Business
‘Constitutional Amendments’ll Lead To Highest Good For Nigerians’
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, says the proposed constitutional amendments would lead to the highest good for the greatest number of Nigerians.
He said, “Indeed, the ongoing exercise provides a platform for the good people of Nigeria to express their opinions on the fundamental laws that govern our lives.”
The Deputy Senate President, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, disclosed this in Sokoto, yesterday.
He spoke at the North-West Zonal Public Hearing, Sokoto Centre, comprising Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, holding simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones of Nigerian.
Represented by the Chairman of the Sokoto Centre, and a former governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aliero, Omo-Agege said that, the constitutional review represents a critical phase in the nation’s development, as well as advancement as a country.
A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Bashir Mani, yesterday, quoted Omo-Agege as saying, “So far, we have had over two decades of constitutional rule, under the 1999 Constitution.
“This is an important feat, and we commend ourselves as a country, even if we are not where we aspire to be.
“As a living document, the Constitution, and to a large extent our constitutional democracy needs to be reviewed, from time to time.
“Just as in our day to day lives, we take stock of the past and plan for the future, so must be with the nation.”
The Deputy Senate President further stated that, at the commencement of the 9th Senate, the lawmakers had set for themselves a legislative agenda, as a basis on which they will be assessed.
According to him, conspicuously included in that agenda is the need to address, by way of constitutional amendments, topical and crucial issues like the Judicial and Electoral Reforms, Local Governments Autonomy, Devolution of Powers and Fiscal Federalism, among others.
He explained, “If we get these items through successfully, then, our constitutional democracy will be set on the right pedestal, and ultimately, Nigeria will take its pride of place among the enviable democracies in the world.
“It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I convey the intention of the Senate to leverage on this exercise, to achieve as many milestones as possible.”
Declaring open the exercise, the Sokoto State Governor, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Muhammadu Dan Iya, described the Constitution as the reference point of democracy.
He said, “And in the 22 years of Nigeria’s experience in government by representation, our gains have more than justified our challenges.
“All constitutions are, therefore, work-in-progress, because they are subject to the changing needs and aspirations of the people, at different times.
“And constitutional reviews are the processes for ensuring this guiding document plays that function.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, opined that, the exercise was coming at the time of Nigeria’s life when more dialogue was direly needed.
He said that, this became more evident and glaring sequel to the prevalence of myriad of topical issues agitating the minds of many Nigerians.
“It is an opportune time to, therefore, collectively brainstorm on how to discuss these issues, for the country to move forward in unison, by having a more robust Constitution.”
There were also goodwill messages from the Speakers of the Sokoto and Zamfara states’ Houses of Assemblies, Aminu Achida, and Nasiru Magarya, respectively.
In a vote of thanks, the senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District and also a former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko said that, the proposed review of the Constitution was for the good of all Nigerians.
Wamakko, who is a member of the North-West Sub-Committee, Sokoto Centre, lauded the National Assembly for the initiative, as part of the 9th Senate Legislative Agenda.
He commended all Nigerians for participating in the exercise, just as he specifically thanked all governors in Nigeria for their invaluable support to ensure the success of the all-important national assignment.
Wamakko averred that, “It will afford all Nigerians to meaningfully contribute to the review exercise, hence, the entrenchment of a more equitable Nigeria.”
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh said this at the 8th annual induction and conference of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN).
He explained that abandoned projects continue to lock up public funds that could have been used for infrastructure development, industrial growth, job creation and essential social services.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, he said the impact goes beyond financial losses, as incomplete projects affect communities and limit access to important public services
He cited examples of that remain unopened, schools that cannot accommodate students, roads that fail to connect communities and electricity projects that have not delivered their intended benefits.
The Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of CIPMN, Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, also identified poor project management as a major challenge affecting development in Nigeria.
He revealed that the institute had developed a project management curriculum for Nigerian universities, which has received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC). The programme is expected to enable universities to offer project management as a bachelor’s degree.
Mbadiwe further referenced findings by the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee, which identified 11,886 ongoing federal capital projects in 2011, with an estimated financial commitment of ?7.78 trillion.
He noted that inadequate planning, supervision, accountability and implementation were among the factors contributing to the abandonment of projects across the country.
The minister called for stronger project management structures across ministries, departments and agencies to improve planning, monitoring and evaluation.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment had introduced a 90-day implementation reporting cycle to strengthen transparency and monitor the progress of government programmes.
Ikenga said the company remained committed to Nigeria’s power sector and would continue investing in its operations despite the challenging business environment.
He spoke in Lagos at the third edition of the Shell Power Conference, themed “Powering Nigeria’s Progress: Turning Ambition and Action into Sustainable Impact”.
The Transcorp Power chief said the company would sustain electricity generation, invest in its facilities and deliver value to shareholders.
“Transcorp Power is a long-term player, not a short-term player. This year has been challenging, but what is important is getting power to schools, hospitals and businesses to power progress,” he said.
Ikenga said the company’s focus on operational efficiency and investment had strengthened its contribution to Nigeria’s electricity supply.
He disclosed that since acquiring the Ughelli Power Plant in Delta State in 2013, Transcorp Power had quadrupled its available generation capacity.
He also said the company became the first privatised power generation firm to receive a post-privatisation discharge certificate after fulfilling all its privatisation obligations.
The company’s unaudited results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, showed a profit before tax of N83.1 billion, while its profit-before-tax margin rose to 31.2 per cent from 29.6 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Its total assets rose to 11.7 per cent amounting to N629.5 billion, while shareholders’ funds grew 8.9 per cent to N199.8 billion. Cash and cash equivalents also rose to N10.3 billion, supported by improved collections.
On the company’s contribution to grid stability, Ikenga said Transcorp Power’s black-start capability enabled it to restart operations without relying on electricity from the national grid.
He explained that the capability allowed the company to support power restoration following grid disturbances, helping to restore electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries.
Ikenga noted that Nigeria had an installed electricity generation capacity of about 13,000 megawatts, with an estimated potential of 50 gigawatts, adding that realising the potential would require effective coordination across the entire value chain.
“Everything in the value chain has to work,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, regulators and private-sector operators, alongside increased private investment, to build a sustainable electricity market.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary, Maryann Duke.
The statement said Oyedele pointed to “improved digital systems, including electronic invoicing, as a key driver behind a record of N33tn in government revenue collected between January and October 2026.”
The minister said the performance demonstrated the potential of technology to improve revenue administration, strengthen compliance and increase efficiency across government institutions.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Digital Sovereignty and Ethics: Guarding the Economy for the Next Generation,’ Oyedele warned that Nigeria risked losing substantial economic opportunities if it continued to depend heavily on foreign digital infrastructure.
Citing Nigerian Communications Commission figures, he disclosed that the country recorded more than 157 million active internet subscriptions as of May 2026.
He explained that these connections generated significant volumes of information through financial transactions, healthcare, education and taxation.
However, citing estimates from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Oyedele said as much as 90 per cent of the country’s data was hosted abroad.
According to him, the situation has implications for foreign exchange expenditure, employment opportunities, technological skills and Nigeria’s control over information generated by its citizens.
He compared the country’s reliance on foreign digital infrastructure with its historical dependence on imported refined petroleum products, warning against a situation where Nigerian data would be processed abroad and the resulting services sold back to domestic users.
The minister consequently advocated greater investment in local data infrastructure, technical expertise, cybersecurity and predictable regulations to enable Nigerian businesses to capture more value from the digital economy.
He clarified that digital sovereignty should not translate into technological isolation but should strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to participate competitively in international markets.
Addressing graduating students, Oyedele urged young Nigerians to become developers of technological solutions rather than remain primarily consumers of products created elsewhere.
He identified artificial intelligence as both a disruptive force and an opportunity for innovation, advising graduates to acquire relevant digital skills alongside critical thinking, creativity, sound judgement and integrity.
The minister also cautioned against irresponsible online behaviour, explaining that digital footprints increasingly influence employment prospects, commercial relationships and professional credibility.
Oyedele outlined five priorities for graduates, including continuous learning, value creation, integrity, responsible digital citizenship and active participation in national development.
“Your degree is evidence of what you have learned. Your competence will demonstrate what you can do. Your character will reveal who you truly are,” he told the graduating students.
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