Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Video - Nigeria’s new 20 percent expat tax sparks investment concerns
Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Act, effective January 1, 2026, will impose a 20 percent tax on expatriates earning over $521 monthly, replacing outdated regulations to generate trillions of naira. Critics warn it could deter foreign investment and complicate diplomatic ties.
Bill Maher calls out media for ignoring killing of Christians in Nigeria
“If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble. And, again, I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria,” Maher said on his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on September 27.
“They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches,” Maher said. “This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this?”
Maher famously hosted the show “Politically Incorrect” and has said he is not beholden to any party or ideology. He often provides scathing sociopolitical commentary on his television show and podcast.
By Susie Pinto, News Nation
Nigeria Handed World Cup Lifeline After South Africa Docked Points
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived after football’s governing body sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March be forfeited, after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. The decision awards Lesotho a 3–0 win and deducts three points from South Africa.
Alongside the points loss, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.
The ruling has blown Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers wide open. South Africa, who had been leading, now dropped to second level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by just three points, setting up a tense finale to the qualifying rounds next month.
Only group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in North and Central America.
SAFA confirmed it will appeal the decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and “unprecedented.” South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, described the affair as “embarrassing” and promised an investigation into the administrative failure that led to the sanction.
Nigeria, meanwhile, have been handed a golden opportunity. Wins in their remaining fixtures could send the Super Eagles top of the group and back on course for World Cup qualification.
Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa must travel to Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. With just three points separating the top four sides, Group C has become one of the most unpredictable races in African football.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March be forfeited, after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. The decision awards Lesotho a 3–0 win and deducts three points from South Africa.
Alongside the points loss, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.
The ruling has blown Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers wide open. South Africa, who had been leading, now dropped to second level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by just three points, setting up a tense finale to the qualifying rounds next month.
Only group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in North and Central America.
SAFA confirmed it will appeal the decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and “unprecedented.” South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, described the affair as “embarrassing” and promised an investigation into the administrative failure that led to the sanction.
Nigeria, meanwhile, have been handed a golden opportunity. Wins in their remaining fixtures could send the Super Eagles top of the group and back on course for World Cup qualification.
Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa must travel to Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. With just three points separating the top four sides, Group C has become one of the most unpredictable races in African football.
By Aymen Alami, MWN
Dangote’s meeting with the oil union in Nigeria on day one hits a brick wall
A delegation from the union held a meeting with the Dangote Refinery; however, the negotiation, which was put together by the government around 4. PM on Monday was reportedly unfruitful.
Mohammed Dingyadi, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, were part of the nine-hour-long dialogue, which lasted until early Tuesday morning.
Despite the lengthy negotiations, the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN were unable to reach a mutual agreement, as seen in the Punch.
After the meeting, the labor minister revealed that the delegations from both parties would meet again at 2:00 PM on Tuesday to break the stalemate.
Following reports of widespread dissatisfaction, the Federal Government called both sides to the bargaining table, concerned about the dispute's possible effects on the country's economy and energy security.
Mohammed Dingyadi, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, were part of the nine-hour-long dialogue, which lasted until early Tuesday morning.
Despite the lengthy negotiations, the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN were unable to reach a mutual agreement, as seen in the Punch.
After the meeting, the labor minister revealed that the delegations from both parties would meet again at 2:00 PM on Tuesday to break the stalemate.
Following reports of widespread dissatisfaction, the Federal Government called both sides to the bargaining table, concerned about the dispute's possible effects on the country's economy and energy security.
Dangote’s dispute with PENGASSAN
The Dangote Refinery is currently locked in a major dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the firing of hundreds of workers.
The union claims that more than 800 Nigerians were fired after joining PENGASSAN and replaced with expats, accusing management of violating labor rights and discriminating against local employees.
In retaliation, the union requested a suspension in crude oil and gas delivery to the $20 billion refinery, causing severe disruptions in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
They followed up with a nationwide strike that has drawn the solidarity of other union groups in the downstream sector.
Currently, major oil institutions in Nigeria, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been shut down owing to PENGASSAN’s strike.
Dangote Group denies the allegations, maintaining that the dismissals were part of a reorganization to combat sabotage in particular refinery facilities, and condemning the supply disruption as "economic sabotage."
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
The Dangote Refinery is currently locked in a major dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the firing of hundreds of workers.
The union claims that more than 800 Nigerians were fired after joining PENGASSAN and replaced with expats, accusing management of violating labor rights and discriminating against local employees.
In retaliation, the union requested a suspension in crude oil and gas delivery to the $20 billion refinery, causing severe disruptions in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
They followed up with a nationwide strike that has drawn the solidarity of other union groups in the downstream sector.
Currently, major oil institutions in Nigeria, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been shut down owing to PENGASSAN’s strike.
Dangote Group denies the allegations, maintaining that the dismissals were part of a reorganization to combat sabotage in particular refinery facilities, and condemning the supply disruption as "economic sabotage."
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Nigeria and South Africa set to exit dirty-money list in October
Nigeria and South Africa could be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” as early as next month, a potential boost for two of Africa’s largest economies, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The FATF, a Paris-based global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, placed both countries under heightened monitoring in February 2023 for shortcomings in tackling illicit financial flows.
Assessors conducted on-site inspections in recent weeks, and feedback on their action plans, as well as those of Burkina Faso and Mozambique, noted significant progress, sources told Bloomberg.
Business Insider Africa earlier reported that the FATF has already determined South African authorities have met “all or nearly all” of the required actions, according to FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo.
All four nations are expected to be cleared on Oct. 24, the final day of the FATF’s plenary meeting in Paris, though no final decision has been taken.
The FATF, a Paris-based global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, placed both countries under heightened monitoring in February 2023 for shortcomings in tackling illicit financial flows.
Assessors conducted on-site inspections in recent weeks, and feedback on their action plans, as well as those of Burkina Faso and Mozambique, noted significant progress, sources told Bloomberg.
Business Insider Africa earlier reported that the FATF has already determined South African authorities have met “all or nearly all” of the required actions, according to FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo.
All four nations are expected to be cleared on Oct. 24, the final day of the FATF’s plenary meeting in Paris, though no final decision has been taken.
Potential market boost if listing is lifted
Although being placed on the grey list does not carry immediate penalties, it can severely damage a country’s economy and reputation.
A 2021 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report found that grey listing can cut capital inflows by as much as 7.6% of a country’s GDP.
South Africa’s Treasury said it will comment after the FATF’s decision is made public next month. Mozambique has completed all 26 actions needed to be delisted, said Luís Abel Cezerilo, who is coordinating the country’s removal.
That decision would come just as TotalEnergies SE prepares to restart its $20 billion natural gas export project.
Although being placed on the grey list does not carry immediate penalties, it can severely damage a country’s economy and reputation.
A 2021 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report found that grey listing can cut capital inflows by as much as 7.6% of a country’s GDP.
South Africa’s Treasury said it will comment after the FATF’s decision is made public next month. Mozambique has completed all 26 actions needed to be delisted, said Luís Abel Cezerilo, who is coordinating the country’s removal.
That decision would come just as TotalEnergies SE prepares to restart its $20 billion natural gas export project.
By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa
Friday, September 26, 2025
Nigeria joins global deal to cut cost of HIV prevention drug
The Nigerian government has joined global leaders in announcing a historic price reduction for a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The announcement was made on Thursday during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of UNGA.
Under the deal, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection proven to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection, will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually.
The breakthrough is expected to make the medicine accessible to millions across Nigeria and in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.
By Fortune Eromonsele, Premium Times
The announcement was made on Thursday during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of UNGA.
Under the deal, the cost of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection proven to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing HIV infection, will drop from $28,000 to just $40 per person annually.
The breakthrough is expected to make the medicine accessible to millions across Nigeria and in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.
Nigeria’s stance
Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, described the development as a major step forward.
Ms Ilori noted that the agreement represents a turning point in expanding access to lifesaving innovation.
“Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV , in Nigeria and globally. Through this landmark access agreement, we are unlocking affordable access to lenacapavir, a transformational new HIV prevention option that offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk,” she said.
She stressed that the deal ensures the innovation does not remain a privilege for the few but instead delivers equity and long-lasting impact.
Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the event, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, described the development as a major step forward.
Ms Ilori noted that the agreement represents a turning point in expanding access to lifesaving innovation.
“Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV , in Nigeria and globally. Through this landmark access agreement, we are unlocking affordable access to lenacapavir, a transformational new HIV prevention option that offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk,” she said.
She stressed that the deal ensures the innovation does not remain a privilege for the few but instead delivers equity and long-lasting impact.
HIV, lenacapavir
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. Without treatment, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Common early symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, sore throat and weight loss, though many people may remain asymptomatic for years. According to health experts, timely prevention and treatment are key to halting transmission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), said HIV remains a major global public health issue.
By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with about 65 per cent in the WHO African Region.
Globally, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes same here, while 1.3 million people contracted HIV, including 120,000 children.
Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.
In Nigeria, the burden remains significant. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 was estimated at 1.3 per cent in 2023.
The same year, there were about 30,000 HIV-related deaths among people aged 15 and above. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,690,291 people aged 15 and above were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In July 2025, WHO issued new guidelines recommending injectable lenacapavir, administered twice a year, as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. Without treatment, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Common early symptoms include fever, fatigue, rash, sore throat and weight loss, though many people may remain asymptomatic for years. According to health experts, timely prevention and treatment are key to halting transmission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), said HIV remains a major global public health issue.
By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally, with about 65 per cent in the WHO African Region.
Globally, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes same here, while 1.3 million people contracted HIV, including 120,000 children.
Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.
In Nigeria, the burden remains significant. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 was estimated at 1.3 per cent in 2023.
The same year, there were about 30,000 HIV-related deaths among people aged 15 and above. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,690,291 people aged 15 and above were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In July 2025, WHO issued new guidelines recommending injectable lenacapavir, administered twice a year, as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.
Global collaboration
The price reduction was achieved through strong collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation.
The Gates Foundation earlier announced a new partnership with Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs to drive down the cost of lenacapavir and expand access.
Nigeria’s participation, officials added, highlights its leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen health systems, expand prevention, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
The price reduction was achieved through strong collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation.
The Gates Foundation earlier announced a new partnership with Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs to drive down the cost of lenacapavir and expand access.
Nigeria’s participation, officials added, highlights its leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen health systems, expand prevention, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
President Tinubu warns UN: Reform or risk irrelevance
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a strongly worded reform policy proposal to the United Nations on Wednesday, warning that the global body must embrace sweeping restructurings or face growing irrelevance as world events increasingly bypass its influence.
The president criticised the organisation’s record, pointing to the ongoing human suffering in the Middle East and other regions as “stains on our collective humanity.”
In his address to the UN General Assembly’s 80th session, President Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, warned that the UN’s credibility is being undermined by the gulf between its words and its deeds while positioning Nigeria’s economic transformation as a model for developing nations.
“For all our careful diplomatic language, the slow pace of progress on these hardy perennials of the UN General Assembly debate has led some to look away from the multilateral model. Some years ago, I noticed a shift at this gathering: key events were beginning to take place outside this hall, and the most sought-after voices were no longer heads of state,” the president said.
President Tinubu outlined four key reform demands, starting with Nigeria’s call for permanent UN Security Council membership.
“Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This should take place as part of a wider process of institutional reform. The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” he stated.
The president emphasised Nigeria’s transformation from “a colony of 20 million people, absent from the tables where decisions about our fate were taken” to “a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth.”
President Tinubu also expressed deep frustration with the pace of international progress on critical issues, from nuclear disarmament to Security Council reform.
“When we speak of nuclear disarmament, the proliferation of small weapons, Security Council reform, fair access to trade and finance, and the conflicts and human suffering across the world, we must recognise the truth. These are stains on our collective humanity,” he stated.
Taking a direct stance on the Palestinian issue, the president declared: “We say, without stuttering and without doubt, that a two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine.”
He added: “The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted.”
Speaking further, President Tinubu proposed radical reforms to the global financial system, calling for new mechanisms to address the sovereign debt crisis plaguing developing nations.
“I am calling for a new and binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, a sort of International Court of Justice for money, that will allow emerging economies to escape the economic straitjacket of primary production of unprocessed exports,” he said.
He emphasised the need for “urgent action to promote debt relief – not as an act of charity but as a clear path to the peace and prosperity that benefits us all.”
The president positioned Africa’s natural resources as central to future global stability, emphasising the need for African control over strategic minerals.
“Africa – and I must include Nigeria – has in abundance the critical minerals that will drive the technologies of the future,” President Tinubu said. “Investment in exploration, development and processing of these minerals, in Africa, will diversify supply to the international market, reduce tensions between major economies and help shape the architecture for peace and prosperity.”
He insisted that countries producing strategic minerals must “benefit fairly from those minerals – in terms of investment, partnership, local processing and jobs. When we export raw materials, as we have been doing, tension, inequality, and instability fester.”
On the new information frontiers, President Tinubu called for closing the digital divide, referencing the UN Secretary-General’s vision that “‘A.I.’ must stand for ‘Africa Included’.”
“I am calling for a new dialogue, to ensure we promote the best of the opportunities that are arising – and promote the level of access that allows emerging economies more quickly, to close a wealth and knowledge gap that is in no one’s interest,” he stated.
Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing economic transformation, President Tinubu acknowledged the difficult reality facing his citizens but said that Nigeria’s economic reforms represent a model for resilience.
“The government has taken difficult but necessary steps to restructure our economy and remove distortions, including subsidies and currency controls that benefited the few at the expense of the many,” he explained.
“I believe in the power of the market to transform. Our task is to enable and facilitate, and to trust in the ingenuity and enterprise of the people. But the process of transition is difficult,” the President said.
On Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism, President Tinubu outlined a philosophy that prioritises ideological victory over military conquest.
“From this long and difficult struggle with violent extremism, one truth stands clear: military tactics may win battles measured in months and years, but in wars that span generations, it is values and ideas that deliver the ultimate victory,” he stated.
President Tinubu call for renewed commitment to multilateralism, while reaffirming “Nigeria’s commitment to peace, to development, to unity, to multilateralism, and to the defence of human rights is beyond compromise. For none of us is safe until all of us are safe.”
“We must make real change, change that works, and change that is seen to work. If we fail, the direction of travel is already predictable,” he warned.
The president criticised the organisation’s record, pointing to the ongoing human suffering in the Middle East and other regions as “stains on our collective humanity.”
In his address to the UN General Assembly’s 80th session, President Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, warned that the UN’s credibility is being undermined by the gulf between its words and its deeds while positioning Nigeria’s economic transformation as a model for developing nations.
“For all our careful diplomatic language, the slow pace of progress on these hardy perennials of the UN General Assembly debate has led some to look away from the multilateral model. Some years ago, I noticed a shift at this gathering: key events were beginning to take place outside this hall, and the most sought-after voices were no longer heads of state,” the president said.
President Tinubu outlined four key reform demands, starting with Nigeria’s call for permanent UN Security Council membership.
“Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This should take place as part of a wider process of institutional reform. The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” he stated.
The president emphasised Nigeria’s transformation from “a colony of 20 million people, absent from the tables where decisions about our fate were taken” to “a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth.”
President Tinubu also expressed deep frustration with the pace of international progress on critical issues, from nuclear disarmament to Security Council reform.
“When we speak of nuclear disarmament, the proliferation of small weapons, Security Council reform, fair access to trade and finance, and the conflicts and human suffering across the world, we must recognise the truth. These are stains on our collective humanity,” he stated.
Taking a direct stance on the Palestinian issue, the president declared: “We say, without stuttering and without doubt, that a two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine.”
He added: “The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted.”
Speaking further, President Tinubu proposed radical reforms to the global financial system, calling for new mechanisms to address the sovereign debt crisis plaguing developing nations.
“I am calling for a new and binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, a sort of International Court of Justice for money, that will allow emerging economies to escape the economic straitjacket of primary production of unprocessed exports,” he said.
He emphasised the need for “urgent action to promote debt relief – not as an act of charity but as a clear path to the peace and prosperity that benefits us all.”
The president positioned Africa’s natural resources as central to future global stability, emphasising the need for African control over strategic minerals.
“Africa – and I must include Nigeria – has in abundance the critical minerals that will drive the technologies of the future,” President Tinubu said. “Investment in exploration, development and processing of these minerals, in Africa, will diversify supply to the international market, reduce tensions between major economies and help shape the architecture for peace and prosperity.”
He insisted that countries producing strategic minerals must “benefit fairly from those minerals – in terms of investment, partnership, local processing and jobs. When we export raw materials, as we have been doing, tension, inequality, and instability fester.”
On the new information frontiers, President Tinubu called for closing the digital divide, referencing the UN Secretary-General’s vision that “‘A.I.’ must stand for ‘Africa Included’.”
“I am calling for a new dialogue, to ensure we promote the best of the opportunities that are arising – and promote the level of access that allows emerging economies more quickly, to close a wealth and knowledge gap that is in no one’s interest,” he stated.
Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing economic transformation, President Tinubu acknowledged the difficult reality facing his citizens but said that Nigeria’s economic reforms represent a model for resilience.
“The government has taken difficult but necessary steps to restructure our economy and remove distortions, including subsidies and currency controls that benefited the few at the expense of the many,” he explained.
“I believe in the power of the market to transform. Our task is to enable and facilitate, and to trust in the ingenuity and enterprise of the people. But the process of transition is difficult,” the President said.
On Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism, President Tinubu outlined a philosophy that prioritises ideological victory over military conquest.
“From this long and difficult struggle with violent extremism, one truth stands clear: military tactics may win battles measured in months and years, but in wars that span generations, it is values and ideas that deliver the ultimate victory,” he stated.
President Tinubu call for renewed commitment to multilateralism, while reaffirming “Nigeria’s commitment to peace, to development, to unity, to multilateralism, and to the defence of human rights is beyond compromise. For none of us is safe until all of us are safe.”
“We must make real change, change that works, and change that is seen to work. If we fail, the direction of travel is already predictable,” he warned.
Japan scraps JICA ‘Africa Hometown’ agreement with Nigeria
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has terminated the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative following widespread protests in Japan, over concerns that the programme would trigger increased immigration from Africa.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry is scrapping the initiative after struggling to contain the slew of misinformation that had spread after the Nigerian government falsely announced that the agreement would create a new visa category that allowed Africans to relocate to Japan.
The “hometown” agreement, announced by JICA at an African development conference in Yokohama in August, aims to strengthen Japan’s ties with Nigeria and other African countries.
It was intended to foster exchanges between four municipalities in Japan and four countries in Africa.
The Japanese cities and their respective partner nations were: Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria; Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania; Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana; and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture with Mozambique.
However, President Bola Tinubu’s administration announced that the new partnership with Japan would create a special visa for Nigerians to work in Japan.
This announcement, however, created a flurry of misinformation online that eventually led to waves of protests in Japan, with citizens calling for the programme’s cancellation.
According to the Japan Times, the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, on Thursday said, “Taking the situation seriously, upon consultations with stakeholders, JICA has decided to cancel the ‘Africa Hometown Initiative.”
“We emphasize, however, that promoting international exchange, including with Africa, remains an important priority, and pledge to continue supporting such efforts despite withdrawing the Africa hometown project.”
By Beloved John, Premium Times
The Japanese Foreign Ministry is scrapping the initiative after struggling to contain the slew of misinformation that had spread after the Nigerian government falsely announced that the agreement would create a new visa category that allowed Africans to relocate to Japan.
The “hometown” agreement, announced by JICA at an African development conference in Yokohama in August, aims to strengthen Japan’s ties with Nigeria and other African countries.
It was intended to foster exchanges between four municipalities in Japan and four countries in Africa.
The Japanese cities and their respective partner nations were: Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria; Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania; Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana; and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture with Mozambique.
However, President Bola Tinubu’s administration announced that the new partnership with Japan would create a special visa for Nigerians to work in Japan.
This announcement, however, created a flurry of misinformation online that eventually led to waves of protests in Japan, with citizens calling for the programme’s cancellation.
According to the Japan Times, the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, on Thursday said, “Taking the situation seriously, upon consultations with stakeholders, JICA has decided to cancel the ‘Africa Hometown Initiative.”
“We emphasize, however, that promoting international exchange, including with Africa, remains an important priority, and pledge to continue supporting such efforts despite withdrawing the Africa hometown project.”
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Nigeria police targeting whistleblower who exposed payroll fraud
The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to provide immediate protection for Katsina-based entrepreneur and whistleblower, Mubarak Bello, who was recently arrested by the state police command.
Mr Bello, who until recently ran a business centre inside the Katsina police headquarters, was arrested on 13 September after a night patrol intercepted his Toyota Corolla.
Police in Katsina State alleged that they found a locally made rifle, live cartridges and a fake police identity card in his possession.
He is currently facing accusations of impersonation, unlawful possession of firearms and holding a forged police ID.
However, CWPPF, a coalition of more than 30 media and civil society organisations, insists Mr Bello’s arrest is linked to his role in exposing a ghost workers’ scheme within the Katsina police command.
According to the coalition, Mr Bello had raised alarms about a payroll racket dating back to 2017, when he alleged that officers attempted to co-opt him and an associate into the scheme.
In 2021, Mr Bello reportedly petitioned several anti-corruption bodies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Police Service Commission (PSC), providing documents he claimed revealed widespread fraud.
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) recently reported that Mr Bello’s arrest came in retaliation for his whistleblowing activities.
CWPPF echoed this concern in its petition dated 18 September, warning that Mr Bello’s life and that of his family are under “serious and imminent threat.”
“The Nigerian Police Force should conduct a prompt, thorough and diligent investigation into the alleged payroll fraud scheme, as well as the allegations against him,” the coalition wrote in a petition submitted to IGP Egbetokun, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and his counterpart in Katsina State.
The petition, signed by the Deputy Director, Journalism Programme at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Busola Ajibola, on behalf of the coalition, was also submitted to the National Human Rights Commission and ICPC.
The acknowledgement copies were received, the coalition told PREMIUM TIMES, explaining that “the copy meant for the Committee on Public Petitions is pending because the National Assembly is on recess.”
The coalition further demanded protection for Mr Bello and his family until the matter is resolved.
By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times
Mr Bello, who until recently ran a business centre inside the Katsina police headquarters, was arrested on 13 September after a night patrol intercepted his Toyota Corolla.
Police in Katsina State alleged that they found a locally made rifle, live cartridges and a fake police identity card in his possession.
He is currently facing accusations of impersonation, unlawful possession of firearms and holding a forged police ID.
However, CWPPF, a coalition of more than 30 media and civil society organisations, insists Mr Bello’s arrest is linked to his role in exposing a ghost workers’ scheme within the Katsina police command.
According to the coalition, Mr Bello had raised alarms about a payroll racket dating back to 2017, when he alleged that officers attempted to co-opt him and an associate into the scheme.
In 2021, Mr Bello reportedly petitioned several anti-corruption bodies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Police Service Commission (PSC), providing documents he claimed revealed widespread fraud.
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) recently reported that Mr Bello’s arrest came in retaliation for his whistleblowing activities.
CWPPF echoed this concern in its petition dated 18 September, warning that Mr Bello’s life and that of his family are under “serious and imminent threat.”
“The Nigerian Police Force should conduct a prompt, thorough and diligent investigation into the alleged payroll fraud scheme, as well as the allegations against him,” the coalition wrote in a petition submitted to IGP Egbetokun, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and his counterpart in Katsina State.
The petition, signed by the Deputy Director, Journalism Programme at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Busola Ajibola, on behalf of the coalition, was also submitted to the National Human Rights Commission and ICPC.
The acknowledgement copies were received, the coalition told PREMIUM TIMES, explaining that “the copy meant for the Committee on Public Petitions is pending because the National Assembly is on recess.”
The coalition further demanded protection for Mr Bello and his family until the matter is resolved.
Nigeria cuts lending rate for first time in five years
Nigeria’s central bank cut its main lending rate for the first time in five years, following the easing of inflation that had driven repeated hikes from early 2024.
The bank cut the benchmark rate by 50 basis points to 27% this week, citing “sustained disinflation, improved output growth, stable exchange rate and robust external reserves.” Nigeria’s inflation rate fell to 20.12% in August, the fifth consecutive decline this year. The bank also based the rate cut on its expectation that inflation will continue to slow for the rest of 2025, though it said it was monitoring “the risk posed by excess liquidity” from government spending.
Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to government data also released this week. Its rate cut comes as part of a wider easing of monetary policy across many of Africa’s biggest economies: central banks in Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa have taken similar steps, with cooling inflation cited in each case.
By Alexander Onukwue, SEMAFOR
The bank cut the benchmark rate by 50 basis points to 27% this week, citing “sustained disinflation, improved output growth, stable exchange rate and robust external reserves.” Nigeria’s inflation rate fell to 20.12% in August, the fifth consecutive decline this year. The bank also based the rate cut on its expectation that inflation will continue to slow for the rest of 2025, though it said it was monitoring “the risk posed by excess liquidity” from government spending.
Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to government data also released this week. Its rate cut comes as part of a wider easing of monetary policy across many of Africa’s biggest economies: central banks in Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa have taken similar steps, with cooling inflation cited in each case.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Bulker crew stranded in Nigeria without pay for three months
The crew of the 2008-built bulker Eleen Armonia has been stranded in Nigeria for more than three months without receiving salaries.
According to an email sent to Splash from a crew representative, many crew contracts have already expired, but the owner of the Liberian-flagged vessel has refused to arrange repatriation or crew change. He also noted that the crew’s mental health is at a critical level.
Despite repeated complaints filed with the Liberian Registry, the Nigerian Maritime Union, and the vessel’s P&I insurer, no action has been taken.
“The crew remains onboard in increasingly difficult conditions, without income and with uncertainty about when they will be paid or allowed to return home,” the email said.
The Equasis database states that the 55,522 dwt Eleen Armonia is owned and managed by Bulgaria-based Eleen Marine.
“We have been abandoned without wages since June 2025. Our families are suffering, and we have no clear information about when this situation will end. We urgently call on the Liberian flag, the Nigerian authorities, and international organisations to intervene,” the crew representative said.
The crew requests urgent international attention and calls on the Liberian Registry, ITF, and the Nigerian Port State Control to ensure payment of outstanding wages and safe repatriation.
The email stated that this situation may constitute a violation of the Maritime Labour Convention, which guarantees the timely payment of wages and repatriation of seafarers.
By Bojan Lepic, Splash247
According to an email sent to Splash from a crew representative, many crew contracts have already expired, but the owner of the Liberian-flagged vessel has refused to arrange repatriation or crew change. He also noted that the crew’s mental health is at a critical level.
Despite repeated complaints filed with the Liberian Registry, the Nigerian Maritime Union, and the vessel’s P&I insurer, no action has been taken.
“The crew remains onboard in increasingly difficult conditions, without income and with uncertainty about when they will be paid or allowed to return home,” the email said.
The Equasis database states that the 55,522 dwt Eleen Armonia is owned and managed by Bulgaria-based Eleen Marine.
“We have been abandoned without wages since June 2025. Our families are suffering, and we have no clear information about when this situation will end. We urgently call on the Liberian flag, the Nigerian authorities, and international organisations to intervene,” the crew representative said.
The crew requests urgent international attention and calls on the Liberian Registry, ITF, and the Nigerian Port State Control to ensure payment of outstanding wages and safe repatriation.
The email stated that this situation may constitute a violation of the Maritime Labour Convention, which guarantees the timely payment of wages and repatriation of seafarers.
Monday, September 22, 2025
Nigerian women protest for reserved seats in parliament
Several African countries, from Senegal to Rwanda, have increased the number of women legislators by using quota systems.
Nigeria, which has no such system, only counts four women senators out of 109 and 16 women in the 360-member House of Representatives, according to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a local NGO.
Dubbed the "Special Seats Bill", the legislation would add one woman-only seat for both the House and the Senate in each of Nigeria's 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, though implementing the changes would require a constitutional amendment.
"We want the legislature to work for women," said Dorothy Njemanze, one of the organisers, who said she had counted more than 1,000 demonstrators in attendance.
Women's groups from across the country converged in Abuja, organising a caravan of buses, vans and a truck blasting up-tempo Afrobeats music that snaked through the wide boulevards of the planned city.
Advocates say that reserved seats would serve as a corrective to the financial barriers, entrenched gender roles and a domination of politics by male power brokers that keep women out of power in Africa's most populous nation.
The caravan ended with the delivery of signatures in support of the legislation to a House committee holding a hearing on constitutional reform.
President Bola Tinubu's minister for women's affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has signalled support for the legislation.
However, the PLAC, in its legislative analysis, warned that constitutional amendments are "no walk in the park", with two-thirds of the National Assembly and 24 state legislatures required to approve any changes.
Several similar attempts at creating reserved seats for women have failed in recent years.
"I want that seat, because tomorrow, I may be the one contesting" for it, Onu Ihunania, a 50-year-old civil servant and member of the caravan, told AFP.
A National Assembly with more women might better focus on women's health and economic inclusion, said Nyiyam Ikyereve, 40, who travelled several hours from Benue state to join the protest.
The lack of women's representation came to a head earlier this year when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the chamber after she complained about sexual harassment.
The Senate president maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for a separate incident related to an argument that erupted in the chamber over her seating arrangement.
Nigeria, which has no such system, only counts four women senators out of 109 and 16 women in the 360-member House of Representatives, according to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a local NGO.
Dubbed the "Special Seats Bill", the legislation would add one woman-only seat for both the House and the Senate in each of Nigeria's 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, though implementing the changes would require a constitutional amendment.
"We want the legislature to work for women," said Dorothy Njemanze, one of the organisers, who said she had counted more than 1,000 demonstrators in attendance.
Women's groups from across the country converged in Abuja, organising a caravan of buses, vans and a truck blasting up-tempo Afrobeats music that snaked through the wide boulevards of the planned city.
Advocates say that reserved seats would serve as a corrective to the financial barriers, entrenched gender roles and a domination of politics by male power brokers that keep women out of power in Africa's most populous nation.
The caravan ended with the delivery of signatures in support of the legislation to a House committee holding a hearing on constitutional reform.
President Bola Tinubu's minister for women's affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has signalled support for the legislation.
However, the PLAC, in its legislative analysis, warned that constitutional amendments are "no walk in the park", with two-thirds of the National Assembly and 24 state legislatures required to approve any changes.
Several similar attempts at creating reserved seats for women have failed in recent years.
"I want that seat, because tomorrow, I may be the one contesting" for it, Onu Ihunania, a 50-year-old civil servant and member of the caravan, told AFP.
A National Assembly with more women might better focus on women's health and economic inclusion, said Nyiyam Ikyereve, 40, who travelled several hours from Benue state to join the protest.
The lack of women's representation came to a head earlier this year when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the chamber after she complained about sexual harassment.
The Senate president maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for a separate incident related to an argument that erupted in the chamber over her seating arrangement.
Friday, September 19, 2025
Video - Nigerian beekeepers seek government support to boost earnings
Beekeeping in Nigeria offers significant economic and environmental benefits but faces numerous challenges, including limited commercialization, weak marketing, and inadequate processing infrastructure. While traditional methods remain prevalent, experts emphasize the urgent need for modern training and support to boost production and increase incomes for beekeepers.
Nigeria adds Chinese language courses to high school curriculum
Nigeria has officially added Mandarin, the standard Chinese language, to its senior secondary school curriculum in a nationwide policy decision, aiming to strengthen bilateral educational and cultural exchanges and prepare its youth for a globalized future, a local official said.
The decision by Nigerian educational authorities to teach Mandarin was a direct outcome of a recent curriculum review, Mandate Secretary for Education in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Danlami Hayyo said on Wednesday at the commissioning of a new "Chinese Corner" at the Government Secondary School in Nyanya, one of the two "Chinese Corners" introduced this week in the local secondary schools.
"In the recent review of our curriculum, the Chinese language was selected as one of the international languages to be taught in our senior secondary schools," Hayyo said, adding that this demonstrates the FCT's foresight in introducing the subject.
Mandarin will join Arabic and French as an optional foreign language course in Nigerian public senior secondary schools.
According to Mohammed Sani Ladan, director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the 15 "Chinese Corners" established since 2013 in Nigerian schools have been far more than just physical spaces. "They are symbols of friendship and cooperation," he said, noting that they also provide opportunities for students and teachers to learn Mandarin, access scholarships, and prepare for global engagement.
In separate interviews with Xinhua, school officials and students expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the immense opportunities the "Chinese Corners" would unlock, from teacher training to international scholarships.
Mojisola Akerele, principal of the Government Secondary School in Tudun Wada, told Xinhua that the new learning centers would enable students to acquaint themselves with the Chinese language through donated books and resources.
Speaking at the commissioning events, Yang Jianxing, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described the "Chinese Corners" as a "bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries." He said that learning the Chinese language offers possibilities for Nigerian youth, from participating in economic and trade exchanges to furthering studies in Chinese universities.
The decision by Nigerian educational authorities to teach Mandarin was a direct outcome of a recent curriculum review, Mandate Secretary for Education in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Danlami Hayyo said on Wednesday at the commissioning of a new "Chinese Corner" at the Government Secondary School in Nyanya, one of the two "Chinese Corners" introduced this week in the local secondary schools.
"In the recent review of our curriculum, the Chinese language was selected as one of the international languages to be taught in our senior secondary schools," Hayyo said, adding that this demonstrates the FCT's foresight in introducing the subject.
Mandarin will join Arabic and French as an optional foreign language course in Nigerian public senior secondary schools.
According to Mohammed Sani Ladan, director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the 15 "Chinese Corners" established since 2013 in Nigerian schools have been far more than just physical spaces. "They are symbols of friendship and cooperation," he said, noting that they also provide opportunities for students and teachers to learn Mandarin, access scholarships, and prepare for global engagement.
In separate interviews with Xinhua, school officials and students expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the immense opportunities the "Chinese Corners" would unlock, from teacher training to international scholarships.
Mojisola Akerele, principal of the Government Secondary School in Tudun Wada, told Xinhua that the new learning centers would enable students to acquaint themselves with the Chinese language through donated books and resources.
Speaking at the commissioning events, Yang Jianxing, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described the "Chinese Corners" as a "bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries." He said that learning the Chinese language offers possibilities for Nigerian youth, from participating in economic and trade exchanges to furthering studies in Chinese universities.
Nigeria considers giving oil contract control to regulator
Nigeria is considering appointing the state regulator to take control of the country's existing oil contracts, rather than the state oil company, according to a draft legislative amendment seen by Reuters.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT This could reshape how Africa’s top oil producer governs its petroleum sector, making the regulator both an umpire and a player, blurring the lines between regulation and participation and raising concern over potential conflicts of interest.
It also raises corporate governance concerns because it removes the power of state company NNPC's board to approve its budget and formulate strategy.
CONTEXT The law that would be amended is the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which empowered NNPC to represent Nigeria's interests in a variety of commercial oil contracts. The amendment would transfer that role to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
A letter from the Attorney General to the minister in charge of gas, seen by Reuters, said the amendment was necessary because "some provisions of the PIA have created structural and legal channels through which substantial revenues of the Federation are being diverted away from the Federation account".
"The observed decline in net oil revenue inflows is largely attributable to statutory leakages and opaque deductions under the current PIA architecture," said Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria's attorney general and minister of justice.
By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT This could reshape how Africa’s top oil producer governs its petroleum sector, making the regulator both an umpire and a player, blurring the lines between regulation and participation and raising concern over potential conflicts of interest.
It also raises corporate governance concerns because it removes the power of state company NNPC's board to approve its budget and formulate strategy.
CONTEXT The law that would be amended is the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which empowered NNPC to represent Nigeria's interests in a variety of commercial oil contracts. The amendment would transfer that role to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
A letter from the Attorney General to the minister in charge of gas, seen by Reuters, said the amendment was necessary because "some provisions of the PIA have created structural and legal channels through which substantial revenues of the Federation are being diverted away from the Federation account".
KEY QUOTE
"The observed decline in net oil revenue inflows is largely attributable to statutory leakages and opaque deductions under the current PIA architecture," said Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria's attorney general and minister of justice.
Nigeria lifts emergency rule in Rivers State after 6 months of political crisis
Nigeria’s president lifted emergency rule and removed the suspension of a state governor and lawmakers in oil-rich Rivers State on Wednesday after six months of emergency rule in response to a protracted political crisis and oil pipeline vandalism, according to a statement on social media.
The choice to impose emergency rule was meant “to arrest the drift toward anarchy in Rivers State,” said President Bola Tinubu in a statement defending the choice.
“This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it,” he said.
The crisis in the southern oil-producing region of Rivers State began after a political confrontation between incumbent Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers. Some lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara, accusing him of illegally presenting the state budget and altering the composition of the legislature. Fubara has denied these accusations.
The oil-producing region of Nigeria has seen militant attacks targeting oil pipelines for years.
During the period of emergency rule, Nigeria's retired former navy chief Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, ruled the state.
The Nigerian constitution allows emergency rule to maintain law and order in rare circumstances.
The last emergency in Nigeria was declared under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, in the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. However, the state governors were not suspended then.
The choice to impose emergency rule was meant “to arrest the drift toward anarchy in Rivers State,” said President Bola Tinubu in a statement defending the choice.
“This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it,” he said.
The crisis in the southern oil-producing region of Rivers State began after a political confrontation between incumbent Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers. Some lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara, accusing him of illegally presenting the state budget and altering the composition of the legislature. Fubara has denied these accusations.
The oil-producing region of Nigeria has seen militant attacks targeting oil pipelines for years.
During the period of emergency rule, Nigeria's retired former navy chief Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, ruled the state.
The Nigerian constitution allows emergency rule to maintain law and order in rare circumstances.
The last emergency in Nigeria was declared under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, in the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. However, the state governors were not suspended then.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Video - Ambulance shortages, heavy traffic put lives at risk in Lagos
Ambulance shortages, heavy traffic put lives at risk in Lagos Authorities admit the problems and are working with the private sector to fix things.
Video - Nigeria crowns its first ever Albinism Advocacy Queen
Anita Chidiebube-Dike aims to give a voice to people who have historically been looked down upon. According to the UN, persons with albinism face multiple human rights challenges, including stigmatization and discrimination.
Video - Nigeria's minister of art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy speaks on creative exchanges
China's Chengdu rolled out the red carpet for the second Golden Panda Awards from September 12 to 13. The film event bodes well for cross-border cultural ties through direct creative exchanges in fashion, animation, film and music, said Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria's minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy. CGTN's Tian Wei had a one-on-one conversation with her on the sidelines of the Golden Panda Cultural Forum. The minister added that creative exchanges enable countries to tell their own stories in ways that resonate across Global South nations.
Nigeria unveils $3.1 billion agricultural investment portfolio to boost food security
The federal government has announced a $3.14 billion agricultural investment package targeting major staple foods consumed in the country under the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in a statement posted on his X page on Wednesday.
“Yesterday in Abuja, I presented Nigeria’s $3.14bn Agricultural Investment Portfolio at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, graciously declared open by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON,” the Minister said.
He explained that the programmes are designed to enhance food productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen food security while offering investors significant financial returns.
Mr Kyari said the portfolio focuses on tomato, cassava, maize, dairy and fisheries, backed by $1.75 billion public and $1.39 billion private investments.
This, he said, will benefit over 4.1 million Nigerians, raise incomes by up to $657, and deliver strong returns with an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 14.2 per cent.
“With vast farmland, irrigation potential, a market of 230m+, and clear incentives, Nigeria is ready for bankable agribusiness investments that will secure food, jobs and growth,” he said.
The FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative is a country-led programme to accelerate agricultural transformation and rural development to end poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2).
Under this initiative, the FAO deploys the use of data and evidence to identify priority areas with the highest poverty and hunger, and then matches countries with donors, private sector organisations, and financial institutions to mobilise investments for sustainable agri-food systems and inclusive growth.
Also, the initiative employs a robust matchmaking process and features an award-winning geospatial platform and data lab to support these goals.
By Abdulkareem Mojeed, Premium Times
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in a statement posted on his X page on Wednesday.
“Yesterday in Abuja, I presented Nigeria’s $3.14bn Agricultural Investment Portfolio at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, graciously declared open by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON,” the Minister said.
He explained that the programmes are designed to enhance food productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen food security while offering investors significant financial returns.
Mr Kyari said the portfolio focuses on tomato, cassava, maize, dairy and fisheries, backed by $1.75 billion public and $1.39 billion private investments.
This, he said, will benefit over 4.1 million Nigerians, raise incomes by up to $657, and deliver strong returns with an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 14.2 per cent.
“With vast farmland, irrigation potential, a market of 230m+, and clear incentives, Nigeria is ready for bankable agribusiness investments that will secure food, jobs and growth,” he said.
The FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative is a country-led programme to accelerate agricultural transformation and rural development to end poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2).
Under this initiative, the FAO deploys the use of data and evidence to identify priority areas with the highest poverty and hunger, and then matches countries with donors, private sector organisations, and financial institutions to mobilise investments for sustainable agri-food systems and inclusive growth.
Also, the initiative employs a robust matchmaking process and features an award-winning geospatial platform and data lab to support these goals.
“Investment breakdown”
On Wednesday, Mr Kyari explained that the tomato programme alone is estimated at $869 million and will cover 72,000 hectares in Kano, Bauchi, and Borno States.
He noted that the aim is to cut post-harvest losses, increase yields up to 30 tonnes per hectare, and benefit 36,000 farmers, and that the investment is projected to generate an IRR of 12.5 per cent and a net present value (NPV) of $171 million.
For cassava, Nigeria is seeking $382 million to expand productivity across 207,000 hectares in Ogun, Oyo, and Anambra, the statement said.
It said the initiative will directly benefit 45,000 farmers, set up 375 processing units, and reduce the nation’s import dependence on starch and high-quality flour. Additionally, it said the cassava portfolio is expected to deliver an IRR of 15.2 per cent and NPV of $187.7 million.
The statement indicated that the largest share of the investment will be allocated to the maize value chain, with $1 billion planned across one million hectares in Katsina, Kaduna, and Oyo states.
According to the Minister, the maize programme is expected to help close Nigeria’s five million metric tonne production gap, directly impacting 420,000 farmers, and indirectly benefiting nearly three million people.
“The financial outlook for maize shows an IRR of 18.7 per cent and an NPV of $75.6 million,” the statement said.
Officials emphasised that the planned investments would stimulate food security, industrial growth, and regional exports, while also creating resilient livelihoods and sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
On Wednesday, Mr Kyari explained that the tomato programme alone is estimated at $869 million and will cover 72,000 hectares in Kano, Bauchi, and Borno States.
He noted that the aim is to cut post-harvest losses, increase yields up to 30 tonnes per hectare, and benefit 36,000 farmers, and that the investment is projected to generate an IRR of 12.5 per cent and a net present value (NPV) of $171 million.
For cassava, Nigeria is seeking $382 million to expand productivity across 207,000 hectares in Ogun, Oyo, and Anambra, the statement said.
It said the initiative will directly benefit 45,000 farmers, set up 375 processing units, and reduce the nation’s import dependence on starch and high-quality flour. Additionally, it said the cassava portfolio is expected to deliver an IRR of 15.2 per cent and NPV of $187.7 million.
The statement indicated that the largest share of the investment will be allocated to the maize value chain, with $1 billion planned across one million hectares in Katsina, Kaduna, and Oyo states.
According to the Minister, the maize programme is expected to help close Nigeria’s five million metric tonne production gap, directly impacting 420,000 farmers, and indirectly benefiting nearly three million people.
“The financial outlook for maize shows an IRR of 18.7 per cent and an NPV of $75.6 million,” the statement said.
Officials emphasised that the planned investments would stimulate food security, industrial growth, and regional exports, while also creating resilient livelihoods and sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
Microsoft seizes websites linked to Nigeria-based phishing
Microsoft said on Tuesday that it seized 338 websites linked to a Nigerian-based service that allowed users to carry out phishing campaigns
The service, called "Raccoon0365," allowed users to engage in phishing campaigns that involved thousands of emails at a time, according to Steven Masada, assistant general counsel for Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The phishing operation ended up stealing at least 5,000 Microsoft user credentials.
Phishing is a cybercrime in which criminals impersonate trustworthy domains to deceive users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or banking details.
By Hauwau Samaila Mohammed, DW
The service, called "Raccoon0365," allowed users to engage in phishing campaigns that involved thousands of emails at a time, according to Steven Masada, assistant general counsel for Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The phishing operation ended up stealing at least 5,000 Microsoft user credentials.
Phishing is a cybercrime in which criminals impersonate trustworthy domains to deceive users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or banking details.
How did the phishing scheme work?
Raccoon0365 operates through a private Telegram channel with over 850 subscribers.
The service enables users to impersonate trusted brand names and get targets to enter Microsoft login details on fake Microsoft platforms. According to Microsoft's Masada, the service has generated at least $100,000 (€84,425) in cryptocurrency payments for its operators since launching in July 2024.
Raccoon0365 users targeted a wide range of industries, a significant number of which are organizations based in New York City, Masada said.
Raccoon0365 operates through a private Telegram channel with over 850 subscribers.
The service enables users to impersonate trusted brand names and get targets to enter Microsoft login details on fake Microsoft platforms. According to Microsoft's Masada, the service has generated at least $100,000 (€84,425) in cryptocurrency payments for its operators since launching in July 2024.
Raccoon0365 users targeted a wide range of industries, a significant number of which are organizations based in New York City, Masada said.
How did Microsoft seize Raccoon0365?
According to Masada, Microsoft identified what it said was a Raccoon0365-related effort using tax-themed phishing emails to target more than 2,300 organizations, mostly in the US, in February this year, according to a company blog posted in April.
Earlier this month, Microsoft obtained an order from the US District Court in Manhattan to seize domains associated with Raccoon0365. The seizure of the websites occurred over a period of days earlier this month.
"Cybercriminals don't need to be sophisticated to cause widespread harm," Masada said. "Simple tools like Raccoon0365 make cybercrime accessible to virtually anyone, putting millions of users at risk," he added.
Raccoon0365 operators used Cloudflare services to help conceal the service's backend infrastructure. Cloudflare worked with Microsoft and the US Secret Service to take down Raccoon0365 operations and prevent the operators from establishing new accounts.
Blake Darche, the head of threat intelligence at Cloudflare, said that while Raccoon0365 operators made some operational security mistakes, they were highly effective.
"They're in people's accounts, they compromise lots of people, and it needs to obviously be stopped," he said.
According to Masada, Microsoft identified what it said was a Raccoon0365-related effort using tax-themed phishing emails to target more than 2,300 organizations, mostly in the US, in February this year, according to a company blog posted in April.
Earlier this month, Microsoft obtained an order from the US District Court in Manhattan to seize domains associated with Raccoon0365. The seizure of the websites occurred over a period of days earlier this month.
"Cybercriminals don't need to be sophisticated to cause widespread harm," Masada said. "Simple tools like Raccoon0365 make cybercrime accessible to virtually anyone, putting millions of users at risk," he added.
Raccoon0365 operators used Cloudflare services to help conceal the service's backend infrastructure. Cloudflare worked with Microsoft and the US Secret Service to take down Raccoon0365 operations and prevent the operators from establishing new accounts.
Blake Darche, the head of threat intelligence at Cloudflare, said that while Raccoon0365 operators made some operational security mistakes, they were highly effective.
"They're in people's accounts, they compromise lots of people, and it needs to obviously be stopped," he said.
Over 650 Kidney Trafficked in Nigeria, Fuels $41B Global Market
Professor Aliyu Abdu, a nephrologist and academic at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and a consultant at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), has disclosed that between 2015 and 2020, at least 651 kidneys were illegally harvested and transplanted in Nigeria, with an estimated global value exceeding $41 billion.
Professor Abdu shared the staggering figure while speaking at a seminar on National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Standards held in Abuja.
He highlighted that this illegal activity is part of a broader international organ trade, where approximately 10,000 kidneys are sold on the black market each year.
He attributed the growing illicit trade in Nigeria to inadequate regulatory oversight, despite existing laws.
While the National Health Act of 2014 criminalises the commercial sale of human organs and mandates informed donor consent, enforcement has been inconsistent, leaving vulnerable individuals exposed to exploitation.
“Most of the people who fall victim to this are poor and desperate. They’re lured by money without understanding the serious health risks involved,” Abdu said.
He also pointed out that many donors are left without medical support following surgery, often suffering long-term health complications and emotional trauma.
According to him, the underground kidney trade in Nigeria is driven by well-organized criminal networks.
These syndicates typically involve a wide range of actors from recruiters and medical professionals to drivers, travel agents, and insurers all working together to facilitate illegal transplants.
The professor further noted that the lack of cadaveric (deceased donor) kidney donations and the absence of functioning organ banks in the country contribute to the continued reliance on illicit means to meet transplant demands.
Professor Abdu shared the staggering figure while speaking at a seminar on National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Standards held in Abuja.
He highlighted that this illegal activity is part of a broader international organ trade, where approximately 10,000 kidneys are sold on the black market each year.
He attributed the growing illicit trade in Nigeria to inadequate regulatory oversight, despite existing laws.
While the National Health Act of 2014 criminalises the commercial sale of human organs and mandates informed donor consent, enforcement has been inconsistent, leaving vulnerable individuals exposed to exploitation.
“Most of the people who fall victim to this are poor and desperate. They’re lured by money without understanding the serious health risks involved,” Abdu said.
He also pointed out that many donors are left without medical support following surgery, often suffering long-term health complications and emotional trauma.
According to him, the underground kidney trade in Nigeria is driven by well-organized criminal networks.
These syndicates typically involve a wide range of actors from recruiters and medical professionals to drivers, travel agents, and insurers all working together to facilitate illegal transplants.
The professor further noted that the lack of cadaveric (deceased donor) kidney donations and the absence of functioning organ banks in the country contribute to the continued reliance on illicit means to meet transplant demands.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Video - Drive to solar power gathers pace across Nigeria
With rising costs, and unreliable electricity supply from the national grid, many in Nigeria are turning to alternatives like solar energy. Despite the country having regular sunlight, solar power makes up less than 0.5 percent of its generation capacity in 2022. And now households and businesses are tapping into the power of the sun, to fill the energy gap.
Nigerian govt charges Sowore, Facebook, X with cybercrimes over anti-Tinubu posts
The trio were charged jointly with five counts of cybercrimes at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
It came about a week after the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s secret police, threatened both X Incorp and Meta (Facebook) Incorp to delete Mr Sowore’s posts and deactivate his account or face the consequences.
SSS, which has a history of arresting and instigating the prosecution of Mr Sowore over his public views, also warned the activist to delete his latest social media posts calling Mr Tinubu a criminal.
Mr Sowore wrote to both X Incorp and Meta Incorp to defend his post, informing them that the call by the SSS was the latest in a series of harassments, rights violations, mistreatments he has received from the government over his public views and civic actions.
He also replied to the SSS, insisting he would not delete the posts.
Mr Sowore shared copies of the charges via his social media accounts on Tuesday.
He wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of “novel” offences they invented and spread across five counts.
“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”
By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times
Starlink hits capacity in Nigeria’s largest cities, raising questions about Musk’s Africa ambitions
In some locations in Nigeria's commercial nerve center such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja and Surulere, as well as the nation's capital Abuja, Starlink’s website now displays “Sold Out” notices.
Prospective customers are pushed onto a waitlist and asked to pay a deposit before they can be notified when slots reopen.
A subscription attempt at a popular estate in Lagos’s Maryland area returned the message: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. The good news is you can place a deposit now to reserve a spot on the waitlist and will be notified once service becomes available again.”
"Please note that we cannot provide an estimated timeframe for service availability, but our teams are working as quickly as possible to add more capacity to the constellation so we can continue to expand coverage for more customers around the world."
A network under strain?
A Starlink engineer told TechCabal that the company occasionally halts new activations to safeguard service quality for existing users.
Adding capacity typically requires either fresh satellite launches or regulatory approval to expand coverage.
However, this isn’t the first disruption. Starlink froze all new orders across Nigeria in late 2024, citing bandwidth shortages and pending approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), especially over pricing changes. Service only resumed mid-2025 after upgrades and regulatory clearance.
The company’s rising costs haven’t helped. Starlink’s monthly fee has climbed from about ₦38,000 ($25) at launch to ₦56,000 ($37) this year, a jump the company attributes to naira devaluation and compliance costs.
The hikes triggered customer backlash and slowed growth.
NCC data shows Starlink lost more than 6,000 active users in Q1 2025, dropping from 65,564 in Q4 2024 to 59,509. It was the first quarterly decline since launch, as some Nigerians abandoned the service for cheaper alternatives or dropped internet subscriptions altogether.
Musk’s Africa expansion faces real-world challenges
The network crunch in Nigeria raises questions about Elon Musk’s broader ambition to expand Starlink into every African market.
While the billionaire entrepreneur has pitched Starlink as a solution to poor connectivity across the continent, Nigeria’s experience highlights the logistical and regulatory hurdles of scaling in fast-growing but economically strained markets.
If capacity is already overstretched in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of Starlink’s early adopters, analysts say rolling out service continent-wide will require not only more satellites and ground stations but also stronger engagement with regulators to manage pricing, infrastructure demands, and bandwidth allocation.
In July, Starlink expanded into Chad, becoming its 24th African market. Still, Musk’s goal of blanket coverage across the continent remains distant, with Nigeria emerging as both a key testing ground and a cautionary tale
Global strains visible too
Starlink’s challenges are not confined to Africa. On Monday, the satellite network experienced a brief outage in the United States, with more than 43,000 users reporting problems at its peak, according to tracking site Downdetector.com.
The disruption, later resolved, highlighted the pressures facing the service even in mature markets.
Reuters reports that Starlink’s website initially displayed a notice confirming the outage, saying its team was investigating, before removing the message once connectivity was restored.
The episode underscores a growing reality for Musk’s satellite internet venture: from Nigeria’s congested urban hubs to American suburbs, scaling a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to meet surging demand is proving more difficult than the company’s global ambitions might suggest.
The network crunch in Nigeria raises questions about Elon Musk’s broader ambition to expand Starlink into every African market.
While the billionaire entrepreneur has pitched Starlink as a solution to poor connectivity across the continent, Nigeria’s experience highlights the logistical and regulatory hurdles of scaling in fast-growing but economically strained markets.
If capacity is already overstretched in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of Starlink’s early adopters, analysts say rolling out service continent-wide will require not only more satellites and ground stations but also stronger engagement with regulators to manage pricing, infrastructure demands, and bandwidth allocation.
In July, Starlink expanded into Chad, becoming its 24th African market. Still, Musk’s goal of blanket coverage across the continent remains distant, with Nigeria emerging as both a key testing ground and a cautionary tale
Global strains visible too
Starlink’s challenges are not confined to Africa. On Monday, the satellite network experienced a brief outage in the United States, with more than 43,000 users reporting problems at its peak, according to tracking site Downdetector.com.
The disruption, later resolved, highlighted the pressures facing the service even in mature markets.
Reuters reports that Starlink’s website initially displayed a notice confirming the outage, saying its team was investigating, before removing the message once connectivity was restored.
The episode underscores a growing reality for Musk’s satellite internet venture: from Nigeria’s congested urban hubs to American suburbs, scaling a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to meet surging demand is proving more difficult than the company’s global ambitions might suggest.
By Soloman Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Nigerian chef breaks world record for largest jollof rice dish
Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed the achievement on social media, saying Ms Baci's concoction of the popular West African dish weighed in at a staggering 8,780kg.
After nine hours of cooking, the effort was almost thrown into jeopardy after the giant pot used to make the dish broke as it was being hoisted onto a crane to be weighed - thankfully, none of the rice was spilled.
Ms Baci celebrated the triumph by thanking her team and supporters: "This moment isn't just mine... it belongs to all of us."
Despite the massive pot buckling twice during its weigh-in, a member of Baci's team told the BBC last week they were collecting evidence from different cameras to send to GWR so it could be officially recognised.
Baci paid tribute to the "tireless team" that made the achievement possible and shared a video of her reacting to the news on social media.
"This Guinness World Record was built on unity, love, and collective strength," she wrote.
"We made history together, for Nigeria, for Africa, and for everyone who believes in the power of food to bring us closer - this win is yours too."
Baci's recipe for the crowning jollof dish included 4,000kg of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions and 168kg of goat meat - all poured into a custom-made pot that can hold 23,000 litres.
Last week, thousands of people had gathered to watch Baci's latest world record bid - in 2023 she held the title for the longest cooking marathon at nearly four days.
Their support was well rewarded as the mammoth dish later divided into individual portions and distributed to the huge crowd and passersby.
The chef previously told BBC Pidgin that it took her a year to plan how she would tackle the mammoth challenge.
"We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for," she said.
"It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice, it would be nice for the country."
She was assisted by 10 other chefs in red uniforms wielding long wooden spoons to stir the food.
Manufacturing the giant steel vessel to hold her dish took a team of 300 people two months to make but one of its legs gave way at the crucial time.
Jollof rice is a staple in several West African countries, featuring rice simmered in a tomato sauce, often paired with meat or seafood.
Baci won a competition for her version of jollof rice in 2021, and then became a national sensation in 2023 when she claimed the world cooking marathon record - an exhausting 93 hours and 11 minutes.
However, she was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher. The current record-holder is Evette Quoibia from Australia, with 140 hours and 11 minutes, according to GWR.
Friday, September 12, 2025
Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol, cannabis after the Port Harcourt runway incident
Nigerian accident investigators said two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis after a runway excursion involving one of the airline’s jets in Port Harcourt in July.
In a preliminary report released Friday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said toxicology tests confirmed the presence of intoxicants in the captain and first officer who flew the Boeing 737 with 103 people on board.
A cabin crew member also tested positive for cannabis.
The aircraft, on a domestic flight from Lagos, landed long on Runway 21 at Port Harcourt International Airport after what investigators described as an unstabilised final approach.
The plane touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a halt more than 200 metres into the overrun area.
“All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported,” the bureau said.
The NSIB noted, “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”
It added that “Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”
Runway excursions are one of the most frequent safety risks in commercial aviation, often caused by poor visibility, pilot error or technical faults.
The NSIB said the toxicology results suggested human performance was a critical factor in this case.
Following the findings, the agency recommended that Air Peace strengthen its crew resource management training and tighten checks on pilot fitness before dispatch.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, operates domestic and international flights across Africa and to destinations such as London, Saudi Arabia, Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia and Ghana.
The company has yet to comment on the bureau’s report.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) considers intoxication by flight crew a serious breach of global safety standards.
Several airlines worldwide have faced scandals in recent years after pilots were caught under the influence, underscoring the risks to passenger safety.
The NSIB said its investigation is still ongoing.
In a preliminary report released Friday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said toxicology tests confirmed the presence of intoxicants in the captain and first officer who flew the Boeing 737 with 103 people on board.
A cabin crew member also tested positive for cannabis.
The aircraft, on a domestic flight from Lagos, landed long on Runway 21 at Port Harcourt International Airport after what investigators described as an unstabilised final approach.
The plane touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a halt more than 200 metres into the overrun area.
“All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported,” the bureau said.
The NSIB noted, “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”
It added that “Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”
Runway excursions are one of the most frequent safety risks in commercial aviation, often caused by poor visibility, pilot error or technical faults.
The NSIB said the toxicology results suggested human performance was a critical factor in this case.
Following the findings, the agency recommended that Air Peace strengthen its crew resource management training and tighten checks on pilot fitness before dispatch.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, operates domestic and international flights across Africa and to destinations such as London, Saudi Arabia, Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia and Ghana.
The company has yet to comment on the bureau’s report.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) considers intoxication by flight crew a serious breach of global safety standards.
Several airlines worldwide have faced scandals in recent years after pilots were caught under the influence, underscoring the risks to passenger safety.
The NSIB said its investigation is still ongoing.
Mikel Obi Slams NFF Over Nigeria's World Cup Struggles
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has voiced his frustration at Nigeria’s uncertain path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the responsibility lies squarely with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
Speaking passionately, the ex-Chelsea midfielder said Nigeria’s repeated failures on the biggest stage cannot be excused.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go. It’s unacceptable,” Mikel declared. “We didn’t qualify for Qatar, the last World Cup, and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it. It is just horrible.”
Mikel was quick to defend the players, stressing that while they bear some responsibility, they should not be made the scapegoats.
“Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation, but are you gonna blame the players alone? No,” he explained.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner also highlighted a deeper problem that he believes undermines African football as a whole.
“Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespect the African continent and football. It’s the same issues, the same excuses, and nothing changes.”
Mikel’s comments come as pressure mounts on the Super Eagles, who face a crucial run of games to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. With Nigeria missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar, the stakes have never been higher.
A court in Nigeria sentences a top militant leader to 15 years on terror charges
A court in Nigeria on Thursday sentenced a top militant leader of an al-Qaida-linked group on the country's most-wanted list to 15 years in prison for illegal mining and using the proceeds to fund terror attacks.
Mahmud Muhammad Usman, who headed the Ansaru group, had pleaded guilty to the charge of engaging in illegal mining to procure arms for his militant group. It was the first conviction on a total of 32 charges brought against him by the Nigerian government.
Usman will remain in the custody of the Nigerian secret police while his trial continues. The other charges mostly include other counts of terrorism and the handling of illegal arms.
Usman was arrested last month along with fellow militant leader Mahmud al-Nigeri in an operation involving several Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
Usman's group is accused of carrying out the 2022 attack on a prison in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, that saw nearly 900 inmates escape, including dozens of Ansaru members. The group is also said to have been behind the attack on Niger's uranium facility in 2013.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces multiple security threats with dozens of armed groups taking advantage of the limited security presence in the rural communities to carry out attacks on villages and along major roads.
Despite military assaults on the groups, they have continued to expand their operations and carry out routine attacks. This year, Boko Haram has mounted a major resurgence.
The United States recently approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to the country that authorities have said will boost the fight against insecurity.
Mahmud Muhammad Usman, who headed the Ansaru group, had pleaded guilty to the charge of engaging in illegal mining to procure arms for his militant group. It was the first conviction on a total of 32 charges brought against him by the Nigerian government.
Usman will remain in the custody of the Nigerian secret police while his trial continues. The other charges mostly include other counts of terrorism and the handling of illegal arms.
Usman was arrested last month along with fellow militant leader Mahmud al-Nigeri in an operation involving several Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
Usman's group is accused of carrying out the 2022 attack on a prison in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, that saw nearly 900 inmates escape, including dozens of Ansaru members. The group is also said to have been behind the attack on Niger's uranium facility in 2013.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces multiple security threats with dozens of armed groups taking advantage of the limited security presence in the rural communities to carry out attacks on villages and along major roads.
Despite military assaults on the groups, they have continued to expand their operations and carry out routine attacks. This year, Boko Haram has mounted a major resurgence.
The United States recently approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to the country that authorities have said will boost the fight against insecurity.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Nigeria Moves to Build Solar Manufacturing Industry, But Reliance on China is Inevitable
Nigeria imported Chinese solar panels last year with a combined capacity of 1,721 megawatts (MW)- enough to power roughly half a million homes.
The country now ranks as Africa’s second-largest importer, trailing only South Africa and ahead of Morocco and Algeria.
In the long run, however, the outlook may shift despite the Nigerian government’s decision earlier this year to step back from a proposed ban on solar panel imports. The halt was intended to give time to refine the policy, emphasizing joint ventures, tariff adjustments, and capacity building as tools to support local industry rather than imposing an abrupt ban.
The international consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers advised the Nigerian government to implement a gradual phase-down of imports over three to five years, a move it says would give domestic manufacturers the space to scale production, meet demand, and put in place strong quality control systems.
And now, some Nigerian and Chinese companies are moving to establish local solar panel manufacturing, a strategy aimed at addressing some of the issues related to expanding energy access and creating jobs.
Tranos, a Nigerian energy firm, broke ground over the summer on an 800-MW solar panel factory, one of the largest in West Africa. The plant is expected to initially employ 160 people, with the workforce projected to grow to 400 within two years.
In a similar push, China’s Hunan Red Sun, working with Nigeria’s IRS Group, plans to build a 600-MW solar panel plant in Kano State that will produce components, supply equipment, and develop power stations.
And since 2023, the Nigerian government has partnered with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to establish a solar cell production facility in Gora, a region rich in silicon and silica, the key raw materials for solar cell manufacturing.
This marks not only a key step in Nigeria’s efforts to localize the production of renewable energy equipment but also progress in moving up the manufacturing value chain.
However, the reality is that the solar panel manufacturing business requires substantial quantities of water, energy, and skilled labor. The Chinese companies have perfected the solar panel value chain and heavily automated the processes.
This means that since most solar panel building operations are concentrated in China, local manufacturing will still be heavily dependent on Chinese entities and will be difficult to localize in Nigeria.
Nicola Licata, a Shanghai-based environmental social governance (ESG) project manager, notes, “Logistics will be an issue for all of these African countries because supply chains for upstream wafer, ingot, poly, MGS, and quartz are still anchored in China to a huge degree.”
While Nigeria may have some of the skilled labor needed for solar manufacturing, it lacks a reliable and accessible water supply needed for large-scale manufacturing due to poor management and inadequate infrastructure.
In addition, as Nigeria builds new factories, Chinese companies are also looking to set up manufacturing operations outside China. Their goals include cutting transportation and labor costs and sidestepping U.S. sanctions — potentially creating additional competition for local firms.
Despite all the advantages local manufacturing has, Licata notes, “Overall, I’d say African manufacturing will be limited to downstream module for a long time because it’s being used to avoid tariffs for finished product exports and definitely because of the energy and water resources issue.”
“Chinese manufacturers’ interest in using African nations as a non-China or non-Southeast Asia location is meant to avoid tariffs,” she added. “But also has the potential to evaporate given whichever way Trump and the EU go,” said Licata.
However, for Tobi Oshodi, a lecturer at Lagos State University, producing locally is preferable to importing everything because it creates more employment and improves local skill development.
“And if you like, in an increasingly complicated world, it gives you some level of independence. What gives you the impression is that China is thinking of having a system that would be more reliant on the Chinese economy itself than on the outside world and things like that… So if that is the ultimate goal, what happens if there is a Chinese Donald Trump, for example, that just wants to cut off and isolate itself from the continent?”
“And in an increasingly complicated world, this gives you a degree of independence. It suggests that China is aiming to build a system more reliant on its own economy than on the outside world. If that is indeed the ultimate goal, what happens if one day there is a ‘Chinese Donald Trump’, a leader who chooses to cut off ties and isolate China from the continent?”
In such a scenario, Oshodi says that only countries that have built some of this local capacity that the policy envisions will survive.
With more companies setting up, he also advocates for Chinese companies to invest more locally, “so that you can get more profit than your counterparts in China that really want to continue importing.”As local manufacturing begins to take shape, more than one-third of Nigerians still lack access to electricity. Frequent grid collapses make power supply unreliable, which in turn makes both solar panel manufacturing and imports appealing alternatives.
By Njenga Hakeenah, China Global South Project
The country now ranks as Africa’s second-largest importer, trailing only South Africa and ahead of Morocco and Algeria.
In the long run, however, the outlook may shift despite the Nigerian government’s decision earlier this year to step back from a proposed ban on solar panel imports. The halt was intended to give time to refine the policy, emphasizing joint ventures, tariff adjustments, and capacity building as tools to support local industry rather than imposing an abrupt ban.
The international consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers advised the Nigerian government to implement a gradual phase-down of imports over three to five years, a move it says would give domestic manufacturers the space to scale production, meet demand, and put in place strong quality control systems.
And now, some Nigerian and Chinese companies are moving to establish local solar panel manufacturing, a strategy aimed at addressing some of the issues related to expanding energy access and creating jobs.
Tranos, a Nigerian energy firm, broke ground over the summer on an 800-MW solar panel factory, one of the largest in West Africa. The plant is expected to initially employ 160 people, with the workforce projected to grow to 400 within two years.
In a similar push, China’s Hunan Red Sun, working with Nigeria’s IRS Group, plans to build a 600-MW solar panel plant in Kano State that will produce components, supply equipment, and develop power stations.
And since 2023, the Nigerian government has partnered with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to establish a solar cell production facility in Gora, a region rich in silicon and silica, the key raw materials for solar cell manufacturing.
This marks not only a key step in Nigeria’s efforts to localize the production of renewable energy equipment but also progress in moving up the manufacturing value chain.
However, the reality is that the solar panel manufacturing business requires substantial quantities of water, energy, and skilled labor. The Chinese companies have perfected the solar panel value chain and heavily automated the processes.
This means that since most solar panel building operations are concentrated in China, local manufacturing will still be heavily dependent on Chinese entities and will be difficult to localize in Nigeria.
Nicola Licata, a Shanghai-based environmental social governance (ESG) project manager, notes, “Logistics will be an issue for all of these African countries because supply chains for upstream wafer, ingot, poly, MGS, and quartz are still anchored in China to a huge degree.”
While Nigeria may have some of the skilled labor needed for solar manufacturing, it lacks a reliable and accessible water supply needed for large-scale manufacturing due to poor management and inadequate infrastructure.
In addition, as Nigeria builds new factories, Chinese companies are also looking to set up manufacturing operations outside China. Their goals include cutting transportation and labor costs and sidestepping U.S. sanctions — potentially creating additional competition for local firms.
Despite all the advantages local manufacturing has, Licata notes, “Overall, I’d say African manufacturing will be limited to downstream module for a long time because it’s being used to avoid tariffs for finished product exports and definitely because of the energy and water resources issue.”
“Chinese manufacturers’ interest in using African nations as a non-China or non-Southeast Asia location is meant to avoid tariffs,” she added. “But also has the potential to evaporate given whichever way Trump and the EU go,” said Licata.
However, for Tobi Oshodi, a lecturer at Lagos State University, producing locally is preferable to importing everything because it creates more employment and improves local skill development.
“And if you like, in an increasingly complicated world, it gives you some level of independence. What gives you the impression is that China is thinking of having a system that would be more reliant on the Chinese economy itself than on the outside world and things like that… So if that is the ultimate goal, what happens if there is a Chinese Donald Trump, for example, that just wants to cut off and isolate itself from the continent?”
“And in an increasingly complicated world, this gives you a degree of independence. It suggests that China is aiming to build a system more reliant on its own economy than on the outside world. If that is indeed the ultimate goal, what happens if one day there is a ‘Chinese Donald Trump’, a leader who chooses to cut off ties and isolate China from the continent?”
In such a scenario, Oshodi says that only countries that have built some of this local capacity that the policy envisions will survive.
With more companies setting up, he also advocates for Chinese companies to invest more locally, “so that you can get more profit than your counterparts in China that really want to continue importing.”As local manufacturing begins to take shape, more than one-third of Nigerians still lack access to electricity. Frequent grid collapses make power supply unreliable, which in turn makes both solar panel manufacturing and imports appealing alternatives.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Ex-NNPC official convicted in US over $2.1 million bribery scandal
A United States judge has found Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian lawyer based in Los Angeles, guilty of receiving a $2.1 million bribe from a Chinese oil company to secure drilling rights in Nigeria.
He was said to have accepted the bribe while serving as an official of the state-owned oil firm, NNPC, now NNPC Ltd.
Mr Okoronkwo, 58, also known as “Pollie,” was found guilty of three counts of money laundering, one count of tax evasion, and one count of obstruction of justice.
The verdict was delivered on 29 August after a four-day trial in California.
Prosecutors told the court that Mr Okoronkwo, a dual US-Nigerian citizen, collected the payment in 2015 while serving as general manager of the upstream division of the NNPC. In that role, he was a public officer and owed a duty of loyalty to Nigeria’s government, the court said.
In October 2015, Addax Petroleum, a Swiss subsidiary of Chinese state-owned oil giant Sinopec, paid a bribe to Mr Okoronkwo in exchange for his influence in securing more favourable financial terms relating to its crude oil drilling in Nigeria, the court ruled.
Evidence showed that Addax wired the funds to a trust account in the name of Mr Okoronkwo’s Los Angeles law firm under the guise of legal consultancy.
Prosecutors described the agreement as a sham designed to cover up the bribe.
Addax was seeking to protect its lucrative drilling rights in Nigeria, which prosecutors said were worth billions of dollars.
In an attempt to cover up the bribe, Addax fired executives who raised concerns about the payment’s legitimacy and lied about the transaction during an audit, the court said.
Investigators revealed that in November 2017, Mr Okoronkwo used $983,200 of the illegally obtained funds to make a down payment on a house in Valencia, California, and failed to declare the money on his 2015 tax returns.
Then in 2022, he lied to federal agents, insisting the money was client funds and not his income.
US District Judge John F. Walter has scheduled 1 December for a sentencing hearing, at which time Mr Okoronkwo will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each money laundering count, up to 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice count, and up to five years in federal prison for the tax evasion count.
Mr Okoronkwo is currently released on a $50,000 bond.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation, with support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
The case is being prosecuted by the Assistant US Attorneys Alexander Schwab, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division Nisha Chandran of the Major Frauds Section, and Alexander Su of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section.
By Kabir Yusuf, Premium Times
He was said to have accepted the bribe while serving as an official of the state-owned oil firm, NNPC, now NNPC Ltd.
Mr Okoronkwo, 58, also known as “Pollie,” was found guilty of three counts of money laundering, one count of tax evasion, and one count of obstruction of justice.
The verdict was delivered on 29 August after a four-day trial in California.
Prosecutors told the court that Mr Okoronkwo, a dual US-Nigerian citizen, collected the payment in 2015 while serving as general manager of the upstream division of the NNPC. In that role, he was a public officer and owed a duty of loyalty to Nigeria’s government, the court said.
In October 2015, Addax Petroleum, a Swiss subsidiary of Chinese state-owned oil giant Sinopec, paid a bribe to Mr Okoronkwo in exchange for his influence in securing more favourable financial terms relating to its crude oil drilling in Nigeria, the court ruled.
Evidence showed that Addax wired the funds to a trust account in the name of Mr Okoronkwo’s Los Angeles law firm under the guise of legal consultancy.
Prosecutors described the agreement as a sham designed to cover up the bribe.
Addax was seeking to protect its lucrative drilling rights in Nigeria, which prosecutors said were worth billions of dollars.
In an attempt to cover up the bribe, Addax fired executives who raised concerns about the payment’s legitimacy and lied about the transaction during an audit, the court said.
Investigators revealed that in November 2017, Mr Okoronkwo used $983,200 of the illegally obtained funds to make a down payment on a house in Valencia, California, and failed to declare the money on his 2015 tax returns.
Then in 2022, he lied to federal agents, insisting the money was client funds and not his income.
US District Judge John F. Walter has scheduled 1 December for a sentencing hearing, at which time Mr Okoronkwo will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each money laundering count, up to 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice count, and up to five years in federal prison for the tax evasion count.
Mr Okoronkwo is currently released on a $50,000 bond.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation, with support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
The case is being prosecuted by the Assistant US Attorneys Alexander Schwab, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division Nisha Chandran of the Major Frauds Section, and Alexander Su of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section.
Nigeria to decriminalize attempted suicide by December 2025
The federal government has said Nigeria is on course to decriminalise attempted suicide by December 2025, in a move designed to replace punitive laws with a health-centred approach.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in partnership with WHO.
Observed annually on 10 September, it seeks to unite communities, governments and organisations under the shared belief that suicide is preventable.
The triennial theme for 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
The campaign urges societies to challenge myths, break stigma and create safe spaces for compassion and dialogue. It also calls on governments to make suicide prevention and mental health care a priority in public policy.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in partnership with WHO.
Observed annually on 10 September, it seeks to unite communities, governments and organisations under the shared belief that suicide is preventable.
The triennial theme for 2024–2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
The campaign urges societies to challenge myths, break stigma and create safe spaces for compassion and dialogue. It also calls on governments to make suicide prevention and mental health care a priority in public policy.
From punishment to care
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Nigeria records an estimated 15,000 suicide deaths annually.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 720,000 people globally die by suicide every year, ranking it as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29. Nearly three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Lifeline International, drawing on WHO data, further highlights that for each suicide, at least 20 others attempt to take their own lives.
Applied to Nigeria, this translates to more than 300,000 people experiencing suicidal distress each year, many of whom remain without safe or supportive avenues to seek help.
The country’s sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes make attempted suicide a criminal offence.
To change course, the government in October 2024 inaugurated a National
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Nigeria records an estimated 15,000 suicide deaths annually.
Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, chaired by legal scholar, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe.
The taskforce was mandated to guide the country’s transition to a more compassionate, public health-oriented response.
Mr Pate, represented at the event by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said significant progress had been recorded since the taskforce began work.
“A government white paper has been finalised to guide national policy, while a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021, now the National Mental Health Amendment Bill 2025, proposes the repeal of punitive provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes,” he said.
The draft bill also seeks to bar the prosecution of suicide survivors and provide for care and psychosocial support.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Nigeria records an estimated 15,000 suicide deaths annually.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 720,000 people globally die by suicide every year, ranking it as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29. Nearly three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Lifeline International, drawing on WHO data, further highlights that for each suicide, at least 20 others attempt to take their own lives.
Applied to Nigeria, this translates to more than 300,000 people experiencing suicidal distress each year, many of whom remain without safe or supportive avenues to seek help.
The country’s sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes make attempted suicide a criminal offence.
To change course, the government in October 2024 inaugurated a National
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Nigeria records an estimated 15,000 suicide deaths annually.
Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, chaired by legal scholar, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe.
The taskforce was mandated to guide the country’s transition to a more compassionate, public health-oriented response.
Mr Pate, represented at the event by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said significant progress had been recorded since the taskforce began work.
“A government white paper has been finalised to guide national policy, while a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021, now the National Mental Health Amendment Bill 2025, proposes the repeal of punitive provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes,” he said.
The draft bill also seeks to bar the prosecution of suicide survivors and provide for care and psychosocial support.
Next steps
According to Mr Pate, the draft bill has been adopted as the official position of the ministry and is undergoing statutory review with the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He added that the next stage will be presenting a memo to the Federal Executive Council for transmission of an Executive Bill to the National Assembly.
“The evidence is clear; increasing public awareness, early identification of warning signs, access to quality mental health care, and community support can reduce suicide rates. This reform is both urgent and necessary,” he said.
According to Mr Pate, the draft bill has been adopted as the official position of the ministry and is undergoing statutory review with the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He added that the next stage will be presenting a memo to the Federal Executive Council for transmission of an Executive Bill to the National Assembly.
“The evidence is clear; increasing public awareness, early identification of warning signs, access to quality mental health care, and community support can reduce suicide rates. This reform is both urgent and necessary,” he said.
A growing concern
Daju Kachollom, in her opening remarks delivered on her behalf by the Director of Port Health Services, Nse Akpan, admitted that suicide cases are under-reported in Nigeria but remain a growing concern.
Ms Kachollom noted that criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives. Rather, it worsens stigma and discourages people from reaching out for help.
She stressed the ministry’s determination to pursue a more humane response to mental health emergencies.
The National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Tunde Ojo, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment, noting that those struggling with suicidal thoughts require compassion, not punishment.
Support from partners
In a goodwill message, the Vice President of Integration and Nigeria Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Olufunke Fasawe, noted that Nigeria is among top countries with high suicide cases.
Represented by Chizoba Fashanu, Director of Infectious Diseases, Essential Medicines, Mental Health and Commodities Access at CHAI, she said the initiative has worked with the government for nearly two decades and, in the last two years, has supported innovative mental health programmes focusing on depression, anxiety, and suicide management.
By Fortune Eromonsele, Premium Times
Daju Kachollom, in her opening remarks delivered on her behalf by the Director of Port Health Services, Nse Akpan, admitted that suicide cases are under-reported in Nigeria but remain a growing concern.
Ms Kachollom noted that criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives. Rather, it worsens stigma and discourages people from reaching out for help.
She stressed the ministry’s determination to pursue a more humane response to mental health emergencies.
The National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Tunde Ojo, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment, noting that those struggling with suicidal thoughts require compassion, not punishment.
Support from partners
In a goodwill message, the Vice President of Integration and Nigeria Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Olufunke Fasawe, noted that Nigeria is among top countries with high suicide cases.
Represented by Chizoba Fashanu, Director of Infectious Diseases, Essential Medicines, Mental Health and Commodities Access at CHAI, she said the initiative has worked with the government for nearly two decades and, in the last two years, has supported innovative mental health programmes focusing on depression, anxiety, and suicide management.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Decomposing body found at Nigeria’s National Assembly
A decomposing body of a man, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was discovered in a car parked outside the annexe gate of the National Assembly complex.
Multiple sources said the deceased was one of the labourers working at a construction site within the annexe.
The body was found in a red Peugeot 406 with registration number BWR-577 BF at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. It was first evacuated to the National Assembly Clinic before being taken to Asokoro General Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had commenced into the incident.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the remains had been deposited at the Asokoro General Hospital while efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death were underway.
She explained that the command received a distress call about the incident and immediately mobilised officers to the scene.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), National Assembly Division, immediately responded to the call and, upon arrival, discovered the deceased inside a red Peugeot 406 motor vehicle with registration number BWR-577 BF.
“The body was promptly evacuated to Asokoro General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that it was already in an advanced state of decomposition,” she said.
Mrs Adeh noted that the commissioner of police had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and directed that efforts be intensified to establish the deceased’s identity.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, has ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. He directed that efforts be intensified to establish the identity of the deceased. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” she said.
Recurring security breaches
Security lapses at the National Assembly have long been a contentious issue. Despite being the heart of Nigeria’s democracy and one of the most guarded facilities in the country, the complex has witnessed repeated breaches.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported how thieves carted away manhole covers within the complex, a situation showing its security vulnerabilities.
The National Assembly is manned by multiple security outfits, including the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service (SSS), and the Sergeant-at-Arms, a parliamentary security unit. Officers of these agencies are stationed at strategic points around the premises, yet criminals have continued to exploit lapses.
Beyond stolen manhole covers, there have been cases of vehicle theft, missing valuables from offices such as television sets, air conditioners, electrical cables, and wires. Despite reviewing CCTV footage, security operatives have yet to apprehend the culprits.
By Abdulqudus Ogundapo, Premium Times
Multiple sources said the deceased was one of the labourers working at a construction site within the annexe.
The body was found in a red Peugeot 406 with registration number BWR-577 BF at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. It was first evacuated to the National Assembly Clinic before being taken to Asokoro General Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had commenced into the incident.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the remains had been deposited at the Asokoro General Hospital while efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death were underway.
She explained that the command received a distress call about the incident and immediately mobilised officers to the scene.
“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), National Assembly Division, immediately responded to the call and, upon arrival, discovered the deceased inside a red Peugeot 406 motor vehicle with registration number BWR-577 BF.
“The body was promptly evacuated to Asokoro General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that it was already in an advanced state of decomposition,” she said.
Mrs Adeh noted that the commissioner of police had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and directed that efforts be intensified to establish the deceased’s identity.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, has ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. He directed that efforts be intensified to establish the identity of the deceased. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” she said.
Recurring security breaches
Security lapses at the National Assembly have long been a contentious issue. Despite being the heart of Nigeria’s democracy and one of the most guarded facilities in the country, the complex has witnessed repeated breaches.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported how thieves carted away manhole covers within the complex, a situation showing its security vulnerabilities.
The National Assembly is manned by multiple security outfits, including the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service (SSS), and the Sergeant-at-Arms, a parliamentary security unit. Officers of these agencies are stationed at strategic points around the premises, yet criminals have continued to exploit lapses.
Beyond stolen manhole covers, there have been cases of vehicle theft, missing valuables from offices such as television sets, air conditioners, electrical cables, and wires. Despite reviewing CCTV footage, security operatives have yet to apprehend the culprits.
Monday, September 8, 2025
Video - Analyst weighs in on resurgence of militant activities in Nigeria
David Otto-Endeley, Director of the Geneva Centre for Africa Security and Strategic Studies, shares his insights into the escalating wave of terrorism and banditry across Nigeria. The latest attack has seen 60 people killed by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State.
Video - Nigeria’s rising insecurity puts pressure on authorities
Deadly attacks by insurgents and bandits are forcing families from their homes and devastating rural communities across Nigeria. Despite recent arrests and convictions, critics say weak enforcement and internal security lapses are fueling the violence.
Video - Aid cuts deepen food crisis in northeast Nigeria
Millions in northeastern Nigeria face hunger as aid agencies scale back operations due to funding cuts. The World Food Programme has shut down 150 distribution centers, leaving families uncertain about their next meal.
Video - Kidnapping-for-ransom thrives in Nigeria
A new report by SBM Intelligence reveals that kidnappers in Nigeria demanded nearly $1.7 million in ransom between July 2024 and June 2025, highlighting the growth of kidnapping into a lucrative criminal enterprise. Despite government warnings against ransom payments, many families comply, thus encouraging kidnappers to continue the practice.
Related story: More than 2 million kidnapped in Nigeria in one year
Dangote calls for Africa’s prioritization of manufacturing over raw material export
The renowned entrepreneur encouraged operators in the manufacturing and industrial sectors across the continent to embrace a fundamental shift in mindset and develop robust regional value chains and deepen intra-African trade as inward solutions to boost overall development across the continent.
Dangote, who noted that current geo-political tensions and trade wars have caused major economies to reevaluate their traditional trade partnerships with a view to diversifying their supply chains, also urged African exporters to benefit from the current process to fill the gap by competitively supplying the required products.
These recommendations were contained in Dangote’s welcome address at the company’s Special Day at the ongoing 4th Intra-African Trade Fair holding in Algiers, Algeria, where he was represented by his Special Adviser and Representative, Engr. Ahmed Mansur.
“I am glad to be here at the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF). I am immensely grateful to the organisers – not only for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to speak – but also for going a step further by dedicating this remarkable day to my organisation, Dangote Group. To have today officially set aside as Dangote Day is both an honour and a privilege.
“I thank the conveners – The African Export Import Bank, the African Union Commission and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat – for organising this event. We appreciate the invaluable contributions you have made and the excellent work you continue to do in promoting, facilitating, and deepening trade and investment across the continent”, Dangote added.
According to him, “this year’s theme, “Gateway to New Opportunities,” resonates deeply as a powerful reminder of the huge potential and prospects that abound across the African continent. For too long Africa’s resources have been exported as primary commodities in their raw and unrefined state with limited domestic processing or beneficiation.
“There must be a fundamental shift in mindset and a deliberate re-orientation toward industrialisation and the development of Africa’s manufacturing sector. While this was always necessary in the past, it is even more urgent today, given the alarming rise in youth unemployment, and the need for sustainable, inclusive growth”, he added.
The business tycoon observed that current geo-political tensions and trade wars have caused major economies to reevaluate their traditional trade partnerships with a view to diversifying their supply chains.
“African exporters could benefit if they can fill the gap by competitively supplying the required products. Furthermore, global instability has encouraged African nations to look inward and actively pursue greater regional self-reliance. This inward focus can catalyse the development of robust regional value chains and significantly deepen intra-African trade”, he advised.
“At Dangote, we are very proud of our Afrocentric posture, driven by an unwavering commitment to the continent’s growth and industrial transformation. We have added value to limestone and created the largest cement company in sub Saharan Africa with an aggregate cement production capacity of about 52MMtpa across 10 countries,” Dangote stated.
“Similarly, our 3MMtpa urea plant has contributed to the attainment of fertiliser self-sufficiency. Nigeria, once solely reliant on imports is now a net exporter of granulated urea to destinations in Africa as well as to South America, North America and Europe.
“More recently, we have witnessed the commencement of operation of Africa’s biggest oil refinery – also the world’s largest single-train facility, with a capacity of 650kbpd. This landmark project is gradually reducing the region’s long-standing dependence on imports of refined petroleum products, particularly from Europe, while also generating surplus for export to global markets. As Africa becomes more self-sufficient in energy it should reduce our vulnerability to external shocks and supply disruptions.
“Africa’s potential and prospects are immense. However, this potential will only be fully actualised if individual nations take deliberate steps to improve their business environment. Unlocking new economic opportunities requires the implementation of appropriate policy reforms, investment in infrastructure, and attractive sector wide incentives to facilitate the inflow of private capital” Dangote concluded.
At the Dangote Special Day, which drew admirers and various attendees, various Business Units of the conglomerate such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt (NASCON), Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Polypropylene, and Dangote Packaging did presentations and urged greater collaboration among trade partners and manufacturers across Africa for the development of the continent.
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