According to the commission’s week 13 update released on Wednesday in Abuja, a total of 3,441,121 registrations had been completed as of April 3, covering both online pre-registrations and physical walk-ins.

Of this figure, 1,922,143 were female registrants, compared to 1,518,978 males, highlighting stronger participation among women in the current registration cycle.

INEC disclosed that 2,068,384 citizens completed their registration online, while 1,372,737 others registered physically at designated centres across the country.

Youth participation also remained dominant, with citizens aged between 18 and 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrants, representing 68.43 per cent of the total.

A breakdown of registrations by state showed that Jigawa recorded the highest number of new voters at 201,047, representing 5.84 per cent of the total. Lagos followed with 181,095, while Kano ranked third with 177,681 registrations.

On occupational distribution, students formed the largest group of new voters at 1,235,931 (35.92 per cent), followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 per cent), and individuals engaged in farming and fishing at 615,967 (18.28 per cent).

INEC also reported that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities registered during the period.

The commission noted that the figures remain provisional, pending data clean-up and verification processes, including the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.

It added that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on February 21.

INEC urged eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to complete the process via its official platforms before the deadline.

As the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly buzzed with heated debate, a palpable sense of anticipation had gripped the country.

For months, Nigerians had watched with cautious hope as lawmakers debated amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, reforms intended to strengthen the integrity of elections leading up to the pivotal 2027 polls.

Yet amidst that hope, yesterday brought disappointment and deep frustration.

Senators voted against a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which would have required presiding officers at each polling unit to transmit results electronically to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV portal immediately after results were signed, stamped, and witnessed by party agents.

Instead, the Senate chose to retain outdated wording that leaves the mode of transmission at INEC’s discretion.

For many Nigerians, particularly youth, activists, and groups fighting for electoral credibility, the decision has hit like a blow to the heart.

In communities where past elections have seen late-night wait times, delayed announcements, and deep suspicions of manipulation, the promise of instant transmission was more than a technical detail: it was a symbol of trust restored.

“I stood outside my polling unit for hours in the heat,” said one voter in Lagos who declined to give her name. “We were told the results would be on IReV quickly. But it only came late, and that created doubt in all our minds. To hear our lawmakers have now said no to instant upload, it feels like someone has taken a step backward.”

Civil society groups had repeatedly urged the National Assembly to adopt the real-time transmission clause, arguing it would deter manipulation and give citizens and parties near-instant insight into results as votes were counted.

But despite those calls, the Senate’s decision, coming as it also passed the broader Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, has highlighted persistent divisions over how best to secure credible elections.

Lawmakers debated fiercely, weighing concerns about infrastructure readiness and logistical challenges against the democratic demand for greater openness.

For some, the Senate’s choice represents cautious pragmatism. But for many ordinary Nigerians, parents, students, and first-time voters alike, the moment has stirred a sorrow that democracy’s march toward transparency remains fraught.

“This isn’t just about technology,” said a civil rights advocate in Abuja. “It’s about whether the voices of millions of Nigerians are truly seen and heard. Without clear, real-time transmission, we risk repeating the same old patterns of skepticism and distrust.”

As the nation looks ahead to elections that will shape its future, yesterday’s decision will likely reverberate far beyond the corridors of power, in homes, schools, markets, and online forums where ordinary Nigerians continue to debate, hope, and demand a democracy that lives up to its promise.

The ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with Amupitan taking the oath of office at exactly 1:50 p.m.

Dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, the 58-year-old law professor from Kogi State took his oath before a gathering of dignitaries, marking his formal assumption of office. 

Professor Amupitan pledged to discharge his duties “in accordance with the law” and to exercise the powers vested in him with fairness and responsibility.

President Tinubu congratulated the new INEC boss and charged him to uphold the principles of democracy with integrity and courage. “Approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity and patriotism,” the President urged. 

He reminded Amupitan that the credibility of elections remains the foundation of public trust in democracy. “To maintain trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected,” Tinubu added.

The appointment of Professor Amupitan followed his confirmation by the Senate after a rigorous screening session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. 

Lawmakers had earlier endorsed his nomination, which was approved by the National Council of State and presented by President Tinubu to fill the vacancy left by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long tenure ended in October 2025.

During his Senate screening on October 16, Amupitan outlined his priorities for INEC, pledging to restore public trust in the electoral system and strengthen the Commission’s independence. 

He promised to conduct elections where “even the loser will congratulate the winner” and to collaborate with key agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve voter verification and data integrity.

Analysts say Amupitan’s appointment comes at a sensitive moment for INEC, as Nigeria faces challenges over the transparency and efficiency of its electoral processes. 

The 2023 general elections exposed issues about logistics, result transmission, and institutional trust. The new chairman is expected to tackle issues around technological upgrades in voter registration and result collation, legal reforms to fortify the Electoral Act, and more transparent handling of candidate screening and election disputes.

Professor Joash Amupitan succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025. Yakubu’s tenure saw major reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both aimed at improving election credibility. 

However, his administration also faced issues over delayed result transmission and logistical failures during major polls.

Amupitan’s appointment has been described as a strategic one, balancing regional representation within federal institutions, as he hails from the North-Central region, a political bridge between Nigeria’s North and South.

A seasoned academic and lawyer, Professor Amupitan is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State. Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Kogi State, he has built a distinguished career in law, specialising in Company Law, Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation. 

He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 and has held several leadership positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at the University of Jos.

The expectations for his tenure are high, the trust deficit is deep, and the need for reform is urgent. The public hopes Amupitan restores faith in the ballot box.

In light of these challenges, it is essential to examine the foundational issues and the mindsets that sustain them while also proposing solutions that are in harmony with the national interest.

The Problem:

Challenges of Weak Leadership and Selfish Political Actions

Many organisations and governments are currently facing a significant deficit in effective leadership. Ideal leaders should inspire and support their teams, but this is often lacking. Instead, those in power tend to prioritise their personal interests over the needs of the people they serve.

This self-serving mentality can result in decisions favouring a few rather than benefiting the broader community. Consequently, this leadership gap undermines trust, cooperation, and overall progress within society.

Lack of Problem-Solving Orientation

In Nigeria, many politicians prioritise their personal agendas over the genuine needs of the public they are supposed to serve.

This troubling trend has resulted in a governance system lacking the essential technical skills and competence vital for effective leadership. Consequently, decision-making processes often fail to adequately tackle the urgent issues communities face or foster sound policy-making. This pattern must be recognised and addressed.

The current political landscape unequivocally prioritises short-term patronage and political favours, neglecting the essential requirement for strategic long-term planning essential for sustainable development.

This short-sighted approach directly undermines the nation’s capacity to drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, and elevate the quality of life for its citizens.

Unless there is a firm commitment to prioritise public welfare over personal gain, the opportunity to build a stable and prosperous future will remain tragically unfulfilled.

The Rise of the Less Competent

Political godfatherism undermines governance by allowing influential individuals to manipulate candidates for personal gain. This, along with weak institutions and low civic engagement, results in leaders lacking the necessary intellect and ethics for genuine national development.

Leadership becomes a product of cronyism rather than merit, prioritising personal interests over the public good, which is unacceptable.

Consequently, these leaders find themselves grappling with formidable challenges as they strive to implement effective policies, foster inclusive governance, and build the trust needed to unite citizens in pursuit of shared progress.

This troubling interplay of factors not only hampers the country’s growth and stability but also stifles potential advancements across a myriad of sectors, ultimately compromising the quality of governance that citizens deserve.

Thought Processes Behind These Issues

Psychological and cultural forces and structural incentives significantly influence political behaviour and leadership. A prevalent scarcity mindset, worsened by economic turmoil, drives public officials into survival mode, often prioritising exploitation over genuine service.

This mentality is deeply rooted in a colonial legacy that skews our perception of the state.

The phenomenon of hero worship surrounding political leaders underscores their significant influence but also sparks important questions about accountability.

While it’s easy to be captivated by their charisma and stature, we must prioritize transparency and responsibility to ensure that fame and power don’t compromise ethical governance. This intriguing dynamic opens up vital conversations about how we can admire our leaders while holding them accountable for their actions.

The structure of political systems significantly exacerbates these challenges. The winner-takes-all political framework, combined with a lack of internal democracy within parties, leads to high-stakes elections prioritising power over merit. As a result, political parties often align more closely with elite interests than with authentic citizen engagement, severely limiting the potential for effective and representative leadership.

Solutions in the National Interest

Strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary is crucial to ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.

INEC needs to operate free from political influence, requiring reforms to protect its decision-making and secure adequate funding.

Reinforcing INEC is just part of the solution; we must also prioritise judicial integrity. An independent judiciary is vital for fairly resolving electoral disputes and maintaining public confidence in our electoral system. We need judicial reforms to expedite election-related cases and protect judges from political interference, ensuring a fair and trustworthy process.

The transparent enforcement of asset declarations and anti-corruption laws is essential for fostering trust in the electoral process. Implementing effective mechanisms for monitoring compliance with these laws can deter corrupt practices among candidates and political actors.

Reforms within political parties are not just essential; they are imperative to prioritise merit-based candidacy over the outdated practices of dynastic or patronage-based selections.

By enforcing internal democracy within these parties, we will cultivate a robust pool of qualified candidates who genuinely represent the interests of the electorate. Implementing these measures is critical to creating an electoral environment that is credible, fair, and authentically reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.

To ignite a civic renaissance, we must prioritise civic education and empower grassroots movements while inspiring young people to take an active political role. By doing so, we can cultivate a vibrant and informed electorate, ready to shape the future of our communities!

Leadership development is essential for effective governance and plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of public service.

By establishing leadership academies, we can create structured programs that cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for effective leadership in the public sector.

These academies can offer training in areas such as ethical decision-making, strategic planning, and crisis management, ensuring that future leaders are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of governance.

In addition to formal educational programs, mentorship initiatives can provide invaluable support by pairing experienced leaders with emerging talents. Through these mentorship relationships, aspiring public servants can gain insights, guidance, and real-world experience, promoting a culture of learning and collaboration within the governmental framework.

To truly invigorate public service, we need to roll out a set of compelling incentives. Imagine competitive salaries, pathways for career advancement, and recognition programs that celebrate hard work and dedication, these are the keys to attracting talented individuals to public service careers.

By emphasising the crucial roles of ethics, governance, and public policy in these initiatives, we highlight the importance of integrity in leadership and deepen our commitment to the greater good.

By prioritising leadership development, we can foster a thriving community of enthusiastic and skilled individuals committed to making a real difference in governance and public service. Let’s motivate a new generation of leaders eager to step up and serve!

Conclusion:

In order for Nigeria to realise its full potential, it is essential to establish a new elite consensus that prioritises stewardship over the pursuit of mere power.

This shift in mindset requires a commitment to ensuring that leadership is viewed as a responsibility to the populace rather than an opportunity for personal gain.

To cultivate a robust sense of national identity that transcends tribal and religious divisions, it is imperative to champion initiatives that celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity and underscore our shared values and goals.

We must enhance educational programs promoting unity and dialogue among various communities. Additionally, we need to establish platforms for collaboration that clearly highlight our common aspirations and ambitions.

Nigeria must take decisive action to implement long-term development plans that withstand the instability of political cycles.

These plans must prioritise sustainable economic growth, robust infrastructure development, and comprehensive social welfare, guaranteeing equitable distribution of benefits across all regions.

By committing to enduring policies that transcend individual administrations, Nigeria can establish a solid foundation for continuous progress and significantly enhance the quality of life for all its citizens.

He made the appeal during a budget defense session with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly complex on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Highlighting the financial constraints the Commission encountered in the 2024 fiscal year, Prof. Yakubu explained that INEC was allocated N40 billion, which he described as insufficient to cover anything beyond personnel costs and social contributions.

He detailed how the allocation left critical activities unfunded, such as the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and voter redistribution to polling units.

“While we received all the funds allocated for 2024, the N40 billion was only enough to pay consolidated salaries, allowances, and statutory social contributions. Unfortunately, many operational activities had to be shelved,” he stated.

Prof. Yakubu said that the Commission had to approach the executive for supplementary funding of N10.5 billion to conduct the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. However, this allocation still fell short of the Commission’s operational requirements, leaving several bye-elections unaddressed. “We’ve conducted nine of the required bye-elections, but as of today, 11 bye-elections remain pending,” he noted.

On the 2025 budget proposal, he revealed that the funding envelope provided by the Ministry of Finance remains unchanged at N40 billion—the same allocation as 2024, despite rising operational costs.

He said:

“With a workforce of over 14,700 personnel, including 51 political officeholders, and the introduction of a new minimum wage, the N40 billion allocation cannot even cover personnel costs adequately.”

To address these challenges and effectively plan for upcoming electoral activities, he said INEC has proposed a budget of N126 billion for 2025.

Prof. Yakubu listed key areas requiring immediate funding as off cycle elections, CVR and replacement of damaged materials.

With regard for the off-cycle elections, the INEC Chairman noted that preparations for the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory would require significant financial input.

He said the resumption of the CVR would take place at over 8,800 centers nationwide to ensure that Nigerians who have come of age can register to vote.

On damaged materials, Prof. Yakubu said the Commission must replace over 440 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, ballot boxes, and voting cubicles lost to attacks and fires during past electoral exercises.

He revealed that insurance claims amounting to N205 million have been remitted to the federal treasury, leaving INEC to source replacement funds.

He observed that many of the over 860 facilities nationwide belonging to INEC, including 774 local government offices and 37 state offices also require urgent rehabilitation, just as he underscored the need for early planning for the next general election, entailing activities such as voter redistribution and procurement of essential materials.

His words:

“the proposed budget is not just about conducting elections, but ensuring that INEC’s role as an electoral commission is robustly supported. Our mandate extends beyond balloting to include voter registration, political party regulation, and constituency creation.”

Addressing the high cost of elections in Nigeria, the INEC Chairman proposed exploring sustainable funding mechanisms.

He suggested that a percentage of the Federation Account allocation be dedicated to electoral activities, reducing the federal government’s exclusive burden.

He also advocated for legislative reforms to streamline bye-elections and minimize their financial and operational demands.

“We must find a more cost-effective way of dealing with elections,” Prof. Yakubu argued, pointing to practices in other countries like the United States, where vacancies in legislative bodies are often filled by gubernatorial appointment rather than by expensive bye-elections.

There are 142 recommendations in the Commission’s 2023 General Election Review Report, eight of which require action by the National Assembly.

Prof. Yakubu urged the lawmakers to collaborate with the Commission in addressing electoral challenges while emphasizing the need for a major conversation about the future of election management in Nigeria.

“As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we must confront the realities of our electoral system and ensure adequate funding to uphold the credibility and integrity of elections,” he concluded.

[Source]

The commission, in a post on its verified X handle (formerly Twitter), @inecnigeria, advised the public to discountenance the story in the media (Techeconomy not included).

The report said INEC was contemplating a policy to withdraw and destroy PVCs that have remained uncollected for a decade.

According to the newspaper, the recommendation was among 208 proposals arising from the commission review of the 2023 general elections.

The newspaper said the move stemmed from the per­sistent issue of unclaimed PVCs, with over six million cards still uncollected as of the 2023 elections, including many issued as far back as 2015.

It said stakeholders in the post-election review recom­mended that INEC address the backlog of uncollected PVCs by implementing a policy to withdraw PVCs that remain uncollected for extended periods, starting with cards issued in 2015.

The rationale, it said, is that these cards are unlike­ly to be claimed, and their retention clogs the voter management system.

However, INEC in the post responding to the news­paper report said:

“Our at­tention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the commission is contem­plating the destruction of over six million uncollect­ed Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) going back to the 2015 voter registration.

“The report is incorrect. At no time did the com­mission contemplate the destruction of uncollected PVCs. The public is advised to discountenance the story.”

Sensitive materials, according to Punch report, including ballot papers and result sheets, arrived in Edo State on Wednesday via Benin Airport and were transported to secure storage facilities under tight security.

This comes as the 17 political parties participating in the poll are slated to end their campaign today.

The All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party are the leading contenders ahead of the ballot.

INEC officials and security personnel supervised the transportation of the election materials to ensure accountability.

“More than 5,000 BVAS devices will be deployed for the Edo State governorship election. BVAS is a sensitive election material. It will be deployed tomorrow (today) with other sensitive materials,” one of the INEC officials disclosed.

INEC is preparing to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process across the state’s 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centres, which include 192 ward centres, 18 local government collation centres, and the state collation centre in Benin City.

As part of its preparation for the polls, INEC has increased its financial support to transport unions for the election logistics.

Additionally, the commission has been engaging with various stakeholders ranging from political parties and civil society groups to community leaders—to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and inclusive.

It was further learnt that the commission would deploy more than 18,000 ad-hoc staff for the poll.

Based on INEC’s staffing structure, each of the 4,519 polling units in Edo State will require a team of four officers, comprising a Presiding Officer and three Assistant Presiding Officers (APO I, II, and III), totaling 18,076 ad-hoc staff.

In addition to the POs and APOs, INEC will also dispatch Supervisory Presiding Officers to manage operations at various polling units across the state.

In a move to ensure a hitch-free exercise, the Nigeria Police Force has announced that it is expecting over 8,000 security personnel from other agencies to join the 35,000 officers already deployed for the Edo State governorship election.

In 2010, during Professor Attahiru Jega’s time as Chairman of INEC, after Professor Maurice Iwu’s  technology advancement of INEC  operations,  INEC wanted to improve on it but we sincerely had no faith that any Nigerian company had the resources and skill to implement the new Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines being proposed.

Some INEC staff had reluctantly mentioned that Zinox Technologies saved them in 2006 with supply and deployment at short notice when foreign companies failed Nigeria. Time was running out plus the fact that there was delay in the budget.

We had the confidence of some foreign consultants who recommended appropriate equipment and sources to choose from, we were almost concluding when Prof Jega suggested that we give few qualified  local companies a chance to come and make presentation so that we are fair to both local and foreign companies because of his democratic nature, few of us reluctantly agreed. Zinox was invited with few others.

Zinox Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, came to INEC with his Management and made a great presentation. What shocked INEC staff was that Ekeh came in a Toyota Corolla, and we started joking among ourselves, wondering if the guy that came in a Corolla car is the one to handle such mega project with a budget of about $270 million.

But one of the Commissioners, Dr. Nuru Yakubu, who was more tech amongst us, said the man has been a leader in IT business, but did not know his financial capacity for a contract this huge.

Next visit to INEC, Ekeh still arrived just as simple and in the same Corolla car, and we were a little bit confused. But having seen his presentation which was very convincing and compelling, they reluctantly supported Zinox to compete with two other foreign companies we thought were giants because INEC had lost a lot of time.

Initially, the foreign consultant recommended Haier Electrical Appliances Corp Ltd, a Chinese company supported by the Chinese government, and Avante International Technology Inc (US company), so they went for the two, but at the last minute, INEC decided to have a Nigerian company to handle part of the job. This was a big fight that was almost destroying the image of the Commissioners and Jega for deciding to incorporate local content.

Jega said they should give everyone a chance. What shocked them was that Zinox beat everyone technically in the first bid, and by the rule of due process, if you fail technically, they won’t open your financial bid, but because they were losing time, they opened everyone’s bid.

Zinox decided to file a petition because the HP printer that was part of the configuration was about $452 in the marketplace, but the Chinese company quoted $59.

We had to go back to the National Assembly for some clarifications. While we were doing this, INEC had to invite the different companies again for clarification and the day Ekeh came with his team they made a presentation after which everything worked and in one minute, they could scan a voter and register him.

INEC invited them that day after going to the National Assembly to make sure they understood the configurations of the equipment, and announced the cancellation of the first bid.

This time, the Zinox man came with the Bible but did not swear with it. He placed his hands on the Bible and said he is aware that they feel they have no capacity to deliver the job and that he is placing his hand on the Bible to commit that they have the financial and technical capacity to deliver the project successfully and that there is no other company that can do it in Nigeria, including the Chinese.

That, somehow, offended the INEC team except one of us, a retired Army Colonel, and we wondered how a man can say his company is the only company in the country that has the capacity to do the job within the given period. He told us that he wasn’t as poor as they thought and should not see his humility as stupidity.

While they were escorting him out to receive the Chinese team, INEC staff were shocked to see the Chinese team, upon sighting Ekeh and his team, say it was Zinox that understood the project.

The Chinese made their presentation but it took longer time than Zinox’s, but what was shocking to them was four days later, Zinox sent to the Commission an agreement signed between Zinox and Haier indicating that Haier was paying Zinox $1.6 million as a consultant to cooperate  with them and that legal agreement was also forwarded to Due Process Office that was chaired then by Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

They had to call for a re-bid because Zinox won the first one, but because of fear or lack of confidence they gave the other people more. What INEC chairman wanted was proper execution and at that point it was clear that Zinox understood the project, having saved INEC in 2006.

But what was shocking to us was each time we invited the Chinese company and the American company for a meeting they will say they’re waiting for the Chairman and the chairman they’re waiting for is the Zinox Chairman.

The second bid happened. Zinox won and INEC had to award Zinox 70 percent and the Chinese company 22 percent.

But what was surprising to us was that the day we signed the contract with Zinox in Prof Jega’s office, INEC team wanted to take photograph with Chief Ekeh but he told Jega that he won’t take a picture with them until he has executed the job.

For a contract they signed at about 2pm, with instruction that Zinox should provide a bank guarantee of N10 billion, they were shocked when the following morning  at about 10am Zinox came up with the bank guarantee, and they thought it was fake.

When the Finance Head brought the Advance Bank Guarantee (ABG) issued by Access Bank, we all said he should hold it and first confirm it from the Central Bank. So, he went to the CBN with the chairman of Zinox and met with the Deputy Governor and after reading it, he confirmed it was genuine. When the Head of Finance returned to INEC office and confirmed it was genuine, we all told him to put that in writing and take responsibility, we all photocopied his letter and kept in our various files and finally authorized the payment of a huge amount to Zinox.

Later, INEC team travelled to China to inspect the Zinox pre-assembling plant to make sure that they’re not wasting their time because registration will soon commence.

The Chairman of Zinox was already in China. When INEC team got there, Ekeh showed them and the Nigeria High Commissioner’s representatives who were with them round the factory that had over 1500 Chinese working. They were impressed, but what shocked them was that as they were about to go, Ekeh used a remote control to open another department and that was Haier pre-assembling plant. The plant we later learnt was a partnership between Zinox and a Taiwan company.

We didn’t know that Zinox was also producing for Haier. The whole contract was to supply 132,000 DDC machines but because Zinox was able to build confidence, Zinox got the highest number to supply 80,000 units which included HP Printers, Biometric Scanners, Ink cartridges and other 33 items per box, while Haier got 30,000 units and Avante 22,000 units.

Zinox consciously had to undertake the entire project for everyone because the others didn’t have branches, human capital here in Nigeria and they didn’t understand the country.

When we were being economical to save money, the Chairman of Zinox told us that the three cartridges that we apportioned per printer to print out people’s ID card will not be enough based on data available to him and that it was harmattan season as Inks dry faster during harmattan, but we shouted him down that he wanted to exhaust INEC financially, we were very tight with our budget. A week after Voters registration started, our centres ran out of Ink cartridges and there was pressure from every registration unit to supply them Ink cartridges but it was not available.

We started sourcing and all contractors that promised disappointed, we lost days and we were now desperate and in a meeting that evening one of us suggested we try Zinox.

We reluctantly called the Chairman, he said they could give us some quantities as intervention stock, but for the large quantity we wanted, they will supply in 3days, but we must pay for the volume in cash, no credit.

On the evening of the third day, we prompted Zinox Chairman, and he assured we shall receive the next morning as 4 trucks loaded with Ink cartridges were enroute to Abuja and we should visit his Abuja office at Wuse2 to inspect but restated that we must pay cash.

We visited his office the next morning and saw the four 30-ton trucks fully loaded and one us insisted we offloaded one to confirm all were Ink cartridges, we did and confirmed.

We later heard, that HP consolidated the ink cartridges at Zinox warehouse in the UK close to Heathrow Airport in London and immediately we okayed, he chartered two Boeing 737 cargo flights to bring them in.

One of his staff told us that Mr. Ekeh was sure INEC must request for them and he took inventory risk of HP global stock and this created global shortage for that specific Ink. We paid N2500 more per unit but Zinox saved us. It was like a miracle as we were unable to reconcile what happened.

We now trusted Zinox and innocently ignored the existence of other companies. Zinox staff had a large heart to assist their competitors. Like the Chairman of Zinox once said, if Zinox succeeded 100% and any of their competitors dropped the ball, the project has failed and they have all failed.

Same story happened when we were procuring 600 units of DELL Servers. At the end, it was Zinox that rescued us and did the integration and deployed in 36 states plus Abuja for all contractors. A lot of us were particularly concerned earlier in the project. We appreciated their capacity to assist their competitors without complaining and their ethical standard.

Their leadership was hand- on and their Call Centre was critical in monitoring challenges and briefing us. Mr. Ekeh was a great resource at our point of need, it was later someone told us that he had all sort of cars including Rolls Royces but preferred Toyota Corolla for his official engagement and was always very comfortable with it.

I am aware Zinox experienced same at National Population Commission (NPC) during the bid for the supply of critical equipment for the Census.  I had experienced this company to have the confidence in a chat with my very close Cousin who is one of the Commissioners at NPC. He was not in support of a local company because of a budget of over N149 billion dedicated for equipment procurement.

He told me the budget was huge and the equipment complicated for a local company to undertake. While agreeing with me that Mr. Ekeh had visited their office and made good technical presentation acceptable to the United Nations representative, but they will be safer awarding it through UN. 

He also commented that a lot of their Management staff and Commissioners did not support a local company because of capacity to deliver within the short period before end of President Buhari’s tenure in May.

I assured him Zinox shall fight their way through based on technical competences and deliver better than any foreign company and I warned him not to underrate Mr. Ekeh because of his humility. I read a lot of media blackmail on Zinox and the person of Mr. Ekeh on a daily basis during the period to discourage FG and NPC from considering Zinox for the award and this stopped immediately my Cousin told me the contract has been awarded, a confirmation that the media attack was a clear hatchet job.

I assured him that from what I knew about Mr. Ekeh, he focuses on the target and is never distracted but could be tough at point of decision.

I was happy one evening in March when he called me to say, this company Zinox is something else and confirmed full delivery to all locations nationwide and that everyone at NPC including the Chairman was excited. He concluded by saying Zinox is a blessing to NPC.

He made my evening.

I decided to tell this story which I consider a great case study before I die. It was a personal experience to a lot of us and meant to encourage the informed youths that you may need to fight decently to get your share of this economy, and also to our new government to look inward and use our good corporates to make the economy better. Nigeria cannot be surrendered to other nations. Let’s have a sincere rethink and save our country.

• Peter Obi, INEC, ‘Who is your guy?’ by Spyro, ‘When is Easter 2023’ and ‘How to check my polling unit’ topped trending searches by Nigerians in the first quarter of 2023

A captivating blend of politics, pop culture, and curiosity swept across the Nigerian digital landscape in the first quarter of 2023, as revealed by Google’s top search trends.

Political intrigue reached a fever pitch as Nigeria’s general elections unfolded, captivating the nation’s attention.

Held on February 25th, these pivotal elections determined the president, vice president, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as state governors in 31 out of 36 Nigerian states.

Among the most searched individuals, Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, captured the top spot, outpacing even Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president-elect of Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, claimed the fifth position.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) emerged as the most searched entity between January and March, with Peter Obi and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) closely following. The CBN’s currency redesign prior to the elections undoubtedly contributed to its prominence.

In the realm of music, homegrown talent took center stage as Nigerians avidly sought out the latest tunes. Spyro‘s infectious hit, ‘Who is your guy?’ claimed the top spot, with Ruger‘s ‘Asiwaju‘ and ‘Carry me go‘ by Boy Spyce and Khaid securing second and third places, respectively.

The nation’s collective curiosity was also evident in the top trending questions, which ranged from ‘When is Easter 2023?’ and ‘When is WAEC 2023 starting?’ to ‘How to check my polling unit?’ and ‘Who is the President of Nigeria?’. Unsurprisingly, the popularity of Spyro’s song sparked the question, ‘Who is your guy?’, further showcasing Nigeria’s deep-rooted love for the tune.

Here are the complete lists of top trending searches reflecting the diverse interests of Nigerians during the first quarter of the year:

Search trends information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google.

Google processes more than 40, 000 search queries every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. Live Google search trends data is available here.

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said that the number skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on Presidential Election Day.

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had insinuated that fear of network failures and hackers, affected the electronic transmission of elections results to its server.

In an assessment report titled: ‘Monitoring Nigeria’s Cyberspace Before, During and After the 2023 Presidential Elections’, the Minister was quoted by his spokesperson, Uwa Sulaiman, saying that in the run-up to the 2023 General Elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace.

“As part of its mandate, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is expected to ensure adequate protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace to a level that citizens will have confidence in digital services. This mandate aligns with the goals and objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).

“In line with this mandate and in our efforts at supporting the initiatives of securing the Nigerian cyberspace, the parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry have established Cybersecurity Centres, namely, the National Information Technology (NITDA)’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), and Galaxy Backbone (GBB)’s Security Operations Centre (SOC). These Centres were established between 2020 and 2022 in line with the Honourable Minister’s policy directives and have been monitoring Nigerian cyberspace for potential threats and taking appropriate actions to mitigate them, both individually and collectively as well as in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“It is worth noting that in the run-up to the 2023 General Elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace.

“Generally, threats to public websites and portals averaged around 1,550,000 daily. However, this skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on Presidential Election Day.

“The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, as a Professor of Cybersecurity and one that is very passionate about ensuring a safe and secure cyberspace, directed all the parastatals to enhance their 24/7 monitoring of the networks and traffic for potential attacks from 24th February 2023 to 27th February 2023. Furthermore, on 24th February 2023, the Honourable Minister inaugurated the Ministerial Standing Committee on Advisory Role for the Protection of Nigerian Cyberspace and ICT Infrastructure. The Committee, chaired by the Board Chairman of NCC and with the CEOs of NCC, NITDA and GBB as members, was charged with the following responsibilities, among others:

1. Monitoring of Telecommunication Infrastructure for the successful conduct of credible, free, fair, and transparent elections;
2. Developing and implementing plans to enhance the resilience of critical digital infrastructure against cyber threats;
3. Designing procedures and using technologies to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks, as well as developing the ability to recover from any damage that is done quickly;
4. Developing a comprehensive risk assessment, analysing the nation’s current cybersecurity capabilities, and identifying gaps that need to be addressed; and
5. Providing professional advice to the Government on the effective utilization of digital technologies in the conduct of the 2023 General Elections.

“The Committee’s activity started on 24th February 2023 and ended on 28th February 2023. During this period, a series of hacking attempts were recorded, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), email and IPS attacks, SSH Login Attempts, Brute force Injection attempts, Path Traversal, Detection Evasion, and Forceful Browsing. A total of 12,988,978 attacks were recorded, originating from both within and outside Nigeria. It is worth noting that the Centres successfully blocked these attacks and/or escalated them to the relevant institutions for appropriate action.

“The parastatals, under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, have played a crucial role in providing the enabling environment for the successful conduct of a credible, free, fair, and transparent election. The Honourable Minister commends all stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for their support that resulted into this this unprecedented success.

“More importantly, the Honourable Minister notes that these attainments are as a result of the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR towards ensuring Nigeria’s successful transition into the digital economy. The digital economy sector has enjoyed continued support of the President and it is highly appreciated.

“He also hopes that lessons learned during the process will be put to effective use in subsequent elections”, Sulaiman said.