CUSTOMS: AEO PROGRAMME RECORDS ₦362.79 BILLION REVENUE GROWTH AS SERVICE COMMENDS VOLUNTARY REMITTANCES, SUSPENDS DEFAULTING OPERATOR

CUSTOMS: AEO PROGRAMME RECORDS ₦362.79 BILLION REVENUE GROWTH AS SERVICE COMMENDS VOLUNTARY REMITTANCES, SUSPENDS DEFAULTING OPERATOR

   CGC, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI 

Bisi Akingbade 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the public of the significant revenue and trade facilitation milestone achieved under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, with revenue increasing from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification, reflecting a growth of ₦362.79 billion (29.68%) for the 51 AEO-certified entities as at 27 October 2025. The Programme also contributed 21.77% to NCS’s total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45%, with the highest at 100% and the lowest at 60%. The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving. Company operating costs declined by 57.2%, while demurrage payments dropped by 90%, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention. Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11% through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management.

The Service commends Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure. These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Notwithstanding these gains, the Service identified a compliance breach involving a recently certified AEO company that engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations. Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterates that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance. While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established. The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework.

NIMASA, NUPRC MEET TO IMPROVE ON INDUSTRY REGULATION

NIMASA, NUPRC MEET TO IMPROVE ON INDUSTRY REGULATION

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s investment climate through enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

This formed the core of discussions during a working visit by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and her management team at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Both agencies emphasized the importance of improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria while optimizing accruable benefits to the Federal Government.

The meeting underscored the need for coordinated regulatory efforts to eliminate operational bottlenecks, promote investor confidence, and ensure efficient revenue generation across the maritime and oil and gas critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

NIMASA’s mandate of promoting indigenous capacity in international shipping trade as well as prevention of marine pollution and control directly aligns with the responsibilities of NUPRC, which include ensuring compliance with regulations as they relate to upstream extraction activities, promoting investment and enforcing environmental/safety standards.

Customs Launches Digital One-Stop-Shop to Cut Cargo Delays

Customs Launches Digital One-Stop-Shop to Cut Cargo Delays

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has launched a new digital One-Stop-Shop,  OSS, platform aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks at Nigeria’s ports and significantly reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Lagos the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a major structural reform designed to modernise border operations and strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

The Customs boss noted that the platform aligns with Nigeria’s broader business reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, as well as global standards under the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement, which estimates that efficient border reforms can cut trade costs in developing economies by over 14 percent.

He also announced that the Service is advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi stated. “Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests, and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.”

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the OSS platform consolidates all risk interventions into a single electronic interface, streamlining multiple checks into a single digital umbrella.

“Today, the NCS is introducing the One-Stop-Shop digital platform, an innovative system designed to consolidate all risk interventions at the port into a single electronic interface,” she said. “We have listened to your feedback and recognised how multiple checkpoints and risk interventions affect business processes. Your involvement in this engagement is crucial to the success of this reform.”

A technical presentation by the Service’s Trade Facilitation Unit outlined strategies to reduce clearance time from an average of 21 days to about 48 hours, along with implementation plans and anticipated challenges.

Stakeholders at the engagement expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that the platform would facilitate legitimate trade. An interactive session also provided clarifications on operational procedures and expectations for the OSS rollout.

ANLCA NOT A MEMBER OF JACCOF - ANLCA

ANLCA NOT A MEMBER OF JACCOF - ANLCA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents has officially notified the public that ANLCA is not a member of any Joint Association of Customs Clearing Forwarding Agents, JACCOF, 

This information was  made available through an official Notice of Disclaimer and signed by the National Secretary, ANLCA, Fakanlu Olumide.

56 Grassroots Football Clubs Vie for Taiwo Afolabi Cup

56 Grassroots Football Clubs Vie for Taiwo Afolabi Cup

No fewer than 56 grassroots football teams will compete for honours as the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament which will kick off on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Lagos.

The tournament, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association,  LSGSA, and sponsored by SIFAX Group, is played in honour of Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group. It will feature 32 male teams and 24 female teams, making it one of the largest youth football competitions in the state’s grassroots football calendar.

Preliminary matches will be held at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre, Ebute Metta, and the Anthony Mini Stadium, Gbagada, while the grand finale is scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. 

Speaking at the press conference to announce the tournament, Afuka Abu, the Assistant Secretary of LSGSA, described the competition as a proven platform for discovering and grooming young talents for professional football.

“This tournament has consistently provided young players with the structure, exposure and discipline they need to progress to higher levels of the game. Many of our participants have moved on to national teams and professional clubs, and that remains our goal — to give every talented child a genuine opportunity,” Abu said.

SIFAX Group has supported the tournament for a decade as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to youth empowerment, sports development and community growth.

Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations at SIFAX Group, said the sponsorship is rooted in the company’s philosophy of creating lasting value beyond business.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he said. “This tournament was conceived not just as a competition, but as a platform for discovery, development and hope. For us, Corporate Social Responsibility is a long-term responsibility, not a one-time gesture.”

Over the years, the Taiwo Afolabi Cup has produced several standout talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria and secure contracts with clubs in Europe and other international leagues.

Notable players discovered through the competition include Samson Tijani, former Golden Eaglets captain, discovered at the 2019 edition, who currently plays for Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic; Soliu Afolabi, former Flying Eagles player, a player of Slovan Liberec; Chijioke Light, who later represented Nigeria at the WAFU Championship and the Africa Women Cup of Nations, and Ebenezer Ojo of Greater Tomorrow Academy, discovered in 2022, and currently playing in the Norwegian league.

Football stakeholders, scouts, former internationals and administrators are expected to attend the matches to identify emerging talents and provide guidance to participating players.

The 10th anniversary edition will not only celebrate a decade of impact but also raise the standard of grassroots football development in Lagos.

The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to discovering and nurturing young football talents through competitive platforms and community-based initiatives.

Customs Cares Initiative: CGC Adeniyi Commissions Classroom Block @Kirikiri Correctional Centre

Customs Cares Initiative:  CGC Adeniyi Commissions Classroom Block @

Kirikiri Correctional Centre 

Bisi Akingbade 

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  has reaffirmed its commitment to social development by commissioning a four-classroom block at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Lagos.

The project was commissioned by Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi and executed by the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, KLT, Command under the Customs Cares Initiative, which is designed to improve access to education for inmates and support their reintegration into society.

Speaking at the event, Adeniyi reiterated that the Service would continue to implement people-focused interventions aligned with global development priorities and national policy direction.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, through the Customs Cares Initiative, will continue to undertake several interventions inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, health, provision of water and support for literacy. These outcomes are driving our efforts, and this project is also in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving lives and promoting sustainable national development,” he said.

He commended the project's initiator, Assistant Comptroller-General, ACG, Joy Edeldouk, for her dedication and leadership in bringing the project to fruition.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria  Correctional Service , Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Corrections, Amos Kupan, described the project as a major contribution to the correctional centre’s rehabilitation efforts.

“This laudable intervention is a clear demonstration of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and its support for the rehabilitation mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service,” Kupan said. “We deeply appreciate this partnership, which underscores the shared responsibilities of government institutions in nation-building and human capital development.”

He further noted that the facility will improve the learning environment within the correctional centre and strengthen educational and vocational training programmes.

ACG Edeldouk, alongside the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, DC Bolaji Adigun, described the classroom block as a symbol of hope for inmates’ personal development through education.

Stakeholders at the event applauded the initiative, commending the Customs Service for extending its impact beyond statutory duties to promote social development and human dignity.

The event concluded with the official commissioning of the classroom block by the Comptroller-General of Customs, followed by a guided tour of the facility.

CGC Adeniyi Pays Historic Visit to Emir of Gwandu

CGC Adeniyi Pays Historic Visit to Emir of Gwandu

…Charges Kebbi Command Officers on Discipline, Transit Integrity

Bisi Akingbade 

Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has paid homage to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, as part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions in strengthening border security, community engagement, and national development.

The visit, held at the Emir’s palace in Kebbi State, underscored the Service’s recognition of the critical role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, promoting lawful trade, and supporting security agencies in border communities. The CGC was accompanied by senior officers of the Service, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve under the Gwandu Emirate.

Speaking during the engagement, CGC Adeniyi described the visit as strategic to Customs’ stakeholder partnership framework, noting that sustainable border management requires cooperation beyond enforcement institutions. He emphasised that traditional authorities remain indispensable allies in sensitising border residents, discouraging smuggling, and fostering trust between security agencies and local communities.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to sustain dialogue and collaboration with the Kebbi Emirate Council and border communities in curbing smuggling and other cross-border crimes that undermine national security and economic stability.

In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended the CGC and his entourage for the visit and pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies operating within the state. The monarch urged residents of border communities to cooperate with authorities by providing timely information to help tackle smuggling and related criminal activities.

As part of his official engagements in the state, the Comptroller-General visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects aimed at improving operational capacity and personnel welfare. He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a newly constructed five-aside football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo.

Addressing officers and men of the Command, CGC Adeniyi charged them to remain disciplined, professional, and committed to their responsibilities, describing Kebbi as a strategically significant border Command for both revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations. He stressed the need to ensure that goods move strictly through approved corridors and warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.

The CGC noted that Kebbi State remains a critical route used by smugglers and economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal export of petroleum products, which informed the deployment of special operations in the area. He disclosed that he had conveyed the president's approval for reopening the Tsamiya border and reminded officers that the development carries increased responsibility to prevent the diversion of transit goods.

He further emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in addressing smuggling, banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organised crime, while assuring personnel of improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to enhance operational efficiency.

The visit concluded on a symbolic note as the Comptroller-General joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned five-aside pitch, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and morale within the Command.

SIFAX Group:Ports and Cargo Handling Services Targets Stronger Rebound in 2026

SIFAX Group:Ports and Cargo Handling Services Targets Stronger Rebound in 2026

Bisi Akingbade 

Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, has said its strategic decision of refocusing its business primarily on general cargo and break-bulk handling was responsible for its operational rebound in 2025. 

The improved performance follows a strategic repositioning of the terminal after a challenging 2024 where it lost some high-profile clients, which negatively affected the terminal’s cargo volumes and earnings. In response, the company refocused its operations on general cargo and break-bulk handling, a move that stabilised the business and unlocked a new growth trajectory.

According to John Jenkins, Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, the restructuring of its stevedoring activities also played a major role in the recovery process.

“Our strategic operational reforms played a critical role in the rebound. The company restructured its stevedoring operations, resulting in a significant reduction in operating costs and measurable improvements in productivity following a change in service provider.

“We also invested in critical equipment such as forklifts and spare parts, while rebalancing our workforce. This included filling key operational roles with competent hands to strengthen service delivery and support higher volumes,” Jenkins added.

Looking ahead, the company has projected a significant revenue growth, with general cargo accounting for the largest share of these projections, supported by increased volumes of steel, vehicles, and palletised cargo, as well as higher import flows from Asia into Nigeria.

To sustain this growth and cope with expected increase in business volume, the company has outlined a 2026 capital expenditure that includes investments in crane upgrade, acquisition of additional forklifts, and terminal trucks. These investments will also help at easing capacity constraints, reducing equipment hire costs, and maintaining operational efficiency.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as space constraints and volatility in container shipping services, management expressed confidence in the company’s outlook.

“The lessons learned in 2025 have strengthened our approach to cost control, customer engagement, and operational execution. With demand no longer our primary constraint, our focus in 2026 is on efficient execution, handling higher cargo volumes while protecting margins and sustaining profitability,” Jenkins said.

Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited operates as part of the SIFAX Group’s port and logistics portfolio, providing specialised cargo handling solutions within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Push for Innovation-Driven Trade Facilitation

Nigeria Customs Deepens Global Push for Innovation-Driven Trade Facilitation

…As CGC Adeniyi, Trade Modernisation Team Engage Global Customs Leaders in Abu Dhabi

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reaffirmed its commitment to technology-driven border management and international cooperation as the 2026 World Customs Organisation WCO, Technology Conference and Exhibition commenced on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, in the United Arab Emirates.

The conference, organised by the WCO under the theme “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” brings together Customs administrations, technology providers, policymakers and industry leaders from across the globe to examine how innovation can strengthen border security while facilitating legitimate trade.

Nigeria’s participation in the high-level event underscores the Service’s ongoing trade modernisation drive and its alignment with global best practices in Customs administration, particularly in data exchange, digitalisation, and intelligence-led enforcement.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, who is also the Chairperson of the WCO Council, emphasised the importance of structured international collaboration in addressing emerging cross-border challenges.

According to the CGC, “Our experience has shown that robust engagement with international organisations such as INTERPOL, World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO and the Universal Postal Union creates opportunities for deeper cooperation, especially in tracking criminal networks, protecting intellectual property and managing emerging trade risks.”

He noted that enhanced data exchange and stronger governance frameworks remain critical to addressing global challenges such as cargo diversion along transit corridors.

“Diversion of goods in transit is not a challenge unique to Nigeria; it is a global issue that requires coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation. Through existing WCO instruments and mutual administrative assistance frameworks, Customs administrations can more effectively investigate offences and ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi said.

The CGC also commended the innovative solutions showcased at the conference, citing a digital humanitarian corridor solution presented by the UAE as a practical tool to improve the movement of relief consignments.

“I saw a tool today developed by the UAE that creates a digital humanitarian corridor. If scaled across the global Customs community, it can significantly enhance our ability to move humanitarian goods efficiently within a fully digitalised environment,” he added.

The Comptroller-General of Customs further noted that the global Customs response to evolving border challenges has been shaped by a coordinated framework of standards and practical tools developed over time, with technology remaining at the core of these interventions. 

According to him, organisational agility goes beyond the deployment of systems and platforms, as it requires the capacity to absorb change, respond to emerging risks and continuously adapt operational approaches. 

“Technology has been central to the work of the WCO and Customs administrations worldwide, and the progress recorded by UAE Customs across various operational areas demonstrates what is achievable when innovation is fully embraced,” he said. 

CGC Adeniyi, however, stressed that sustainable modernisation must be supported by deliberate investment in human capital renewal, noting that Customs administrations across WCO member states are confronting generational transitions as experienced officers exit the system. He emphasised that building the skills and capacity of the next generation of officers is critical to maximising the benefits of technology and sustaining long-term institutional effectiveness.

Also representing the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Team, the General Manager, TMP, Ahmed Ogunsola, participated in a panel session titled “Above the Clouds: Enhancing Customs Security through Cloud Computing and Data Analytics,” where discussions focused on leveraging cloud-based infrastructure and advanced analytics to strengthen risk management, improve compliance and enhance Customs security.

Also from TMP, Nabil Mustapha, the software development lead, did a tech talk on the evolution of national trade systems, focusing on 3 key areas: secure architectures, seamless user experience and beneficial outcomes.

At the exhibition site, TMP also had a booth showcasing the work done to modernise customs operations in Nigeria, highlighting the indigenous custom-made B'odogwu application and other technology solutions that brought together all parties involved in the trade ecosystem and eased the work for Customs officers and stakeholders. 

The opening ceremony of the conference featured remarks by senior UAE officials, including the Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, who highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, data analytics and smart monitoring systems in achieving secure and seamless trade, as well as the Director-General of Customs and Port Security, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahaj Al Falasi, who outlined future pillars of Customs development anchored on technology, human capacity and inter-agency integration.

In his address, the Secretary-General of the WCO, Ian Saunders, stressed that Customs administrations remain central to global economic and social prosperity, noting that innovation is essential for managing evolving border threats, securing supply chains and facilitating legitimate trade.

The three-day conference features panel discussions, case studies and live demonstrations covering risk management, innovative scanning technologies, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cloud computing and sustainable Customs operations, alongside an exhibition showcasing next-generation solutions for border management.

NCS and TMP Limited's active participation in the conference reflects a continued resolve to modernise operations, strengthen international partnerships, and deploy innovation to achieve efficient, secure, and globally aligned trade facilitation.

Beyond exhibition presence, the TMP and NCS team actively participated in the conference's Hackathon, collaborating with global Customs and technology experts to explore practical, innovation-led responses to emerging trade and border challenges. The exercise provided an opportunity to demonstrate Nigeria’s growing capacity to contribute to global Customs technology solutions rather than merely adopt them.

Oyetola' Aide Dismisses Osun Assembly’s Claims, Says Minister Plays No Role in LG Finances

Oyetola' Aide Dismisses Osun Assembly’s Claims, Says Minister Plays No Role in LG Finances

Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has been emphatically exonerated from unfounded allegations levelled by the Osun State House of Assembly, as his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, described the Assembly’s claims as fabricated and malicious. This is as Dr Akinola reaffirmed that all local governments in Nigeria have full financial autonomy.

Reacting to a press release issued by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on Sunday, 1st February 2026, Akinola said the attempt to link Dr Oyetola to the administration or disbursement of local government funds was reckless propaganda designed to distract the public from the state government’s own failures and ongoing legal battles. He stressed that the Minister has no constitutional or statutory role in local government finance and has neither issued directives to banks nor interfered in the running of local councils.

Dr Akinola stated that the press statement attributed to Egbedun merely recycled the same discredited narratives earlier pushed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing them as a desperate attempt to unlawfully reassert state control over local government funds in defiance of binding court judgments. According to him, the Osun State Government and the State Assembly are uncomfortable with the reality that local governments have full financial autonomy protected by the Constitution and the Supreme Court. 

He pointed out that the Supreme Court judgment delivered on 11 July 2024 unequivocally granted full financial autonomy to all local governments in Nigeria, affirming their independence and expressly barring state governors from interfering in their affairs or hijacking their funds. He said the judgment was clear, final and incapable of being overturned by press releases or political threats.

Akinola also recalled that a valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10 February 2025 reinstated the duly elected local government chairmen in Osun State. He emphasised that the Osun State Government chose not to appeal the judgment, making it final, binding and enforceable in law. By that decision, the reinstated chairmen are lawfully entitled to administer their councils, a fact he said the state government has persistently but unsuccessfully sought to undermine.

He dismissed as false and intellectually dishonest the repeated description of the chairmen as “illegal”, stressing that they were duly elected, duly reinstated by a superior court of record and remain fully protected by binding judicial pronouncements. He said no amount of political rhetoric can nullify or wish away those judgments.

He said the Osun State Government has instituted no fewer than twelve separate court cases on the matter, thereby creating administrative bottlenecks and for which the government must now wait for judicial outcomes rather than resorting to propaganda.

He further accused the Adeleke administration of instigating and sponsoring an eleven-month strike by local government workers, thereby paralysing the councils in an attempt to frustrate the autonomous functioning of the councils and create a false narrative.

He asserted that the local governments have full authority to administer their funds without recourse to Governor Ademola Adeleke or the Osun State House of Assembly, and they have their own duly elected councillors who constitutionally form the legislative arm of local government administration.

Akinola strongly condemned what he described as deliberate and calculated misinformation being pushed into the public domain by the Speaker of the House, accusing him of misrepresenting settled legal issues to mislead the public. He also cautioned Egbedun to exercise restraint in his public utterances, particularly against making reckless and insulting remarks against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, warning that public office does not grant immunity from responsibility or consequences.

He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations and all supporters of constitutional democracy to stand in defence of local government autonomy and to condemn ongoing attempts by the Osun State Government and House of Assembly to circumvent the Supreme Court judgment of 11 July 2024, insisting that the rule of law must prevail over political desperation.