Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc across West Africa, damaging homes, businesses and farmland. In Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, disrupted food supplies are driving up market prices, forcing many families to tighten their budgets as recovery efforts continue.
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Video - Severe flooding in West Africa sparks food shortages and rising prices in Lagos
Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc across West Africa, damaging homes, businesses and farmland. In Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, disrupted food supplies are driving up market prices, forcing many families to tighten their budgets as recovery efforts continue.
Nigeria orders probe into fake agency that nearly got $944,000 in state funds
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into how a fake government agency operated openly in the heart of his administration and was almost handed nearly a million dollars in public funds.
The agency, called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, doesn't exist under Nigerian law. Yet it was set to receive about 1.3 billion naira ($944,300) in this year's national budget.
Its offices were reportedly located inside the federal secretariat in Abuja, the same complex that houses genuine government ministries.
The agency, called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, doesn't exist under Nigerian law. Yet it was set to receive about 1.3 billion naira ($944,300) in this year's national budget.
Its offices were reportedly located inside the federal secretariat in Abuja, the same complex that houses genuine government ministries.
Anti-corruption agency given 30 days
Tinubu's office announced on Tuesday night that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been ordered to investigate. It has 30 days to report back.
Investigators will look into claims of forged appointment letters, and allegations that the agency used a fake presidential appointment to gain official recognition, including help securing visas.
Tinubu's office announced on Tuesday night that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been ordered to investigate. It has 30 days to report back.
Investigators will look into claims of forged appointment letters, and allegations that the agency used a fake presidential appointment to gain official recognition, including help securing visas.
"Con artist," says presidential spokesman
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man who claimed to run the agency, as a "con artist" with a track record of misrepresentation.
Onanuga said no public money had actually been paid out. But critics are asking a harder question: how did a nonexistent agency make it into the national budget in the first place?
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man who claimed to run the agency, as a "con artist" with a track record of misrepresentation.
Onanuga said no public money had actually been paid out. But critics are asking a harder question: how did a nonexistent agency make it into the national budget in the first place?
Pressure builds on Tinubu
The scandal adds to political pressure on Tinubu ahead of the presidential election, putting Nigeria's long-running corruption problem back in the headlines.
Local media reported that Adeyemi claimed he'd been given an appointment letter by Tinubu's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Gbajabiamila denies ever meeting or knowing him.
Analysts say the government still needs to explain how the fake agency slipped into official spending plans.
The scandal adds to political pressure on Tinubu ahead of the presidential election, putting Nigeria's long-running corruption problem back in the headlines.
Local media reported that Adeyemi claimed he'd been given an appointment letter by Tinubu's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Gbajabiamila denies ever meeting or knowing him.
Analysts say the government still needs to explain how the fake agency slipped into official spending plans.
Court date set
Adeyemi is due in court on July 27. He faces charges of forging official documents, falsely seeking recognition for a fake government agency, and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.
Adeyemi is due in court on July 27. He faces charges of forging official documents, falsely seeking recognition for a fake government agency, and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.
New lithium plant in Nigeria marks major shift to value-added critical minerals
As African countries focus on growing their critical mineral value chains and shifting from raw material exporters to true value creators, as previously reported, those ambitions are now beginning to take shape. Nigeria recently commissioned its, and one of Africa’s, largest lithium processing plants in Nasarawa State.
The Diamond New Energy lithium plant has a processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes of lithium per day, with an estimated 3 million tonnes annually.
During construction, the project generated over 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect employment opportunities for the community, making it a significant contributor to Nigeria’s industrialisation and growth agenda.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima stressed the importance of metals and minerals in the modern, tech-driven era, saying Nigeria is set to enter a new phase of growth in the metals sector.
In his statement, Senator Shettima notes that Nigeria “must either maximise its industrial advantage and turn its endowments into engines of prosperity, or spend years manufacturing excuses for the nation’s lack of innovation”.
“The commissioning of Diamond New Energy Projects here in Nasarawa State represents confidence in Nigeria, in Nasarawa State, and in the revolutionary reforms set in place by this administration,” says Senator Shettima.
“It represents confidence that Nigeria is ready to participate in the global minerals economy on terms that create jobs, build skills, strengthen local enterprises, and expand our productive base.”
Senator Shettima notes that Nigeria, like many other countries across Africa, has often focused on “what lies beneath our soil” rather than what can be done to add value to these metals and minerals.
“What changes a nation is the deliberate movement from extraction to processing, from potential to production, from raw materials to value-added goods, and from isolated investments to integrated industrial ecosystems.”
Nigeria’s commissioning of the Diamond New Energy lithium plant marks a clear pivot in Africa’s push to to build local mineral value chains and capture more value from its resources.
As more nations move to secure downstream capacity, the continent’s critical minerals narrative is rapidly evolving from potential to production, with Nigeria now positioning itself as a serious participant in the global lithium supply chain.
The Diamond New Energy lithium plant has a processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes of lithium per day, with an estimated 3 million tonnes annually.
During construction, the project generated over 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect employment opportunities for the community, making it a significant contributor to Nigeria’s industrialisation and growth agenda.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima stressed the importance of metals and minerals in the modern, tech-driven era, saying Nigeria is set to enter a new phase of growth in the metals sector.
In his statement, Senator Shettima notes that Nigeria “must either maximise its industrial advantage and turn its endowments into engines of prosperity, or spend years manufacturing excuses for the nation’s lack of innovation”.
“The commissioning of Diamond New Energy Projects here in Nasarawa State represents confidence in Nigeria, in Nasarawa State, and in the revolutionary reforms set in place by this administration,” says Senator Shettima.
“It represents confidence that Nigeria is ready to participate in the global minerals economy on terms that create jobs, build skills, strengthen local enterprises, and expand our productive base.”
Senator Shettima notes that Nigeria, like many other countries across Africa, has often focused on “what lies beneath our soil” rather than what can be done to add value to these metals and minerals.
“What changes a nation is the deliberate movement from extraction to processing, from potential to production, from raw materials to value-added goods, and from isolated investments to integrated industrial ecosystems.”
Nigeria’s commissioning of the Diamond New Energy lithium plant marks a clear pivot in Africa’s push to to build local mineral value chains and capture more value from its resources.
As more nations move to secure downstream capacity, the continent’s critical minerals narrative is rapidly evolving from potential to production, with Nigeria now positioning itself as a serious participant in the global lithium supply chain.
By Amy Rotman, mining.com.au
Dangote lowers petrol price in Nigeria even as Trump resumes fighting in Iran
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery lowered its wholesale petrol price on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, despite the resumption of the conflict in the Middle East, which, for the last few months, has brought on a surge in energy prices across Africa.
This price reduction has instigated minor price competition among local fuel suppliers in Nigeria, offering consumers some relief even as domestic diesel costs escalate and global oil markets experience sudden fluctuations.
The massive refinery trimmed its ex-depot petrol price by ₦1, bringing it down to ₦1,075 per litre from the old price of ₦1,076 per litre.
This price reduction has instigated minor price competition among local fuel suppliers in Nigeria, offering consumers some relief even as domestic diesel costs escalate and global oil markets experience sudden fluctuations.
The massive refinery trimmed its ex-depot petrol price by ₦1, bringing it down to ₦1,075 per litre from the old price of ₦1,076 per litre.
Local market response and diesel hikes
Dangote’s price change has forced other major oil marketers in Lagos to lower their prices slightly to stay competitive.
MRS Oil Nigeria led the way by cutting its depot price by ₦2 to ₦1,074 per litre from the old price of ₦1,076 per litre, making it one of the cheapest options in the city.
While a few suppliers in Lagos and Warri dropped their rates by ₦1 or ₦2, other major companies like NIPCO, Sahara Energy, and Aiteo kept their prices steady.
Right now, most petrol prices at Lagos depots are stable, staying between ₦1,074 and ₦1,075 per litre.
This adjustment in fuel pricing occurs despite the resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, a conflict anticipated to influence global energy markets.
Dangote’s price change has forced other major oil marketers in Lagos to lower their prices slightly to stay competitive.
MRS Oil Nigeria led the way by cutting its depot price by ₦2 to ₦1,074 per litre from the old price of ₦1,076 per litre, making it one of the cheapest options in the city.
While a few suppliers in Lagos and Warri dropped their rates by ₦1 or ₦2, other major companies like NIPCO, Sahara Energy, and Aiteo kept their prices steady.
Right now, most petrol prices at Lagos depots are stable, staying between ₦1,074 and ₦1,075 per litre.
This adjustment in fuel pricing occurs despite the resurgence of hostilities in the Middle East, a conflict anticipated to influence global energy markets.
Trump ends Iran ceasefire, spiking global oil prices
Per recent reports, International oil prices jumped by over 7% in a single day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that America's temporary ceasefire with Iran is officially "over."
According to global trading platforms like Oilprice.com, this caused immediate worries that global oil supplies might run low, pushing the price of international unrefined petroleum on the global commodities exchange up sharply from its previous $72 to nearly $80 a barrel.
Experts warn that if these global tensions keep driving unrefined petroleum prices upward, the cost of raw oil input will become much higher.
This could eventually force fuel prices back up across Nigeria, potentially ending the local price cuts.
Per recent reports, International oil prices jumped by over 7% in a single day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that America's temporary ceasefire with Iran is officially "over."
According to global trading platforms like Oilprice.com, this caused immediate worries that global oil supplies might run low, pushing the price of international unrefined petroleum on the global commodities exchange up sharply from its previous $72 to nearly $80 a barrel.
Experts warn that if these global tensions keep driving unrefined petroleum prices upward, the cost of raw oil input will become much higher.
This could eventually force fuel prices back up across Nigeria, potentially ending the local price cuts.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Nigeria turns to Chinese solar solutions as Kano battles chronic power shortages
Kano, northern Nigeria's commercial hub, requires about 600 megawatts of electricity each day but receives only around 180 megawatts from the national grid. Some Chinese companies have stepped in to fill this void by supplying solar products to the ancient city. Many residents and business operators say it's a welcome addition to the energy mix.
Related story: Hertfordshire invention helps power homes in Nigeria
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