Systems & Society

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Columns on Nigerian institutions, infrastructure, democracy, energy and government.

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24 essays

Economy

Can Tinubu explain why Nigerian cement is cheaper abroad than at home?

DOES President Bola Tinubu know that Alhaji Aliko Dangote says the cement he exports from Nigeria is cheaper than the cement he sells to Nigerians at home? If he does, has anyone in his government satisfactorily explained to him why? We, the people, demand an explanation. These questions have become necessary following disturbing findings by […]

Energy

Projects are not a power system: Is Minister Tegbe confused?

LAST week, I intended to discuss how record-breaking heatwaves are increasing demand for cooling, prompting the International Energy Agency (IEA) to warn of mounting pressure on electricity systems. Nigeria must treat grid restructuring and coordinated distributed energy systems as national priorities for affordable electricity, industrialisation and economic development. The question is: what electricity system should […]

Constitution

Should the NBA continue to monopolise the administration of justice?

MY original intention this week was to discuss a different subject. Record-breaking heatwaves are increasing demand for cooling, prompting the International Energy Agency (IEA) to warn of mounting pressure on electricity systems. I intended to argue that Nigeria must urgently treat grid restructuring and coordinated distributed energy systems as national priorities for affordable electricity, cooling, […]

Constitution

The N/Assembly must get the NYSC reform right

THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established by Decree No. 24 of 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War as an instrument of national reconciliation and integration. Today, the Scheme derives its legal authority from the National Youth Service Corps Act (Cap. N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), a statute […]

Economy

From oil producer to energy state: What the IEA means for Nigeria

ON July 2, 2026, the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (IEA) unanimously admitted Nigeria as an Association country, bringing Africa’s most populous nation into the “IEA Family”. The agency described the decision as “a major advance for global energy governance”, expanding a partnership that now represents more than 80 per cent of global […]