… Panel to Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement on Security
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has set up a cabinet-level security committee to explore and recommend short, medium, and long term measures aimed at preventing further security breaches across the state. The committee is chaired by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, while Mrs. Olufunke Mercy Shittu of the Office of the Head of Service will serve as the secretary.
Other members include the Special Adviser on Security Matters Brigadier General Saliu Tunde Bello, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Abdullahi Bata, Senior Special Assistant on Security Alhaji Muhyideen Aliu, Special Assistant on Security Alhaji Moshood Gobir, and one local government chairman from each senatorial district. According to the government, the panel will hold exclusive engagements with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to help develop a homegrown and practical security framework that reflects the realities of communities across the state.
The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks. The document will guide further decisions of government and offer a local understanding that aligns with ongoing national security conversations.
…Says operation restored hope, strengthened public confidence in government
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara State Chapter, has formally commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what it described as swift and coordinated action that led to the rescue of 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area.
In a letter addressed to the Governor and signed by the State Chairman of CAN, Rt. Revd Sunday Timothy Adewole, the Christian body expressed deep appreciation for the outcome of the operation, describing it as a decisive moment that reaffirmed the commitment of the administration to the safety and well-being of residents.
“On behalf of the entire Christian community under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara State Chapter, we write to express our profound gratitude to Your Excellency for the swift, courageous, and coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue of the 38 abducted worshippers in Eruku,” the letter read.
CAN said the rescue has brought relief and renewed confidence to families, communities, and religious institutions across the state. It praised the efforts of security agencies, community leaders, and every party involved, describing the operation as an example of purposeful leadership and teamwork.
“This remarkable intervention has not only restored hope to the affected families and the body of Christ, but it has also reaffirmed your administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety, peace, and security of all residents of Kwara State,” CAN stated.
The letter also prayed for continued wisdom and protection for the Governor, while calling on religious communities to sustain prayers for peace in Kwara and the nation. “We also pray that God Himself will arise and defeat all agents of violence, terror, and destruction working against the peace of our state and the nation,” the association wrote. It concluded with assurances of respect and continued cooperation with the government in efforts to maintain harmony and security across Kwara State.
After many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives, HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) is excited to announce the freedom of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara Kwara.
The Governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees.
The abductees were freed today, November 23. The Governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his direct initiative that made this happen.
The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our people and Nigerians as a whole.
The Governor also expresses appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and, of course, the Nigeria Police, which has graciously deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.
The Governor also thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident.
Rafiu Ajakaye Chief Press Secretary to the Governor November 23, 2025
…Council calls for caution on security reporting, backs new safety measures in schools
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday chaired a security council meeting in Ilorin, where military commanders and top government officials reviewed ongoing operations aimed at containing organized kidnapping syndicates in parts of the state.
The meeting came days after the attack on Eruku in Ekiti Local Government. Briefing reporters after the session, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi said the meeting received operational updates and intelligence reports from security agencies on efforts to locate the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of victims.
“We harvested insights from the security commanders on recent happenings and field intelligence in the aftermath of the Eruku incident,” Adekimi said. “The meeting also commended heightened security deployments, especially air interdictions which have dislodged the kidnappers from their former hideouts, particularly in Ifelodun. It calls for continuous air bombardment of areas identified as criminal bases.”
Adekimi confirmed fresh deployments to Kwara, including four tactical police units acting under the directive of President Bola Tinubu and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. He said these teams include the Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Special Intervention Squad, and Special Weapons and Tactics unit.
Security agencies also briefed the council on arrests linked to the kidnappers’ supply chain. “The Police and DSS reported several arrests of food and fuel suppliers linked to the criminals as well as a man from Makurdi who confessed to fixing weapons for the kidnappers,” he said.
The council praised the state government’s decision to activate safety protocols in selected schools across the southern part of the state. Adekimi said the measures may be adjusted as new intelligence emerges, especially in light of recent security developments elsewhere in the country.
The briefing noted that joint patrols will intensify across Kwara in the coming days, with special attention to sensitive and high-risk areas ahead of the festive season.
The council expressed concern about what it described as harmful social media conduct that undermines security operations. “The meeting observed the damaging impacts of social media in the country’s fight against violent non-state actors,” Adekimi told journalists. “For public safety, it calls for caution in the exercise of freedom of expression.”
Citizens were advised to avoid night farming and other late-hour activities that may expose them to danger. The council also urged the public to quickly report suspicious movements to security agencies or traditional authorities.
The meeting closed with a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the Eruku attack.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his friend and associate, Mr. Segun Awolowo Jr., a former two-term Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and grandson of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Segun Awolowo died on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the age of 62.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor described Segun as “a great friend, a great public servant, and a jolly-good fellow whose company everyone cherished,” calling his passing “devastating” and noting that he would be “sorely missed for every good thing that he stood for.”
Governor AbdulRazaq urged family, friends, and associates to take consolation in Segun’s legacy of distinguished public service, unwavering loyalty to loved ones, and his contributions to national development. He prayed for the repose of his soul and for God’s comfort upon his wife, children, and elderly mother.
Also mourning the late Awolowo was Engr. Femi Sanni, Chairman of Flow FM and a close friend of the deceased. Speaking with deep emotion, Engr. Sanni described Segun as “a remarkable person whose kindness, intellect, and humanity touched everyone around him.His passing is a painful loss, but his warmth, generosity, and legacy will continue to inspire us.”
Segun Awolowo Jr. is survived by his wife, children, and mother.
The Kwara State Government has announced temporary security measures across selected schools in five local government areas in response to emerging threats linked to criminal activities in the region.
The decision affects schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero local governments. According to the State Government, the action is part of a broader safety plan aimed at preventing kidnappers or fleeing attackers from targeting schoolchildren.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the government is acting to stay ahead of any threat and keep learning communities safe. He explained that boarding schools in Irepodun LGA are also covered under the arrangement because they could be considered vulnerable locations during intensified security operations in the state.
Dr Olohungbebe noted that the measures will remain in force while the government continues to review the security situation and awaits further clearance from relevant agencies. He assured parents, guardians and school authorities that the step is preventive and part of an ongoing effort to strengthen confidence in the safety of school environments.
The state government has urged communities to remain vigilant and provide useful intelligence to security agencies working in affected areas. Residents were also encouraged to support ongoing security work by reporting suspicious movements or unknown persons, especially around schools and farm settlements.
The latest announcement follows increased surveillance and recent federal orders for expanded security deployment in parts of Kwara following recent attacks in Ekiti LGA. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and a beacon of potential on the continent, continues to navigate a complex landscape of economic reforms, security threats, climatic vulnerabilities, and global pressures as of late 2025. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, launched with ambitious goals of economic diversification, security restoration, infrastructure revival, and social welfare enhancement, remains the guiding framework for national progress. Yet, two and a half years into the administration, tangible outcomes in several critical sectors fall short of the urgency demanded by citizens facing daily hardships, from blackouts and food shortages to rampant insecurity and untapped cultural wealth.
The average Nigerian believes the buck stops at the table of the president, they are half right. There are the buck bringers, the ministers who work closely with him and this is addressed to them. This opinion, grounded in fact and data looks at performance in four pivotal ministries: Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Defence; Power; and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The intent is constructive: to highlight gaps not for blame, but to propel actionable reforms.
Harnessing Nigeria’s Vast but Underutilized Soft Power
Under Honourable Hannatu Musa Musawa, the ministry’s merger of tourism, arts, culture, and creative economy was visionary, aiming to position these sectors as pillars of non-oil revenue and job creation. Nigeria’s assets are unparalleled: over 1,000 annual festivals, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Sukur Cultural Landscape), 14 tentative listings, vibrant Nollywood (second-largest film industry globally), Afrobeats dominating international charts, and natural wonders like Yankari National Park, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and the Idanre Hills.
Yet, as of November 2025, performance remains disappointing. International arrivals hover below pre-COVID levels, with World Bank data showing stagnation around 1-2 million annually, far behind Kenya (over 2 million) or Rwanda (rapid post-pandemic recovery). Tourism contributes less than 5% to GDP, compared to 10-15% in peers like Thailand or Kenya. Revenue projections for 2025 are modest at $3-5 billion, per Statista and WTTC estimates, despite potential for $10-15 billion with proper harnessing. Domestic tourism, vital amid economic constraints, lacks aggressive promotion—Lagos’ “Detty December” generates millions but remains localized.
In just 365 days, under the astute leadership of Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has done what previous administrations feared to even attempt: it has fully activated the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022. Where others saw lawsuits and entrenched interests, Dr. Fagade saw a sacred mandate. He moved decisively to enforce registration, certification, grading, and regulation of practitioners across hospitality, travel, and tourism.
The physical transformation is breathtaking. From a mere six campuses and zonal offices, NIHOTOUR has exploded to twenty-nine locations across the federation in under twelve months.
This is not just brick-and-mortar expansion; it is a deliberate democratisation of skills and opportunities. Thousands of youths, women, and previously excluded practitioners now have access to internationally benchmarked training in culinary arts, tour guiding, hotel management, and customer service excellence. E-learning platforms have been scaled, curricula modernised, and partnerships with international bodies initiated. Perhaps most revolutionary is the regulatory courage displayed. Dr. Fagade’s three-phase strategy stakeholder dialogue, systematic implementation, and unapologetic enforcement (with security agencies where necessary) has forced compliance from powerful operators who had grown comfortable in the shadows. Hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, and event centres are now being graded and certified. Standards are no longer optional. Revenue that previously disappeared into private pockets is beginning to flow properly to government coffers and, more importantly, service quality is rising. Youth unemployment is being attacked at its root through genuine skill acquisition. Investors can now see a regulated, professional sector worth betting on. In one year, NIHOTOUR has become the brightest spot in Nigeria’s entire tourism ecosystem.
Few days ago, the Honorable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, in an act that can only be described as inexplicable, announced the immediate suspension of all NIHOTOUR enforcement activities nationwide. The very agency that has delivered the most tangible progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda; the one actually implementing President Tinubu’s diversification agenda while the ministry itself has remained largely invisible, has been deliberately crippled.
Challenges persist: insecurity deters visitors, visa processes are cumbersome (despite e-visa improvements), infrastructure at sites is poor (e.g., poor roads to Sukur), and marketing is fragmented. Initiatives like the D30 Data Platform (launched for creative economy insights) and collaborations with NIHOTOUR show intent, it should not be extinguished. Nollywood exports grow organically, yet government support for formal distribution and IP protection is inadequate. The creative sector employs millions informally but suffers from piracy and limited funding.
Comparatively, Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” campaign (Arsenal sponsorship) boosted arrivals 20-30% annually post-2018, generating billions. Kenya’s Magical Kenya brand and visa-free policies for Africans drove 32% growth in 2023-2024. Thailand’s integrated cultural-tourism strategy (festivals + eco-sites) yields over $60 billion yearly.
For the longest time, one project i have expected from the ministry has been a VR guided tour of the wonders of Nigeria; Old Kano city, The Ife sculpture, Benin walls, Igboukwu Terracotta carvings. Ease visas as Rwanda did, turning arrivals into millions. Fund creative hubs like Korea’s Hallyu wave, exporting Nollywood to billions. Certify sites for safety, involve communities as Benin kings once did their guilds. This is the chance to unlock 20 million job to rival the glory of oil.
Defence in an Age of Shadows
In the tales of old, Ogun, god of iron, forged weapons for justice, not tyranny. The Oyo Empire’s cavalry swept vast lands; Kanem-Borno’s knights repelled invaders across deserts. Leaders like Sunni Ali Ber of Songhai protected caravans, fostering peace for trade. Yet when shields cracked, empires fell to hubris.
Nigeria stands at such a monumental moment in our history, Hannibal stands at our gate, infact, to put it into proper context, Hannibal has already crept through the crevices. Boko Haram’s resurgence, bandits in Zamfara’s forests, Lakurawa’s terror in the northwest. In 2025 alone, over 2,266 killed in the first half, surpassing all of 2024. Some villages have been sacked overnight, hundreds killed. The schoolgirls of Chibok are in our rearview mirror, Just a few days ago, another school was ransacked, and school students were carted away again. Kidnappings haunt highways; 33 million face hunger partly from untended farms.
Honourable Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the defense minister, is supposed to stand guard against these marauders; however, that has not been the case. To see real gains, we must seal loopholes that leak information to the insurgents, shift to population-centric counter-insurgency (COIN) and protect civilians first (Colombia model vs. FARC). Night operations, mobility upgrades; reduce special forces over-reliance. The need for oversight is needed; AI/drones for real-time surveillance. Community intelligence networks will be better.
Security is the lifeblood of investments; we cannot say foreigners or even local investors should come and put their money where insecurity reigns. Mohammed Badaru needs to tighten his belt. The military must come back to working for the people, not their own selfish agenda and ambition.
Powering Nigeria’s Path to Industrialization
Reliable electricity is the lifeblood of modernization. Under Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, the Ministry of Power has pursued reforms like tariff adjustments and the Siemens deal for grid upgrades. Yet, in 2025, challenges endure: frequent grid collapses, estimated losses of over N10 trillion annually to businesses from unreliable supply, and only about 4,000-6,000 MW generated against a demand exceeding 20,000 MW.
Public frustration is palpable; tariff hikes without corresponding service improvements have sparked outcry from labor unions. While privatization aimed at efficiency, distribution companies (DisCos) struggle with metering, theft, and collection. Rural electrification lags, exacerbating poverty.
Progress includes some mini-grid initiatives and renewable pushes, but the gap between policy and delivery widens hardship amid inflation. There have also been a number of power grid issues this year. To see more gains, there must full implementation of constitutional allowances for states to generate and distribute power. Support models like Lagos and Rivers’ independent projects. Aggressively pursue solar and hydro, targeting 30% renewables by 2030. Partner with private firms for off-grid solutions in rural areas, akin to Kenya’s M-KOPA success. Also the ministry should look into establishing an independent regulator with citizen representation to oversee tariffs and performance, ensuring hikes tie directly to service improvements.
A Compassionate Response to Vulnerabilities
With overlapping crises,displacement from insecurity, floods affecting millions, and economic shocks, the ministry (post-reshuffle under new leadership) manages safety nets like school feeding and cash transfers.
Yet, 2025 projections are grim: 33 million in acute food insecurity, up significantly, with Emergency levels nearly doubling. Floods submerged farmlands, cholera outbreaks surged, and aid access remains blocked in conflict zones. Past scandals eroded trust, though reforms aim to clean up.
This ministry is one on which there are weights of expectation and a lot of eyes look to. In a bid to revamp soiled reputation, transparency must be the order of the day. The ministry must work on integrating disaster management with agriculture for flood-resistant crops and early warning systems in partnership with states. Empower state emergency agencies and NGOs for faster response, reducing bureaucracy.
Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable with leadership that embraces feedback. To the Honourable Ministers of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Defence; Power; and Humanitarian Affairs: this is a professional appeal to redouble efforts. The Renewed Hope Agenda can shine brighter with innovative, inclusive, and accelerated implementation.
We, as patriotic Nigerians, stand ready to support through dialogue, expertise, and partnership. Let us move from critique to collaboration, for a secure, prosperous, and vibrant Nigeria.
…AbdulRazaq pledges full support as operations intensify across Ekiti Local Government
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and surrounding areas in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State following the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church on Monday.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the directive in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the President has also instructed the police to track down the perpetrators behind the attack. Tinubu said the security breach, along with the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, demanded urgent response and sustained action.
As a result of the situation, President Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa for the G20 Summit and his scheduled attendance at the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola. The President is awaiting further briefings from security agencies and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is currently in Kebbi State on his behalf.
Tinubu stressed that security agencies must do everything possible to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls and bring those responsible for the attack in Kwara to justice. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would remain firm and responsive in restoring safety in affected communities.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has assured residents that the state government will continue to support security agencies with needed logistics and resources to stabilise the area.
Speaking through his media team, the Governor said the deployment aligns with his earlier request to the presidency for increased military and police presence in Eruku and its adjoining communities. He noted that his administration has been in close coordination with security formations since the attack and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods.
Governor AbdulRazaq appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel, and report suspicious activity as operations continue across riverine borders and forests within the area.
He added that the government will not relent in its efforts to strengthen community security frameworks and enhance response mechanisms across the state.
The situation has drawn wide concern from community leaders and civil society organisations who have called for lasting solutions to insecurity threatening farming and border communities in the region.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has requested that more and urgent security deployment be made to Ekiti Local Government Area, especially Eruku axis, to immediately curtail the new wave of attacks in the area.
“The Governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area,” according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye.
“He requested that this new measure be activated immediately. The Governor wholly condemns the unconscionable attack, sympathises and identifies with the people of Eruku and environs, especially families and the CAC directly impacted by the condemnable attack of Tuesday.
“The state government will continue to support the security agencies to tackle these challenges and ensure safety of lives and properties across the state.”
The Governor, similarly, commended President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of 900 additional troops in Kwara, saying this is expected to strengthen security in the state.
“We have indeed seen appreciable calm in many areas previously affected. We sincerely thank the President for this. We are confident that the additional troops will provide further deterrence, overall safety for our people, and permanent calm,” the statement added.
Rafiu Ajakaye Chief Press Secretary to the Governor November 19, 2025
… Amolegbe highlights sustained reforms and partnerships driving education growth in Kwara
#KwaraRising
The Kwara State Education Trust Fund has again taken the global stage as its Executive Secretary, Oluwadamilola Fatima Amolegbe, joined panelists at the World Bank’s “Entertaining Change: Next-Generation Media Partnerships for Social Impact and Gender Equality Forum” held in Abuja.
Speaking during the session on policy and advocacy, Amolegbe shared how Kwara is building durable systems that ensure reforms remain in place beyond any single programme or administration. She referenced the Kwara Education Futures Summit held shortly after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq declared a state of emergency in the sector. The summit, led by education stakeholders including former World Bank Senior Education Specialist Dr. Tunde Adekola, produced a communique that now guides major reforms in the state.
She highlighted three key outcomes from that policy shift. KwaraAGILE, which supports adolescent girls in secondary schools. KwaraETF, which ensures a sustainable and transparent approach to funding education. And KwaraLEARN, the ongoing digital learning programme transforming public primary schools.
The Abuja forum is part of a wider global engagement convened by the World Bank Development Impact Group with support from IFC, the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Eden Venture Group, Women In Film, and the Gates Foundation. The gathering focuses on how evidence, technology, and creative storytelling can support gender equality and learning outcomes.
KwaraETF’s appearance at the forum reinforces its reputation as one of the country’s leading models for education funding reform and public–private collaboration.
