First Lady Oluremi Tinubu urges international community to adopt accurate narratives on Nigeria’s security challenges
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday called on the international community to cease presenting inaccurate narratives regarding Nigeria’s security challenges and advocated for the inclusion of Nigerian security agencies in upcoming interfaith dialogue efforts. Mrs Tinubu made this appeal during a meeting with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt Revd Justin Welby, at the State House in Abuja. The First Lady emphasized that an accurate understanding of Nigeria’s realities is crucial for effective global support, stating that listening to only one side of a story is an incorrect approach to conflict resolution. She also challenged the tendency of external observers to attribute Nigeria's security crises to religious or ethnic divisions without proper verification. Mrs Tinubu commended Welby for acknowledging that Nigeria’s challenges are best understood and resolved by Nigerians themselves and suggested inviting Nigerian security forces to the dialogue to share their efforts. Welby, who visited ahead of a major interfaith dialogue in London, described his visit as preparatory work, highlighting his engagement with Nigeria extends to its global image as a nation protecting freedom of worship. He noted the London dialogue would gather 12 Christians and 12 Muslims to foster mutual understanding and develop frameworks for resolving interfaith conflicts globally. Earlier the same day, the First Lady also met with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is planning to waive debts owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies to alleviate the impact of the ongoing Jet A1 fuel crisis. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced this after a meeting with the President. The President will consider a "generous discount" on debts owed to agencies like NAMA, FAAN, and NCAA. Additionally, the President intends to establish a committee to address the multiple levies, taxes, and fees on domestic tickets to provide relief to Nigerians. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, highlighted that the crisis stems from an disproportionate 300% increase in Jet A1 fuel prices in Nigeria, which he states is not aligned with global crude oil price increases. Onyema also mentioned the high cost of acquiring funding for airlines in Nigeria, which stands at 30 to 35 percent compared to three percent globally, leading to airlines accumulating debt. Airline Operators of Nigeria had previously threatened to suspend operations nationwide due to the soaring cost of Jet A1, which increased from approximately N900 per litre to over N3,300 per litre within weeks. This planned shutdown was temporarily suspended following appeals from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, stated that Nigeria currently handles only about 25% of cargo traffic in the West African region, despite accounting for over 60% of West Africa’s gross domestic product. He made these remarks at the Blue Economy Investment Summit in Abuja, highlighting that Nigeria has not fully optimized its potential. Dantsoho assured investors that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is implementing reforms to reposition the sector. Key initiatives include port modernization, deployment of a Trade Single Window, implementation of a Port Community System, development of deep seaports, and full digitalization of port operations. He emphasized the central role of private sector funding to achieve these goals, noting that the NPA is actively encouraging project financing to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve efficiency. The reforms aim to enhance port efficiency, improve connectivity, reduce freight costs, and boost non-oil exports, ultimately driving revenue growth. Dantsoho stressed that competitiveness in the global maritime industry requires efficient operations, competitive pricing, and strong hinterland connectivity, adding that Nigerian ports must remain adaptive to evolving global shipping trends to emerge as a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission NIPC recently hosted a United Kingdom trade and investment delegation in Abuja, aiming to position Nigeria as a reform-driven and competitive destination for global capital. The UK–Nigeria Trade and Investment Mission, held from April 20 to 21, 2026, was a collaboration with DMA Invest and the UK Department of Trade, with participation from the British High Commission and private sector stakeholders. The NIPC stated that the mission delivered a clear message to potential investors that Nigeria is open for business and ready to compete. The two-day engagement included ministerial roundtables, sector-specific discussions, and targeted Business-to-Government and Business-to-Business meetings designed to facilitate concrete investment deals. Participants focused on identifying bankable opportunities to accelerate investment inflows and deepen bilateral economic ties. DMA Invest reportedly described the mission's performance as its best ever, attributing this to ongoing institutional reforms, improved coordination, and efforts to create an investor-focused environment. Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NIPC, led the engagements, emphasizing that the mission was about converting strategic discussions into real projects and partnerships that would impact Nigeria’s economy. She highlighted the importance of translating gains from President Bola Tinubu's recent state visit and other UK–Nigeria engagements into m
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