News

FG using AI to identify poor Nigerians, says minister

Published

1 year ago

June 1, 2025

Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction

FG using AI to identify poor Nigerians, says minister

Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, stated that the federal government is using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify poor Nigerians residing in urban slums.

Speaking recently on Arise TV, the minister said AI has enabled the expansion of the national social register.

He added that the register, which initially targeted only the rural poor, has grown from 13 million to 19.7 million people.

“To help someone, you must first know them. You can’t support people you can’t identify. That’s why we started by validating the social register,” Yilwatda said.

“The president ordered that we include the urban poor as well. We used satellite imagery to locate urban slums, then base stations and telecoms data to identify phone numbers in those locations.

“AI helped us generate a list of urban poor individuals by verifying those numbers, their access to financial services, and other indicators.

“So now, the updated social register covers both rural and urban communities, making it more inclusive and reliable.”

The minister said the federal government is targeting 15 million households — about 75 million individuals — with its anti-poverty programmes.

“Nigeria has around 43 million households. We’re targeting 15 million with these interventions. Multiply that by an average household size of five, and we’re reaching about 75 million people,” Yilwatda said.

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‘42% Nigerians Affected By Food Poverty’

The minister added that government is providing conditional cash transfers to food-poor households as part of its multidimensional poverty reduction efforts.

“We need to differentiate between food poverty and multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty includes a lack of access to education, clean water, healthcare, and financial services. Food poverty, which focuses solely on access to sufficient food, affects roughly 42% of the population,” he said.

“If you take 42% of 200 million, that’s about 80 million people. Divide that by an average household size of five, and you have roughly 20 million households affected.

“The federal government is targeting 15 million of them. That means over 75% of the food-poor population is being covered through conditional cash transfers.”

He said each household receives N75,000, which may seem small in urban areas but has a significant impact in rural communities.

“I know 75,000 might seem insignificant to someone living in the city. But in rural areas, it makes a difference,” he added.

“We conducted a joint research project with the World Bank and some civil society organisations. It showed that up to 18% of recipients were able to start nano or small-scale businesses with that money.

“About 82% used the funds to improve food security. And 52% were able to pay school fees for their children.

“So, while this is not their sole source of income, it is a meaningful supplement that helps cushion the impact of poverty.”

Yilwatda said the federal government has also introduced a range of structural measures to tackle poverty and food insecurity.

“The cost of food this year has stabilised, and food inflation has reduced. The government has introduced several measures to address this,” he said.

“For example, student scholarships have been offered to ensure that those who have fallen below the poverty line can still access education.

“The government has also made N1.5 trillion available through the aggregate bank for farmers. This will allow them to access loan schemes, boost agricultural production, and enhance food security.”

The minister said past efforts focused mainly on humanitarian aid, but the current administration is pivoting towards long-term poverty eradication.

“Poverty alleviation reduces the pain; poverty reduction moves people out of poverty entirely,” he said.

“Until now, the focus was mainly on humanitarian interventions — relief materials, food distribution, and cash transfers. But that’s not enough. We’re shifting towards actually reducing poverty.”

FG using AI to identify poor Nigerians, says minister

Education

Oyo Muslim Leaders Receive Saudi Delegation, Intensify Drive for Muslim College of Nursing

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Oyo Muslim Leaders Receive Saudi Delegation, Intensify Drive for Muslim College of Nursing

OYO, August 1, 2026 – Muslim leaders in Oyo Kingdom on Saturday received a high-powered delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a visit that underscored growing collaboration in education, healthcare and Islamic development, with renewed commitment towards the establishment of a Muslim College of Nursing in Oyo.

The delegation was accorded a warm reception at a gathering attended by prominent Islamic scholars and community leaders from Oyo Land.

Among the dignitaries present were the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadhilatu Shaykh Imam Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu; Ash-Shaykh Sulayman Akhyar, who served as the special guest; Ash-Shaykh Mainasaro, the Ameerul Muslimeen; the Aare Musulumi of Oyo Land, Alhaji Adebayo Kamarise; the Chairman of the Muslim Community of Oyo Land; Khalifa Hasbunallah Al-Oyowiyy; and several other religious leaders and stakeholders.

The gathering focused on mobilising support for the proposed Muslim College of Nursing, an initiative aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare education while promoting excellence in professional training within the Muslim community.

In his welcome address, the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Shaykh Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, expressed appreciation to the Saudi delegation and other distinguished guests for identifying with the vision of establishing the institution. He described the proposed college as a strategic investment in human capital development that would benefit not only Muslims but the wider society.

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Also present at the event were the Muslim Ummah of Oyo Land and Fadhilatu Shaykh Dr. Rofeeu Adisa Ballo, who joined other leaders in reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the successful establishment and growth of the proposed college.

Speakers at the event stressed the importance of strengthening educational and healthcare institutions capable of producing highly skilled professionals while nurturing moral and ethical values rooted in Islamic teachings.

Special prayers were offered for the success of the proposed institution, with participants praying that Almighty Allah bless the sponsors, donors, scholars and all individuals contributing to the realisation of the project.

The visit also featured discussions on strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Muslim community in Oyo Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Participants emphasised the need for sustained cooperation in religious, educational and humanitarian programmes aimed at advancing the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.

In a symbolic gesture that drew commendation from attendees, the Grand Chief Imam granted approval for the head of the Saudi delegation to lead the Jumu’ah prayer at the Oyo Central Mosque, Akesan.

The honour, according to participants, reflected the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, mutual respect and unity among Muslims across national boundaries.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Imam reiterated that Islam encourages peace, dialogue and cooperation among believers, urging Muslim communities around the world to work together in promoting justice, harmony and understanding.

He said such partnerships remain essential to addressing contemporary challenges through education, religious enlightenment and community development.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, its leader expressed gratitude to the Chief Imam, traditional Muslim leadership and the people of Oyo for the warm reception accorded the visitors.

He described the opportunity to lead the Jumu’ah prayer as a great honour and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening religious cooperation and supporting initiatives that promote peace, unity, education and mutual understanding among Muslims.

The delegation noted that collaborations centred on education and healthcare development would contribute significantly to the growth of Muslim communities and the overall advancement of society.

The event concluded with prayers for enduring peace, stability and prosperity in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and the global Muslim Ummah.

Participants described the visit as a landmark engagement that not only reinforced the bonds of brotherhood between Oyo Muslims and their Saudi counterparts but also provided renewed momentum for the actualisation of the Muslim College of Nursing, which they said would serve generations of students and healthcare professionals.

Oyo Muslim Leaders Receive Saudi Delegation, Intensify Drive for Muslim College of Nursing

News

CJN orders lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ before their names

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

CJN orders lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ before their names

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in official dealings connected with the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.

According to the circular, the use of “Barrister” before a person’s name is considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards expected within Nigeria’s apex court.

The directive takes immediate effect and applies to official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials and other formal engagements involving the Supreme Court.

The memorandum stated:

“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

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The circular directed all affected persons to immediately stop using the title in official materials and communications.

It added:

“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”

To ensure compliance, heads of departments and unit heads were instructed to monitor officers under their supervision and ensure that the directive is fully implemented.

The memorandum stated:

“Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”

The directive is specifically focused on official dealings within the Supreme Court. Based on the wording of the memorandum, it does not amount to a nationwide ban on the use of “Barrister” by lawyers in private, social or non-Supreme Court settings.

The move is expected to generate discussion within Nigeria’s legal community, where the title “Barrister” is commonly used before the names of legal practitioners.

Supporters of the directive may view it as an effort to promote professional uniformity and align official communication with established legal and institutional standards.

The development also follows recent efforts by legal authorities to protect the integrity and professional standards of the legal profession.

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) recently warned aspiring lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.

The council maintained that legal regalia and professional representation are regulated and should be reserved for persons who have completed the required process and have been formally admitted to practise law.

The warning was aimed at preventing the misuse of legal titles and professional symbols and preserving the dignity of the legal profession.

The latest Supreme Court directive is expected to affect how lawyers and court personnel present their names in official documents and communications involving the apex court.

Affected individuals may now be required to use their names without the “Barrister” prefix in Supreme Court correspondence, records, identity materials and other official engagements.

CJN orders lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ before their names

News

FG to phase out electricity subsidy from 2027 as power sector debts rise

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Trends Admin

FG to phase out electricity subsidy from 2027 as power sector debts rise

The Federal Government has announced plans to gradually phase out electricity subsidies from 2027 as part of efforts to address rising debts in the power sector, improve financial sustainability and strengthen electricity supply across the country.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe disclosed the plan during a media interactive session on Friday, saying the government would introduce the changes gradually while ensuring that Nigerians continue to have access to electricity.

Tegbe said the Federal Government had received a mandate from President Bola Tinubu to clear outstanding debts in the electricity industry and establish a sustainable system that would prevent the accumulation of new obligations.

“We have the mandate of Mr President to clear the legacy debt and come up with sustainable structures to make sure this doesn’t pile up any more,” the minister said.

He expressed confidence that the government would bring an end to the current electricity subsidy arrangement in 2027 while working to improve the quality and reliability of power supply.

“I promise you, next year, by God’s grace, we will put a stop to this so-called subsidy in the power sector,” Tegbe said.

The minister assured consumers that the planned reforms would not result in a loss of access to electricity services.

According to him, the government’s objective is to reduce the financial burden created by the subsidy system while improving the performance of the electricity sector.

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“Mr President, we will not deprive Nigeria of anything. We’ll make sure Nigerian consumers continue to have power and improve power services,” he added.

Tegbe also stated that there was no immediate plan to increase electricity tariffs, despite concerns that the proposed phase-out of subsidies could lead to higher electricity bills.

However, the minister did not provide details on the timetable for the subsidy withdrawal, the categories of consumers that may be affected or the measures that would be introduced to protect low-income and vulnerable households.

The planned reform comes amid growing concerns over the financial challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity industry.

The Federal Government previously estimated the cost of electricity subsidies at about ₦3 trillion as of February 2024, while power generation companies, known as GenCos, have continued to report significant unpaid obligations.

The Association of Power Generation Companies has said electricity generation companies are owed about ₦6.5 trillion, raising concerns about the financial health of the sector and its ability to sustain electricity generation.

The outstanding debts include unpaid invoices and other obligations linked to electricity supplied to the national grid.

To address the problem, President Tinubu recently approved a ₦4 trillion power sector debt reduction programme aimed at settling verified legacy debts and improving liquidity across the electricity value chain.

The programme is expected to support the payment of outstanding obligations owed to power generation companies and other participants in the sector.

In January 2026, the Federal Government issued an inaugural ₦501 billion bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme.

The bond was designed to help settle verified debts owed to electricity generation companies and support efforts to stabilise the sector.

On July 20, the government announced a second tranche of about ₦729 billion to settle additional verified debts owed to power generation companies.

The debt-settlement programme is expected to reduce financial pressure on electricity producers and improve their capacity to maintain operations, pay gas suppliers and invest in power infrastructure.

The proposed subsidy phase-out also aligns with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has encouraged Nigeria to gradually reduce broad electricity subsidies and adopt more targeted support for households that need assistance.

Supporters of the reform argue that reducing subsidies could improve the financial viability of the electricity market, attract private investment and help power companies maintain and expand infrastructure.

However, consumer groups and businesses have raised concerns that higher electricity costs could increase financial pressure on households and raise operating expenses for companies.

The impact of the proposed reform may depend on the government’s ability to improve electricity supply, expand access to prepaid meters, reduce estimated billing and ensure that consumers receive better services.

Earlier this year, President Tinubu also directed ministries, departments and agencies to apply existing electricity laws in determining how subsidy costs should be shared among the federal, state and local governments in the 2026 budget.

The move is expected to support a more coordinated approach to electricity financing following reforms that expanded the role of state governments in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

As the 2027 target approaches, the Federal Government is expected to provide more details on the implementation framework, consumer protection measures and the steps that will be taken to prevent the reforms from causing undue hardship.

The government will also face growing pressure to ensure that improvements in electricity generation, transmission and distribution accompany the gradual withdrawal of subsidies.

For many consumers, the success of the policy may ultimately be measured by whether it delivers more reliable electricity, fair billing, improved customer service and better value for money.