National News
At 4th AU Forum, VP Shettima Urges Integration Of Informal Economy Into Formal Intra-African Trade Framework
At 4th AU Forum, VP Shettima Urges Integration Of Informal Economy Into Formal Intra-African Trade Framework
** Demands strong MSME ecosystem for Africa’s prosperity
** Says Nigeria is deepening investments to expand capacity of small businesses
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said Africa’s future economic success depends on its ability to integrate the informal sector into the formal intra-African trade framework, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, the promise of a better future for Africa does not depend on the skyscrapers being constructed in capitals of nations or the transactions in stock exchanges but lies in the reality that the “potential of the informal sector, which accounts for nearly 90 percent” of the continent’s workforce, must be harnessed.
Senator Shettima, who stated this on Monday when he declared open the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum in Abuja, warned that if Africa fails to harness the potential in the informal sector for small businesses to grow, the continent would “keep going round the same cycle of despair.”
To achieve this, he demanded the integration of the informal economy into the fabric of formal intra-African trade, noting that this is the reason why small businesses have remained at the heart of policy formulation in Nigeria.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, there can be no African prosperity without a strong MSME ecosystem. This forum is a continental call to action. We owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to generations unborn, to integrate our informal economy into the framework of formal intra-African trade.
“I am confident that through our collaborative efforts, this forum will mark a turning point. We hope to see our shared aspirations translated into concrete actions that empower our MSMEs and propel Africa towards a brighter, more sustainable future,” VP Shettima told delegates and other participants at the forum.
Welcoming the delegates and participants to the forum, the Vice President conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of assurance, of Nigeria’s hospitality, and the nation’s readiness to join other countries on the continent in learning from one another, as well as the determination to agree on the direction taken to effectively compete with the rest of the world.
He underscored the crucial role MSMEs play in the development and growth of Africa, observing that beyond employing millions of Africans, “they are engines of inclusive growth and effective tools for poverty alleviation.
“In Nigeria alone, MSMEs contribute a staggering 48 per cent to our national GDP and employ over 84 per cent of our workforce. They are a mirror to our future, and they explain why we are deepening our investments to expand the capacity of this sector,” Senator Shettima said.
Beyond building local infrastructure for entrepreneurial expansion, the Vice President implored African countries to entrench cross-border cooperation since their destinies are bound together as a continent.
He identified some of the obstacles confronting MSMEs in Africa to include limited access to affordable finance, describing this particular challenge as a recurring nightmare, just as he noted that with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is still hope.
“It costs our continent not just money—it costs us momentum. But we must find hope in the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This is why I am particularly excited about the theme of this forum—“Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa.” The timing is perfect. The vision is clear,” he declared.
VP Shettima acknowledged what he termed a remarkable surge in digital adoption across Africa, saying technology is achieving what politics has struggled to actualise over the years.
He noted, however, that for the momentum to be sustained, policymakers must live up to their duties by “investing in robust digital infrastructure, bridging the digital literacy gap, and establishing regulatory frameworks that do not stifle innovation,” he said.
Regretting the continued dependence of MSMEs on traditional financial institutions, Shettima, however, expressed hope that change is unfolding, with fintech firms across Africa now using alternative data to assess creditworthiness and extend microloans to the previously excluded.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President/Chairman of the Host Country Committee, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a future where MSMEs are empowered to thrive.
“The forum signifies our shared commitment to a prosperous and inclusive future for Africa, a future where MSMEs have the opportunity not just to survive but to thrive. We gather here today under the theme of the Africa we want.
“It is our continental imperative and road map for unlocking the immense potential of our continent’s most vital engine—our MSMEs. An investment in our MSMEs is a direct investment in a prosperous, inclusive and self-reliant Africa,” he said.
In setting the tone for discussions at the forum, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, highlighted the significance of the forum, particularly in addressing challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs across the continent.
He underscored the need for stakeholders across the continent to collaborate and capitalise on the potential of Africa’s youthful and energetic population to transform the region’s economic landscape.
In his remarks, Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii, applauded the support and commitment of Vice President Shettima and Chairman of the National Council for MSME to the transformation and growth of the MSME sector in Nigeria, highlighting key initiatives supervised by his office since the inception of the current administration.
He emphasised the need for Nigerians to always patronise home-grown products as part of the concerted efforts to support local manufacturers and MSMEs.
On his part, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said interventions and targeted engagements through the bank have, over the years, helped in knowledge growth and adoption of digital tools by MSMEs, noting that the initiatives have impacted growth in the sector.
Also speaking, the Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, stated that access to finance remains a pressing challenge for businesses in the region, especially MSMEs.
He disclosed that the European Union has committed about €1.1 billion in support of the African Union’s implementation of AfCFTA.
“Our EU initiative in support of the African Union in the implementation of the AfCFTA hovers around 1.1 billion euros. The African Continental Free Trade Area represents an unprecedented achievement towards realising Africa’s full economic potential and integration. The EU remains firmly committed to our partnership with Africa and ECOWAS for inclusive and sustainable industrial development across the continent,” he said.
Also, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, emphasised the need for enabling ecosystems to help MSMEs move from resilience to scalable impact.
She said, “Across our continent, MSMEs are the builders of local prosperity. They employ, they innovate, and they adapt, but they cannot thrive on resilience alone. They need ecosystems that work for them, platforms to commercialise innovation, access to working capital and markets both domestic and continental that recognise their value.”
On his part, Permanent Representative of the African Union Sixth Region Global (AU6RG) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Afolabi Oke, announced the appointment of Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Job Creation and MSMEs, as the Special Adviser to the AU 6th Region on Job Creation and MSME Development.
“The African Union Sixth Region Global is dedicated to representing and advocating for the African diaspora worldwide. As an extension of the African Union, we serve as the ‘Sixth Region,’ uniting people of African descent living outside the African continent and Friends of Africa,” Oke said.
On Nigeria’s export and industrialisation, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello, reiterated the bank’s commitment to MSME financing as a strategic pathway to value chain development and AfCFTA success.
“There’s a need for Africa to look inward to develop its value chain. We need to facilitate the success of the AfCFTA, and this is dependent on boosting production,” he said.
At 4th AU Forum, VP Shettima Urges Integration Of Informal Economy Into Formal Intra-African Trade Framework
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect.
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria-Germany trade volume has hit an all-time high of €3 billion, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther said on Thursday
The envoy who addressed a press conference in Abuja said the 30% increase could be attributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Gunther who called the press conference ahead of the joint Nigerian-German binational commission scheduled for Berlin, in German, noted that Nigeria remains “Germany’s second biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with a total trade volume of 3 billion Euros,” adding that: “Trade volumes have increased this year by 30% due to Nigeria’s economic recovery.”
The envoy equally revealed that more than 90 German companies are active in the country, “indirectly creating about 17.000 jobs in Nigeria.”
Gunther also told journalists that good times between both countries were not over, promising Nigerians that more investments are on the way, especially in the energy and the pharmaceutical sectors.
She revealed that in the energy sector, the Presidential Power initiative is now in the second phase.
She said: “This cooperation with the German energy giant Siemens will add about 7 Gigawatts to Nigeria’s Energy Grid. Secondly, the German –Nigerian cooperation in the Gas sector, eliminating gas flaring and improving Nigeria´s CO2 footprint.”
The envoy revealed that the relationship has also improved in the area of Visa and Migration as no fewer than 7,600 visas were issued to both students and short term stay, adding that plans were already in place to increase the number.
Gunther said: “All the common goals and projects would not work if they were not supported by travels on all levels between our two countries, plus legal migration. Last year alone, the German Embassy here in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos granted around 1400 long-term visas for purposes such as study in Germany, family reunion and employment as well as around 6200 visas for short-term stays such as business and tourism.
She revealed that: “This year, we are well on track to raise those numbers,” stating that:
“The German missions remain committed to furthering the bilateral relations by granting visas to properly documented applications.”
She also assured that in the area of military cooperation, Germany will continue to stand by Nigeria.
She said: “This year marked a new chapter: the launch of our first Bilateral Annual Programme, bringing military experts from both countries together for in-depth exchanges and joint planning.
“Through the Bundeswehr Advisory Group, Germany has been a reliable partner — supporting Nigeria with field medical expertise and counter-IED operations, car mechanical training and other interventions.
“And we’re not stopping here. Germany will continue to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
“Next month, we’ll take this cooperation to the next level: for the first time, high-level military staff talks will take place in Abuja, opening the door to even closer collaboration in the future.”
She also revealed other areas of cooperation which includes support for the Nigeria police force and the drug enforcement agency amongst others.
In the area of stabilization efforts at containing impacts of terrorism and climate change, the envoy said: “Germany is supporting the development of resilient state institutions and the strengthening of local communities.”
She said focus are on the North East (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) and the North West (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina), “where initiatives such as the reconstruction of schools, health centres, markets, housing, and police stations are improving both security and daily life for local people.”
Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy
National News
NEC Endorses President Tinubu’s Proposal To Revamp Training Institutions For Security Agencies Nationwide
NEC Endorses President Tinubu’s Proposal To Revamp Training Institutions For Security Agencies Nationwide
*Constitute committee to oversee overhaul of training facilities
*Okays anticipatory action framework to prevent riverine flooding across 36 states
*As VP Shettima urges states to align with President’s growth targets
By: Our Reporter
The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal for the overhaul and revamp of training institutions for security agencies nationwide.
The President’s proposal followed a presentation made to Council by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on the realisation of President Tinubu’s vision for a trillion-dollar economy, which also highlighted the necessity of investing more in security by the three tiers of government.
At its 152nd meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, NEC constituted a committee chaired by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to oversee the process of overhaul of training institutions for security agencies across the country.
The committee has a one month period to produce a blueprint for the renovation of training institutions for the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies nationwide.
Addressing members of the Council, President Tinubu highlighted the need for government to fix training institutions and facilities for security agencies across the country, assuring that his administration would make concerted efforts to reverse the dilapidation in police training facilities nationwide.
“We have to make the conditions of the training facilities more conducive for both the trainers and trainees,” he said.
Other members of the NEC committee are Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Kefas Agbu of Taraba, Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, with former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman, as secretary.
Also, President Tinubu urged state governors to also pay attention to issues that affect the wellbeing of the people particularly from the grassroot.
Earlier, Chairman of NEC, Vice President Kashim called on state governments to translate the optimism of the streets into real prosperity in homes and communities.
In his opening address, the Vice President Shettima reminded state governors that the measure of governance lies in the tangible improvement of citizens’ lives rather than rhetoric.
“The measure of government is not in speeches delivered; it is in the lives improved,” the Vice President said.
Highlighting one of the day’s major presentations, including the Anticipatory Action Framework for Riverine Flooding by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), VP Shettima reiterated the administration’s shift from reactive crisis management to proactive planning.
“It is no longer in doubt that rivers that once sustained our farmlands and livelihoods have also been the source of recurring tragedy for many of our citizens.
“Entire communities have watched their dreams drown in waters that could have been tamed through foresight and planning. True leadership anticipates danger and builds systems to prevent loss before it happens,” he said.
He commended the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for leading the charge toward disaster preparedness across the federation, noting that the framework will strengthen early warning systems, coordination mechanisms, and subnational response capacities.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu presented a NEC memorandum outlining Nigeria’s trajectory toward a $1 trillion economy by 2033, describing the target as a test of coordination and clarity.
According to the Vice President, “This ambition requires coordination across the federation. It is our duty as a Council to interrogate the pathways, to assign responsibilities, and to ensure that our targets are realistic, time-bound, and transparent to the citizens who expect results.”
He emphasised that the roadmap aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises macroeconomic stability, job creation, food security, and subnational competitiveness as anchors of national prosperity.
Senator Shettima also commended the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA), a state-driven digital agriculture model designed to modernise service delivery and improve farmers’ access to data, markets, and climate information.
“Earlier this week, at the invitation of His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, I was in Katsina State. One of the progressive projects we launched is the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture, known as KASPA. It is a scalable framework for digital governance, farmer inclusion, and climate-smart productivity ready for sub-national adoption,” the Vice President said.
The platform, he noted, reflects the Council’s broader commitment to technology-enabled governance and inclusive agricultural growth that cuts across the thirty-six states and the FCT.
“The story of Nigeria’s recovery will not be written by chance but by choice—by the deliberate actions we take to protect our economy, safeguard our environment, and uphold the welfare of our citizens,” he said.
VP Shettima commended governors, ministers, and members of the Council for sustaining the NEC as a platform of trust, cooperation, and policy innovation.
Other highlights of the meeting are as follows:
NEC (6TH IN 2025) 153RD MEETING, THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER, 2025.
PRESS BRIEFING:
UPDATE ON ACCOUNT BALANCES AS AT OCTOBER, 2025
EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT – $535,823.39
STABILIZATION ACCOUNT – N87,665,172,169.67
NATURAL RESOURCES ACCOUNT – N141,585,815,908.16
UPDATE ON NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON POLIO ERADICATION BY THE CHAIRMAN, ALH. MUHAMMAD INUWA YAHAYA, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF GOMBE STATE
Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee briefed Council that since its inauguration, the Committee has convened four times (June–October 2025), strengthening political commitment and coordination.
That Epidemiological data show continued progress, with cVPV2 cases dropping by 44% from 109 in 2024 to 61 in 2025. Kano and Katsina achieved major reductions (89% and 88% respectively). However, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi reported new cases (8, 4, and 2), highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance. Gombe remains free of new cases.
That recent In-Between Round Activities (IBRA) led to significant gains:
i. Settlements reached rose from 77% in August to 97% in September.
ii. Vaccine coverage in insecure areas reached 90% across key states.
iii. The first phase of the National Integrated Campaign (launched by the First Lady on 6 Oct 2025) was conducted in five high-burden states, reaching 60% of settlements and vaccinating 73% (Polio) and 57% (Measles-Rubella) of targeted children as of 12 October 2025.
iv. The second phase began on 18 Oct 2025 in Gombe, continuing integrated vaccination efforts.
Current activities and next steps
- The nationwide Integrated Campaign commenced on 6th October 2025 is ongoing across five states — Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
- The Integrated Campaign delivers a comprehensive health package, including Measles-Rubella and Polio vaccines, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) interventions.
Council Resolution:
i. Council urged state governments to ensure release of funds to their structures to improve statewide immunization exercise.
ii. The NEC urged sustenance of momentum to reduce polio infection and spread thereby safeguarding every Nigerian child.
PRESENTATION ON KATSINA SUSTAINABLE PLATFORM FOR AGRICULTURE (KASPA) BY SSAP INNOVATION NASIR YAMMAMA
The National Economic Council received a presentation on the Sustainable Platform for Agriculture by the SSA to the President on Innovation, Nasir Yammama. The presentation was on the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA) as a model for adoption by sub-nationals and part of solutions to challenges militating against improved agricultural productivity and sustainability in Nigeria.
The SSAP said the model which focuses on empowering smallholder farmers and developing the agribusiness value chain leverages technology to provide farmers with integrated agriculture assistance, including extension services and market linkages.
Council Resolution:
Council commended the innovation to deploy technology in addressing challenges faced by farmers across Nigeria and urged state governments to replicate the model in the bid to unlock the full potential of agricultural production regions across the country.
Council also directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to capture in its 2026 budget, the establish of the agriculture data and control centre in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.
UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON CRUDE OIL THEFT PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, SEN. HOPE ODIDIKA UZODINMA, GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE.
The Committee updated Council that it has met several times and Members have formed a common front to fight Oil Theft in Nigeria. Some Critical Stakeholders in the Industry were invited for discussions to extract very important information that will further the assignment of the Committee. The Committee also met with the Regulator NNPC, and some operators in the industry. Our determination to raise oil production is informed by the Nation’s quest for a One Trillion US Dollar Economy by the year 2030.
NEXT STEPS
Below are the next steps the Committee intends to undertake:
A. Obtain and analyze some important information/data from critical stakeholders to further assist its assignment.
B. Resolved to provide logistics support to outstanding States, Security Agencies and relevant Agencies in securing National Oil and Gas Assets.
C. Embark on physical visits by the Committee to all the Crude Oil Export Terminals
D. Carry out further Forensic Investigation
E. Periodically monitor the implementation of activities outlined in the workplan
Council Resolution:
Council commended the committee for a job well done and urged concerted efforts to improve crude production beyond the 1.72 million barrel per day and directed the committee to expand the scope of its work to cover illegal mining activities and theft of mineral resources across the country.
Council also noted that Nigeria is on course to hit 2.5 million barrels day by end of 2025.
End
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