News
CPPE Estimates War In Niger ‘ll Cost Nigeria $2bn annually, Citing ECOMOG
CENTRE For The Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has estimated that war against military junta in Niger Republic to restore constitutional democracy in that country would cost Nigeria a minimum of $2 billion annually.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, the CEO of
the Lagos- based CPPE (an economic pressure group), therefore, called on the ECOWAS leaders headed by Nigeria ‘s President Bola Tinubu, to contemplate the colossal effects military intervention would have on countries of the sub region and their citizens.
He said that the financial cost of a military campaign could be quite staggering and unpredictable.
Profiles of Nigeria Military Operations In ECOWAS
” There are valuable lessons to learn from the Nigeria’s military operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone over two decades ago.
Nigeria was the arrow head of the then Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group [ECOMOG], the intervention force at the time.
We lost over 500 soldiers during the Liberia war with hundreds sustaining various degrees of injuries. The war became protracted, lasting for about 7 years, [1990 to 1998].
At the peak of the war, there were 16,000 ECOMOG troops in Liberia, 80% of them were Nigerian troops. The cost to Nigeria of the Liberia war was an estimated $8 billion dollars.
Shortly after the Liberia military operation, Nigeria led another military intervention in Sierra Leone to restore democracy in that country following the coup that toppled the then democratically elected President, Tejan Kabbah.
The story of Nigeria’s military campaign in Sierra Leone was not different.
Nigeria spent over $4 billion and lost about 700 soldiers. The war lasted about five years from 1998 to 2002.
The lesson here is that the cost of military interventions can be very prohibitive.
Similar military operation at this time may cost considerably higher, given the inflationary trend over the past 25 years.
At the very minimum it would cost Nigeria a minimum of $2 billion annually to prosecute a military operation in Niger, taking into account the prevailing geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel.
It will be difficult to accommodate such huge financial commitment at this time without putting a serious strain on our fiscal operations and foreign reserves.
With the benefit of hindsight, it is doubtful whether Nigeria got any significant benefit from the military interventions in both Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Yet the operation was a huge financial burden on Nigeria.
The costs to Nigeria were colossal. Military spending in a war situation is largely in foreign currency.
It could therefore be a major drain on the Nigeria’s reserves.
The loss of lives was also a tragic outcome of the war.
At the end, there was no concrete benefit for Nigeria for expending so much of its financial and human resources,” he said.
News
Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife
Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.
A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.
Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.
The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.
News
Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day on January 15
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
Previously known as ‘Armed Forces Remembrance Day‘, the name has been officially changed to ‘Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.’
The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.
“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity as well as the lives and properties of its citizens.
He urged the media to adopt “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day” in all their future reportage.
“The AFN once again appreciates the media’s unwavering support in the fight against insecurity and looks forward to even stronger collaboration ahead, he said.
News
Farouk Ahmed: Dangote Takes Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss to EFCC
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
- • Aliko Dangote and Farouk Ahmed when the going was good.
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This move follows the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624)337.”
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, “…to investigate the complaint of Abuse of Office and Corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”
The petition also stated that: “The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”
The development reinforces Dangote’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator is living far beyond his legitimate means.
According to Dangote, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland, incurring costs running into several millions of dollars—an expenditure that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum industry.
Dangote listed the schools attended by Mr. Ahmed’s children: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School), noting that each child spent six years in these institutions.
He estimated annual tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000, totaling approximately $5 million for their secondary education.
Additionally, Dangote alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education for the four children, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.
“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.
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