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Activist Warns against Rising Junk Food Culture in Nigeria

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Nnimmo Bassey, environmental activist and food sovereignty advocate has raised concerns over the growing influence of junk food culture and global food politics on Nigeria’s food systems.

Activist Warns against Rising Junk Food Culture in Nigeria

Nnimmo Bassey, environmental activist

Bassey warned that the increasing consumption of highly processed foods poses serious risks to public health, cultural identity, and national food security.

He made these remarks on Thursday while speaking at the Sustain-Ability Academy lecture on Food, Power and the  Politics of Hunger, organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt.

“Food is not just for sustenance; it is central to our identity, our relationships, and our traditions,” he said.

He explained that traditional diets reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic groups and have historically fostered unity within communities.

Bassey traced the evolution of food systems in Nigeria, highlighting how colonialism, commerce, and conflict have reshaped local diets.

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He referenced the Nigerian Civil War as a turning point when food was weaponized, leading to widespread malnutrition and long-term dietary changes, particularly in the Eastern region.

The activist criticized the rapid rise of fast food consumption, describing it as a product of modern society’s demand for instant gratification.

According to him, fast food outlets use sensory stimulation, bright lighting, loud music, and constant visual entertainment to distract consumers from questioning the nutritional value of what they eat.

“People leave with more than just a full stomach, they carry heavy metals, artificial colourings, and harmful substances in their bodies,” he said.

Bassey also expressed alarm over the increasing presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria’s food system.

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He argued that such products, often introduced without sufficient scrutiny, could have long-term health and environmental consequences.

He further cautioned against the role of political leaders in normalizing unhealthy consumption patterns.

“When top politicians publicly consume junk food and sugary drinks, they send a dangerous message that such habits are acceptable or even desirable,” he said.

At the heart of his argument is what he described as “food colonialism” a system driven by global power dynamics, where economic pressures, debt, and cultural influence shape local food choices to benefit multinational corporations at the expense of local farmers.

Bassey called for a “decolonization” of food systems across Africa, urging governments and citizens to prioritize indigenous foods, protect seed-sharing traditions, and resist policies that undermine local agricultural practices.

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He also challenged prevailing narratives around hunger, questioning whether food insecurity is truly a result of low productivity.

“In countries like Nigeria, nearly half of all food produced goes to waste. The issue is not just production, but distribution, policy, and power,” he explained.

The session concluded with a call for urgent reforms to ensure fairness, resilience, and sustainability in food systems, with a focus on supporting smallholder farmers and addressing the structural causes of hunger.

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Ebere Melum-Nwogbo is a trained and practicing journalist. She is passionate about ICT and business journalism. She has over a decade experience spanning money and capital market as well as information technology

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NUPRC Warns of Counterfeit,  AI-Generated Appointment Letters

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Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has cautioned the public against fake recruitment offers and fraudulent employment letters circulating in the agency’s name.

NUPRC Warns of Counterfeit,  AI-Generated Appointment Letters

Eniola Akinkuotu, head of Media and Corporate Communications of the Commission, stated that NUPRC has received reports of counterfeit and AI-generated appointment letters bearing names not known to the regulator.

The Commission also said fraudsters have been extorting money from jobseekers by promising placement within the agency.

NUPRC has reported the incidents to law enforcement and said investigations are underway.

The regulator reiterated that there is no ongoing recruitment exercise and warned members of the public not to make any payments for supposed job offers.

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“Whenever the Commission decides to recruit, the process will be conducted strictly in accordance with extant laws and government regulations,” the statement said.

The Commission urged jobseekers to verify any purported offer and to rely only on official NUPRC communications for recruitment information.

The warning follows growing concerns about the misuse of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to fabricate apparently authentic documents that can deceive the public.

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Africa50 Secures Fresh Capital, Strategic Partnerships to Accelerate African Infrastructure

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Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform, has secured new investment commitments and strategic partnerships with international investors and Tanzanian institutions aimed at mobilising capital for infrastructure development across Africa.

The agreements, announced at the 2026 Infra for Africa Forum in Dar es Salaam, include a US$20 million commitment from British International Investment (BII) to Africa50’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), as well as partnerships covering natural gas, electricity transmission and healthcare infrastructure in Tanzania.

The latest commitments bring the IAF’s total capital commitments to approximately US$330 million.

Under one of the major agreements, Africa50, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and TAQA Arabia will develop the first phase of a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) project designed to distribute domestic natural gas to industrial and transportation customers across Tanzania.

Africa50 is partnering with TAQA Arabia and TPDC on the project, providing project development, investment and financial structuring expertise to develop a bankable model that could be replicated in Tanzania and other markets.

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Mussa M. Makame, Managing Director of TPDC, said the partnership demonstrated Tanzania’s commitment to leveraging its natural gas resources to support national development.

“As a gas supplier to this project, TPDC will work with the project partners to broaden domestic access to cleaner, reliable energy and create greater value for the Tanzanian economy,” he said.

Pakinam Kafafi, CEO of TAQA Arabia subsidiary Rosetta Energy Solutions, said the LNG project would convert Tanzania’s gas resources into reliable energy for industry, communities and transportation.

“This project will turn Tanzania’s abundant gas resources into reliable energy for industry, communities and transport, strengthening energy security and accelerating industrialization,” she said.

Africa50 also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) to collaborate on electricity transmission Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

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The partnership is expected to facilitate Tanzania’s first Independent Power Transmission (IPT) project, drawing on Africa50’s experience with its IPT project in Kenya.

Engineer Timoth Mgaya, Acting Managing Director of TANESCO, said the partnership would help Tanzania attract private capital and strengthen its transmission infrastructure.

“Partnering with Africa50 provides Tanzania with strategic project-development and financing expertise as we unlock private capital for Africa’s transmission infrastructure,” he said.

The agreement, he added, would contribute to the development of East Africa’s power market while supporting industrialisation, economic integration and inclusive growth.

In the healthcare sector, Africa50 and Tanzania’s Ministry of Health signed an MoU to expand access to renal care and dialysis services for patients suffering from kidney diseases.

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The partnership is expected to provide healthcare infrastructure, reliable medical equipment, experienced operators and long-term investment to strengthen the country’s capacity to deliver life-saving renal services.

Meanwhile, BII’s US$20 million investment in the IAF makes the UK development finance institution the latest Limited Partner in the fund.

BII and Africa50 also signed an MoU to deepen cooperation and identify opportunities for co-investment and further mobilisation of capital into African infrastructure.

The IAF invests in equity and quasi-equity opportunities across power, transport and logistics, water and sanitation, digital infrastructure and social infrastructure.

The fund leverages Africa50’s relationships with African governments, corporates and project developers to deploy capital into infrastructure projects with strong commercial and development potential.

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Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer of BII, said the partnership would help mobilise additional capital into sustainable infrastructure across Africa.

“Africa’s infrastructure needs are significant, but so are the opportunities,” Maasdorp said. “By combining our expertise, networks and capital, we can help unlock investment that drives growth, creates jobs and improves lives.”

Alain Ebobissé, Group CEO of Africa50, said the new partnerships reflected the organisation’s evolution from a project development institution into a major infrastructure investment platform.

“Africa50 was created to develop bankable projects, mobilize finance for investments in Africa’s infrastructure and accelerate delivery,” he said.

According to Ebobissé, the organisation is now positioned to scale up infrastructure investment by translating the vision of African leaders into commercially viable projects capable of attracting capital from both African and international investors.

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The agreements were announced as Africa50 marked its 10th anniversary under the theme, “A Decade of Economic Impact: From Vision to Delivery.”

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MTN Engages UNILAG, YABATECH Students on Careers in Technology, Finance, Cybersecurity

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MTN Nigeria, leading technology company, recently hosted undergraduates from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) for an immersive career engagement session, at the MTN Rooftop Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos.

MTN Engages UNILAG, YABATECH Students on Careers in Technology, Finance, Cybersecurity

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The event exposed students to career opportunities across cybersecurity, finance, internal audit and forensic investigations while providing practical insights into the skills required to succeed in today’s workplace.

The session was designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by helping students better understand the diverse career paths available within the telecommunications and technology sector.

The engagement brought together students studying Economics, Banking and Finance, Cybersecurity and Accounting, providing an opportunity to interact directly with professionals from various business functions.

Through presentations and discussions, participants gained a deeper understanding of the competencies, experiences and continuous learning required to build successful careers in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The engagement comes at a time when technology-related roles, including cybersecurity specialists, are among the world’s fastest-growing occupations, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025.

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During the visit, the students met with senior cybersecurity and forensic professionals who shared insights into their respective fields and discussed emerging trends shaping the future of work.

The sessions also highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available across different fields, demonstrating that success in the industry is not limited to any particular course of study.

Undergraduates were also introduced to the evolving nature of the audit profession, as data analytics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important areas of focus for internal auditors.

During a session on building a meaningful career in Internal Auditing, undergraduates were encouraged to approach their professional journeys with purpose, continuous learning and a commitment to personal growth.

The session emphasised that career success extends beyond securing employment and involves developing relevant skills, understanding one’s strengths and intentionally pursuing opportunities that align with personal values and long-term goals.

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Speaking during the engagement, Chief Internal Audit and Forensic Services Officer, Ibe Kalu Etea, represented by the General Manager, Internal Audit and Forensics, Wasiu Ibrahim, encouraged the undergraduates to remain open to opportunities beyond their academic backgrounds and focus on developing transferable skills. “Students can take any career path they want to. You can upskill and transition into a different career, even if it is not what you studied in school.

“Do not let your course of study determine your career path. Focus on building relevant skills, staying curious and continuously learning because opportunities exist across many fields,” he said.

The Undergraduates also participated in an interactive question-and-answer session, where they sought guidance on career development, workplace expectations and professional growth.

The initiative reflects MTN Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing future talent by connecting young people with industry leaders and equipping them with the knowledge, exposure and confidence needed to navigate their career journeys.

 

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