Nnamdi Kanu Saga: Testing resilience of Nigeria’s judiciary and democracy - WeekendDigits@ITREALMS with Remmy Nweke

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As the world watches, the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), continues to grip Nigeria’s judiciary, test the resilience of its democracy, and draw international concern.

Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021, faces multiple terrorism-related charges — allegations that his lawyers insist are politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.

In honour of late wife: Olowolafe launches GOM ICT centre, GOMCSS in Ekiti - ITREALMS

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Acclaimed entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has inaugurated two landmark projects in Are-Ekiti, namely the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial (GOM) ICT Centre and the GOM Community Secondary School (GOMCSS), designed to transform education and digital empowerment in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

The twin initiatives, implemented through the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, were named in honour of his late wife, Mrs. Gbemisola Olutayo Olowolafe, who passed away on March 11, 2025.

Makinde presents instruments of office to Ladoja as 44th Olubadan - ITREALMS

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…Governor says chieftaincy succession challenges now over

History was made in Ibadan on Friday as Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, formally presented the staff and instruments of office to the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Senator) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, at a colourful ceremony held at Mapo Hall Arcade.

Governor Makinde declared that the Olubadan traditional succession system remains sacrosanct, assuring that the lingering disputes of recent years are now resolved. He prayed that Oba Ladoja’s reign would usher in peace, unity, and prosperity for Ibadanland.

Dangote Refinery debunks mass sack claim, insists over 3,000 remain employed despite ongoing re-organisation - ITREALMS

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The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has dismissed as unfounded allegations by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) that the company carried out mass sackings in retaliation for workers joining the association.

In a statement, the refinery described the claims as misleading, clarifying that the ongoing re-organisation within its workforce is intended to strengthen operations and address repeated cases of sabotage that posed safety risks and disrupted production.

Digital vs Diesel: Balance Sheet Insights @IHS Nigeria’s 2023/2024 Impact Report by Remmy Nweke - Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS

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This episode of Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS by REMMY NWEKE examines IHS Nigeria’s 2023–2024 Impact Report, highlighting strides in digital skills, school connectivity, and healthcare. Yet beyond the promises, questions remain on scale, diesel reliance, and independent verification, thus, making cautious optimism essential in judging real impact.

IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Towers, has released its 2023–2024 Impact Report, outlining interventions in education, climate action, healthcare, and community empowerment. The company presents the document as proof of alignment with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Awka-North and Awba-Ofemili: Undeniable part of Omabala family by Nick Ibeh - ITREALMS

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Preamble:

I seize this opportunity to appreciate everyone who has contributed to the ongoing discourse concerning whether Awka North in general - and Awba Ofemili in particular - is part of the Omabala region. 

As with every matter involving identity, history, and culture, the arguments have been balanced and rich, shaped largely by individual perception, understanding, and exposure.

Fostering understanding:

I was particularly impressed by the incisive, thoughtful, and educative contributions of our erudite sons - Comrade Fred Nwanna and Ozo Remmy Nweke. Your clarity of thought and depth of insight have illuminated many grey areas and helped foster greater understanding. 

NNPC: Ogoni re-entry is beacon of reconciliation through collaboration - ITREALMS

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The re-entry into Ogoniland marks a historic turning point for Nigeria, not just in terms of oil production, but more broadly, this milestone reflects the spirit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which commits to building a stronger country, attracting responsible investment, and ensuring that community development is at the heart of national progress.

Speaking during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Report at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, President Tinubu acknowledged that the Ogoni people have endured long years of pain, and that this re-entry reflects the government’s recognition of their sacrifices.

Nigeria Prize for Science 2025: No winner, but standards and hope endure by Remmy Nweke

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The 2025 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Science closed without a winner, as the Advisory Board and judges concluded that none of the 112 entries submitted met the rigorous benchmarks of excellence demanded by Africa’s most prestigious scientific award.

At a press conference in Lagos, Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board, said the decision was not taken lightly but was necessary to protect the credibility of the Prize, which is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

Ortom, NOA DG, Ndisika, Adeniyi to lead discussion @GOCOP 2025 Conference - ITREALMS

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The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced that Chief Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Benue State, will serve as one of the panelists at the upcoming GOCOP 2025 Conference.

The conference theme is "Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects."

INEC promotes 471 junior staff, reaffirms commitment to merit, welfare - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the promotion of 471 junior staff across the country, reaffirming its commitment to merit-based career progression and staff welfare, reports ITREALMS.

The decision was taken at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, chaired by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. 

Tribute: JOE IGWILO – A Tragic replay of Lysistrata by Chidi Abajue - ITREALMS

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In 411 BC, the great Greek playwright Aristophanes gifted the world Lysistrata—a bold tale of a woman who, in her wisdom and daring, rallied others to wield the power of abstinence in order to end senseless wars in Greece. Centuries later, in 1980, our own Egbema Ozubulu-born son, Obi Egbuna, revisited this motif in The Rape of Lysistrata, laying bare the grotesque dangers of racial segregation in the global community.

Though worlds and centuries apart, these works are bound by a central theme: the eternal struggle over power in human relationships. Power—the ability to sway, to shape, to preserve, or to destroy.

AI in Nigeria unveils InnovateAI 2026: Driving responsible AI for Africa’s future - ITREALMS

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AI in Nigeria, the country’s foremost platform for artificial intelligence advocacy and development, has announced the third edition of its flagship annual conference, InnovateAI, set to hold in Lagos in 2026, reports ITREALMS.

Themed “Responsible AI Beyond Innovation,” the event is expected to mark a defining chapter in Africa’s technological journey.

Nigeria at crossroads of AfCFTA by Remmy Nweke - Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS

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Nigeria’s AfCFTA journey stalls at borders and ports. In this edition of Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS, REMMY NWEKE spotlights delays, bribes, and weak infrastructure trapping traders, exposing the gulf between continental ambition and daily reality.

Introduction:
On a humid morning at the Seme border, truck drivers wait in queues that snake for kilometers, their cargo stranded by customs checks, levies, and unexplained delays. Among them is 42-year-old rice trader, Chidi Nwosu, who resides in Ogun State.

ES@NCDMB: African nations must collaborate to develop oil industry – ITREALMS

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Close partnership and collaboration among African oil and gas producing countries are some of the strategies that would enable sustainable development of Africa’s oil industry, according to discussants at the Africa Content Forum, a segment of the 2025 Africa Oil Week holding in Accra, Ghana.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, delivered the keynote address at the forum. 

Advisory board upholds standards, declares ‘No winner’ for 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science - ITREALMS

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... Judges cite poor quality of entries; 2025 theme on ICT and Artificial Intelligence to be repeated in 2026

The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science has declared that no winner will emerge in the 2025 edition, following the judges’ verdict that none of the 112 entries submitted met the rigorous standards required for the prestigious award, reports ITREALMS.

Chairman of the Advisory Board, Professor Barth Nnaji, disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. 

FirstBank to launch inclusive financial services for visually impaired, physically challenged customers – ITREALMS

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FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and a recognized leader in financial inclusion, is set to introduce tailored financial services for blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged customers across its operations.

The initiative underscores the bank’s long-standing commitment to financial inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity. 

August24News publisher presents GAC frame to Lagos speaker, Obasa - ITREALMS

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In recognition of the pivotal role played by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in shaping political stability and governance in Lagos State since the era of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as governor, renowned political journalist and publisher of August24news.com, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, on Tuesday presented a specially designed GAC frame to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, reports ITREALMS.

The presentation took place at the Speaker’s office in Ikeja, Lagos, with the frame showcasing the names, photographs, local government areas and senatorial districts of all 35 distinguished members of the GAC; the state’s highest political decision-making body. 

Editorial: Land and Leadership in Igboland: Time to sign development pact - ITREALMS

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Recently, Chief Allen Onyema revealed how land battles frustrated his efforts to site Air Peace’s multi-billion naira Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Enugu and Anambra. His lament is more than personal; it is an indictment of Ndigbo. And it is time we faced the truth without excuses: our greatest obstacle to development is ourselves.

Here was a once-in-a-generation project requiring 34,000 square meters, that is roughly 76 plots of land for infrastructure that would have created 50,000 jobs, saved Nigeria ₦360 billion in foreign exchange annually, and placed the South East on the global aviation map. Yet instead of rallying to secure it, communities bickered, families fought, and vested interests strangled the vision. Land disputes and selfish claims over airport lands became more important than regional progress. What a tragedy!

Shettima: FG reforms to lift 50m Nigerians from poverty – ITREALMS

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The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has declared that ongoing Federal Government reforms could lift up to 50 million Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty within the next decade, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at the Nextier Development Solutions Festival (DevFest2025) in Abuja, and represented by Sadiq Wanka, Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Shettima unveiled the government’s new “Poverty Exit Plan.”

FirstBank partners for E1 Lagos GP - ITREALMS

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In line with its commitments of promoting sports and developmental initiatives at all levels, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is partnering the organizers of the first of its kind E1 Lagos GP an all-electric powerboat racing championship, set to hold between the 3rd and 5th of October 2025.

Disclosing this at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion session in Lagos recently, Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication of FirstBank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that engender human development across the country while cementing legacies.

PSPI 2025, Anambra and peril of manipulated statistics by Chuka Nnabuife - ITREALMS

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NUMBERS carry enormous power. They clothe themselves with infallible authority, convincing the public that they reveal cold, hard truth. Yet statistics are never innocent. In the hands of unclean minds they can be manipulated so crudely to serve selfishly, even to the level of destroying beyond redemption whatever they tag. 

History is filled with shady characters and agencies that have done that. Somehow, they always eventually, fail in the ignoble beat. Nigerians may have just witnessed an example of such an ill-purposed misadventure.

Fasuyi applauds Tinubu’s economic reforms - ITREALMS

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The narrative of Nigeria’s economy, long dominated by imports, fuel queues, and mounting debt, is beginning to shift, according to a management consultant and community leader, Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, during his interview on the Arise Morning Show.

Fasuyi, who is also the founder of a business school in Ibadan, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for insisting that Nigeria must produce what it consumes. 

Fresh crisis rocks NUPENG as Stakeholders demand resignation of President, General Secretary - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been thrown into fresh turmoil as the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch and its stakeholders have called for the immediate resignation of the union’s President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, reports ITREALMS.

The demand, contained in a statement signed on Sunday, September 21, 2025, by Comrade Preye Odede-Graham on behalf of PTD elders and stakeholders, bore the imprimatur of Comrades (Alhaji) Tajudeen Abubakar (Kaduna Zone), Chief (Comrade) Edafe Osas (Warri Zone), Comrade Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP) (Port Harcourt Zone), and Comrade Kolade Fadahunsi-Ojelabi (Lagos Zone).

NEC endorses NASENI's solar-powered irrigation pumps for nationwide rollout - ITREALMS

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The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure's (NASENI) solar-powered irrigation pumps for nationwide rollout ahead of the 2025 dry-season farming, reports ITREALMS.

This decision, made at NEC's 152nd meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, highlights the council's confidence in NASENI's ability to deliver homegrown, energy-efficient solutions to Nigeria's food security challenges.

Open Letter to Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti by Anold Ali Ovurevu - ITREALMS

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An open letter by Anold Ali Ovurevu to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti.

To our Senator, Natasha,

Democracy is a complex system of government. It keeps evolving since it started in Greece. Democracy is not perfect. Democracy only reflects the resolves and wills of the political actors at a particular time. Trump is proving to the world, democracy is not as flawless in America as most of us once believed.

Nigerian democracy since 1999 is full of drama. Some politicians survived while other are consumed for good. The same misconduct Farooq Lawal went under for, others do swagger with it. You remember Salisu and Toronto certificate saga. Politically, he is yet to recover.

NLNG wins best corporate training partner award 2025 - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has been recognized as the Best Corporate Training Partner 2025 by the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) at the 4th edition of OGTAN Human Capital Development (HCD) Awards held in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

This accolade underscores NLNG's longstanding commitment to workforce development, skills transfer, and capacity building within Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

CBCN sounds alarm on digital technology dangers - ITREALMS

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The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns about the dangers of digital technology, highlighting the risks of pornography, cybercrime, and addiction, reports ITREALMS.

In a recent communique, the bishops called for aggressive media literacy programs in the Church and schools to educate people, especially youth, about responsible digital technology use.

Bridging Digital Divide: Nigeria and risks of Internet fragmentation by Remmy Nweke - ITREALMS

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TelecomsClinic@ITREALMS with Remmy Nweke spotlights Nigeria’s digital divide, exposing gaps in access, affordability, and literacy, while warning of looming internet fragmentation risks. A call for inclusive policies, innovation, and digital rights to secure Nigeria’s connected future.

The story of the twenty-first century is increasingly one of connection. From banking transactions to telemedicine, classroom learning to market access, the internet has become the backbone of daily life.

Royal endorsement: Igwe Maduagwuna praises Remmy Nweke’s 'The Village Priest' - ITREALMS

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His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna, Ofemili I of Awba-Ofemili, has commended Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, author of The Village Priest, for his dexterity, cultural sensitivity, and passion for knowledge sharing, reports ITREALMS.

Receiving the author at his palace, Igwe Maduagwuna described the work as both a literary and cultural milestone. 

He urged Nweke to remain steadfast in using his craft to bridge tradition and innovation.

Editorial: Leadership, red line of hate speech and Abike Dabiri-Erewa - ITREALMS

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In the 21st century, leadership is more than holding office it is about embodying the values of unity, justice, and inclusion. That is why the recent petition by Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK against the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, deserves serious national attention.

The petition, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accuses Dabiri-Erewa of amplifying ethnic bigotry by reposting content on her X platform in which the Igbo ethnic group was described as “monkeys,” “bastards,” and “children of gorillas.” 

Nigeria at crossroads of AfCFTA by Remmy Nweke - ITREALMS

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Introduction:
On a humid morning at the Seme border, truck drivers wait in queues that snake for kilometers, their cargo stranded by customs checks, levies, and unexplained delays. Among them is 42-year-old rice trader, Chidi Nwosu, who resides in Ogun State.

His plan was simple: ferry bags of rice to Cotonou and return with fertilizer for the next planting season. What should have been a four-hour trip often stretches into three days. For Chidi, the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a borderless market of 1.4 billion people, remains more aspiration than reality.

Converting weight into trade influence:
Nigeria entered AfCFTA in 2019 after months of hesitation. Advocates hailed the move as a chance for Africa’s largest economy to dominate regional trade, diversify away from oil dependence, and access a market worth over US$3.4 trillion.

But years later, the numbers tell another story. Nigeria’s exports to Africa remain low, dwarfed by South Africa’s diversified output and even by Ghana’s smoother AfCFTA implementation. While Nigeria controls the continent’s largest population, it has yet to convert that weight into meaningful trade influence.

The gap is most evident among smallholders and entrepreneurs. In Kwara State, a cooperative of women who produce shea butter receives regular inquiries from Ghanaian retailers. Yet their dream of expansion is stalled by certification bottlenecks and poor logistics. 

In Kogi, cashew farmers complain that moving produce to Apapa port costs nearly as much as growing it, thanks to bad roads and congestion. Across the agro value chain , from cocoa and rice to sesame and fishery products , Nigeria’s potential under AfCFTA remains vast but untapped.

Multiple checkpoints as barriers:
The barriers are as much political as they are logistical. Traders describe a gauntlet of checkpoints where bribes are the only language understood. Border closures, such as the one imposed between 2019 and 2020 ostensibly to curb smuggling, crippled thousands of small businesses while leaving AfCFTA’s spirit in limbo.

At Apapa, containers pile up for weeks as exporters wait for clearance. Policy inconsistency has only deepened the distrust. Sudden import bans and shifting tariffs confuse not just foreign partners but also Nigerian traders trying to plan their next move. Analysts estimate that Nigeria loses billions annually to these inefficiencies, eroding the very benefits AfCFTA was designed to unlock.

Weakening AfCFTA credibility:
In contrast, Ghana has moved faster, launching a comprehensive AfCFTA strategy, training SMEs, and digitizing customs. Morocco and Kenya, ITREALMS gathered, have carved niches as reliable exporters of manufactured goods, while Nigeria’s position remains fragile. Experts from World Trade Organisation (WTO), United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Afreximbank warned that if Nigeria fails to lead, the credibility of the entire AfCFTA project is weakened. 

With Africa’s largest economy dragging its feet, the continental dream risks becoming a patchwork of uneven progress.

The human cost is visible in stories like Chidi’s. Every delayed trip means lost customers and wasted goods. In Lagos, textile exporters reportedly pay up to 40 percent more in logistics costs compared to their peers in Accra.

Informal traders, mostly women, at Idiroko or Jibia borders recount tales of harassment, intimidation, and confiscated wares. For them, AfCFTA is not an abstract policy but the difference between survival and collapse.

Railways with critical gap:
Yet signs of hope are emerging. Ongoing rail rehabilitation from Lagos to Kano, with eventual links to Niger Republic, could reduce road dependence. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has stepped up training for SMEs, preparing them for cross-border trade with standardized documentation. Technology platforms are springing up to connect farmers directly with regional buyers, bypassing some of the bottlenecks.

Still, a critical gap remains: the South-East, Nigeria’s traditional hub of commerce and small-scale industry, remains conspicuously unconnected to the new rail blueprints. For a region whose traders dominate domestic distribution networks and whose entrepreneurs sustain export-facing clusters in Aba, Nnewi, and Onitsha, this omission carries real costs.

Without seamless rail integration, South-Eastern businesses are forced to rely on crumbling highways, higher logistics charges, and informal routes that weaken their competitiveness under AfCFTA.

Political will of inclusivity:
These sparks suggest that with the right political will, and with inclusivity in infrastructure planning, Nigeria could still reposition itself as AfCFTA’s anchor. Experts agreed on the road ahead.

Nigeria must modernize borders and ports, digitize customs processes, and align trade policies with AfCFTA protocols. Small and medium enterprises, especially women-led ventures, require targeted financing and export support. Without these reforms, Nigeria risks being sidelined in a market it helped to create.

Giant with feet of clay:
Nigeria today stands at a defining moment. Its size, population, and entrepreneurial base position it as the natural leader of Africa’s single market.

NextMoney set to unveil Top 100 Companies in Nigeria, celebrate nation’s high-performing companies - ITREALMS

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NextMoney, a publication of Centre for Financial Journalism Ltd/Gte, is set to unveil Nigeria’s Top 100 Companies and host NextMoney Top 100 Companies Awards to celebrate the country’s high-performing companies.

The unveiling and the award ceremony is scheduled for 5.00pm on October 3, 2025 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CBCN Calls for national transformation, urges govt to address corruption, poor governance - ITREALMS

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The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a communique at the end of their 2025 Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, calling on Nigerians to work towards authentic national transformation, reports ITREALMS.

The bishops emphasized the need for perseverance in Christian hope and working towards justice in the nation, stressing that hope does not disappoint.

Enugu State govt condemns murder of Catholic Priest, Eya, places ₦10m bounty on killers - ITREALMS

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The Enugu State Government has strongly condemned the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya of Nsukka Catholic Diocese by unknown assailants, reports ITREALMS.

The government commiserated with the late priest's family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, and the Catholic faithful over the tragic incident.