National News

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

Published

9 months ago

March 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

… Calls for Independent Inquiry into Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has said the speed at which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate over the ongoing saga with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio raises concern about application of due process.

AAN, in a statement personally signed by its Country Representative in Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu said while the group acknowledges the authority of the Senate Committee on Ethics to discipline its members for breaches of legislative rules, as it was done in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing her misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s seating arrangement during the plenary session on 20th February 2025, however expressed reservations on the dispatch of punishment.

Mamedu said “the speed with which the Senate’s Ethics Committee investigated, ruled on, and implemented her suspension raises concerns about due process. Within 24 hours, she was subjected to an inquiry, found guilty, and suspended for six months—losing her salary, allowances, security details, and access to her office. Given the weight of this decision, should such a process not have undergone thorough deliberation in line with the principles of fair hearing and justice enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution?

“Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing, which includes adequate time for defense and a transparent adjudication process. The Nigerian judiciary has also ruled that legislative suspensions should not exceed 14 days, reinforcing the principle that elect representatives cannot be arbitrarily denied their mandate for extended periods. How then does this six-month suspension align with legal precedent?”

Mamedu added that: “Beyond this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has resubmitted a petition concerning allegations of sexual harassment. ActionAid Nigeria expects the same urgency applied to her suspension to be used in reviewing this case. The Ethics Committee has demonstrated its ability to act swiftly—will this efficiency be extended to matters of justice and accountability, or does urgency only apply to punitive measures?

“ActionAid Nigeria demands an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry into the allegations of misconduct raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as an independent body mandated to safeguard human rights and promote justice, should be actively involved in cases like this to ensure impartiality. They have a duty to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or gender, receives fair treatment under the law. The involvement of an independent body in reviewing legislative disciplinary measures would strengthen public confidence in the system and ensure that punitive actions are not used as tools for political suppression. Given the questions surrounding the fairness of this case, the NHRC should initiate an independent review of the circumstances leading to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and examine whether due process was fully observed.

“This suspension also has wider implications. Beyond the immediate legal and ethical concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension further weakens women’s representation in Nigerian politics. Her removal from the Red Chamber reduces the already abysmal 3.6% female representation in the Senate to just 2.7%—one of the lowest in the world. Countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant progress in ensuring gender balance in their legislative bodies, with women constituting over 40% of parliamentary seats in some cases. The suspension of a female senator—especially in a case where the punishment is being questioned—only reinforces structural barriers that discourage women from pursuing political office.

“Her suspension also has serious consequences for the people she represents. Her constituents in Kogi Central are now effectively left out. By removing her from office for half a year, the Senate has, in effect, denied her constituents a seat at the table where critical national decisions are made. This raises fundamental concerns about democratic representation—should a constituency be punished alongside its senator? What mechanisms are in place to ensure that the people of Kogi Central continue to receive fair representation in the absence of their elected senator? The Senate must consider the broader consequences of such decisions and ensure that its disciplinary measures do not come at the expense of democratic governance.

“The National Assembly should be a space for diverse perspectives, yet this action raises concerns about whether opposition voices are being silenced. While legislative discipline is necessary, it must be exercised with fairness and consistency.”

ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to gender justice and democratic integrity, stating:
“ActionAid Nigeria respects the institution of the Senate, but we also urge it to uphold democratic principles by allowing room for dissenting voices rather than silencing them. The credibility of any democratic institution lies in its ability to accommodate differing perspectives, protect fundamental human rights, and ensure justice for all, regardless of gender, status, or political affiliation.”

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day, ActionAid Nigeria calls on the government to accelerate progress toward gender equality by strengthening policies that promote women’s political participation. Creating a fair, transparent, and safe environment for female politicians to emerge and thrive is a critical development goal that must not be undermined by institutional bias or abuse of power.

Mamedu said failure to act on these demands will send a dangerous message about Nigeria’s commitment to gender justice and human rights. The credibility of the Senate—and indeed, our democracy—is at stake.

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

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National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

13 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

13 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy