General
Terrorist Attacks Reporting: SERAP Urges Buhari to Block NBC Directive
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to use his leadership position to withdraw the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) policy banning journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims across the country.
In a notice dated July 7, 2021, NBC issued a directive asking journalists, television and radio stations in Nigeria to stop “glamourizing and giving too many details on the nefarious activities of terrorists and kidnappers” during their daily newspaper reviews.
The directive, titled Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution, was signed by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Mrs Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the new Director-General of the commission, Mr Balarabe Ilelah.
Reacting, SERAP called on Mr Buhari to urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw the directive it described as a “sweeping gag order.”
SERAP in a letter dated July 17, 2021, and signed by its deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The contents of the directive by the NBC to journalists and broadcast stations are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“We would be grateful if the repressive directive is withdrawn within 24 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, the SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”
The organization expressed “grave concern that the contents of the NBC directive would impermissibly restrict the rights to freedom of expression, information, and victims’ right to justice and effective remedies that are central to public debate and accountability in a democratic society.”
SERAP said: “Reporting on the growing violence and killings in many parts of the country is a matter of public interest. The NBC directive to journalists and broadcast stations to stop reporting these cases, coupled with the possibility of fines and other punishment, would have a disproportionate chilling effect on the work of those seeking to hold the government accountable to the public.”
“The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘too many details’, ‘glamorising, ‘divisive rhetoric’, and ‘security issues’ heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion on the government, and suggest that the NBC directive is more intrusive than necessary.”
“These words and phrases do not indicate precisely what kind of individual conduct would fall within their ambit.
“The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘too many details’, ‘glamorising, ‘divisive rhetoric’, and ‘security issues’ also raise concern that the NBC directive unduly interferes with the rights to freedom of expression and information, and is disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim. Ill-defined and/or overly broad directives are open to arbitrary application and abuse.
“The use of these words and phrases by the NBC, given their opaque and ambiguous meaning, leaves open the possibility for application beyond unequivocal incitement to hatred, hostility or violence. Such words and phrases may function to interpret legitimate reporting by broadcast stations, journalists, and other Nigerians as unlawful.
“Exacerbating these concerns are growing restriction of civic space, the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and the attempts by your government to push for the amendment of the Nigeria Press Council Act and the National Broadcasting Commission Act, to further suppress media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information.
“Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building a secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on broadcast stations, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.
“Article 19 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19 (2) establishes Nigeria’s obligations to respect and ensure this right, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, and through any media of one’s choice.
“Under article 19 (3), restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary ‘for respect of the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health and morals’.
“Although article 19 (3) recognizes ‘national security’ as a legitimate aim, the Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the Covenant, has stressed ‘the need to ensure that invocation of national security is not used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’
“Since article 19 (2) promotes so clearly a right to information of all kinds, this indicates that your government bears the burden of justifying any restriction on reporting of cases of violence and killings, and withholding of such information as an exception to that right.
“Any restrictions should be applied strictly so that they do not put in jeopardy the right itself. The NBC directive to broadcast stations fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of restrictions such as those being imposed by the NBC, with the aim of ensuring that restrictions target a specific objective and do not unduly intrude upon the rights of targeted persons.
“The interference with the constitutional and legal duties of journalists and broadcast stations cannot be justified in the context of the right to information, as the NBC directive has not shown that their reporting would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public’s interest in such information.
“The NBC directive may also create an environment that unduly deters and penalizes broadcast stations and journalists, and the reporting of government wrongdoing more generally.
“The Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom expression has concluded that national security considerations should be ‘limited in application to situations in which the interest of the whole nation is at stake, which would thereby exclude restrictions in the sole interest of a government, regime, or power group.’
“SERAP notes the collective interdependency of the compendium of constitutional and international human rights, which function to collectively complement and enhance the advancement of the security and rights of each individual in society.
“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in acting to ensure that Nigerian journalists and media can freely carry out their constitutional duties as contained in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“While your government has the obligation to maintain national security, this obligation is not set apart from the obligation to protect and ensure human rights. National security is a necessary and integral part of the right to security guaranteed to each person individually,” the letter said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
EMERGE, an acceleration platform powered by TheBoardroom Africa, has launched its digital platform to connect young African professionals with the skills, networks, structured support, and employer opportunities they need to build sustainable careers.
Industry stakeholders say Africa’s challenge is no longer a shortage of talent but the lack of systems that enable skilled professionals to advance their careers. Despite having the technical expertise and ambition, many workers struggle to access the mentorship, professional networks, career development programmes, and employer connections needed to sustain long-term career growth.
EMERGE will bring together the elements of career development, including structured learning, professional diagnostics, mentorship, peer support, employer engagement, and access to opportunity.
According to a statement, the organisers said – for professionals, EMERGE provides greater clarity, confidence, skills, visibility, and support to progress with intention. For employers, it creates access to a stronger, better-prepared, and more visible talent pipeline. For the wider economy, it helps more of Africa’s young professionals move into roles where they can contribute, lead, and grow, strengthening organisations and labour markets across the continent.
Developed with support from the Mastercard Foundation, EMERGE is already home to a growing community of more than 1,700 young African professionals, creating a powerful network of emerging talent across the continent. Around six in ten EMERGE members are women, reflecting a deliberate commitment to widening access for talented professionals who are too often overlooked by traditional career pathways. Open to professionals across the continent, EMERGE is building a more inclusive and representative pipeline for Africa’s next generation of leaders.
Speaking at the launch, the chief executive of TheBoardroom Africa, Mrs Marcia Ashong-Sam, said, “The issue has never been a lack of capable talent in Africa. The real challenge is that access to opportunity remains uneven, and career progression is too rarely supported in a structured, intentional way. EMERGE was created to change that. We are building the career infrastructure that too many young professionals have had to navigate without: a platform that helps them translate ambition and ability into sustainable, meaningful careers, while connecting employers to a stronger and better-prepared pipeline of African talent.”
The platform gives members access to a dynamic mix of live masterclasses led by industry practitioners, career-focused programming designed to build resilience and progression, self-paced courses through its Learning Hub, and thoughtfully selected career opportunities with some of Africa’s most innovative employers.
The EMERGE journey begins with the Leadership Compass, the platform’s proprietary baseline assessment, which gives each member a clearer view of where they are in their professional journey and where focused development could unlock the greatest growth. Insights from the assessment help shape a more personalised pathway through the EMERGE experience.
For employers, EMERGE offers a seamless way to invest in professional development at scale. Organisations can enrol staff cohorts on the platform, giving their teams continuous access to high-quality career development tools, masterclasses, learning pathways, and progression-focused support through the programmatic rhythm of the EMERGE experience.
Employers also benefit from aggregate cohort insights, enabling them to track progress, understand development priorities, and make more informed decisions about talent growth, retention, and internal mobility. In this way, EMERGE becomes more than a learning platform; it becomes a practical development pathway for building stronger, more prepared leadership pipelines from within.
Mrs Ashong-Sam added, “The needs of employers and professionals are closely connected. Employers want people who can grow with the business, contribute to strategy, and take on greater responsibility over time. Professionals want work that gives them progress, purpose, and financial stability. EMERGE brings both sides into the same conversation, with a focus on readiness, development, and opportunity.”
The platform reflects TheBoardroom Africa’s wider work to strengthen leadership ecosystems across the continent. Over the past decade, the firm has worked with senior executives, board leaders, and institutions across African markets and globally, giving it direct insight into the gaps that begin much earlier in people’s careers. EMERGE applies that experience at an earlier stage, supporting professionals before they reach senior roles and building a stronger pipeline of talent prepared for greater responsibility and decision-making.
EMERGE is open to professionals across Africa and will continue to expand its membership while engaging employers looking to strengthen their talent pipelines.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to prepare the legal framework for the implementation of state police across the country.
President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, inaugurated the panel at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The inauguration followed the National Assembly’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, in which the President proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
The President said that while the constitutional amendment creates the framework for state police, the National Policing Bill would provide the legal structure for its implementation.
“The Constitution Amendment Bill establishes the framework for dual policing, but it does not operationalise it. That work is left to the National Policing Bill.”
He said the proposed legislation would address issues necessary for a smooth operationalisation of the State Police system.
“The proposed National Policing Bill will include provisions on minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability, human rights safeguards and fiscal conditions.”
The President said that the committee will produce an implementation-ready draft bill immediately after the constitutional amendment process.
“The Working Group has been constituted to produce a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” President Tinubu said.
He said the committee was necessary to avoid delays after the State Police bill passed.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he said.
Mr Gbajabiamila will serve as the committee’s chairman. Members include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police. A Secretariat will offer some administrative assistance to the committee.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on behalf of the NGF, pledged governors’ support for the speedy implementation of the reform.
He said the plan is for the 36 state governors to accelerate work on the bill once it reaches their respective Houses of Assembly and is passed unanimously.
Mr Abiodun described the proposed state police as a response to Nigerians’ long-standing demand for community-based policing.
“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List.”
He said the initiative validated the success of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West.
Mr Abiodun said the state police would significantly increase the number of security personnel nationwide.
“If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police.”
The Governor commended President Tinubu for initiating implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process was completed.
“This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” Mr Abiodun said.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, described the initiative as timely in view of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” he said.
Mr Fagbemi urged governors to ensure speedy ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective state assemblies.
“I appeal to the governors to do their utmost to ensure the early passage of the constitutional amendment because this is a shared responsibility,” he said.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Afam Osigwe, reaffirmed the association’s support for the state police initiative.
“Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said.
Mr Osigwe, however, stressed the need for adequate legal safeguards to prevent abuse of state police.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” he said.
He pledged the NBA’s commitment to supporting the committee in producing legislation that will strengthen security while protecting citizens’ rights.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has saved $3.4 billion through a comprehensive contract restructuring and optimisation programme, according to its chief executive, Mr Bayo Ojulari.
This marks one of the company’s most significant efficiency gains since its transition into a commercially driven entity under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
The state oil company’s head disclosed this while presenting the company’s one-year performance scorecard at the opening of the 25th NOG Energy Week in Abuja, where he outlined improvements in production, revenue generation, operational efficiency and investor confidence.
According to Mr Ojulari, the contract review programme eliminated operational waste, strengthened commercial discipline and lowered costs without disrupting production, demonstrating that efficiency-driven reforms can deliver stronger financial returns while enhancing competitiveness.
He said the company’s operational performance improved significantly over the past year, with crude oil production rising by six per cent to 569.7 million barrels, while gas production increased 8.1 per cent to 2.576 trillion standard cubic feet.
He revealed that government revenue generated by the company also climbed 21.8 per cent to N19.5 trillion during the review period.
Mr Ojulari disclosed that Nigeria’s crude oil production has increased to about 1.71 million barrels per day, the highest level recorded in five years, while NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) achieved a record output of 365,000 barrels per day.
He reaffirmed the company’s production targets of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030, alongside plans to increase gas production from the current 7.62 billion cubic feet per day to 10 billion cubic feet by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet by 2030.
The NNPC helmsman attributed the stronger production performance to improved operational stability, enhanced security and the restoration of critical oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.
He revealed that Nigeria’s major crude export terminals achieved an average 98 per cent operational recovery between April 2025 and May 2026, a sharp turnaround from the severe disruptions experienced in 2022.
He added that key evacuation pipelines, including the Trans Niger Pipeline, Trans Escravos Pipeline, Trans Ramos Pipeline, Trans Forcados Pipeline and the Oando-Brass Pipeline, are now operating at full availability, significantly improving crude evacuation and boosting confidence among producers and investors.
Mr Ojulari also announced that NNPC maintained 100 per cent compliance with all Joint Venture (JV) cash-call obligations throughout 2025 and into June 2026, describing the achievement as a critical factor in sustaining investor confidence and preventing project delays.
However, he noted that while NNPC fulfilled all its funding commitments, some JV partners remained in default, increasing the company’s financial burden in several operations.
Beyond production, NNPC recorded major commercial milestones, including the execution of long-term Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) covering 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day of LNG feed gas and an additional 750 million standard cubic feet per day for domestic industrial gas supply to DFL FZE and the Dangote Refinery.
The company said the agreements are expected to unlock more than $20 billion in associated investments, with seven additional commercial transactions currently under negotiation.
Mr Ojulari further highlighted governance reforms introduced over the past year, including the resumption of monthly remittances to the Federation Account from July 2025, the restoration of monthly business performance reporting and the company’s first earnings call in November 2025, measures aimed at strengthening transparency and investor confidence.
Addressing industry stakeholders, Ojulari urged African governments, financiers, regulators and energy companies to deepen strategic partnerships to unlock the continent’s vast energy resources.
He observed that despite holding about 17 per cent of global natural gas reserves, Africa continues to attract only a small share of global energy investment, stressing that stronger collaboration across the public and private sectors will be essential to drive industrialisation, improve energy security and maximise long-term value from the continent’s natural resources.
