Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has appointed Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his new Chief of Staff following the resignation of his predecessor, Segun Ogunwuyi.

The appointment marks a change in the leadership of the governor’s office, with Akinwole taking over the role previously held by Ogunwuyi, a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.

Ogunwuyi’s resignation and Akinwole’s appointment come amid a change in the composition of the governor’s immediate administrative team.

Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Ogunwuyi’s resignation, the effective date of the appointment and any official statement from the Oyo State Government were not immediately available.

The development is expected to attract attention within Oyo State’s political circles as stakeholders await further clarification from the government.

Says Use of Foreign technology must strengthen not replace local capacity

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has welcomed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive requiring financial institutions and payment service providers to store and manage payment transaction data generated in Nigeria within the country, describing the policy as an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and economic security.

The CBN circular, issued on June 15, 2026, sets January 1, 2027, as the deadline for full compliance. The Bank reaffirmed on October 9 that the deadline remains unchanged.

PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said Nigeria must move beyond being a major consumer of foreign digital services and begin building the infrastructure, technical expertise and domestic industries needed to control and benefit from its growing digital economy.

“A country that generates critical financial data but depends on infrastructure outside its borders to store and manage that data must ask serious questions about its digital sovereignty. Nigeria cannot afford to remain merely a market for other countries’ technology while its own digital economy continues to expand.”

Hamzat said the policy could create opportunities for investment in Nigerian data centres, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, software development and specialised technical services, provided implementation is accompanied by deliberate policies to develop local capacity.

He stressed, however, that keeping data physically within Nigeria would not, by itself, guarantee digital sovereignty if critical infrastructure, intellectual property, technical expertise and strategic decision making remained excessively dependent on foreign providers.

“Data localisation must be more than a change of address for servers. It must become part of a national strategy to build Nigerian capacity, develop our technology workforce, strengthen local enterprises and retain more economic value within the country.”

PeacePro also urged the Federal Government and relevant regulators to ensure that Nigerian owned technology companies and qualified professionals have a fair opportunity to participate in the emerging market, rather than allowing the transition to become an exclusive commercial opportunity for a small number of established foreign technology providers.

PeacePro acknowledged concerns from banks and payment companies that migrating complex systems within the available timeframe could create operational and cybersecurity risks.

Hamzat said these concerns should be addressed through constructive engagement and clear technical standards, without abandoning the strategic objective of keeping Nigerian payment transaction data under appropriate domestic control.

Hamzat concluded that Nigeria’s digital sovereignty should be measured not only by where its data is stored, but also by its ability to secure that data, understand the systems managing it, develop domestic alternatives and ensure that Nigerians share meaningfully in the economic value created.

“Nigeria must own its digital future not necessarily by excluding foreign technology, but by ensuring that foreign participation strengthens rather than replaces our domestic capacity.”

A Senior Special Adviser on Economic Matters to Accord Presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Mr. Olika Odika, has challenged Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele’s position on the Federal Government’s crude oil entitlements, insisting that Nigeria’s petroleum revenues must be assessed beyond the government’s direct share of crude production.

Olika described the minister’s argument that the Federal Government does not own all crude produced in Nigeria as only half the truth, saying it overlooks the government’s multiple revenue streams from the petroleum industry and its responsibility to ensure that the country’s oil wealth benefits Nigerians.

“The fact the minister’s argument obscures is that the Federal Government collects petroleum profit tax, royalties and sundry charges, in addition to NNPC’s share under joint-venture arrangements.

These revenue streams must be considered together when assessing the total value accruing to the Nigerian State,” Olika said.

He argued that Nigeria’s effective Government take could exceed 70 per cent under some petroleum fiscal arrangements, while calling for a transparent breakdown of production costs, contractual entitlements, royalties, taxes and other charges to establish the actual Government share across the Country’s petroleum projects.

According to him, the debate should not end with arguments about crude ownership while Nigerians continue to bear the burden of high energy costs.

“The truth is that there is too much rent paid to the Federal Government compared with other oil and gas jurisdictions.

There is too much money being shared among a few people while the majority cannot afford the energy required for transportation, agriculture and manufacturing,” he said.

Olika maintained that Nigeria’s central problem is not a lack of petroleum resources but the failure to organise the sector around affordable energy, domestic production and the wider economic interests of citizens.

Reaffirming Hashim’s Energy First policy, Olika said the Accord Presidential candidate had proposed an initial petrol price benchmark of ₦605 per litre, with a gradual reduction to ₦200–₦300 per litre through a deliberate restructuring of the domestic petroleum value chain.

He said the proposal is based on reducing the underlying costs of production and supply rather than relying on temporary price interventions that fail to address the structural causes of expensive petrol.

Under the Energy First approach, Nigeria would prioritise domestic refining, ensure reliable crude supply to local refineries, reduce avoidable production and distribution costs, and improve the efficiency of the entire petroleum value chain.

“The position of Dr. Gbenga Hashim is clear, Nigeria must put its energy resources to work for Nigerians. We cannot continue to produce crude oil while our people struggle to afford the energy required to transport goods, grow food and operate industries,” Olika said.

Olika also said Nigeria could learn from other OPEC members that have structured their energy policies around domestic economic priorities, while adapting relevant lessons to Nigeria’s own production costs, fiscal arrangements and refining capacity.

Olika said the Energy First policy reflects Hashim’s broader position that National resources should improve citizens’ economic capacity rather than remain disconnected from their daily realities.

He maintained that a Country’s petroleum wealth should be measured not only by the revenue Government collects but also by the economic opportunities, affordable energy and productive capacity that the resources create for its people.

Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has reportedly resigned from his position.

Ogunwuyi, a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, reportedly announced his decision in a statement, although further details surrounding the resignation were not immediately available.

He was appointed Chief of Staff in July 2021 after previously serving in roles connected with investment promotion and public-private partnership initiatives in the state.

As of the time of this report, the reason for his reported resignation and any possible successor had not been independently confirmed.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced plans to adopt a 75-metre setback for built-up areas along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, promising that disbursement of the N6.7 billion compensation earmarked for affected property owners will commence following approval this week.

The governor made the disclosure on Sunday during a media chat on Crossfire Exclusive, a radio programme hosted by Mayor Isaac Brown on Fresh FM.

Makinde said the decision to adopt the 75-metre setback in built-up areas was in response to the concerns raised by residents and property owners affected by the road project.

“For the built-up area along the Circular Road corridor, I know what they want and I will do it. For the built-up area, we will make it 75m setback and it will be gazetted,” the governor said.

He added that the compensation fund of N6.7 billion would be signed for approval during the week, paving the way for payment to commence immediately.

According to him, the disbursement is expected to be completed before the end of October.

The announcement marks a significant development in the ongoing discussions surrounding the Ibadan Circular Road project, particularly the concerns of residents over the extent of the setback and its implications for existing buildings and properties along the corridor.

By pledging to gazette the 75-metre setback in built-up areas, the governor indicated his administration’s readiness to address the concerns of affected property owners while pursuing the infrastructure project.

However, the proposed gazetting and commencement of payments are expected to provide further clarity on the implementation of the revised setback arrangement and the compensation process.

Makinde speaks on Adekanmbi, Adelabu ministerial appointment
In another disclosure during the interview, Makinde said he had recommended former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Bimbo Adekanmbi, for a ministerial appointment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The governor, however, said Tinubu eventually appointed Adebayo Adelabu instead.

Makinde explained that he had approached the President with Adekanmbi as his preferred candidate, expressing confidence in his capacity to serve effectively as a minister.

The disclosure offered an insight into the governor’s involvement in discussions surrounding ministerial appointments and his preference for Adekanmbi, a former member of his administration’s political opposition before his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State.

The governor also revisited the political alliance involving the five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, popularly known as the G5, which emerged amid the crisis within the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Makinde argued that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerged as the major beneficiary of the political arrangement.

Makinde’s latest comments revisited the political calculations behind the alliance and the benefits its members may have derived from their decisions during the period.

He maintained that President Tinubu made most of the ministerial appointments in his administration, suggesting that other members of the G5 did not secure comparable benefits from the alliance.

The G5 bloc, which included Makinde and Wike, played a prominent role in the political realignments that preceded the 2023 presidential election, with the group opposing the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over disagreements surrounding the party’s leadership and power-sharing arrangements.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has begun efforts to recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from its ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 25 people aboard.

The Air Force said the recorders could provide crucial evidence to help investigators reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments and determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Recovery efforts have been hampered by difficult swamp terrain, with the main body of the aircraft submerged in mud and water.

Specialised equipment, including sonar technology, has been deployed to support the operation.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, said a team of military and civilian aviation safety experts would investigate the incident. He urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continued.

Says Electoral Act Criminalises Tribal and Sectional Campaigns, Prescribes Up to 12 Months’ Imprisonment

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has urged the Federal Government and relevant law enforcement agencies to prosecute politicians who weaponise indigeneity to discriminate against political candidates, warning that such conduct may constitute a criminal offence under Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026.

PeacePro’s Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat said a candidate’s ancestry or state of origin must not be exploited to promote political exclusion, incite sectional sentiments or undermine citizens’ participation in the democratic process.

PeacePro cited the ongoing controversy surrounding Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, whose ancestry has become a subject of political dispute.

In September 2026, Adeola challenged individuals questioning his Ogun State roots to provide evidence for their claims or face legal action. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu subsequently challenged Adeola over the matter, insisting that he was prepared to defend his position in court.

Hamzat said the controversy illustrates the danger of turning questions of ancestry into political weapons, shifting public attention away from candidates’ policies, competence, integrity and capacity to govern.

PeacePro drew attention to Section 101 of the Electoral Act 2026, which makes it an offence for a candidate, person or association to engage in campaigning or broadcasting based on religious, tribal or sectional considerations to promote or oppose a political party or candidate.

The provision prescribes a fine of ₦3 million to ₦5 million, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both, for an individual offender upon conviction. Political parties found guilty face fines ranging from ₦30 million to ₦50 million.

PeacePro called on the Federal Government, the police and other relevant authorities to investigate complaints and prosecute those against whom sufficient evidence establishes an offence.

PeacePro warned that allowing indigeneity to become a weapon in electoral competition could deepen ethnic divisions, undermine peaceful political participation and reinforce the dangerous notion that public office belongs exclusively to people of a particular ancestry.

It urged political parties and their supporters to focus on policy choices, public accountability and the qualifications required by law rather than attempting to discredit candidates through identity-based campaigns.

The Ekiti State Government has proposed a ₦490.74 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year, aimed at consolidating the achievements of the Biodun Oyebanji administration and advancing the state’s development agenda.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji presented the proposed budget, tagged “Budget of Sustained Progress and Prosperity,” as a framework for building on the gains of the administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda while laying a stronger foundation for sustainable growth in the coming years.

The proposal prioritises investment across the administration’s six pillars of governance, including education and healthcare, infrastructure development, agriculture, youth development, good governance, and arts and tourism.

According to the state government’s presentation, the budget is designed to strengthen public services, improve infrastructure, promote economic opportunities and support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Ekiti residents.

The proposal also reflects the administration’s stated commitment to sustaining ongoing projects and programmes while pursuing long-term development goals across the state.

The 2027 budget proposal will guide the government’s spending priorities if approved by the Ekiti State House of Assembly. Its implementation will determine how effectively the proposed allocations translate into improved services, infrastructure and economic opportunities for residents.

The Oyo State Police Command have confirmed the abduction of three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of residents and workers in the state, as security agencies are expected to intensify efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release.

Details surrounding the circumstances of the abduction, including the identities of the victims, the exact location of the incident and whether the kidnappers have made contact with their families, were not immediately available.

The police are expected to provide further information as investigations progress, while efforts to establish the whereabouts of the abducted staff members continue.

The incident adds to growing concerns about kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Oyo State, with residents calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.

Parents of abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have claimed that ₦50 million was paid to secure the release of their children, despite the police denying that any ransom was paid.

The development follows the abduction of 20 prospective corps members who were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps when gunmen attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The parents had earlier raised the alarm over a reported ₦1 billion ransom demand, with the abductors allegedly requesting ₦50 million for each victim. The families appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and security agencies for urgent intervention to ensure the safe return of their children.

However, the police have denied that ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release, creating a discrepancy between the account attributed to the parents and the official position of the security authorities.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps and the growing threat of kidnapping along major highways. Further clarification is needed from the parents and police regarding the circumstances surrounding the reported payment and the victims’ release.