The recent Informal Economy Report 2024 has shed light on a critical aspect of Nigeria's economic landscape: the informal sector contributes over half of the country's GDP. This revelation underscores both the resilience and potential of Nigeria's grassroots economy, while also highlighting the urgent need for integration and formalization.

The informal sector, comprising street vendors, artisans, and small service providers, represents a vast untapped resource for Nigeria's economic development. However, their exclusion from the formal economy comes at a significant cost – both to the businesses themselves and to the nation as a whole.

Integrating these economic producers into the formal sector could yield numerous benefits:

1. Improved access to resources: Formalization would allow these businesses to access crucial social amenities, including electricity, clean water, and proper infrastructure. This would significantly enhance their productivity and growth potential.

2. Financial inclusion: Bringing these businesses into the banking system would not only provide them with access to credit and financial services but also increase the overall stability and depth of Nigeria's financial sector.

3. Tax revenue: A broader tax base would enable the government to increase its revenue, potentially leading to improved public services and infrastructure development.

4. Economic data accuracy: Incorporating the informal sector into official statistics would provide a more accurate picture of Nigeria's economic reality, aiding in better policy formulation and implementation.

5. Business growth: Access to formal credit, training, and support services could help these businesses scale up, potentially creating more jobs and contributing even more significantly to GDP growth.

To achieve this integration, a multi-faceted approach is necessary:

1. Simplify registration processes: Streamline business registration procedures and reduce associated costs to encourage formalization.

2. Provide incentives: Offer tax breaks or other incentives for newly formalized businesses during a transition period.

3. Improve financial literacy: Implement educational programmes to enhance financial management skills among informal business owners.

4. Tailor financial products: Encourage banks and microfinance institutions to develop products suited to the needs of small, newly formalized businesses.

5. Enhance infrastructure: Prioritize the development of basic infrastructure in areas with high concentrations of informal businesses.

6. Combat corruption: Address the issue of extortionate levies by non-state actors, which discourages formalization.

The potential impact on Nigeria's economy could be transformative. If even a fraction of the 72.3% of informal businesses currently surpassing N1 million in monthly revenue were to formalize, it could lead to a significant boost in official GDP figures. Moreover, increased tax revenue could provide the government with resources to further stimulate economic growth.

However, it's crucial to approach this transition sensitively. The informal sector has thrived partly due to its flexibility and low entry barriers. Any formalization efforts must preserve these advantages while providing additional benefits.

In conclusion, integrating Nigeria's informal sector into the formal economy represents a golden opportunity to unlock sustainable economic growth. By providing support, incentives, and a conducive environment for these businesses to thrive within the formal sector, Nigeria can harness the full potential of its enterprising population and pave the way for a more prosperous future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says only three of the 22 airports in Nigeria are profitable.

Speaking on Channels television on Tuesday, Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s managing director, said several states in the north and south-west are developing new airports.

She said the authority is cross-subsidising the other 19 airports and will continue to do so for some of the new airports being developed.

“I started off by saying that we have 22 airports which we own and manage,” Kuku said.

“We also have about six or seven airports that are either owned by state governments or private individuals or entity which we also support with either aviation security or fire and rescue services.

“We have a number of states in the north as well as in the south-west that are coming up with new airports.

“I would say that based on the stats today, only three of the 22 airports are actually profitable and contribute largely to the sustenance of the airport companies that we run.

“I would also say that we are actually cross-subsidising the other 19 airports today and in most instances, we will substitute or cross-subsidise for some of the airports that are coming on board as well.”

Kuku said the FAAN contributes 50 percent of its revenue to the federal coffers which is a major challenge, adding that the authority is in discussions with the various arms of government to seek some relief.

‘ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES DRIVE PASSENGER TRAFFIC, NOT NEW AIRPORTS’

The FAAN boss said passenger traffic is driven by gross domestic product (GDP) growth and economic activities rather than the construction of new airports.

Kuku said it is important to focus on key activities such as trade, manufacturing, and tourism to increase airport traffic.

“Rather than building new airports, we need to look at the bottom of the value chain to determine what activities can drive traffic into these airports,” Kuku said.

She said FAAN is collaborating closely with international organisations, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the federal ministry of aviation, to expand both domestic and international routes.

Kuku said there are initiatives in place to transform Nigeria and specific airports within the country into transit hubs.

“What that means is that we start to build a network of airports where we can push our feeders to some of the other states or to some of the other locations and start to utilise our airports,” she said.

The FAAN boss said nearly 4 million passengers currently travel internationally from Nigeria, stressing that the efficient use of infrastructure is essential for sustaining and maintaining the facilities.

The Cable

Egypt, US, Israel spy chiefs to attend Gaza truce talks in Doha

Negotiations to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war will resume in Doha on Wednesday, with the intelligence chiefs of Egypt, the United States, and Israel in attendance, Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV and sources said on Tuesday.

The Egyptian security delegation in Doha, led by intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, will be "on a mission to bring viewpoints closer between Hamas and Israel in order to reach a truce agreement as soon as possible", Al-Qahera News quoted a senior source as saying.

"There is an agreement over many points," the source said, adding the negotiations will be back in Cairo on Thursday.

Israel's spy chief David Barnea will also attend the meeting, a source close to the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined comment to a Reuters query.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns will also attend, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, after he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday.

Sisi affirmed in the meeting the Egyptian position "rejecting the continuation of military operations in the Gaza Strip," the presidency said in a statement.

Egypt and Qatar have been spearheading mediation in the nine-month-old war between Israel and Hamas in hopes of ending the fighting and securing the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Senior U.S. officials were in the region to push for a ceasefire after Hamas made concessions last week, but the Palestinian militant group said a new Israeli assault on Gaza on Monday threatened truce talks at a crucial moment, and it urged mediators to rein in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sisi stressed in his meeting with Burns the need to take "serious and effective steps" to prevent the expansion of the Gaza conflict in the wider region, the presidency added.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

US, allies announce additional air defense systems for Ukraine

The United States and its allies will deliver to Ukraine five additional air defense systems, including Patriot missile batteries and Patriot components, the leaders of those countries said in a joint statement during the NATO summit.

They added that in the coming months, they intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defense systems.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Washington, Ukraine's biggest supporter, has provided more than $50 billion in military aid since 2022. But U.S. military aid was delayed in Congress for months over the winter, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a shortage of weapons was giving Russia the upper hand.

After battle lines remained largely frozen since early in the conflict, Moscow made some advances in eastern Ukraine in recent months. Zelenskiy has urged Western governments to increase and speed up military aid to Kyiv's forces.

U.S. legislation was approved in April that provided $61 billion in funding to Ukraine. Zelenskiy said last week he wanted to double Ukraine's air defense capacity over the summer.

KEY QUOTE

President Joe Biden made the announcement in remarks at the NATO summit. A joint statement was later issued by the leaders of the U.S., the Netherlands, Romania, Italy, Germany and Ukraine.

"We are providing Ukraine with additional strategic air defense systems, including additional Patriot batteries donated by the United States, Germany, and Romania; Patriot components donated by the Netherlands and other partners to enable the operation of an additional Patriot battery; and an additional SAMP-T system donated by Italy," the joint statement said.

CONTEXT

Ukraine has repeatedly called on partners to provide more help with air defense as it faces attacks from Russia on cities and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine said Russia blasted the main children's hospital in Kyiv with a missile on Monday and rained missiles down on other cities across Ukraine, killing at least 41 civilians in the deadliest wave of air strikes for months.

Moscow has denied targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, although its attacks have killed thousands of civilians since it launched its invasion.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian forces depleted – NYT

Kiev’s foreign backers believe that Ukraine will not be able to take back its lost territories as its forces are stretched too thin, the New York Times reported on Tuesday citing anonymous sources.

US officials who reprtedly spoke to the outlet privately consider it “all but impossible” for Ukraine to win back all the territories it has lost to Russia. However, they are said to believe that if Kiev’s battlefield performance improves, it could still “emerge a victor” in the conflict by moving towards closer integration with NATO and Europe.

American officials also reportedly think that starting peace talks at this point would be a “mistake,” given that Ukraine is about to receive $61 billion approved by the US Congress in May, which is set to go towards strengthening the country's defenses.

Washington also acknowledges that this may not be enough and that Russia could still make significant headway if there is a “big strategic shift.” However, US officials believe that such a development is unlikely to happen any time soon.

“Ukrainian forces are stretched thin and face difficult months of fighting ahead, but a major Russian breakthrough is now unlikely,”Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told the outlet. His colleague and a former intelligence official, Eric Ciaramella, also suggested that neither Russia nor Ukraine currently “possess the capabilities to significantly change the battle lines.”

The NYT report comes as NATO members have gathered for a summit in Washington on Tuesday where the topic of continued support for Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda. 

It is expected the bloc’s leaders will reconfirm their willingness to back Kiev, but will likely stop short of inviting Ukraine to join the organization. Moreover, according to an AFP report, NATO will signal to Ukraine’s Zelensky that his country will be unable to become a full-fledged member for quite some time.

Ukraine’s NATO ambitions have repeatedly been cited by Russia as one of the key reasons it launched its offensive against the country back in 2022. Moscow has stressed that the US-led military bloc’s continued expansion towards its borders is a threat to Russia’s national security.

Reuters/RT

All men are mortal, we know, but it should not be so.

Some people are just too precious, too valuable, to be counted among the absent or departed when we need them. They should not be missing when mentioned; they should not be called and not be there.

I say this not necessarily because we have any specific request to make of them—a request which of course they would not hesitate to fulfil—but rather, because their presence alone is always like an umbrella over us, an unspoken guarantee of unstinting protection to us who know them. They are a constant and salubrious assurance of solace whenever the intractable storms of life threaten to overwhelm us.

That is why, I insist, there are some people whom Death, if it had any sense of shame or feeling, would just leave alone and go elsewhere to seek its victims.

Ladipo Ayodele Banjo, whose demise was announced recently, was such a man. Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, eminent emeritus professor of English, and much more besides, was one of the sustaining totems of our communal household, those whose names alone held up the rafters of the family house.

But, so what, laughed Iku? All his fame and acclaim notwithstanding. Ayo Banjo, as he was simply known, the iroko of the forest, has been made to succumb too, like just another prancing sprig, to the inexorable hatchet of death.

Ah pagidari! O digbere! O digbose! What a loss!

The colossus whose name rhymed with integrity and good breeding, excellence and bienséance, with the Yoruba essence of omoluabi, has gone.

Quietly, just as he lived most of his life, our dear Prof Banjo left, in quiet dignity, without fuss or scandal, without tumult. He sighed his final goodbye and left us behind.

The irony was that we had just finished celebrating his 90th birthday. Indeed, the festivities marking the occasion were just rounding up, and many had not put their final full stop to their accolade when the news of his demise erupted like an earthquake.

But the celebrations will go on, perhaps now even more joyously than before, and the shock will be just a parenthetical interlude. For, in our culture, when a person has lived to a ripe age—by which Is meant anything from 70 upwards—he or she is said to have lived to the exalted status of an orisa, deserving of constant veneration. And when, moreover, this person has erected his or her own house to shelter their family, and also produced offspring, that person has fulfilled all the obligations of their coming to the world and paid back the debt of existence. There shall be no tears or wailing at the funeral. And instead of mourning, the family, children and friends all gather to serenade the departed with drumming and dancing, singing, and feasting. Thus, with song and fanfare, the farewell ends in a blaze of glory.

That is why, for a man like Banjo, whose life was virtually a catalogue of beneficent events, the encomiums have been noisily effusive and the testimonies abundant. Several of his children—among whom I proudly include myself—have given heartwarming stories about how Banjo’s intervention at crucial moments in our lives has been propitious.

As for me, it was a long relationship filled with several memorable incidents. Of these, three in particular seem to me to be the most symbolically nostalgic about my relationship with the great master.

My experience with Banjo started long ago, when as a young graduate, he came to teach at the Government College in Ibadan. He was young, handsome and debonair, like the hero of our adventure books. and all of us yearned to be his favourite student.

Thus, in the beginning, everyone struggled to be the one called to answer his questions in class. All of us would raise our hands and wave them frantically for attention. Then, when you were recognised, you would compose your best syntax, fetch your most impressive vocabulary and diction, and swagger forward with a defiant look at your unfortunate mates. And then, while you preened yourself on your performance and waited for the well-deserved applause, our teacher would say, “Well done, my boy, but can you please translate all that into English?

The second experience I recall was more sombre… and it occurred several years after the first one.

This time we were both already at the University of Ibadan, as staff in the Arts Faculty. He had been my lecturer in my undergraduate days. And when I joined the arts faculty and became the subdean of faculty, he was my dean. As you can imagine, we had quite a record of working together, I as his apprentice.

But this particular episode happened one early afternoon in 1984 when the exercise to choose the next vice-chancellor of our institution, the University of Ibadan was on.

Banjo had just then completed two years in the saddle as acting Vice Chancellor, finishing the term of the former incumbent who had unfortunately passed away before the end of his tenure. He was, naturally, therefore, one of the candidates in the running for a new head, and his chances were high on account of his recent performance in the post.

However, as is usually the case during such rites of succession in our higher institutions, the contest rapidly turned fierce and messy. Reputations came under the assault of rival candidates; mud-slinging and calumny  formed the principal weapon of some of the candidates.

Concerned that our teacher’s reputation could be tarnished in this scuffle, some of us, Banjo’s loyalists, decided to go and meet him to persuade him to quit the contest. A small delegation was set up and dispatched, of which I was one.

But Banjo, when we met him in the office, was calm and unfazed. He had entered the water, he said, and would swim it to the end. Speaking with a defiant self-confidence that we had never seen or noticed before, he soon turned our apprehensions into a trifle, and the meeting changed into an exchange of banter. What we saw was a self-assured fighter other than the diffident, polite and vulnerable man we thought we knew.

Needless to say, Banjo not only got elected to the exalted office on that occasion but was also re-elected at the end of his first term for a second term, such that he became the first VC of UI—and the only one so far—to Serve A Total Of Ten Full Years ‘In The Saddle’!

The third encounter, however, was very recent and has been the most perplexing. It happened shortly after his 90th birthday celebration, a couple of days before he went away.

That morning, when the phone rang, and his name came out on the screen, my first reaction, I confess, was of a spontaneous apprehension such as I had years ago in secondary school.

You see, he had not for months been the one to call me first, probably because I had made it my routine obligation to call him once every fortnight since he became homebound, to ask how he was faring and if he needed any assistance. So you can imagine how the unexpectedness of his call sent me back to those days at the Government College, Ibadan, when the then Mr Banjo had been our English teacher.

However, there was no need for those juvenile killers that day. He was not about to ask me to translate my words into English or punish me for failing. On the contrary: he had called to give me some cheering news about my writing and discuss the state of our literature generally in Nigeria. It was a topic we had not shared for several years, in fact since I first took over the chair of the Theatre Arts department! So you can imagine my reactions, first of surprise and amazement, and then of sheer delight.

My teacher was particularly upbeat that day, giving advice and caution, spilling with the kind of wisdom I had not heard for years. For about a half hour or so, we talked, and I was an eager student once again until he rang off.

But I have since wondered—why that call that hour, a few days to his departure? Nothing in his voice, I swear, remotely hinted that it would be our last conversation. Nothing suggested that, just a couple of days afterwards, I would be composing this obituary. How could I have known?

I know, and I am sure you know too that, as a secular humanist. I do not normally attach mystical meanings to the banal phenomena of quotidian experience. But still, that call, did it carry more intimations than its surface import? Was my teacher, on the eve of his exit, leaving me a—benediction?

Adieu, master!  I know that far and beyond this narrow time and space, the name of Ayo  Banjo will continue to ring and echo in the alases of loss ineradicable in the hearts of your numerous mourners.

** Professor Femi Osofisan, is an award- winning poet, playwright and essayist.

If Tony’s Chocolonely founder Teun van de Keuken had his way, he would’ve ended up behind bars long before he created his popular chocolate company.

The Dutch journalist made an attempt to get himself arrested in 2005, showing up to a police station and declaring himself a criminal. The crime? Fueling slavery by knowingly purchasing a chocolate bar made with illegal child labor.

When his activist stunt failed, van de Keuken came up with a new plan: creating a chocolate bar of his very own that proved the candy could be made without any exploitation of children.

His chocolate company would pay West African cocoa farmers a living income to help combat the scourge of child labor, and its beans would be sourced from land that had been deforested.

Nearly 20 years later Tony’s Chocolonely is not only one of the most popular chocolate brands in van de Keuken’s native Netherlands, it is known around the world.

The brand, whose stated mission is to make “100% slave free the norm in chocolate,” can be found at major US retailers like Whole Foods, Target and Walmart. Its revenue grew 23% last year to $162 million.

“We’ve demonstrated it’s possible to pay a living income to farmers to address the challenges of child labor,” CEO Douglas Lamont told CNBC Make It in a recent interview. ”[We’ve shown] you can be a successful chocolate company doing it the right way, in an ethical way.”

CNBC

In the first half of 2024, the Federal Government significantly ramped up its borrowings from the capital market, which stood at N8.48 trillion. This marks an 11.9% increase from the N7.58 trillion borrowed in the same period of 2023.

According to Cordros Securities’ H2 2024 Outlook titled “Bridging Reforms to Recovery/Financial Market Review and Outlook,” the borrowings were divided between bond auctions and net treasury bills (NTBs) issuances. The report detailed that bond issuances amounted to N3.83 trillion, representing 69.7% of the volume borrowed throughout the 2023 fiscal year. Meanwhile, net primary market treasury issuances totaled N4.65 trillion, 122.9% higher than net NTB issuances for the 2023 fiscal year.

The borrowing surge was anticipated due to the significant deficit profile and the halt in ways and means drawdowns. On December 30, 2023, the National Assembly (NASS) passed a total budget of N28.80 trillion, including Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) and project-tied loans. The NASS raised the budget revenue by 6.99% to N19.6 trillion while maintaining a budget deficit of N9.18 trillion. The deficit was to be financed through a combination of domestic borrowings (N6.04 trillion), foreign borrowings (N1.77 trillion), multilateral/bilateral loan drawdowns (N941.19 billion), and privatization proceeds (N298.49 billion).

An economic expert, Jolomi Odonghanro, commented on the report, indicating that the FG might slow down its borrowing pace going forward.

“However, a portion of the borrowings in H1 2024 was used to pay off excess ways and means borrowing from 2023 (N4.83 trillion). Adjusting for that amount, domestic market borrowings in H2 2024 are expected to be quite significant,” Odonghanro explained.

Boniface Okezie, National Coordinator of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, highlighted both the challenges and opportunities presented by the FG’s significant borrowing in H1 2024. “While borrowing can provide necessary funds for development, it also poses risks if not managed prudently. Ensuring that borrowed funds are used effectively for productive investments, maintaining fiscal discipline, and implementing sound economic policies are crucial to mitigating risks and maximizing the benefits of increased borrowings,” Okezie emphasized. He further stressed the importance of prioritizing expenditures to ensure efficient utilization of borrowed funds, which is vital for achieving desired economic outcomes and maintaining sustainable debt levels.

Sun

At a press briefing yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing the escalating food prices in Nigeria. These initiatives, set to be implemented over the next 180 days, are designed to stabilize the market and ensure food security for all Nigerians.

1. 150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities

   - The government will suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of specific food commodities, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, through land and sea borders.

   - Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) to control prices.

   - Minister Kyari assured citizens that all imported food would meet stringent safety standards, alleviating concerns about the genetic composition of the imported goods.

2. Government Importation of Wheat and Maize

   - The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize.

   - These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.

3. Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and National Strategic Food Reserve

   - The government will engage stakeholders to establish a GMP and mop up surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.

4. Ramp-Up Production for the 2024/2025 Farming Cycle

   - Sustained support to smallholder farmers for wet season farming through existing initiatives.

   - Strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide.

   - Aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce production costs and boost productivity.

   - Collaboration with sub-national entities to identify and increase irrigable land.

   - Working with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities.

   - Strategic engagement with youth and women for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops like tomatoes and peppers.

   - Fast-tracking engagement with the Nigerian Military for rapid cultivation of arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme and encouraging other para-military establishments to utilize available lands for cultivation.

5. Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee

   - Set to be inaugurated on July 9, 2024, this committee will develop and implement policies prioritizing livestock development in alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.

6. Enhancement of Nutrition Security

   - Promoting the production of fortified food commodities.

   - Supporting the scaling up of the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of The First Lady.

Over the next 14 days, the government will collaborate with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT) to finalize implementation frameworks. Information will be made publicly available to ensure stakeholder participation. The PFSCU will manage a dashboard for the President, providing direct visibility into these interventions to ensure accountability.

Kyari emphasized that the success of these measures depends on the cooperation of all relevant MDAs and stakeholders. "As our nation confronts a critical food security challenge, let me reiterate Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to attaining food security and ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry. My team and I will swiftly and diligently actualize these crucial policies to ensure food security for everyone in the country in the immediate term while continuing our strategies for long-term interventions to address underlying causes and ensure sustainable and resilient food systems."

President Bola Tinubu’s re-election as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presents a crucial opportunity to mend the fractures that emerged during his first term. Under his prior leadership, ECOWAS witnessed the unprecedented withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, reducing the 15-member bloc to 12 and marking a significant setback for regional unity. This disintegration stemmed from the heavy-handed approach towards these nations, particularly the ill-advised threats of military intervention and sanctions, which ultimately pushed them further away.

Tinubu’s previous stance, characterized by aggressive rhetoric and punitive measures, proved counterproductive. The people of Niger, in particular, rallied behind their military government, viewing the external pressures as a violation of their sovereignty. The resulting sanctions exacerbated the situation, leading to the formal renunciation of ECOWAS membership by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. This episode serves as a critical lesson: the use of force and coercion often undermines diplomatic efforts and regional cohesion.

As Tinubu steps into his second term, it is imperative that he adopts a more conciliatory and inclusive approach. Restoring ECOWAS to its full strength necessitates earnest efforts to re-engage with the aggrieved nations. This begins with acknowledging the legitimate concerns of these countries and initiating dialogue aimed at reconciliation and reintegration. Tinubu must prioritize rebuilding trust and fostering a sense of shared purpose within the community.

Furthermore, Tinubu’s continued advocacy for the establishment of a regional standby force is fraught with risks. The experience with Niger demonstrates the potential misuse of such a force, where powerful member states might employ it to enforce subjective standards on others. Instead of promoting stability, this could lead to further divisions and resentment within the bloc. The focus should shift towards enhancing diplomatic channels, strengthening economic cooperation, and addressing security threats through collaborative, non-military means.

The establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso underscores their resolve to pursue a path independent of ECOWAS. This confederation, born out of shared security challenges and a desire for sovereignty, signals a significant realignment in the region. ECOWAS must recognize and respect this new reality, seeking avenues for cooperation rather than confrontation.

Tinubu’s legacy will be judged by his ability to navigate this complex landscape. He has the opportunity to transform a period of crisis into one of renewal and stronger unity. By prioritizing diplomacy, showing respect for the sovereignty of member states, and fostering inclusive economic development, Tinubu can steer ECOWAS towards a more resilient and cohesive future. The path forward requires humility, wisdom, and a commitment to the founding principles of ECOWAS—principles of cooperation, mutual respect, and collective advancement.

MTN Nigeria Communication Plc reported that it paid N543.9 billion in taxes and levies to the Nigerian government in 2023. This disclosure was made in the company’s 2023 sustainability report, which details its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

The report highlights that MTN expanded its network coverage to encompass 92.9% of Nigeria’s landscape and increased its capital expenditure investment by 13.2% to N571 billion in 2023.

Despite posting a revenue of N2.46 trillion for the full year, MTN Nigeria recorded a loss after tax of N137 billion, primarily due to net foreign exchange losses.

In a filing with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, emphasized the company's dedication to creating shared value for all stakeholders through its sustainability efforts. “We are proud of the progress we have made so far, expanding connectivity to 79.7 million people, achieving 92.9% nationwide coverage, and investing N2.6 billion in corporate social investment programs that have impacted over 58,000 lives through the MTN Foundation. Additionally, we contributed N543.9 billion in taxes and levies to the government and invested N571.0 billion in capital expenditure, up 13.2% in 2023,” Toriola stated.

Toriola also noted that MTN’s 4G coverage grew from 79.1% in 2022 to 81.5% in 2023, an increase of 2.4 percentage points. Furthermore, its 5G coverage expanded from 3.2% in 2022 to 11.3% in 2023, an increase of 8.1 percentage points. This growth helped MTN increase its market share to 52.1% in 2023 from 50.8% in 2022.