Experts attribute the decline in food prices to enhanced security for farmers in rural areas. While this reduction offers some relief in a country grappling with high inflation, many still feel that prices remain prohibitively high for the average person.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Video - Food prices drop in Nigeria, but many remain cautious
Experts attribute the decline in food prices to enhanced security for farmers in rural areas. While this reduction offers some relief in a country grappling with high inflation, many still feel that prices remain prohibitively high for the average person.
Video - Nigeria’s kidney crisis as experts push for reforms
Chronic kidney disease affects 15 percent of Nigeria's population, with an estimated 45,000 deaths annually due to kidney failure. A new subsidy has however cut dialysis costs by 80 percent in select hospitals.
40-Year-Old Nigerian Boxer Dies After Collapsing Mid-Fight
Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a fight in Ghana, has died. He was 40.
Olanrewaju was facing off against Jonathan Mbanugu of Ghana on Saturday, March 29, in a light-heavyweight match at the Bukom Boxing Arena when he fell over backward into the ropes and appeared to lose consciousness. The referee immediately called for the ringside doctor and paramedics to assist the boxer and revive him.
Olanrewaju was then taken to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, according to the Ghana Boxing Authority, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead soon after.
"We are really devastated," said Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, in an interview with BBC Sport Africa. "[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family."
Aboderin added that Olanrewaju was a "ring warrior" and a "fearless" fighter.
The GBA announced its intention to investigate Olanrewaju's death, as well as the safety measures in place during the fight.
Known as "Success" in the boxing community, Olanrewaju kicked off his career in 2019, later gaining national and West African championship titles. Before the bout on March 29, Olanrewaju had 13 wins — all but one by knockout, according to NilePost — as well as 8 losses.
By Rachel Raposas, People
Olanrewaju was facing off against Jonathan Mbanugu of Ghana on Saturday, March 29, in a light-heavyweight match at the Bukom Boxing Arena when he fell over backward into the ropes and appeared to lose consciousness. The referee immediately called for the ringside doctor and paramedics to assist the boxer and revive him.
Olanrewaju was then taken to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, according to the Ghana Boxing Authority, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead soon after.
"We are really devastated," said Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, in an interview with BBC Sport Africa. "[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family."
Aboderin added that Olanrewaju was a "ring warrior" and a "fearless" fighter.
The GBA announced its intention to investigate Olanrewaju's death, as well as the safety measures in place during the fight.
Known as "Success" in the boxing community, Olanrewaju kicked off his career in 2019, later gaining national and West African championship titles. Before the bout on March 29, Olanrewaju had 13 wins — all but one by knockout, according to NilePost — as well as 8 losses.
Nigerian Government, Dangote Could Begin Talks Over Naira-for-Crude Deal Renewal
The Nigerian government could reopen discussions with Dangote Petroleum Refinery on the naira-for-crude deal, as uncertainty lingers over its renewal. The initial six-month agreement, which allowed the refinery to purchase crude in naira, ended on March 31, 2025, and has yet to be extended.
Following the expiry of the deal, Dangote Refinery stopped selling refined petroleum products in naira, raising concerns about potential fuel price increases. According to reports, a senior government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that authorities have not ruled out renewing the policy, given its impact on fuel prices and foreign exchange rates.
Meanwhile, a report by S&P Global revealed that the refinery has processed an estimated 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, with around 35% of crude sourced from international markets. This translates to approximately 12.6 million barrels imported in three months, highlighting the refinery’s growing dependence on external suppliers.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had supplied 48 million barrels of crude in naira under the deal, but ongoing supply challenges have led to under-deliveries. While NNPC has allocated seven crude oil cargoes for April deliveries, payment terms remain unsettled.
The state oil firm also reduced its stake in the Dangote project from 20% to 7.2% last year, adding to uncertainty over its long-term supply commitments.
Human rights group HURIWA has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the continuation of the naira-for-crude arrangement. The group warned that terminating the deal could lead to fuel price hikes, worsening economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasised that many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, depend on affordable fuel, and any disruption could trigger further job losses and push more Nigerians into poverty.
As the uncertainty continues, Dangote Refinery is expanding its crude sources. The refinery recently secured its first crude shipment from Brazil, with another expected soon from Equatorial Guinea. A company executive confirmed that Dangote has now added these countries to its list of global oil suppliers, alongside discussions with Senegal and Libya.
However, a Dangote executive admitted that the naira-for-crude arrangement was not commercially advantageous for the company due to foreign exchange risks. Pegging crude purchases and product sales to fluctuating exchange rates has created financial challenges for the refinery.
With the government and Dangote set for fresh talks, the fate of the naira-for-crude deal remains uncertain. While supporters argue it stabilises fuel prices and the economy, challenges related to supply consistency and exchange rate risks could complicate negotiations.
Following the expiry of the deal, Dangote Refinery stopped selling refined petroleum products in naira, raising concerns about potential fuel price increases. According to reports, a senior government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that authorities have not ruled out renewing the policy, given its impact on fuel prices and foreign exchange rates.
Meanwhile, a report by S&P Global revealed that the refinery has processed an estimated 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, with around 35% of crude sourced from international markets. This translates to approximately 12.6 million barrels imported in three months, highlighting the refinery’s growing dependence on external suppliers.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had supplied 48 million barrels of crude in naira under the deal, but ongoing supply challenges have led to under-deliveries. While NNPC has allocated seven crude oil cargoes for April deliveries, payment terms remain unsettled.
The state oil firm also reduced its stake in the Dangote project from 20% to 7.2% last year, adding to uncertainty over its long-term supply commitments.
Human rights group HURIWA has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the continuation of the naira-for-crude arrangement. The group warned that terminating the deal could lead to fuel price hikes, worsening economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasised that many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, depend on affordable fuel, and any disruption could trigger further job losses and push more Nigerians into poverty.
As the uncertainty continues, Dangote Refinery is expanding its crude sources. The refinery recently secured its first crude shipment from Brazil, with another expected soon from Equatorial Guinea. A company executive confirmed that Dangote has now added these countries to its list of global oil suppliers, alongside discussions with Senegal and Libya.
However, a Dangote executive admitted that the naira-for-crude arrangement was not commercially advantageous for the company due to foreign exchange risks. Pegging crude purchases and product sales to fluctuating exchange rates has created financial challenges for the refinery.
With the government and Dangote set for fresh talks, the fate of the naira-for-crude deal remains uncertain. While supporters argue it stabilises fuel prices and the economy, challenges related to supply consistency and exchange rate risks could complicate negotiations.
By Abdullahi Jimoh, News Central
Nigeria inches towards mandatory citizen registration if new regulation approved
Nigeria is in the process of making registration for national digital ID compulsory for every citizen under any circumstance. This aspect is contained in a draft text which is currently in the National Assembly for examination.
Last week, the bill passed second reading in the senate, meaning it has to now be also vetted by the House of Representatives before it can be assented to by the President if he has no objections.
Per Channels TV, the bill passed second reading in the upper chamber of parliament after a report submitted by the Committee on National Identity Card and Population was reviewed and adopted.
The Chairmen of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh, is quoted as saying that the bill is a repeal and re-enactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.
The objective of the draft text, the lawmaker said, is to streamline digital ID registration in Nigeria by putting in place a harmonized system that is cost-effective and meets global standards for digital ID management.
There have been talks by the Nigerian government, including a recommendation of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crimes, for all government databases to be harmonized as a way of revolutionizing identity verification.
According to the bill, as reported, a centralized identity repository will be created, as well as a new commission that will have the specific responsibility to enroll citizens and issue national digital ID cards. It is not totally clear if this commission will fully take the ID issuance responsibility currently under the NIMC.
These proposed changes envisaging compulsory ID enrollment in Nigeria align with broader efforts of the government to strengthen the country’s digital ID legal framework, a process that started sometime last year and announced by NIMC, and is part of conditions to unlock funds for the World Bank-sponsored digital ID program ongoing in the country.
Last year, a proposed amendment to the NIMC Act 2007 also called for compulsory digital ID for foreign nationals living in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, recently, Nigerian senators also called for a probe into reports that the cost of internet data is skyrocketing. The senators called on the Committee on Communications to look into the situation, warning that the high cost of data discourages active participation in the digital economy, Business Day reports.
By Ayang Macdonald, Biometric Update
Last week, the bill passed second reading in the senate, meaning it has to now be also vetted by the House of Representatives before it can be assented to by the President if he has no objections.
Per Channels TV, the bill passed second reading in the upper chamber of parliament after a report submitted by the Committee on National Identity Card and Population was reviewed and adopted.
The Chairmen of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh, is quoted as saying that the bill is a repeal and re-enactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.
The objective of the draft text, the lawmaker said, is to streamline digital ID registration in Nigeria by putting in place a harmonized system that is cost-effective and meets global standards for digital ID management.
There have been talks by the Nigerian government, including a recommendation of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crimes, for all government databases to be harmonized as a way of revolutionizing identity verification.
According to the bill, as reported, a centralized identity repository will be created, as well as a new commission that will have the specific responsibility to enroll citizens and issue national digital ID cards. It is not totally clear if this commission will fully take the ID issuance responsibility currently under the NIMC.
These proposed changes envisaging compulsory ID enrollment in Nigeria align with broader efforts of the government to strengthen the country’s digital ID legal framework, a process that started sometime last year and announced by NIMC, and is part of conditions to unlock funds for the World Bank-sponsored digital ID program ongoing in the country.
Last year, a proposed amendment to the NIMC Act 2007 also called for compulsory digital ID for foreign nationals living in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, recently, Nigerian senators also called for a probe into reports that the cost of internet data is skyrocketing. The senators called on the Committee on Communications to look into the situation, warning that the high cost of data discourages active participation in the digital economy, Business Day reports.
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