Feature/OPED
Economic Diversification and Nigeria’s Feeble Attempts

By Jerome-Mario Utomi
It is no longer news that across the globe, there exists persistent call on nations, regions and continents to shift toward a more varied structure of domestic production and trade as it is not only a strategy to encourage positive economic growth and development but with a view to increasing productivity, creating jobs and providing the base for sustained poverty-reducing growth.
What has however caused concern is the paltry number of nations and leaders particularly in Africa as a continent that has keyed into such relentless calls.
Adding fillip to the above worry/claim is the well quoted World Bank Group report which among other observations noted that economic diversification remains a challenge for most developing countries and is arguably greatest for countries with the lowest incomes as well as for those whose economies are small, landlocked and/or dominated by primary commodity dependence.
It submitted that for such countries, economic diversification is inextricably linked with the structural transformation of their economies and the achievement of higher levels of productivity resulting from the movement of economic resources within and between economic sectors.
Take Africa as an example, aside its inability to diversify which has made it aid receiving continent, continually look up to continents such as; Asia, Europe and America for aid after almost 60 years of independence, the failure, in my view, explains why Africa as a continent despite being the second most-populated continent in the world (1.2 billion people), represents only 1.4% of the world Manufacturing Value added in the first quarter of 2020.
Also, the effect of the continent failure to diversify is signposted in the painful reality that out of about 54 countries that made up the continent, only South Africa qualified as a member of BRICS, an acronym coined for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
While the piece laments this challenge, it is relevant to the present discourse to underline that this tragedy is well-rooted in, and has spread its wings in Nigeria as a country.
To illustrate this claim, as part of the transformation agenda, reports have it that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through his Coordinating Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, now Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the need for the diversification of the economy to promote inclusive growth and job creation.
The administration aimed at achieving the objective through investment in agriculture, housing and construction, manufacturing, aviation, power, roads, rail solid minerals and the information and communication technology (ICT) sectors by both government and the private sector. These sectors the report added would gradually transform the economy and create jobs in the process as well as move the economy in the right direction.
Sadly but expected, the ideas and pontifications, like those of his predecessors, ended not just in the frames but as a mere declaration of intent.
Nevertheless, before getting into the nitty-gritty of economic decays in the present government particularly its long history of inabilities to come up with, and implement a well-foresighted plan or execute a shift toward a more varied structure of domestic production and trade, let’s cast a glance at January 2020 policy comment by one of the well-respected newspaper in Nigeria.
Specifically, while lamenting (then) that Nigeria is a country that services its debt with 50% of its annual revenue, the report noted that the country would be facing another round of fiscal headwinds this year (2920) with the mix of $83 billion debt; rising recurrent expenditure; increased cost of debt servicing; sustained fall in revenue; and about $22 billion debt plan waiting for legislative approval.
It added that it may be worse if the anticipated shocks from the global economy, like Brexit, the United States-China trade war and the interest rate policy of the Federal Reserve Bank go awry. The nation’s debt stock, currently at $83billion, comes with a huge debt service provision in excess of N2.1 trillion in 2019 but is set to rise in 2020.
This challenge stems from the country’s revenue crisis, which has remained unabating in the last five years, while the borrowings have persisted, an indication that the economy has been primed for recurring tough outcomes, the report concluded.
Unfortunately, because no one acted on those warnings, the next paragraph lays bare the consequence of such failure and failure by the Federal Government.
Recently, a report noted that the Federal Government made a total of N3.25tn in 2020, and out of which spent a total of N2.34tn on debt servicing within the year. This means that 72 per cent of the government’s revenue was spent on debt servicing.
It also puts the government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio at 72 per cent. According to the report, a review of the budget performance of the 2020 Appropriation Act In 2019 shows that the Federal Government made total revenue of N3.86tn. Within the year, debt servicing gulped N2.11tn.
This puts the Federal Government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio in 2019 at 54.66 per cent. This means that between 2019 and 2020, the Federal Government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio jumped from 54.66 per cent to 72 per cent. The report concluded
Indeed, the question may be asked why the country’s revenue crisis remained unabated in the last six years.
Within the context, the answer lies in the fundamental recognition that there is a country reputed for crude oil dependence and laced with a leadership system devoid of accountability, transparency and accuracy.
The truth is that considering the slow-growing economy but scary unemployment levels in the country, the current administration in my opinion will continue to find itself faced with difficulty accelerating the economic life cycle of the nation until they contemplate industrialization, or productive collaboration with private organizations that have surplus capital to create employment.
Another alternative recourse will probably be to move part of the job creation functions and infrastructural provision/development to the state and local government authorities via restructuring/structural interventions. While the first option (industrialization) may offer a considerable solution, the second and third options (restructuring/productive collaboration with private organizations) have more potential reward in political and socio-economic terms as well as come with reduced risk.
To achieve such a feat, power (electricity) and other infrastructure roads need to be addressed. Notably, not doing any of this, or continuing on the low growth of the economy will amplify the painful consequence of strategic mistakes made by previous administrations that failed to invest during the period of rapid economic growth.
The very key, both the state and Federal must invest in agriculture and increase its capacity in ways that will bring about an essential element of productivity policy and require a double focus on improving the quality of governance, strengthening government capacity to resolve coordination failures and facilitate information collection, as well as improving the design of interventions along the line of robustness to weak information, implementation capacity, and political-economic issues.
We must not fail to remember that ‘in the 1960s and immediately before the oil boom of the 1970s, agriculture contributed 60% to Nigeria‘s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 70% to export, and 95% to food needs’.
Above all, our leaders must internalize the fact that revenue diversification from what development experts are saying will provide options for the nation to reduce financial risks and increase national economic stability: As a decline in particular revenue source might be offset by an increase in other revenue sources.
Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via [email protected]/08032725374.
Feature/OPED
Leading on the Road and Across Cultural Lines: Tips for Success

By Isoken Aigbomian
I’ve been asked in the past about the most demanding challenges I’ve faced in my career, and I say one of them is transitioning from implementation leadership to strategy leadership. As a fantastic salesperson, there is a good chance you will never leave ‘sales mode’. You will always find yourself trying to create connections you can leverage later at every event or process. When you take up a more strategic role, you are less on the field and more in the drawing room, building frameworks that will be communicated to your team for implementation.
In Nigeria’s fast-evolving sales landscape, managing teams across multiple states and regions gives me a fantastic opportunity to challenge myself and grow. As the Regional Manager overseeing sales teams in the various areas, I have had to develop strategies that ensure seamless operations, meet sales targets, and drive consistent performance. In this article, I’ll share the key strategies that have helped me excel in managing sales teams across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
1. Build Trust Through Transparent Communication
Effective communication is at the heart of any successful sales team. Given the geographical spread of my team, it was crucial to establish a culture of open and transparent communication. Regular virtual meetings, calls, and on-site visits allow me to ensure alignment across all teams, discuss ongoing sales opportunities, share best practices, and address any concerns promptly. Clear communication has helped me maintain a unified approach towards achieving regional and organisational sales goals. My go-to communication style is the ‘feedback communication’ style: this way, I am assured that my audience understands the information I have passed and can communicate it to their direct reports without losing anything.
2. Understand Regional Diversity and Build Strategies That Fit into the Market Nuances
The level of diversity in a country like Nigeria is incredible. Each region in Nigeria has distinct market conditions, customer preferences, and even business practices (formal and informal). Understanding these nuances has been key to tailoring my sales strategies. For example, consumer behavior in Lagos may differ significantly from Kano or Port Harcourt, so being attuned to regional trends allows me to customize the sales approach and messaging for each area. By fostering a deep understanding of local markets, I can guide my team to more effective sales tactics that resonate with our target customers. I know that in the East, on Mondays, economic activities are slower than in other regions, while in Kano, on Fridays, economic activities are slower. This knowledge helps me create better strategies that will yield the best results.
3. Build a Cohesive Team and Empower Local Sales Leaders
Effective delegation and empowerment are essential in managing a large sales team across multiple regions. One thing I focus on is identifying strong local leaders within each region who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of their area. When hiring sales managers, this is an important skill and expectation for me because you will work closely with me to ensure the implementation of the processes. By empowering them to take ownership of their respective regions, I foster leadership skills and ensure that decisions are made with the regional context in mind. This boosts accountability and enhances sales outcomes.
4. Leverage Technology to Drive Sales and Collaboration
It’s 2025, and salespeople no longer use a Rolodex because the digital age has given us fantastic technology to create, build and manage relationships. I rely on CRM systems, project management tools, and sales dashboards to ensure that performance is consistently tracked, goals are monitored, and key data points are easily accessible. These tools enable seamless collaboration between regions and ensure that all sales teams have the resources and support they need to succeed. I also ensure that my team gets training at different levels to keep the team positively engaged and up-to-date with the latest product offerings and sales techniques.
5. Lead by Example and Drive Results
As a Sales Regional Manager, it’s important to me that I lead from the front. I prioritise actively participating in key sales meetings, setting high standards, and driving sales performance myself. By leading by example—meeting sales targets, demonstrating product knowledge, or resolving customer concerns—I inspire my team to perform at their best consistently. This has helped create a culture of accountability and high performance within the team. While setting budgets for my team, I also set budgets for myself and reinforce the culture of self-accountability, grit and technical depth.
Managing multiple teams across different regions comes with its own set of unique challenges, but by focusing on clear communication, understanding regional market dynamics, empowering local leadership, leveraging technology, and leading by example, I have been able to drive consistent success. Ultimately, sales leadership is about aligning regional efforts with broader organizational goals, and with the right strategies in place, any sales leader can excel in this dynamic role.
Isoken Aigbomian is a Regional Sales Manager, Enterprise Network Sales Division at Moniepoint Inc
Feature/OPED
The Legal Illusion of Ownership: Why AI-Generated Content Cannot Be Protected by Copyright Law

By Somadina Eugene-Okorie Esq
In the rapidly evolving intersection between technology and creativity, one fundamental misunderstanding is becoming dangerously widespread, and it is the belief that a person can claim legal copyright ownership over content, be it music, movies, articles, or any other expressive work generated through artificial intelligence.
This notion not only misrepresents the intent and scope of copyright law but also opens the floodgates to legal liability, particularly for copyright infringement and misappropriation.The question is deceptively simple: Can one claim copyright over a body of work generated using artificial intelligence?
Now, as a patent and copyright law expert, the unequivocal legal and philosophical answer is no.
This article therefore undertakes a detailed examination of above subject, and is grounded in statutory interpretation, international legal developments, and a proper understanding of how AI functions.
- Copyright: A Protection of Original Human Expression
At the heart of copyright law lies a central tenet which is originality. The legal doctrine is not concerned with mere novelty or surface-level uniqueness; rather, it seeks to protect expressions that are the product of human intellect and effort. It is this personal investment of creative labour that qualifies a work for copyright protection.
Under Section 2 of the Nigerian Copyright Act, 2022, only works that satisfy specific conditions are eligible for copyright. These include literary works, musical compositions, artistic works, audiovisual works, sound recordings, and broadcasts.
However, Section 2(2) makes it explicitly clear that two essential requirements must be fulfilled:
- Original character: In this context some effort must have been exerted in making the work to give it original quality;
- Fixation: The work must be reduced into a tangible or perceptible medium from which it can be reproduced or communicated.
In the absence of these twin criteria, a musical or artistic work, regardless of its aesthetic appeal, cannot be deemed copyrightable under Nigerian law.
- AI and the Illusion of Originality
Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, operates by ingesting vast amounts of existing data ranging from text, music, images, video, and code which are scraped from the internet and other digital repositories. It identifies linguistic, auditory, or visual patterns, then recombines them into content that appears novel. But appearance is not substance in law.
The machine does not create; rather it derives. It does not originate; it rather synthesizes.
And those notes, the implications are significant. Because the output of AI models is fundamentally non-original, being algorithmically assembled from pre-existing human work.Hence, such content fails to meet the originality standard of copyright law. Moreover, because these models depend on training data that often includes copyrighted materials, without obtaining licenses or permissions, AI-generated content are therefore not just unoriginal, but potentially infringing.
Thus, any person claiming authorship over such works is not just misunderstanding the law; they are possibly implicating themselves in intellectual property theft an act that is punishable before the law.
III. Artificial Works vs Copyrighted Works: A Fundamental Legal Divide
There is a legal wall of separation between copyrighted works and what we now call “artificial works.”
Copyrighted works:
- Are authored by humans.
- Bear the imprint of original thought.
- Reflect creative choices in expression, form, and structure.
- Can be clearly attributed to a person or group with identifiable intent.
Artificial works, by contrast:
- Are generated via algorithms based on patterns in pre-existing data.
- Lack personal creative input.
- Cannot be said to originate from any identifiable human author.
- Are inherently derivative and frequently simulate the work of real artists.
This dichotomy is not just theoretical; it is embedded in legal systems globally, including Nigeria, the United States, and the European Union.
- A Precedence: Michael Smith and the First AI-Generated Music Fraud Prosecution
In a landmark case that underscores the danger of conflating AI output with original work, a North Carolina man Michael Smith was indicted in September 2024 by US federal prosecutors. According to the prosecution, Smith allegedly used artificial intelligence to generate “hundreds of thousands” of songs, which he then streamed via automated bots to fraudulently collect the sum of over $10 million in royalties since 2017.
This is according to the indictment unsealed by Damian Williams, a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and the FBI, which marked the first ever criminal case for AI-assisted streaming fraud. But more critically, Smith’s real offense according to the prosecution, wasn’t simply streaming artificial music, it was copyright fraud and infringement. Prosecutors argued that the AI-generated songs unlawfully utilized material derived from copyrighted content of existing artists, thus constituting theft under intellectual property law.
This case sets a precedent that is likely to reverberate globally. It sends a clear message that using AI to generate content that mimics or remixes copyrighted work is not innovation, rather it is infringement.
- Nigeria’s Emerging AI-Creative Landscape: A Legal Vacuum with Consequences
Nigeria is not immune to the allure of AI. From AI-generated Afrobeats album released in 2023 to synthetic voiceovers in Nollywood scripts, to recent AI-generated movies, creators are increasingly inviting machines into the creative process. However, more disturbing is the fact that Nigeria currently lacks a detailed legal framework on AI-generated works, creating a dangerous grey zone.
But this legal lacuna does not render creators immune. As explained earlier, Nigeria’s Copyright Act 2022 is more than sufficient to prosecute individuals who lay copyright claims to AI-generated works. If it can be shown that such works were copied from existing copyrighted materials, liability attaches immediately, even if the copying was done by an AI tool.
Thus, artists, producers, and studios experimenting with AI must understand thatthe lack of express AI regulation is not a license to infringe. You may not be the original infringer, but by adopting and publishing the work as your own, you assume responsibility for any infringement therein.
- Copyright is Not Registration, it is Originality
Many erroneously believe that securing copyright registration grants ownership. However, copyright does not arise from registration. It arises from human original creation. To this end, registration is merely evidentiary, used to assert and protect rights already earned.
Consequently, registering an AI-generated song with a collecting society or copyright body does not legalize the ownership. It only creates a false veneer of legitimacy, which can easily collapse under scrutiny in law.
As such, even if an AI-assisted song is “registered” and earns revenue through streaming platforms or publishers, the artist remains vulnerable to lawsuits or criminal charges once original creators can identify traces of their work in the AI output.
In Conclusion: Human Creativity Cannot Be Automated, And Neither Can Its Protections
The conversation about AI and intellectual property must not be driven by novelty or convenience, but by the legal and moral foundations of creativity. Copyright exists to encourage the labor of the mind and the spirit. It cannot be claimed over soulless patterns, no matter how harmonious they may sound.
Artists, content creators, and developers must therefore tread carefully. Embracing AI is not inherently wrong, but claiming authorship or ownership over what is essentially a machine-generated remix of human labour is not only a misreading of copyright law, it is an invitation to litigation, financial loss, and public scandal.
In the end, the law is clear: You cannot own what you did not originally create.
NB: This article is for educational and information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For individual cases, consult a licensed intellectual property attorney.
Somadina Eugene-Okorie Esq, an Advocate, Intellectual Property/Business Solicitor, writes from Lekki, Lagos Nigeria
Feature/OPED
Ilorin Durbar 2025: A Living Proof of Unity in Diversity

By Yahaya Yahaya
The 2025 Ilorin Emirate Durbar, held on the third day of Eid al-Adha (June 9, 2025), was more than just a spectacle of horses, culture, and colour. It was a public reaffirmation of who Ilorin is — a city of layered identities, rooted in faith, and grounded in the unshakable unity of its people.
This year’s theme, Unity in Diversity, wasn’t just a slogan. It reflected a living reality — that Ilorin is, and has always been, a city where different cultures, languages, and histories are not just tolerated, but embraced and interwoven. From the palace to the old city interiors, from the processions to the pavilions, the Durbar reminded everyone that Ilorin is a place where Yoruba, Fulani, Baruba, Nupe, Hausa, Kanuri and other communities have lived as one for generations — not in theory, but in practice.
The story of Ilorin stretches back over 200 years, and its evolution into an Emirate is one of the most remarkable examples of how faith and diversity can shape governance and culture. As a frontier city that blended Islamic scholarship with existing traditions, Ilorin grew into a unique urban centre — one that values its religious leadership while still preserving local customs and language.
The early 19th century saw Ilorin become a prominent Islamic Emirate under the spiritual influence of Shehu Alimi, whose legacy still shapes the moral and religious identity of the city today. But what made Ilorin distinct was its ability to absorb and unify — Nupe scholars, Baruba warriors, Kanuri settlers, Hausa traders, and indigenous families all found space within Ilorin’s expanding civic and spiritual structure. That inclusive spirit is not symbolic — it is practical. It is how the city was formed and how it has endured.
That unity has been tested. The battles of Ita Kudimo and Ita Ogunbo remain a key part of Ilorin’s collective memory — episodes where the city had to defend itself from the combined forces of the old Oyo empire and Baruba’s to the North. One of the most striking historical accounts describes an attack launched during Eid prayers — a moment when the city was supposed to be at rest. But Ilorin’s defenders rallied, repelled the invasion, and reasserted their control. These were not just military victories. They became defining moments in the city’s identity — a declaration that Ilorin will always stand together when it matters most.
Durbar, today, is not a re-enactment of those events — but it is a reminder. It reminds us that the unity we celebrate was built through sacrifice, discipline, and shared purpose. And every year, when the Emir emerges from the palace and proceeds through the old city, it is more than a ceremonial ride — it is a public recommitment to the bond between the throne and the people.
This year’s Durbar retained that sacred character. The Emir was led through streets not protected by military convoys, police barricades, or armed escorts — but by his traditional guards, holding only whips. There were no sirens. No armoured vehicles. Because in Ilorin, the people are the protection. The Emir doesn’t need to be shielded from his people — he is shielded by them. That’s not a gesture; it’s a relationship built over centuries.
Another defining feature of this year’s Durbar was the emergence of aso-ebi as a tool for community organisation. Uniform fabrics — chosen by families, streets, associations, or entire districts — were not just a fashion statement. They were a social framework. Planning for aso-ebi required weeks of conversation, coordination, and contribution. In the process, families abroad reconnected with those at home, groups met regularly, tailors got to work, and the community got busy. The result? The city didn’t just look united. It was united.
Durbar 2025 also showcased the impact of youth participation. Young people led media coverage, coordinated logistics, and documented the festival with fresh energy and modern storytelling. The festival was livestreamed and shared globally in real time, with clips and commentary flooding social media from Oja-Oba to London. Ilorin showed that it could hold on to its traditions without closing the door to innovation.
Through all of this, one thing remains true: Ilorin works not because it has one culture, but because it honours all of them. It is held together not by uniformity, but by a shared sense of meaning. While many other societies struggle with managing diversity, Ilorin simply lives it — through prayer, through leadership, and through moments like the Ilorin Durbar.
The 2025 edition was not without its logistical challenges — a festival of this scale always has some. But what it had in abundance was purpose, pride, and peace. And in a country still searching for models of cohesion, Ilorin has quietly offered one, year after year.
As the sun set over the city and the Emir returned to the palace, there was a quiet sense of satisfaction across the emirate. Another Durbar, successfully delivered. Another message, clearly sent. And the people — from Sabo Oke to Gambari, from Okelele to Pakata — all knew: this is ours.
Ilorin Durbar 2026 is already in sight. And if the story remains the same — of unity, order, and belonging — then the next chapter will be even stronger.
And in Ilorin, we don’t just look forward to it. We begin preparing now.
Yahaya Yahaya (Magayaki of Uke, Nasarawa State) writes from Ilorin
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