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FG committed to economic reforms, poverty alleviation — Wale Edun
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have laid the foundation for local investments that will drive industrialisation and lift citizens out of poverty.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development conference, held at the Dr Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Bauchi Government House, on Monday.
Edun noted that Nigerians should be encouraged by the fact that the country now has a more sustainable macroeconomic environment, one that is friendly to investors.
The minister, who expressed profound appreciation to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for hosting the conference, added: “What transpires in this formal conference is very important because conversations will take place that will clarify matters and build trust and confidence among individuals.”
He continued, “It is vital to understand each other’s situations, financial and economic needs, available resources, and the skills and specialisations on the ground.”
He maintained that the conference would facilitate an understanding of what can be offered individually and collectively, enabling the country to fulfil its potential.
Edun further stated, “President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited both the assets and liabilities, but there was no looking back. The focus was on charting a forward path, making plans to first stabilise the economy. Then, we sought to attract investments from both domestic and foreign private-sector investors to increase Nigeria’s productivity, grow the economy, create jobs, and, of course, lift a large number of people out of poverty.”
“When we look at where we are now, essentially, the major macroeconomic reforms are in place.”
“The President has stopped the bleeding that was costing 5 per cent of the country’s GDP every year. This was adding no value except to a few individuals and neighbouring countries benefiting from the fuel subsidy and related foreign exchange subsidy.”
“These benefits were reserved for just a few, while the mass of Nigerians saw no advantages from these structures,” he said.
According to him, these structures have been removed, and the federation account will benefit from the increased flow of resources to the federal, state, and local governments.
This will allow more investment not only in infrastructure but also in social services like education and health.
“The path is now clear for private-sector investors, and as we know, we are back in business on the road to industrialisation, particularly with what is happening in the petroleum refining sector. Crude oil is no longer just shipped abroad; it is being refined locally to produce petroleum products and raw materials for industry.”
“We should be encouraged that we now have a more stable, sustainable macroeconomic environment that is investor-friendly and will enable them to produce competitively for the domestic market, as well as for export,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed his delight that, 17 years later, Bauchi State is hosting this historic event again.
He said, “It is a privilege and highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the economic challenges and opportunities before us. Seventeen years ago, Bauchi State hosted the same conference, which was widely regarded as successful and impactful.”
“This year, I assure you that we have spared no effort to ensure that this gathering surpasses expectations. Your presence is a testament to your commitment to advancing Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape.”
He urged all participants to contribute constructively to the benefit of all Nigerians.
By Gloria Ikibah
A major shortfall in autism diagnosis across Nigeria has left hundreds of thousands of children without access to early support, raising concerns about long-term impacts on families and the country’s healthcare system.
In response to the growing gap, The Alternative Bank has unveiled a nationwide campaign aimed at improving awareness, early detection and access to care.
The initiative, themed “It’s How You Show Up”, is being delivered in collaboration with Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, Sterling One Foundation and Eliakim Foundation.
Despite estimates suggesting that more than 600,000 children in Nigeria may be on the autism spectrum, limited infrastructure and specialist care mean that most cases go undiagnosed. Many children are only identified at around the age of seven, missing the crucial early years when intervention is most effective. The situation is compounded by a shortage of trained professionals, with fewer than 200 psychiatrists serving a population exceeding 200 million.
The campaign is designed to tackle these systemic challenges through a combination of public awareness efforts, specialised training for caregivers, and expanded access to clinical screenings. Organisers say the screenings will help families move more quickly from suspicion to diagnosis, while also linking them to appropriate medical and educational support.
A key feature of the initiative is a policy-focused roundtable scheduled for 24 April in Lagos, where healthcare experts, government officials and private sector leaders will examine how autism screening can be integrated into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system. Discussions will also explore sustainable funding options to support children and families after diagnosis.
The campaign reflects increasing recognition of the need for coordinated action to close the diagnosis gap and strengthen long-term support for neurodiverse children across the country.
Group Executive at The Alternative Bank, Dr Jekwu Ozoemene, said: “We do not see inclusion as a seasonal task but as a vital part of a healthy society.
“Through this initiative, we are not just talking about support, we are delivering it. By tracking the results of these screenings and interventions, we can build a real system that helps the autism community and strengthens the nation”.
The ‘It’s How You Show Up’ campaign is part of the commitment by AltBank to social impact investment and inclusive finance. Individuals, caregivers, and organisations interested in the screening programme or the stakeholder roundtable can visit altbank.ng/autism26 for more information.
Isoko people in a trending video have vowed to block campaign moves if light is not restored in Isoko Nation.
Both local government areas have been in darkness for years.
In a sighted video Isoko people brandishing various placards bearing graffiti declaring that if power is not restored there will be no political campaigns in 2027.
Watch:
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria’s telecoms regulator has directed network operators to compensate subscribers with airtime where poor service delivery has been confirmed, signalling a firmer stance on consumer protection.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said the move forms part of a strengthened enforcement regime aimed at improving network performance and holding operators accountable for persistent shortcomings.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, outlined the development at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he detailed fresh compliance measures being rolled out across the sector.
Under the new approach, operators will be required to provide airtime credits to affected customers in areas where they have failed to meet the commission’s minimum quality standards. The obligation rests entirely on the service providers, rather than the regulator.
The commission said it is now relying on more precise monitoring tools that track network performance at local government level. This allows regulators to identify specific locations and timeframes where service quality falls below expectations, rather than relying on broad or general complaints.
Maida said the targeted system will make enforcement more effective, ensuring that compensation is tied directly to verified lapses in service delivery.
The directive covers network failures recorded between November 2025 and January 2026 across several operators, marking one of the most concrete steps yet by the regulator to address ongoing consumer frustrations in the telecoms sector.
“Eligible subscribers will receive airtime credits with notifications explaining the cause and value of the compensation,” he said.
He added that notifications would improve transparency and help users understand why compensation was applied to their accounts.
Maida noted the commission has significantly strengthened its monitoring systems to capture real-time, location-specific service performance data.
“These systems ensure enforcement reflects actual user experience rather than generalised industry averages,” he said, highlighting improved regulatory precision.
He added that operators are required to implement the compensation directly, while the NCC provides oversight to ensure compliance.
“Independent checks will confirm that affected subscribers are properly credited,” he said, noting sanctions for non-compliance may follow.
Maida said the initiative formed part of broader reforms aimed at improving accountability and service standards within the telecommunications sector.
“Operators failing to meet obligations will face stricter enforcement measures,” he warned, signalling tougher regulatory action ahead.
He stressed that improving service quality required both sustained infrastructure investment and stronger operational discipline by network providers.
“Service providers must maintain performance standards consistently across all regions, including underserved and rural areas,” he said.
Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability and long-term sector growth.
“Operators must take responsibility for the quality of experience delivered to subscribers,” he said, urging greater corporate accountability.
He added that the commission remained committed to ensuring Nigerians received value for money spent on telecom services nationwide.
“Persistent poor service quality is no longer acceptable under current regulatory direction,” he said, emphasising zero tolerance for continued lapses.
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