Many people have lost their lives in flashes of flood that swept through some towns and villages of Niger, Gombe, Borno and Kebbi states. Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that four persons were drowned in flood waters in Gombe State, whereas Borno and Niger States witnessed the death of two residents. The Public Relations Officer of Gombe State Police Command, Buhari Abdullahi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in a statement, said that he received reports of four incidents of drowning that occurred at Hayin Kwarin-Misau; Bojude, Bajoga and Difa communities in Akko, Kwami, Funakaye and Yamaltu Deba local government areas of the state. He said that the victims were children and teenagers who drowned in rivers, erosion sites and unprotected water channels. Two women also died in Wovi Community of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, with several houses destroyed in Rumirgo, Askira Uba Local Government Area, displacing several families. A statement by the media aide to the governor, Dauda Iliya, said that Governor Babagana Zulum extended his sympathy to the victims and their families. The incident occurred less than a year after a deadly flood submerged communities across Borno State, killing scores of people and washing away homes, farmlands, among others. Similarly, the corpses of two children, a boy and a nine-year-old girl were discovered in a drainage after a heavy rainfall that broke out in Minna, Niger State yesterday, July 1. The children were returning from the market when the girl slipped and fell into the drainage. It was learnt that as the flood was carrying her away, her brother, an 11-year-old, was shouting to residents in the neighbourhood to help him rescue his sister, who was being swept away by the flood. The people could not help due to the level the water had reached and the force it carried. They watched helplessly as the water carried the little girl away while the brother went back to their residence to inform their parents about the tragedy. The father of the girl was later contacted to identify his daughter’s corpse at a tunnel on Mandela Street (more than five kilometers from where the flood carried her), and when he got there, he found the corpse of the little girl and that of another boy who was also killed by the flood. Spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaine Ibrahim, expressed shock over the tragedy and said the agency would visit the girl’s family to find out more details. “The agency is not aware of the disaster, but my people will visit the home of the girl at Tunga tomorrow to meet with the parents.” Meanwhile, following recent flooding in Rafin Atiku Ward, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida visited the area to assess the damage, which residents blamed on heavy rain and blocked drainage. Accompanying the Deputy Governor were SEMA Chairman, Bello Yakubu Rilisco, Environment Commissioner, Alhaji Musa Mohammad Tungulawa, and Youth and Sports Commissioner, Comrade Nura Bala Fingilla. The flooding was caused by a clogged major drainage channel. Affected resident, Malam Idris Abdulrahman told journalists: “The water entered our house at night. We lost bags of grains, mattresses, and even some parts of the wall collapsed. This has never happened like this before.” Senator Tafida directed the Environment Ministry and SEMA to clear blocked drains and assist affected residents.
The final flight carrying about 88 pilgrims have arrived Kaduna, Nigeria, this morning, July 2, from Jeddah, completing the airlift of the over 41,000 Nigerian Muslims that performed this year’s pilgrimage in the Holy land. The return leg airlift operations, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, spanned 20 days in a total of 101 flights that was commenced on 13th of June, over a week after the end of the pilgrimage in the Holy land. Real Hajj rites ended June 10. Hajiya Sanda Usara quoted the Chairman of NAHCON, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, in his end-of-the-operation address as expressing profound gratitude to Allah for granting Nigerian a smooth and successful Hajj exercise. He attributed the success to the spirit of unity and cooperation demonstrated by State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards officials, airline operators and other service providers, as well as obedience of the pilgrims to laid down guidelines.
NAHCON Chairman called on the returning pilgrims to continue to pray for Nigeria to overcome its challenges and for them to remember the nation’s leaders in their prayers. He reminded them that Hajj serves as an opportunity to build meaningful relationships that foster peace and harmony, encouraging them to therefore sustain the ties of friendships they established during their pilgrimage. Professor Usman reassured that NAHCON will continue to improve in its mandate for Nigerian pilgrims in line with global best practices. In attendance were the Commissioner for NAHCON Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Secretary of the Commission, Dr Mustapha Alli, Special Assistant to the President, Ameen Amshi and other staff.
Edo State has a rich tradition of women’s involvement in agriculture, even more than men. In fact, I still recall when I was in school back home and used to go to farm around Sabongida Ora. Almost all the farmworks were undertaken by women in the communities. Women used to engage extra hands, like me, for a fee, in tilling the ground and even in harvesting. While the women were busy on the farms, the men, their husbands, would be around the compounds or the houses playing eyo game or ludo or other past time games, gulping bottles of local wine. So, undoubtedly, women in Edo state, time immemorial, have been playing critical roles in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural goods, especially in rural areas. They indeed, have long been active participants in various aspects of agriculture, including real farming. They are primarily involved in crop cultivation such as cassava, yam, maize, plantain, okra, pepper, tomatoes, oil palm, rice (in riverine areas), vegetables (e.g. fluted pumpkin, amaranth) and several others. Women dominate food processing activities like cassava into garri/fufu, oil palm processing and local spice preparation. This is in addition to acting as traders of agricultural produce in local markets, a role passed down through generations. Women in peri-urban and rural communities, also engage in backyard poultry and vegetable farming. Women’s activities ensure household and community-level food availability. Income from farming and market sales supports children’s education and family health.
Meanwhile, Women’s cooperatives have risen over time to support microfinance schemes, local savings and communal projects. This is in addition to some Organizations which have noticed the activities of those hardworking women and and have formed support networks. They include Edo Women Farmers Cooperative Societies, which is a local groups that empowers women through shared resources and knowledge. There are also None Governmental Organizations (NGO) like Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) that provide micro-credit to rural women in agriculture. The State’s ministry of Agriculture has also been of support to the women through training, farm inputs and women-focused schemes. There is also Women in Agriculture (WIA) programs under ADP (Agricultural Development Programme): it offers extension services tailored to female farmers. However limited access to land in which cultural practices restrict women’s land ownership has turned out to be a big challenge. Another challenge is the low access to credit and Inputs in the struggle to access fertilizer, improved seeds and loans. Poor access to technology has equally restricted the women traditional tools, thereby reducing productivity. Those women are facing difficulty accessing formal markets or fair prices, besides the effects of climate change that have arisen from flooding. All such factors have combined to negatively affect crop yield, especially in riverine areas. Rising to address the negative elements in the agricultural practices, the state has long introduced some empowerment programs, including FADAMA, IFAD-VCDP, with women-inclusive components. NGOs and government extension services have also introduced agricultural training and skill acquisition. They also introduced Youth and Women in Agribusiness Initiatives to attract younger women to farming, using modern technology. There are as well individuals that have risen to encourage women to be more productive in the trade. Such individuals including Princess (Dr.) Florence Edebiri, Known for advocating rural women’s inclusion in Edo agricultural development. There are also local agribusiness leaders and female cooperative presidents that used to lead training and mobilization in Local Government Areas.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper has indicated that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has blocked one Basola Jamiu Owodunni from proceeding to serve the nation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Basola Jamiu Owodunni was said to have sat for and wrote JAMB in 2017 and got admitted to the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) to study Civil Engineering. He was believed to have spent over five years in the school and graduated in 2024 with a CGPA of 4.41 (first class). It was gathered that after he finished his exams, defended his project and completed his school’s clearance, JAMB suddenly described his admission in 2017 as “fake.” JAMB is said to have blocked him from its portal, refusing to mobilize him for the NYSC. It was gathered that the first class graduating student has already been handed over to the security agents, including the Directorate of State Service (DSS). It was learnt that all these have been happening despite the fact that FUTA had checked and confirmed that the name of the student is on JAMB CAPS. It was gathered that not even confirmation by the university Vice Chancellor could make JAMB to change its mind, “insisting that his admission is not valid.” It is learnt that Basola has no parents and has no one to fight for him to get justice. He said that he had gone to JAMB office, Public Complaint Commission, Brekete Family FM radio, in addition to many letters that had been written to JAMB but that nothing has changed. Efforts by our Reporters to speak to JAMB’s management did not yield positive results. The JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin did not respond to Whatsapp messages that were sent to him.
The 1949 revolution, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), resulted in the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China and the CCP’s consolidation of power on the mainland. Several years after another silent revolution took place in China, it was the agricultural revolution. It is safe to describe China as not just a vast country dotted with well-built and well-administered cities, but one which has cultivated land almost everywhere you look. After a few days in Beijing, the beautiful capital city of China, I joined other participants for the seminar on Agricultural Machinery Development Planning and Safety Management for Developing Countries in a high-speed train to Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province. For most of the eight-hour journey, both sides of the rail route were cultivated land with tall buildings in the background forming a nice combination of the two basic needs of man. The team of participants from five nations, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, The Gambia, Pakistan and Jordan, travelled to Jiamusi to see more of the many factories producing the machinery and farming input that powers China’s mechanised food production. One of the places visited in Jiamusi is the fully mechanised and digitalized, Intelligent Farm run by Beidahuang Kengzheng Agricultural Machinery company. An interesting fact is that President Xi Jinping visited the same farm in 2018. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/rv_daDaYTdA?si=1gbiwpaLoY-KL8iw/ Areal view of a mechanised farm in Jiamusi, China. Aside from the Intelligent Farm, there are other fully mechanised and digitalized mega and medium sized farms across China. However, the secret of the country’s massive agricultural output is the smallholders who form a large chunk of the Household Contract Responsibility System. The Household Responsibility System was introduced at a critical moment of China’s reforms which saw the country move from the Soviet model of planned economy, characterized by heavy industries and complete nationalisation, which yielded inefficiency and undersupply, to a more open country prioritising shared prosperity. In his presentation on China’s level of development and culture, MA Teng, a Senior Engineer at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanisation Sciences Group (CAAMS), which hosted the two-week summit, told participants that strictly implemented reforms and, the adherence to the rule of law had seen China lift 800 million of its 1.4 billion population out of poverty. This is as Feng Li, a researcher at the Chinese Foreign Affairs University, traced China’s impressive economic indicators to the country’s past and current leaders sticking to people-centric reforms. Using data from 2024, Li further told participants that the Asian country’s GDP stands at 134,908.4 Chinese Yuan. The national income is 133,969.2 billion Yuan, industry output is 40,544.2 billion, the service sector’s total value is 765,583 billion, and domestic trade (total trade of consumer goods) hit 48,334.5 billion Yuan. For international trade, the total value of imports and exports of goods reached 43,846.8 Yuan, while the national per capita disposable income is 41,314 Yuan. But as explained by Li, China still considers itself to adeveloping country because of the rural poor whom the government is working assiduously to pull as many out of poverty. Unlike in Nigeria, where experts and the media, based on the socioeconomic realities, have cause to dispute exciting economic indicators from the government, in China, the country’s much-touted shared prosperity philosophy is easy to see in Beijing, Jiamusi and Changchun. In the three cities visited by participants, my keen observation showed that there aren’t glaring social disparities between the two cities, far from China’s capital city. In fact, Jiamusi is home to 24 Fortune Global 500 companies. One of the thriving businesses in Jiamusi is Jichin Tractors, which produces thousands of tractors from 30-300 HP annually. Another is the Beidahuang Kengzheng Agricultural Machinery company which produces thousands of tractors and farm machinery yearly. The majority of the customers of China’s manufacturers come from within and the neighbouring countries, with the Chinese government backing these companies’ push to sell more overseas.
It was therefore disheartening to return to Nigeria and reading about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proudly announcing the distribution of 2,000 tractors and thousands of farming implements under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme. The initiative, according to the President is aimed at boosting food security and national prosperity. Speaking during the launch of the programme in Abuja on Monday, June 24, Tinubu said: “Today, we take a monumental leap forward with the introduction of the state-of-the-art tractors through our new agricultural mechanisation programme. We are very proud of what we are doing”.Undoubtedly, Nigeria cannot solve its food supply and hunger problem with tokenistic interventions such as the distribution of 2,000 tractors and thousands of farming implements. In 2024, Nigeria ranked 110th out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 28.8/100. Further breakdown of the data from GHI shows that 18.0% of Nigeria’s estimated over 200 million population are undernourished, while 31.5% of children under five are stunted. Again, 6.5% of children under five are wasted even as 10.7%. of children die due to a deadly mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments. Water and sanitation are also huge problems especially in rural areas and among the urban poor. While China’s degree of mechanisation in crop growing, including land cultivation, sowing and harvesting, reached 72.03 % in 2021, as reported by ScienceDirect.com, in 2025, Nigeria’s leader is boasting of changing lives with the deployment of 2,000 tractors, 50 industrial-grade land preparation bulldozers, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and over 8,000 specialised farming implements, to improve food production for the country’s over 200 million, youth-heavy population. Beyond the distribution of tractors and other farm equipment, President Tinubu must honestly confront other challenges that prevent the country from improving agricultural mechanisation from its current 10 percent level. Some of these challenges include: high cost and limited access to machinery, inadequate maintenance facilities and poor basic infrastructure as well as energy constraints. Other challenges include fragmented landholdings and tenure issues. Small, fragmented landholdings, common in many parts of Nigeria make it difficult to efficiently utilise large-scale machinery. Again, in many cultures in Nigeria, women don’t inherit land; they have to rent or lease at high cost, even though women constitute a significant majority of peasant farmers, with estimates ranging from 70% to over 75%. Farmers, especially the women, also struggle to secure loans or credit to purchase machinery, especially those with limited collateral. To solve the twin problems of land ownership and machinery acquisition, the government can localise the Chinese model of Household Responsibility Contract in which families or communities come together to sign a contract with government on farming and food production, which is beneficial to both parties. Other problems stalling agricultural mechanisation include the lack of skilled labour and technical expertise and lack of effective extension services and training programs. Then there is the huge problem of bloody attacks on farms which have seen large numbers of rural dwellers abandoning farmlands. The violent attacks have led to fluctuations in the sector’s contributions to the economy. In 2020, Agriculture contributed 25.70% to the GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Aside from allocating the highest figure to defence in the annual budget, the Federal Government must seek better means of dealing with banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling. Again, to improve agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria, a multifaceted approach is needed, including policy reforms, increased access to credit, training programs, and public-private partnerships. Specifically, this involves supporting local machine production, strengthening existing institutions, and promoting the use of modern machinery and equipment. In improving the level of farm mechanisation Nigeria can also learn from China when it comes to maintaining safety. In her presentation titled China’s Machinery Safety Supervision and Management Policies and Practices, Prof. Hua Dengfeng, disclosed that in 1978, a total of 59,546 agricultural accidents occurred with 9,734 killed and 15,326 injured. However, with nationally set and strictly implemented safety rules and laws, between 2012 to 2024, the number of accidents reduced from 2000 with 900 injuries and 700 fatalities to nil recorded accidents, injuries and mortality. How can Nigeria collaborate with China on agricultural mechanisation? To significantly improve agricultural mechanisation, Nigeria can collaborate, as already done with Belarus and China, which is an even bigger and tested partner. Nigeria can easily key into its long history of trade and other forms of collaboration with China. By 2023, trade between China and Nigeria reached $22.56 billion, with Nigeria being China’s third-largest trading partner in Africa. In 2023, the top exports from Nigeria to China included Petroleum Gas ($995M), Crude Petroleum ($409M), and Other Mineral ($293M), according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity. In 2023, the top exports from China to Nigeria included machinery having individual functions ($530M), broadcasting equipment ($486M), and non-knit women’s Suits ($452M), according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity. From January to September 2024, the trade volume totalled $15.1 billion, with China’s imports from Nigeria increasing by 36.1% year-on-year. The currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China, which was renewed in 2024 is worth $2 billion. The deal is aimed at reducing reliance on the US dollar, stabilise Nigeria’s foreign reserves, and boosting trade and investment. Nigeria is also part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join the BRI in September 2018. The initiative focuses on infrastructure development and strengthening economic and political ties between China and participating countries. Nigeria has actively engaged with the BRI, particularly in areas like railway and port infrastructure development. In building on its already existing partnerships and bilateral agreements, Nigeria can prioritise future collaboration on opportunities to improve mechanisation of agriculture in Nigeria as this critical to massive food production, ending hunger and poverty alleviation.
Kemi Yesufu, who recently returned from China, is the Editor-In-Chief/ CEO of Frontline News Online, and can be reached on yesufukemi@gmail.com
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) published a report early this year on how it is not easy to be a woman in Nigerian politics. It goes on: at the highest levels of Nigerian governance, men vastly outnumber women. In the Senate and House of Representatives, women hold only three percent and four percent of seats, respectively. This gender disproportionality is evident in state and municipal governments as well.
The lack of women in leadership positions in local government and civil society reflects how difficult it is for females to carve out leadership positions or rise through the ranks. Being a female in leadership in Nigeria means navigating a complex and often uneven playing field, shaped by societal expectations, systemic barriers, and deep-rooted gender norms. It requires resilience, determination, and strength to create meaningful change in the face of historical inequities. Striving for gender equality is not only advantageous to the women who might benefit from these efforts, but it is beneficial for Nigerian society in general. Women’s empowerment in governance can increase the quality of democracy by creating a society that is more representative of its citizenry and thus more stable. A more inclusive and diverse set of leaders across all levels of society can lessen internal conflicts and improve peacebuilding outcomes. To address the gender inequalities in Nigeria, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) created and hosted the Young Women’s Leadership Training Program (YWLTP). IFES’s YWLTP is an empowering initiative designed to help young women in Nigeria chart a pathway through the maze of long-standing gender biases in order to achieve their dreams. Consisting of women ages 18 to 30 and tailored specifically for women with disabilities, university students, and female election candidates who have run for office without success, this program builds participants’ confidence, teaches leadership skills, and nurtures a female-centered support system. The program creates a network of persevering women ready to make an impact in elections, activism, or governance. To break through gender barriers, young women need tools. The YWLTP focuses on equipping participants with the resources and know-how they need to step boldly into leadership positions. While completing the IFES training, many beneficiaries created one-year-long work plans, setting personal goals for their leadership, political, and career goals, which were submitted to IFES for accountability and ongoing support, ensuring their growth is both strategic and sustained. One year later, IFES checked back in with three participants, Ifunanya, Praise, and Toyin, to see what they’ve accomplished:
Ifunanya Jessica Okoye, 22, Oraifite, Ekwusigo, Anambra state, Nigeria Ifunanya Jessica Okoye, 22, Oraifite, Ekwusigo, Anambra state, Nigeria Ifunanya Okoye, has become a registered member of a political party in Anambra State, where she is actively supporting a female councillorship candidate by crafting campaign messages. She also applied her training to run for an elective position in the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), successfully securing the role of Chief Whip for Ekwusigo LGA. How did the IFES training prepare you for your role as Chief Whip for Ekwusigo LGA in the Youth Assembly of Nigeria? Ifunanya: The IFES training, particularly focusing on self-confidence and campaign strategies, empowered me to overcome challenges and successfully campaign for my position. It provided me with the tools and mindset needed to navigate obstacles and emerge as a strong leader. From your own experience, how does the quality of leadership differ when led by women? Ifunanya: Women leaders excel in listening, empathizing, and making decisions that benefit the collective rather than individual interests. Their leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, compassion, and genuine concern for the welfare of others. Women’s involvement in leadership is crucial as women possess unique insights and perspectives that contribute to inclusive decision-making processes. Women leaders prioritize the well-being of all individuals, ensuring a balanced and equitable approach. What surprising lesson have you learned in your current position? Ifunanya: I have discovered that opposition, particularly from within my own gender, can be a significant challenge. This realization has reinforced the importance of self-reliance and resilience in leadership roles.
Ifunanya What positive changes have you observed due to your hard work? Ifunanya: My level of self-confidence has increased and every day, I continually strive for personal growth and excellence in leadership; daring and striving to do more and become a better leader/version of myself. What future transformations do you hope to see come out of your work? Ifunanya: Through my work with IFES, I have witnessed the support and interest of individuals invested in my growth. This has spurred me to do more and want to be more. I am determined to make a significant impact in the realm of whatever leadership position I am privileged to occupy, and I aspire to be recognized among the world’s most influential female leaders, such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. What does democracy mean to you? Ifunanya: Democracy, to me, embodies the power of the people to shape their own destiny. It represents inclusiveness, equality, and the freedom to express opinions, make choices, and hold leaders accountable. True democracy thrives when every voice is heard, and every right is protected. My work in Nigeria is driven by a deep passion and commitment to justice, equality, and education. Through initiatives like Justice Link and programs for gender inclusion, I strive to amplify the voices to the marginalized, contribute towards preventing innocent citizens from falling victim to systemic injustices, and empower young girls to pursue education. I firmly believe that change begins with action, and I’m committed to creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Praise Chidiebube Nwankwo, 24, Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Praise is leading leadership training sessions for secondary school girls in Ebonyi State, aiming to inspire them to embrace leadership roles. She initiated a secondary school outreach program, visiting two schools to engage with students and instill a passion for leadership, preparing them for future roles in higher education and beyond. What valuable lessons did you learn from the IFES training you attended? Praise: One of the most valuable lessons I gained from the IFES Young Women Leadership Program was the importance of authentic leadership. Throughout the program, I participated in sessions focused on building confidence, improving public speaking skills, and understanding key leadership principles. These experiences taught me that true leadership is not defined by one’s title, but by their ability to influence, their vision, and their sense of purpose. The program challenged me to embrace my purpose, communicate effectively, and motivate others to take action, particularly in environments where women’s voices are often marginalized. It reinforced my belief that when women lead with authenticity and clarity, they have the power to make a lasting impact in their communities. Praise speaks to group of people. How did IFES’s training prepare you to conduct your own trainings at the secondary schools in Ebonyi State? Praise: The training I received from IFES provided me with the confidence and skills to effectively engage and inspire young minds. Through sessions on leadership and public speaking, I learned how to connect with diverse audiences and deliver impactful messages. When working with secondary schools in Ebonyi State, I applied these lessons to develop interactive sessions on gender equality, leadership, and personal development. IFES taught me how to tailor my approach to empower young students, ensuring that they not only learn but also feel inspired to take action in their communities. From your own experience, how does the quality of leadership differ when led by women? Praise: In my experience, women-led leadership often comes with a special combination of empathy, collaboration, and resilience. As the team lead at HerRise Foundation, I facilitated open dialogue during a recent community project, ensuring that every voice was heard. This approach not only fostered trust and empathy but also sparked innovative solutions as everyone felt a sense of belonging. This demonstrates that inclusive leadership can truly transform outcomes for individuals and communities. Women leaders excel in creating environments where individuals feel valued and empowered, driving meaningful progress. I believe it is imperative for women to take on leadership roles as diverse leadership leads to more inclusive and effective decision-making. Women bring unique perspectives shaped by their experiences and their involvement which ensures that policies and initiatives address the needs of all individuals. When women are in leadership positions, entire communities thrive. What future impacts do you hope to see through your continued efforts? Praise: My vision is to cultivate a generation of empowered young women who shatter barriers, redefine leadership, and create inclusive communities. As the founder of HerRise Foundation, I envision a world where every girl, regardless of her background, has access to quality education, asserts her rights, and fearlessly leads in spaces where her voice was once stifled. Praise with school children in uniforms. What does democracy mean to you? Praise: Democracy embodies principles of inclusion, equality, and the empowerment of every individual to shape decisions that affect their lives. It entails establishing systems where everyone, irrespective of their status or background, has an opportunity to participate, lead, and thrive. Through my work in Nigeria, my goal is to inspire a new generation of young people, particularly girls, to transcend limitations and lead with confidence. From initially providing sanitary pads to over 1,000 teenage girls to engage more than 3,000 students in leadership programs, I am unwaveringly committed to creating platforms where young voices are amplified, dreams are nurtured, and barriers are dismantled. My message is clear: with the right support, every child can thrive, and every girl can lead.
Headshot of Toyin Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Adebusola Adebayo, 28, Ikirun, Ifelodun, Osun State, Nigeria Toyin has been conducting leadership coaching sessions for young women in Osun State and established the Blooming Wellness Initiative. This organization promotes young women’s participation in leadership and addresses gender-based violence. Through her initiative, she hosts monthly dialogues on leadership and civic engagement. How did the training you received from IFES help you in establishing the Blooming Wellness Initiative? Toyin: The Blooming Wellness Initiative was born out of a deep-seated desire to cultivate leadership skills in young girls long before its official inception. The training provided by IFES transcended a mere two-day program; it was a transformative mentorship experience enriched with practical, hands-on activities. Participants were encouraged to express themselves openly, with facilitators offering genuine guidance that resonated deeply with me, fueling my passion for leadership. The structured nature of the training, coupled with the unwavering support of the facilitators, ensured that we were equipped with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of leadership. The implementation template provided during the training proved to be indispensable too, offering a clear roadmap for planning and executing activities aimed at realizing our vision for change. Upon returning home, I was inspired to formalize my passion by officially registering the Blooming Wellness Initiative. The training provided by IFES not only equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively but also instilled in me the confidence to turn my aspirations into reality.
Toyin speaks at lecturn Why do you believe it is essential for women to hold leadership positions? Toyin: It is crucial because women are just as capable as men and can drive impactful change. Women bring a peculiar style of leadership to the table, shaped by their diverse life experiences, which can greatly enhance decision-making processes. Furthermore, women have a profound influence on the next generation of leaders – our children. By harnessing this influence through leadership roles, we can shape a brighter future for society. The quality of leadership is distinct when women are at the helm. Women, often conditioned to prioritize family and community, bring a unique perspective that can drive a sustainable society. Their values, ability to think critically, and firsthand experience with issues affecting women and children allow them to champion policies and initiatives with passion and insight. What future transformations do you hope to see through your continued efforts and engagement with the community? Toyin: Moving forward, my goal is to see a community where women are empowered to realize their full leadership potential and become unstoppable forces for positive change; rising above societal norms. Can you share a surprising discovery you made during your monthly dialogues? Toyin: One surprising discovery during our dialogues was the decision to include graduates in attendance. I was pleasantly surprised to find that topics I initially thought were more suitable for secondary school girls were highly relevant to them. This experience revealed that, despite the numerous initiatives and interventions for young women, there is a need to pay closer attention to unemployed graduates. Supporting them in developing and honing their leadership skills has become a critical area of focus for me. What message would you like to convey to readers worldwide about the impactful work you are doing in Nigeria? Toyin: The work we are doing in Nigeria is centered around empowering young women to recognize and harness their leadership abilities, sparking a wave of positive transformation. Our mission is to instill confidence, build skills, and challenge societal norms that hinder women’s participation in leadership roles, paving the way for a brighter future. To readers worldwide, empowering women is not just a local endeavor, it transcends borders—it is a global imperative for creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sent to one year imprisonment, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Elvis Simon Okerenyi, for defrauding a man of one million naira with fake job employment promise. Elvis Simon Okerenyi, who was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was given an option of fine to the tune of N200,000.00. The court ordered him to also pay “restitution” of the sum of N350,000.00 to Titus Tavershima, who was the victim of his crime. Elvis Simon Okerenyi was charged to court on forgery and giving “fake employment” to a job-seeker. ICPC said that investigations showed that Okerenyi defrauded Titus Tavershima, of the sum of One Million Naira to secure employment for him in the Federal Civil Service. “This act is contrary to Section 320 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, 2006. “Subsequently, the defendant entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution; the initial seven-count charge was amended to a count charge to which the defendant pleaded guilty. “The defendant pleaded guilty upon his arraignment based on a plea bargain agreement before Justice S. C. Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was convicted pursuant to section 270(10) ACJA on the only charge in the amended charge.”
Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organisations, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi has vowed to wage war on discrimination against women and girls. Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, who spoke at the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, said that the fight would involve the removal of stereotypes and cultural barriers. He stressed that efforts would also be made to promote an equitable distribution of care work in families between women and men. “The fight against all forms of discrimination against women and girls is a traditional priority for Italy.” Ambassador Grassi pointed out that “one of the most urgent challenges to be addressed is the disproportionate impact of care work, the burden of which falls disproportionately on women and girls, often preventing them from pursuing adequate personal and professional development.” In this sense, he added: “promoting an equitable distribution between women and men of care work within the family and household is a fundamental step towards gender equality.” The Permanent Representative stressed: “economic empowerment and equal opportunities in access to education, training and career advancement are fundamental in the Italian vision.” He also stressed the importance of “removing stereotypes and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing all fields of study and work, including science, technology and finance, as well as supporting female entrepreneurship and leadership positions in decision-making processes.”
People of Biu in Borno State have chosen to re-elect their representative in the Federal House of Representatives, Muktar Betara Aliyu in the 2027 election to continue the good work he has been doing for the constituency. Betara Aliyu is representing Biu, Bayo, Shani and Kwaya-kusar towns in the House of Representatives in the past eighteen years. In a statement, one of the leaders in the constituency and a retired civil servant, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, said that the people in the constituency had never had it so good in terms of the dividend of democracy like the period Betara Aliyu had been in charge. Ibrahim Biu, who is a top journalist, said that the people’s representative had transformed Biu town into a modern city with the provision of infrastructure such as road networks, water, health institutions and facilities. “He has done a great lot in the areas of education, health, agriculture, rural electrification, and provision of water, fertilizer, infrastructure, grinding engines, and tractors to farmers and women, especially widow. “He has also constructed about 100 boreholes and provided houses to the less privileged in the society apart from helping women and children to be on their own, through the provision of motivational funds.
“This is apart from helping farmers, the less privileged in the society not only during festivities but also all aimed at improving their lives. “No wonder almost everywhere you go, the people are clamouring for the re-election of Betara Aliyu.” Ibrahim Biu stressed the fact that the people in the area wanted Betara Aliyu back in the House of Representatives in 2027 because of his superlative performances, simplicity, fear of God and his large heart. Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu is currently chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In more ways than one, Nigerian women have remained in the background where major politics is being played. This is despite the advancement not only in technology but also in global awareness. From the time the first woman, arguably, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti surfaced to fight against unfair taxation and oppressive colonial policies against women in 1946, there hasn’t been any significant increase in women participation in the Nigerian politics, passing through the first to the present fourth Republics. In fact, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900–1978), who founded Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU), mobilised thousands of women to protest, forcing the Alake of Egba to abdicate in 1949. She later became a strong member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). She advocated for women’s suffrage and political representation, paving the way for future women’s participation.
After Funmilayo was also Margaret Ekpo (1914–2006) who was a teacher, politician and activist from Aba. She founded Market Women Association in Aba to fight colonial injustices against women traders. She rose as a prominent member of NCNC, representing women’s interests. In 1953, she won election into the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, becoming one of the first female legislators in Nigeria. She mobilised women to engage in politics beyond traditional roles, integrating them into decision-making. And in the Northern part of the country emerged Hajiya Gambo Sawaba (1933–2001). She a fearless politician and activist, who was a strong member of the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) under late Malam Aminu Kano. NEPU came out to oppose feudalism, illiteracy and gender oppression in the North. Gambo Sawaba defied the so-called norms and culture and got into serious political activism, resulting in her imprisonment many times, especially for advocating girl-child education and fighting child marriage. She went all the way to encourage women to vote and contest positions despite sociocultural resistance. One other woman participant in the murky water of politics was Chief (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Olopade, who engaged in local political structures in Western Nigeria. She mobilised women in local councils and market associations to demand participation in the 1950s regional political reforms, even as Chief (Mrs) Janet Mokelu, an Igbo politician contested and became a member of the Eastern House of Assembly. Mrs Janet Mokelu advocated education and health reforms for women and children in the Eastern Region as well as promoted girl-child education in the old Anambra area.
The next other woman political activist was Wuraola Esan (1909–1985), who turned out to be the first female member of the Nigerian Senate (1960–1966). She was very active in Action Group (AG) politics in Western Nigeria. She advocated women’s rights, girl-child education and social welfare and served as an influential voice in constitutional development and women’s representation in Nigeria’s First Republic. These early female politicians actually engaged in anti-tax protests (e.g. Aba Women’s Riot, Abeokuta protests) and fought hard as members as well as leaders in national political parties (NCNC, NEPU, AG). They fought against oppressive traditional and colonial structures. They contested elective positions at regional and national levels to influence policies. Fast forward, what do we have in this fourth republic, specifically in the current dispensation?
As a matter of fact, women representation in politics and leadership is so low that it can rightly be regarded as backwardness. To think that currently only about, or even less than 10 percent of the elective offices at national and state levels are occupied by women. For example, in the 10th National Assembly (2023), out of 469 seats (Senate and House of Representatives), only about 17 were held by women. There are only four in the Senate that is made up of 109 members. There is no female governor elected in the 2023 general elections, though there were deputy governors. At the political level, the only position women occupy is that of ‘women leader’ instead of core decision-making roles such as party chairpersons or national secretaries. Party structures are male-dominated, limiting women’s influence on internal party policies and candidate nominations. Even in the area of appointment, the Federal Executive Council of President Bola Tinubu has about 20 percent female ministers, which of course, is below the 35 percent affirmative action target set in national gender policies. The low participation of women has remained the product of patriarchal norms and cultural beliefs, which combined to discourage female political ambition. This is more pronounced in the northern part of the country, where women who dare to take part in politicking are regarded as loose and uncultured. It is very appropriate to digress here to stress the point that the greatest stumbling block to women participation in politics and leadership position, especially in the northern Nigeria, is this misconceived Islamic point of view that women should not be seen, heard and lead, whereas it is purely a patriarchal interpretation combined with cultural tradition. Islam, when studied holistically, upholds dignity, justice and capability of any human being as the criteria for leadership, not gender alone. This should be seen of course, as a very sensitive and important topic requiring balanced and grounded analysis. Many people in Northern Nigeria, including the learned ones, believe that Islam forbids women from political leadership, based on interpretations of certain Hadiths (Prophetic traditions). The Hadith, narrated by Abu Bakra says: “Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler.” (Bukhari 4425) This Hadith was narrated in the context of the Persian Empire appointing a woman (daughter of Kisra) as ruler. Some scholars argue that it was a specific commentary on that situation, not a general eternal ruling. But the Holy Qur’an does not categorically prohibit women from leadership. For instance, Allah in Surah An-Naml (27:23-44) of the Holy Qur’an, presents Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) as an intelligent, wise, consultative and just leader. He neither condemns her rule nor commands her removal. Instead, He mentions her good judgement and eventual acceptance of Islam. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that both men and women are equally accountable for deeds (e.g. 33:35), indicating that leadership, in the form of enjoining good and forbidding evil is encouraged for all believers. Some contemporary scholars maintain that women cannot be heads of state but can hold other leadership roles (ministers, parliamentarians, commissioners). Others argue that the Hadith is contextual and leadership should depend on competence, integrity and capability, not gender alone. Again, in the Northern Nigeria, Islam is deeply intertwined with culture. But many barriers attributed to Islam are in fact cultural, including preference for male dominance in public affairs, early marriage affecting girls’ education, which reduces future leadership prospects and misinterpretation of religious texts by conservative scholars to reinforce patriarchal norms. It is on record that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) consulted women, e.g. Umm Salma during Hudaybiyyah. Women like Aisha (RA) were scholars and public teachers of Hadith and Fiqh, guiding men and rulers. The fact needs to be repeated that late Hajiya Gambo Sawaba defied both colonial and North’s cultural restrictions to lead politically in the mid-20th century. Also women like late Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan (popularly called Mama Taraba), Hajiya Aisha Dahiru Ahmed Binani, Hajiya Bint Masi Garba, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba, Hajiya Saudatu Sani, Hajiya Dr. Ramatu Aliyu Tijjani, Barrister Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ireti Kingigbe and others also defied the established norms and culture to fully participate in politics and leadership in the north, holding ministerial and senatorial positions as well as venturing into contesting governorship elections. The greatest stumbling block is therefore, not Islam itself but patriarchal interpretations combined with cultural traditions. Islam, when studied holistically, upholds dignity, justice, and capability as the criteria for leadership, not gender alone. On the inhibiting factors to women participation in politics and leadership in Nigeria are also the issues of violence, intimidation, and harassment during elections which, by their gentle nature, women cannot withstand. Because Nigeria’s kind of politics is heavily monitised, a large chunk of women who may want to venture into politics are discouraged either by financial constraints or the deceptive nature inherent in the system. This is hinged mainly on lack of internal democracy in parties to ensure fair primaries for women, irrespective of how much they may spend to campaign. With the world advancing towards the Artificial Intelligence era, from the internet revolution, it will be unfortunate if Nigerian women are, willy nilly, being kept in the background at every turn in the nation’s political and leadership journey. There is therefore urgent need to legislate on, and enforce gender quota laws, mandating a minimum percentage of women in elective and appointive positions, which should be 35 percent as in National Gender Policy). Electoral Act should be amended to include, among others, clear affirmative action clauses. Political parties should be made to abolish or reduce nomination fees for women aspirants, even as internal quota system should be created to reserve slots for female candidates in primaries. There should be a deliberate policy too to strengthen women wings to have policy influence, not only mobilisation roles. As a matter of fact, special provisions need to be put in place to train women in political strategy, campaign management and governance, besides the establishment of mentorship programs that should connect young women with experienced female politicians. The system: government and political parties should set up what one would call “Women Political Empowerment Funds” supported by government and private sectors to fund female candidates’ campaigns. Above all, national and international None Governmental Organizations (NGOs) need to intensify advocacy to change negative cultural perceptions of women leaders, especially in the northern part of the country. They can use schools, religious bodies and media to promote gender equality in leadership and governance. Ways should be made to control electoral violence. There should be deliberate moves and policies to device stronger enforcement against political violence and harassment, which often deter women from participating. To catch them young, policies should be initiated to educate girls from early stages on political leadership and civic rights for them to build interest and confidence. For Northern Nigerian society in particular to harness its full human resource, both men and women should be empowered to serve in all spheres, including political leadership, within the moral and social framework of Islam. There is need to re-educate communities in the north on Qur’anic principles of justice, consultation and capability; to encourage female education at all levels as a religious duty and to clarify Hadith interpretations within proper scholarly contexts rather than as blanket bans. There is also the urgent need to promote inclusive Islamic scholarship where women scholars teach both men and women and to address cultural barriers, differentiating them from Islamic injunctions. On the whole, it must be restated for emphasis that the present women’s participation in politics and governance has been discouraging despite constitutional guarantees of equality, and to improve requires legal quotas, party reforms, cultural change, financial support and targeted capacity development are indispensable and urgently so. This is essential for balanced development and inclusive governance towards achieving Nigeria’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality).
Yusuf Ozi-Usman, nipr, is Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and Author of many books. He can be reached on oziusman@yahoo.com and Whatsapp +234-8037020244.
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NAHCON Chairman called on the returning pilgrims to continue to pray for Nigeria to overcome its challenges and for them to remember the nation’s leaders in their prayers.
Meanwhile, Women’s cooperatives have risen over time to support microfinance schemes, local savings and communal projects. This is in addition to some Organizations which have noticed the activities of those hardworking women and and have formed support networks. They include Edo Women Farmers Cooperative Societies, which is a local groups that empowers women through shared resources and knowledge.
After Funmilayo was also Margaret Ekpo (1914–2006) who was a teacher, politician and activist from Aba. She founded Market Women Association in Aba to fight colonial injustices against women traders. She rose as a prominent member of NCNC, representing women’s interests.
The next other woman political activist was Wuraola Esan (1909–1985), who turned out to be the first female member of the Nigerian Senate (1960–1966). She was very active in Action Group (AG) politics in Western Nigeria. She advocated women’s rights, girl-child education and social welfare and served as an influential voice in constitutional development and women’s representation in Nigeria’s First Republic.
As a matter of fact, women representation in politics and leadership is so low that it can rightly be regarded as backwardness.
China’s Agricultural Revolution: Lessons For Nigeria, By Kemi Yesufu
The 1949 revolution, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), resulted in the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China and the CCP’s consolidation of power on the mainland. Several years after another silent revolution took place in China, it was the agricultural revolution.
It is safe to describe China as not just a vast country dotted with well-built and well-administered cities, but one which has cultivated land almost everywhere you look.
After a few days in Beijing, the beautiful capital city of China, I joined other participants for the seminar on Agricultural Machinery Development Planning and Safety Management for Developing Countries in a high-speed train to Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province. For most of the eight-hour journey, both sides of the rail route were cultivated land with tall buildings in the background forming a nice combination of the two basic needs of man.
The team of participants from five nations, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, The Gambia, Pakistan and Jordan, travelled to Jiamusi to see more of the many factories producing the machinery and farming input that powers China’s mechanised food production. One of the places visited in Jiamusi is the fully mechanised and digitalized, Intelligent Farm run by Beidahuang Kengzheng Agricultural Machinery company. An interesting fact is that President Xi Jinping visited the same farm in 2018.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/rv_daDaYTdA?si=1gbiwpaLoY-KL8iw/ Areal view of a mechanised farm in Jiamusi, China.
Aside from the Intelligent Farm, there are other fully mechanised and digitalized mega and medium sized farms across China. However, the secret of the country’s massive agricultural output is the smallholders who form a large chunk of the Household Contract Responsibility System. The Household Responsibility System was introduced at a critical moment of China’s reforms which saw the country move from the Soviet model of planned economy, characterized by heavy industries and complete nationalisation, which yielded inefficiency and undersupply, to a more open country prioritising shared prosperity.
In his presentation on China’s level of development and culture, MA Teng, a Senior Engineer at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanisation Sciences Group (CAAMS), which hosted the two-week summit, told participants that strictly implemented reforms and, the adherence to the rule of law had seen China lift 800 million of its 1.4 billion population out of poverty. This is as Feng Li, a researcher at the Chinese Foreign Affairs University, traced China’s impressive economic indicators to the country’s past and current leaders sticking to people-centric reforms. Using data from 2024, Li further told participants that the Asian country’s GDP stands at 134,908.4 Chinese Yuan. The national income is 133,969.2 billion Yuan, industry output is 40,544.2 billion, the service sector’s total value is 765,583 billion, and domestic trade (total trade of consumer goods) hit 48,334.5 billion Yuan. For international trade, the total value of imports and exports of goods reached 43,846.8 Yuan, while the national per capita disposable income is 41,314 Yuan. But as explained by Li, China still considers itself to adeveloping country because of the rural poor whom the government is working assiduously to pull as many out of poverty.
Unlike in Nigeria, where experts and the media, based on the socioeconomic realities, have cause to dispute exciting economic indicators from the government, in China, the country’s much-touted shared prosperity philosophy is easy to see in Beijing, Jiamusi and Changchun. In the three cities visited by participants, my keen observation showed that there aren’t glaring social disparities between the two cities, far from China’s capital city. In fact, Jiamusi is home to 24 Fortune Global 500 companies. One of the thriving businesses in Jiamusi is Jichin Tractors, which produces thousands of tractors from 30-300 HP annually. Another is the Beidahuang Kengzheng Agricultural Machinery company which produces thousands of tractors and farm machinery yearly. The majority of the customers of China’s manufacturers come from within and the neighbouring countries, with the Chinese government backing these companies’ push to sell more overseas.
While China’s degree of mechanisation in crop growing, including land cultivation, sowing and harvesting, reached 72.03 % in 2021, as reported by ScienceDirect.com, in 2025, Nigeria’s leader is boasting of changing lives with the deployment of 2,000 tractors, 50 industrial-grade land preparation bulldozers, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and over 8,000 specialised farming implements, to improve food production for the country’s over 200 million, youth-heavy population.
Beyond the distribution of tractors and other farm equipment, President Tinubu must honestly confront other challenges that prevent the country from improving agricultural mechanisation from its current 10 percent level. Some of these challenges include: high cost and limited access to machinery, inadequate maintenance facilities and poor basic infrastructure as well as energy constraints. Other challenges include fragmented landholdings and tenure issues. Small, fragmented landholdings, common in many parts of Nigeria make it difficult to efficiently utilise large-scale machinery.
Again, in many cultures in Nigeria, women don’t inherit land; they have to rent or lease at high cost, even though women constitute a significant majority of peasant farmers, with estimates ranging from 70% to over 75%. Farmers, especially the women, also struggle to secure loans or credit to purchase machinery, especially those with limited collateral. To solve the twin problems of land ownership and machinery acquisition, the government can localise the Chinese model of Household Responsibility Contract in which families or communities come together to sign a contract with government on farming and food production, which is beneficial to both parties. Other problems stalling agricultural mechanisation include the lack of skilled labour and technical expertise and lack of effective extension services and training programs. Then there is the huge problem of bloody attacks on farms which have seen large numbers of rural dwellers abandoning farmlands. The violent attacks have led to fluctuations in the sector’s contributions to the economy. In 2020, Agriculture contributed 25.70% to the GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Aside from allocating the highest figure to defence in the annual budget, the Federal Government must seek better means of dealing with banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
Again, to improve agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria, a multifaceted approach is needed, including policy reforms, increased access to credit, training programs, and public-private partnerships. Specifically, this involves supporting local machine production, strengthening existing institutions, and promoting the use of modern machinery and equipment. In improving the level of farm mechanisation Nigeria can also learn from China when it comes to maintaining safety. In her presentation titled China’s Machinery Safety Supervision and Management Policies and Practices, Prof. Hua Dengfeng, disclosed that in 1978, a total of 59,546 agricultural accidents occurred with 9,734 killed and 15,326 injured. However, with nationally set and strictly implemented safety rules and laws, between 2012 to 2024, the number of accidents reduced from 2000 with 900 injuries and 700 fatalities to nil recorded accidents, injuries and mortality.
How can Nigeria collaborate with China on agricultural mechanisation? To significantly improve agricultural mechanisation, Nigeria can collaborate, as already done with Belarus and China, which is an even bigger and tested partner. Nigeria can easily key into its long history of trade and other forms of collaboration with China. By 2023, trade between China and Nigeria reached $22.56 billion, with Nigeria being China’s third-largest trading partner in Africa. In 2023, the top exports from Nigeria to China included Petroleum Gas ($995M), Crude Petroleum ($409M), and Other Mineral ($293M), according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity.
In 2023, the top exports from China to Nigeria included machinery having individual functions ($530M), broadcasting equipment ($486M), and non-knit women’s Suits ($452M), according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity.
From January to September 2024, the trade volume totalled $15.1 billion, with China’s imports from Nigeria increasing by 36.1% year-on-year.
The currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China, which was renewed in 2024 is worth $2 billion. The deal is aimed at reducing reliance on the US dollar, stabilise Nigeria’s foreign reserves, and boosting trade and investment. Nigeria is also part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join the BRI in September 2018. The initiative focuses on infrastructure development and strengthening economic and political ties between China and participating countries. Nigeria has actively engaged with the BRI, particularly in areas like railway and port infrastructure development. In building on its already existing partnerships and bilateral agreements, Nigeria can prioritise future collaboration on opportunities to improve mechanisation of agriculture in Nigeria as this critical to massive food production, ending hunger and poverty alleviation.
Kemi Yesufu, who recently returned from China, is the Editor-In-Chief/ CEO of Frontline News Online, and can be reached on yesufukemi@gmail.com