Economy
Ex-president Obasanjo Calls For Review Of Africa’s Governance Systems
Ex-president Obasanjo Calls For Review Of Africa’s Governance Systems
Ex-president Obasanjo calls for review of Africa’s governance systems. According to him, leaders should be equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the global economy.
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a re-examination of governance systems in Africa to achieve an African Renaissance.
Mr Obasanjo said this while speaking on the topic “African Renaissance in an Era of Turbulence: Are the Lions Still on the Move?” at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.
He emphasised that Africa’s progress depended on the ability of its leaders to work and move together and prioritise the continent’s interests.
Mr Obasanjo noted that the current system of Western liberal democracy, inherited from colonial powers, was not working in the best interests of the continent and needed to be interrogated and reviewed to suit Africa’s interests.
He suggested that Africa’s pre-colonial systems of governance, which emphasised communalism and collective decision-making, could provide valuable lessons for modern governance and stop corruption.
“Our system does not look at the opposition and the government. So it should be a government of everyone working together. We had it before the advent of colonisation.
“Now is the time to say that the government and opposition are not working for us, it is not even working for them either. Our system and democracy have been monetised,” he noted.
Responding to the question of whether the lions were moving, a metaphor for the continent’s most powerful and influential countries, he said they were moving but not at the desired pace.
Mr Obasanjo identified the nations to include Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, and Morocco, which possess significant economic and demographic strengths.
He highlighted Nigeria, Ethiopia, the DRC and South Africa as not being where they were supposed to be economically and politically.
According to him, the lions are not moving as they ought to, and they need to move in the way they are expected to for progress to be made.
Responding to what was needed to get the lions to move, he said leaders should be equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the global economy.
“How much of the world do our leaders understand? What does the world owe us as Africans?
“If we have knowledge, we will get the right policies starting from the community level to the national, sub-regional and continental level, and those policies will relate to the situation of the world we are in.”
Ex-President Obasanjo
He emphasised that Africa’s progress is possible, citing examples of success stories such as Ethiopia’s self-sufficiency in wheat production, which has yielded impressive results, with the country now exporting wheat to neighbouring countries.
Additionally, Afreximbank’s payment system, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), facilitates payment transactions across Africa to beneficiaries in their local currencies.
Another notable success story he highlighted was the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides a platform for economic integration and cooperation, promoting intra-African trade and investment.
“The message is that in areas where we have made progress, like I have said, we should keep at it.
“There are other areas that are working, we should learn from ourselves and we will get the lions to move, and when they move the cubs will follow the lions,” he said.
Umahi Charge Federal Controllers: Put Nigerians First, Take Ownership of Your Projects
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, has charged Federal Controllers of Works across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to remain committed to quality project delivery and always put the interests of Nigerians first.
Eereporter.com
Umahi gave the charge on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during the Ministry’s monthly meeting with Federal Controllers of Works from across the country, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. a regular platform for reviewing the progress of federal road projects, addressing challenges and strengthening supervision and accountability in project delivery.
Umahi urged the Controllers to take a keen interest in construction and make continuous learning a priority, stressing that effective supervision requires both professional knowledge and practical understanding of what is happening on project sites.
“Take interest in the construction. Read your books to improve. I learn a lot from the site, not from the office,” the Minister said.
He encouraged the Controllers to spend more time on project sites, understand the realities of construction and remain close to the people who are directly affected by the projects under their supervision.
According to him, public service is more meaningful when it is driven by genuine passion for the people.
“When you have passion for the people, you put God first. God will make you do more things you don’t even know how to do,” he said.
The Minister, who reflected on his experience as Governor of Ebonyi State, said his achievements in office were driven by his faith, commitment to the people and a strong sense of responsibility.
“When I was Governor, God gave me the revelation that I had the ability to do so many things. That was God’s direction,” Umahi recalled.
He told the Controllers that placing the people at the centre of their work is also a way of putting God first, adding that genuine commitment to public service brings personal fulfilment.
“When you put the people first, you are putting God first. You will enjoy your job. You will be happy with the job. As you are putting God and the people first, you are creating everlasting blessing for your family,” the Minister added.
Umahi Charge Federal Controllers
The Minister urged the Controllers to remain diligent and committed to their responsibilities, noting that the quality of work delivered on federal roads is ultimately measured by the difference it makes in the lives of Nigerians.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 12, 2026
Eereporter.com
AFIT Partnership with NAFOWA to Equip Youths with Digital Soft Skills
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna recently hosted a comprehensive Digital Soft Skills Training programme at the Amao Hall in a significant move to bridge the employability gap for Nigerian youths. The event was a collaborative effort between Mastercard foundation, Jobberman Nigeria and NAFOWA in association with Yandy Tech.
Eereporter.com
The programme, themed “Innovate, Empower, Transform,” featured intensive modules which covered key areas including professionalism, workplace ethics, communication, leadership, problem solving and job readiness strategies which were identified as crucial for success in the modern workplace.
The training sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in partnership with Jobberman Nigeria specifically targeted students aged 18 to 35 with an inclusive mandate of 90% female participation reflecting NAFOWA’s commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
According to the organizers, the training aimed to empower young minds with essential skills for employability, entrepreneurship and future success. The curriculum was designed to address the core competencies that employers seek but are often found lacking in new graduates. One of the participants Hadiza Mohammed had noted that having strong soft skills is crucial as it enables individuals to complete tasks efficiently and on time.
The collaboration with NAFOWA emphasizes a growing commitment to advancing education and women’s empowerment within military communities and beyond. This partnership aligns with Yandy Tech’s mission as a youth-led social impact organization dedicated to fostering innovation and positive social change through technology in Nigeria.
The participants who were trained benefited from jobberman certification and connection to job opportunities. The event also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, equipping students with skills to navigate the business landscape.
AFIT Partnership with NAFOWA
The partnership with AFIT and NAFOWA represents a significant step in addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria. It reflects the shared commitment to preparing young people for the demands of the workforce and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Jane Ebere Akawni
Director, Communication and Strategic Engagement
Eereporter.com
EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni For N15.6b Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors’ funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429).
Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial.
“We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said.
Eereporter.com
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited’s account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.
Count five of the charge reads: “That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors’ funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc’s Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited’s Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act.”
Fraud
Ayeni pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his “not guilty” plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC.
Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.
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