service, we risk creating serious institutional consequences, that is, judicial review, administrative embarrassment and institutional instability,” he said.
The clerk noted that the consequences of irregular promotions would extend beyond individual officers, potentially undermining the effectiveness and stability of the entire National Assembly Service.
He specifically cautioned against allowing geographical origin and other extraneous considerations to take precedence over seniority, relevant experience and professional competence.
“When seniority, cognate experience and competence is subordinated to ‘where you come from’ or other considerations, we may find ourselves with positions occupied by people who do not possess the requisite competence, experience or capacity for those responsibilities,” he said.
According to him, such practices could result in a situation where too many officers occupy positions of authority without the necessary skills and experience to perform effectively.
“The result can be an institution with too many people in positions and too few people with the capacity to perform effectively those positions,” he added.
NILDS to drive staff training
On staff development, Ogunlana said the National Assembly needed to review its training arrangements in response to limited financial resources and the specialised capacity available at NILDS.
He described the institute, an affiliate agency with expertise in legislative practice and democratic governance, as a suitable platform for structured professional training for National Assembly personnel.
He said legislative staff required continuous capacity building in parliamentary procedure, legislative practice, policy analysis, research, digital technologies, public financial management, ethics, leadership and emerging global standards in parliamentary administration.
“The present ad-hoc arrangement of training personnel of service is not sustainable given our limited financial resources,” he said.
Ogunlana urged the management to adopt a more deliberate, institution-driven training framework through NILDS, saying it would improve staff competence while ensuring more efficient use of public funds.
NASC pledges merit, due process
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Chief Saviour Enyiekere, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to building a disciplined, competent, responsive and forward-looking legislative service.
Enyiekere said the commission would continue to recognise merit, uphold due process, give appropriate attention to staff welfare and encourage officers to contribute meaningfully to institutional development.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were represented at the ceremony.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a change of venue for the 2026 National Capital Market Conference, moving the event from the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in the Federal Capital Territory.
The conference is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10 a.m., with participants expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m.
The new venue is located at Plot 1573, Central Business District, near the Ministry of Finance, off Ralph Sodeinde Street, Abuja.
According to the SEC, the conference will be chaired by the Vice-President of Nigeria and hosted by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
A major highlight of the event will be the launch of the Nigeria Capital Market Master Plan 2026–2036 (NCMMP 2.0), a framework expected to guide the development and implementation of policies in the capital market over the next decade.
The conference will also feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the SEC, Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA) and the Nigeria Revenue Service on fiscal incentives aimed at promoting national savings.
In addition, the event will witness the inauguration of the NCMMP 2.0 Project Steering Committee and the Capital Market Masterplan Implementation Committee.
The committees are expected to support the implementation of the master plan and coordinate efforts towards achieving its objectives.
The SEC’s announcement provides participants with the updated venue ahead of the conference, which will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the future direction of Nigeria’s capital market.
Panic gripped parts of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday after a diesel tanker reportedly crushed four commercial cars in a multiple-vehicle crash along the Iwo Road-Ojoo Expressway, leaving at least five people feared dead and several others injured.
The accident occurred at Aduloju Bus Stop, opposite Dominion City, where the articulated vehicle reportedly lost control and rammed into four commercial Nissan Micra cars.
Preliminary reports attributed to the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) indicated that the tanker was travelling at high speed when the driver reportedly lost control.
A suspected brake failure was said to have caused the tanker to veer into the cars, crushing the vehicles and trapping some occupants in the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people scrambling to rescue passengers trapped inside the damaged vehicles.
Officials of OYRTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police were deployed to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts, control traffic and prevent further accidents along the busy expressway.
However, the exact number of casualties remained unclear as reports from the scene gave conflicting figures.
While some accounts put the number of fatalities at five, others suggested that the death toll could be higher. The identities of those feared dead and the precise number of injured persons had yet to be confirmed.
Earlier reports indicated that some injured victims had been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the bodies of those who died were being conveyed to a morgue.
The incident has renewed concerns over road safety and the dangers posed by heavy-duty vehicles when mechanical faults or loss of control occur on busy roads.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and confirm the final casualty figures.
Agricultural stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to strengthen local seed production, promote sustainable farming and encourage household food cultivation, warning that excessive dependence on foreign suppliers could threaten Nigeria’s food sovereignty and long-term food security.
The stakeholders made the call on Friday during a World Food Day media briefing and the launch of the Let’s Go Planting movement at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The event was organised by the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR), in collaboration with the LoveWorld Ministry of Food Technology and Sovereignty, to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in food production and promote safe and sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Minister of the LoveWorld Ministry of Food Technology and Sovereignty, Pastor Ifeoma Chiemeka, described the initiative as a global movement aimed at restoring public participation in food production and strengthening national food sovereignty.
Conveying the greetings of the President of LoveWorld, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Chiemeka said the campaign sought to highlight the links between food production, public health, economic development and national independence.
“Let’s Go Planting is more than a campaign. It is a worldwide awakening,” she said, urging individuals, families, communities and governments to become active participants in the food value chain.
Chiemeka expressed concern over the growing influence of large corporations and commercial interests in the global food system, particularly through agricultural biotechnology, restrictive seed patents and technologies she said could limit farmers’ independence.
According to her, excessive dependence on external interests for essential agricultural inputs could weaken Nigeria’s ability to determine how its food is produced.
She said the movement would promote organic, safe and regenerative farming, alongside the preservation of indigenous seeds and traditional agricultural practices.
“With Let’s Go Planting, we rise to liberate homes, communities, economies, and governments. We rise to restore and promote organic, safe, pesticide-free, regenerative, and indigenous seeds and farming systems,” she said.
Chiemeka also expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other African governments to advance food sovereignty and improve access to safe, nutritious and affordable food.
She subsequently declared the 2026 Let’s Go Planting movement open.
Why Nigeria Must Produce Its Own Seeds
The Executive Director of CAfPRA and Deputy Director of CEFSAR, Segun Adebayo, said food availability alone did not guarantee food sovereignty, particularly when a country depended heavily on external suppliers for seeds needed by its farmers.
He warned that excessive reliance on imported seeds, especially varieties farmers could not readily preserve and replant, could expose Nigeria’s agricultural sector to disruptions in international supply chains.
Adebayo called for increased investment in locally produced and regenerative seeds that farmers could preserve and reuse, arguing that greater control over seed production was essential to building a resilient and self-sustaining food system.
“Everybody must eat. Food is not discriminatory. But we have to be very careful about what we eat because what we eat matters a great deal,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to embrace household food production by cultivating vegetables, fruits and other crops in backyards, gardens, schools and other available spaces.
According to him, food production should not be left exclusively to commercial farmers, as individuals, families, schools and communities could help reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious meals.
“Let’s Go Planting is not just a slogan; it is a call to action,” Adebayo said, urging Nigerians to move beyond discussions about food security and take practical steps towards growing their own food.
Stakeholders Advocate Safer Farming
Also speaking, the Director of the Department of Agriculture at the LoveWorld Ministry of Food Technology and Sovereignty, Pastor Tom Obiazi, raised concerns about pesticide use and other agricultural chemicals, advocating farming practices that protect soil health, the environment and human wellbeing.
Drawing on his experience growing up around an agricultural plantation, Obiazi said agricultural progress should not be measured solely by increases in crop yields but should also consider the long-term effects of farming methods on food safety and environmental sustainability.
He called for greater attention to organic farming and appropriate alternatives that could reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals associated with potential health and environmental risks.
The Chief Executive Officer of Women Food, Juliet Okumoku Eniakor, stressed the importance of access to quality organic seeds in improving food production and safety.
Eniakor said her company prioritised organic seeds for farmers supplying its food-processing operations, adding that the initiative provided an opportunity to educate Nigerians on sustainable farming and healthier food choices.
Similarly, Ifeanyi A. Nwaokolo, representing the LoveWorld Ministry of Food Sovereignty, called for stronger collaboration among farmers, researchers, investors, food processors and distributors to strengthen the country’s food system.
He emphasised the need to make diverse seed varieties available to farmers, particularly those that could be replanted after harvest, to reduce dependence on external suppliers and build domestic agricultural capacity.
Lucasamo of Lou Freys Global Enterprise said the initiative had reinforced efforts to promote healthier approaches to food production, processing and packaging.
He urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to the quality and safety of the food they consume, noting that responsible processing and handling were essential to sustainable food production.
Lawmakers Push Nutrition Reforms
Beyond agricultural practices, stakeholders highlighted the need for stronger legislative action and sustained public investment in nutrition and food security.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, represented by the committee’s clerk, Adm. Agenti Milicent, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to tackling malnutrition and strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security framework.
Okafor said the committee, established in December 2023 and inaugurated in February 2024, had worked to mobilise state legislatures and promote legislative action on nutrition and food security.
He disclosed that nutrition and food security committees had been established in 32 states, leading to the formation of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security.
According to him, the network was developing legislative proposals to address critical nutrition challenges, including extending maternity leave to six months and regulating the sale of adulterated vegetable oils in open markets.
He also disclosed that the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria Bill (HB.2659), which seeks to establish a regulatory framework for the nutrition profession, had passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
A public hearing on the bill was scheduled for October 20, 2026.
The committee chairman further said the National Nutrition Bill, an executive bill, was at an advanced stage ahead of its transmission to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
He identified effective oversight of nutrition funding, protection of local food systems and safeguards against the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods to children as priorities in improving nutrition outcomes.
Okafor warned that malnutrition and food insecurity remained major threats to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, noting that rising inflation had placed additional pressure on households struggling to afford adequate and nutritious meals.
He called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, development partners and private organisations to address the country’s food and nutrition challenges.
The stakeholders maintained that achieving food sovereignty would require sustained investment in domestic agricultural production, improved access to quality seeds, responsible farming practices and effective nutrition policies.
They urged Nigerians to embrace backyard gardening and other forms of household food production, stressing that stronger local capacity, supported by effective government policies and collaboration across the agricultural value chain, would be critical to building a more resilient food system.
***Lawmakers query ₦772m excess overhead spending, pension deductions, procurement records
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has given the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr. Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, and the institution’s Bursar, Aishat Shade Adebayo, until Monday, October 19, to appear before it over unresolved audit queries and alleged financial and procurement irregularities.
The committee warned that it would invoke the relevant powers of the House to issue arrest warrants against the officials if they failed to honour the invitation.
The committee’s chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, disclosed this on Friday while lawmakers considered a technical committee report reviewing submissions by six tertiary institutions in response to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
The decision followed unresolved issues arising from the polytechnic’s 2021 Audit Report, findings from the committee’s South-West oversight visit and petitions received against the institution’s management.
The lawmakers expressed displeasure over what they described as repeated failure by the rector and bursar to appear before the committee despite several invitations.
They insisted that the officials must appear with other relevant personnel to explain the outstanding audit queries and produce documents required for the investigation.
Among the issues under scrutiny are discrepancies in expenditure, delayed submission of audited accounts, missing procurement records, alleged pension remittance lapses and concerns about the quality of projects executed with public funds.
₦772m Overhead Spending Discrepancy
During its South-West oversight exercise, the committee identified a significant disparity between the polytechnic’s approved overhead budget and its actual expenditure for 2023.
According to the records examined by the lawmakers, the institution received an overhead allocation of ₦110.2 million but recorded actual expenditure of ₦882.5 million, representing excess spending of approximately ₦772 million.
The committee also questioned an apparent underspending of about ₦268.5 million in personnel expenditure during the same period.
The institution had an approved personnel budget of ₦2.862 billion but recorded actual expenditure of ₦2.593 billion, prompting the lawmakers to question the adequacy of due diligence in preparing its budget estimates.
The committee further raised concerns over the late submission of the institution’s audited accounts for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 financial years, contrary to applicable financial regulations and statutory requirements.
Three queries in the institution’s 2021 Audit Report also remain unresolved.
They concern an unretired cash advance, the engagement of an external solicitor without the approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and foreign trips allegedly undertaken without evidence of approval from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Lawmakers Fault Lecture Theatre Project
The committee also expressed concern over the execution of some projects, alleging that the quality of work delivered fell short of the amounts paid to contractors.
During a physical inspection of an ongoing lecture theatre construction project at the polytechnic’s permanent site, lawmakers reportedly observed poor workmanship on the concrete flooring leading to the entrance.
The inspection team said the flooring was so weak that it could be broken by hand or foot, raising questions about the quality of construction and the supervision of the project.
The committee subsequently requested the project’s Bill of Quantities, procurement records and details of the contractor handling the construction.
However, the requested documents were reportedly not made available.
Lawmakers also expressed displeasure over the institution’s failure to provide procurement records relating to capital expenditure and projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), despite repeated requests.
The committee described the failure to produce the records as an impediment to effective legislative oversight and accountability in the management of public resources.
It added that petitions alleging financial irregularities against the institution’s management would be examined alongside the audit findings and other relevant documents.
₦20.5m Pension Contributions Queried
Another major concern relates to the absence of evidence that the institution remitted the mandatory one per cent of personnel emoluments to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between 2023 and 2025.
The committee also queried ₦20.5 million reportedly yet to be credited to the Retirement Savings Accounts of some employees through Stanbic IBTC Pension and Access Pension.
According to the findings, the delay was attributed to the institution’s alleged failure to provide accurate employee details, including Retirement Savings Account Personal Identification Numbers, to the pension fund administrators.
The lawmakers warned that the delay could deprive affected employees of interest and other investment returns that might have accrued to their retirement savings if the funds had been credited promptly.
Salam Insists on Accountability
Salam reiterated the committee’s commitment to transparency, accountability and compliance with financial regulations in the management of public funds.
He stressed that public institutions must account for their expenditure, produce requested records and respond to audit queries raised by the appropriate authorities.
The chairman warned that repeated failure by public officials to honour legislative invitations or provide satisfactory explanations during investigations would not be treated lightly.
The rector, bursar and other concerned officials are expected to appear before the committee on Monday, October 19, to respond to the outstanding queries and submit the documents required to advance the investigation.
A system analyst and social critic, Dr David Okoro-Arinze, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the alleged suspension of operations at the Research and Demonstration Plant Complex (RDPC) of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), warning that more than 30 pilot plants could become a wasted public investment if left unused.
Okoro-Arinze, in an article titled “A Laudable Vision That May Never Be Realised,” expressed concern over the operational status of the complex along Airport Road, Abuja, which was established to promote indigenous technology, support local manufacturing and transform research findings into commercially viable products.
He alleged that industrial activities at the facility were suspended following a change in the council’s leadership in 2024, raising concerns about the utilisation of equipment designed to help Nigeria process its raw materials locally.
The analyst called on the President to ensure that the complex is assessed and restored to productive use, arguing that its original objectives remain relevant to the country’s industrial development.
The RMRDC, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, is mandated to promote the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s raw materials for industrial growth through local sourcing, value addition and appropriate technologies.
The council’s response to the allegations was not available in the material provided. The claims about the suspension of operations have not been independently verified.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Production
According to Okoro-Arinze, the facility, initially known as the RMRDC Technology and Innovation Complex before being renamed the Research and Demonstration Plant Complex, was conceived to develop, test and demonstrate technologies based on locally available raw materials.
He described the complex as a major industrial research and development investment occupying about three hectares of land along Airport Road, Abuja.
The more than 30 pilot plants were designed to enable researchers and engineers to demonstrate the technical feasibility of their innovations, refine production processes and determine whether products could compete commercially before private investors committed funds to large-scale manufacturing.
The initiative was also intended to attract private-sector investment, provide facilities for academic research and encourage the development of indigenous technologies capable of reducing dependence on imported industrial inputs.
Okoro-Arinze argued that the complex should be viewed within the broader challenge of converting Nigeria’s abundant natural resources into finished and intermediate products for domestic industries.
He maintained that the availability of raw materials alone could not guarantee industrial development without the technologies, equipment and manufacturing capacity required to process them locally.
Why Pilot Plants Matter
Explaining the importance of pilot-scale production, the analyst said research must progress beyond conceptualisation and laboratory experiments to establish whether products and production processes are technically and commercially viable.
He said pilot plants enable researchers to identify technical challenges, improve equipment performance, assess production costs and determine whether products can meet market requirements.
According to him, testing products at pilot scale also gives prospective investors the evidence needed to assess the commercial prospects of indigenous technologies before committing substantial resources.
Investors, he argued, would be reluctant to finance unfamiliar production processes without sufficient evidence that they could operate efficiently and generate sustainable returns.
He added that demonstration facilities help researchers identify defects, make necessary adjustments and establish production parameters before transferring technologies to investors for expansion.
Okoro-Arinze further argued that shared research and demonstration facilities could reduce the risks associated with developing new products and establishing resource-based industries, particularly because manufacturing ventures often require considerable time to break even.
He claimed that engineers associated with the projects had visited similar facilities in Ethiopia, China, India and the United Kingdom to study relevant technologies and explore ways of improving the equipment.
The analyst expressed concern that any prolonged suspension of activities could interrupt the development process and deprive Nigeria of the benefits of technologies developed through public investment.
Production Activities Allegedly Halted
Okoro-Arinze alleged that industrial activities commenced after the completion of the first and second phases of the complex but were subsequently discontinued under the council’s current leadership.
He attributed the alleged suspension to the position that the RMRDC should not compete with private manufacturers, an argument he disagreed with.
According to him, pilot-scale production is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of indigenous technologies and establish the commercial potential of products, rather than replace private-sector manufacturers.
He cited the production of tonnes of dolomite as one of the activities he claimed had been stopped, adding that test production began before Professor Nnayelugo Martin Ike-Muonso assumed office as Director-General.
He also listed the production of malaria-prevention tea from Artemisia annua and soap from soap noodles among activities he alleged had been discontinued.
The analyst argued that the projects demonstrated the potential of the complex to support product development and attract investment in industries based on locally available resources.
However, the claims regarding the suspension of production and the reasons behind it could not be independently verified.
From Pharmaceutical Inputs to Agricultural Processing
The analyst listed several pilot plants and pieces of equipment reportedly housed at the complex, covering products for pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and other manufacturing value chains.
They include facilities for producing pharmaceutical-grade talc, calcined kaolin, caustic soda, precipitated calcium carbonate, aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, water-borne paint, soap noodles and essential oils.
Other facilities reportedly cover pharmaceutical talc processing, hydrated lime production, Artemisia annua, sorbitol, sugar beet and sweet sorghum processing, oil seeds and their derivatives, Matra Kilishi, sweeteners and tomato paste.
Okoro-Arinze argued that the range of facilities highlighted the complex’s potential to support industrial diversification, provided the equipment was properly operated and the technologies successfully commercialised.
For instance, locally developed processing technologies could enable manufacturers to obtain certain industrial inputs domestically rather than rely entirely on imported alternatives.
Similarly, facilities for processing agricultural products could promote value addition by converting locally grown crops into products with wider industrial and commercial applications.
The economic benefits, however, would depend on the plants’ operational condition, the technical performance of their processes, the availability of suitable raw materials and the willingness of private investors to adopt commercially viable technologies.
He maintained that the complex should therefore be assessed not merely as a collection of buildings and equipment but as infrastructure designed to connect scientific research with industrial production.
Concerns Over Maintenance, Public Investment
Beyond the alleged suspension of production, Okoro-Arinze claimed that parts of the facility had become overgrown with weeds, raising questions about maintenance and the utilisation of infrastructure established with public funds.
He warned that prolonged inactivity, if confirmed, could lead to equipment deterioration, undermine previous research efforts and increase the cost of restoring the complex to full operation.
The analyst said the concerns were particularly significant given Nigeria’s need to expand domestic manufacturing, develop indigenous technologies and improve the utilisation of locally available raw materials.
He also referred to a reported ₦40 trillion manufacturing opportunity associated with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, arguing that stronger domestic raw materials processing could help the country realise more of its industrial potential.
He maintained that a functional demonstration complex could assist manufacturers by providing evidence of the technical and commercial viability of locally developed production processes.
Such a facility, he added, could encourage investment, strengthen domestic supply chains and create employment opportunities across industries that depend on raw materials processing.
However, the condition of the complex, the status of its equipment and the extent of any operational suspension would require independent verification.
Analyst Questions Director-General’s Eligibility
In addition to his concerns about the complex, Okoro-Arinze questioned whether the current Director-General, Professor Ike-Muonso, met the statutory requirements for the position.
He cited Section 9(2)(b) of the RMRDC Act 2022, which he said requires the Director-General to possess at least 18 years of post-qualification experience in science, engineering or technology-related fields.
The analyst argued that Ike-Muonso’s academic background in economics raised questions about his eligibility for the position.
He also referred to public scrutiny surrounding the Director-General’s doctorate in economics from ESEADE University Institute in Argentina.
Okoro-Arinze called for the issues surrounding the appointment to be addressed alongside concerns about the management and utilisation of the complex.
However, the interpretation of the statutory provision and the allegations concerning the Director-General’s eligibility have not been independently established. No response from Ike-Muonso or the council was included in the material provided.
Tinubu Urged to Order Assessment, Revival
Okoro-Arinze urged President Tinubu to direct an urgent assessment of the complex and ensure that viable facilities are restored to operation.
He argued that reviving the plants would go beyond preserving infrastructure, stressing that the complex could contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to develop indigenous technologies, promote local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported industrial inputs.
He called for proper maintenance of the facilities and the provision of technical and institutional support to help viable projects attract private-sector investment.
For the complex to achieve its intended purpose, however, its operational status, equipment condition, production capacity and commercial prospects would need to be established through an independent assessment.
The government would also need to clarify the reasons for any suspension of activities and determine the steps required to restore viable operations.
The council’s position on the status of the pilot plants and its plans for the complex was not available in the material provided.
Okoro-Arinze maintained that the facility represented an opportunity to translate research into industrial production and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to process its own raw materials.
He warned that allowing the plants to remain idle, if the allegations are confirmed, could undermine that objective and waste an opportunity to support industrial growth through home-grown technology.
***Anambra First Lady calls for more fruits, vegetables, balanced diets
The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged residents to embrace healthy eating habits, warning that poor dietary choices could contribute to diseases and undermine overall well-being.
Soludo, in a message to mark the 2026 World Food Day, said food should not be regarded merely as a means of satisfying hunger but as an essential part of nourishing the body, supporting mental well-being and building a healthier society.
She stressed that the food people consume daily plays a crucial role in determining their health, noting that good dietary habits could help protect the body against illnesses.
“Every meal is a choice, and every choice really matters. The food on our plates can strengthen our bodies, protect us from illness and support our well-being or, when we consistently make unhealthy choices, contribute to diseases and poor health,” she said.
The Anambra First Lady encouraged residents to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole foods, while ensuring that their meals were balanced and nutritious.
She also called on parents to teach their children the importance of healthy eating, describing the practice as a lifelong investment in their health and future.
According to her, building a healthier society begins with everyday decisions, particularly the choices people make about what they eat.
Soludo urged residents to be more deliberate about their diets, emphasising that healthy food choices were essential to improving well-being and quality of life.
She called for greater awareness of the relationship between nutrition and health, urging families to make nutritious meals a priority in their daily lives.
***APC chieftain urges security agencies to sustain crackdown on kidnappers
KANO — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended President Bola Tinubu over the reported arrest of suspects linked to the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, describing the development as a boost to public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Kwankwaso, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, said the reported arrests demonstrated the administration’s determination to pursue criminal elements threatening the safety of Nigerians, particularly young people serving the country under the NYSC scheme.
He said the government’s response to the incident sent a strong message that kidnapping and other violent crimes would not be allowed to go unchallenged.
The APC stalwart described the NYSC as an important instrument of national integration that brings young Nigerians from different parts of the country together in service to the nation, stressing that corps members deserved adequate protection from criminal networks.
According to him, public confidence in security institutions grows when citizens see concrete action taken following attacks and other security breaches.
Kwankwaso noted that the ability of security agencies to track and apprehend suspected perpetrators was important not only for delivering justice but also for deterring others from engaging in similar crimes.
He also praised the security agencies involved in the operation, urging them to sustain intelligence-driven efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and prevent their resurgence.
The APC chieftain said the development was consistent with Tinubu’s stated commitment to strengthening national security, protecting citizens and creating an environment where Nigerians could go about their daily activities without fear.
He called on Nigerians to support legitimate security operations by providing timely and credible information to the authorities, emphasising that the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes required cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that sustained coordination, improved intelligence gathering and decisive action against criminal groups would strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity.
He added that the reported arrests had helped rekindle public confidence in the government’s ability to protect Nigerians.
The Senate has warned seven nominees for executive positions in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector against corruption, administrative sabotage and inefficiency, saying any...
