General News
Stakeholders Proffer Ways to Strengthen PPP Structure in Lagos State

Buoyed by the impact of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships in closing the infrastructure gap in Lagos State across different sectors, stakeholders have suggested ways to further strengthen the PPP structure in the state with a view to delivering greater value, impact more people, and improving service delivery efficiency of the PPP Office.

The recommendations of the experts and speakers were contained in various presentations at an interactive session between the Office of PPP (OPPP) and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly House Committee on PPP, held over the weekend in Lagos.
It was suggested that ensuring value for money expended on PPP projects was the responsibility of the OPPP, House Committee, and the private equity investors while calling on all stakeholders in a PPP arrangement to understand the requirements of PPP including project financing from the beginning to the end.
‘‘The major role of the OPPP is to provide a global view of making decisions and quantifying guarantees; ensuring value for money expended on projects is the major responsibility of the OPPP, House Committee, and the private partner. The public sector should avoid over-influencing projects (subsidizing) and focus more on the value that the project will offer.
“Quantifying the cost of a PPP project cannot be easily estimated from inception; hence it is important for all stakeholders to be fully informed of the demands and dynamics of the project before delving into PPP,’’ they stated.
They also noted that dealing with macroeconomic issues will create a long-term effect on PPP projects, and recommended that risks registered on projects should be strictly considered including the advance determination of which party can best influence or take liability for the consequences of unforeseen risks.
‘‘Once the risks have been identified, there has to be risks mapping; hence risk identification, allocation, and mitigation become necessary,’’ they said.
The stakeholders advocated amendment of the Lagos State Public Private Partnerships Law, 2011, citing certain gaps in the legislation. ‘‘The PPP law should be amended to expand the circumstances where a project may be excluded from the OCB requirement and provide for the ability of private participants to submit unsolicited proposals.
The PPP law should clearly define what PPP is, clearly the scope of its law, and provide an exhaustive list of permitted and prohibited sectors where PPP is applicable to give clarity to investors.’’
‘‘It is recommended the law is amended to provide for the nature of support that may be provided by procuring entities and to remove the restriction on the ability to provide guarantees for PPP projects. It is recommended that the law be amended such that the PPP Office may have oversight functions in respect of the implementation of PPP projects within the state,’’ they restated.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on PPP, Mr. Ope George, while welcoming participants said the interactive session was organized to enable the PPP Office and the House Committee on PPP to discuss the mandate of the OPPP with a view to deepening synergy and promoting the cordial relationship.
He added that the session provided an avenue to solicit the continued support of the legislature in the fulfillment of the OPPP’s statutory responsibilities of improving infrastructural development in the state.
Three presentations were facilitated by experts who assessed relevant areas that affect the operation of the OPPP and proffered cutting-edge recommendations that could promote sustainable service delivery.
A Partner at Vista Advisory Services, Mr. Sunloye Adekanye, in his presentation on ‘Financing PPP projects and the role of the state’ said PPP projects were assets built for the government for the use of the citizenry, hence in financing PPP projects, understanding the role of quantifiable guarantees and inherent risk factors was imperative to the sustainability of PPPs.
He emphasized the need to consider important factors such as the value and affordability of projects to the users; how strategic the project is; whether can or should the project be delivered through PPP or traditional procurement; whether should the project be handed over to the government or managed by private operators if it will be cost-effective; as well as the guarantees tied to the risk.
‘‘Therefore, the government must make good decisions when choosing to stand as a guarantor for any PPP project,’’ Adekanye stated.
A Partner in the legal firm of Olaniwun Ayayi LLP, Mrs. Ibi Ogunbiyi, spoke on ‘Salient points in the PPP legal framework in comparison to global best practices, highlighting the differences in the current PPP frameworks in comparison with global best practices.
While acknowledging the efforts made by the Lagos State government to align with global standards, she suggested, however, amendments to the Lagos State PPP Law, 2011 to improve service delivery.
Mrs. Ogunbiyi noted that since the government’s role was both statutory and contractual, it should not be surprising that the state treasury cannot fund infrastructure effectively and efficiently without affecting its administrative functions, thus stating that there was a need to harness the PPP approach.
Another speaker and a Partner in the law firm of Olajide Oyewole LLP, Ms. Solape Peters, in her presentation, ‘A synopsis of the PPP law, the challenges, and recommendations for reform’, reiterated that financial guarantee has remained a problem over the years with PPP projects in Lagos State resulting in the death of many proposals.
She identified some challenges with the PPP law, stating that the existing law set a blanket on financial guarantees which many times limits the applicants while urging the state government to be fair in its dealings with private partners.
Ms. Peters added that the long waiting time to get the state House of Assembly’s ratification on the concessions agreement before implementation should be improved, even as she called for the review of the provision of the law that gave the power to vary or adjust service charges, user fees, and tolls among others.
General News
Court Orders FG to Reveal Identity of Local Contractors in $460m Abuja CCTV Project

Federal High Court has ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the status of the project’s implementation, and details relating to the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy to immediately disclose the identities of all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and other entities that benefited from the payments under the National Public Security Communication System project in Abuja, commonly referred to as the $460 million Abuja CCTV Project.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, in response to SERAP’s contempt proceedings, had recently disclosed that: “Records from the Ministry of Police Affairs indicate that while local subcontractors may have been engaged, there is an absence of detailed subcontracting records identifying specific local companies that received funds directly from the Chinese loan.”
The Ministry made the disclosure in a letter dated 15 May 2026 and signed by R. O. Omachi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance,.
Responding, SERAP in a letter dated 23 May 2026 and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, said: “We are concerned that although the judgment was delivered in May 2023, the Ministry only released some information after we commenced contempt proceedings and served a Notice to show cause in January 2026.”
According to SERAP, “Nigerians still do not know exactly the names of local contractors for the project. The absence of this information raises serious concerns about record keeping, transparency and accountability, and whether the project was implemented in a manner consistent with the public interest.”
On 15 May 2023, the Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Finance to disclose the total amount paid under the $460 million Abuja CCTV loan, the identities of local and Chinese contractors who received the funds, the status of the project’s implementation, and details relating to the N1.5 billion reportedly paid for the Code of Conduct Bureau headquarters project.
SERAP said, “The details provided amount to only partial compliance with Justice Emeka Nwite’s judgment. Key questions remain unanswered, and further clarification is needed to ensure full and effective compliance with the judgment.”
SERAP’s letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested details are provided within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall proceed with our contempt proceedings against the Federal Ministry of Finance for failure to fully and effectively comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court.
“SERAP appreciates the steps taken by the Ministry to provide some information concerning the Chinese loan drawdown, counterpart funding arrangements, and certain records on equipment deliveries connected with the project.
“However, there is still no explanation regarding the missing 6,035 items as part of the status of implementation of the project. It remains unclear whether the items were subsequently delivered, whether payment was made for them, whether the contractor defaulted, whether Nigeria suffered any financial loss, and whether any steps were taken to recover public funds.
“The Ministry lists items reportedly delivered in 2013. However, it has failed to clarify how many cameras were installed, if any; where they were installed; whether the cameras are currently operational; and whether the project delivered value for money.
“The inability or failure to disclose these records raises serious public interest concerns about record keeping, contract administration, and accountability for public expenditure.
“For a project financed through public borrowing—debt Nigerians continue to repay—full transparency over all beneficiaries, foreign and domestic, is essential. Nigerians have the right to know how public funds were spent, who received them, and what was delivered in return.
“Compliance with court judgments is fundamental to the rule of law and constitutional governance. Government agencies cannot selectively comply with judicial orders or release partial information while withholding records central to public accountability.”
SERAP, therefore, urged Mr Oyedele and the Federal Ministry of Finance to fully, effectively, and urgently implement the judgment of the Federal High Court ordering disclosure of information relating to the Abuja CCTV project including by:
*Publishing the names of all Nigerian companies, subcontractors, consultants, and vendors involved in the project.
*Disclosing the amount paid to each contractor or subcontractor and the nature of work performed.
*Provide details of the status of implementation of the project including by releasing the certificates of completion, and accounting for the 6,035 project items identified as undelivered.
General News
NCAA Suspends Services to Air Peace, Others over Debts

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has placed 11 domestic airlines on its updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list over unpaid statutory charges, a move that could affect the renewal of key operational approvals, including Air Operator’s Certificates (AOC).

According to an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, the regulator directed all its directorates to suspend regulatory and administrative services to the affected carriers until they clear outstanding debts or agree on repayment terms.
The directive means that services linked to certification and oversight, such as AOC renewals, Air Transport Licences (ATL), and Airline Operating Permits (AOP), may be withheld, raising concerns over possible operational disruptions in the aviation sector.
The affected airlines include Air Peace Limited, Ibom Air, Arik Air, ValueJet, United Nigeria Airlines, Umza Air, NG Eagle, Max Air, Caverton Helicopters, Overland Airways, and Rano Air.
At the centre of the dispute is the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge and Cargo Sales Charge, which airlines collect on behalf of the NCAA to fund safety oversight, personnel training, and economic regulation in the industry.
The memo, signed by Olufemi Odukoya, director of Finance and Accounts, NCAA, and circulated to regional offices, instructed that no directorate should render services to the listed airlines without financial clearance from the finance department.
It further warned that all services remain suspended pending verification and clearance of outstanding obligations.
While the directive has sparked concerns among industry stakeholders about possible delays in regulatory processes, some affected operators say they are unaware of the order.
Banji Ola, Arik Air’s spokesperson, said the airline had no knowledge of such a directive.
“I am not aware of any such directive or report.” Ola said
Whisky Efe and Anietie Essienette, spokespersons of Air Peace and Ibom Air, respectively did not respond as of the time of filing this report.
The development has raised fresh uncertainty in the sector, with operators and passengers wary of potential disruptions if the standoff persists
General News
FG Classifies Ebola Importation into Nigeria as High Risk

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has classified the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) importation into Nigeria as high amid the ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, though the agency confirmed that no case linked to the regional outbreak has been detected in the country.

Dr Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, in a public health advisory released on Sunday, stated that the assessment followed the World Health Organization’s declaration of the outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
According to Dr Idris, the high-risk classification was informed by increasing international travel and population movement, continued transmission in the affected countries, uncertainty surrounding the full scale of the outbreak, and the possibility of delayed detection because Ebola symptoms resemble other endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever.
He, however, assured Nigerians that high-risk states, border communities, major transport hubs, and Points of Entry had already been identified as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.
Despite the risk, Dr Idris noted that the country possesses critical response capacities, including functional laboratories, trained rapid response teams, emergency operations centres, and existing viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness structures strengthened by previous successful responses to Ebola and similar outbreaks.
He also stated that the National Emergency Operations Centre had been placed on alert mode, while the National Incident Management System had also been activated to strengthen coordination, reporting, and rapid response mechanisms nationwide.
He explained that epidemiologists and rapid response teams had been placed on standby for possible deployment, while collaboration among state ministries of health, port health services, and other relevant agencies had been intensified.
According to him, surveillance activities have also been strengthened nationwide through enhanced monitoring of alerts, rumours, and unusual health events to support early detection and response.
Dr Idris said border communities and points of entry are under increased surveillance, while health workers across the country are undergoing refresher sensitisation on infection prevention and control measures, early identification of suspected cases, and proper triage procedures.
He further said that states had been advised to incorporate Ebola preparedness into their emergency response systems by designating isolation and treatment centres, assessing bed capacity, strengthening referral pathways, and ensuring the availability of logistics and essential medical supplies.
He also revealed that plans were ongoing to preposition critical response commodities such as personal protective equipment (PPEs), laboratory consumables, body bags, and emergency medical supplies in strategic locations across the country.
On laboratory readiness, Dr Idris said Nigeria currently maintains Ebola testing capacity in states with international points of entry and within the national public health laboratory network, with surge testing capability available if needed.
He said the agency has intensified public awareness campaigns and risk communication efforts aimed at combating misinformation and false claims circulating online about Ebola.
While urging Nigerians not to panic, Dr Idris advised members of the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling corpses of individuals who died from unexplained illnesses, and avoid bushmeat from unknown sources.
He advised travellers arriving from countries with confirmed Ebola cases to monitor their health for 21 days and immediately contact health authorities if symptoms develop.
He also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola cases, strictly observe infection prevention protocols, use PPEs appropriately, and promptly report suspected cases through established channels.
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