Business
OGUN: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION AND IGR By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
Democracy in Nigeria today, is no longer peoples oriented as opined by the progenitors of this concept; rather, what we have now is AUTOCRACY where only the few enjoy the dividends through the workforce of the majority and amass wealth for their selfish interest and personal gain.
Few months back, there was much ado about the establishment of additional 37 LCDAs by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State as the development was greeted with mixed reactions.
While many argued that, the establishment of such would only further impoverish the state owing to the fact that the existing 20 Local Government Authority were inadequately funded, government hinged its claim on bringing development to the grassroot.
Though, the intention of Governor Amosun was political, but of course, bringing government to the doorstep of the people will aid development, no doubt about that, our fear of the LCDAs is inadequate funding in this situation that the state government has taken over the Local Government account all in the name of Single Treasury Joint Account. I make bold to say that, such move was a ruse and will only hamper the activities of the Local government.
A local government is a local administration under which local communities are organized to maintain law and order. It is also defined as a non-self governing body set up by an act of Parliament, a decree, or by the Constitution to administer a territory or a political entity for the benefit of a stronger government which normally cannot or does not want to rule the area directly.
Local Governments have been described as “the strength of free nations” because of their effective control of Local affairs for the good of all.
Local Government in traditional Nigerian political systems was established through the instrumentalities of traditional authorities. These were Emirs, Obas, Chiefs, Age-grades and Council of elders. It was the societal interaction of these traditional political institutions that authoritative allocation of values were made for the society. With the advent of British colonial rule in Nigeria, the chieftaincy institutions were involved in the system of Local government called the indirect rule.
Indirect rule is a system of government in which the British ruled the people through traditional rulers according to the native laws and customs. When the indirect rule collapsed due to the Aba women riot in 1929, local government after the civil war underwent reforms in Nigeria.
The Eastern (East Central and South-eastern states) and Mid-Western states adopted a one-tier local government system called Divisional Councils. In the local divisions, emphasis was placed on decentralization, democratization, efficiency and effectiveness of the councils.
However, as the Federal military government prepared to hand over power to civilians, it reformed the local government system throughout the country in 1976. It recognized local governments as the third tier of government.
The 1976 reform was intended to stimulate democratic self-government and to encourage initiative and leadership potential and enshrine the principle of political responsibility. But today in Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration doesn’t give a damn to the existence of Local government authority.
Instead of empowering the 20 local governments with their respective allocations to effectively discharge its obligation to the people, the APC administration in Ogun State has crippled the LG with inadequate fund, but created additional 37 LCDAs to serve his selfish objectives.
With such inappropriate establishment, one begin to wonder how the governor will finance them considering the low income of Federal allocation for local government.
Even in the face of the global economy doldrums which Nigeria is not an exception to, definitely such effect will take its toll on federal allocation to State governments down to local government, that is why local government administrators have been constitutionally empowered to generate revenue to execute its projects.
Local governments in Nigeria derive their revenue from internally generated revenue, statutory allocation from states, constitutional allocation from the federal government account, grants, donations and advances from banks.
Part of the internally generated revenue of the local government include; rates imposed on the use of specific items whether individually or government owned. These rates include water rate, tenement rate, capitation rate and motorcycle rate.
Another means of generating fund by the local government to remain independent is motor Park and stallage fees. Others include, registration of births, marriages, deaths and house numbering. But today, Governor Amosun in his megalomania style of leadership overthrew the responsibility of the local government and rendered them stagnant and under performing
The motor Park fees is now being collected by the governor’s political thug, Mr. Akeem Adeosun a.k.a Jango, while house numbering and signages fee collection is now being handled by a private agency connected to the governor.
Little wonder the rural settlers are deprived of the basic amenities expected from the local government such as, road maintenance, refuse clearing, provision of portable water like borehole, environmental sanitation, public enlightenment on new government policies, provision of health facilities, job creation, provision of primary education among others.
Infact, allocation from both federal government account and state government as approved by the State House of Assembly are now allegedly being controlled by Mr. Governor himself.
Though, one valid claim from one of the Governor’s aides was that, there were allegations and counter allegations on the local government leadership ranging from financial misappropriation, under performance and financial embezzlement, but one critical question the good people of Ogun State should ask Mr. Governor or any of his spokespersons is that, why is it that the Federal government has not taken over the affairs of the state despite allegations of corruption, misplaced priority projects? Why is Ogun State Government taking over LG activities in Ogun?
Another heart pondering issue on the shredded part of the LG is the issue of local government elections. One of the basic features of the 1976 local government reform in Nigeria is tenure of office.
The local government councilors are to be elected on a three-year basis. The normal life of a local government Council is also three years, although, the governor of a state could order the dissolution of the council if found incapable of discharging its functions effectively. The Governor may appoint a caretaker committee pending a fresh election. But after one year in office and the dissolution of the local government caretaker committee across the 20 functional Council areas, no plan as it is by the state government to conduct an election into the council areas.
The Governor’s decision of not conducting local government election in the state maybe connected to public outcry over the failed promises and hardship inflicted on the people by the APC government in the state, hence, the fear of losing the council areas to oppositions in the state remain the beginning of wisdom for the governor.
However, the constitution remains the grundnom for governance in Nigeria, and many informed political analysts are of the opinion that the Governor Ibikunle Amosu led regime cannot afford to run foul of constitutional provisions on tenure of caretaker executives at the local government and as such must prepare to hold elections soonest in consonance with extant constitutional provisions.
GTCO Launches “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, Opens Call for Applications
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has announced the launch of “Take on Squad” Hackathon 3.0, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
Now in its third edition, the Hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion. Under the theme “Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy,” participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
Applications are now open, and interested teams can find full guidelines and registration details on the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
Speaking on the initiative, Eduophon Japhet, Managing Director of HabariPay, stated: “Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve. Through “Take on Squad” Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future. Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact. This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress.”
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
About HabariPay
HabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.
HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
About Squad
Squad is a complete digital payments solution that is reliable, secure, and affordable, making receiving in-person and online payments simpler and convenient.
Thousands of merchants currently leverage Squad’s payment solutions for their daily business operations. Squad’s current products and service offerings include SquadPOS, Squad Payment Links, Squad Virtual Accounts, USSD, and E-Commerce Storefront.
Find out more at www.squadco.com.
Electric 8-Seater Tula Moto Keke Enters Nigerian Market, Targets Higher Operator Earnings
LAGOS — A new electric-powered tricycle with an expanded passenger capacity has been introduced into Nigeria’s urban transport sector, offering operators a potentially more profitable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petrol-driven “keke.”
The newly launched 8-seater electric tricycle, now available in Lagos with plans for nationwide distribution, features a dual-row seating arrangement capable of accommodating up to eight passengers per trip—significantly higher than the standard three-passenger configuration common across the country.
Promoters of the innovation say the increased capacity is designed to boost daily earnings for operators, particularly amid persistent fluctuations in fuel prices. By running entirely on electric power, the vehicle eliminates dependence on petrol, reducing operating costs and shielding drivers from fuel price volatility.
According to the distributors, the tricycle is equipped with a durable battery system capable of covering extended distances on a single charge, making it suitable for commercial operations across high-traffic routes, residential estates, campuses, and marketplaces.
“The concept is straightforward—enable drivers to earn more while spending less,” a company representative stated. “With higher passenger capacity and zero fuel requirements, operators can maximise each trip without the burden of daily fuel expenses.”
Beyond its cost-saving potential, the electric keke is also said to require less maintenance than traditional models, offering additional long-term savings. Its quieter and smoother operation is expected to enhance passenger comfort and overall commuting experience.
Industry analysts note that the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects a growing shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos.
The distributors added that the product is currently available under a limited promotional offer, with delivery options across the country.
For inquiries and purchase: 📞 08153432071
📞 08035889103
Office Address:
📍 Plot 9, Block 113, Beulah Plaza,
Lekki–Epe Expressway,
Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
As transportation costs continue to rise and environmental concerns gain prominence, innovations like the electric 8-seater keke may signal an emerging transition toward more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.
Business
A Pipeline, a Licence, and a Storm Brewing: Corruption allegations Draw global oil giant, Shell, Into Nigeria’s Reform Test
*A Pipeline, a Licence, and a Storm Brewing: Corruption allegations Draw global oil giant, Shell, Into Nigeria’s Reform Test*
By Deji Johnson and Mustapha Bello
t begins with a pipeline that should have been completed by June 2026. It widens into a regulatory dispute. And it now risks becoming a defining test of Nigeria’s gas reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
At the center is a stalled 80 kilometre gas pipeline from Sagamu to Ibadan, a project backed by over 100 million dollars in investment and built on a protected Gas Distribution Licence issued under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. The licence granted NGML–NIPCO exclusive rights to distribute gas within Ibadan for 25years based on Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act.
On paper, the law is clear. On the ground, the situation is anything but.
For more than three months, construction has been halted following a stop work order issued by the Oyo State Government led by former Shell Contractor and engineer, Governor Seyi Makinde. No detailed public justification has been provided that aligns with existing federal approvals already secured for the project.
What might have remained a quiet regulatory disagreement has now escalated into something far more politically charged. How?
In recent remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is of the same political party as Governor Seyi Makinde, made a pointed allegation that has since rippled across political and industry circles. He suggested that the Governor of Oyo State and Shell were in what could be described as an “unholy alliance.”
It is a serious claim. One that, if substantiated, would raise profound questions about the intersection of corporate influence, state level action, and federal law.
Neither Shell nor the Oyo State Government has publicly responded in detail to the allegation.
But the silence is now part of the story.
*THE SHELL QUESTION*
For Shell, this moment carries particular weight.
The company has operated in Nigeria for decades, building one of its most significant global portfolios in the Niger Delta. But that history is not without controversy. From corruption claims to environmental damage claims and community disputes amongst others, Shell has faced years of litigation and, in several high profile cases, adverse rulings tied to its operations in the region.
Those cases, many adjudicated in foreign courts, have shaped a negative reputation that continues to follow the company.
Now, a new question emerges.
Is Shell once again operating at the edge of Nigeria’s regulatory framework seeking to exert undue influence in circumventing Nigeria’s petroleum laws, or firmly within it?
Industry sources including a widely reported meeting between their representatives, Oyo State Government representatives and the newly appointed midstream and downstream chief executive, indicate that engagements involving Shell and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority could enable the company to enter a gas distribution zone already licensed to another operator in breach of the PIA.
If true, the implications are immediate and far reaching.
A licence meant to protect investors and investments in Nigeria’s gas space ceases to be exclusive against the dictates of the guiding laws. A framework begins to look flexible, and a reform risks appearing reversible.
To many, it seems more than just a commercial dispute and is not just about one company versus another.
Nigeria is in the middle of an energy transition where gas is expected to play a central role in powering industries, stabilising electricity supply, and reducing reliance on expensive diesel. President Bola Tinubu has emerged as a global champion of using gas as a transition fuel in Nigeria and Africa whilst rolling out elaborate but clearly defined plans to achieve it. Yet gas availability remains inconsistent, constraining power generation and limiting industrial output.
Projects like the Sagamu to Ibadan pipeline are designed to close that gap. To halt such a project is to delay not just infrastructure, but impact. To undermine its legal basis is to question the system that enabled it and to introduce competing claims within the same licensed zone is to risk regulatory confusion at a time when clarity is most needed.
This is where the issue moves from commercial to national because at stake is not only an investment, but the credibility of the reform architecture itself.
*OYO STATE AND THE FEDERAL QUESTION*
The role of the Oyo State Government adds another layer of complexity.
Energy regulation in Nigeria, particularly in the gas sector, is governed by federal law. Yet implementation often intersects with state authority, creating spaces where jurisdiction can blur.
The stop work order issued on the pipeline has become the clearest manifestation of that tension. Was it a regulatory necessity?
A precautionary measure? Or, as alleged by Minister Wike, part of a broader alignment with external interests? Without transparency, speculation fills the vacuum and the regulator must avoid finding itself mired in such allegations.
*QUESTIONS THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY*
For Shell, the questions are now direct and unavoidable:
Is Shell, a global energy giant, seeking to operate within the Ibadan gas distribution zone already licensed to NGML–NIPCO?
What assurances, if any, has it received from regulators or state actors?
How does it reconcile such actions with the exclusivity provisions of the PIA?
For the regulator, NMDPRA:
Can a Gas Distribution Licence be effectively shared, diluted, or overridden after issuance? According to Nigerian laws, the answer is No.
What precedent does this set for Nigeria’s gas infrastructure market?
For the Oyo State Government:
On what legal grounds does the stop work order stand, given federal approvals already in place?
And how does this action align with national energy priorities or the state’s gas needs?
Nigeria has spent the last two years telling a new story to the world. A story of reform, of discipline, of a country ready to compete for global capital. And it has worked so far with stability returning to Nigeria’s economy and over $20bn of energy investments looking to enter the country in the short to midterm.
But reforms are not tested in policy papers. They are tested in moments like this.
Moments where law meets influence, investment meets interference and promise meets pressure.
For Shell, long mired in issues surrounding ethical operations in Nigeria, this is more than a business decision. It is a reputational crossroads.
For Nigeria, it is something even larger. Whether the country’s laws will hold when they are most challenged or Whether its reforms will stand when they are most inconvenient or even whether Nigeria’s energy investments future will be shaped by the rules of law, adherence to regulatory protections and provisions or by unethical and corrupt relationships.
Until those questions are answered clearly, publicly, and decisively, the pipeline in Ibadan will remain more than steel in the ground.
It will remain a symbol of a country still deciding which path it truly intends to follow. Nigeria must act quickly and decisively because the world is watching.
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