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Terrorism Reporting: SERAP Gives Buhari 48 Hours to Withdraw Threat to Sanction BBC, Daily Trust
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture to withdraw the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust over their documentaries on terrorism in the country, whether through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or any other agency of government.”
According to reports, Mr Mohammed had last Thursday stated that the Federal Government would sanction the BBC and Trust Tv for airing documentaries that allegedly “glorify”, “promote”, and “fuel” terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
In a letter dated 30 July, 2022 and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, the organization said, “The media has the duty to impart information and ideas on issues of public importance. If carried out, the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would inhibit the media from reporting on issues of public interest.”
According to SERAP, “Media houses and journalists ought to be given the room to determine how best to present information of public interest, especially information about the growing violence and killings across the country.”
The organization said, “Rather than punishing the media for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance, your government should focus on delivering your promises to ensure the security of Nigerians.”
The organization also said, “Carrying out the threat to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would lessen the flow of diverse viewpoints and information to the public.”
The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”
“A free, uncensored, and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other rights. It constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.”
“Sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
“The threat if carried out would impermissibly restrict the constitutional and international rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and victims’ right to justice and effective remedies that are central to public debate and accountability in a democratic society.”
“Access to information is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights and freedoms and constitutes a fundamental pillar for building a democratic society and strengthening democracy.”
“Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on media houses, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.”
“The grounds for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust as stated by Mr Mohammed fail to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ are not used as a pretext to unduly intrude upon the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”
“Any interference with the constitutional and legal duties of the BBC and Daily Trust would not be justified in the context of the right to information.”
“The Federal Government has not shown that the documentaries by the media houses would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public’s interest in the information provided by the documentaries.”
“The documentaries by the BBC and Daily pose no risk to any definite interest in national security or public order.”
“It is inconsistent and compatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] to invoke the grounds of ‘glorifying, promoting, and fuelling terrorism and banditry’ as justifications for suppressing freedom of expression or withholding from the public information of legitimate public interest that does not harm national security.”
“It is contrary to both the Nigerian Constitution and international standards to threaten or punish journalists and media houses such as the BBC and Daily Trust for disseminating such information.”
“The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ raise concerns that the threat by the Federal Government if carried out would unduly interfere with the rights to access to information, and disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim. Ill-defined and/or overly broad grounds are open to arbitrary application and abuse.”
“The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘glorifying’, ‘promoting’, and ‘fuelling’ also heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion on the government, and suggest that the grounds cited by the Federal Government are more intrusive than necessary.”
“These words do not indicate precisely what kind of individual conduct would fall within their ambit.”
“The use of these words by the Federal Government, given their opaque and ambiguous meaning, leaves open the possibility for application beyond unequivocal incitement to hatred, hostility, or violence. Such words may function to interpret legitimate reporting by media houses, journalists, and other Nigerians as unlawful.”
“The grounds cited by the Federal Government for sanctioning the BBC and Daily Trust also fail to establish a direct and immediate connection between the reporting by the media houses and any risks to national security and peace.”
“The threat if carried out would also create an environment that unduly deters and penalizes media houses and journalists, and the reporting of government wrongdoing more generally.”
“The cumulative effect of any attempt to sanction the BBC and Daily Trust would be the gagging of the media from reporting on cases of violence and killings by terrorists and kidnappers, the reporting and information that is clearly in the public interest.”
“SERAP recalls that in your 2022 new year message, you raised concerns about persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country and promised to remain ‘resolute in giving utmost attention to the problem.’”
“While your government has the obligation to maintain national security, this obligation is not set apart from the obligation to protect and ensure human rights. National security is a necessary and integral part of the right to security guaranteed to each person individually.”
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AfDB, Aerosense Ink Agreement to Propel Drone Adoption in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Aerosense Inc, a Japanese drone manufacturer, have inked an agreement to expand cooperation and initiatives in drone technology in Africa.
According to the AfDB, representatives from both organisations signed a Letter of Intent late last week on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan.
The agreement was signed by Solomon Quaynor, AfDB’s vice president for private sector, infrastructure, and industrialisation, and Kohtaro Sabe, Aerosense’s president and CEO.
In June, the AfDB Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa issued a request for proposals, and the company was chosen.
The agreement formalises a relationship of mutual cooperation, assistance, information and knowledge sharing between the two institutions, as well as the exploration of co-financing and deal opportunities and appropriate coordination of actions between them and their respective teams, with a focus on the promotion of sustainable infrastructure solutions in Africa, according to the bank.
In addition, the AfDB will assist collaboration with the public sector, lead awareness-raising initiatives, support capacity building for local partners, and investigate potential debt (and/or equity) financing support for drone deployment projects.
Aerosense will conduct demand studies for drone solutions in specific African markets, as well as technical feasibility studies for drone application, taking into account local geographical factors, and investigate potential deployment options based on positive feasibility study results.
“The program is a bold response to Africa’s growing infrastructure challenges. By partnering with Aerosense, we will not only promote efficient road management but also consider promoting other unique solutions such as disaster management, river/flooding control, agricultural sensing, and medical equipment delivery,” said Quaynor.
For Sabe, the project is about leveraging multinational technological solutions to address African challenges.
He said: “It is a great honour to serve the people in Africa with our Japanese technology for enhancing their quality of life. We are looking forward to collaborating with AfDB to build a better future together in a concrete manner.”
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Nigeria Taps $190M JICA Loan to Power Underserved Communities

Nigeria is seeking a $190 million renewable energy loan backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), according to Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power.

Minister Adebayo-Adelabu
In a statement released by the ministry on Saturday, Adelabu disclosed the plan during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, where the Nigerian delegation led by President Bola Tinubu held high-level discussions on power, infrastructure, and industrial transformation.
Adelabu said the facility is aimed at scaling distributed renewable energy solutions across underserved communities. “This builds on the recently launched $750 million World Bank Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme under the Mission 300 Compact, which aims to bring clean and reliable electricity to more than 17 million Nigerians,” the ministry said.
The minister also held talks with Japanese corporations including Toshiba, Hitachi, Japan’s transmission and distribution corporation, and energy exchange corporations. Discussions focused on strengthening transmission infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and cutting system losses.
The ministry said these engagements build on recent Federal Executive Council approvals for counterpart funding of N19.08 billion to unlock a $238 million loan from JICA. The loan will finance the expansion of the national grid, including the construction of over 200km of new 330kV and 132kV double circuit lines, six new substations, and extensions to existing facilities.
Three substations funded through a $32 million JICA grant—located in Apo (FCT), Keffi (Nasarawa), and Apapa (Lagos)—are also set for commissioning, a move expected to boost supply reliability for households, industries, and business hubs, including the Lagos Port.
Speaking during a panel session themed “HICKARE Africa: Harnessing Innovation, Co-creation, and Knowledge for Accessible and Resilient Energy for Africa”, Adelabu highlighted Nigeria’s energy gap, noting that only 55–60 percent of the population currently has access to electricity, much of which is unreliable.
He outlined the government’s approach to expand grid access in urban areas while accelerating off-grid solutions such as solar mini-grids and standalone systems in rural and peri-urban communities. He pointed to challenges including limited access to affordable capital, high costs for rural households, and the under-utilisation of productive-use equipment.
Despite these hurdles, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms through supportive policies, private-sector collaboration, and increased local manufacturing of renewable energy components.
Adelabu commended JICA and the Japanese government for their “long-standing support” to Nigeria’s power sector, praising their contributions to infrastructure, training, technical studies, and financing. He expressed optimism for deeper partnerships between both countries in driving Nigeria’s energy transition.
News
Banigbe, T2 CEO says Nigeria’s Growth Hinges on Learning, Innovation, and Afrocentric Content

Obafemi Banigbe, chief executive officer of T2, has stressed that Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation depends on continuous upskilling, digital learning, and workforce adaptability.
Speaking as Special Guest at the 32nd Annual Trainers’ Conference (ATC 2025) of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), held recently at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Banigbe warned that without deliberate investment in human capital and technology-driven innovation, the nation risks lagging behind in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Drawing from personal reflections, practical insights, and a forward-looking vision, Banigbe urged Nigerians to reimagine approaches to learning, work, and growth in order to build a prosperous, inclusive, and innovation-led society.
He emphasized that the traditional model of “learning once and working forever” is obsolete.
“With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous nation by 2050, and 70 percent of its citizens under 30, the need for continuous upskilling, digital learning, and adaptability is not optional, it is existential,” he stated.
Banigbe underscored the importance of democratizing access to digital tools, ensuring that every Nigerian child has the same opportunities as peers in developed economies.
He called for the creation of Afrocentric educational content, including culturally relevant cartoons, to help children learn science, mathematics, and history through familiar cultural references rather than foreign identities that disconnect them from their environment.
He also urged a national shift away from a culture that prizes certificates and training hours to one that rewards competence, innovation, and problem-solving.
He envisioned a civil service and workforce driven by solutions rather than processes, stressing that while artificial intelligence may analyze and automate, it cannot dream, uphold ethics, or create new nations, a reminder of the enduring human advantage.
Banigbe further encouraged adoption of cost-effective training models such as online platforms, virtual cohorts, and open-source learning, while acknowledging the continued value of global exposure where local resources fall short.
During an interactive question and answer session, he addressed concerns around affordability, accessibility, and the role of self-driven digital education in shaping Nigeria’s future-ready workforce.
He assured participants that T2 itself is on a path of transformation, committed to delivering world-class services as a proudly Nigerian brand.
In recognition of his contribution to national dialogue and thought leadership, the President of NITAD, James Bulus, presented Banigbe with an Award of Excellence.
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