By Sam Otuonye 

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has launched Dream Nigeria Youth Charter, a document that focuses on the essential innovation and policy framework that is youth-driven. 

The document, supported by Policy and Innovation Centre, Nigeria, an international advocacy group, during its 2026 Gender and Inclusive Summit in Abuja, with the theme: ‘From Agenda to Action: Making Innovation count for the Last Mile’ aligned with the group’s mandate towards building a resilient youth population in Nigeria.

The Charter unveiled by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said the initiative represented the collective vision and aspirations of Nigerian youths.

She noted that the document was to the growth of Nigerian youth, not just as a dream, but “we want to see it translate into results that will impact every Nigerian youth, in fact, beyond Nigeria to West Africa, and to the world as a whole.”

“On behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who would have loved to be here but due to work exigencies could not, we are launching this beautiful work put together by Nigerian youths themselves and supported over the years by the Policy and Innovation Centre,” she said.

“We are launching this beautiful work put together by Nigerian youth themselves, supported over the year by PIC. So please join me as we launch this.”

She then formally declared the Dream Nigeria Youth Charter launched and called on stakeholders to support its implementation.

The launch added a youth development dimension to the GS-26 conversations, as participants continued to examine how stronger institutions, inclusive policies and accountable governance could deliver development to Nigerians at the last mile.

The participants observed that Nigeria’s political culture of governance works in the opposite direction, from the imperatives of government that we desire to see, noting that the political culture fundamentally concentrated on the business of getting into office, and ensure that you can stay in office. Hence, a political imperatives that become the predominant feature of day-to-day governments.

They noted that the last mile is made up of human beings whose wellbeing are supposed to be addressed by the fantastic policies of the government.

“We are talking about the business of policy articulation. If you have a whole process of assurance that has been articulated, actually benefits those at the last minute.”

Speaking on tax reforms and the impact on the last mile, the Special Adviser on Revenue to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olarinde Michael Olufemi, said Nigeria must move beyond measuring the success of tax reforms merely by the volume of revenue collected.

He noted that the real test of fiscal reform should be how effectively public revenue is translated into improved healthcare, education, infrastructure, security, social protection and other essential services for Nigerians.

Olufemi stated that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remained among the lowest globally and below the African average, stressing the urgent need to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation.

According to him, the government’s target is to raise the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 18 per cent by 2028, while ensuring efficiency, transparency and equity in the management and deployment of public resources.

He said Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, projected to reach about 400 million by 2050, would place increasing pressure on public services and infrastructure.

He identified healthcare, education, infrastructure, security and social protection as critical areas requiring sustainable financing.

He said rising debt obligations, infrastructure financing gaps, rapid urbanisation, unemployment and climate-related challenges had made it imperative for Nigeria to expand its domestic revenue base.

By Sam Otuonye 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO), has issued an Invitation to Tender for Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) of 91-day, 182-day and 364-day tenors, totalling N500 billion, to be auctioned by Dutch auction on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The offer notice released on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, directed all Money Market Dealers to submit bids through the CBN S4 WEB INTERFACE between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Allotment letters would be issued to successful bids on Thursday, September 10, 2026, while payment for the successful bids should be made to your account with Central Bank of Nigeria not later than 11.00 a.m. on Thursday September 10, 2026.

The offer is broken down as N100 billion for the 91-day bill, N100 billion for the 182-day bill, and N300 billion for the 364-day bill, marking a notable step down from the N700 billion offers that have defined most of the CBN’s larger auction sessions through Q3 2026.

91-day bill: N100 billion on offer

182-day bill: N100 billion on offer

364-day bill: N300 billion on offer

Total offer: N500 billion.

All Money Market Dealers are required to submit bids through the CBN S4 Web Interface between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Each bid must be in multiples of N1,000, subject to a minimum of N50,001,000.

Dealers are permitted to submit multiple bids on their own account or on behalf of non-Money Market Dealers and members of the public.

The auction result is expected to be announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while allotment letters will be issued on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Payment for successful bids is due to the CBN not later than 11:00 a.m. on the same day. The apex bank reserves the right to reject any bid or vary the amount on offer in line with prevailing market conditions.

Under the Q3 NTB programme, the Debt Management Office (DMO) along with the CBN planned to issue N5.8 trillion in Treasury Bills between July and September 2026.

The programme comprises N900 billion in 91-day, N900 billion in 182-day and N4 trillion in 364-day bills.

The 364-day bill accounts for about 69% of planned issuance, making it the dominant instrument.

Treasury Bills worth N2.644 trillion are expected to mature during the quarter.

After repayment of maturities, the programme implies an estimated net new borrowing of N3.16 trillion.

Under the original programme plans, the apex scheduled major N700 billion auctions for July 8, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 26 and September 2.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) Advisory Team for the 23rd National Sports Festival, Enugu 2026, on Wednesday, paid a strategic working visit to the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, at the Enugu State Government House, Enugu.

Led by Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Consultant to the MOC, the primary objective of the visit was to provide the Governor with a comprehensive briefing on the current state of preparations, highlight milestones achieved so far by the MOC and LOC, and bring to his attention critical areas requiring immediate executive intervention to ensure that the Festival is delivered to international standards, on schedule and in line with the vision of the National Sports Commission.

Following extensive deliberations, Governor Mbah responded with clear directives and firm assurances aimed at accelerating preparations for the Games.

He directed immediate action on all issues raised during the meeting and constituted a monitoring team to provide him with daily updates on the progress of work across all fronts.

He further ordered the immediate activation of the LOC Secretariat to serve as the operational hub for all Festival activities. He also directed the immediate composition and activation of all LOC subcommittees. In the spirit of efficiency and in alignment with global best practices, His Excellency approved the streamlining of the subcommittees from 19 to 13 to ensure better coordination and accountability.

Reaffirming the commitment of his administration, His Excellency declared categorically that the Games will not suffer any postponement. He assured that all sporting infrastructure earmarked for the Festival, including the Games Village and competition venues, will be ready and delivered ahead of the commencement of the Games.

To drive awareness and national excitement, the Governor directed the immediate activation of all media, publicity and marketing strategies to commence nationwide sensitisation, promotion and mobilization for the Games.

Demonstrating hands-on leadership, His Excellency also expressed his desire to hold regular interface meetings with the MOC Advisory Team to review progress, address challenges promptly and ensure that Enugu State remains fully on track for a successful hosting.

The team assured the Governor of the unwavering commitment and full support of the National Sports Commission and the MOC to work in close synergy with the Enugu State Government. The goal, they emphasised, is to deliver a peaceful, well-organised and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival that will showcase the talents of Nigerian athletes and the rich cultural heritage of Enugu State and the South-East region.

The high-level delegation was led by Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Consultant to the MOC, and had in attendance Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, also Consultant to the MOC; Mr. Sunday Odebode; Mr. Idowu Oladipupo; and Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, Secretary-General of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

The Advisory Team conveyed the warm greetings and goodwill message of the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Chairman of the MOC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, to His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah.

The team commended the Governor and the good people of Enugu State for graciously accepting to host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival. They noted that this will be the first time since the Imo ’98 Games that a South-East state will have the honour of hosting Nigeria’s biggest multi-sports event.