Economy
SMEDAN Calls for EFCC Support in Promoting Home-made Products
SMEDAN Calls for EFCC Support in Promoting Home-made Products
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN has sought the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in promoting made-in-Nigeria products and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians through skills development and entrepreneurship.
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The Chief Executive Officer, CEO/Director General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, made the request in Abuja on Wednesday when he led a delegation of the Agency on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
Odii commended the EFCC Chairman for what he described as efforts that have contributed to rebuilding confidence in Nigeria, particularly internationally. “Executive Chairman, I want to thank you. I want to start with gratitude. I want to thank you for the work that you have done in the last 34 months. You have tried to change the face of Nigeria outside Nigeria. So, with that, I want to thank you, and thank you for instituting confidence and trust again in Nigeria,” he said
The SMEDAN DG said the Agency was implementing initiatives designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and transform them into entrepreneurs.
He disclosed that SMEDAN had secured approval from the Ministry of Education to establish the Inspire, Create, Start, and Scale (ICSS) Institute, which offers National Diploma programmes to young people while integrating entrepreneurship into their training. The aim, he said, is to work with relevant stakeholders to make sure that solid entrepreneurs are produced into the Nigerian ecosystem. “When we go into prisons, people that have six months to be released into society, we train them, and we give them skills. This project has been life-changing. We are at the point of sending the national MSME policy to Mr. President. That policy covers the ecosystem for five years.
“We have put in that policy that anyone who has gone to prison, who is apologetic, and lacks skills, small businesses in Nigeria should employ them. And so in our policy, we’re putting in that if these people are wrong, apologetic, they’ve learned their skills, we should be able to rehabilitate them to society”, he said.
He also proposed collaboration between SMEDAN and the EFCC’s Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre, saying the Agency could provide relevant curriculum and technical expertise. “I also know that you have started the Cybersecurity Research Center. We want to introduce this curriculum to you, so that our curriculum can be embedded into the research center,” he said.
Odii further sought collaboration on the rehabilitation of inmates and young people involved in cybercrime, through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes designed to support their reintegration into society.
Responding, Olukoyede welcomed the proposal and expressed the EFCC’s readiness to collaborate with SMEDAN on promotion of Nigeria-made goods, youth empowerment, skills development and cybercrime prevention. “I have been following your activities. And I’m very proud of you. You are one of the young men that we look up to,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman said the development of legitimate skills and economic opportunities for young people were important to tackling cybercrime. “I’m interested in anything that will help to develop skills for young men. Because that is one of the challenges I have,” he said.
Olukoyede commended the initiative and urged Nigerians, including members of the EFCC community, to patronise locally produced goods. “Congrats for pushing all these. So, those of you buying things in my office, henceforth, patronize this. We need to support them, you know. Support these young people. It is when these businesses grow that’s when we can grow our own nation, too. And develop our own, you know, system. As long as we can patronize what we do,” he said.
He also suggested that the government should make a national policy on Nigeria-made goods to encourage local production and grow the economy.
Olukoyede stressed the seriousness of cybercrime and consequential effects on Nigeria’s economy and international reputation. The evil these guys are doing to the image of Nigeria, to our economy is unquantifiable. Some of these guys, at the press of a button, they can bring the entire financial ecosystem down,” he stated.
The EFCC Chairman disclosed that the Commission’s Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre was expected to train an average of 500 intakes at a time, adding that the government was supporting the project. “That was what necessitated our, you know, putting in place the Cyber Security Research and Training Center, which we’re expecting to train an average of 500, you know, intakes per time,” he said.
EFCC, SMEDAN
He invited SMEDAN to participate in the project from its conception to operationalisation. “So, I want to bring you on board so that you can be part of that project from the conception to operationalization because the nature of your mandate requires that we bring you into it,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman also pledged support for SMEDAN’s ICSS initiative and other programmes aimed at developing young Nigerians. “So, I’m with you. We’re going to support you. Your ICSS project, too. Let me know if there’s any area where we can support you,” he said.
A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of locally produced goods by the SMEDAN delegation. The items included hibiscus tea, coffee, wax candles, cassava biscuits and native fabric produced under the Agency’s Guidance, Resources, Opportunity, and Workforce (G-R-O-W) support initiative.
Olukoyede said the EFCC would work with relevant institutions to identify practical solutions to youth involvement in crime. “So, let us look for practical solutions that will take these young people out of that menace. Let’s compare notes. Let’s put this together to help Mr. President to succeed in his venture,” he said.
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Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
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The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
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NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a nationwide ₦66 fuel discount promotion for customers using the NNPC Fuel App.
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In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, the promotion, which runs from October 1 to 7, is being held across NNPC stations nationwide as part of activities marking the period.
“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!
“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!
The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.
NNPC said customers across the country have already begun participating in the promotion, with highlights from the first day showing activities at several stations.
“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.
NNPC
NNPC also shared moments from the first day of the promotion and said more pictures and activities from stations across the country would be released.
The company urged customers not to miss the opportunity to participate before the promotion ends on October 7.
The ₦66 discount offer is available through the NNPC Fuel App during the stated promotional period.
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President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the efforts and performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country, stressing that it has justified the confidence reposed on it.
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He gave this commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Awka, Anambra State at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The President pointed out that there are evidential proofs of the success of the Commission in convictions, recoveries and other landmark achievements
Represented by Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that “supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded. Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered”
He affirmed that the strides of the Commission are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance. The anti-graft agency compliments this agenda as they are focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources”, he said.
At the commissioning, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede restated the commitment of the Commission to preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.
According to him, the Commission will continue its focus on making corrupt practices difficult by blocking avenues through which they may happen.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone”, he said
He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its mandate, recalling the achievements of the Commission in the last 34 months and describing them as impressive progress.
“The pursuit of our mandate has been our dominant engagement and in the past few years, we have made impressive progress. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49, 673 petitions, investigated 39, 615 cases, filed 14, 476 cases in court and secured 10, 872 convictions. This gives a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, we recorded 1, 370 convictions from 1, 889 filings. The Commission also recorded recoveries of N1, 233, 612, 040, 411. 11, $684, 478, 457. 32, £373, 905. 78, €9, 343, 803. 66 inn addition to recoveries in other currencies”, he said.
He noted that at the institutional level, the Commission has made radical reforms that have been yielding optimal results as there are consequential improvements in the agency’s processes and procedures, which partly explains the impacts the EFCC has made and will continue to make in all the matrices of law enforcement.
“Reforms that have strengthened the Commission during the period include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre”, he said.
While charging Ndi Anambra on whistleblowing, the anti-graft czar said that the Commission has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information. He noted that the Commission’s Eagle Eye App allows citizens to provide details of suspected wrongdoing and makes the provision of an informant’s personal details optional. “However, whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores”, he said.
EFCC
He thereafter said that Anambra and Imo States deserve effective and responsive institutional presence as they are renowned for enterprise, innovation, commerce and an extraordinary culture of industry, adding that these legitimate activities must be protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic and financial crimes. “Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect”, he said.
In their remarks, His Excellencies, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State said that they were pleased with the activities and management of the EFCC under the leadership of Olukoyede. They pledged their support to the Commission as it opened a new Zonal Directorate in their domain.
The commissioning of the new Directorate witnessed massive turn out of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media among others.
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