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MNJTF Operations Get Boost As Lake Chad Basin Chair Advocates Troop Deployment

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MNJTF Operations Get Boost As Lake Chad Basin Chair Advocates Troop Deployment

The Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Governors’ Forum and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has pledged maximum political support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), while urging accelerated deployment of troops to islands across the Lake Chad Basin.

Governor Buni made the pledge during a security briefing at MNJTF Headquarters on the sidelines of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in N’Djamena, Chad.

While the MNJTF had contributed to the visible improvement of security across the basin, further gains are needed to enable development and commercial activities to thrive, the Governor said, in a statement by the Acting Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt. Col. Iweha Onyenonachi.

He specifically called for troops to be deployed to islands in Nigerian and other national territories around the Lake Chad Basin, urging the MNJTF to speed up efforts to establish a stronger security presence in the area.

Read Also: 2027 Election: Lukman Says Talks To Unite Obi, Atiku, Others Are Ongoing

Governor Buni also revealed that talks are ongoing with Niger political authorities on the country’s possible return to the MNJTF.

He warned that the vacuum created by the absence of Nigerien forces had created a porous space that terrorists could exploit for movement, temporary refuge and cross-border criminal activity before launching attacks elsewhere.

The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu, on behalf of the troop-contributing countries, for financing Operation LAKE SANITY III, a move which he said demonstrated the Nigerian Government’s commitment to improving security and creating the conditions for more socio-economic activity in the basin.

He said he would brief the President on areas that require further intervention upon his return to Nigeria.

Governor Buni also promised to rally political support for continued operations of the MNJTF and efforts to tackle Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities across the Lake Chad Basin.

2027 Election: Lukman Says Talks To Unite Obi, Atiku, Others Are Ongoing

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2027 Election: Lukman Says Talks To Unite Obi, Atiku, Others Are Ongoing

Salihu Lukman, former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, has said that a framework is being put in place to ensure that the opposition fields one candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 elections.

He urged opposition parties to realize that their battle is not against one another but against the APC and its Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

A former top APC official, Lukman, told Arise News in an interview that there was a proposal on the table for opposition leaders to consider.

The idea, he said, was to build a framework that would allow them to operate as a cohesive unit so that they could present a united front to the Nigerian electorate by the time of the 2027 elections.

“The end goal is that we want to have one candidate, but it can’t be by proclamation,” he said. They have to sit down and agree on the criteria they are applying to that candidate. They will decide among themselves.

Read Also: Veteran Actor Ogogo’s Death: Ogun Government Pays Tribute

Nobody is going to dictate it to them. That is why if you put the question to the supporters of each of the candidates again, you are not being fair to the candidates because at the end of the day it is the quality of the relationship.
We have asked them the question, and let me remind you of the question we have asked them, for emphasis. At the end of the day, there must be only one president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The question they need to answer themselves is, Do they want just to be candidates or do they want to win the election to become president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

I mean, to answer that question, they will have to agree there are certain conditions that they must fulfilll for them to be able to win the election. That is the point we are now trying to get them to understand and they all understand it.

“They have to work together and the major opponent is APC and President Bola Tinubu. “So when you now start to ask the question as if the main opponent is either former Vise President Atiku Abubakar or former Governor Peter Obi, you got it wrong.
“We are putting a structure forward and we are putting a proposal to them to consider that will lead to the formation of that structure that will enable them to work as a united body, on the basis of which, by the 2027 election, they will present Nigerians with a united front.

Look, the bottom line and I want to say it for emphasis, is that we believe Nigerians deserve better.

We believe that the 2027 election should provide a credible alternative to Nigeria such that Nigerians can have confidence to queue behind that candidate, vote for that candidate and vote out the APC and President Bola Tinubu. I think there is no argument on that.”

Veteran Actor Ogogo’s Death: Ogun Government Pays Tribute

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Veteran Actor Ogogo’s Death: Ogun Government Pays Tribute

The Ogun State Government has commiserated with the family of veteran actor and film maker, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The Ogun State Government described the death of the Ilaro-born actor as a monumental loss to Ogun State, Nigeria’s creative industry and the country at large.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government described Hassan as “not only an accomplished actor, but also a cultural ambassador, who contributed immensely to the promotion of Yoruba heritage.”

Throughout his career, the statement said, Hassan distinguished himself by his exceptional artistry, discipline, humility, candor and professionalism, earning the admiration of colleagues, fans and generations of Nigerians.

Ogogo, a son of Ilaro, used theater, film and television to preserve and promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, especially the Yoruba language, traditions and values, and the government said he remained a proud ambassador of his roots.

His death, it said, had created a painful void which would be felt by his family, the people of Ilaro and Ogun State, members of the creative industry and his numerous admirers across Nigeria and the world.

“On behalf of the Ogun State Government and the good people of the state, I express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues in the creative industry, the people of Ilaro and his numerous fans across Nigeria and beyond,” Akinmade said.

The government however urged Nigerians to celebrate the life and works of the late actor, noting that his works and contributions to the country’s cultural heritage would continue to inspire generations.

“Ogogo was a shining light, Taiwo Hassan. “His voice may have been silenced, but his works, values and contributions to our cultural heritage will continue to speak for generations,” the statement added.

The Ogun Government also prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant the family and other mourners fortitude to bear the loss.

Bauchi Man Allegedly Stabs Victim To Death In Violent Incident

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Bauchi Man Allegedly Stabs Victim To Death In Violent Incident

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a man, Abubakar Abdullahi popularly known as “Dan Iya” for allegedly stabbing Moh’d Musa, a 25-year-old man to death in Bayan Bata area of Bauchi metropolis.

It is believed the incident took place around 11pm on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after a fight between Abdullahi and Musa.

The trouble started when a fight broke out between the two men, when the suspect allegedly brought out a knife and stabbed Musa, the Spokesman of the Command, SP Nafiu Habib said in a statement issued on Sunday.

He said Musa was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for treatment but died on arrival as the doctor on duty pronounced him dead.

The operatives of the ‘A’ Division, Township, were dispatched to the scene after the incident and arrested the suspect.

Police also recovered the knife allegedly used in the attack as an exhibit.

“The victim’s remains have been deposited at the morgue of the hospital for autopsy while the suspect remains in police custody,” the command said.

The case, it said, would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed detectives to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure justice is done.

He urged residents of Bauchi to eschew violence and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Subsidy Removal Under Tinubu Worsened Economic Hardship – Okonkwo

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Subsidy Removal Under Tinubu Worsened Economic Hardship – Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, the 2027 presidential campaign spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, saying the policy has worsened economic hardship and weakened the value of the naira.

Okonkwo said this when he featured on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he defended Atiku’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if he is elected president in 2027, reports say.

The ADC chief called the removal of the subsidy “ill-advised” saying that Nigerians had not yet seen meaningful benefits from the policy despite claims by the federal government that the policy had freed up funds for development.

He said that petrol now sells at about ₦1,300 per liter, meaning a motorist with a 100-litre tank would have to pay about ₦130,000 to fill it.

“₦130,000 is nearly twice a Nigerian’s minimum wage. This means that a Nigerian earns 70,000 naira which can fill half a tank of his vehicle. Okonkwo said, “Nothing, no rent, no food, no medical, nothing.”

But he was quick to add that Atiku was not calling for a return to the subsidy regime that existed before the Tinubu administration abolished it.

My plan will rather be to make crude oil available to local refineries at affordable rates to reduce the cost of refined petrol,” he said.

“Atiku is not going back to that. And can’t even go back to that. Why is that? “We have our refineries here locally working,” he said.

Okonkwo also condemned the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration, saying the naira had depreciated badly, despite the increase in the national minimum wage.

He compared the old ₦30,000 minimum wage which he said was worth about $60 to the current ₦70,000 minimum wage which he valued at about $50 at an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar.

“Naira has lost value under Tinubu’s administration. “This government is destroying our currency, destroying our economy,” he said.

The actor-turned politician said the proposed Atiku Fuel Affordability Plan (AFAP) would be focused on reducing cost of production rather than fuel consumption subsidy.

“What Atiku is saying is that oil is our product. “We don’t have the capacity to produce it in our land and still sell to Nigerians at a price they can’t afford,” Okonkwo said.

Asked if Atiku’s earlier support for the removal of petrol subsidy was not a contradiction, Okonkwo said the former vise president had described the subsidy as unsustainable.

“But the current Atiku’s proposal is different from the past subsidy arrangement,” he said.

Okonkwo also blamed the Tinubu administration for causing inflation and weakening the naira saying the rise in nominal wages has not translated into better buying power for Nigerians.

He said, “The 50% of the 30,000 Naira people were earning before Tinubu came into office has more value than the 70,000 he’s offering Nigerians.”

He added that the increased government revenue had been compromised by the escalating cost of living.

“Instead of just adding more money to the circulation, Atiku’s approach will be to improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.

“Atiku is looking to improve the quality of Naira, not the quantity of it,” Okonkwo said.

Asked how Atiku would do differently from the Tinubu administration, Okonkwo said the ADC candidate would bring “institutional memory and experience” to the management of Nigeria’s economy and security.

2027: APC Gives Edu, Olejeme Key Campaign Roles Despite Corruption Allegations

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2027: APC Gives Edu, Olejeme Key Campaign Roles Despite Corruption Allegations

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Ngozi Olejeme have been named members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign council.

It was gathered that the APC announced the campaign council on Saturday with the former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General while the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma was appointed Secretary.

Edu and Olejeme were given roles in the campaign structure even when they had been mired in allegations and investigations relating to financial misconduct.

Edu, number 97 on the campaign council list, was appointed Director of Women’s Mobilization.

Her appointment comes more than two years after President Bola Tinubu suspended her as minister of humanitarian affairs over a controversial financial transaction.

Tinubu suspended Edu on January 8, 2024, after a memo emerged in which she is said to have asked the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer ₦585 million into a private account.

The President later directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the ministry’s financial dealings.

EFCC officials later questioned Edu at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The development also resulted in the suspension of programs under the National Social Investment Program Authority (NSIPA) for six weeks as the Federal Government began a probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the agency.

In April 2024, the EFCC said it had recovered N30bn linked to its investigation of activities at the ministry of humanitarian affairs.

The commission also said it was investigating some 50 bank accounts as part of the probe.

October 2024 saw Edu finally axd from the Federal Executive Council.

Tinubu later reshuffled the cabinet and replaced her with Nentawe Yilwatda, now the APC national chairman, in the ministry.

Five days after the reshuffle, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Edu was no longer in the cabinet.

“There is no more place for her in that cabinet as far as this government is concerned,” Onanuga said.

Read Also: 2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

The presidential spokesman said the EFCC had not made its findings public when asked about the outcome of the investigation of the former minister.

Olejeme Gets South-South Job
Olejeme, who is number 37 on the campaign council list, has been appointed South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilization.

The appointment is coming up as she is facing a pending money laundering case instituted by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency in October 2025 arraigned the former NSITF board chairman before a Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged N1 billion money laundering.

She was accused of eight counts of alleged conversion, transfer, procurement and possession of proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC had accused Olejeme of diverting funds belonging to the NSITF while she was the chairman of the agency’s board between 2012 and 2015.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Emenike Mgbemele, sought for a trial date and told the court that EFCC intended to call 14 witnesses.

Justice Emeka Nwite later released Olejeme to her lawyer and adjourned the matter to November 17 for hearing of her bail application.

She was wanted by the EFCC in September 2017 on charges bordering on “criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering” involving about ₦69 billion.

In July 2020, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 48 properties reportedly linked to the former NSITF chairman, three years after the investigation.

She was also arraigned on nine counts before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in October, 2021.

2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

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2027 Polls: FCT Minister Urges Tinubu Allies to Deliver at the Ballot Box

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged political stakeholders backing President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027 to focus on winning their wards, local government areas and states instead of jostling for positions in campaign councils.

Wike made the call in Abuja on Saturday after inspecting some ongoing projects in the FCT, stating that membership of a presidential campaign council does not automatically guaranty electoral victory.

He said the true test of a politician in an election is his ability to mobilize voters and deliver results at the grassroots.

“Every politics is local”, the minister said, calling on the President’s supporters across party lines to focus on grassroot mobilization and winning votes for Tinubu.

Also, Wike dismissed the suggestion that politicians who are not members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council would be unable to contribute meaningfully to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He pointed to the track record of high-profile politicians who had led presidential campaign councils but failed to deliver their home states.

The minister said Rotimi Amaechi was Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019 but could not deliver Rivers State.

He also mentioned Bukola Saraki, who headed Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign in 2019 but lost both Kwara State and his senatorial seat.

Wike said Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku’s campaign Director-General in 2023, also lost Sokoto State, while Simon Lalong, who led the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the same election, failed to deliver Plateau State.

“If you are the DG and you fail to win your state, what is the point of the DG? Even if you are DG, you will be ashamed if you lose your own state. “When you say you won, people are going to say, ‘Why didn’t you win in your own state?’” he said.

The Minister said political alliances could operate outside formal party structures, citing the cross-party “Rainbow Coalition” as an example of politicians working together to support Tinubu across different states.

He said the coalition was already working in several states including Bayelsa, Benue and Kwara irrespective of formal membership of the APC campaign council.

Wike also spoke about the role of the G-5 governors before the 2023 presidential elections, stating that political actors can use independent structures and strategies to achieve electoral goals.

“I am not a member of APC, therefore I cannot be in the Presidential Campaign Council. We had our own visions of how the presidency would play out.

The Rainbow Coalition is not asking for members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. “We’re working our own way,” he said.

Wike restated his pledge to deliver electoral votes for Tinubu in FCT and Rivers State, saying he would personally spearhead the campaign in the two territories.

What matters is: can you deliver those two states? Who will be spearheading the Rivers State campaign? I. Who will be in charge of FCT? Me,” he said.

Imansuagbon Backs Atiku’s Proposal to Restore Fuel Subsidy

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Imansuagbon Backs Atiku’s Proposal to Restore Fuel Subsidy

Mr Ken Imansuagbon, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former governorship aspirant in Edo State, has endorsed the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over his pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, saying the policy reversal would bring immediate relief to millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship. TrackingExecutive Branch Policy Changes In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday in Benin City, Imansuagbon described the criticism that greeted Atiku’s position from the presidency and the ruling APC as “misplaced and politically motivated”.

President Bola Tinubu led administration’s removal of fuel subsidy has further impoverished Nigerians, worsened inflation and inflicted unprecedented hardship on families across the country, he said.

He said, “The removal of fuel subsidy has not translated into better life of Nigerians. Instead, it has pauperized millions of citizens, robbed workers of their purchasing power, made transportation, food, healthcare and education costlier, while businesses continue to shut down under the burden of unbearable operating costs.”

Atiku’s pledge to restore the subsidy was not an indication of inconsistency but a demonstration of courageous leadership that could review policies that failed to achieve their objectives, the ADC stalwart said.

“There is no fault in Atiku’s willingness to revisit a position he took in 2023. That’s what a compassionate, people-oriented leader does,” he said.

He further argued that although the Federal Government had claimed savings of trillions of naira from subsidy removal, Nigerians had not seen much in terms of prudent application of the funds.

“Where are the trillion dollars that are said to have been saved? Nigerians want transparent answers. “Our infrastructure is still collapsing, our security is deteriorating, our hospitals are failing, our schools are underfunded, we have mass unemployment and deepening poverty. “If these huge resources were truly invested in the welfare of the people, by now, the ordinary Nigerian should have felt the impact,” he said.

He argued that the real debate should not be on whether subsidy should stay or be removed, but whether the policy had improved the ordinary citizens’ quality of life.

“The important question is simple. Has removal of subsidy made life better for Nigerians? Clearly, the answer is no. The resources released were expected to improve transportation, healthcare, education, employment opportunities and social protection programs, but Nigerians have only experienced more suffering and economic despair,” Imansuagbon said. BookingHistorical Guided Tours The former governorship aspirant said Atiku had the experience, competence and economic understanding needed to rescue Nigeria from what he termed “economic quagmire” created by the APC-led Federal Government.

“Atiku Abubakar is today the only presidential aspirant with the courage, capacity and economic blueprint to reset Nigeria on the path of recovery. “The pains inflicted on Nigerians under President Tinubu’s administration can begin to heal within Atiku’s first 100 days in office through people-centred economic reforms, including the restoration of subsidy where necessary to cushion the suffering of citizens,” he said.

He praised the former vise president for his enduring love for humanity and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians, urging citizens to move beyond party sentiments and to back policies that could restore hope to the country.

He insisted that Nigeria’s economic recovery should take precedence over politics, adding that any policy that did not improve the living conditions of the people deserved to be reviewed in the national interest.

FG Engages KPMG to Revamp Nigeria’s Vocational Education System

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FG Engages KPMG to Revamp Nigeria’s Vocational Education System

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has hired KPMG, a world-class advisory services provider, to transform the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into a high-performing regulator and strategic enabler of Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.

The reform initiative is designed to improve the NBTE’s institutional effectiveness, governance architecture and operational capacity to enable the Board to more effectively regulate, coordinate and support polytechnics, monotechnics and other technical institutions, while aligning skills development with Nigeria’s economic and workforce needs.

KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services to local and international organizations, government bodies and institutions in Nigeria.

The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the Federal Ministry of Education had engaged KPMG Advisory Services to evaluate NBTE and come up with a future-fit organizational structure, governance model and operating framework.

According to Alausa, the exercise is aimed at strengthening the capacity, governance and service delivery of NBTE, in line with the Federal Government’s skills development agenda.

He said that a stronger NBTE was critical to achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and developing a skilled, productive and globally competitive workforce.

The assessment will identify gaps in governance, organizational design, processes, workforce capacity and service delivery and provide recommendations to improve the Board’s effectiveness, accountability and impact.

The generated transformation roadmap will provide a clear framework for aligning NBTE’s structure and operations with its statutory responsibilities and the broader TVET reform agenda of the Federal Government.

Alausa restated that polytechnic education is an integral part of Nigeria’s broader TVET ecosystem and must therefore be managed within the framework that prioritizes skills acquisition, employability, innovation and enterprise development.

This philosophy is guiding the ongoing review of polytechnic curricula and the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) to ensure that training programs remain relevant to industry needs, technological advancements and emerging economic opportunities, he said.

With support from a ₦1 billion intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the curriculum modernization program has created 27 new National Occupational Standards and reviewed four existing ones, making a total of 31 reviewed standards.

The standards offer a more coherent and integrated skills development pathway across the education system, including artisan-level training, National Certificates, Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.

The Minister stressed that the reforms are intended to ensure that graduates from technical education come out with practical, market-relevant competencies that enhance employability, foster entrepreneurship and improve national productivity.

From an industry perspective, Oluwole Adelokun, Partner, Strategy and Customer Solutions at KPMG Africa and KPMG in Nigeria, noted challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s TVET sector. He said, “93 percent of the workforce is in the informal sector and nearly 12 percent of young people are neither in education, employment nor skills training.

He said Nigeria is second to Singapore in TVET graduate employability but pointed to the need to modernize the outdated curricula, overcome funding constraints and reduce the five-year curriculum review cycle.

Nigeria Launches Agritourism Village to Boost Economy and Food Production

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Nigeria Launches Agritourism Village to Boost Economy and Food Production

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari, says agritourism will unlock the full potential of rural economies by blending agriculture with tourism to create jobs, ensure food security, and attract investments.

Speaking during the International Agritourism Investment Stakeholders’ Forum held in Abuja, Nigeria, the Minister stated that the initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to translate policy into tangible benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.

The Minister, represented by the Director, Agribusiness and Market Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, stated that ‘the forum with the theme, “From Policy to Implementation: Advancing Agritourism for Food Security, Job Creation, Global Investment for Economic Diversification and Sustained Growth”, underscores the administration’s resolve to move beyond speeches into concrete action.

Mr Kyari stated further that by integrating farming with tourism, agritourism will diversify rural incomes, reduce dependence on oil, and showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and innovative farming practices to the world.

He noted that the International Agritourism Village is a living testimony of the transition.

The Village, he said, is designed as a model hub where agribusiness, hospitality and cultural tourism converge.

It features modern farm estates for climate-smart agriculture and processing facilities for value addition to strengthen food security and reduce import dependence.

Training institutes within the Village will equip youth and women with entrepreneurial skills, while eco-lodges and cultural centres will create thousands of jobs across farming, hospitality, logistics, and the creative industry.

Attract Investment

The Minister further revealed that the infrastructure is also positioned to attract domestic and foreign investment, boost foreign exchange earnings, and provide rural households with skills, market access, and infrastructure to lift families out of poverty.

Mr Kyari revealed that the Village is positioned to serve as the foundation for establishing the World Agritourism Organisation, with Nigeria at its helm. This, he stated, “will set global standards and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable agritourism.”

The Ministry, he explained, is strengthening policy frameworks, deploying incentives such as tax breaks and access to land, and encouraging public-private partnerships to make Nigeria the most attractive destination for agritourism investment in Africa and beyond.

“The Village is ready, the communities are ready, Nigeria is ready, the time to invest is now,” Kyari stated.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Public-Private Partnership Cooperation, World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), Prof. Edwin Ozuzu, stated that the purpose of the initiative is not merely to deliberate, but to mobilise investment, strengthen partnerships, and commence coordinated execution of projects that would deliver measurable socio-economic benefits to Nigerians.

Prof. Ozuzu disclosed that “one of the flagship initiatives before us is the Nigerian Flagship Agritourism Village project to be developed across the States of the Federation.”

“This visionary project will integrate modern agriculture, tourism infrastructure, agro-processing industries, research and innovation centres, investment parks, training institutions, hospitality facilities, cultural heritage centres and rural enterprise development,” he noted.

In his welcome address, President, World Agritourism Organisation, Global Lead Advocate, Mr Trust Ogboi, stated that “we are witnessing the unveiling of the flagship Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja, on 40 hectares designed to accommodate Federal and State Government Liaison Centre, private sector investment, farm estates and other integrated agritourism value chain developments.”

Mr Ogboi added that the programme complements other important proposed projects, including the World Agritourism Centre in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State and other agritourism developments across the country.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigerian International Agritourism Village Project at Karshi South, FCT, Abuja.

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