Feature/OPED
Zulum, Leadership and the Hope of a New Nigeria
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
One event in recent weeks that inspired this piece is the news report that Mr Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, facilitated the enrolment of 5,361 orphans who lost their parents to insurgency in Monguno Local Government Area.
Going by a statement signed by Mr Isa Gusau, Mr Zulum’s Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, it stated that the Governor and some members of his cabinet participated in the two-day exercise.
It explained that 5,361 orphans aged from seven to 13 were given free uniforms, writing materials and free meals in schools.
“They were registered in the presence of their guardians who gave their biographical details, including places of displacement and indigenous local government.
“The 5,361 orphans are part of over 50,000 children either orphaned by Boko Haram or with parents and relations missing as a result of attacks on several communities by Boko Haram since 2009,” the report had said.
With the above highlighted, the question may be asked; who is Babagana Zulum?
Mr Zulum, from the information in the public domain, is a Nigerian professor and politician. He is the serving Governor of Borno State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aside from coming to power when Nigeria is afflicted with perennial leadership haemorrhage, Zulum is governing a war-turned/Boko Haram ravaged Borno State at a time when democracy in the country has devolved to a pathetic state: when prospective elected public servants seek office merely for the sake of politics.
And in a season when the majority of so-called leaders are motivated by power and politics only and campaign on lofty ideals to get the vote of their constituents, but when they are elected, they renege on their promises to their constituents. sadly, ‘the rise of these leaders serves only to exacerbate the decline of reason and further jeopardize our democracy’.
But despite these circumstances and leadership low moments and drooping spirits that now characterizes our democracy, there exists something strikingly different about Mr Zulum’s leadership virtues and attributes that not only stands him out but are worth commenting/emulating.
As subsequent paragraphs will reveal, Mr Zulum fundamentally understands that there are many young Nigerians who want to be educated in order to live, earn a decent living and provide the future leadership needs of the country.
He understands that these young Nigerians expect their leaders to formulate sound policies that will address the scary and mind-numbing number of out of school children particularly in the northern part of the country via the provision of quality and accessible education.
Many governments in the past have made this promise with neither fulfilment nor commitment.
Governor Zulum also made a similar promise and he is tackling the problem differently.
He formulated different strategies with innovation in the state to help deliver the state education sector from the wood and backwardness.
He redefined leadership to reflect a selfless service/ ‘win-win’ situation where the leader/doer sees self as a stakeholder who must provide direction at the most fundamental level without waiting for any returns. Mr Zulum as the Borno state Governor has to my understanding demonstrated to his people more empathy than sympathy.
The situation says something else!
The governor also announced plans to engage Islamic teachers to teach guardians and other adults who are willing to learn in adult literacy classes. He also approved scholarships from primary to tertiary education for children of Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters, and vigilantes supporting the military in fighting Boko Haram.
From the above account, comes the difference between empathy and sympathy.
While sympathy involves acknowledging through a verbal, emotional or facial expression of kindness to someone in difficulty, without necessarily taking pragmatic/theatrical steps that will completely deliver or partially ameliorate the victim’s pains/situation, empathy, says something different. As it involves sharing in the pains of others and participates in the struggle to overcome their challenge.
This attribute of empathy is what stands Zulum out from another bunch of leaders.
Comparatively, without any shadow of the doubt, the majority of state governors in the country are laced with volumes of sympathy. This explains why they seamlessly interpret the problems of their subjects with clarity but lacking in political will to solve or implement solutions. This possession of sympathy as against empathy contributes to why many daily define leadership too narrowly in a ways/manner devoid of process and outcome fairness.
As the effort by Mr Zulum is celebrated by the watching world, even more, does a similar report say something more about his (Zulum) massive construction, rehabilitation and renovations of hundreds of blocks of classrooms and offices in schools, with all of them well-equipped with hi-tech learning facilities.
In 2020, for instance, it was reported that he successfully commissioned two mega schools, which the government built in low-income communities of Borno State.
In the words of analysts, this is means that about 3,000 pupils now have access to 60 classrooms. The state government provided pupils already admitted with free uniforms. While the schools will be run by the communities, the state government will pay the teachers’ salaries.
To make them functional, the government has employed 1,000 additional teachers for the state. Apart from the provision of facilities, attention is given to the training and re-training of school teachers.
Now, let’s listen to Mr Zulum, “The intention of this administration is to rehabilitate all the 76 existing primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council. Additional classrooms will be constructed where there’s a need for it.”
Fundamentally, Mr Zulum in my view, understands that the children in the state are knowledge-hungry; that they are innocently asking for quality and affordable education delivered in a conducive/habitable environment laced with portable water and stable electricity
Regardless of what others may say (Zulum) action has added fillip to the argument by some commentators that leadership challenge in the country significantly has nothing to do with cluelessness. But largely depends on the understanding that their vision and agendas are at odds with the general inspirations and motivations of the population.
Indeed, Mr Zulum success and provision of leadership in the face of hostility at a time when other state Executives in relative parts of the country cannot scratch the surface of governance/leadership reminds me of the age-long saying that as a people, we are poor not because of our geographical locations or lack of natural resource but because we have a lot of market failures and because policymakers do not know how to get rid of them and have heeded the wrong advice in the past.
In my view, a browse through the activities of some state Governors will reveal without hesitation the serial adoption of disastrous policies and wrong advice in the handling of the challenges bedevilling their states and administrations. And without marketing him, there is no argument that Nigeria and Nigerians put more Zulums in leadership positions for us to build the nation of our dreams.
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.
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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