ADC Tells Tinubu: Your Port Rehab Agreements Is A ‘Mugu’ Deal, Says Nigeria Taking Loans To Fund British Economy

ADC Tells Tinubu: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the £746 million agreement signed by President Bola Tinubu during his state visit to the UK as a ‘mugu’ deal, which disproportionately favoured the United Kingdom and its economy, while leaving Nigeria with a massive debt.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said while the APC government has tried to pass off the deal as President Tinubu’s major achievement, it is in fact an achievement of the UK Government, which, through this deal, has managed to save its steel industry, protect thousands of UK jobs, and get Nigeria to pay for it.

The party calls on the Federal Government to provide full transparency by disclosing comprehensive details of the agreement, including the applicable interest rates, repayment terms, and any local content provisions or obligations associated with the deal.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) views the £746 million agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Federal Government of Nigeria, concluded during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to London, as disproportionately skewed in favour of the UK, which already enjoys a significant balance of trade advantage over Nigeria.

Although the APC Government has tried to hoodwink Nigerians by portraying the agreement to rehabilitate the Tin Can and Apapa Ports in Lagos as a diplomatic success, it is, in reality, a commercial loan arrangement with conditionalities that ensure that a substantial portion of the funds either remains within the United Kingdom or is repatriated back to it.

Based on information available on the UK Government website, which described the deal as a “major vote of confidence in UK manufacturing,” the £746 million agreement will be delivered through UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Buyer Credit Facility and arranged by Citibank, N.A., London Branch.

UKEF is the UK Government’s export credit agency. Its Buyer Credit Facility enables foreign buyers to access financing from commercial banks to procure UK goods and services, typically for projects that require significant UK content participation.

In simple terms, UKEF guarantees a loan obtained by a foreign buyer from a commercial bank, which is then used to pay for UK goods and services, with the bank paying the UK exporter directly on behalf of the buyer.

Under this agreement, at least £236 million of the £746 million in supplier contracts will be awarded to British companies, while British Steel will supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets under a £70 million contract, representing its largest UKEF-backed export order, for port rehabilitation projects.

The ADC is particularly concerned that the Nigerian government has entered into an agreement that leaves the country at a clear disadvantage, seemingly in exchange for a few hours of pomp and pageantry, and as part of a broader attempt to secure foreign validation, even as millions of Nigerians continue to face poverty, unemployment, and worsening insecurity.

ADC, Tinubu

There are still several unanswered questions regarding this agreement. These include: what are the repayment terms of the commercial loan, including its duration and applicable interest rate? What percentage of local goods, services, and subcontracting is involved in the port rehabilitation project? How many direct and indirect jobs will be created for Nigerians? What is the project timeline, and when will the ports become fully operational? What provisions exist for training, apprenticeships, and skills transfer? Finally, what are the limits on expatriate staff, and are there defined quotas for SMEs and community benefit obligations?

If the APC government has answers to these questions, it should make them available to Nigerians. Otherwise, Nigerians are justified in concluding that, 66 years after independence, President Bola Tinubu has travelled to London to sign an agreement that resembles a colonial-era treaty, one that risks mortgaging the country’s future for limited value and symbolism.

Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Eld-el-fitr Luncheon: CAS Reaffirms NAF’s Unwavering Resolve Against Terrorism

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Saturday, 21 March 2026, hosted Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel at an Eid-el-Fitr Luncheon at NAF Base Maiduguri, marking the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan while honouring the sacrifices of frontline troops engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, the CAS conveyed his goodwill and profound appreciation to personnel for their professionalism, resilience and unwavering dedication in a challenging and evolving operational environment. The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, was represented at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar.

In his address, the CAS underscored the evolving and adaptive nature of contemporary security threats, noting that adversaries continue to employ desperate tactics in their attempts to undermine stability in the region.

He reassured personnel of the Service’s sustained resolve, highlighting intensified intelligence-driven air operations, including precision strikes, close air support, armed reconnaissance and interdiction missions, which have continued to significantly degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt their logistics networks and restrict their operational freedom across the theatre.

Air Marshal Aneke further reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to maintaining relentless operational pressure through enhanced inter-service synergy, the acquisition of advanced platforms and precision-guided capabilities, and sustained investment in personnel welfare and capacity development.

CAS Air Marshal Aneke

He paid tribute to fallen heroes and expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief, the Honourable Ministers of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Government and people of Borno State for their steadfast support.

The luncheon, attended by senior military leaders, government officials and distinguished guests, reinforced the NAF’s enduring dedication to restoring lasting peace, stability and hope across the North-East.

Amotekun Recruitment Has Become Highly Politicised, Says Gani Adams

Amotekun Recruitment has become highly politicised, says Gani Adams. In January 2020, south-west governors launched the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in response to escalating insecurity and persistent protests over alleged incursions by suspected bandits in parts of the region.

The formation of Amotekun came barely six months after Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Afenifere, was shot dead in Ore, Ondo state — an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Adams said that over six years after its establishment, heavy politicisation has hindered Amotekun from achieving its founding mandates.

“The recruitment into Amotekun that we agitated for has been highly politicised. It was only the first recruitment that was made, especially in Oyo state, that was less politicised, but others have been highly politicised,” he said.

“I am becoming more disappointed in the way Amotekun is being run now. It is not like the way we thought it would be. Some state actors have seen it as a place to give employment to their political followers.

“The issue of security must not be like that. If you want to achieve any goal from security, you have to look at the background of the people you recruit to that security outfit because it is a case of life and death.

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“There is native intelligence that must be brought into it, which is very important. Amotekun could have achieved more than what they are achieving now.”

‘I AM HIGHLY WORRIED’

Adams decried the rising wave of insecurity in the south-west, adding that about seven Yoruba monarchs have been killed by terrorists in recent months.

He said the security situation in the south-west is worsening, partly due to the lack of an effective government response.

“I am highly worried, I won’t deceive you. The terrorists have so far killed about seven monarchs in the south-west and some Yoruba-speaking areas in Kwara state,” he said.

“We are not even talking about the ‘baales’, the community heads in Yorubaland. In November last year, I raised an alarm, yet no governor called me to ask what we could do about it. No governor, no security agency, or security officer called me.”

Adams added that the wave of attacks has spread across key areas, including Ibadan, which is very close to Lagos, as well as other parts of Oyo and Ogun states.

“In Lagos state, we know that they have infiltrated seriously. Some kidnappings have been happening in the riverine areas of Epe and Ibeju Lekki, but it is not only northerners who are involved. Some people from the south-east and even some Yoruba are conniving with them. It is an agenda. Some things that happen in Lagos are like a business,” he said.

Amotekun

He advised that the recruitment and management of Amotekun should be depoliticised and strengthened with intelligence-led operations to effectively protect communities.

“As one of the stakeholders, I have written to the south-west governors for collaboration, called the attention of the media in various fora, and even held a press conference to emphasise that all hands must be on deck,” he said.

“Security is not the duty of the government alone; it requires collective action so that the south-west, and Nigeria in general, will be secure.”

Adams also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s recent statement that the issue of state police would be prioritised.