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Nigeria has spent $9 billion, lost 100,000 lives fighting Boko Haram – CDS
By Funmilayo Olusanya
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor has bemoaned the country’s high human and financial consequences of the Boko Haram conflict.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor
On the final day of the third Ministerial Performance Review Retreat in Abuja yesterday, Irabor made the announcement, that since the insurgency started in 2009, Nigeria has lost 100,000 lives and spent $9 billion (about N3.24 trillion).
However, the General claimed that the insurgency had been contained to a region of the Northeast and estimated that over two million people had been made homeless as a result of the development.
The head of the Defense Department further confirmed that the Armed Forces had received N2.5 trillion in seven years and had been able to “tremendously” expand internal security activities.
According to him, the N2.5 trillion represents less than 0.5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and just 35% of the needs of the armed forces (GDP).
Regarding the Niger Delta activities, Irabor claimed that militancy had evolved into crude oil theft, a tendency that could be reversed by political leadership, military operations, and the participation of the populace.
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Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), reiterated the government’s intention to start an aggressive tax mobilization campaign to lower the budgetary risks the economy faces during the retreat.
He emphasized that gasoline subsidies would gradually stop in 2023 and noted that the government had decided to put an end to oil theft.
Reeling out the nine Priorities/Presidential Legacy-Synthesis of Key Recommendations from panel sessions and Next Steps, Mustapha, said: “Our collective efforts will inform our contributions to the legacy of the Buhari administration with high-impact projects.”.
The SGF told the participants that Buhari expects to see these ideas and commitments coming to life on the dates promised.
Mustapha said that the Finance, Budget, and National Planning Ministry would drive aggressive revenue mobilization.
His words: “The government will continue its efforts to broaden the sources of foreign exchange and stimulate a greater supply of foreign exchange through the attraction of foreign direct investment.
”Fuel subsidy will eventually be phased out by next year and use every apparatus available to the government to fight oil theft.
The government will also invest in emerging areas of the oil and gas sector to unlock new investment opportunities.
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”Priority 2: Achieve Agriculture and Food Security: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has committed to embarking on an aggressive dry season farming immediately after the wet season to sustain increased food production.
”There is a need to address the logistics costs of moving agricultural products from the farm gates to markets to curb the issue of food inflation.
”The Ministry will also expedite action in rehabilitating the existing refineries and ensuring mechanisms are in place to cushion the effects of total removal oil subsidy.
”The Siemens Grid and Distribution Enhancement Project aims to achieve 25,000Megawatts by 2025. Early work orders and financing structure for the deployment of transmission and distribution equipment have been completed. Efforts are on towards the realisation of 11,000Megawatts of installed transmission capacity by 2023:
”Federal Government is to introduce robust mechanisms to track daily PMS consumption with appropriate technologies.
”Key infrastructure to be commissioned before May 2023 include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the 2nd Niger Bridge, and the Kaduna-Kano highway.”
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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