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Nurses In FG Owned Health Institutions Begin Strike

By
Ayodele Oni
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Medical Doctors in Nigeria

By Ayodele Oni

Medicare in Federal Government- owned Health Institutions is being threatened as National Executive Council, (NEC) of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) declared a seven-day nationwide strike, set to begin on Tuesday, July 29, across all federal health institutions in the country.

In a strike notice jointly signed by the National Secretary, Enya Osinachi, and the President, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, the association said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to respond to a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14 over unresolved welfare concerns.

The announcement, made public on Monday in Abuja, followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 10.

NANNM’s Federal Health Institutions (FHI) sector said the strike was a necessary step to compel urgent government action on critical issues affecting nurses nationwide.

“The strike, starting at 12 noon on Tuesday, July 29, will involve a total withdrawal of services across all federal health institutions,” the statement read.

The union has directed all its members to comply fully and urged nurses across the country to stand in solidarity during the industrial action.

Among its grievances, NANNM strongly rejected a circular issued on June 27 by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, calling for its immediate withdrawal.

The union also demanded a review of allowances such as shift duty, call duty, and retention bonuses, which it described as outdated and inadequate.

The association emphasized the pivotal role of nurses in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, noting that they contribute between 60 and 70 percent of hospital services.

It said improved welfare, fair treatment, and professional recognition are essential to sustaining a functional health system.

NANNM further urged the Federal Government to engage in constructive dialogue, warning that only a well-supported nursing workforce could ensure continued quality healthcare and stability in public health institutions.

FG: Universities  Must Comply With Mandatory 10 Years Experience For Profs To Be Vice Chancellors

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dr Tunji Alausa

By Ayodele Oni

  • Candidate Approaches Court

One of the candidates vying for the position of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Joseph Eyo Duke, has challenged one of the guidelines outlined by the Federal Government for the University’s top job.

One of the guidelines, which mandates aspirant to possess 10 years experience as a Professor is currently being used for the ongoing appointment of a new VC for the University.

Prof Duke has approached the National Industrial Court Calabar, to challenge the guidelines as it applies to UNICAL.

Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, had stated that 10 years’ experience as a Professor is mandatory for any candidate seeking the VC position.

In the light of above, the Federal Government has directed Governing Councils of Universities to familiarise themselves with the criteria and guidelines for selecting a Vice Chancellor and other Principal officers.

This applies to Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.

For Universities, the Government asked councils to follow sections 3 to 6 of the University Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1993 (amended 2003 and 2012).

For polytechnics, Councils must refer to section 7(1-6) of the Federal Polytechnics Act, 1979 (amended 1993). Plus, for Colleges of Education, it’s section 5(1-6) of the Federal College of Education Act, 1986 (amended 1993).

Dr. Alausa asked Councils to study the guidelines for appointing VCs, Reactors, and Provosts carefully.

He warned that sanctions await Councils that violate the processes or operate outside the guidelines.

A recently obtained guideline document states that 10 years’ experience as a Professor is mandatory for any candidate seeking the VC position. It asks councils to take note.

Similarly, candidates for rector and provost roles must have been chief lecturers with five years’ experience.

The document also notes that Acting VCs are ineligible to join the selection process for new VCs, while Councils must submit details of the three top shortlisted candidates—in order of merit to the Minister of Education.

The Minister then forwarded these to the Visitor (the President) for scrutiny and a final decision.

After reviewing the recommendations,the Visitor (the President) can appoint or reject any of the three candidates. The Minister of Education will then convey the Visitor’s decision to the governing council.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Court in Calabar has directed all parties to maintain the status quo, refraining from any action that could jeopardise the fair hearing of the suit and fixed August 7, 2025 for hearing of the motion on notice at the Abuja Division.

In Suit No. NICN/CA/40/2025 filed by Prof Duke, the claimant is challenging the advertisement published on 27 May 2025, which stipulated that applicants must possess at least 10 years of post-professorial experience.

Prof. Duke argued that this requirement emanated from an Emergency Council Meeting held on 25, March 2025, which he described as “unlawful…that the criterion is rooted in a non-existent regulation”

The motion ex-parte, dated and filed on 21 July 2025, sought an interim injunction restraining UNICAL and its Governing Council from enforcing or acting upon the advertisement pending determination of the motion on notice.

Upon hearing, counsel to the claimant, Ubong Akpan, Esq., Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado granted an accelerated hearing of both the motion on notice and the substantive suit.

Jigawa State Running Out Of Qualified Medical Doctors – NMA Raises The Alarm

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Medical Doctors in Nigeria

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, on Monday, July 28, 2025, expressed fears that Jigawa State may soon be without qualified Medical Doctors , going by the exodus of practitioners.

At a Media Briefing in Dutse, the State Capital, the Chairman of the Jigawa State Chapter of the umbrella body of Medical Doctors in Nigeria, Dr Usman Haruna, lamented that in the last five months, the State health sector has lost no fewer than 30 doctors to neighbouring States and Federal Institutions who are offering competitive remuneration packages.

According to him, the Doctors who have been leaving in droves since February this year are doing so mainly because of the poor working conditions of the system in the State, particularly the inability of the State to align its salary structure with national standards.

He expressed serious fears that if nothing is urgently done to arrest the ugly trend, it will not be too long before the entire system becomes completely bereft of qualified medical personnel.

Particularly, the NMA expressed disappointment with the abysmal remuneration package on offer in the State, noting that it is the major cause of the exodus plaguing the system.

“Jigawa State is losing its best-trained professionals to neighbouring States and Federal Institutions that offer standard and competitive remuneration package based on the CONMESS salary structure.

“This haemorrhage of talent threatens the very foundation of our State’s healthare delivery system.

“Over five months ago, after our crucial engagement with the state Governor, Umar Namadi, in his magnanimity, graciously approved and mandated the minimum wage implementation committee to within two weeks, meet with us, resolve and report to him on the fiscal requirements for implementing urgent salary structure for doctors to align with their counterparts at Federal institutions, including correction of entry point disparities , implementation of hazard and rectification of call duty allowances .

“To date ,the committee has failed to report back to the Governor , despite having allegedly completed its assignment a long time ago”,  the NMA chairman state.

Dr Haruna domiciled the large chunk of the blame for Doctors exodus from the system on the door steps of the Committee which failure has continued to demoralize  health sector personnel in the state .

The Medical Association insisted that the lackadaisical attitude of the Wages Committee is greatly undermining the entire healthcare delivery system in Jigawa state

He, therefore, called an urgent intervention to serve the system from a total collapse

SDP Expels El Rufai From Party For “Life”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nasir El-Rufai
Nasir El-Rufai

By Akinwale Kasali

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, National Working Committee, NWC, has expelled, for life, Nasir El Rufai, former Kaduna State from the Party.

The Party, to which he defected to from the All Progressives Congress, APC, a couple of months ago, expelled El-Rufai for 30 years. At the age of 65 years now, by the time the Party would lift the suspension, El-Rufai would be 95 years old.

The Party dismissed  El-Rufai as ineligible to associate with it in any capacity for the next 30 years.

It accused him of falsely parading himself as a Party Member, manipulating internal processes, and attempting to destabilize the party through unconstitutional actions and deceptive political maneuvers.

In a statement in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the Party’s NWC reached the decision following thorough investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership and his alleged backdoor political activities.

Aiyenigba said: ” El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party.

“He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood”.

According to the SDP, El-Rufai’s conduct was marked by; “gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation,” which allegedly fueled internal divisions and threatened the party’s unity and ideological integrity.

The Party also accused the two-term former Kaduna State Governor of aligning with another political party, African Democratic Congress, ADC, while trying to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.

SDP said: “Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.

“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately”.

The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.

Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy, national patriotism, and principled opposition, the party urged all Nigerians aspiring to join its ranks to do so through lawful and transparent means.

The statement reads in part; “In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the National Working Committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.

“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.

“However, upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP;

“El-Rufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State; El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC;

“Apparently to run away from his past, El-Rufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja but was politely counseled that such a jamboree was not tenable and he should go home to register at his Ward in Kaduna State after passing simple eligibility interview and on boarding process.

“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area”, as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining. This is contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State.

“His dodgy membership status aside, El-Rufai has been illegitimately trading with the name of the SDP in various forums and other political transactions around the so-called Coalition, despite knowing that he has no such authority and contrary to the declared policy of the SDP National Working Committee and other organs.

“Additionally, despite his opaque status, innumerable have been the destabilising schemes of the said Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai against the SDP at both national, state and local levels such that peace which was the hallmark of the SDP has eluded the party since he began fraternising with our leadership and membership.

“The NWC, therefore, and hereby decides that by confirming and ratifying the denunciation of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai which was earlier done by his Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area and Kaduna State Executive Committee in Kaduna State, the SDP at all levels disassociates, disclaims, disfellowships, excommunicates Nasir Ahmad Elrufai as a member of the SDP; and to the extent that he purportedly claims membership by self registration or any other means, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is consequently expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally.

“The foregoing actions by the NWC, which are in the exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution 2022, (as amended) are consequent upon the unacceptable acts of gross indiscipline of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, particularly, in respect of the undeniable fact of having publicly declared for the ADC, which is chosen as their so-called ‘coalition’ vehicle and his confirmed acts towards dragging the SDP dishonestly into their so-called coalition through the back door; and his selfish agenda to destabilise the party (having failed in his mission), by way of sponsoring a group of dissidents to call an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Party on Friday July 25, 2025, Nasir Ahmad Elrufai is hereby banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark or any activities, organs, agencies and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 (thirty) years effective from today.

“Members of the SDP across Nigeria and the general public are by this public notice informed that Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP, and does not represent the interests of the Party at any level, and for any purpose or to any intent.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies and institutions are hereby notified of the non-member status and non-eligibility of Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai for SDP membership effective until Wednesday July 28, 2055.

“The SDP is committed to national patriotism, party discipline, ideological clarity, moral rectitude, candour, honour, integrity, principled opposition, fair contest and internal democracy. We welcome all Nigerians who subscribe to these ideals and have the revolutionary patience to move the Nigerian people towards Abolition of Corruption and Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity, without cutting corners and indulging in duplicity or insincerity”.

BREAKING: Victorious Super Falcons Arrive Abuja, Set For Trophy Parade; Tinubu To Host Team In Villa

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Falcons2

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nation’s pride, the Continent- conquering Super Falcons have landed in Abuja in grand style after clinching their historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, title, Popular as ‘Mission X’.

The Nation’s Capital erupted in wild jubilation and celebration while welcoming the fantastic Coach Justin Maduagu- led team.

The Team touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday afternoon, and was champions were welcomed amidst fanfare and excitement.

The team is scheduled to embark on a colourful trophy parade across key locations in the Federal Capital Territory, including Airport Road, Berger Junction, Maitama, and the bustling Wuse Market.

The parade is only the beginning. Later today, President Bola Tinubu will officially receive and honour the Queens of African football at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.

The Falcons cemented their continental dominance on Saturday night with a pulsating comeback 3-2 win over hosts, the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, to lift a record-smashing 10th WAFCON trophy.

Obi Celebrates Soludo on His Birthday

By
The Source
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Charles Soludo and Peter Obi

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has extended warm birthday wishes to the incumbent Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, as he marks his birthday today (July 28, 2025).

In a goodwill message personally signed by him, Mr. Obi described Governor Soludo as a dear elder brother and a leader whose contributions to the development of Anambra State and the nation at large are well recognised.

He stated:

“Your Excellency, my dear elder brother, my family and I join other men and women of goodwill in rejoicing with you as you mark another year today.

May God continue to bless you with strength, wisdom, and good health as you serve our dear state and nation.”

Mr. Obi wished the Governor continued success and divine guidance in the discharge of his duties and prayed for enduring peace and progress in Anambra under his leadership.

Fear Grips Kings College Lagos, As Lifeless Body Of Teacher Is Found In Classroom

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Kings College Lagos

By Akinwale Kasali

Fear has gripped Kings College  Lagos, Community. The lifeless body of one of its Teachers, Ezekiel Akano, 48, was  found in a Classroom under mysterious circumstances.

The body of the deceased was found in the Classroom  Sunday morning during a routine check by the School Security.

Vice Principal, Oguniyi Ayodele, went to the Police Station on Lagos Island to report the unfortunate incident.

Police Sources informed Security and Counter Insurgency analyst, Zagazola Makama, that the Vice Principal made the report to the Lagos State Police Command about 7:40 p.m.

According to Police sources, Ayodele said he was alerted to the discovery of Akano’s lifeless body on the school premises located at No. 3, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island by the School Security.

A team of detectives was immediately dispatched to the scene, which was cordoned off for investigation.

Photographs of the scene were taken, and a close inspection showed no visible signs of violence on the body of the deceased.

The deceased was identified as a native of Oyo State.

His body was conveyed to Lagos Island Hospital, Odan, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.

His remains were deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation and autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.

Police said they had commenced a full investigation into the incident and assured the public that all necessary steps were being taken to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sudden death.

Group Demands Immediate  Withdrawal Of  Abia Waste Management Bill

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Abia State Governor
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development FENRAD, has called on the Abia State authorities, particularly the House of Assembly, to immediately pause all actions on the proposed” Abia State Polluters Pay Principle and Extended Producers Responsibility Bill before the Lawmakers.

The civil rights advocacy group, described the piece of legislation already before the State Legislators as utterly anti-people ,and retrogressive in all ramifications.

The Source reports that the Bill, which the Abia State Government believes will usher in a measure of sanity into the mostly chaotic waste disposal and management framework, has been drawing defeaning flaks from not a few stakeholders.

The political opposition camps ,small scale entrepreneurs and many major industry players have roundly condemned the proposed Bill, as having the dangerous potentials of further worsening the already harsh operating environment for small and medium scale entrepreneurs.

One of the most contentious aspects of the Bill is believed to be its tendency to impose sundry, but harsh fines/ taxes on low income earners, Communities  and business outfits over improper disposal of waste products.

According to the opposition, targeting an already pauperized and vulnerable low income earners and small scale business operators struggling to eke out a living, will further compound their situation, if not completely driving them out of business.

In a statement issued on Monday July 28, 2025, in Aba by its Executive Director Nelson Nnana Nwafor, FENRAD noted that the Bill in its present form, if passed into law, will disproportionately affect the  poor and marginalized groups, potentially exacerbating inequality and undermining ongoing efforts to promote inclusive environmental governance in the State.

“Rather than targeting industrial polluters, extractive companies and major producers,whose operations lead to environmental degradation, the Bill is majorly targeted at the informal sector and everyday waste generators, particularly in undeserved communities”, Nwafor stated.

The human rights advocacy group, while acknowledging the need for the authorities to regulate and control activities that impact on the environment,  however, faulted the introduction of the Bill at a time certain necessary   conditions are  not in place to ensure its  effective and just implementation.

“While we recognize the importance of environmental accountability and the global shift towards extended producer responsibility, EPR, and polluter-pays mechanisms as frameworks for sustainable waste management, the current bill, in both its design and intent, lacks transparency, public participation, and clarity.

“More disturbing, it appears tailored towards transferring the economic burden of environmental remediation and waste management from major industrial polluters to ordinary citizens and vulnerable population who are often victims, not perpetrators of environmental degradation.

“The Bill fails to adequately define who qualifies as a ‘polluter or producer’ in its current form. It leaves too much room for arbitrary interpretation and application which could unjustly penalize small businesses, and low income communities.

“A Bill of such socio-economic and environmental impact must be preceded by public consultations, and stakeholder engagements.

To our knowledge,no town hall meetings , environmental impact assessments ,or civil society consultations were held prior to drafting ,and tabling if this Bill .

Abia state currently lacks the robust waste management infrastructure and institutional oversight framework required to enforce an” Extended Producers Responsibility regime effectively.

Without such systems in place, the bill may become a tool for arbitrary taxation or harassment by enforcement agencies”, FENRAD noted.

Consequently, the group called for its immediate withdrawal to allow for wider consultations and more inputs.

It urged the Government to urgently convene public hearings and multi-stakeholders’ consultative fora involving environmental groups, local Communities, informal sector representatives and legal experts to discuss the way forward.

“We Reject Bill Elevating Ooni, Sultan, Exclusive Co-Chair Of Traditional Leaders Council” – Ohaneze

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ohanaeze Ndigbo

By Akinwale Kasali

The Igbo Apex Cultural Group,  Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the permanent Co-Chairmen of the Traditional Rulers’ Council in Nigeria.

The Bill which has scaled its Second Reading in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Ohanaeze said, will be at the expense of other equally High Profile Traditional Rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides. For instance: South-east, South-south, Middle Belt.

Ezechi Chukwu, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a statement on Sunday in Enugu, said that the Bill which has passed second reading, astounds the Igbo body as there is no rationale for such an asymmetric Bill.

He added that the move is with utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of Federal Character, as enshrined in the constitution.

“The Senate, in this vein, has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate.

“This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable.

“It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice in a pluralist nation-State like Nigeria,” Chukwu said.

Speaking further, Chukwu said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide calls for the urgent withdrawal of the Bill and the need to review it in consideration for ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance and equitable representation.

“It is only by so doing shall the Bill will foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability,” he stressed.

House Of Reps Lauds INCLUDE For Creative Support

By
James Orji
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0

The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has commended the INCLUDE knowledge platform for its consistent support and collaborative efforts. The commendation was made during the African Policy Dialogue on Green Jobs for Women and Youths in Nigeria, jointly hosted by the Committee, INCLUDE, and the Advocacy for Policy Initiative (API), on July 24, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Chairman of the Committee, Afam Victor Ogene, expressed gratitude to INCLUDE in his keynote speech, saying: “I’d like to extend special gratitude to our dependable collaborator, INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, represented by Ms. Victoria Manya, a lawyer and workaholic knowledge broker, public policy, and sustainable development expert. Thank you, Ms. Manya, for your tireless efforts.”

Ogene further highlighted INCLUDE’s value to the Committee, citing its contributions to policy formulation and creative strategies in lawmaking and oversight duties. A Netherlands-based organization, INCLUDE’s partnership has been instrumental in supporting the Committee’s work.

Notable Collaborations Highlighted

Ogene highlighted the Committee’s fruitful collaborations with INCLUDE, citing specific examples. He noted that the idea for the Committee’s first annual National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, held in Lagos in May, originated from INCLUDE, who hosted a session on the African Legislative Dialogue on Renewable Energy during the event.

Furthermore, Rep. Ogene disclosed that INCLUDE co-hosted side events with the Committee at the UNGA in New York, USA, and at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. He expressed the Committee’s enthusiasm to co-host a side event at the upcoming COP30 in Brazil in November, to further the conversation on Green Jobs for women and youths, which legislation the committee is currently pushing in Nigeria.

Legislative Agenda of Inclusivity

Speaking further, Rep Ogene stated: “It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this Africa Policy Dialogue Kick-off Workshop on Green Jobs and Low Carbon Transition. Today, we are not just participating in a dialogue; we are setting in motion a legislative and national framework for real economic transformation.

“This workshop builds upon the outcomes of the First Annual Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy held earlier this year in Lagos.

“At the Lagos event, I announced that the House Committee on Renewable Energy is proposing a National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA), a landmark Bill linking renewable energy investments to job creation, skills development, and youth and gender inclusion. NIGJA aims to unlock employment opportunities, particularly for Africa’s youth, while aligning with regional trade frameworks under AfCFTA to foster a competitive African energy market.

“Then, as now, we understood that climate action extends beyond environmental concerns – it’s a social justice imperative and an economic opportunity to transform lives, even in the most remote areas. For Nigeria to achieve meaningful and sustainable development, prioritizing the interests of women and youth is crucial. For, they are the driving force behind a nation’s future growth and progress.

“Notably, Agendas 5 and 6 of the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda specifically focus on the interests, development, and support for women and youth demographics, respectively. This underscores our commitment to gender-sensitive and youth-centric policies and legislative priorities.

“As a Parliament, we recognize that effective lawmaking requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes progress, development, and the well-being of our citizens. To address these pressing challenges, we must, therefore, explore innovative problem-solving strategies.” He emphasized.

In her response, Victoria Manya said, “On behalf of INCLUDE Knowledge Platform and our international partners, it is an honour to support this timely and necessary dialogue.

“We believe in a just transition—but more urgently, we believe in a justifiable one. Because what we are seeing globally, and increasingly in Africa, is that the low-carbon transition risks becoming the handmaiden of fossil fuel interests—delivering decarbonization targets on paper, while reproducing the same old inequalities in practice.
What we must do is reclaim the transition—not only as a climate imperative—but as a generational opportunity to rewrite our social contract.

“In Nigeria, the data is clear: too many young people are unemployed or underemployed, and too many women are shut out of emerging green sectors. A just transition must not only ask how we reduce emissions—but who gets the new jobs, who trains the workforce, and who shapes the policies.

“Recent labour force data shows that Nigeria’s unemployment rate among youth aged 15–34 is over 42%, with women disproportionately affected in both formal and informal sectors (NBS, 2023). Yet, the renewable energy sector alone has the potential to create 340,000 direct jobs by 2030—with solar PV accounting for over 76% of that growth (IRENA, 2022). However, less than 5% of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in Nigeria are currently aligned with renewable energy skills (NBTE & INCLUDE, 2024). This gap between skills supply and sectoral demand underscores why policy frameworks like NIGJA and coordination platforms like NGSEA are not just helpful—they are mission-critical. We cannot scale green jobs without first scaling the infrastructure of inclusion, skills, and policy alignment.”

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