Politics
The Man, Hope Uzodimma: Why He Deserves Second Term As Imo Gov
The Man, Hope Uzodimma: Why He Deserves Second Term As Imo Gov
Hope Odidika Uzodimma is a prominent Nigerian politician who represents different things to different people. He symbolizes trust and loyalty to friends and associates, and hope and succour to the downtrodden. At work, he is an embodiment of capacity and efficiency to his staff, and at home, he is the epitome of love and affection to his family.
As a man with hallowed grace and a Midas touch, his most striking quality has been his uncommon ability to think globally while acting locally with exceptional street intelligence and his determination to bring positive change to Imo State. Since Hope Uzodimma came into office as Imo State Governor in the last four years, he has been an embodiment of excellence, hard work and patriotism.
Born on 12 December 1958 in Omuma to an Igbo Catholic family; his father Chief Michael Uzodimma held the chieftaincy title of Igwe of Ozuh Omuma and his mother was Ezinne Rose Uzodimma (née Nneoha), he is a kinsman of the Okoro family of Etiti-Omuma. Uzodinma is a devout Catholic, and he is married to Chioma Uzodimma with seven children.
Uzodimma attended Mgbidi Secondary School in Omumu, Oru West, Imo State, Nigeria, for his secondary education.
He enrolled in college in 1978 and studied international studies there until 1982 when he received his bachelor’s degree. He had already earned an advanced diploma in transport studies before this.
Uzodimma graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) with a master’s degree in human relations. He also graduated from the University of London with a degree in political science.
He holds a Diploma in Maritime Management Technology, and a Higher Diploma in the same field, from the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
He has an Honorary Doctorate degree from Imo State University and a Fellow of the College of Agriculture, Umuagwo.
Uzodimma began his political career during the Second Nigerian Republic, joining the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where in 1983, he became the Imo State youth leader. In the 1990s, with the aborted transition to the Third Nigerian Republic, Uzodimma featured prominently as a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party.
In 1999, after the return to democracy, Uzodimma joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as a member of the party’s National Caucus, National Executive Committee and on the Board of Trustees, at various times between 1999 and 2017. As a party boss in Imo State, Uzodimma was a close associate of Governor Achike Udenwa until late 2002, when ahead of the April 2003 elections he decamped to the Alliance for Democracy (AD), becoming the party’s candidate for the Imo State gubernatorial election. After losing the election to Udenwa, he returned to the PDP in February 2004.
In March 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission sitting in Imo announced the governorship election results of Imo State: Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP who won with 273,404 votes, Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance with 190,364 votes, Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressives Grand Alliance with 114,676 votes; and Uzodimma in fourth place with 96,458 votes. Uzodimma later challenged the victory of Ihedioha up to the Supreme Court. On 14 January 2020, the Supreme Court declared Uzodimma the duly elected Governor of Imo State. The court held that results from 388 polling units were wrongly excluded from votes ascribed to Uzodimma and the APC in Imo adding that the first appellant Uzodimma holds the majority of lawful votes cast.
On 15 January 2020, he and Placid Njoku were sworn in as the Governor of Imo State and Deputy Governor of Imo State.
As Governor, Uzodimma has focused on various sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security. He has initiated projects to improve the living standard for the people of Imo State, including the construction of roads, renovation of schools, and provision of healthcare facilities.
Uzodimma has also been involved in efforts to promote peace and security in Imo State. He has collaborated with security agencies to tackle issues of insecurity, particularly the activities of armed groups and criminal elements.
Despite facing criticism and challenges during his tenure, Uzodimma remains committed to the development of Imo State. He has expressed his vision to transform the state into a hub of economic activities, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for the people.
Titles
In Oru local government, Imo State, Gov Uzodimma holds the chieftaincy title of Onwa-Netiri Oha of Omuma Kingdom because he is one of the relatives of the Okoro family of Etiti-Omuma.
Awards And Nominations
Among several awards and accolades, Gov. Hope Uzodimma was given the 2017 Personal Life of the Most Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year by the Nigerian News.
In 2022, Uzodimma bagged a peace award from the United Nations for his efforts at promoting inter-ethnic harmony in Nigeria and good governance in the state.
He was nominated for the award by the United Towns Agency (UTA) for North-South Cooperation of the United Nations.
He also bagged The Sun 2021 Governor of the Year Award
Due to his sterling performance since his assumption of office as the governor of Imo State, South East Nigeria, Hope Uzodinma, bagged the prestigious honour of Most Prolific Governor of the Year 2023 by Face of Democracy Nigeria, FDN.
In May 2023, Gov. Uzodinma was conferred with the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS) award for his contribution and commitment to national unity and equality.
Governor Uzodinma was also honoured by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for his outstanding performance in promoting fiscal transparency in governance.
Hope Uzodimma in the last four years: What he has done
Even in the most difficult of times, the people of Imo State still have reasons to smile. In his accustomed manner of connecting with the people, the state governor, Hope Uzodimma is unrelenting in the delivery of good governance.
One of the major takeaways from the first term in office of Governor Uzodimma is that a leader will always achieve good governance when honesty, passion and vision brought into policy-making and execution are greater than fears and excuses.
Despite fundamental challenges such as agitated violence and global economic downturn economic among others, the Uzodimma administration has continued to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
It is, therefore, heart-warming that the governor is seeking to be re-elected for a second tenure. This is good news for the residents of Imo state. Uzodimma, popularly known as Onwa, has used a greater part of his first term in office to improve their living condition.
This, he has done through the creation of wealth and more job opportunities, provision of quality social security system and galvanization of the youths with fresh ideas and tools to make them productive citizens among others.
Against all odds, In line with the manifesto of APC, Uzodimma fashioned out his prosperity agenda anchored on the three-pronged (3Rs) agenda of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery. The broad objectives of the policies included a firm resolve to revive Imo State and recover for the people the years that had been lost to the locusts.
Where others saw only turmoil and deprivation, he recognised the boundless ingenuity and tenacity of the Imo people and applied extraordinary pragmatic and visionary leadership to rebuild the State.
For example, in healthcare, Uzodimma has tremendously granted access to quality and affordable healthcare to many Imolites. Through a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization, he created and implemented the Imo Health Insurance Programme. This has enabled over 66,000 Imo residents to obtain healthcare protection. Concurrently, strategic investments are augmenting primary healthcare infrastructure across the state to further expand and enhance access and availability of vital services for rural and urban communities.
ROADS:
• More than 1,000 kilometres of road networks in both urban and rural areas have so far witnessed reconstruction.
• The 35-kilometre Owerri-Orlu dual carriageway and the 46-kilometre Owerri-Okigwe road were delivered as intercity roads.
• The dualization of the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road and another 46-kilometre stretch is ongoing.
• Also under construction is the Orlu- Akokwa-Arondizogu-Uga road leading to Anambra State measuring 37 kilometres.
• More than 30 major roads have been completed in the Owerri Capital Territory alone including Assumpta/ IbariOgwa/ Port Harcourt Road, Federal Secretariat Road (now Muhammadu Buhari Dual Carriage Way Drive), DickTiger Road. Akachi Road (nowEvan Enwerem Way) and Relief Market Road.
• About 64 roads spanning over 150 kilometres constructed and completed.
• Rehabilitation of another 43 routes accounting for over 350 kilometres ongoing in both urban and rural areas.
HEALTH
• Uzodinma has an impressive footprint in the health sector, expanding healthcare services, building and upgrading hospitals and clinics, and ensuring the availability of essential medical facilities
• Over 66,000 Imo residents obtain healthcare protection under the Imo Health Insurance Programme
• Renovated over 305 health centres in the 305 electoral wards
• More than 300 medical students graduated from the Imo State University Teaching Hospital after a decade of non-accreditation
• The Teaching Hospital is now fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities including digital x-ray machines, mammogram machines, ambulances, dialysis machines, molecular biology and chemical pathology laboratory, equipment (for COVID-19andother viral disease tests) and anaesthetic machines
• Re-accreditation of nursing and midwifery schools in Aboh Mbaise and Awommama after they lost accreditation in 2011
• The Imo State Specialist Hospital in Owerri is now fully functional and performing complicated operations such as spinal and brain injury surgeries
• The Governor has procured 10 mobile clinics for speedy intervention
EDUCATION
• Upgrading facilities of primary and secondary schools across the state
• The facilitation of the upgrading of the Alvan Ikoku College of Education to the Federal University of Education
• Accreditation of the College of Education, Ihitte-Uboma to run various courses, including the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE), in affiliation with Imo State University has also been successfully implemented
YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
• Training of 300,000 Imo youths on digital skills and link up to relevant jobs (i.e., the SkillupImo project).
• Full reconstruction of the famous Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri including the main complex, the indoor sports centre, and the handball court. An Olympic-sized swimming pool under construction on the same site is now nearing completion
• Over 5,000 young Ndi Imo have already completed the training and are either leveraging their heightened technical acumen to establish promising digital ventures or securing employment with leading tech firms like Zinox, Konga, and WakaNow among other digitally driven businesses within and beyond Imo.
• Rebranding of the state-owned Heartland Football Club.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
• The Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups in collaboration with the Office of Her Excellency, the First Lady, facilitated the organization of the International Children’s Day Celebration and other National/Global Observances such as the International Women’s Day.
• Organised Sixteen (16) Days of Activism on the elimination of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and children, like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Early Child Marriage, Child Labour and other harmful traditional practices.
• The Ministry also recorded the registration of five (5) Motherless Babies Homes and Three (3) Day-Care Centres
• The ministry also ensured that existing Homes/Day-Care Centres maintained approved Operational Guidelines.
• The governor also signed into law the bill on Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP)
AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES
• The state engaged the Federal Government to complete the dams for dry-season farming at Inyishi and Okigwe
• Uzodinma also secured the cooperation of the CBN and other relevant bodies that have facilities for those in Agriculture
• The State Government replanted over One Hundred and Forty (140) Hectares of land with Oil Palm seedlings at Ada-Palm, Ohaji and Ngor-Okpala.
• He rehabilitated the abandoned Adapalm Plantanlan which occupies an area of 4310 hectares of oil palm
• The Acharaubo Farm Estata at Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area is back to life.
• The Otamiri Water Scheme which serves the Owerri Capital Territory now delivers potable hygienic water for members of the public
• The Eluama Water Scheme in Orlu local government area and Ekenguru Water Scheme in Aboh Mbaise LGA rehabilitated
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
• Recovery of markets especially Ekwe Ukwu Owerri Market built with state funds but handed over to the cronies of the previous administrations
• Strengthening of the market associations in a manner that streamlines the collection of government revenue just as it enables them to defend their rights as traders.
• Construction of a state-of-the-art ultra-modern market in Eke-Ukwu to assuage the pains of the people.
• The crafting and developing of the Imo State Sustainable Industrialisation Policy in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• Commissioning of fashion clusters with well-equipped industrial sewing machines to help our skilled dressmakers in the state to make trendy dresses, including T-shirts and face caps for industrial use
• The Uzodimma administration has also commenced moves to revamp all the moribund industries in the state
• Hope Uzodimma has paid off the debts owed to Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) by successive administrations in the state as regards the Imo Shoe Industry
• The government is also working with Investors for the revamping of the Nsu Tiles Ehime and the Avutu Poultry Farm.
• The government registered over 200 cooperative societies and organized rural farmers, artisans, and workers in the Private Sector into Micro Businesses for sustainable capital formation and increased productivity.
• Several cooperative societies have been linked to multi-lateral finance agencies such as Agric Loans Board, Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Bank of Industry (BoI), Micro Finance Banks (MFB), etc.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• Uzodimma’s economic performance has been impressive considering several parameters including Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• The 2022 State of States report released by BudgIT revealed that Imo State has an estimated GDP of N7.68 trillion, making it the 4th out of the 36 states in the country with the largest GDP among its peers in the Southeast region
• Dredging and linking Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean
• The revival of hitherto moribund industries in Imo State such as Adapalm and Acharaugbo Farms.
• Through his leadership, Imo State is included in the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Africa.
• the Imo State Industrial and Innovation Park is slated for take-off as the multi-billion-naira project will be situated at the Ibigwe Oilfield in Ohaji-Egbema LGA
• Creation of Ministry of Digital Economy and E-government through the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026)
SECURITY
• Among other efforts, the government of Hope Uzodinma provided security vehicles, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to security operatives in the state.
• Provision of 100 Numbers of Innoson Hilux Vehicles for the operation of security operatives in the state
• Procurement and installation of very high frequency (VHF) radio/telecommunication equipment and other security equipment and gadgets to enhance communication and information gathering between security operatives
REVENUE AND BUDGETARY REFORMS
• The Imo State revenue has jumped by more than 100 percent under Uzodinma through meticulous and well-thought-out policies.
• Automation of all financial transactions and training of the staff of the Internal Revenue Service
• The optimization of revenue processes through the Treasury SingleAccount (TSA)
• The domestication of the Imo State Debt Management Law No. 6 of 2021 has become a great milestone for the State attracting USD 2 Million to the State as a Grant from the SFTAS/World Bank Programme.
REJUVENATION OF CIVIL SERVICE
• Digitisation of the workforce and mode of salary payments aimed at detecting and flushing out ghost workers.
• Training and retraining programmes for workers for better service delivery
• All verified Imo workers and pensioners have received their salaries and pensions up to date as the regular and full payment of salaries and pensions has become routine.
• As part of efforts to restore the psyche of the civil servants, the Governor presented official vehicles to permanent secretaries and provided free bus transportation for junior civil servants.
• The governor also restored seniority and discipline in the service and ensured that the hierarchy and reporting line in the service is respected.
• Uzodimma’s Promise To IMOLITES. (Next four years)
For Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imolites remain the pillars of support for the developmental journey of his administration in the last four years. He believes the resilience and trust of the people of Imo State in his administration vision have been the driving force behind the progress achieved so far.
According to Gov. Uzodimma, the Next Level of Shared Prosperity, which his government aims to embark upon, will bring even greater value to our beloved state. The next four years would be a vision where each individual thrives and Imo state collectively soars to new heights.
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Promise to Imo State in the next four years is numerous. Some of the key areas that Uzodimma has promised to focus on include:
• Infrastructure Development: Uzodimma has promised to prioritize the development of infrastructure in Imo State, including roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities.
• Job Creation and Youth Empowerment: He aims to create employment opportunities for the youth by attracting investments and promoting entrepreneurship. Uzodimma plans to establish more skill acquisition centres and provide training programs to empower the youth.
• Agriculture and Food Security: Uzodimma has expressed his commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector in Imo State. He plans to support farmers, provide them with modern farming techniques, and improve access to credit and markets.
• Education and Healthcare: The Governor has promised to improve the quality of education in Imo State by upgrading schools, providing necessary infrastructure, and supporting the training and welfare of teachers. He also plans to enhance healthcare services, upgrade hospitals, and ensure accessible healthcare for all.
• Security and Good Governance: Uzodimma aims to improve security in Imo State by partnering with law enforcement agencies, investing in security infrastructure, and implementing policies to curb crime. He also promises to run a transparent and accountable government.
Politics
Pro-Tinubu Group Demands Sack of Badaru, Other Ministers Who Lost Polling Units in Bye-Elections
Pro-Tinubu Group Demands Sack of Badaru, Other Ministers Who Lost Polling Units in Bye-Elections
The Asiwaju Network has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately disengage underperforming ministers who failed to deliver their polling units and wards during the just-concluded bye-elections.
The group also urged a cabinet reshuffle to inject fresh energy and ensure that only those who can add political and governance value remain in the Federal Executive Council.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by its president, Alhaji Musa Ibrahim Dandoka, the Asiwaju Network said the results of the elections were a litmus test that exposed the political weaknesses of some ministers entrusted with strategic national assignments.
At Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School in Jigawa State, where the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, cast his vote, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 308 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), which managed only 112.
Badaru, a former governor of Jigawa and APC chieftain, left the venue without addressing journalists after casting his vote amid heavy security presence.
Dandoka said it was troubling that, despite his high office, the Defence Minister could not secure victory in his polling unit.
He argued that such political setbacks undermine the strength of the APC and the credibility of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope government.
“This defeat is both embarrassing and unacceptable. A minister who cannot win his polling unit cannot claim to possess the political capital required to defend the APC or promote the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. President Tinubu must act quickly to weed out weak links in his cabinet and replace them with men and women who have proven grassroots capacity,” Dandoka stated.
The group noted that Badaru was not alone in this failure, stressing that another minister from Jigawa and one from Enugu State also lost their wards and polling units.
According to the group, these developments point to a worrying trend of disconnect between certain ministers and their political bases.
“Ministers are not merely technocrats. They are political leaders of the party in their states and zones. If they cannot hold their homes together, then they do not deserve to hold on to strategic national offices. The bye-elections have sent a clear message, and it is that some ministers have lost relevance and electoral value,” the statement reads.
The Asiwaju Network maintained that the APC’s strength lies in grassroots mobilisation, and any minister unable to inspire loyalty within his immediate constituency is a liability.
Dandoka emphasised that President Tinubu’s success in governance must be matched with political consolidation, which requires capable and electorally grounded cabinet members.
“President Tinubu has been bold with tough decisions on subsidy reforms, the economy, and security. Nigerians are beginning to see the fruits of those reforms. But he must also be bold enough to reshuffle his cabinet. A government of results cannot afford ministers who are passengers. The President needs proven drivers of the Renewed Hope vision,” Dandoka said.
The group also commended loyal APC members and supporters who defied intimidation and attempts at rigging in Jigawa and Enugu, saying their resilience was the true strength of the ruling party.
“These members stood firm when those at the top failed to inspire confidence. They turned out in their numbers to defend the APC’s relevance even when some of their supposed leaders abandoned them. These grassroots soldiers of democracy must never be taken for granted,” Dandoka added.
The Asiwaju Network further urged President Tinubu to take the bye-election results as a warning, cautioning that retaining non-performing ministers would embolden the opposition and demoralise party loyalists.
“The message from Jigawa and Enugu is clear: the APC cannot continue to reward failure. A minister who cannot secure a few streets in his ward has no business in the Federal Executive Council. Mr President must urgently rejig his cabinet or risk carrying dead weight into future electoral contests,” the coalition warned.
Reaffirming the group’s loyalty to Tinubu’s leadership, Dandoka said Nigerians expect a government that rewards competence and accountability, not excuses and political failures.
“President Tinubu has the people’s mandate. He must not allow weak ministers to drag down his vision. A decisive cabinet reshuffle now will send a strong signal that the Renewed Hope government is serious about performance, delivery, and results,” he declared.
Customs at the Crossroads: When Lawmakers Look Away and the Executive Looks Aside
By Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi
In a democracy, legislative oversight is the scalpel that cuts through deceit, inefficiency, and corruption in public institutions. It is the people’s last institutional shield against abuse of power. But what happens when that shield becomes a shelter for the very rot it is meant to expose? And what happens when the Executive arm, whose duty is to supervise its agencies, pretends not to see?
The unfolding drama between the National Assembly and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reveals more than a policy dispute. It exposes a dangerous triangle of confusion, complicity, and economic sabotage. At stake is not only the rule of law but the survival of an economy already gasping under inflation, a weak naira, and suffocating costs of living.
The House Talks Tough
In June 2025, Nigerians saw a glimpse of legislative courage when the House of Representatives Committee thundered at Customs:
> “Nigerian Customs Service, by June 30, must not collect CISS again. You are to collect only your 4% FOB assigned by the President. Even the 7% cost of collection you currently take is illegal—it was an executive fiat of the military, not democratic law. Any attempt to continue these illegal collections will be challenged in court. The ‘I’s have it.”
The voice was firm, the ruling decisive. Nigerians expected a turning point.
But the righteous thunder of the House was quickly muffled by the Senate’s softer tone, which suggested not the enforcement of the law but a readiness to bend it.
Senate: Oversight or Escape Route?
At a Senate Customs Committee session, Senator Ade Fadahunsi admitted openly that Customs has been operating illegally since June 2023. Yet rather than demand an end to illegality, he extended a lifeline to Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi:
> “If we come back to the same source… the two houses will sit together and see to your amendment so you will not be walking on a tight rope.”
But should Adeniyi be handed a loose rope while Nigeria’s economy hangs by a thread?
Instead of accountability, the Senate Customs Committee floated adjustments that would make life easier for Customs. The nation was given hints about fraudulent insurance and freight data, but instead of sanctions, what we saw was a search for escape routes. This is not oversight—it is overlook.
Smuggling and Excuses
The Senate Committee also lamented cross-border smuggling—Nigerian goods like cement flooding Cotonou, Togo, and Ghana at cheaper prices than in Nigeria. Senator Fadahunsi blamed the Central Bank’s 2% value deposit for encouraging the practice.
But where are the Senate’s enforcement actions—compliance checks, stiffer sanctions, cross-border coordination? None. The result is predictable: smugglers prosper, reserves bleed, and ordinary Nigerians pay more for less.
A Bloated Customs Budget
The Service’s 2024 capital allocation ballooned to ₦1.1 trillion from ₦706 billion. Instead of channeling these resources into modern trade systems, Customs is expanding empires of frivolity—such as proposing a new university despite already having training facilities in Gwagwalada and Ikeja that could easily be upgraded.
Oversight is not an afterthought; it is the legislature’s constitutional duty. To see waste and illegality and yet propose amendments that would legalise them is to turn oversight into overlook.
Customs has about 16,000 staff, yet many remain poorly trained. Rather than prioritise capacity building, the Service is busy building staff estates in odd locations. How does Modakeke—an inland town with no border post—end up with massive Customs housing projects, while strategic border towns like Badagry, Idiroko, and Saki remain neglected? Is Bashir Adeniyi Comptroller-General of Customs—or Minister of Housing?
The 4% FOB Levy: A Policy Blunder
The central controversy is the Federal Government’s plan to replace existing port charges with a new 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) levy on imports.
Nigeria is an import-dependent nation. This levy will instantly hike the costs of cars, spare parts, machinery, and raw materials—crippling industries and punishing consumers.
Already, the consequences are biting:
A 2006 Toyota Corolla now costs between ₦6–9 million.
Clearing agents who once paid ₦215,000 for license renewal must now cough out ₦4 million.
New freight forwarder licenses have jumped from ₦600,000 to ₦10 million.
Customs claims the revenue is needed for its modernisation programme, anchored on a software platform called B’Odogwu. But stakeholders describe this so-called “Odogwu” as epileptic—if not comatose. Why commit trillions to a ghost programme that will be obsolete by January 2026, when the Nigerian Revenue Service is set to take over Customs collections?
Industry Raises the Alarm
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the levy will worsen inflation, disrupt supply chains, and hurt productivity.
Lucky Amiwero, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, calls the levy “economically dangerous.” His reasoning is straightforward:
The 4% FOB levy is much higher than the 1% CISS it replaces.
Peer countries like Ghana maintain just 1%.
The new levy will fuel inflation, raise the landed costs of goods, and destabilise the naira.
He also revealed that the Customs Modernisation Act, which introduced the levy, was passed without Senate scrutiny or meaningful stakeholder consultation. He estimates that the levy could add ₦3–4 trillion annually to freight costs—burdens that will be transferred directly to consumers.
Who Is Behind the “Odogwu” Masquerade?
The haste to enforce this levy, despite its looming redundancy, raises disturbing questions. Who benefits from the “Odogwu” project draining trillions? Why the rush, when NRS will take over collections in a few months?
This masquerade must be unmasked.
The Price Nigerians Pay
For ordinary Nigerians, this policy translates into one thing: higher prices. Cars, manufactured goods, and spare parts are spiraling beyond reach. A nation struggling with inflation, unemployment, and a weak currency cannot afford such reckless experiments.
So, while the Senate looks away, the Executive cannot look aside.
The Executive Cannot Escape Blame.
It is easy to focus on the failings of the legislature. But we must not forget: the Customs Service is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Finance, under the direct supervision of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.
If Customs is breaking the law, wasting resources, or implementing anti-people policies, the buck stops at the Executive’s table. The Minister of Finance is Chairman of the Customs Board. To fold his hands while the Service operates in illegality is to abdicate responsibility.
History gives us a model. In 1999, the Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman, was specifically assigned to supervise Customs and report directly to the President. Meanwhile, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala focused on broader fiscal and economic policies. That division of responsibility improved accountability. Today, the absence of such an arrangement is feeding impunity.
President Tinubu and his Finance Minister must act decisively. Oversight without executive will is a dead letter.
A Call to Accountability
The truth is stark:
Customs has been operating illegally since June 2023 to the Senate’s own confession.
The 4% FOB levy will deepen inflation and worsen economic hardship.
The Ministry of Finance bears ultimate responsibility for Customs’ conduct.
Until importing and consuming, Nigerians demand accountability—of the Comptroller-General, the Senate, and above all, the Finance Ministry—this bleeding will continue.
Nigerians deserve better. They deserve a Customs Service that serves the nation, not a privileged few. They deserve a House that enforces its resolutions, not one that grandstands. They deserve a Senate that upholds the law, not one that bends it. And above all, they deserve an Executive that does not look aside while illegality thrives under its ministry.
Only public pressure can end this indulgence. If Nigerians keep silent, we will keep paying the price—in higher costs, weaker currency, and a sabotaged economy.
Citizens’ Charge: Silence is Not an Option
Fellow Nigerians, the Customs crisis is not a drama for the pages of newspapers—it is a burden on our pockets, our businesses, and our children’s future. Every illegal levy is a tax on the poor. Every abandoned oversight is an open invitation to corruption. Every silence from the Executive is an approval of impunity.
We cannot afford to fold our arms. Democracy gives us the power of voice, the duty of vigilance, and the right to demand accountability. Let us demand that:
The Senate and House of Representatives stop playing good cop, bad cop, and enforce the law without compromise.
The Ministry of Finance takes full responsibility for the Customs Service, supervising it in the interest of Nigerians, not vested interests.
The President intervenes now, before the Service crosses the dangerous line of turning illegality into policy.
History will not forgive a people who suffered in silence when their economy was bled by recklessness. Silence is complicity. The time to speak, to write, to petition, to protest, and to demand is now.
Customs must serve Nigeria—not sabotage it.
Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also the President of Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the CEO, Masterbuilder Communications.
Email:[email protected]
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Aare Adetola Emmanuel King Congratulates Hon. Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji on Election Victory
The Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuel King KOF, has congratulated Hon. Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji on her resounding victory in the just-concluded by-election for the Remo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
In a goodwill message issued by him, he described the victory as “a historic moment for the Remo people, coming at a time when the constituency yearns for a leader with vision, courage, and genuine commitment to service.”
He noted that the outcome of the election was an attestation to the trust and confidence reposed in Hon. Ayoola-Elegbeji by the people, adding that her sterling qualities, integrity, accessibility, and compassion for the grassroots had endeared her to the electorate.
“The overwhelming support you garnered at the polls is proof that you are the right voice at the right time to carry the aspirations of Remo to the national stage,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the by-election followed the painful demise of the late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (Ijaya), Aare Adetola Emmanuel King said Hon. Ayoola-Elegbeji’s emergence symbolizes the continuity of purposeful representation. He expressed confidence that she would not only sustain the legacy of her predecessor but also surpass it with new energy, innovative ideas, and progressive leadership.
The Adron Group Chairman further prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and compassion for the Member-Elect as she assumes office, expressing confidence that her tenure will usher in meaningful development, economic empowerment, and greater opportunities for the people of Remo Federal Constituency.
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