Feature/OPED
Leadership Judgment and Adamu Adamu Confession

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi
In October 2022, when it was first mentioned that a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was to be conferred on the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, by President Muhammadu Buhari, there was a flood of opposition from all quarters.
For instance, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in a statement, said: “Without considering the fact that Nigerian universities students have been at home for close to eight months as a result of the failure of the federal government to meet the demands of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and to properly fund education, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, is scheduled to be conferred with the National Honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).”
But as native wisdom proclaims, ‘the protestation of the innocent chick does not prevent or stall the sacrifice. If anything, the protestations enriched the sacrifice and hastened its value and efficacy’. Likewise, the flood of opposition did not stop President Buhari from conferring the award on Adamu Adamu.
However, a few weeks after the award was conferred on him, he confirmed the fears of Nigerians by admitting that he failed as the nation’s Minister for Education as he could not solve several challenges he ought to have solved despite being the longest-serving education minister.
The Minister highlighted that, from out-of-school children, who have increased during his time in office, to challenges of ASUU and other challenges bedevilling the tertiary education system, he could not provide the needed solution. The Minister spoke at the 66th National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja.
Viewed peripherally, Adamu’s ‘confessional statement’ and admission of failure may not be out of place, particularly as experts believe that when leaders open their failures or weakness(s), it shows followers that they are genuine and approachable-human and humane. In the same vein, it is believed in some quarters that when a leader exposes his weakness or admits his/her failures, it offers such a leader valuable protection. When one fails to expose such failures, stakeholders, observers and media professionals may discover it and get it blown out of proportion or, better still, even something worse.
More intrinsically, while Adamu Adamu could marginally be overlooked or forgiven, this piece holds the opinion that he is not alone in this failure. In fact, more blame resulting from Adamu Adamu’s failure should be placed on President Muhammadu Buhari’s table for his recognition of patronage/national award on the minister that performed abysmally below average.
Most pathetically, it is evident that Mr President, by the above act, demystified the sacredness of national honours and showed Nigerian students that his administration does not regard the youths as being critical stakeholders as far as national development is concerned.
“To say that a man under whose watch university students have been at home for close to eight months because of the strike embarked upon by lecturers got recognised by the President to be conferred with national honours is a direct attack on the students’.
But by far the most critical ill inherent in this conversation is the painful awareness that Mr President had earlier, in the face of the legion of challenges bedevilling the country, claimed that he has given his best for the country while adding that he is not expecting any appreciation from Nigerians.
The president, who spoke in an exclusive interview with NTA, said, “What else can I do for this country? I have given my best, I hope after I leave, Nigerians will reflect. I am not expecting any appreciation but what I am expecting is for Nigerians to say yes, this man has done his best.”
The questions arising from Mr President’s comment are; is Mr President’s effort good enough? Could his assertion on performance be truly viewed as objective and correct? Has President Muhammadu Buhari indeed and, in truth, provided a solution to the nation’s hydra-headed challenges? Or has his administration, in the estimation of many, not become a reality that Nigerians now worry about? Is Mr President’s claim on performance in line with economic realities on the streets of Nigeria? Is his argument on feat in accord with a series of reports from agencies and other interventionist groups?
Out of many, the report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), published Q2:2020 labour statistics, says something ‘interestingly’ different.
The referenced report revealed that Nigeria’s second-quarter unemployment rate among young people (15-34 years old) was 34.9%, up from 29.7%, while the rate of underemployment for the same age group rose to 28.2% from 25.7% in Q3, 2018. These rates were the highest when compared to other age groupings. Nigeria’s youth population eligible to work is about 40 million, out of which only 14.7 million are fully employed, and another 11.2 million are unemployed.
For a better understanding of where this piece is headed, youth in every society, says a study report, has the potential to stimulate economic growth, social progress and our national development. The strategic role of youths in the development of different societies of the world, such as Cuba, Libya, China, Russia and Israel, is obvious. Youth unemployment is potentially dangerous as it sends a signal to all segments of Nigerian society. Here in Nigeria, the rate of youth unemployment is high, even during the period of economic normalcy, i.e. the oil boom of the 1970s (6.2%), 1980s (9.8%) and the 1990s (11.5%). Youth unemployment, therefore, is not a recent phenomenon.
But if what happened in the 1980s/90s were challenges of sorts, what is happening presently, going by the report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is a crisis.
Thus, as Nigerians continue to groan under the present harsh economic situation in the country, some realities stand out.
One, the country is awash with captivating development visions, policies and plans, but impoverished leadership and corruption-induced failure of implementation of development projects on the part of the political leaders are responsible for the under-development. Secondly, under the present administration, no nation best typifies a country in dire need of peace and social cohesion among her various sociopolitical groups than Nigeria, as myriads of sociopolitical contradictions have conspired directly and indirectly to give the unenviable tag of a country in constant search of social harmony, justice, equity, equality, and peace.
Thirdly, the country’s economy has shown its inability to sustain any kind of meaningful growth that promotes the social welfare of the people. The result can be seen in the grinding poverty in the land. The running of our country’s economy continues to go against the provisions of our constitution, which stipulates forcefully that the economy’s commanding heights must not be concentrated in the hands of a few people.
The continuous takeover of national assets through dubious (privatization) programs by politicians and their collaborators is deplorable and clearly against the people of Nigeria. The attempt to disengage governance from public sector control of the economy has only played into the hands of private profiteers of goods and services to the detriment of the Nigerian people.
The greatest and immediate danger to the survival of the Nigerian state today is the unwarranted, senseless, premeditated, well organized and orchestrated killings across the country, particularly when almost all the time the killers are never apprehended, even when they make self-implicating statements about such killings.
Life in Nigeria, quoting Thomas Hobbs, has become nasty, brutish, and short. Nigerians have never had it so bad.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy) at Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He can 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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