Three years after President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of Nigeria’s decades-old fuel subsidy, a federal lawmaker has described the decision as the most patriotic act by any Nigerian president since independence, while criticising the failure of social intervention programmes to adequately cushion the effects on poor and vulnerable citizens.

Rt. Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo, who represents Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the House of Representatives, made the remarks while delivering a public lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on October 14, 2026.

The lecture, titled “Three Years of Post-Subsidy Removal: Evaluating the Socio-Economic Effects of Nigeria’s Deregulated Downstream Sector,” examined the economic gains associated with the policy, the hardships experienced by Nigerians and the shortcomings of government-backed palliative programmes.

Recounting the circumstances surrounding the announcement, Agbo said Tinubu’s declaration on May 29, 2023, during his inaugural address, was a surprise even to members of the President’s immediate circle.

“The clause of declaration was not part of the speech,” the lawmaker said. “Not even a confidential secretary or staff had any idea.”

According to him, the unexpected announcement disrupted the activities of powerful interests that had benefited from the subsidy regime, weakened fuel smuggling and exposed the questionable consumption figures previously associated with petroleum imports.

Agbo argued that reported daily petrol consumption, which had reached 60 million litres, subsequently dropped to about 40 million litres, creating room for reforms in the downstream petroleum sector and encouraging private-sector investment in refining.

He also highlighted the emergence of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a major development in Nigeria’s quest for domestic refining capacity and a stronger position in the international petroleum market.

The refinery, he said, has begun supplying Nigeria’s domestic market while exporting petroleum products abroad, including aviation fuel to international destinations.

“The stranglehold on the nation was removed. Nigeria could breathe again,” Agbo declared.

Reforms boost government revenue
The lawmaker maintained that subsidy removal, alongside the unification of the foreign exchange market, had significantly improved government revenue and strengthened the capacity of the three tiers of government to finance public expenditure.

Agbo said the removal of fuel subsidy was saving the government approximately ₦700 billion monthly, while foreign exchange reforms generated an additional ₦600 billion.

Together, he said, the measures had increased monthly distributable revenue to at least ₦1.3 trillion.

Citing World Bank figures presented during the lecture, Agbo said Nigeria’s real gross domestic product growth increased from 3.5 per cent in 2024 to 3.9 per cent in 2025, reaching 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026.

He further stated that federation revenue grew by 69 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025.

The lawmaker also pointed to the Federal Government’s capital expenditure, which he said had remained at about 70 per cent of the budget for three consecutive years, compared with the 25 to 30 per cent range recorded previously.

According to him, the improved fiscal position had supported major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, other strategic highways across the country and the national gas grid.

At the state level, Agbo said increased allocations had enabled several governments to settle salary and pension arrears while embarking on ambitious capital projects.

He singled out Enugu State for its budgetary expansion, noting that its budget rose from ₦167 billion in 2023 to ₦1.617 trillion in 2026.

He also cited a significant increase in the state’s internally generated revenue and capital expenditure consistently accounting for more than 80 per cent of its budget.
Households still struggling despite economic gains

Despite his strong defence of the reform, Agbo acknowledged that subsidy removal had imposed considerable hardship on Nigerians, particularly low-income earners, small businesses and households whose earnings had not kept pace with rising living costs.

He noted that petrol prices more than doubled in the first month following the announcement, triggering increases in transportation fares, food prices and the cost of operating petrol-powered generators.

According to him, the pressure on household budgets remains severe, notwithstanding improvements in some macroeconomic indicators.

“A lower inflation rate does not mean prices have returned to their old levels,” he cautioned. “Households whose incomes have not caught up remain under serious pressure.”

He argued that the success of economic reforms should not be measured solely by government revenue, GDP growth or improved fiscal statistics, but also by the extent to which ordinary Nigerians experience tangible improvements in their living conditions.

The lawmaker expressed particular concern over the implementation of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus programme, popularly known as NG-CARES, which is supported by the World Bank.

He said substantial funds had been made available to states for cash transfers, public works, agricultural support and grants to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

However, he lamented that many vulnerable Nigerians continued to complain about being excluded from government assistance.
“there is still a loud cry of government neglect.”

Agbo attributed the poor delivery of relief to the intended beneficiaries partly to what he described as a misconception of the programme’s funding structure and insufficient enthusiasm among state governments.

He said the disconnect between the resources released for social intervention and the actual relief reaching low-income households had undermined the effectiveness of the programme.

The House Committee on NG-CARES, he disclosed, had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the programme as part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

To address the shortcomings, Agbo announced that the committee was preparing legislation to establish a permanent NG-CARES Commission.

Under the proposed arrangement, funding would be sourced directly from a portion of the savings generated by economic reforms, capped at 10 per cent and charged to the Federation’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, rather than imposing the financial burden on state governments.

The proposed commission, he explained, would provide a more permanent institutional framework for delivering social protection and ensuring that economic reforms translate into measurable benefits for vulnerable citizens.
Minimum wage, student loans and alternative energy among relief measures

Agbo also highlighted other Federal Government initiatives intended to reduce the economic pressure on Nigerians.

These include the increase in the national minimum wage to ₦70,000, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), accelerated adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG), solar energy expansion and the HOPE programmes supported by the World Bank in health, education and governance.

He cited the impact of CNG adoption on transportation costs in Enugu State, noting that bus fares on the Nsukka route had reportedly fallen from ₦3,500 to ₦1,500.

According to him, these interventions demonstrate that economic reform must be accompanied by practical measures capable of improving access to education, affordable transportation, energy and essential services.

Nevertheless, he maintained that such initiatives would achieve limited results unless implementation was strengthened and assistance reached the people for whom it was intended.

Calls for permanent social protection system
Drawing lessons from India’s Direct Benefit Transfer system and employment guarantee programme, China’s poverty reduction initiatives and Brazil’s Bolsa Família social assistance scheme, Agbo argued that Nigeria needed to move beyond occasional financial distributions to a more sustainable framework for protecting vulnerable citizens.

He stressed that temporary handouts could not provide a lasting solution to the social consequences of major economic adjustments.
“Permanent reform requires permanent institutions of social protection,” he said.

“A country cannot build an enduring social contract on occasional distributions alone.”

The lawmaker maintained that an effective social protection system would help bridge the gap between the economic benefits of reform and the immediate needs of citizens bearing its costs.

He also called for stronger accountability, improved coordination between the Federal Government and states, and more effective monitoring of intervention funds to ensure that resources achieve their intended purpose.

Agbo concluded by reaffirming his support for the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the past three years as a period marked by sacrifice, resistance from entrenched interests and progress in the restructuring of Nigeria’s economy.

He insisted that reversing the policy would amount to a return to the old system, which he argued had placed an unsustainable burden on public finances and enabled widespread abuse.

The lecture, delivered at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, one of the country’s foremost academic institutions, is expected to contribute to the ongoing national debate over the long-term implications of subsidy removal and the effectiveness of government interventions.

With the House Committee on NG-CARES investigating the delivery of social assistance and preparations under way for proposed legislation to establish a permanent commission, attention is likely to focus increasingly on how Nigeria can preserve the fiscal gains of economic reform while ensuring that vulnerable households are not left behind.

For Agbo, the central challenge is no longer simply whether subsidy removal was necessary, but whether the gains from the reform can be translated into lasting economic relief, social protection and improved living standards for Nigerians.

Ray Kene Ogbodo, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in Enugu State for the 2027 election, has reassured his supporters that his ambition remains firmly on course despite the omission of his name from the list of candidates recently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ogbodo gave the assurance in a press statement made available by his media aide, Hon. Don Victor, describing the development as a temporary challenge that would not deter him from pursuing his vision of providing credible, ethical and transformational leadership for the state.

He said he was working with the party and the electoral commission to address the issue through the appropriate legal and administrative channels, expressing optimism that it would be resolved.

“I want to reassure our supporters, political associates and the good people of Enugu State that we remain focused, determined and firmly committed to the 2027 governorship race.

“Although my name was not included in the recently published INEC list, we are taking the necessary steps in collaboration with our party and the electoral commission to resolve the matter in accordance with the law. We remain hopeful of a favourable outcome,” he stated.

The PRP candidate maintained that his political aspiration was driven by a desire to improve the lives of the people rather than personal ambition, noting that Enugu State needed leadership anchored on integrity, accountability, economic empowerment, security and improved public services.

According to him, his vision is to build a state where governance prioritises the welfare of the people, creates opportunities for residents and ensures that public resources serve the collective interest.

“Our mission has never been about personal ambition. It is about the future of Enugu State and the well-being of our people.

“We understand that the pursuit of meaningful transformation may come with challenges, but no temporary obstacle will weaken our resolve or derail our commitment to building a better Enugu.

“Our vision remains intact, and our determination is unshaken. We are committed to a state where governance works for everyone, opportunities abound and the interests of the people remain paramount,” Ogbodo added.

He expressed appreciation to his supporters across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State for their continued confidence, encouragement and solidarity, urging them to remain calm, peaceful and united as efforts to resolve the electoral issue continue.

Ogbodo also called on his followers to sustain their faith in the campaign, stressing that the current development should not distract them from the broader goal of achieving meaningful change in the state.

“At this critical moment, what matters most is our shared commitment to a better future for Ndi Enugu. Our vision remains intact, our mission is clear, our hope is alive and our determination remains unwavering.

“We shall continue to keep our supporters and followers informed as developments unfold. We remain firmly on course for Enugu 2027,” he said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain allegations that recent staff postings and redeployments within the electoral body favoured officials from President Bola Tinubu’s South-West region.

The opposition party said it had received complaints and intelligence suggesting that personnel changes in some strategic departments and stations might reflect ethnic considerations.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it was concerned about the reported redeployment of officers from northern states who had served in Electoral Operations and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) departments.

The party alleged that some of the affected officers were replaced by personnel from Lagos and other South-West states.

“We have specific names of officers moved from Electoral Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South-West states. INEC may dismiss this as routine. But we have noticed a pattern, especially along ethnic lines, and we are concerned,” the party said.

Although the ADC said it was not accusing INEC of any improper motive at this stage, it warned that allegations capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral umpire should not be treated lightly.

It stressed that any perception of sectional bias in the deployment of election officials could raise questions about the commission’s neutrality and impartiality ahead of future elections.

The party urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to publish details of the recent postings, the criteria used in selecting officers for deployment and the reasons behind the changes.

According to the ADC, such disclosure would help reassure Nigerians that electoral officials would perform their duties fairly, regardless of their ethnic background, language or state of origin.

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a suit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged failures to account for $6.23 million in election-related funds and more than N1.63 trillion in other public funds.

The suit followed allegations contained in Volume II of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 Annual Report, published on August 7, 2026, covering various financial transactions between January and December 2023.

According to SERAP, the audit findings identified several areas of concern, including $6.23 million in payments linked to an allegedly fraudulent election-funding request purportedly made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Other funds highlighted in the report include more than N1.25 trillion in unrecovered CBN intervention loans to state governments, N116.18 billion in loans to distressed and liquidated banks, and N262.86 billion disbursed under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2450/2026 and filed over the weekend, the organisation is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the apex bank to account for the funds and provide details of their disbursement and management.

SERAP is asking the court to direct the CBN to disclose the purposes for which the money was released, the beneficiaries, repayment status, recovery efforts and findings of any internal investigation into the alleged election-funding fraud.

It also wants the bank to identify the officials and other individuals who authorised and disbursed the affected funds, as well as disclose any disciplinary or administrative measures taken in response.

Beyond the financial transactions, the organisation is seeking information concerning seven boxes of currency notes awaiting examination, abandoned and unserviced vehicles at the CBN’s Lagos branch, and bullion vans at its Abeokuta branch.

SERAP argued that the allegations raised by the Auditor-General point to possible breaches of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the CBN Act, relevant anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The organisation said the scale and nature of the reported findings raised serious questions about the custody, expenditure, accounting, protection and recovery of public funds.

It further maintained that the CBN’s institutional independence should not shield it from constitutional audits, statutory accounting obligations, public financial scrutiny or investigations into credible allegations of fraud and financial misconduct.

In the suit filed on behalf of the organisation by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Kelechi Anwu, SERAP argued that the allegations required a credible investigation to establish the facts, determine responsibility and recover any public funds found to have been unlawfully lost.

The court’s determination of the reliefs sought by SERAP is pending.

President Bola Tinubu’s quest for re-election in 2027 is reportedly facing growing uncertainty over the level of support from some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid widening disagreements within the party.

The development comes as the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has reportedly directed some of its candidates to submit the names of their proposed polling agents directly to the party’s national secretariat, bypassing state chapters in a move aimed at preventing possible electoral sabotage.

The Guardian reported that tensions between the Presidency and some APC governors had deepened, with concerns that several northern governors were not actively mobilising support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

The concerns reportedly intensified after the President returned from an overseas vacation and expressed displeasure over what he perceived as the failure of state governors to adequately publicise his administration’s achievements.

Vice President Kashim Shettima had also previously suggested that fewer than five northern governors were demonstrating tacit support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

His media office, however, clarified that the remark referred to the political situation ahead of the APC presidential primary in 2022.

A governor from the North-West, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, reportedly said Shettima’s observation reflected the current mood within the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of APC governors.

The governor, who is seeking a second term, said unresolved disagreements among party leaders were affecting the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

He alleged that many northern APC governors were reluctant to openly campaign for Tinubu, noting that while some campaign billboards in major towns featured the President and Vice President, similar displays were absent in several hinterland communities.

The source also pointed to disagreements involving Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the PGF and serves as secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to the governor, divisions within the PGF have also affected the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), despite the President’s reported promise to intervene and resolve the disputes.

He disclosed that some governors wanted Uzodimma to relinquish his position as PGF chairman to concentrate on his responsibilities within the presidential campaign structure and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

Uzodimma, however, reportedly maintained that the established practice was for the position to be handed over to a second-term governor after a general election.

The governor identified three major factors contributing to the apparent divisions among some northern APC leaders.

Among them, he said, was the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who had campaigned for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but has since faced political challenges.

He also alleged that Tinubu’s directive to the Ministry of Finance to publish disbursement details was interpreted by some governors as an attempt to scrutinise state spending, particularly funds allocated to local government councils.

The President’s open support for Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his Rainbow Coalition was cited as another factor that had further strained relations between the Presidency and some members of the PGF.

Amid the reported political tensions, the APC NWC has reportedly adopted a new approach to the selection and registration of party agents ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Under the arrangement, candidates in certain states have been instructed to submit the names of their proposed agents directly to the national secretariat in Abuja, rather than routing them through state party structures.

Sources within the party hierarchy said the measure was designed to safeguard the APC’s electoral interests amid allegations that some governors were backing opposition candidates while retaining influence over the ruling party’s state structures.

The directive is reportedly being implemented mainly in states where the NWC suspects governors of supporting candidates contesting against APC flagbearers.

The development follows allegations by the Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West group, that some governors had encouraged aspirants who lost the party’s National Assembly primaries to seek tickets from opposition parties.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, the group alleged that some governors had reached agreements with opposition parties and were seeking to influence the selection of polling agents.

It further claimed that loyalists who remained APC members could be nominated as agents for opposition candidates, with their names subsequently submitted to the APC national secretariat as the ruling party’s official representatives.

A member of the National Assembly from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, reportedly confirmed that the national leadership had directed candidates in the state to submit their agents’ names directly to Abuja.

The lawmaker, who requested anonymity, said the candidates had already received the relevant forms following instructions to the state party chairman.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has, however, denied allegations that he directed any aspirant to contest against APC candidates under another political party.

Describing his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers, and slanderers,” Aiyedatiwa insisted that he had never engaged in anti-party activities.

“I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party activities in my life,” the governor said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly directed some of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to submit the names of their proposed polling agents directly to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, amid concerns over alleged anti-party activities by some governors.

The reported arrangement departs from the party’s conventional practice, under which state chapters compile and forward the names of polling agents to the national secretariat.

Sources told DAILY GAZETTE that the move was intended to prevent possible sabotage by governors allegedly backing candidates of opposition parties against APC flagbearers in the forthcoming elections.

However, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said he was unaware of the development when contacted for comment.

The reported directive comes amid allegations by the Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West group, that some APC governors whose preferred aspirants lost the party’s National Assembly primaries had encouraged them to seek tickets from opposition parties and challenge APC candidates in 2027.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, the group alleged that some of the governors had reached agreements with opposition parties and were supporting arrangements to influence the selection of polling agents.

According to the group, the alleged plan involved opposition candidates nominating loyalists who remained APC members as agents for the ruling party, with their names subsequently forwarded to the national secretariat as officially recognised representatives.

A member of the National Assembly from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, reportedly confirmed that the national leadership had adopted the arrangement in his state but requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The lawmaker said the NWC had bypassed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and instructed the state party chairman to hand over agents’ forms directly to candidates.

“The National body instructed the State Chairman to give us our forms directly and the chairman himself alluded that he was under instruction not to hand over the agents’ forms to anyone except the candidates. He confirmed that Ondo State was specifically told to follow that route,” the source said.

He further alleged that the party’s national leadership was closely monitoring APC governors nationwide and might extend the arrangement to the disbursement of election funds.

According to the lawmaker, the NWC could consider channeling campaign funds directly to APC candidates in states where governors were suspected of supporting opposition candidates, rather than routing the funds through the governors.

The source accused Aiyedatiwa of encouraging some aspirants who lost the APC primaries to contest against the party’s candidates under opposition platforms.

He cited the reported presence of some of the governor’s political appointees and party executive members at the declaration of Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District.

The lawmaker also alleged that Aiyedatiwa was financing Prince Idowu Mafimisebi, who is contesting the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat on the PDP platform.

Additionally, he pointed to the reported attendance of some senior special assistants and special assistants appointed by the governor at a rally organised by Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji, who is now the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.

Questioning the governor’s commitment to the APC’s electoral fortunes, the source asked how the party could rely on a governor allegedly supporting candidates running on opposition platforms.

Aiyedatiwa has, however, denied the allegations, insisting that he has never engaged in anti-party activities or directed any aspirant to contest against APC candidates under another party.

Describing his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers,” the governor declared: “I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party activities in my life.”

The APC has yet to publicly confirm the reported directive to candidates or clarify whether the arrangement will be extended to other states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has denied reports that a court ordered his arrest, alongside Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and others, over alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery.

Okorocha’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo.

The statement described the reports as false, challenging those behind the claims to produce the alleged court order authorising the arrests.

According to Onwuemeodo, the report gained traction after Hon. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, a media aide to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, circulated a video on the matter, which was subsequently picked up by other media organisations, including ARISE TV.

He said the reports claimed that a Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja had issued a bench warrant dated September 9, 2026, for the arrest of Okorocha, Araraume and others.

The reports also linked the alleged warrant to a petition reportedly written by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Barrister Chukwuemeka Ibejiako, to the police and the Department of State Services on October 8, 2026.

However, Okorocha, through his media aide, insisted that no such order had been issued by any court.

“We want to strongly state, and we stand to be contradicted, that no court, whether that of a Senior Magistrate or High Court, ordered or issued any bench warrant for the arrest of Okorocha,” the statement said.

The former governor further gave the media organisations that published the report 48 hours to produce or publish the purported court order.

He warned that failure to provide the document should compel the affected outlets to retract their reports and tender an apology to those concerned.

Onwuemeodo also questioned the chronology of events surrounding the allegation, pointing out that the purported bench warrant was reportedly dated September 9, while the petition attributed to the Imo REC was dated October 8, 2026.

He argued that the discrepancy raised questions about the credibility of the reports, given that the alleged court order predated the petition said to have prompted it.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for the 2026/2027 legal year.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday during the event marking the commencement of the new legal year.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had approved the elevation of the 68 recipients at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July.

The new SANs comprise 67 legal practitioners and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

The elevation recognises their contributions to legal practice, professional excellence and scholarship.

The 67 advocates, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, are:

Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
Godwill Achibong Umoh
Sunday Samuel Obende
Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
Philemeon Audu Daffi
Adenrele David Adegborioye
James Eromosele Agbonhese
Alexander Nduka Muoka
Onome Okodiya
Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
Ikhide Ehighelua
Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
Odion Peter Odia
Gbemiga Adaramola
Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
Charles Azubuike Obodozie
Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
Bimbo Felix Atilola
Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
Olujoke Enitan Aliu
Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
Faruk Abdullah
Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
Sabiu Gumba Adamu
Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
Soibi Ideriah Ovia
Somina Peter Johnbull
Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
Junaidu Bello Marshall
Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye
Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
Agba Eimunjeze
Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle
Umaru Yunusa
Akorede Habeeb Lawal
Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
Kayode Orire Omosehin
Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
Bolu Agbaje Akadri
Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
Afees Hassan Adebayo
Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
Jonathan Akintola Makinde
Olajide Salami

Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri was the sole academic among the 68 recipients.

The conferment of the SAN rank is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession, recognising outstanding contributions and achievements in advocacy or legal scholarship.