Canadian Minister hails Nigeria as key partner, urges deeper collaboration in energy, agriculture, and clean tech sectors

Nigeria’s bilateral merchandise trade with Canada has risen to $3 billion as at 2025, reaffirming Nigeria’s position as Canada’s second-largest trading partner on the African continent. The milestone was announced on Monday at the opening of the sixth Canada-Africa Business Conference held in Lagos.

The two-day event, organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in collaboration with Zenith Bank Plc, brought together leading investors, policymakers, and business executives from both countries and across Africa. Delegates focused on unlocking opportunities for increased trade and investment in sectors including financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, and clean technology.

Addressing participants through a message to the conference, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commended organisers for their efforts in strengthening economic links between Africa and Canada. In his remarks at the event, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, highlighted Nigeria’s growing importance to Canadian business interests and called for renewed efforts to expand partnerships across emerging sectors.

“Nigeria remains an essential partner for Canada in Africa. We see significant potential for growth not only in traditional commodities but also in areas like renewable energy and digital innovation,” Sidhu said.

The conference also featured panel discussions on financing cross-border projects and fostering innovation-driven economies. Stakeholders emphasised that deeper cooperation could unlock new jobs and drive inclusive growth across both countries. Many delegates advocated for regulatory reforms and improved infrastructure to ease business operations between Nigeria and Canadian firms.

The event is expected to lead to new commercial agreements and further boost bilateral ties going forward. Stakeholders will continue engagement after the conference concludes Tuesday, with follow-up meetings planned between government officials and private sector leaders.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-canada-bilateral-trade-hits-3bn/

Move aims to expand access for grassroots coaches; state FAs set to play bigger role in training programmes

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has revealed a new plan to decentralise coaching education across the country, with the goal of making training more accessible to coaches at all levels. Gusau made this announcement on Wednesday, 24 June, during an official engagement in Abuja.

According to Gusau, the NFF intends to move away from a centralised system of organising coaching courses and instead empower state football associations (FAs) to conduct training at the grassroots. This initiative is designed to address long-standing complaints about limited access and high costs that have prevented many aspiring coaches from participating in NFF-accredited programmes.

The NFF president said that decentralisation will allow state FAs to organise coaching courses within their localities, under guidelines and supervision provided by the national body. “We believe that by bringing coaching education closer to the people, we can discover more talent and improve the standard of football in every part of Nigeria,” Gusau stated.

Industry observers note that this marks a significant policy shift for Nigerian football administration. Many grassroots coaches have previously complained about having to travel long distances or pay high fees for certification courses usually held in Abuja or Lagos. The NFF’s new approach is expected to benefit coaches from remote areas and support football development at community level.

While details on implementation timelines are yet to be announced, Gusau assured stakeholders that modalities will soon be communicated through state associations. He urged local FA chairmen to prepare for active involvement in the process, promising that the NFF will provide technical support and ensure uniform standards nationwide.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/890416-nff-to-decentralise-coaching-education-gusau.html

Constitutional amendment allows states to form police services, but Abuja keeps authority to intervene in security matters

The Senate in Abuja on Wednesday passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, granting states the power to establish their own police services while maintaining significant emergency intervention rights for the Federal Government. The bill, sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), moved through all legislative stages within 24 hours following a coordinated push between the executive and Senate leadership.

The legislation, if ratified by state assemblies and signed into law, will overhaul Nigeria’s security framework by replacing the current Nigeria Police Force with a restructured Federal Police Service and new State Police Services. However, under Section 214 of the bill, Abuja retains sweeping powers to deploy federal police in any state during actual or imminent breakdown of order, when a state police service is unable to function, or when national security is threatened.

Supporters say this move answers longstanding calls for decentralised policing to tackle insecurity across Nigeria’s regions. The North-West and North-Central zones have faced persistent attacks from armed groups, while South-East states have reported rising incidents of violence. Proponents argue that state-level control will allow faster response and improved community relations. However, critics warn that excessive federal oversight could undermine true autonomy for state police.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North-West) described the bill as “a major step towards modernising our security sector,” adding during plenary that “the Federal Government must have capacity to step in when peace is at risk.” No official opposition statement was issued immediately after passage; PDP lawmakers were seen conferring outside chambers but did not address reporters.

The bill now proceeds to Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly for concurrence before it can become law. Analysts say its implementation will depend on clarity around funding, recruitment standards, and operational guidelines for both federal and state police services. Stakeholders also await further details on checks and balances designed to prevent abuse of emergency powers by Abuja.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/national/fg-retains-emergency-powers-under-state-police-bill/