By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

When most people hear the phrase “Artificial Intelligence” (AI), their minds often drift toward futuristic fantasies: robots that think like humans, machines plotting to overthrow their creators, or computers smarter than their inventors. Science fiction has fed us these images for decades. Yet, beyond Hollywood thrillers, AI is already here, quietly shaping the world around us. It answers customer queries through chatbots, selects the next movie you’ll watch on Netflix, predicts what story appears at the top of your newsfeed, and even decides whether a bank approves your loan.

But this growing presence of AI in our daily lives forces us to confront a pressing question: how intelligent is artificial intelligence?

The honest answer is that AI is not a brain. It is not some mystical creation that understands, feels, or reasons like humans do. What appears to be “thinking” in AI is essentially mathematics—machines processing massive datasets, detecting patterns, and making predictions based on those patterns. Take medicine, for instance. AI can analyse thousands of X-rays or MRI scans in minutes, flagging possible signs of disease with astonishing speed. Yet, it does not comprehend illness, nor does it share in the burden of delivering a life-changing diagnosis. It only “sees” shapes, signals, and recurring features in data.

This distinction raises a critical debate: Is AI genuinely intelligent, or is it just an extraordinary mimic?

Human intelligence is not simply about solving problems or recalling information. It is a rich blend of memory, imagination, intuition, creativity, and moral reasoning. It includes the ability to feel empathy, wrestle with ethical dilemmas, or create art that expresses the soul. AI has none of these. It has no emotions, no conscience, no instinct for right and wrong. When it generates a song, writes an essay, or navigates a self-driving car, it is not exercising creativity or judgment. It is reproducing patterns learned from the data it has been trained on.

Yet, to dismiss AI as a hollow imitation would be unfair. Its capabilities, in specific domains, far exceed human performance. Banks now rely heavily on AI systems to monitor millions of transactions, detecting fraud almost instantly —a feat that no team of human auditors could achieve at the same scale. In agriculture, AI-driven weather forecasts and soil sensors enable farmers to predict rainfall, manage crops effectively, and enhance food security. In education, adaptive learning platforms can tailor lessons to meet each student’s unique learning style, giving teachers powerful tools to reach struggling learners. These are not gimmicks; they are reshaping how we live, work, and think.

Still, with such benefits come significant dangers. The real problem arises when society overestimates AI’s intelligence, attributing to it a wisdom it does not possess. Algorithms are only as good as the data they consume, and data is often flawed. Recruitment systems trained on biased records have been caught replicating discrimination, silently excluding qualified women or minorities. Predictive policing tools fed with skewed crime statistics risk unfairly targeting entire communities, reinforcing cycles of distrust and marginalisation.

Even more worrying is the human temptation to outsource too much decision-making to machines. When schools, governments, or businesses heavily rely on AI, they risk eroding human capacity for critical thinking. Societies that allow machines to make moral or civic decisions run the risk of dulling their own judgment, a peril that no amount of computing power can rectify.

This is why interrogating the “intelligence” of AI is not just an academic exercise; it is a civic responsibility. Policymakers must move beyond lip service and regulate how AI is designed and deployed, ensuring that it serves the public good rather than private profit alone. Technology companies must become more transparent about how their algorithms operate, particularly when these systems impact jobs, justice, and access to essential services. Citizens, too, have a role to play. Digital literacy must become as fundamental as reading and writing, empowering people to understand what AI can and, crucially, what it cannot do.

Ultimately, the irony of AI is this: the real intelligence lies not inside the machine but in the humans who create, guide, and govern it. AI can calculate faster than any brain, but it cannot care about the consequences of those calculations. It can analyse data at lightning speed, but it cannot empathise with the human beings behind the numbers. That is the dividing line between computation and compassion, between efficiency and wisdom.

If we maintain this distinction, AI will remain a powerful tool that amplifies human potential, rather than one that diminishes it. The smartest move is to resist the illusion that machines are thinking entities and instead recognise them for what they are: products of human ingenuity, useful only to the extent that we wield them responsibly.

Ultimately, the future of AI will not be dictated by algorithms, but by people. The question is not whether AI can become truly intelligent; it cannot. The real question is whether humans will remain wise enough to use it well.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu writes on disaster management, humanitarian response, and national development.

By Abdussamad Umar Jibia 

Finally, you are there. Your “brother” from America has spoken. He is coming to “your disgraced country” to wipe out your enemy, an enemy who has lived above your pettiness. This enemy does not give attention to your blackmail, an enemy in whose presence you always feel inferior. That enemy is I, the Muslim Northerner. Out of your inferiority complex, you have given me different names, the most widely used of which is Hausa-Fulani.

I am Hausa-Fulani, even if I am Kanuri, who can speak no single word of Hausa or Fulfulde. I am Hausa-Fulani even if I was born to one of the minority tribes of Gombe, Bauchi, Kogi or, in fact, a Birom. To qualify as a Hausa-Fulani, I require only to be a non-Yoruba, non-Igbo Northerner who prays five times a day. 

At last, I have caught the attention of your big brother, who has never been to Nigeria, a person who has no respect for a black man like you and me. All you are now waiting for are his bombs and rifles to make you greater than the Hausa-Fulani, to make your presence arouse hate and fear in others, just like you feel when I am around. Congratulations. 

Your hatred towards me has a history which cannot be ignored. You and I have lived side by side for centuries. This is where our creator has decided to place us, just like He placed the Chinese in China, the Indians in India, the Arabs in Arabia, etc.

Living together always generates experiences, sweet and bitter. You have always emphasised the bitter experiences of living with me as the reason for disliking me. For example, you believe that before the coming of the British, you were oppressed by me through my emirs, who carried regular raids on your villages to catch slaves; slaves they sold to Arabs and your newfound brothers in Europe and America.

When the British came as colonisers, they no longer needed slaves. So, even though they ruled you through my emir, they banned slavery the way it was done at that time. However, because they sensed no wisdom in you, they taught you that the worship of one God, as done by your neighbour, was wrong. They taught you about three gods that can be considered as one. Depending on who taught you Christianity, you believe that these three gods (or parts of God) are the Son, the Father and the Holy Ghost or the Son, the Father and the holy ghost. Even if it didn’t make sense, it was handy. At least, you now had a religion just like the Hausa-Fulani had one. 

This raises one question. Are you a Christian because you genuinely believe in Christianity, or are you in Christianity because you want to compete with me? Actions are said to speak louder than words. Your later actions would answer this question.

For example, even before Europeans arrived in this part of the world, we travelled to Makkah, now located in Saudi Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage. To date, we have saved our money to go on Hajj without waiting for the Government. Even without Government agencies, we would continue to go on Hajj on our own because it is an article of our faith. Don’t worry, I know how your mind is working. You would be happy if your American brother would bomb the place we go to annually. To your chagrin, that wouldn’t change anything. We shall still perform hajj even if the Kaába is demolished. Islam has provided for that possibility.

Unfortunately, Christians do not have an organised system of worship that provides for an annual pilgrimage. Out of ignorance, you thought Israelis are your brothers because their grandfather is mentioned in the Bible. You thus put pressure on the Government to create diplomatic ties with Israel so that you can go there for pilgrimage, just like Muslims go to Saudi Arabia. So, you annually come back to tell stories about Israel just like Muslim pilgrims share their experiences in Saudi Arabia.

One thing you have forgotten is that Israelis do not even believe in Christianity. As far as they are concerned, Jesus Christ is an illegitimate child of an adulterous woman, and Christians are idol worshippers. Yet, you still believe that Israelis are better than you because they are the “God-Chosen”. I don’t even know which god chose them. Is it the God they claim to have killed, or is it another God? In any case, you need a solution to your slave mentality. 

You are very unlucky to be a tiny minority; otherwise, I would have been cleansed long ago. Your record of violence against Muslims in the few areas you control is well established. In some cases, like Tafawa Balewa, Zangon Kataf and Saminaka, you wiped off/displaced entire Muslim communities. In many other cases, you killed as many as you could by intercepting Muslim travellers, attacking them during prayers, etc., as you did many times in Plateau state.

You were enjoying your violence and playing the victim with the support of the Christian press when the Fulani herders conundrum began. The word “herdsmen” is a misnomer used to avoid ethnic profiling. The correct words are criminals, armed robbers, or bandits. These groups of people have no respect for human lives and property. The least they do is to drive their cattle into farms to devour crops, and when farmers react, they fight them without mercy.

In the extreme, they attack a village, hamlet or innocent travellers and kill, rape, maim, steal and/or kidnap for ransom. Thank goodness, the ‘’herdsmen’’ kept you in check as they always return whatever fire you release with multiples of it. Both of you are criminals, but they are more vicious and sophisticated. This is even as it is in record that your youth allegedly received training in Israel to fight Muslims.

In any case, you would agree with me that I have suffered from banditry more than you did. The whole thing began in Zamfara and spread to Katsina, Sokoto, Niger and Kaduna before it reached Plateau and Southern Kaduna. Yet, you go about lying that your fellow criminals are Muslims carrying out genocide against Christians. Your shamelessness is awful.

Once more, accept my congratulations. Your lies have paid. You may, however, be disappointed to know that Americans have never solved any problem. Whichever country they enter, they would be worse off after leaving it, except in Afghanistan, where they were shamed out. Should they come in here, we are determined to resist and drive them out like they were driven out of Afghanistan. We shall die honourably or triumph with grace, in sha Allah. For us, submission to the enemy is not an option.

Finally, let me note that there are many exceptions to the above. I have respect for peace-loving Christians from the North, and there are many of them.

Abdussamad Umar Jibia wrote from Kano, Nigeria, via aujibia@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced today that he has held a constructive phone conversation with the United States President Donald Trump, aiming to de-escalate recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

In a national address following the call, President Tinubu stated that both leaders agreed on the priorities of “peace over conflict, hope over fear, and unity over division.”

He acknowledged the “genuine” concerns that led to the tensions and confirmed that both sides would take necessary time to address them.

The President sought to reassure Nigerians, pledging that his administration, in collaboration with the United States, would leverage existing security cooperation to prevent any recurrence of incidents that threaten individuals based on faith, origin, or other constitutional rights.

“Under my leadership, the Government of Nigeria… will leverage existing security cooperation and mutual interests to prevent any recurrence,” Tinubu stated.

He promised a decisive shift from the “unfulfilled promises of the past,” assuring citizens that they would “witness tangible actions and results in the coming days.”

The address emphasized the government’s commitment to the security and dignity of every citizen, urging Nigerians to continue their lawful activities with confidence.

Tinubu also reaffirmed the enduring diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States alongside President Trump.

He concluded by calling on citizens to uphold the national motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kaduna State has set a new benchmark for rapid housing delivery in Nigeria with the commissioning of a 100-unit estate built entirely using prefabricated technology.

Governor Uba Sani inaugurated the project, which was developed by Family Homes and constructed by Karmod Nigeria.

The entire estate, from groundbreaking to completion, was finished in under six months—a fraction of the time required for conventional construction.

Beyond speed, the development offers modern amenities including paved roads, drainage, water, and electricity.

The houses are designed to be durable, with a projected lifespan of more than 50 years.

The success of this project is being positioned as a viable solution to Nigeria’s housing crisis, proving that with modern methods, quality and affordable homes can be built at an unprecedented pace.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration is actively engaging with the international community as Nigeria’s economic reforms show positive results.

He gave this assurance during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

The President, speaking after the swearing-in of two new ministers, pointed to the recent oversubscription of a $2.3 billion Eurobond by 400% as a sign of strong international confidence in the country’s direction.

“The most important thing is the fact that despite the political headwinds and the fear of our people, we will continue to engage with partners,” Tinubu told the council.

Addressing the nation’s security challenges, the Commander-in-Chief charged Nigerians not to give in to despair.

“Do we have problems? Yes. Are we challenged by terrorism? Yes. But we will defeat terrorism,” he affirmed.

The cabinet meeting also featured an economic briefing from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun.

He reported that Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025, which he described as the highest growth rate in a decade, excluding the post-COVID rebound period.

By Muḥammad San

I have read the PhD thesis of the Emir of Kano, and just like in his Gamji days, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (now Muhammadu Sanusi II) remains forthright in expression and uncompromising in his quest to balance Shari’a.

Some may dismiss contributions like mine as disturbing or argue that we are too little academically to weigh in on the Shari’a debate. But this is a debate that dominated Nigeria at the turn of the millennium, and Sanusi himself was at its centre. Having read his papers, watched his TED talk, and reviewed the recent compendium of his essays, I can say I have at least a fair understanding of his intellectual outlook.

Sanusi has always been controversial. His now-famous remark that a wife should slap back or retaliate against an abusive husband is a good example. That boldness, perhaps, was the same energy that pushed him to the University of London to produce a doctoral thesis on Islamic family law, using Morocco and Kano as his comparative space.

The Emir is an ardent advocate of girl-child education, but this passion seems to have narrowed his focus, leaving him blind to the ordeals of men under the same system. While women’s marginalisation has been widely documented, men, too, are now facing a new wave of vulnerabilities. The cases are there for anyone who cares to look.

The infamous Maryam Sanda case, in which a woman brutally murdered her husband, remains etched in public memory, yet the debate around it was clouded by sympathy. In 2021, a young wife in Kano was convicted of poisoning her husband after repeated disputes. In 2022, another woman fatally stabbed her husband during a quarrel over financial neglect. These are not isolated events. They highlight the rise of what can be called “feminine defence,” but they also expose the growing fragility of men trapped in broken family systems.

Sanusi himself points to Morocco as a model. “What did they do in Morocco? They built schools and invested in transportation so that girls could be moved from villages to the nearest schools. They also invested in school feeding and provided financial support to the poorest families ready to send their sons and daughters to schools,” he said in an interview with Time Africa Magazine. Yet the contrast is sharp. In Kano, the state government spends millions on lavish emirate ceremonies, while journalists like Dan Bello continue to expose the dire state of public schools in the very heart of the metropolis.

To be fair, Sanusi’s thesis tackled the historical marginalisation of women in Islamic family law with rigour and depth. But in amplifying women’s rights, it failed to defend men or acknowledge their growing vulnerabilities in a rapidly changing society. By leaning heavily on the Moroccan Moudawana, itself a product of feminist activism, the work framed men only as a dominant class to be restrained. Missing were the struggles many men face: unemployment, the crushing demands of polygamy, and the relentless pressure to perform as patriarchs without resources.

This omission is striking. In Kano today, the rise of wives killing their husbands is not just a crime. It is a signal of imbalance in the family system, a warning that reform is incomplete. Without addressing male fragility alongside female empowerment, Shari’a reform risks becoming a zero-sum game. Sanusi’s thesis suggests that empowering women alone can resolve family crises. But true reform, as Shari’a itself demands, must be a balanced restructuring that preserves the dignity and well-being of both men and women.

Muḥammad Sani is a freelance and public policy writer from Zaria. Can be reached via muhdusman1999@gmail.com.

By Anas Abbas

A bill introduced into the United States Congress proposes visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals associated with the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The legislation, presented by U.S. Representative Christopher Smith, names the groups among “entities responsible for or complicit in severe violations of religious freedom,” under the framework of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

In the bill, the “Fulani-ethnic militias” operating in Nigeria’s Benue and Plateau states are explicitly designated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), a classification previously applied to organisations such as Boko Haram, ISIS‑West Africa, the Taliban and the Houthis.

Under the terms of the bill, if passed, U.S. authorities would be empowered to bar visas and freeze assets of individuals linked to the listed organisations.

The move comes amid mounting concern in Washington over reported attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Representative Smith applauded the U.S. government’s re-designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations.

The Nigerian federal government has rejected these claims, pointing to constitutional guarantees for freedom of worship.

Nevertheless, U.S. officials appear to be advancing this legislative effort following agitation from American lawmakers and evangelical groups.

This development signals an escalation of U.S. pressure on Nigeria over human rights and religious-freedom concerns, raising the stakes for Nigeria’s domestic and international stance on such issues.

By Maryam Ahmad

Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, a Brussels-based correspondent for the Italian news agency Nova, has been dismissed after posing a question about Israel during a European Commission press briefing.

According to reports from La Stampa, Nunziati asked officials about Israel’s responsibility in the ongoing Middle East conflict — a question his employer later described as “inappropriate” and “embarrassing.” Shortly after the exchange, Nova informed him that his collaboration had been terminated.

The incident has sparked debate within journalistic circles about press freedom and the limits of editorial control. Colleagues in Brussels expressed concern that the dismissal reflects growing pressure on journalists covering sensitive international issues, particularly those related to Israel.

Neither Nova nor the European Commission has issued a detailed statement on the matter. Nunziati, for his part, has defended his question as a legitimate exercise of journalistic duty.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Wednesday launched a major enforcement operation in Kano State, targeting warehouses and retailers accused of selling under-measured fabric materials to unsuspecting buyers.

The exercise, which took place in the Sharada Industrial Area and other commercial hubs, focused on companies including LGR Products, UME Products, Nana Textile Products, Mama Africa Products, and UE Products, among others.

Speaking during the operation, the Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, Boladale Adeyanka, said the move followed verified intelligence and weeks of discreet surveillance that exposed deceptive sales practices by some fabric dealers.

“The enforcement exercise carried out today at this target location is in response to verified intelligence. This is just one of the many targeted businesses or warehouses involved in this alleged infraction,” Adeyanka explained.

According to her, the Commission discovered that several traders were selling fabrics below the stated measurements printed on their labels.

“You will recall that we took measurements right before us—fabrics labelled 10 yards were found to be only 9 yards, while those labelled 5 yards were as short as 4 and a half,” she said.

Adeyanka emphasized that such conduct violates multiple provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive representations concerning product quantity or quality.

“Under Section 123 of the FCCPA, no retailer or trader shall make any false or misleading representation about the quantity or price of goods supplied.

“Similarly, Section 125 prohibits any supplier or distributor from engaging in conduct that implies a false or misleading representation to a consumer,” she stated.

She added that such deceptive practices not only exploit consumers but also disrupt fair market competition.

“These acts undermine honest traders and businesses that comply with lawful standards. They can drive legitimate retailers out of the market, thereby reducing consumer choice and entrenching anti-competitive behaviour,” she noted.

Adeyanka further disclosed that following verified findings, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, approved the sealing of several shops under Sections 27 and 28 of the Act to allow further investigation.

Samples of the implicated materials were also seized for measurement and quality verification.

She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers from fraudulent practices, stressing that the operation reflects the FCCPC’s statutory duty to promote fairness and integrity in trade.

“This enforcement operation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a fair marketplace and safeguarding consumer welfare—both economic and social. It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights in Nigeria.”

The Commission urged consumers to stay alert and report any suspected cases of deceptive trade practices through its official complaint channels.

“We encourage consumers to insist on their rights and to report any unscrupulous practices. The Commission will continue to deploy lawful enforcement measures to deter exploitative and obnoxious business conduct across the nation,” Adeyanka concluded.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad 

1. Immediate Actions: Dispatch a high-level delegation to Washington: President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should immediately send a high-powered delegation composed of respected Nigerian statesmen, business leaders, and senior government officials to engage with U.S. authorities.

The team should include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Bola Ajibola, business mogul Aliko Dangote, Rev. Hassan Matthew Kukah, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr Daniel Okoh, His Eminence Sultan of Sokoto, representatives of Religious groups, NGO, etc.

From the government side, the delegation should include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Governors of Benue,  Plateau, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, given the security relevance of their regions.

2. Re-engage the U.S. Mission in Nigeria: The Presidency should task the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other well-placed Nigerians with deepening communication with the U.S. Mission in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos to strengthen diplomatic rapport, address misperceptions, and align mutual strategic interests.

3. Reach out to U.S. allies and partners: Nigeria should actively engage with other influential U.S. allies across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to rally broader international support for Nigeria’s security and development agenda.

3. Seek U.S. assistance in defence cooperation: President Tinubu should formally request more support from the Donald J. Trump administration in providing modern weapons, intelligence-sharing technology, and counter-insurgency training to bolster Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

4. Immediate appointment of ambassadors: Nigeria’s diplomatic missions have remained without substantive ambassadors for too long. Swift appointments of competent, credible, and globally respected diplomats will help restore Nigeria’s voice and visibility on the international stage.

5. The Minister Yusuf Tuggar should be reassigned to another portfolio, and a new Minister of Foreign Affairs, preferably one with strong international connections and more diplomatic weight, should be appointed. This will send a clear signal that Nigeria is repositioning its foreign policy and engagement strategy.

6. Launch a global public relations drive: Nigeria must embark on a robust, well-coordinated international PR campaign to reshape global perception. This should highlight the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and counter-terrorism efforts, while showcasing Nigeria as a stable, investment-friendly democracy that protects all faiths and ethnicities

7. On the Security and Communication Front: The office of the National Security Adviser and the high military command are doing well; thus, to further boost the effort, they should further re-align the war against insurgency and banditry. The battle against bandits, terrorists, and other insurgent groups must be comprehensively restructured. This includes better coordination among the armed forces, improved intelligence gathering, community-based security initiatives, and enhanced welfare for frontline troops. A unified national security strategy will yield faster and more sustainable results.

8. Strengthen media visibility of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts: Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against terror are often underreported or misrepresented internationally. There should be massive, transparent media coverage, both traditional and digital, to showcase the government’s ongoing efforts, victories, and human stories of resilience. This will help counter misinformation, boost public morale, and attract global understanding and support.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.