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Why I Won’t Interfere In Anti-Graft Agencies’ Operations — Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, said since assuming office he has made deliberate efforts to tackle corruption by funding the anti-graft agencies and not interfering in their activities.
Tinubu described corruption as one of the most significant obstacles to the country’s progress, saying all hands must be on deck to confront it.
Represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the President spoke in Abuja at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-corruption Institutions in West Africa.
He said, “Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of our nations.
“It undermines the very fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes equitable distribution of resources. As leaders, we are all responsible for confronting this challenge head-on with unwavering resolve and concerted actions. We have worked hard over the past year to strengthen all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria by not interfering in their activities and ensuring that they are equitably funded.”
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of the Economic Community of West African States, called on ECOWAS countries to harmonise their legal frameworks and strengthen the independence and capacity of anti-corruption institutions, among others.
Tinubu said, “Let us move beyond rhetoric and focus on concrete actions that will harmonise our legal frameworks to close loopholes exploited by corrupt individuals. Enhance cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery. Invest in innovative technologies to detect and prevent corrupt practices.
“Promote transparency in public procurement and resource management. Engage civil society and the media as partners in our anti-corruption efforts. And sixth, strengthen the independence and capacity of our national anti-corruption institutions.”
In his presentation, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affair, Yusuf Tuggar, said African countries lose an estimated $8.6bn yearly to illicit financial flows.
Stating the disadvantage of illicit financial flows, the minister noted that it weakens economies, deprives governments of essential revenue, and causes poverty.
Tuggar said, “On a continental level, the menace of corruption is intimately tied to illicit financial flows, which siphon billions of dollars from Africa every year. The continent loses an estimated $8.6bn annually to illicit financial flows, equivalent to around three per cent of Africa’s GDP.
“These funds, often hidden in tax havens and opaque financial systems, represent stolen resources that could have been used to build schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure. Illicit financial flows weaken our economies, deprive governments of essential revenue, and deepen the cycle of poverty and suffering. The link between illicit funds and insecurity is clear.”
Tuggar said regional cooperation alone was not enough to curb illicit financial flows on the continent.
He stressed that the international community must support Africa’s efforts by ensuring transparency in local financial systems and ending the provision of safe havens for illicit funds.
Tuggar said, “The global nature of financial systems means that the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows must also be pursued at the global level.
“The United Nations Resolution on Tax Cooperation, championed by Nigeria on behalf of the African group, is a landmark initiative calling on countries to work together to improve international tax cooperation, greater transparency, and the elimination of safe havens that allow for the squirrelling away of ill-gotten gains.
“Paying local taxes and tackling the transfer price system that multinationals use to evade them requires a global consensus. The international community must support Africa’s efforts by ensuring that local financial systems are transparent.
“It must stop providing safe havens for ill-gotten funds. This requires a commitment from all nations, particularly those that host financial centres.”
Tuggar also called on the international community to strengthen partnerships with Nigeria and other African countries to ensure that national resources are returned to their rightful jurisdictions.
“Better cooperation would allow for stolen crude oil to be tracked and shut down from the City of London, home of Lloyd’s Insurance and Lloyd’s Shipping Register. This is where we desperately need the application of advanced technology in AI and blockchains rather than in weapons and kinetic approaches,“ he added.
Tuggar also called for the consideration of countries’ peculiarities while coming up with universal laws.
He said, “Regrettably, international law has focused more on African countries than others.
“A case in point is the International Criminal Court. Universal laws should take the idiosyncrasies of both Global North and Global South nations into consideration so that laws are made not to criminalise but rather to create economic incentives. The weaponisation of the global financial system would only result in more conflicts.”
The minister stated that the framing of some of the criteria for measuring corruption and money laundering must be challenged.
“The formalised economies of the Global North seemingly get away with more infractions and pay their way out of trouble, while developing countries with sizable informal economies suffer the consequences of great disdain for infractions that cause less harm to the global financial system,” he added.
Tuggar advised developing nations to be concerned about the activities of cryptocurrency raiders.
He said Nigeria suffered from the exploit of Binance and the use of cryptocurrency to manipulate the naira’s exchange rates.
Tuggar said, “The activities of exogenous cryptocurrency raiders that target local currencies of developing nations should become more of a collective concern.
“Specifically, Nigeria has suffered from the exploits of Binance and the use of cryptocurrency to manipulate the Naira’s exchange rates. This sought to undermine the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s macroeconomic reforms, translating to real-life consequences and further delaying the attainment of SDG goals.
“Those with proceeds of corruption tend to use illegal currency exchanges such as Binance to launder their proceeds by paying a higher premium to the detriment of the value of the Naira.
“Nigerian authorities have taken action against Binance through the judicial system and due process of law, just as U.S. authorities did when they fined Binance over $4bn in 2023. The fight against corruption is not an option, it is a necessity. It is a fight for the soul of our continent and the future of our children.”
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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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