🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Strong institutions, ethical leadership, and shared purpose are crucial for democracy, says APC National Secretary
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Dr. Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, stated that elections alone are insufficient to sustain democracy or ensure meaningful governance. Speaking at Coventry University in the United Kingdom, he emphasized that strong institutions, ethical leadership, and a shared sense of purpose among citizens are vital for democratic survival and good governance. Basiru argued that democracy extends beyond voting, as formal processes do not inherently guarantee accountability, trust, or effective governance. He warned that many democratic systems, while appearing stable, are weakening due to declining ethical standards and poor institutional accountability, contributing to democratic backsliding. Basiru called for a shift in mindset where citizens and leaders act as custodians of democratic values, noting that purpose drives engagement even amid challenges like poverty and inequality. He urged both emerging and established democracies, including Nigeria and the United Kingdom, to address governance gaps, inequality, and declining public trust. Basiru stressed that democracy is an ongoing process requiring continuous effort, reflection, and renewal, with ethical conduct central to the survival of democratic institutions. He also highlighted the critical role of youth participation and the need for political systems to adapt to evolving realities, while recognizing academic institutions like Coventry University for shaping future leaders and translating
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Unilever Nigeria Plc has reported a 26 percent increase in revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, reaching N59.2 billion, up from N46.9 billion in the same period of 2025. The company also saw its operating profit rise by 39 percent to N11.5 billion and net profit grow by 26 percent to N7.0 billion. Managing Director Tobi Adeniyi stated that these results represent a strong start to the year, driven by increased volume, innovation, and marketplace execution. He emphasized the company's commitment to a consumer-centric strategy and maintaining market leadership by strengthening brand propositions and executing with speed and excellence. Market analysts note that Unilever's focus on volume growth, rather than just price increases, indicates strong brand loyalty among Nigerian households. The company, which serves over 3.4 billion people globally through its parent organization, reiterated its dedication to the Nigerian market.
Must ReadThe Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission announced that the review of Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula is in an advanced stage, with a nationwide data verification exercise now underway. According to Maryam Yusuf, Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, this exercise aims to update the indices used for revenue sharing across the federation. Commission Chairman Mohammed Shehu stated that accurate data is crucial for fairness, equity, and national cohesion, emphasizing the goal of building a transparent and responsive revenue distribution system. The verification will review factors and proxies used in revenue sharing among states and local governments to align allocations with current socio-economic conditions, strengthening fiscal federalism and national development planning. The exercise involves collecting, validating, and reconciling socio-economic and infrastructural data across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on indicators like education, healthcare, internally generated revenue, and infrastructure development. Stakeholder engagement sessions will be held in each state to promote transparency and collaboration. Shehu noted that Nigeria's revenue allocation framework relies on indices such as population, landmass, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators, which require periodic review due to significant transformations like population growth, infrastructure expansion, and urbanization. The data verification is critic
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced that President Bola Tinubu will decide the percentage of debt relief for airlines, not a full write-off. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of increasing aviation fuel costs on operators and passengers. Airline operators had previously expressed concerns over a 300% surge in aviation fuel prices, threatening to cease operations if no action was taken. While some airline officials stated they do not owe the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria or the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, they are seeking government intervention to alleviate fuel price effects and requesting the removal of a five percent ticket surcharge collected by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Keyamo also disclosed that President Tinubu is considering broader reforms to reduce multiple taxes and charges on domestic air travel, with a proposal for a committee to address this issue. The President plans to meet directly with airline operators to discuss wider industry challenges, including access to capital. However, Capt Samuel Caulcrick, a former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, described the proposed intervention as inadequate, suggesting it offers only temporary relief and does not address fundamental issues like access to affordable financing, which he believes is crucial for the industry's long-term sustainability.
Nigerian electricity distribution companies installed 130,209 meters under the Meter Acquisition Fund framework, with the Federal Government investing N49 billion in the scheme between 2024 and 2025. This initiative by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission aims to help DisCos secure financing for meter deployment by establishing a reliable revenue stream. The funds are managed by a designated fund manager. In 2024, NERC approved N21 billion for meter installations, followed by N28 billion in 2025 under the second tranche. While 2024 saw 5,068 installations, 2025 experienced a significant increase, with 36,903 in Q1, 65,315 in Q2, 175 in Q3, and 22,748 in Q4. Ikeja DisCo led with 31,331 meters installed since 2024, followed by Enugu DisCo 14,822, Eko DisCo 14,501, Ibadan DisCo 12,556, Port Harcourt DisCo 11,445, and Abuja DisCo 11,375. NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni clarified that meters provided under government-funded initiatives are free at the point of installation, and customers who paid upfront for meters under approved arrangements are entitled to refunds. The MAF framework, alongside the Presidential Metering Initiative, seeks to close Nigeria's metering gap. Despite these efforts, many Band A customers were still on estimated billing in Q1 2026 due to importation challenges and a shortage of installers. As of December 2025, 6,966,584 out of 12,163,412 active registered electricity customers were metered, leaving approximately 5.2 million customers without meters