General
Nigeria, Sierra Leone to Accelerate Digital Economy Development
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria and Sierra Leone have signed a new bilateral agreement aimed at accelerating cooperation in digital economy development, trade integration and technology innovation across West Africa.
The announcement was made in Freetown following a high-level mission involving senior officials, industry leaders and policy experts from both countries, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Mrs Salimah Bah.
Both leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to building a digitally empowered sub-region anchored on innovation, inclusive growth and resilient infrastructure.
According to Mr Tinani, during the engagement, the two governments outlined priority areas where deeper cooperation is expected to transform public services, unlock investment and strengthen cross-border economic activity.
“We are building a resilient West African digital corridor that empowers young people, supports businesses, and strengthens our collective prosperity,” he wrote in a statement on X on Monday.
“More importantly, we are building a model for how Africa can win – by Building Together,” he added.
Some of the priorities include digital public infrastructure, broadband expansion, digital identity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence adoption, talent development and digital trade.
A key milestone of the mission was the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Government-to-government agreements covered collaboration on digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies, digital skills development, and spectrum and broadband planning.
The statement from the ministry also said private-sector players from both countries also signed partnership MoUs targeting growth in fintech, edtech, healthtech, cloud services and startup exchange programmes.
Mr Tijani noted that these agreements will serve as foundational pillars for shared economic advancement.
To support execution, both nations agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Group that will oversee the implementation of the signed agreements, track progress and recommend additional areas of cooperation. The mechanism is expected to institutionalise collaboration and ensure continuity across administrations.
Both countries emphasised that West Africa’s prosperity relies on stronger integration, freer movement of innovation and sustained collaboration among neighbouring economies.
They also highlighted that collective digital transformation efforts will better position the region to compete globally.
Mr Tijani expressed gratitude for Sierra Leone’s hospitality, while Mrs Bah commended Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the region’s digital future.
The communiqué was officially issued by both governments, marking a significant step toward a more interconnected and innovation-driven West African digital economy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
April 3 is Good Friday, while April 6 is Easter Monday.
The Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Wednesday, congratulated Christians in Nigeria and the diaspora on the occasion.
Mr Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to reflect on the virtues associated with the season, saying, “I congratulate all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter. I urge Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”
He further called for unity among citizens, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence.
“Easter is a period that reminds us of the values of tolerance and community that keep us together as a nation. Nigerians should remain committed to these ideals for the progress of our country,” the minister said.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to policies aimed at national development.
“The goal of the government remains taking decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians,” he added.
The minister wished Christians a peaceful and joyous Easter celebration.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has denied rumours of his resignation circulating on social media following the expiration of a March 31 deadline.
According to reports by Channels Television, Mr Adelabu noted that the letter in circulation was fake as he had written such a letter.
However, he affirmed his interest in running for the Oyo State governorship race in 2027, adding that he would act at the appropriate time.
Mr Adelabu, reacting to the need for clarity about the said letter and his ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said, “Of course, yes, I am very much in the race.
“But I will act at the appropriate time, and you will be duly informed, but will be with the consent of Mr President.
“For now, I’m committed to my present assignment. It’s still about service, whether national or sub-national,” he told the broadcaster.
President Bola Tinubu had directed all political appointees in his administration who intend to contest elective positions in the 2027 elections to resign from their posts on or before March 31.
He hinged his decision on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.
Only three of President Tinubu’s cabinet members stepped away from office to pursue their ambition. First among these was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, he prepares to seek the APC ticket to be the next governor of Bauchi State.
Mr Tuggar, who confirmed his resignation later on Monday, said his resignation letter was formally submitted to the president earlier that day through the Office of the Secretary of Government in Abuja.
Also, the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, resigned to pursue his ambition of contesting the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
“The President has accepted the resignation and thanked the minister for his dedicated service to the nation,” his media aide said in the statement on Tuesday.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr Yusuf Sununu, also resigned to contest a senatorial seat in Kebbi State.
Mr Sununu, who assumed office in the humanitarian ministry in November 2024 after serving as Minister of State for Education, said his deployment was aimed at restoring the ministry’s image before deciding to pursue legislative office.
Also, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Nasiru Gawuna, resigned from his position and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called for enhanced stakeholder coordination to rapidly expand electricity meter installations and narrow Nigeria’s persistent metering gap.
This push emerged from the NESI Metering Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Lagos on March 27, 2026, where regulators, industry players, and international partners converged to tackle rollout bottlenecks.
According to a post on NERC’s X handle, key attendees included representatives from the World Bank, Meristem, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NEMSA, Distribution Companies (DisCos), and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).
NERC highlighted a strategic pivot from merely financing metering initiatives to fostering seamless collaboration.
With four separate metering programmes currently underway, the commission stressed the urgency of aligning efforts to avoid duplication and accelerate deployment.
“Greater synergy among DisCos, meter providers, and other stakeholders is essential to ramp up installations,” a NERC spokesperson noted. This coordinated approach aims to deliver accurate billing, eradicate estimated charges that frustrate consumers, and boost overall market efficiency.
The meeting also underscored the need for a unified communication strategy to heighten public awareness and encourage consumer uptake, as part of NERC’s broader drive for transparency in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Nigeria currently operates four parallel metering programmes aimed at closing the country’s metering gap and improving efficiency across the power sector. These include the World Bank–funded Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which targets about 3.2 million end-user meters, and the Federation-funded initiative designed to deliver roughly 3.8 million meters alongside about 130,000 distribution transformer (DT) meters.
Also in operation are the DisCo-funded Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), which provides around 125,000 meters to fill coverage gaps, and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a technology-driven framework focused on smart metering, improved billing accuracy, and enhanced grid management. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is now working to harmonise these initiatives to prevent duplication and accelerate metering deployment nationwide.
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