BIG STORY
FULL SPEECH: What Buhari Said On Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary
Published
4 years agoon

Here is the full speech of President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary.
Citizens of Nigeria.
It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty-first Independence Anniversary.
2. For the 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions, and regions.
3. Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.
4. Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period.
5. Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilizing our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategize.
6. Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.
7. The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.
8. I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on, and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.
9. Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.
10. Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.
11. I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.
12. We must act now to accelerate the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week.
13. As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready?
14. Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education, and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organizations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity.
15. Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19.
Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.
16. Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.
17. This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian-based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines.
Fellow Nigerians,
18. As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country.
19. In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.
20. Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
21. In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.
22. To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.
23. I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country.
24. In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolve.
25. Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united, and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.
26. That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.
27. I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolizes the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.
28. The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and the destruction of properties.
29. Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.
30. We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate a large number of our Traditional, Religious, and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.
31. Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.
32. We shall continue to work on dialogue-based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.
33. The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.
Fellow Nigerians,
34. This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.
35. As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.
36. Government will continue, with a greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive, and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.
37. Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
38. This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector.
39. This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate.
40. At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour, and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such a level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery.
41. Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State.
42. A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022.
43. In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.
44. As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation.
45. In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources.
46. Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.
47. As we continue to optimize and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP.
48. We recovered from the economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021.
49. The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021.
50. We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
51. Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.
52. To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.
53. To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance groundwater supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.
54. The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.
Fellow Nigerians,
55. This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us.
56. To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year.
57. INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria.
58. We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated.
59. We currently have over 13,000 kilometers of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed.
60. As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line.
61. To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches, and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State.
62. The seaports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies has been slower than expected.
63. However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System, as well as the conversion of the Lilypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area, will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation.
64. Our prioritization of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP.
65. We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number, as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth-generation (5G) network technology, will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation.
66. As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.
67. Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialize, and access news and other information.
68. However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.
69. Rather some users have misused the platform to organize, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
70. To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021, to allow the Government to put measures in place to address these challenges.
71. Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
72. The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and has addressed a number of key issues. These are:
a. National Security and Cohesion;
b. Registration, Physical presence, and Representation;
c. Fair Taxation;
d. Dispute Resolution; and
e. Local Content.
73. Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens to continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.
74. As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.
75. Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influence. Very recently, Nigeria won the election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace, and Security Affairs of the African Union.
76. Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year.
77. At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization, and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria’s Diplomacy are clearly evident.
78. We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable.
79. Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000.
80. Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.
of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program.
Fellow Nigerians,
83. For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery.
84. There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service.
85. It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World-class service to run our country.
86. The youths of this great country remain propellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a secure tomorrow.
87. It is for this reason that I remain focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance.
88. Recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, give me confidence that we need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do.
89. More specifically, to encourage Girl-Child Education, female scholarship schemes, life skills, and digital literacy skills to boost girl’s enrolment, retention, and completion of schooling, are all initiatives put in place to ensure gender balance inappropriately positioning our youths for positions of leadership.
90. The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering.
91. Government recognizes its contributions to the development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevant Government Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of different abilities in the implementation of policies and programmes.
92. Rape and Gender-Based Violence remains a sore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsened during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
93. We are currently engaging Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based offenses especially to ensure that justice is done for child victims of sexual violence.
94. On the other hand, work has advanced in the reformation, reintegration, and reunification of Minors involved in one crime or the other.
95. The reformation in our Correctional Services has manifested in an increase in modernized custodial centers and a transformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminals do not relapse into their previous lifestyle.
96. As we begin to celebrate our sixty-one years as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and end with the Federal Government. This country is a great collective where the Government at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and more importantly individuals, have a role to play.
97. In particular, security is a bottom-to-top undertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secure ourselves and our country.
98. I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one.
99. A lot has been achieved in the last six years on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’s image, and influence in Africa and the international community.
100. But critics misdiagnose incremental progress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackled our problems head-on in spite of the meager resources. No government since 1999 has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track.
101. We shall continue to serve the country: listen to all and protect our democracy and country.
Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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BIG STORY
JUST IN: US Clarifies New Visa Rule For Nigerians, Cites Global Security Standards
Published
8 hours agoon
July 11, 2025
The United States government says its decision to limit most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry and a three-month validity is based on “global security standards”, not a retaliatory move.
A statement released by the US Department of State on Tuesday said the updated policy, which took effect on July 8, 2025, applies to new visa issuances and will not affect visas granted before that date.
“U.S. visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems. These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks. The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement reads.
The statement explained that visa reciprocity is subject to continuous review and can be adjusted at any time, including changes to the number of permitted entries and visa validity periods.
The new visa policy affects only non-immigrant and non-diplomatic categories, meaning most short-term travelers for business, tourism, and study will now receive visas valid for just three months and for one entry into the US.
The announcement generated mixed reactions with reports linking the move to Nigeria’s stance on third-world deportees.
But a statement by the US mission in Nigeria on Friday said the changes are part of a global effort to align visa policies with security priorities, not a country-specific decision.
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS,” the statement reads.
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet those criteria and benchmarks, thereby ensuring safe, lawful, and mutually beneficial travel between our nations.”
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders aimed at deporting millions of “illegal immigrants” — many of whom are asylum seekers — back to their countries of origin.
Diplomatic sources had said Trump has been putting pressure on many countries to serve as temporary homes for asylum seekers until their cases are treated, and this usually takes up to seven years.
A few countries have already received some deportees. However, Nigeria has refused to be part of the arrangement. Discussions took place but were unsuccessful owing to Nigeria’s unwillingness to accept non-citizens, many of whom had a number of years left to finalise their asylum applications.
The sources said Nigeria’s refusal to accept asylum seekers from the United States is partly responsible for the recent visa restrictions.
BIG STORY
Autonomy Standoff: Governors Get N4.5tn Local Government Funds One Year After Supreme Court Ruling
Published
13 hours agoon
July 11, 2025
Exactly one year after the Supreme Court granted full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, the Federal Government continues to route allocations through state governments.
An analysis by The Punch reveals that state governors have retained control over council funds amounting to N4.5tn, in defiance of the historic ruling that mandated direct disbursement of funds to local governments.
On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court declared that local governments should receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, ruling that the previous practice of passing funds through state governments was unconstitutional.
Following the verdict, the Federal Government set up an inter-agency committee to enforce the decision and instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria to create dedicated accounts for each of the 774 local government councils to enable direct payments.
But one year later, findings by The Punch indicate that the directive remains largely unimplemented.
Allocations to local governments are still being funneled through state governments, with the process hampered by delays and disagreements involving the Central Bank, state governments, local council authorities, and other stakeholders.
Data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee shows that between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of N4.496tn was allocated to local government councils.
This represents 24.87 per cent of the N18.074tn shared among the three tiers of government over the 12-month period.
According to the monthly communiqués released by FAAC, N337.02bn was allocated to LGs in July 2024, N343.70bn in August, N306.53bn in September, N329.86bn in October, and N355.62bn in November.
In December, local governments received N402.55bn, followed by N361.75bn in January 2025, N434.57bn in February, and N410.56bn in March.
Subsequent allocations included N387bn in April, N406.63bn in May, and N419.97bn in June.
Although the percentage of the total allocation going to local governments has remained steady, ranging between 24 and 25 per cent each month, the method of disbursement continues to breach the Supreme Court’s judgment.
An official at the Office of The Attorney General of the Federation, told The PUNCH that the AGF had done his bit, stating that the FG set up a committee to work on ensuring that the LGs were granted full autonomy.
Our source said, “The Attorney General is not the one in charge of disbursing of funds. The implementation committee raised by the Federal Government is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. AGF is just a member there and he is not even the secretary. The Minister of Finance is there.
“The AGF has already gone to court and won the case and the moratorium, which was given to the governors before, was for them to conduct their local government elections, which I think all of them have complied with.
“The committee that was raised, ALGON is part of it, Labour is part of it. Those are the people to direct some of these questions to.”
The General Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Employees, Muhammed Abubakar, while speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday evening said the association was patiently waiting on the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to give updates on the documents submitted to President Bola Tinubu.
According to Abubakar, Tinubu listened to the concerns of the governors and mandated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to work on the bottlenecks affecting the implementation of the judgment.
“No one has gone quiet. The process is still ongoing. The governors had some concerns and the President gave a listening ear to the governors. The President then mandated the SGF and AGF to work on the bottlenecks and concerns raised by the governors. They have communicated it to the Presidency. We are just waiting for the SGF to share updates on whether the President has received all the details.”
Confirming the delay in implementing the court ruling, the Gombe State, NLC chairman, Yusuf Bello, said nothing has changed nationwide.
He noted that appointed chairmen still lacked control over funds, while autonomy remained elusive.
According to him, only local government elections conducted by the FG can bring meaningful change and improve grassroots governance.
He said, “Does any chairman have the right to touch the money? It’s still pocketed, it’s the same scenario all over the nation.”
A source at the NULGE Gombe office under anonymity said that the challenge of implementation is nationwide.
He said, “I can confirm that all paper works have been completed. Implementation is not only a Gombe issue, it’s nationwide. Gombe is not one of the states where the executive puts eyes on the resources each LGA is allowed to spend freely.”
It was also gathered that the 16 LGs in Kwara State were yet to open accounst with the CBN.
The Chairman, NULGE, Kwara chapter, Seun Oyinlade, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with Punch correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday.
“The local government chairmen are yet to open accounts with the CBN.”
Chairman of the state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Saheed Olayinka said he was not aware that the LGs had opened the CBN account, adding that the accounts might be opened this month.
It was further gathered that the 44 LGs in Kano State were yet to comply with the directive of the CBN on the opening of accounts at the apex bank.
A reliable source at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH, “To my knowledge, none of the 44 councils in the state has opened accounts with the CBN.
“We heard that the apex bank has opened an account for each of the local governments and what remains is to regularise the accounts, which is yet to be done,” the source said.
Our source accused the local government council chairmen and the NULGE officials of not making moves or efforts to ensure that the councils opened the accounts as directed by the apex bank because of what he described as personal benefits.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, confirmed that local governments in the state were yet to begin receiving statutory allocations directly from the FG.
He described the issue as national, adding that most northern states had not completed the internal requirements needed for full compliance, including setting up LG service commissions.
Waiya said Kano has made progress by establishing its own commission, chaired by Malam Ibrahim Jibrin.
He added that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had granted LGs autonomy to manage resources independently.
The Chairman, NULGE, Bayelsa State, Comrade ThankGod Singer, says states and local government councils all over Nigeria operated the Joint Account Allocation Committee.
Singer said several local government councils were yet to open dedicated accounts with the CBN but added that there was no problem in Bayelsa as the state government and the local government councils sat at JAAC to manage the allocations.
“JAAC is still being operated all over the country and here in Bayelsa State, we have no problem. Salaries are being paid, projects are going on and the state government is assisting the local governments in the payment of teachers’ salaries,” he stated.
According to The Punch, Benue State Government was yet to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
Despite public claims by the government that autonomy had been implemented, findings by our correspondent indicated otherwise, with several local government chairmen in the state dismissing such claims as false and misleading.
Three council chairmen, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the administration’s declaration of local government autonomy was a mere facade.
One chairman from Benue North East expressed disappointment with the recent statement by the state ALGON chairman, Maurice Orwourgh, who claimed that local councils in the state operated autonomously.
He stated, “If autonomy truly exists, why does the state government still allocate us N10m monthly as security votes? The least LGs receive is N385m monthly from federal allocation—why do we need state subvention?”
Another chairman from Benue North West lamented that none of the 23 LGAs has executed any meaningful project since the current administration came on board.
“Not even a culvert has been constructed,” he said, describing the government’s position as lip service.
From Benue South, a chairman linked the denial of LG funds to rising insecurity.
“What can N10m do as security vote in a month? It can’t even cover fuel costs,” he said.
Former governor Samuel Ortom also criticised the incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia for flouting the Supreme Court judgment.
In a statement issued through his media adviser, Terver Akase, Ortom questioned why the governor is still controlling council finances, despite the court’s directive.
“That none of the 23 LGAs has constructed even a single culvert shows how starved they are of their funds,” he said.
The NULGE in Nasarawa State said the 13 LGs in the state had long opened their accounts, and ready to receive direct allocation from the FG.
The chairman of NULGE in the state, Adamu Sharhabilu, however, noted that the local councils were yet to receive their allocations directly from the FG.
He said, “At the moment, there are currently no obvious plans by the Nasarawa State government to shortchange the local government workers or frustrate the LG Autonomy implementation in the state.
“I can inform you that Governor Abdullahi Sule has been expressing his commitment to work towards ensuring that local government workers get what is due to them and also enjoy all the benefits of the LG autonomy.
“However, the FG has not given the LGs a single Kobo in Nasarawa. The money has always been sent to the joint accounts. No local government has received funds directly from the Federation Account.”
The Bauchi State chapter Chairman of NULGE, Muhammad Yunusa, said despite the Supreme Court’s judgment, local governments in the state have also not been able to open bank accounts with CBN.
He explained that the union was working tirelessly to ensure the implementation of the judgment.
“The union has submitted a memorandum to the Senate and plans to do the same with the House of Representatives, all on the matter.”
Also, the Jigawa State NLC chairman, Sanusi Maigatari, said LGs in the state had been receiving their funds from federal allocation prior to the apex court order.
However, he couldn’t shed light on whether the LGs had opened bank accounts with the CBN for direct allocation reception.
Maigatari advised the state government to fill gaps necessary for enhancement of financial and administrative autonomy of LGs for state development.
On his part, the NULGE chairman in Jigawa, Abubakar Shitu, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the state had almost achieved 95 per cent LG autonomy.
“Unlike in some other places, here in Jigawa, we don’t have issues with LG financial autonomy but administrative autonomy,” he said.
He highlighted some deductions made by the state government, including two per cent contribution to Sule Lamido University and one per cent to the state Local Government Service Commission, which he clarified were duly recognised by the law of the state.
“These deductions include 2.5 per cent for the Ministry of Local Government. Despite these deductions, Jigawa State LGs seem to be functioning relatively autonomously,” he stated.
Shitu also emphasised that the problem with LG autonomy lied with the FG, citing the lack of a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment.
However, while other LGs lament the delay in implementation of the ruling, the Adamawa State Chairman, ALGON, and Chairman, Toungo LG, Suleiman Gankuba, confirmed to The PUNCH that councils received federal allocations directly from the FG.
“Governor Ahmadu Fintiri granted local governments autonomy before the Supreme Court judgment, so for us in Adamawa, councils’ autonomy is not a new issue to us,” he said.
The state’s Commissioner of Finance, Augustina Wandamiya, told The PUNCH, “Adamawa is the first state to implement local autonomy without waiting for the Supreme Court judgment because Governor Fintiri believes in the rule of law and separation of powers,” she said.
SANs fault non-implementation
Some of Nigeria’s most prominent constitutional lawyers have faulted the continued disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy, one year after the landmark judgement was delivered.
Senior Advocates of Nigeria, in separate interviews, described the non-compliance as a blatant affront to the rule of law, with some calling out both the Federal and state governments for frustrating enforcement.
Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN) condemned what he described as a deliberate effort by state governors to circumvent and disobey the Supreme Court’s judgement.
He noted that the ruling was unambiguous in declaring that allocations from the Federation Account under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution should no longer be routed through the State Joint Local Government Account, but paid directly to the councils.
“The judgment was clear, as clean as a whistle. It was meant to end the practice where governors deduct funds at source, starving the third tier of government of the resources needed to serve grassroots communities,” he said.
Ozekhome also pointed to the power imbalance between state governors and local government chairmen, many of whom, he argued, never truly won elections but were appointed and remain beholden to the governors.
“The story has not changed. The Supreme Court judgement is so far consigned to mere Law Reports,” he added.
Femi Falana (SAN) took aim at the Federal Government, particularly the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), whom he accused of failing to enforce the very judgment he once celebrated. Falana questioned why the AGF had not invoked the provisions of the Constitution to compel compliance, especially after publicly warning that non-compliance would amount to treason.
“The Central Bank asked LGs to open accounts, and they did. Then they were told to provide two years of audited reports. But how can councils produce audit reports for periods when they never directly handled funds?” he queried.
Citing Section 287 of the Constitution, Falana maintained that judgments of the Supreme Court are binding on all persons and authorities and must be obeyed regardless of convenience or politics.
In contrast, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) offered a nuanced view, admitting that while the judgment had good intentions, it contradicted existing constitutional provisions.
He explained that the Constitution currently recognises the State Joint Local Government Account, and until an amendment is made, direct payment to LGs may technically breach the law.
“The Supreme Court meant well, but it ignored the reality of what the Constitution provides. The Constitution has to be amended before that judgment can be fully and legitimately enforced,” he said.
Another senior lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), described the ruling as a landmark affirmation of local government autonomy but lamented its hollow implementation.
He said that state governments remain unwilling to give up their control, both politically and financially, over local councils.
“The states are still running caretaker committees and controlling joint accounts in violation of both the Constitution and the judgment,” he stated.
Adedeji also placed part of the blame on the Federal Government, noting that it is the constitutional duty of the Attorney General to ensure enforcement.
“What we are seeing is a lack of political will by both tiers of government. Until they commit to respecting constitutional governance, this ruling will remain a legal milestone with no practical impact,” he added.
Also, Paul Obi (SAN) stated, “It’s quite unfortunate that despite the clear provisions of the constitution on this subject matter and the extant judgment of the Supreme Court on this, the governors are deliberately and intentionally kicking against the judgment and observing the directives more in breach than in conformity.
“It’s quite sad, but that’s what happens when you have politicians that are self-centered and fight only for their personal interest and not the common good. Truly sad.”
Credit: The Punch
BIG STORY
Corrupt Politicians Using Crypto Wallets To Launder Money — EFCC Chairman Olukoyede
Published
13 hours agoon
July 11, 2025
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has alerted the public that some corrupt Nigerian politicians are now concealing their illegal wealth in cryptocurrencies to avoid detection by anti-graft agencies.
Olukoyede explained that the EFCC had identified a rising pattern in which dishonest public officials were using cryptocurrency wallets to hide embezzled funds and carry out illicit financial transactions.
He disclosed this on Thursday during an event marking Africa Anti-Corruption Day.
The event, monitored by The PUNCH, was held concurrently in Abuja, Lagos, and Ibadan, Oyo State.
Other speakers at the gathering expressed concern that Nigerians frequently fall victim to crypto-related scams, including the CBEX fraud, which saw citizens lose more than N1.3tn.
Olukoyede stated, “Virtual asset fraud is on the rise. Our findings show that fraudulent politicians are already perfecting schemes and hiding their loot in cryptocurrencies to beat the investigative blackness of anti-corruption agencies. Stolen funds and unexplained wealth are being warehoused in wallets and payment for services are being done through this window.”
He cautioned that although virtual assets have revolutionised global financial transactions, they have also opened new channels for money laundering and economic crimes.
He said, “Technology is moving at a supersonic speed around the world. The advent of virtual assets is a response to one of the qualities of money as a store of value like it is known in our elementary economies. However, as with every progressive innovation, fraud starts to usually evolve, evolve ways of perverting their genuine purposes.”
Olukoyede noted that the EFCC was not overwhelmed by these new methods, as ongoing training and intelligence collaboration had empowered the commission to detect and pursue such activities.
“But for us in the EFCC, virtual asset fraud and investment scams are not hard nuts to crack. Proactive and broad-based training and intelligence are bringing fraudulent schemes to the fore,” he said.
At the Lagos event, Olukoyede, represented by Chief of Staff/Lagos Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, C. E. Michael Nzekwe, noted that virtual assets had become powerful tools for fraudsters and corrupt officials.
He observed that crypto fraud was growing both in Nigeria and across Africa, with criminals taking advantage of the anonymity and borderless features of blockchain platforms.
He pointed out that although virtual assets were created for convenience and as a value store, some individuals had repurposed them for illegal use.
Speaking in Ibadan, where the event was held at the Jagz Hotel conference hall, Olukoyede, represented by Acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate, Hauwa Ringin, said virtual asset fraud was spreading rapidly across Africa, much like investment fraud.
In Abuja, Muhammad Abdullahi, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy, representing Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, revealed that Nigeria had witnessed a surge in crypto transactions, raising systemic financial risks.
He said over $56bn worth of crypto transactions were recorded in Nigeria between July 2022 and June 2023.
He said, “In Nigeria, over $56bn in crypto-related transactions were recorded between July 2022 and June 2023, making the country Africa’s digital transaction leader.”
However, he warned that this expansion had negative consequences.
He cited the CBN’s 2024 Financial Stability Report, which showed a 45% increase in financial fraud, with 70% of recorded losses linked to digital platforms and unregulated virtual asset services.
“Furthermore, over 30 Ponzi-style investment schemes exploiting digital currency narratives have been flagged by the SEC and other agencies,” he said.
He warned that these trends could tarnish Nigeria’s image on the international financial scene.
“These developments pose major risks, including loss of consumer confidence, weakening of financial integrity, and reputational challenges for Nigeria in the global financial system,” he said.
Cardoso noted that the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission had established a joint task force to oversee the virtual asset space, with backing from the EFCC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
He said, “We have intensified our regulatory and supervisory responses in several critical areas. Namely, on virtual accounts, following an extensive review of the operations of virtual accounts by deposit money banks and their fintech partners, we uncovered systemic weaknesses. These include poor KYC, knowing of customer practices, and insufficient transaction monitoring. We have acted to ensure that all firms strengthen KYC processes, improve oversight of fintech partnerships, and adhere to AML-CFT obligations.”
Cardoso also said the CBN was collaborating with the EFCC to develop a National Virtual Asset Wallet to store confiscated digital assets.
He emphasised the need for public education, particularly targeting youths who are often misled by fraudulent investment platforms.
“Technology-driven financial crimes are borderless, faceless, and fast-moving. Combating them requires strong institutions and coordinated action,” he said.
In Lagos, anti-fraud expert Kaina Garba explained key concepts surrounding virtual assets.
He described cryptocurrencies and tokens as digital forms of value that could be transferred online but are different from traditional money or securities like stocks.
Garba cautioned that the growth of digital finance had led to new crimes, including Ponzi schemes disguised as crypto projects, fake coin launches, phishing of crypto wallets, and laundering funds via crypto mixers.
“Criminals now exploit virtual assets to defraud unsuspecting investors. Many disappear with people’s hard-earned money after marketing fictitious tokens or projects,” he said.
He noted that while crypto had been unregulated in Nigeria in the past, the new Investment and Securities Act 2025 had created a legal framework for oversight.
He said the EFCC had responded by enhancing cybercrime units, investing in digital forensics, and increasing local and global collaboration.
Speaking for the SEC, Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement, John Achile, reaffirmed the agency’s responsibility under the 2025 Investment and Securities Act.
“The SEC has a dual responsibility: investor protection and market development. With digital assets now legally recognised, we are regulating this space through structured incubation programmes and licensing procedures,” Achile stated.
He said the SEC had formed a Digital Asset Division and designed two streams—accelerated and managed—for evaluating applicants’ business models before granting licences.
“We do not just issue licences. We engage prospective exchanges or service providers to understand their operations and determine compliance before approval,” he explained.
In Ibadan, during a lecture themed “Understanding Virtual Asset and Investment Fraud,” criminology professor Oludayo Tade said, “People fall victim to fraud. What can we do? We need to ensure that anything too good to be true is a red flag. It’s a red flag because you know that we are in Nigeria and you know the condition of things. You know that even if you invest in a bank, the returns cannot be 50 per cent and somebody is offering you that to happen within a week. Another thing that they do is also to use the image, the reputation of individuals and organisations to launder their fraudulent tactics. But to prevent virtual fraud, virtual assets, you need to increase and improve on awareness level. How many Nigerians are aware of it? I’m very sure that those who fell victim to CBEX would find another scheme that is coming and will still join because people are looking for opportunities.”
In a goodwill message, Oyo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Rosemary Alo, represented by DCC OPS, Olugbesan, noted that joint efforts to monitor vehicle movement, especially against unregistered, fake, or cloned number plates, had helped disrupt illicit financial flows and aided the recovery of criminal proceeds.
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