Feature/OPED
Eluu Pee, and the Nigerian Narrative…
By Prince Charles Dickson PhD
All women think the same things about men… their father is a hero; their son is a genius and their husband is an…
Northwest of Managua, in the city of León, lived the poet Alfonso Cortés (1893–1969), who had been declared ‘mad’ at the age of 34 and chained in his bedroom. Another of Nicaragua’s great poets, Ernesto Cardenal (1925–2020), grew up not far from the home of Cortés. As a child, Cardenal said he used to walk by the Cortés home from the Christian Brothers School, and once he saw the ‘poeta loco’ in his chains. A lack of health care condemned Cortés to this humiliation. On one occasion, on his way to see a doctor in Managua, Cortés was driven past a thousand-year-old Genízaro tree in Nagarote, a tree to whom the ‘poeta loco’ wrote a beautiful poem of hope:
I love you, old tree, because, at all hours, you generate mysteries and destinies in the voice of the afternoon winds or the birds at dawn.
You who the public plaza decorates, thinking thoughts more divine than those of man, indicating the paths with your proud and sonorous branches.
Genízaro, your old scars where, like in an old book, it is written what time does in its constant falling;
But your leaves are fresh and happy, and you make your treetop tremble into infinity while humankind goes forward.
What the ordinary Nigerian is doing to the country is as terrible as what we sometimes claim that bad leaders are doing; the ordinary Nigerian forgets that he/she has a responsibility to make Nigeria a better place.
What you guys are doing to this country is as terrible as what you claim the bad leaders are doing.
We all have a responsibility to make Nigeria a better place for all. However, it won’t happen, try as hard for now, the reality is that for an overwhelming majority, our politics is based on tribe ethnicity, religion, and faith will tear us apart continuously, and I have more often than not been an advocate of being proud of your identity but not at the expense of it being the basis of opposition.
Comparatively, by the age of our democracy, we may be doing well, but by the same measure of statehood, we are far away.
Let me put it this way; we have made considerable inroads if you look at where American democracy was 30 years ago, its crudity, the madness and ours. We are doing well under what many, including myself, see as burdened conflicts everywhere we have had an election, we are growing, okay, maybe not developing, but we are making strides.
The pain is we are stuck in the same narratives, same bad news, same fuel palavar, same cash straps, unemployment, poor infrastructure and a long list I won’t bore us with. We fight both foreign imperialism and local colonialism.
Same people who said Jibril was Mr Buhari still hold opinions and are entitled to it in a blalabu manner, we are stuck with men that are either unifying, taking counsel from mad men, or building on the gains of a ‘ruling’ government that many say have failed.
We are really no different because critical thinking is a task, we turn logic on its head, our way or no way, and many of us keep saying that the problem is not democracy but finding the tailored material that addresses our weight, height and other flamboyance considerations.
I have very often questioned our top-heavy governance structure so much that I ask who is your councillor, who is your local council chairperson, show me that one local government amongst 776 that is a model, a micro-Dubai, where that locale has the very basic, water, light, good roads, healthcare, education to thrive at a minimal cost.
The above can’t and won’t work because, at the very base, we still do what we do at the top, micromanage the ‘fights. And let me explain here. At the top, it’s Muslims versus Christians, South versus North and more… in the state, it is, for example, Catholic versus Anglican or like in Oyo state, it is Ibadan man versus Oke-Ogun man, Protestants versus Pentecostal, Sunnis versus Shiites, natives versus non-natives, till we get to one zone versus another zone. Our dichotomies are battle lines.
One of the many reasons our narratives remain the same is we constantly have and consistently refused to understand meritocracy is the only way forward, that although, in a manner that is best understood by deep analytical quest, out there it is easy to be an American, Brit, or any European citizen by merit, and based on the skills set or what you offer that society, not where you come from or your faith.
A society that wants a very good tricycle repairman to repair a Benz, that wants a good doctor for their health but wants his unqualified townsman or mosque’s man to be commissioner for finance is doomed. And while this is not out of place if you place pragmatism to play, the cat, black or white, remains inconsequential as long as it catches the rat. In our case, adding the lack of merit to the fact that this cat is unable to catch a rat, and is also afraid of the rat, how would the narrative change?
We are stuck by a lack of ideology or, at best, an ideology of parapoism, crass nepotism, favouritism, and corruption, such that those that want to steal at every given time are more than those that are stealing. Those that want Obi and say he is the best are stealing and want Obi to stop them from stealing, and then others believe that either Atiku or Tinubu is a case of the thief we know. As long as the thief is a member of your masjid or from your side of the hood.
Indeed, we are a people! We may sing Eluu Pee, and we may chant on his mandate, but unless we change the narrative, we go nowhere; how much longer can we tolerate the present chaos—only time will tell.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
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