Feature/OPED
The Pursuit of Green Economy for Niger Delta and Emerging Opportunities for Ex-Agitators
By Telema Wilson
Niger Delta region, home to about thirty million people and popularly acknowledged for its rich oil reserves that fetches over 70 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings, is also a rich producer of plantain.
Aside plantain being a widespread staple food, it is a unique delicacy that can be prepared by frying, roasting or boiling. For commercial purpose, it can be processed as plantain chips or into flour which has become a preferred substitute for wheat flour given its high quality nutritional content.
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) statistics show that Nigeria is a major plantain-growing nation with more than half of its estimated annual production capacity of 2.74 million tonnes coming from the Niger Delta alone. Of the sixteen states classified as plantain producers, nine are in the Niger Delta. These are Edo, Ondo, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Bayelsa and Abia states. Coincidentally, they are in the oil-producing region of Nigeria.
Given that plantain grows in abundance all-year round in the Niger Delta, the expectation is that it would constitute a high income generating source for farmers and those engaged in its post-harvest production.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case. That the Niger Delta plantain potential has remained untapped for decades is an ugly statement of fact that is overdue for remedy. This sad story of unexploited wealth becomes very uncomfortable to digest especially when it is tied to a people that have for decades sought fresh narratives beyond reliance on federally-controlled statutory allocations from oil earnings and have expressed resentment over environmental degradation from oil exploration activities.
The huge percentage of plantain lost to post-harvest inadequacies is regrettable. However, with the recent focus of the Federal Government on green economy for the region through its overhauled Niger Delta Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, a new dawn seems to have arrived.
Specifically, with a fresh economic vision of capturing ex-militants into agro-related initiatives, it is obvious that the present leadership of the DDR programme is offering an optimistic future and narrative that not only gives a sense of real economic hope but demonstrates increased genuine interest of the Federal government in the Niger Delta.
No doubt, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brigadier-General Boroh (rtd) has embraced the economic change agenda of the federal government, especially in running a series of new empowerment programmes focused on harnessing the potentials of Niger Delta ex-agitators. What stands out is the newly-introduced tarter pack plantain chip (a.k.a ‘kpekere’ or ‘hunger quencher’) production scheme which it grants Ex Agitators with special equipment like industrial plantain slicing machines, gas-powered commercial deep fryers and sealers. Even though, it is difficult to apply a sweeping narrative to all DDR agro projects, but there is sufficient evidence to affirm that most of the agriculture projects are successful especially the plantain chip production, a highly profitable venture.
The desire of the Office of the Special Adviser to the Presidency on Amnesty to use ex-agitators for industrial production of plantain chips to create value-added plantain products and income-generating opportunities is a welcome development.
Aside this DDR plantain chip production initiative having the capacity to reduce both redundancy and unemployment in the Niger Delta, it comes with huge economic prospects for beneficiaries of the programme.
Presently, the economic transformation of ex-agitators involved in plantain chip production seems to have just begun as the market is enormous. The Boroh-led DDR programme envisages that these products will eventually be exported across West Africa.
For now, the anticipated economic growth from the initiative may not be very noticeable because of the limited scope of the scheme.
However, emerging signals indicate it is a good partners’ approach by the President Buhari-led federal government as it is encouraging entrepreneurship through small business support for ex-agitators.
Certainly, such a quick impact money-earning project will advance peace and security in a region massively rocked by waves of restiveness powered by idle youths before the introduction of Amnesty aspect of the DDR in 2009.
On plantain chip production by Ex Agitators, the realistic forecast should be that with better equipped new entrepreneurs, the Niger Delta can become the biggest exporter of value-added and finished plantain products in Africa. Indeed, if the plantain abundance in the region is fully exploited and well managed, this hitherto hidden treasure may be a major source of wealth that could catapult the region’s fortune as the estimated annual economic gain for Niger Delta runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. However, whether or not the initiative can become Niger Delta’s new engine of economic growth will largely depend on next steps taken.
At the moment, all the economic variables of some Niger Delta ex-agitators becoming exporters are clear. The likelihood of the initiative thrusting the region to the top of trade in value-added plantain products rather than just suppliers of unprocessed raw materials is very high. With such an initiative in place, the economy of the Niger Delta will be driven mostly by agricultural production.
This will make the federal government’s dream of a Niger Delta green economy accomplishable. Also, it would have positive multiplier effect on employment of youths in the region and reverse the culture of reliance on government handouts.
While the big infrastructure projects that drive overall economic growth are being carried out by other intervention organisations like the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta, it is vital to recognize resentments expressed in Niger Delta that the benefits from such do not trickle down immediately to the masses nor offer direct monetary enhancement. The engagement of these agencies in plantain chips production will also assist in offering instant gains for the Niger Delta people and help dismiss the many misconceptions about the present administration’s good intents. Realistically, if this particular DDR programme can be replicated by other government agencies and interest groups involved in developing the region, then that might mean that a viable blueprint for the Niger Delta green economy would have been discovered.
This unique initiative under President Buhari’s administration towards harnessing the untapped potentials of the Niger Delta region’s plantain resources is commendable as it has already indicated positive results as being capable of introducing distinct gross financial gains and freedom from poverty for some ex-agitators.
However, the leadership of the DDR programme should recognize that the work ahead is much as only a minute population of the poor has been covered. As such, the need to dedicate more resources to broaden the scope of this winning initiative to accommodate more persons cannot be overemphasised. It is really unfortunate that women are almost completely excluded from the Niger Delta Developmental Action Plan but this idea of granting starter packs for commercial plantain production chip offers the leadership of the DDR programme an opportunity to redress the disturbing gender imbalance in its empowerment schemes, given that women are globally recognized as the veritable peace and home-builders especially in such a post conflict region.
Telema Wilson, Ph.D, is the Co-ordinator of Activists for Niger Delta Advancement & Positive Engagement. (ANDAPE) and writes from Port Harcourt.
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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