General
FG Vows to Give Priority to Local PR Consultants
By Dipo Olowookere
As a way of developing the capacity, skills and the expertise of indigenous public relations consultants in Nigeria, the Federal Government has promised to henceforth give them priority.
Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, made this pledge last Friday when President of Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PR-CAN), Mr John Ehiguese, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja.
Mr Mohammed noted that a policy would soon be adopted by the government to give the right of first refusal to indigenous consultants in its projects.
According to him, even when a foreign consultant is coming into the country, the company must involve indigenous consultants.
He recalled that “at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, it was hotly debated that in all forms of consultancy we should as a matter of policy insist that no consultant should come without his own Nigerian partner. That way we believe that it will make it easier for us to develop the capacity, skills and the expertise of our home-grown consultants.”
He said when enacted, the policy will not only give impetus to job creation but it will also assist in the development of the capacity of the indigenous consultants.
“When you involve your own consultants in your projects, you are not just taking expert advice, you are also employing people who have already bought into the project and who appreciate the fact that the success of that project is the success of the country.
“We believe in skills and technology transfer but if you don’t give your people a chance, who is going to give them a chance? People argue that the Nigerian consultants don’t have the requisite experience. Even if that is the case, how will they get it if you continue every time to shun them and you prefer foreign consultants? These foreign consultants got to where they got to because they were given the opportunity from their country,” the Minister said.
He said once the policy is active, government ministries and agencies will begin to involve consultants like PR-CAN in their programmes.
Mr Mohammed said even in the development of the “Change Begins With Me” Campaign, indigenous consultants also made their contributions to the project and he expressed the willingness to continue to engage them in the national re-orientation campaign.
In his remarks, the President of PR-CAN, Mr John Ehiguese, sought to make available the skills and expertise of the association to support the government’s policy communication programmes.
“Honourable Minister, the overriding reason for our seeking this audience with you today is to share some of our thoughts and ideas with you on how we, as professionals in the area of strategic communications can, with your assistance, contribute our quota to supporting the numerous policy communication programmes and campaigns which you superintend by virtue of your office,” he said.
He expressed the optimism that the numerous challenges confronting the government can be effectively tackled through effective and proper communication.
Mr Ehiguese expressed the association’s appreciation to the Minister for “the great job you are doing in trying to bring about genuine change in our country, as well as to market the government’s policies and programmes.”
He also extended an invitation to the Minister to serve as Guest Speaker in the 2017 PR-CAN Gold Medal Lecture coming up in Abuja, an invitation which the Minister has accepted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) saved over N348.8 million for port users and resolved 19 complaints in the first quarter of 2026.
According to its sectoral data report from the council’s quarterly newsletter, which covered January to March 2026, the agency’s continued intervention in disputes within the maritime sector is aimed at reducing trade frictions and protecting shippers from unfair practices.
A breakdown of the complaint status shows that, out of 32 cases handled during the period, 19 were successfully resolved, 12 are still ongoing, and one has been closed.
In terms of financial impact, the NSC’s dispute resolution efforts led to a total savings of N348,813,072.06 for stakeholders, particularly importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and shipping agents.
Further analysis of the report indicates that shipping companies and their agents accounted for the highest number of complaints, with 22 cases filed against them.
“Other entities complained against include seaport terminal operators (1), government agencies (3), exporters (1), importers (1), de-consolidators (1), and freight forwarders/clearing agents (3).
“The complaints lodged during the period cut across a wide range of operational and financial issues. Prominent among them were container deposit refund disputes, which recorded the highest frequency with five cases, followed by arbitrary charges (4).
Other issues included unsettled demurrage (2), missing cargo (2), service failure (2), damaged cargo (2), wrong port of discharge (2), and non-release of auction cargo (2).
“Additional complaints involved delays in cargo transfer, breach of trust, invoice cancellation, lack of telex release, delay in releasing export documents, export fraud, waiver-related disputes, demurrage and detention of vessels, breach of contract, and unjustified demurrage charges,” the data report stated.
The data also reveals that the majority of complainants were shippers, including importers and exporters, alongside freight forwarders and shipping agents, reflecting the operational challenges faced by key players in Nigeria’s port value chain.
The NSC, as the port economic regulator, noted that it has consistently leveraged its complaints and dispute resolution mechanism to address grievances and ensure fairness in commercial transactions within the maritime industry.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s research, science, technology and innovation sector.
The approval was granted during the council’s meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Pauline Sule, the fund will be supervised by the ministry and managed through a 17-member National Council on Research and Innovation.
The council will be chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, while the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, will serve as vice chairman.
Reacting to the development, Mr Udeh described the approval as a major step towards building an innovation-driven economy and strengthening Nigeria’s research ecosystem.
He said the initiative aligns with the federal government’s economic agenda aimed at achieving a $1 trillion economy under the Renewed Hope programme.
The Minister, however, noted that the fund would still undergo legislative, administrative and operational procedures before full implementation and disbursement begin.
According to him, the National Research and Innovation Development Fund is expected to provide strategic financial support for researchers, innovators, startups and technology developers across the country when fully operational.
He added that the initiative would help strengthen local research capacity, encourage the commercialisation of innovations and deepen collaboration between academic institutions and industry players.
The ministry also stated that the fund is expected to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness within the global technology and knowledge economy.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One Mr Taofeek Daniel Oriola has been convicted and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for money laundering.
He was sentenced by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, May 11, 2026.
His journey to the correctional centre started when he used part of the proceeds of his unlawful activity derived from fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions to acquire some properties, which have now been forfeited to the federal government.
The said properties include a 2014 Range Rover (Supercharged) with VIN Number SALGS3TF7EA180971, a five-bedroom apartment with boys’ quarters in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, a parcel of land measuring 653.479 square metres situated at Ibeju-Agbe in Ibeju-Lekki, and one iPhone 16.
The convict, in April 2026, committed the offence contrary to Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Mr Oriola was brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities.
“That you, TAOFEEK DANIEL ORIOLA (Male), adult, sometime in April 2026 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this court, engaged in the disguise of the true source of a 2014 Range Rover (Supercharged) with VIN No. SALGS3TF7EA180971, which you knew formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity derived from fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
“That you, TAOFEEK DANIEL ORIOLA (Male), adult, sometime in April 2026 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this court, engaged in the disguise of the true source of a five-bedroom apartment with boys’ quarters situated at Ibeju-Agbe, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, which you knew formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity derived from fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act,” two of the three charges read.
After pleading “guilty” to the charges when read to him, Justice Osiagor sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, with an option of a N200,000 fine on each count. The judge also ordered him to undertake seven days of community service.
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