General
Sanwo-Olu Tasks Lateef Jakande Academy Cohorts on Good Leadership
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at an interactive session on Wednesday, met with the first set of finalists identified for the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.
The academy, which officially commences in January 2023, is a leadership and mentorship programme of the state government with the vision to develop tomorrow’s leaders today for public service and governance in Africa.
The Lagos State Governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle; the Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo and the newly appointed Executive Secretary, Ms Folasade Coker, who will be responsible for overseeing the academy.
During the very engaging interactive session, the Governor discussed with the finalists to get more insight into their professional journey and some of the reasons why they decided to participate in the program.
The academy received over 3,000 applications; however, after a thorough selection process in line with global best practices, only 36 emerged as finalists to be considered for the 30 fellowship positions available. The screening process included a computer-based test and a full-day assessment centre which included various exercises such as simulation role plays, competency-based interviews and presentations based on a case study developed and customised for Lagos State.
The academy was initiated to equip the fellows with the requisite skills to influence the public service and instil the ethics and values of purposeful leadership not only through direct leadership coaching, mentoring and on-the-job experience but a customised public leadership training programme developed in conjunction with Lagos Business School, Oxford University and other notable leadership experts in the country.
The one-year non-partisan and meritocratic fellowship will offer first-hand experience in the process of governance. Fellows will be assigned to and mentored by the Executive Cabinet members and other notable private and public sector leaders.
In her comments, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, said; “I would like to congratulate the candidates for making it to the final stage; it has been a very intense assessment process. I assure all of you that this programme promises to be extremely transformational. The fellows will get the opportunity to participate in discussions with renowned leaders from both the public and private sectors and learn more about public administration at all levels of governance during their domestic and international policy trips.”
Speaking at the interactive session, Mr Sanwo-Olu said: “This project is part of my donation and legacy to give back, not just to Lagos, but the entire country. Nation-building is top of our agenda, it is not about how you lead or are a leader; it’s also about how many future leaders you develop to help continue to build that Nation. Our aim is to create more leaders and I am extremely pleased with the diversity of the finalists that have been shortlisted.
“We searched for the best in class in order to develop the next generation of leaders, and with my interaction with the finalists today, I am excited about what the future holds. We have found potential youthful Nigerians, and I am confident they will become great leaders that will create more opportunities and change the nation. We will provide them with the platform that will allow them to gain exposure to drive purposeful leadership that will impact our Nation!”
The fellowship was named after the late Lateef Jakande based on the impact he made in Lagos State, one of which is the education sector. Lagos State established the academy as an institution that will sustain and project his core values and legacy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the federal government to review the fuel import licences recently issued to some marketers, saying the policy is driving up fuel prices, putting pressure on foreign exchange and creating instability in the downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking in Abuja, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Chinedu Ukadike, said the current import regime has not achieved its goal of making fuel more affordable. Instead, he argued that it has encouraged the importation of more expensive petrol while increasing the country’s dependence on foreign exchange.
According to Mr Ukadike, some importers plan to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, for about N1,350 per litre, which is higher than the ex-depot price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The IPMAN official questioned the need to import fuel at higher prices when locally refined products are available at lower costs, noting that the situation has made it difficult for independent marketers to plan their businesses because import costs continue to fluctuate.
Mr Ukadike also raised concerns about the quality of some imported fuel and called on regulators to ensure that only products that meet Nigeria’s standards are allowed into the country.
The association warned that continued fuel imports also increase demand for the US Dollar since importers pay for products in foreign currency. This, the association said, puts additional pressure on the naira and contributes to higher fuel prices.
The association stressed that Nigeria should focus on supporting local refining to improve energy security and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
It noted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has helped maintain steady fuel supply despite global disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East.
According to IPMAN, greater use of locally refined fuel would reduce FX demand, strengthen the refining industry, create jobs and improve economic stability. It also said producing enough fuel for local consumption while exporting excess output would help Nigeria earn more foreign exchange.
The association called on the federal government, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Presidential Committee on downstream reforms to engage stakeholders and adopt policies that support domestic refining.
IPMAN said strengthening local refining remains the best long-term solution for affordable fuel, stable supply and improved energy security in Nigeria.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reiterated that the July 31, 2026, deadline for insurance companies to meet the new minimum capital requirements remains firm, warning operators against treating it as a mere formality.
The Commissioner for Insurance of NAICOM, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, who gave this warning, urged companies that have yet to meet the new minimum capital requirements to act with urgency.
Speaking on Friday at the investiture of Mr Akinjide Oluwarotimi-Orimolade as the 53rd President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in Lagos, Mr Omosehin said the recapitalisation exercise remained a critical pillar of the Commission’s ongoing reforms aimed at building a stronger, more resilient and consumer-focused insurance industry.
According to him, the new minimum capital requirement is designed to improve insurers’ claims-paying capacity, strengthen their balance sheets, support higher domestic risk retention and prepare the industry for a risk-based capital regime.
“With about 14 days to the July 31 deadline, we commend operators that have made significant progress in raising capital, engaging investors, strengthening governance and submitting for the Commission’s verification process.
“However, the deadline is not symbolic; it is regulatory, and the industry must treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he said.
The Commissioner assured stakeholders that the insurance sector regulator would maintain a transparent, fair and firm process, stressing that every operator must demonstrate financial soundness, regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
He added that stronger capitalisation must ultimately translate into better service delivery, prompt settlement of claims, improved consumer protection and greater public confidence in insurance.
Mr Omosehin noted that the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 has provided a stronger legal framework for a more resilient, better-governed and responsive insurance market, adding that NAICOM’s reform agenda is focused on market conduct, policyholder protection, governance, insurance penetration, financial inclusion and responsible innovation.
He described professionalism as the foundation of a trusted insurance market, saying the industry’s growth depends not only on adequate capital and effective regulation but also on ethics, competence, innovation and public confidence.
“The strength of insurance depends not only on capital and regulation but also on professionalism, ethics, innovation and public confidence. A trusted insurance market cannot be built on capital alone. It requires competent professionals, ethical institutions, credible advice and fair treatment of policyholders,” he stated.
By Bon Peters
About 29,645 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, as well as industrial palm oil, edible palm oil and vegetable oil with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N26 million have been auctioned by the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The products were seized by the agency from some smugglers and auctioned on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Oron Outstation of the Command in Akwa Ibom State, in strict compliance with Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.
It was gathered that the command auctioned 14,720 litres of petrol and 14,925 litres of industrial palm oil, edible palm oil and vegetable oil, according to a statement issued over the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the command’s spokesman, Mr Joshua Iliya, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs.
It was disclosed that the exercise aligned with the service’s statutory mandate to transparently dispose of seized, forfeited, and abandoned goods after all due legal processes have been completed.
The petrol had a DPV of N11.4 million, 14,200 litres of industrial palm oil with a DPV of N14.1 million, 600 litres of edible palm oil with a DPV of N840,000, and 125 litres of vegetable oil with a DPV of N141,000.
Declaring the auction open, the Acting Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Mr Esien Etim Esiet, stated that the items were intercepted during successful anti-smuggling operations within the command’s jurisdiction, adding that the seizures followed direct violations of the NCS Act and other extant laws governing restricted goods.
“This exercise reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of government assets,” he stated, reiterating that, “Beyond the lawful disposal of goods, this auction serves as a stark reminder that smuggling is an economic crime.”
“It undermines national development, threatens local industries, and deprives the government of critical revenue,” he averred, commending the resilience and professionalism of the command’s officers for securing Nigeria’s maritime borders despite operating in challenging terrains.
The customs officer assured bidders that the process was structured to be fair, open, and legally compliant while offering equal opportunity to all eligible participants.
