State Police: Group Commends Tinubu, Urges Accelerated Action

By: Michael Mike

A good governance advocacy group, the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), has commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and for rallying state governors toward a framework for the establishment of state police.

In a press statement issued Wednesday in Abuja by its Director of Press and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, the group said lasting peace and stability in the country require a multi-layered approach that empowers communities while strengthening national coordination.

According to HAI, the establishment of state police would enhance citizens’ participation in security matters and align with Nigeria’s federal system.

The group noted that many states already operate regional security outfits and vigilante groups, stressing that legislative backing is necessary to ensure such initiatives function efficiently and complement the federal government’s security architecture.

HAI said localised policing would allow officers to better understand the terrain, culture, and unique security challenges within their communities, thereby improving rapid response and strengthening public trust in efforts to combat crime and insurgency.

The organisation also commended the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) for submitting a proposed state police framework to the Office of the National Security Adviser. It, however, urged governors to intensify support for the existing security architecture to address ongoing threats.

The group further welcomed recent security cooperation agreements between Nigeria and partners including the United States, United Kingdom, and France. According to HAI, the partnerships are expected to strengthen advanced training, intelligence sharing, and technological support in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and organised crime.

HAI emphasised that security remains the foundation of national development, noting that combining grassroots policing with global alliances would help create a safer environment, attract investment, and restore public confidence.

The group also praised the Nigerian military for sustaining operations against terrorists and bandits across the country and urged troops not to relent in protecting communities from criminal elements that target civilians to spread fear and panic.

It expressed confidence that the federal government would continue to provide the armed forces with the necessary equipment and welfare support needed to sustain operations and secure victory against threats to national security.

The organisation further highlighted the significance of President Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom, where he was hosted by King Charles III. According to HAI, the visit underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global affairs.

It added that the President’s engagement with Nigerian community leaders in the UK demonstrated the important role of the diaspora in national development and could encourage greater investment and knowledge transfer to the country.

HAI urged government institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens to support ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening security and building a more prosperous Nigeria.

State Police: Group Commends Tinubu, Urges Accelerated Action

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

As VP Shettima calls for coordinated results to drive economic growth

By: Our Reporter

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday, rallied global development partners, industry leaders, and policymakers to deepen investment in the Federal Government’s ongoing skills acquisition drive targeting millions of Nigerian youths.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima called for clarity, collaboration, and coordinated results from relevant stakeholders, emphasising the need for investments in a more coherent national system, where skills lead to jobs that are enterprising enough to drive economic growth.

The Vice President stated this in Abuja when he declared open the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable Series (Q1 2026) with the theme, “Bridging Skills Supply and Labour Market Demand.”

The event was convened by the Office of the Vice President, with support from the European Union (EU).

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President commended the European Union for its continued partnership and support for Nigeria’s job creation and youth development agenda.

He noted that the collaboration had been instrumental in strengthening coordination and advancing collective efforts to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

Senator Shettima stressed that Nigeria stands at a decisive moment in its history, noting that the country is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world, with millions entering the labour market each year—full of ambition, energy, and potential.

He, however, observed that the vast majority of available jobs are informal, unstable, and not fully connected to productivity and growth, requiring sustained and targeted interventions to ensure graduates are job-ready and equipped with relevant skills.

“This tells us one thing very clearly—the challenge is not simply job creation; it is alignment. Nigeria does not have a talent problem. Until skills meet industry demand, job creation will remain below its full potential,” he said.

Spotlighting the government’s position, the Vice President affirmed that the Tinubu administration is determined to address this challenge.

He continued: “We are moving away from fragmented programmes, isolated interventions, and uncoordinated investments toward a more coherent national system—one where skills lead to jobs, jobs lead to enterprise, and enterprise drives economic growth.

“Last year, under the leadership of the Vice President and with the support of the European Union, the Office of the Vice President undertook a mapping of the national job creation ecosystem and convened a National High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation.

“That engagement made it clear that sustainable employment will not come from government alone, but from a coordinated ecosystem where the private sector leads and government enables. It is in continuation of that effort that we are gathered here today.”
VP Shettima further noted that the Roundtable Series was designed as a structured platform for engagement, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and institutions to align efforts, build trust, and drive practical solutions.

He stated that, beyond ongoing multi-faceted investments, the Federal Government seeks to move from dialogue to deliberate action, connecting the dots between training and employment, education and industry, and policy and outcomes.

He emphasised that while government must align programmes with real economic demand, all stakeholders have a role to play in actualising President Tinubu’s skills policy direction.

“Job creation cannot be outsourced to government alone—industry must take its place at the table, not just as employers but as co-creators of the workforce Nigeria needs. The private sector must clearly articulate the skills it requires and actively participate in shaping them.

“Development partners also have a critical role—not just in funding programmes, but in supporting alignment, coordination, and scale around what works. Ultimately, what we are seeking is simple—clarity, collaboration, and results,” the VP said.

The Vice President declared that the time for fragmented action was over, stressing that the moment demands coordinated results, even as he said Nigeria has the talent, energy, and opportunity, but requires coordination, discipline, and execution from relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, stated that the roundtable was very important to the ministry, noting that many employers are seeking skilled workers.

He explained that housing development involves a wide chain of activities—from architects to engineers to bricklayers—and requires collaboration among stakeholders and development partners to address the housing deficit, which will, in turn, drive economic growth.

For his part, the EU Head of Cooperation for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, acknowledged ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and other development partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to drive impact in skills development and job creation.

According to him, the EU has, in recent years, focused on fostering organic engagement within Nigeria’s production system.

“We grow skills where they matter, where they are required, and where they are defined,” he said, commending the Office of the Vice President for ensuring that relevant fellowship programmes for Nigerians such as 3MTT are embedded within a broader ecosystem.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, described the roundtable series as a deliberate and ongoing effort by the Office of the Vice President and the EU to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s job creation ecosystem.

He added that the series serves as a structured platform to bring together key actors to deliberate on how to impact priority sectors of the economy, moving from collaboration to measurable outcomes.

Other participants at the roundtable include representatives of the Organised Private Sector, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

ECOWAS Issues Biometric Identity Cards to Over 260 Women Traders at Senegal–Guinea-Bissau Border

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Cards (ENBIC) to more than 260 women traders in border communities between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in a move aimed at strengthening regional integration and easing cross-border trade.

The cards were presented during a ceremony held on March 16, 2026, in the twin border communities of São Domingos and Mpack, with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The initiative, led by ECOWAS’ Directorate of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, is designed to facilitate the movement of women engaged in cross-border economic activities while addressing administrative barriers faced by vulnerable populations who often lack awareness or access to ECOWAS travel documents.

The event brought together officials from both countries, including the Governor of Cacheu in Guinea-Bissau, Honorina Vasconcelos, and the Governor of Ziguinchor in Senegal, Mor Talla Tine, alongside representatives of national boundary commissions and the ECOWAS Commission.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vasconcelos expressed appreciation to ECOWAS for selecting São Domingos as a beneficiary of the pilot phase of the initiative, describing the programme as an important step toward strengthening regional integration and facilitating free movement across the sub-region.

Also addressing participants, Tine commended the programme and stressed the importance of transforming border communities into hubs of economic opportunity while maintaining vigilance against security threats and cross-border crime. He noted that around 100 women cross the Mpack–São Domingos border daily without adequate knowledge of required travel documents, highlighting the need for broader community sensitization.

Representing ECOWAS’ Director of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, Obinna Ajugwo said the initiative demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to translating regional integration policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

He explained that the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card plays a critical role in facilitating cross-border travel while enhancing security through modern identity verification systems.

In total, 262 women traders received the biometric cards, a development that was greeted with enthusiasm and appreciation by beneficiaries who rely on daily cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

ECOWAS said the programme forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen border management systems, improve migration governance and advance the free movement of persons across West Africa.

Established in 1975 in Lagos, the regional bloc continues to pursue economic integration and cooperation among its member states, with a long-term vision of building an “ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity to All by 2050.”

ECOWAS Issues Biometric Identity Cards to Over 260 Women Traders at Senegal–Guinea-Bissau Border