General
LCCI Emphasizes Tackling Poor Power Supply, High Energy Cost
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has advised the federal government to focus on addressing Nigeria’s perennial problem of poor power supply and high cost of energy.
The LCCI expressed this in a statement titled Balancing Relief and Responsibility: The $500 million World Bank Loan and Nigeria’s Economic Future, where it noted that taking this path would help create an enabling business environment where small businesses could thrive rather than majoring providing short-term cash disbursement to small enterprises and vulnerable population.
The chamber raised concerns that the recently approved $500 million World Bank’s loan for Nigeria might exasperate the country’s rising debt burden and expose Nigeria to fiscal vulnerabilities, weaker investors’ confidence and limited government’s ability to execute long-term economic reforms.
The chamber noted that although this intervention was aimed at supporting poor and vulnerable households and firms, it was imperative to state that its broader implications on businesses and the economy posed a concern to the business community.
The Director General of LCCI, Mrs Chinyere Almona, stated that: “The LCCI stands on the point that a more impactful stimulus for economic growth is that the government solves the perennial problem of poor power supply and high cost of energy and creates an enabling business environment where small businesses can thrive, creating jobs and generating revenues for the government.
“While the World Bank loan offers immediate relief, long-term economic resilience can only be achieved through a comprehensive strategy that fosters economic diversification, enhances productivity, and strengthens institutional frameworks for effective governance.”
She argued that from a business perspective, while targeted stimulus programs could offer temporary relief, structural economic challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, multiple taxations, and foreign exchange volatility remained unaddressed.
“Businesses require a stable operating environment, and while social welfare programs are essential, they must be complemented by policies that foster productivity, investment, and job creation.
“There is also concern about the efficiency of fund allocation and utilisation, given that only 16 per cent of previously approved World Bank’s loans under the current administration have been disbursed.
“This raises questions about the absorptive capacity of relevant institutions and the risk of funds being underutilised or mismanaged,” she expressed.
The LCCI noted that the loan’s direct impact on small businesses and vulnerable populations, through grants and livelihood support, presents a potential short-term stimulus that could enhance food security and community resilience, mitigating the effects of economic hardship at the grassroots level.
It, however, warned the government to consider carefully the broader macroeconomic effects of seeking external borrowing to provide short-tern economic stimulus in the face of Nigeria’s rising debt burden, particularly given the slow pace of disbursement and implementation of previously approved loans.
“With the World Bank’s share of Nigeria’s external debt reaching $17.32 billion, the question of debt sustainability becomes increasingly pressing.
“If not efficiently managed, additional borrowing could exacerbate fiscal vulnerabilities, weaken investor confidence, and limit the government’s ability to execute long-term economic reforms,” the chamber said.
The LCCI recommended the following strategic approaches to the government to maximise the benefits of this loan while mitigating its associated risks.
“There must be a transparent and efficient disbursement mechanism that ensures funds reach the intended beneficiaries, particularly small businesses and vulnerable communities.
“A robust monitoring and evaluation framework should be established to track the impact of these funds and prevent misallocation.
“The government should adopt a prudent debt management strategy that prioritises concessional financing and ensures that borrowed funds are tied to projects with clear economic returns.”
It also recommended the strengthening of domestic revenue generation through tax reforms and expanding the productive base of the economy in order to reduce reliance on external borrowing.
“Beyond short-term palliatives, the government must implement structural reforms that create a conducive business environment. Policies should focus on improving infrastructure, ensuring policy consistency, and addressing foreign exchange challenges to support private sector growth and attract investment,” LCCI added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned that the country faces a significant gap of 480,000 Data Protection Officers (DPOs), in spite of notable progress recorded in the last three years.
The National Commissioner of NDPC, Mr Vincent Olatunji, disclosed the opening of a one-week training for the second cohort of DPOs Training and Certification Programme in Abuja.
Mr Olatunji said there were still shortages even as the number of certified DPOs in Nigeria increased from fewer than 1,000 three years ago to over 10,000, while more than 27,000 professionals now operate within the broader privacy ecosystem.
However, he noted that the gap remained wide due to the increasing number of data controllers and processors in the country.
“We have identified over 500,000 data controllers and processors who require the services of data protection officers.
“At the moment, we have about 10,000 certified DPOs to work in that space.
“The gap of about 480,000 still exists, which underscores the need for sustained capacity building,” he said.
The NDPC boss said the commission was intensifying efforts to bridge the gap through continuous training programmes.
He said the initiative was aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for highly skilled and globally competitive data protection professionals in Africa.
“Our goal is to make Nigeria the go-to country when it comes to sourcing qualified data protection officers in Africa.
“The certification we offer meets global standards, enabling practitioners to operate not just locally but in any part of the world,” Mr Olatunji said.
He said the programme would also contribute to job creation within the digital economy, in line with the federal government’s priorities.
On her part, Mrs Tolu Fadipe, the commission’s Head of Research and Development, emphasised the critical role of data protection in the digital economy.
She said that responsible data handling was fundamental to the growth of digital systems and emerging technologies.
“As we move towards a digital economy, data becomes central and protecting that data is essential.
“This training is designed to build competence and ensure organisations comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” she said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The processing of planning permits for property owners in Lagos State is now fully digital, discontinuing manual and semi-digital processes.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Mr Olajide Abiodun, said the new system is the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS).
He described it as a transformative, web-based platform designed to completely modernise the operations of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which is transitioning from legacy, manual systems toward a highly efficient, transparent, and scalable digital framework.
“Lagos State has entered the dawn of a new era in digital processing of Planning Permissions, Authorisations to Commence Construction Works, Stage Certification, amongst other services,” he told newsmen recently.
Mr Abiodun noted that the full automation of the planning permit process commenced on April 1, 2026, stressing that anyone processing planning permits manually from the stated date is engaging in an illegal activity and that all applications must now go through the EPPPS platform exclusively.
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s aide added that once one receives planning approvals via EPPPS, the journey is not over. The person should immediately apply for their Authorisation to Commence Construction Works and Stage Certifications through the EPPPS platform, amongst other services, adding that there will be a task force to monitor compliance with this activity.
While updating the citizens on other developments on Urban Development and Land Administration in the State, he said the state government has introduced CAP to further strengthen LASBCA’s capability in ensuring strict building development compliance.
According to him, CAP is a strategic Public-Private Partnership that allows accredited private professionals to work alongside LASBCA in monitoring building projects.
“This helps us ensure strict compliance with the state’s building codes. It will drastically reduce the risk of building collapses while accelerating project delivery. It is a win for safety, a win for the construction industry, and a win for Lagosians,” he said.
The Lagos State Government, in the journey of moving from the built environment to Land Administration, has actively decentralised its services to ease the burden on citizens, announcing that the e-GIS Regional Office in Ikeja has officially commenced operations.
“This is a dedicated, customer-facing hub designed specifically to handle your digitised land administration activities. Citizens will no longer need to travel all the way to Alausa for every land-related inquiry.
“The Ikeja office is fully equipped to serve residents efficiently at the grassroots level, as the Government is assuring that the remaining divisional offices across the state will also commence operations very soon,” he disclosed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Mr Salimon Akanni Oladiti is in pole position to take over the presidency of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
According to reports, Mr Oladiti, who is the current National Trustee of the union, will take over from Mr Williams Akporeha, who is set to exit office at the end of April after eight years at the helm.
Mr Akporeha announced his departure at the weekend during the Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch in Warri, Delta State.
He noted that the union will elect a new president on April 24 in Lagos.
If Mr Oladiti, a former PTD National Chairman, emerges as the president of the union, it would be the first time a PTD member ascends to NUPENG’s top office.
The move gained momentum at the meeting, where Mr Joseph Okafor moved a motion for Mr Oladiti’s unanimous ratification, seconded by Mr Adekunle Akinlaja.
Mr Akporeha expressed gratitude to PTD members for their steadfast support throughout his tenure.
“Eight years ago, you stood by me in this same room. You didn’t only stand by me, you supported me. When things were tough, you were there through all the challenges.
“I want to appreciate all of you. If I stand to support one of your own as President, I have no apology. If I had done anything otherwise, my conscience would have troubled me. God used you to install me,” he said.
He urged members to rally behind Oladiti and the newly elected PTD National Chairman, Mathias Ote, to sustain the union’s stability and growth.
“By the grace of God, as I move along, I want to see a union stronger than I left it. I don’t want to see PTD go into disarray. The greatest favour you can do is to support this man whom you have elected today as your national chairman. Also support your own that will be the President, by the grace of God, on April 24,” he added.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Mr Lawal Yusuf Othman, commended NUPENG for steering a peaceful transition.
“I once again want to appreciate NUPENG. NARTO will continue to give you the necessary support,” he said.
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