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Nigeria pursuing climate-smart practices for food security — Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to bolster food security and reduce environmental impacts.

He said such initiatives stem Nigeria’s recognition of its responsibility to lead a just energy transition and sustainable development in Africa.

Tinubu said this during his address at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

In his 12-minute discourse titled ‘Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity, bridging Africa’s Global Energy Future,’ the President emphasised the need for international cooperation to achieve sustainable development and mitigate climate change impacts.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, President Tinubu underscored its responsibility to demonstrate leadership in addressing climate issues.

He posited, “To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate, and decide decisively to collaborate as a global community.

As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria recognizes its responsibility to demonstrate the required leadership on these matters.

“We have embraced the vision of sustainability and that alliance of global aspiration while addressing the local realities.

Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: energy transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

“In my administration, we recognise this problem. From inception, we have recognised the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable Energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth energy transition.

”Addressing the specifics of Nigeria’s energy transition plan, he stated that Nigeria is employing climate-smart agricultural practices to bolster food security while reducing environmental impacts.

“Nigeria is implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security while reducing environmental impacts.

“The government has approved several development policies, such as the national clean cooking gas policy, which aims to promote a clean energy environment and its benefit and socioeconomic development in our region,” said Tinubu.

He opined that adopting modern, eco-friendly agricultural techniques is essential for protecting local communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

Describing these measures as pillars of Nigeria’s sustainable development strategy, he stressed that the country’s path forward involves responsibly reducing carbon emissions while advancing economic growth and ensuring social equity.

Like many nations, he said Nigeria is diversifying its energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

This transition to cleaner alternatives anchors the country’s national development strategy and aligns with a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

Nigeria is developing infrastructure for compressed natural gas and electric vehicles to support these goals. He noted that the government has also invested in responsibly exploring solid minerals and critical metals essential for advancing the green energy transition.

His words, “Dear delegates and excellencies, our energy transition plan, like many nations, is aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing our dependency on fossil fuel, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy sources as a cornerstone of our national development strategy.

“Nigeria is committed to achieving a net zero emission by 2060 in line with global climate objectives; we are developing the infrastructure to utilise compressed natural gas and electric vehicles.

”He said development policies, such as the National Clean Cooking Gas Policy, are designed to promote clean energy, environmental benefits, and socioeconomic development in the region.

Emphasising inclusivity, he highlighted efforts to ensure policies promote equity and social justice, leaving no one behind.

The President also acknowledged Nigeria’s environmental challenges—including deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, pollution, and other harmful consequences of climate change—and cited the shrinking Lake Chad as a stark example.

“Lake Chad continues to shrink every year, and the livelihood of people continues to be threatened. Our government is working with local communities to implement solutions to get these effects and help us build resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

“For resources to promote a green economy in Africa, we must focus on integrating sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy.

“These investments are capital intensive in nature, and they required international support from partner countries, including national organisations, developmental partners, and individuals who shared our vision of a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future must be included,” said Tinubu.

President Tinubu also noted that Nigeria became the first African country to fund green projects through Sovereign Green Bond issuances—its third issuance is underway—and he invited investors to collaborate further.

He explained, “Nigeria became the first country in Africa to initiate funding for green projects through green bond proceeds, the third issuance of which is currently in progress; we urge investors to partner with us.

“In this regard, our government remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and harnessing technology and innovation is key to driving sustainable development.

”The President emphasised that technological innovation is vital for advancing sustainable development, citing Nigeria’s growing adoption of new technologies in clean energy, water conservation, land restoration, waste management, and the circular economy.

“We agree that Nigeria is increasingly embracing new technologies like clean energy, water, conservation, land and forest restoration, waste management, and circular economy.

“We partner with global leaders and are harnessing the power of technology. We are finding new and innovative ways to address our environmental challenges.

“We have arable agricultural lands for advanced technological farming, including the brighter future for artificial intelligence,” the Nigerian leader noted.

Through global partnerships and the strategic use of technology, he said Nigeria seeks innovative ways to address environmental challenges and secure a brighter future, including AI-driven agricultural practices.

On global collaboration, he reminded attendees that environmental challenges are shared worldwide.

Practical solutions, he argued, require collective action grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision of the future.

Nigeria believes sustainable development is not merely a domestic challenge but a global imperative.

Tinubu urged the international community to strengthen cooperation at regional and global levels to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and lessen the impact of climate change.

In closing, President Tinubu reflected on the lasting impression of the children who, on the first day of the event, waved the UAE flag in a call for all to protect the planet for future generations.

He expressed hope that this image would serve as a reminder of the responsibility to build a sustainable world for the children and generations yet to come.

The Nigerian leader also expressed profound gratitude to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the invitation to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The meeting drew world leaders together to collectively exchange views and perspectives on addressing global challenges.

Aside from President Tinubu, other leaders attending the summit are Italian Prime Minister Georgia Melon; President of Rwanda Paul Kagame; Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim; Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon; and Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, among others.

Business

PoS agents, operators worrying over new CBN policy

Today, there are over 3 million PoS terminals in circulation, and about two million active agents. Many of these agents operate multiple terminals from different service providers to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. The new exclusivity rule will destroy that balance.”

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The National President of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents of Nigeria, Fasasi Sharafadeen, says that the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria on agent banking will likely put 40 percent Point-of-Sale operators out of business.

The CBN released recently a new operational guidelines for agent banking, which pegged the daily cumulative transactions per PoS agent at N1.2 million.

The CBN warned that any agent found using non-designated accounts for operations would be in violation of the regulation and would face sanctions.

Agents involved in misconduct or fraud will be blacklisted or have their agreements terminated.

The framework further limits individual customer transactions to N100,000 daily, while agent devices must be geo-fenced to prevent unauthorised mobile use.

The CBN announced that implementation of the new agent location and exclusivity rules would begin on April 1, 2026.

Reacting, Sharafadeen, said that one of the most worrying aspects of the policy is the introduction of exclusivity, which restricts agents to operate under only one principal or service provider.

He explained that this move would not only reduce the income of PoS agents but also drive many out of business due to the loss of flexibility and customer trust that currently

He emphasised that the introduction of exclusivity, which restricts agents to operate under only one principal or service provider would not only reduce the income of PoS agents but also drive many out of business due to the loss of flexibility and customer trust that currently defines agency banking operations.

“Today, there are over 3 million PoS terminals in circulation, and about two million active agents. Many of these agents operate multiple terminals from different service providers to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. The new exclusivity rule will destroy that balance.”

He added that PoS operators usually relied on multiple platforms to ensure steady transactions when one network fails.

“Some agents choose a particular provider because of incentives like free bank transfers, while they use another provider that is faster in withdrawals,” he explained.

This mix guarantees customer experience because even when one service is down, they can still serve their customers through another provider.

”The association president noted that the CBN’s argument for introducing exclusivity to enable easier monitoring and sanctioning of providers in cases of fraud, overlooks the realities of informal sector operations.

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Forex Trading: Ventezo Winds Up, Blocks Nigerian Clients’ Withdrawals

Last year, many traders from the Philippines and Iran reported issues related to fund withdrawals and poor customer service.

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Cover image: Naira to Dollar

Seychelles-based Ventezo, a forex market trading broker, has ceased its operations, resulting in financial losses for Nigerian clients.

Last year, many traders from the Philippines and Iran reported issues related to fund withdrawals and poor customer service.

“My trading broker, Ventezo, folded up with $1,500 (about N3 million) with them over two months.

Now, we never hear from them.

“They keep promising that they will refund Nigerian clients, but till now, I have never seen anything,” lamented one of its dealers.

Background checks by this Reporter reveal that Ventezo is an electronic communication network (ECN) forex broker offering online trading services in currencies, oil, precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Established in 2021, Ventezo is registered with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority (SVG FSA).

According to Wikibit, although Ventezo claims to have a team of experienced traders and financial professionals, there is a lack of transparency surrounding its ownership and management structure.

The company’s official website (currently offline), provides minimal information about its founders or key personnel, which is a common trait among potentially fraudulent brokers.

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“Nigeria Is Bigger Than PENGASSAN, Any Trade Union – Shettima

Shettima stated this in Abuja on Monday during the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31), themed: “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030”.

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•Vice President Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima says that Nigeria is bigger than any trade union.

Shettima stated this in Abuja on Monday during the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31), themed: “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030”.

Shettima’s comment comes on the heels of the industrial action by oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over a dispute with the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery.

While stating that Dangote Refinery must be protected at all costs, he added that the $20 billion facility is a national asset that must be supported to function.

He said, “Aliko Dangote is not an individual, he’s an institution, and he’s a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament.

And how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now.

“But he opted to invest in his country, and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and protect the interests of this great Nigeria.

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