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Presidential Yacht: Senate Halts Procurement as OGD Intervene

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The Nigerian Navy has halted the plan to procure a multi-billion Naira presidential yacht which has sparked widespread controversy. 
The suspension of the presidential yacht, it was reliably gathered, followed the intervention by the Senate Committee Chairman on Navy, Senator Olugbenga Daniel. 
Although President Bola Tinubu was not privy to the decision to buy the yacht which was listed under the Nigerian Navy’s proposed capital expenditure in the N2.1 trillion supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly, authoritative sources revealed yesterday that the procurement plan has been shelved.
According to media reports, a sum of N5.09 billion was allocated for the yacht while N2.9 billion was earmarked for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the Presidential Villa.
The reports added that a sum of N2.9 billion was proposed for the replacement of operational vehicles for the Presidency.
As the reports continued to generate angry reactions among Nigerians, this newspaper gathered on Thursday that the Senate promptly waded in to douse growing tension. 
An impeccable source, who is familiar with the development but not authorised to speak to the media on the matter, confirmed that Senator Daniel actually met with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to discuss the burning issue. 
The source stated that it was regrettable that the yacht, which is an operational boat with specialised security gadgets, was mired in controversy. 
According to him, the equipment was ordered by the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. 
The source, however, revealed that the yacht had been replaced with more critical equipment required to support operational efforts against oil theft, oil bunkering, and pipeline vandalism. 
He said, “The yacht is an operational boat but with specialised security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection, not necessarily for Mr President. 
“It was ordered by the previous administration and the equipment delivered though not yet paid for.
“It was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence, the total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200billion out which no more than N62billion was graciously approved by the President. 
“At a meeting between Senator Gbenga Daniel, as the Chairman Senate Committee on Navy and the Chief of Naval Staff this morning, the priority list was reevaluated and the yacht has been replaced with more critical equipment required to further support operational efforts against oil theft, oil bunkering, and pipeline vandalism etc.”

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Sterling Bank Records Positive Impact from Zero Transfer Fees Policy

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Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank Zero Transfer Fees policy returns N1.6bn to customers, boosting inclusion, transaction growth, and digital banking adoption

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Israeli President Visits Australia After Deadly Bondi Attack

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President

Israeli president Australia visit follows the Bondi Beach attack, as Isaac Herzog honours victims amid protests and political controversy

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Nigeria’s Job-Creation Strategy Anchored on Macroeconomic Reform and Private-Sector Growth — Foreign Affairs Minister

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Yusuf Tuggar

 

Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has outlined the country’s job-creation strategy, emphasising that sustainable employment growth is being driven by far-reaching macroeconomic reforms under the Tinubu Administration.

Speaking at the Africa Jobs Engine Panel on the margins of the World Economic Forum, the Minister explained that Nigeria’s approach is focused on restoring macroeconomic stability and creating clear, investable pathways for the private sector.

He highlighted recent reforms, including the stabilisation of the foreign exchange regime, the removal of fuel subsidies, and ongoing power-sector restructuring that separates generation, transmission, and distribution. According to the Minister, these measures are designed to improve transparency, reduce distortions, and attract long-term private investment, particularly in energy-intensive and job-rich sectors.

According to a statement signed by  Alkasim Abdulkadir SA Media to the minister , he also noted that comprehensive tax reforms are underway to improve efficiency, enhance predictability, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a destination for business and investment.

Referencing Nigeria’s hosting of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), he stated that the summit was conceived to bridge information gaps by equipping the private sector across the region with practical knowledge of regional frameworks and opportunities, including the West African Power Pool and other enabling regulatory instruments.

He stressed that while government’s responsibility is to provide stable and enabling conditions, the private sector remains the primary engine of job creation. In this context, the Minister pointed to the emergence of local production ecosystems that are increasingly converting raw materials into finished goods, supported by stronger linkages between labour, finance, and markets. These developments, he noted, are already expanding opportunities for women and young people.

The Honourable Minister further cautioned that the African Continental Free Trade Area should remain firmly focused on its core mandate of economic integration. He underscored that deepening intra-African trade, industrial linkages, and value chains is essential to sustaining long-term growth and employment across the continent.

He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to reforms that strengthen confidence, unlock private capital, and position the economy as a platform for inclusive growth and job creation in Africa.

 


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