news
RDI 3 Days Summit: Research is our greatest Asset And We can generate over 10 Trillion Revenue In Nigeria, Says stakeholders
At the end of a 3- days summit coordinated by Research for Impact, Knowledge-Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD), in partnership with the West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Abuja on Wednesday, 27th of March, 2024, the discussions centred around the pivotal role of research, development, and innovation in driving economic growth and prosperity.
The Chairperson Commission of Nigerians in Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, she highlighted the importance of our human and knowledge-based resources as our Nigerian greatest assets we can proud of. To be rated above, oil is our global knowledge-based resource rooted in research and innovations. The Diaspora chairman stressed the need for effective development to grow any Nation worldwide. She stated her Ministry had embarked on a series of projects that could enhance the results of RDI, transforming our country’s competitiveness worldwide.
We have over 17 million Nigerians in Diasporas, many of whom are doing well in their chosen fields.
Dr Popoola Mustapha, the Director of RIKE SD, Research Innovation and Knowledge Education and Sustainable Development (RIKE SD), added that the 3-day Summit has generated working groups that would be reconstituted as the national research Think-Tank. The Think Tank would be looking at the Agendas of Mr President; we have 8 groups that would later go into evidence theses to come out with solutions to the problems identified in this Summit. With our Pentagonal Nexus, we would work with five actors in typical RDI systems. The Academia, Industry and Government are to start with. Now, with our plans, we are incorporating the Funders because we don’t want to start looking for Funds after planning. As we plan, they are on the table. We would make it demand-driven and be sure we have the end-users, who are the people in mind.
Results to be achieved in these efforts would form parts of 8 points achievements in office. We need a driven committee not appointed but selected based on performance. Institutionalising these platforms for state and national actors to build sustainability. On Monday, we had the presence of the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology and The Chairman of the Commission of Nigerians in Diasporas; such presence was symbolic; after pro-creation in Nigeria, we are targeting other African nations. Over 17 million Nigerians in Diasporas, many of whom work in research and development fields; when unleashed potential, we would have over 10 Trillion in new Revenue in Nigeria in terms of new Knowledge. Many of these people hold critical roles in their chosen fields of innovation globally, so they would be glad to partner with this platform. They were well-funded abroad and were looking for an opportunity to partner with Nigeria. With us is a journey and Marathon because we will be accelerating processes. In the coming days, we will move to the following levels, presenting outcomes to the President and state governors and discussing how we can tap into outcomes.
The core institutions involved, the federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Health and others, will form a committee to drive the Summit outcome to develop the Nation. Institutions to drive the policies include the Nigerian Institute of Strategy; we have only 25 Agencies represented here and a one-day session scheduled for private sector drivers in the Nation. We are not closing borders; the platform is open for other sectors’ partnerships to fulfil our aims. One thing we have done differently is have a Think-Tank committee for the first time to tackle issues in line with President Tinubu’s mandate. The Think Tank committee would help the President provide solutions to several problems. We will also co-create solutions with Diasporas to engage and tackle challenges headlong.
Professor Sulaimon Elias Bogoro,Prof.Animal science and former Executive Secretary, TETFUND, at the Summit, Affirmed the roles of TETFUND in support of Educational Research in Nigeria, which, in other words, generated needed results in innovations and advancement. He said Nigeria’s research activities have been recognised by the African research field as number 6th. At the same time, it stands number one in the country due to our levels of integrity and structures. TETFUND has partnered with other ministries, such as MOU with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Cutting-edge innovations have been achieved via this partnership.
With 17 million Nigerians in the Diaspora, we need Data to use research and development to harness growth. What we want to do with all we have learnt at this Summit will determine the outputs of our activities here. There are lots of young people globally who are using cutting-edge innovations from our country. He stresses the essentials of the department in technology in research transfer innovation. He said we will have a research and development department at the University of Ibadan dealing with innovators in Diasporas.
In confirmations of institutions in the country that had received Grants in research, he mentioned Landmark and Redeemers University as significant institutions of Research Grants, but many still need to learn. In efforts to earn support for research innovations, he cited when he visited the Minister of Health residence for close to 2 hours of discussions on research and development in health sectors and looking forward to partnering with the Ministry to boost health innovations.
The Professor of Animal Science responded to Journalists’ questions on why there had been dwindled interest in research activities that it was because it’s not an activity you embarked on that guarantees you immediate results; you can start a little research and end up spending like 500 Dollars, so most people are not encouraged to do stuff like that. But we need to start somewhere; we are all aware that every Nation making so much progress breaks out from a resources-based to a knowledge-based economy. RDI is essential to the growth of any economy.
Those in the medical industry would understand that research is critical. Those with herbs had collaborated with researchers to fine-tune their activities. A few days ago, I heard someone mention bringing Innovation to Ado Bayero University (ABU) Zaria, which is a Chikabrown country breed, and that is a great innovation. However, we are so disappointed that there is no funding for the project. At FUNAAB University, they have FUNAAB-Alpha, an entirely new breed, sometimes non-scientific and very loud; when some say everything about GMB is wrong, I say no. Does it mean cross-breeding is wrong? Cause it’s also cross-breeding. In the content of effecting a change, In the Gene content of any Animal or plant, that is innovation, as it were. The lowest level is cross-breeding; at lower levels, we have animals that are F1 and are doing well. I want to confirm that significant innovations have gone out there. Still, the biggest challenge is our inability to recognise our intellectual properties and place them where they belong. Many brilliant scientists were also not rewarded for their innovative ideas beyond the laboratory. By increasing Research Grants, we would have great intentions. Most of the time, you hear many university lecturers discussing how to receive the next salary to feed their families because their salaries are not enough to cater for them. Nigerian professors’ salaries are equivalent to 300 dollars, while South Africa’s is 3000 dollars. These are issues that distract people; if we encourage, support and fund our Best and link with Industries in how we are recognised, things will improve.
You don’t rely on foreign nations’ results because they might not be willing to sell or share with you due to economic and political policies. Then it would be best if you did thorough research yourself. You are not independent of your needs until you can produce it yourself. It’s vital to know that this Summit is, therefore, seen promptly; hence, the 8-point Renew agenda of Mr President aligns with the Summit. When Mr President was inducted as Patron of the National Science Academy, he stated that every government policy and project would be subjected to scientific evaluations. Then, we can be sure that the outcome will last for the Nation.
AVM Jomo Osahon,Former Director General of the Defence Research Production Bureau, added his voice that there are many Military innovative activities that go unnoticed by the populace. He cited Instances of Lake Chad water that keep going down speedily, so people cannot navigate effectively on the water.
We met and discussed that we needed not just a flat boat but a unique boat that could go through marshy, mud or even shallow water, and I was tasked by the Air Chief Defence Staff to develop an Airboat innovation. It has been there, but the one we have is a unique one that would provide some level of protection for our soldiers and would also be a firepower that has never existed. We could design a boat in partnership with a company in Port-Harcourt to produce a prototype. The former President Buhari was excited to see it and commissioned us to produce 10 more. Let me tell you something unique that happened. At a military conference, some nations supporting us in the battle against insurgencies told us they learnt our Research and development department had produced an Airboat; they requested 100 pieces of them, or else they wouldn’t support us in battle anymore. This request falls on when the former President asked us to produce more. He asked for the time frame for production, and we told him soon; he approved and mobilised us with 50 per cent of the funds requested. So, innovations are happening in the country. Some of us must have heard of some aircraft bought by former president Goodluck Jonathan; those planes were not weaponised; we reached out to Germany, and those planes were Alfa jets, built by Germany and France. They requested 40 million Dollars for women’s evaluation alone. Some say it’s not possible to be weaponised. I travelled to Kainji with some of my engineering team and came up with the idea that we could do it. We developed a kind of Schematic drawing and computerised it so that when a particular bottom is pressed, you can imagine what the final outcome would be; we made a presentation to Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, who’s passionate about research and development in the Military, who he was so impressed and gave us go ahead. We bring the product out and comment somewhere like, this man, you have been given Vice Marshall already; what are you still looking for? Do you want to become the Chief or what?
The Germans said it was impossible, but you and your team have done it. As soon as we were mobilised, we had to come up with many models. They were tested and commissioned with only 5 Million Naira to weaponise the 4 Aircraft. Those Alfa-Jets are still flying today.
There are lots of scientific innovations going on and being achieved in the Military; it’s just that we don’t publish them due to policies.
Social Media influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as KC Luxury. Credit: NDLEA
Social Media influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as KC Luxury. Credit: NDLEA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel that allegedly used Nigeria as a transit hub for moving illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia.
The agency also arrested the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the syndicate, a self-styled luxury goods dealer and social media influencer, Afolabi Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” as he attempted to flee the country.
A statement by the agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday, said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.
Marwa described the operation as one of the most significant narcotics investigations undertaken by the agency in recent times, saying it led to the seizure of 184.50kg of cocaine, the largest cocaine seizure made through a courier company in Nigeria.
According to him, the operation began with the interception of the cocaine consignment concealed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.
He said following the seizure, he directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to trace the entire network behind the shipment, from the couriers to the masterminds.
Marwa said the cartel hoped to realise as much as N39bn from the consignment through its international distribution network.
“The operation began with the interception of a consignment of 184.50 kilograms of cocaine concealed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos. Given the scale of the seizure.
“I immediately directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with a mandate to trace the entire network behind the shipment, from the couriers to the masterminds.
“The cartel was hoping to realise as much as N39 billion from the consignment through their international distribution network, ” the statement quoted Marwa as saying.
Working with the management of the courier company involved, Marwa said NDLEA operatives unravelled a network of intermediary companies and individuals used to process the consignment, leading to the arrest of two key suspects, among others.
“The first, Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics firm through which the cocaine was processed, was found to have a direct and sustained relationship with the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator. Investigation also established that he packages and processes consignments for the syndicate, routes them to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia, while he was paid in cash.
“The second and more prominent suspect is Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” whom investigations identified as the Nigerian arrowhead of the cartel. Parading as a social media influencer and businessman dealing in gold, jewellery, and luxury goods, Afolabi used his glamorous public image to disguise a criminal enterprise moving cocaine along a pipeline stretching from South America, through Nigeria, to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia,” Marwa said.
Marwa said Afolabi was arrested at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 13, 2026, after intelligence indicated that he planned to flee the country on a business-class flight to Paris.
He said the suspect was found in possession of €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 cash, as well as expensive jewellery.
A subsequent search of his luxury apartment on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, according to the NDLEA boss.
Marwa said investigations further showed that the cartel used false identities to conceal the true consignors of its shipments and relied on financial facilitators who moved billions of naira on its behalf.
He added that the syndicate maintained criminal contacts in the UK, some of whom had been arrested by British authorities in connection with the same cartel.
The NDLEA boss linked the operation to recent successes against transnational drug networks, including the dismantling of the Switzerland-based Simon Amadi drug cartel, which allegedly laundered millions of dollars through dark web marketplaces, as well as the takedown of two Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicates operating clandestine laboratories in forests in Ogun and Oyo states.
Marwa said the latest operation demonstrated that drug traffickers could no longer hide behind luxury lifestyles, forests, ports or courier companies.
“These operations send an unmistakable signal that this Agency’s reach extends into the ports, the forests, the luxury apartments, and the departure lounges alike, and that no sanctuary exists anywhere in Nigeria for those who traffic in poison,” he said.
He noted that drug trafficking organisations had recently shifted from seaports and airports, where scrutiny had intensified, to courier and logistics companies, which they allegedly considered less monitored channels for moving narcotics across international borders.
Marwa said the dismantling of the cartel, from the interception of the cocaine consignment to the arrest of its alleged Nigerian coordinator, demonstrated the agency’s capacity to detect traffickers wherever they operated.
“There is no alternative route into or out of Nigeria for illicit drugs that this Agency cannot police,” he stated.
The NDLEA chief also described the operation as a product of international cooperation, noting the near-simultaneous arrests of suspected cartel members in Nigeria and the UK.
He commended the agency’s international partners and members of the Special Investigation Team, coordinated by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, for their professionalism in unravelling the syndicate.
Marwa warned individuals who use luxury brands, glamorous lifestyles and social media personas to conceal drug trafficking activities that the agency would track them down.
“To those who believe they can hide behind luxury brands, glamorous lifestyles, and social media personas while trafficking poison into our communities and across our borders, this Agency will find you,” he said.
Results from the 30 local government areas in the 2026 Osun State governorship election show that Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party (AP) recorded victories in 19 councils, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), who won 11 local government areas.
The local government results indicate that Adeleke polled a cumulative 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes across the state.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, garnered 17,180 votes from the 30 local government areas.
Adeleke won Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade, Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Aiyedire, Egbedore, Aiyedaade and Ejigbo local government areas.
Oyebamiji emerged victorious in Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakunmosa West, Irewole, Atakunmosa East, Isokan, Ola Oluwa, Ife South and Olorunda local government areas.
Based on the collated local government results, Adeleke leads with victories in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate secured 11 councils.
Accord won 19 out of the 30 LGAs: (Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade,
Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Aiyedire, Egbedore, Aiyedaade, Ejigbo)
APC won the remaining 11 LGAs (Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakunmosa West, Irewole, Atakunmosa East, Isokan, Ola Oluwa, Ife South, Olorunda).
Here are the Osun 2026 Governorship Election Results of the 30 LGAs: GeographicReference
Boluwaduro LG
Accord: 7,118 votes
APC: 7,050 votes
ADC: 179 votes
Ede South LG
Accord: 26,188 votes
APC: 6,219 votes
ADC: 390 votes
Ife North LG
Accord: 13,879 votes
APC: 9,613 votes
ADC: 333 votes
Ilesa West LG
Accord: 16,196 votes
APC: 12,756 votes
ADC: 673 votes
Ifedayo LG
Accord: 7,427 votes
APC: 6,836 votes
ADC: 115 votes
Ilesa East LG
APC: 16,208 votes
Accord: 12,280 votes
ADC: 504 votes
Ife Central LG
Accord: 21,171 votes
APC: 15,913 votes
ADC: 747 votes
Boripe LG
APC: 19,963 votes
Accord: 12,448 votes
ADC: 379 votes
Irepodun LG
APC: 15,713 votes
Accord: 14,504 votes
ADC: 249 votes
Obokun LG
APC: 16,120 votes
Accord: 12,023 votes
ADC: 205 votes
Orolu LG
Accord: 12,352 votes
APC: 10,622 votes
ADC: 236 votes
Osogbo LG
Accord: 36,480 votes
APC: 30,474 votes
ADC: 1,503 votes
Oriade LG
Accord: 21,343 votes
APC: 14,863 votes
ADC: 423 votes
Odo-Otin LG
Accord: 18,003 votes
APC: 15,435 votes
ADC: 377 votes
Ife East LG
Accord: 27,201 votes
APC: 18,600 votes
ADC: 935 votes
Ifelodun LG
Accord: 21,107 votes
APC: 18,396 votes
ADC: 509 votes
Atakunmosa West LG
APC: 10,037 votes
Accord: 7,479 votes
ADC: 213 votes
Iwo LG
Accord: 27,085 votes
APC: 19,660 votes
ADC: 588 votes
Ede North LG
Accord: 35,427 votes
APC: 10,283 votes
ADC: 307 votes
Ila LG
Accord: 16,211 votes
APC: 12,934 votes
ADC: 259 votes
Irewole LG
APC: 29,972
Accord: 10,934 votes
ADC: 275 votes
Aiyedire LG
Accord: 11,073 votes
APC: 9,910 votes
ADC: 148 votes
Atakunmosa East LG
Discover more
Nigeria News Subscription
Politics News Updates
Executive Branch
City & Local Guides
Business News Analysis
Nigerian Economic Updates
APC: 9,936
Accord: 7,872 votes
ADC: 333 votes
Egbedore LG
Accord: 19,278 votes
APC: 11,194 votes
ADC: 363 votes
Aiyedaade LG
Accord: 16,681 votes
APC: 15,719 votes
ADC: 331 votes
Isokan LG
APC: 14,063 votes
Accord: 13,765 votes
ADC: 384 votes
Ola Oluwa LG
APC: 10,782 votes
Accord: 10,063 votes
ADC: 213 votes
Ife South
APC: 14,678 votes
Accord: 13,507 votes
ADC: 290 votes
Ejigbo LG
Accord: 18,458 votes
APC: 16,195 votes
ADC: 5,053 votes
Olorunda LG
APC: 24,671 votes
Accord: 23,514 votes
ADC: 666 votes.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a Federal Government delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to represent Nigeria at the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
The delegation includes Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
The conference, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is scheduled to hold from August 12 to 15 in Toronto.
The development was announced in a statement issued by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, on X on Friday.
According to the statement, members of the delegation also include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Revenue Service, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the National Information Technology Development Agency are also expected to participate.
The statement said Canadian officials expected at the conference include President of the Treasury Board of Canada, Shafqat Ali; Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham McGregor; Ontario lawmaker Deepak Anand; Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown; Councillor Rod Power; and Ontario Minister of Women and Economic Opportunities, Charmaine Williams.
How to become next Miss Nigeria
Quoting the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the statement said, “The calibre of officials attending the conference demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada through trade, investment and diaspora engagement.”
It further quoted Dabiri-Erewa as saying the event “is more than a conference” and is designed as “an outcome-driven investment platform” that will connect international investors with “investment-ready” opportunities across key sectors of Nigeria’s economy while strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries.
According to the statement, the conference is being organised by NiDCOM in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja and other stakeholders.
It said discussions will focus on agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and the digital economy.
Newsthumb reports that the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference is the first investment-focused forum organised by the Federal Government through NiDCOM to promote economic partnerships between Nigeria and its diaspora community.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows amounting to billions of dollars.
-
news6 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle6 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health5 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle5 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
news1 year agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board
-
health6 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
entertainment2 years agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’
-
health6 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19