In a week where the North East got yet another military commander, we got a better look at overburdened infrastructure.
Elsewhere, as MTN gears up to enter the banks’ turf, concern over Nigeria's food import practices conjures a picture of a recently painted but creaking house.
Elsewhere, as MTN gears up to enter the banks’ turf, concern over Nigeria's food import practices conjures a picture of a recently painted but creaking house.
With voice revenues shrinking and data revenues growing much slower than hoped for, it is imperative for the telcos to pivot into this space where their competitive advantages can deliver cheaper banking services to Nigerians.
Nigerian banks and fintech either have to evolve or face an even higher casualty rate.
We hope that @cenbank will hold firm and not succumb to the already rising voices playing the patriotism card to cause a rollback of the PSB policy that seeks to open this space.
We hope that @cenbank will hold firm and not succumb to the already rising voices playing the patriotism card to cause a rollback of the PSB policy that seeks to open this space.
The latest reshuffle in @HQNigerianArmy's hierarchy which has seen a 5th commander at the helm of what is arguably #Nigeria’s primary security threat in a little over 24 months hints at a substantial breakdown in the leadership effort in addressing the #BokoHaram crisis.
Maj-Gen Abba Dikko who took over from Maj-Gen Rogers Nicholas in July lasted barely four months in the role.
Since Dikko assumed command in July, @HQNigerianArmy suffered a series of reversals in which dozens of troops have been killed in action.
Since Dikko assumed command in July, @HQNigerianArmy suffered a series of reversals in which dozens of troops have been killed in action.
Additionally, there have been rumblings of discontent from the frontlines.
Troops have complained about a lack of supplies and logistical difficulties in addition to an already onerous operational environment.
A combination of these factors rendered Dikko’s position untenable.
Troops have complained about a lack of supplies and logistical difficulties in addition to an already onerous operational environment.
A combination of these factors rendered Dikko’s position untenable.
But there remain considerable institutional debilities hampering the counterinsurgency effort, chief among them, resolving the logistical paralysis that starves troops at the front and lifting their morale.
Whether the new #LafiyaDole commander will be able to resolve them and reinvigorate the campaign remains to be seen.
On the surface, reducing food imports appear to be good news but at closer inspection, the facts become clearer.
Every indication shows what has really happened – the imports have simply left the formal sector and ballooned the informal smuggling sector.
Every indication shows what has really happened – the imports have simply left the formal sector and ballooned the informal smuggling sector.
Considering that in the entire West African region, only Nigerians eat parboiled rice in huge volumes and with a population of 180 million people, it does not take a genius to deduce the final destination of the imports.
Clearly, @AsoRock, doesn't have the answers to the issues at the port – in fact, things have worsened to never before seen levels.
The latest @WorldBank Trading Across Borders survey, which measures the time and expense involved with importing and exporting goods, ranked #Nigeria 182nd out of 190 countries, below the war-torn countries of #Syria & #Afghanistan!
It should be an emergency that we lose 5% of GDP to a fixable problem.
The main issue has been a lack of political will and failure to place a priority of the country’s gateways.
The main issue has been a lack of political will and failure to place a priority of the country’s gateways.
Rather than celebrate revenues from the ports and use @nigerianports to fight political battles, @AsoRock will do well to focus on fixing this problem.
