Feature/OPED
NDDC And The 10th NASS As Partners In Niger Delta Development
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
In the words of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, who serves as the vice president, prime minister, and minister of defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ‘teamwork is the major driving force of any great undertaking. When each member of a team fully understands their part, he feels more committed to the team and more determined to provide his best. To realize our common goals in today’s complex economic scene, we need a higher level of coordination, not only by members of individual teams but also, on a collective level. In fact, as public officeholders, we should often always consider ourselves as generals in the army of nation-building and development’.
Comparatively, very recently, Nigerians with critical minds have come to an exciting discovery that the above ordinance on teamwork, the need for a higher level of coordination and the view of public office holders as ‘Generals in the Army of nation building and development have finally found a home in Nigeria; it daily reflect on the healthy working relationship between the leadership/members of the nation’s 10th National Assembly, and governing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
For a better understanding of the direction the piece is headed, it is imperative to underline that Niger Delta is a region that in the past experienced uncountable hiccups which made it look rudderless and about to sink. At some point, the region and its people appeared to have mastered the challenges it was contending with and poised to the formidable which in the long run became elusive.
It is equally relevant to the present discourse to emphasize that right from the inauguration of the present governing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), all those hitherto rumble, tumble and insurmountable hiccups and challenges confronting the region and its people, now appear solvable.
Essentially, while the above feat of sustainable transformation by the Commission is celebrated with great appreciation to the presidency for its unalloyed support through the supervising Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, another silent but salient point this piece is fixated on is the support and healthy working relationship the Commission enjoys with the members of the 10th National Assembly, particularly the Senate Committee on NDDC and its counterpart at the House of Representatives.
Aside from the prompt but painstaking screening and subsequent confirmation of the NDDC board and management by the Senate and House of Representatives, I recently had a fortunate opportunity to witness the commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, electricity and road projects executed by the Commission at Okitipupa in Ondo state and Ogbia in Bayelsa state respectively.
At the separate but related events, I listened with rapt attention to the goodwill messages delivered by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC. I also listened with interest to that of Honourable Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.
Clearly, the content of their messages, going by objective assessment, showcased a Senate and House Committees desirous of seeing the NDDC board and management succeed in their statutory responsibility and the region blossom in infrastructure, healthy environment and human capital development.
Take as an illustration, while the duo at the events congratulated the NDDC and the people of the region for the breakthroughs, they were particularly loud and clear in their promise of willingness to take any positive legislative step that will assist the NDDC governing board and management as presently constituted, succeed in its present statutory responsibility of bringing sustainable infrastructural and human capital development to the region and its people.
Indeed, the present understanding and pragmatic alliance by Barrister Chiedu Ebie led NDDC governing board and management, the Senate and House of Representatives Committees, for Niger Delta region development is not only commendable but timely. And if sustained, it will usher in something new and different to the region and its people.
The reason is not farfetched.
First and very key, the long existence of total absence of infrastructure and deplorable state in some cases in the region particularly in the coastal/riverine communities was not only condemned but a reality worried about for years by Niger Deltans of goodwill, development professionals, Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and of course, international community.
More specifically, for many years, most of the towns, communities and villages in the region had no potable water. Even those that initially had were no longer functional.
However, if what happened in the past concerning infrastructural absence and decay in the region was a challenge, that of education was a crisis.
Take as another illustration, a visit to the coastal part of the region reveals that they have not vanished physically but only exist in the frames. In the riverine communities, many children, particularly the children of fishermen and women, are out in school not because they are not willing to be educated but because the cost of education is beyond the reach of their parents.
For the majority of schools, no learning takes place as a greater number of public schools sited in the area are short of teachers and dotted with dilapidated buildings. On the other hand, the private schools where the environment is conducive for learning are not only far from those communities but also capital intensive.
But, despite these sorry stories coming from the region, there are individuals and communities in recent times that think that the ghost of dark days in the region has been put to rest and there is light at the horizon. Very recently, many communities going by reports have benefited tremendously from NDDC as a commission, particularly under the present leadership and want it to continue. All they ask of the lawmakers is to creatively devise legislation that is coastal areas-specific to aid the NDDC achieve more in those localities particularly, as it concerns access to education, infrastructure, a loveable environment, job opportunities, human capital development and a sustainable future.
Catalyzing the process of achieving the aforementioned request will, from what analysts are saying, demand two immediate actions from the nation’s 10th National Assembly.
One, it calls for increased funding of the Commission. This is a reality that members of the NASS must not be allowed to go with the political winds if they are desirous of seeing their commitment and declarations on different occasions bear the targeted result.
For me, adequate funding of the agency must be implemented not for political reasons but for the survival of the region, its people and our democracy.
Still, another urgent demand from the national Assembly to assist NDDC perform its responsibility and fast-track the development of its mandate states is the development of political will via effective legislation to compel International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region to pay their statutory fees to the Niger Delta Development Commission. This piece holds that it is not in any way a good commentary that IOCs and other corporate organizations operating in the region that are duty-bound to make remittances to the Commission will complacently owe the agency with making any frantic effort to offset such indebtedness.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator of Media and Policy for Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA). He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
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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