Nurses across Nigeria are protesting poor working conditions. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives announced the week-long strike could be extended if its demands are not met.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Video - Nurses strike hits health services in Nigeria
Nurses across Nigeria are protesting poor working conditions. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives announced the week-long strike could be extended if its demands are not met.
Nigeria embraces stablecoins
Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities are urging caution in stablecoin adoption as its landmark Stablecoins Ordinance takes effect. The city-state says it will only issue a handful of licenses, and that most applicants “will be disappointed.”
Nigeria’s stablecoin embrace
Speaking at the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit in Lagos, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, backed stablecoins as disruptive financial tools.
“I stand before you as both a regulator and an advocate for responsible innovation. My message today is clear: Nigeria is open for stablecoin business, but on terms that protect our markets and empower Nigerians,” he said, as reported by local outlets.
Nigerians have been the most avid stablecoin users in Africa. A June report by Yellow Card exchange revealed that nearly 26 million Nigerians have been using stablecoins, equating to 12% of the population, which ranks the country first globally for adoption. The report described Nigeria’s stablecoin adoption as “a signal of how financial innovation can thrive in response to local needs.”
The DG joined several other African leaders who have acknowledged that stablecoins have become a vital cog in the continent’s financial rails. In Kenya, the central bank revealed that one in three banks has expressed strong interest in stablecoins, while in South Africa, the financial regulators have pointed out that they expect stablecoins to become the primary form of digital asset adoption over the next five years.
Agama says that Nigerians have been using stablecoins in cross-border funds transfers and, with the naira losing over 70% of its value against the U.S. dollar in the past three years, they have become a hedge against the local currency’s depreciation.
“Across the continent, freelancers, traders, and businesses are increasingly opting for stablecoin payments to hedge against volatility, a trend significantly amplified by the naira’s fluctuations, which have driven exponential growth in demand for dollar-backed digital assets,” he stated.
Market giants USDT and USDC are the most dominant in the Nigerian market. However, Agama said, “Africa needs African solutions that reflect our market conditions, demographic realities, and development priorities.”
One of these African solutions is cNGN, Nigeria’s first homegrown regulated stablecoin. Launched by the African Stablecoin Consortium, cNGN has hit $2.5 million in transaction volume across dApps, on-chain swaps, GameFi ecosystems, and merchant payments.
CNGN recently told CoinGeek it’s eyeing expansion beyond Nigeria, deepening its liquidity, and broadening its use cases.
“Five years from today, I want to see a Nigerian stablecoin powering cross-border trade from Dakar to Dar es Salaam. I want to see global capital flowing into Lagos as the stablecoin hub of the global south. This is not just finance. This is nation-building,” Agama told the attendees.
Speaking at the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit in Lagos, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, backed stablecoins as disruptive financial tools.
“I stand before you as both a regulator and an advocate for responsible innovation. My message today is clear: Nigeria is open for stablecoin business, but on terms that protect our markets and empower Nigerians,” he said, as reported by local outlets.
Nigerians have been the most avid stablecoin users in Africa. A June report by Yellow Card exchange revealed that nearly 26 million Nigerians have been using stablecoins, equating to 12% of the population, which ranks the country first globally for adoption. The report described Nigeria’s stablecoin adoption as “a signal of how financial innovation can thrive in response to local needs.”
The DG joined several other African leaders who have acknowledged that stablecoins have become a vital cog in the continent’s financial rails. In Kenya, the central bank revealed that one in three banks has expressed strong interest in stablecoins, while in South Africa, the financial regulators have pointed out that they expect stablecoins to become the primary form of digital asset adoption over the next five years.
Agama says that Nigerians have been using stablecoins in cross-border funds transfers and, with the naira losing over 70% of its value against the U.S. dollar in the past three years, they have become a hedge against the local currency’s depreciation.
“Across the continent, freelancers, traders, and businesses are increasingly opting for stablecoin payments to hedge against volatility, a trend significantly amplified by the naira’s fluctuations, which have driven exponential growth in demand for dollar-backed digital assets,” he stated.
Market giants USDT and USDC are the most dominant in the Nigerian market. However, Agama said, “Africa needs African solutions that reflect our market conditions, demographic realities, and development priorities.”
One of these African solutions is cNGN, Nigeria’s first homegrown regulated stablecoin. Launched by the African Stablecoin Consortium, cNGN has hit $2.5 million in transaction volume across dApps, on-chain swaps, GameFi ecosystems, and merchant payments.
CNGN recently told CoinGeek it’s eyeing expansion beyond Nigeria, deepening its liquidity, and broadening its use cases.
“Five years from today, I want to see a Nigerian stablecoin powering cross-border trade from Dakar to Dar es Salaam. I want to see global capital flowing into Lagos as the stablecoin hub of the global south. This is not just finance. This is nation-building,” Agama told the attendees.
HKMA: We’ll only hand out a handful of licenses
In Hong Kong, the city’s de facto central bank has called for caution amidst rising public interest in stablecoins.
Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Ordinance took effect on August 1, and some of Asia’s largest companies competed to be among the first to issue stablecoins under the new regime. However, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Eddie Yue, now says that only a select few will receive the green light.
In his statement, Yue warned against the “growing frothiness” and “excessive exuberance” as the new regime takes effect. He says that some public companies have been putting out statements mentioning stablecoin integration to excite investors and spark a stock price rally.
“…in the initial stage, we will at most grant a handful of stablecoin issuer licences. In other words, a large number of applicants will be disappointed,” Yue warned.
While HKMA hasn’t revealed any details about the licensing process, experts opine that the big companies with extensive experience in tech and finance are most likely to beat the smaller startups to the punch. Those who have participated in the HKMA’s Stablecoin Sandbox stand an even bigger chance. They include JD.com’s (NASDAQ: JD) stablecoin subsidiary, Animoca Brands, and Standard Chartered Bank (NASDAQ: SCBFF).
While the new framework makes Hong Kong one of the world’s most attractive stablecoin hubs, it comes with risks to investors. The city has seen its fair share of fraudulent digital asset projects, the most prominent being JPEX, which sank with over $200 million in user funds.
In Hong Kong, the city’s de facto central bank has called for caution amidst rising public interest in stablecoins.
Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Ordinance took effect on August 1, and some of Asia’s largest companies competed to be among the first to issue stablecoins under the new regime. However, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Eddie Yue, now says that only a select few will receive the green light.
In his statement, Yue warned against the “growing frothiness” and “excessive exuberance” as the new regime takes effect. He says that some public companies have been putting out statements mentioning stablecoin integration to excite investors and spark a stock price rally.
“…in the initial stage, we will at most grant a handful of stablecoin issuer licences. In other words, a large number of applicants will be disappointed,” Yue warned.
While HKMA hasn’t revealed any details about the licensing process, experts opine that the big companies with extensive experience in tech and finance are most likely to beat the smaller startups to the punch. Those who have participated in the HKMA’s Stablecoin Sandbox stand an even bigger chance. They include JD.com’s (NASDAQ: JD) stablecoin subsidiary, Animoca Brands, and Standard Chartered Bank (NASDAQ: SCBFF).
While the new framework makes Hong Kong one of the world’s most attractive stablecoin hubs, it comes with risks to investors. The city has seen its fair share of fraudulent digital asset projects, the most prominent being JPEX, which sank with over $200 million in user funds.
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Nigeria takes bold steps toward Hepatitis-free future
Abuja, The World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the Government of Nigeria and hepatitis stakeholders to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis and treatment for World Hepatitis Day 2025. The global event, observed annually on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis- an inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
Hepatitis includes five types: A, B, C, D, and E. In the WHO African Region, over 70 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B or C, but fewer than 10% are diagnosed or treated. Nigeria, with 325,000 new infections in 2022, ranks third globally in hepatitis prevalence.
Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable.
This year’s theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,’ calls for action to remove financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention.
For 2025 World Hepatitis Day, WHO joined the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners to mark the occasion with a ministerial press briefing at the Federal Secretariat, and launched a three-day hepatitis B screening, on the stop vaccinations for those who test negative, and linkage to treatment programme for those who test positive at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The event at the National Assembly in Abuja brought together health officials, legislators, and the public to address the issue of hepatitis.
Addressing journalists at the press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director Public Health Department, FMOH, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating hepatitis.
He noted that the burden and cost of hepatitis treatment in the country is still very high and, as such, has a huge economic impact on the country and called for collective action in eliminating the disease.
Dr Ntadom said, “hepatitis costs Nigeria between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually in direct and indirect costs.
He also announced, ‘Project 365,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting Hepatitis B transmission by 2030.
“The project will support the ongoing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, alongside expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through funding, the establishment of the Viral Elimination Fund, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and legislative support.
Nigeria must no longer hold the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. We have the science, we have the strategy, and we will act together, boldly and urgently, toward a hepatitis-free Nigeria, he said.
WHO’s Acting Representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, represented by Dr Mya Ngon, cluster lead for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) praised Nigeria’s triple elimination initiative for HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and emphasized the importance of reducing treatment costs, boosting local production, and expanding screening to achieve healthcare equity.
WHO urges Nigeria and other nations to:
• Ensure hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth;
• Integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into primary healthcare services;
• Address stigma and misinformation;
• Secure sustainable domestic funding for hepatitis programs; and
• Protect the rights of individuals living with hepatitis, especially in healthcare and employment.
She reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its health systems and expand access to affordable diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments.
A beneficiary of the screening, Fash Yommie, 53, from Abuja, shared that he took the test to know his status.
“I took the test to know my status, and I am relieved to have tested negative. I now understand the importance of hepatitis prevention. I will start taking precautionary measures, such as avoiding sharing needles and ensuring proper hygiene with food and water, to protect myself and my loved ones from infection. I encourage everyone to get tested and vaccinated, as early detection is key to preventing this disease.
"Early detection and vaccination are crucial in preventing the spread of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infected blood or fluids, hepatitis C via blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles, and hepatitis A and E through contaminated food or water.
Nigeria has enhanced hepatitis B prevention by adding the vaccine to the national schedule, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and partners, to vaccinate all newborns and children and reduce early transmission.
This year’s activities reflect the broader goal of integrating hepatitis services into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, making screening and treatment more accessible to vulnerable populations.
The National Assembly event is part of WHO's ongoing collaboration with Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage and align with the 2030 Global Health Agenda. Through national and local partnerships, WHO supports Nigeria in reducing the hepatitis burden and improving public health outcomes. The three-day screening serves as a reminder that hepatitis is preventable, and everyone has a role in raising awareness and preventing its spread.
Hepatitis includes five types: A, B, C, D, and E. In the WHO African Region, over 70 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B or C, but fewer than 10% are diagnosed or treated. Nigeria, with 325,000 new infections in 2022, ranks third globally in hepatitis prevalence.
Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable.
This year’s theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,’ calls for action to remove financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention.
For 2025 World Hepatitis Day, WHO joined the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners to mark the occasion with a ministerial press briefing at the Federal Secretariat, and launched a three-day hepatitis B screening, on the stop vaccinations for those who test negative, and linkage to treatment programme for those who test positive at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The event at the National Assembly in Abuja brought together health officials, legislators, and the public to address the issue of hepatitis.
Addressing journalists at the press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director Public Health Department, FMOH, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating hepatitis.
He noted that the burden and cost of hepatitis treatment in the country is still very high and, as such, has a huge economic impact on the country and called for collective action in eliminating the disease.
Dr Ntadom said, “hepatitis costs Nigeria between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually in direct and indirect costs.
He also announced, ‘Project 365,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting Hepatitis B transmission by 2030.
“The project will support the ongoing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, alongside expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through funding, the establishment of the Viral Elimination Fund, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and legislative support.
Nigeria must no longer hold the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. We have the science, we have the strategy, and we will act together, boldly and urgently, toward a hepatitis-free Nigeria, he said.
WHO’s Acting Representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, represented by Dr Mya Ngon, cluster lead for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) praised Nigeria’s triple elimination initiative for HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and emphasized the importance of reducing treatment costs, boosting local production, and expanding screening to achieve healthcare equity.
WHO urges Nigeria and other nations to:
• Ensure hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth;
• Integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into primary healthcare services;
• Address stigma and misinformation;
• Secure sustainable domestic funding for hepatitis programs; and
• Protect the rights of individuals living with hepatitis, especially in healthcare and employment.
She reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its health systems and expand access to affordable diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments.
A beneficiary of the screening, Fash Yommie, 53, from Abuja, shared that he took the test to know his status.
“I took the test to know my status, and I am relieved to have tested negative. I now understand the importance of hepatitis prevention. I will start taking precautionary measures, such as avoiding sharing needles and ensuring proper hygiene with food and water, to protect myself and my loved ones from infection. I encourage everyone to get tested and vaccinated, as early detection is key to preventing this disease.
"Early detection and vaccination are crucial in preventing the spread of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infected blood or fluids, hepatitis C via blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles, and hepatitis A and E through contaminated food or water.
Nigeria has enhanced hepatitis B prevention by adding the vaccine to the national schedule, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and partners, to vaccinate all newborns and children and reduce early transmission.
This year’s activities reflect the broader goal of integrating hepatitis services into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, making screening and treatment more accessible to vulnerable populations.
The National Assembly event is part of WHO's ongoing collaboration with Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage and align with the 2030 Global Health Agenda. Through national and local partnerships, WHO supports Nigeria in reducing the hepatitis burden and improving public health outcomes. The three-day screening serves as a reminder that hepatitis is preventable, and everyone has a role in raising awareness and preventing its spread.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Video - Nigeria surpasses half its 2025 tax target in six months
Nigeria collected $9.51 billion in tax revenue in the first half of 2025, a 43 percent increase from 2024, driven by non-oil taxes and excise duties. This signals a shift toward fiscal resilience and reduced oil dependency.
Video - Nigeria’s oil sector faces crisis amid underperformance
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group warns that aging infrastructure, oil theft, and pipeline vandalism are crippling Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, threatening vital government revenues.
Nigerian nurses commence nationwide strike today
Nigerian nurses will commence a nationwide strike today to demand improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) said the strike action became necessary after a 15-day ultimatum, issued on 14 July, expired without a meaningful response from the federal government or Federal Ministry of Health.
“The strike, starting 12 midnight Tuesday, July 29, will involve total service withdrawal across all federal health institutions.
“Nurses nationwide have been asked to comply fully and stand in solidarity,” the union said in a Monday statement.
The seven-day warning strike is expected to end on 5 August. It will involve nurses in public health institutions across the country and is expected to impact health services in public hospitals.
The NANNM reaffirmed nurses’ central role in healthcare delivery. It said its members contribute 60–70 per cent of hospital services and so deserved improved welfare, fair treatment, and recognition for their essential services.
It rejected a 27 June circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and demanded adjustments to various allowances, including shift, call duty, and retention.
State chapters of the NANNM have already indicated their willingness to join the strike.
The union’s secretary in Oyo, Emmanuel Aina, said in a statement that nurses in Oyo will join the strike. He said the strike action followed a resolution reached at an emergency meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council and a subsequent directive from the national headquarters.
“I write to notify you that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions, federal, state, and local government, are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
“The strike is scheduled to commence at midnight on Wednesday, July 30, and will run through August 5, 2025,” the statement read.
Mr Aina urged full compliance, adding that official communication regarding the union’s eight-point demand had been sent to relevant authorities.
“This seven-day warning strike is a litmus test for our readiness to pursue a more serious struggle if our demands are not addressed,” he said.
Mr Aina said that among the union’s key demands is the implementation of the new minimum wage for nurses and other staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.
He added that the union was also calling for the payment of uniform allowances to all nurses and midwives in the service of Oyo State, in accordance with public service rules.
Other key demands include: Mass recruitment of nurses and midwives into the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to address severe staffing shortages.
Also, implementation of a 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for nurses and midwives in Oyo State service and implementation of enhanced hazard allowances for those working at the local government level.
Mr Aina emphasised that the strike aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for improved welfare and working conditions for nurses and midwives across the state.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) said the strike action became necessary after a 15-day ultimatum, issued on 14 July, expired without a meaningful response from the federal government or Federal Ministry of Health.
“The strike, starting 12 midnight Tuesday, July 29, will involve total service withdrawal across all federal health institutions.
“Nurses nationwide have been asked to comply fully and stand in solidarity,” the union said in a Monday statement.
The seven-day warning strike is expected to end on 5 August. It will involve nurses in public health institutions across the country and is expected to impact health services in public hospitals.
The NANNM reaffirmed nurses’ central role in healthcare delivery. It said its members contribute 60–70 per cent of hospital services and so deserved improved welfare, fair treatment, and recognition for their essential services.
It rejected a 27 June circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and demanded adjustments to various allowances, including shift, call duty, and retention.
State chapters of the NANNM have already indicated their willingness to join the strike.
The union’s secretary in Oyo, Emmanuel Aina, said in a statement that nurses in Oyo will join the strike. He said the strike action followed a resolution reached at an emergency meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council and a subsequent directive from the national headquarters.
“I write to notify you that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions, federal, state, and local government, are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
“The strike is scheduled to commence at midnight on Wednesday, July 30, and will run through August 5, 2025,” the statement read.
Mr Aina urged full compliance, adding that official communication regarding the union’s eight-point demand had been sent to relevant authorities.
“This seven-day warning strike is a litmus test for our readiness to pursue a more serious struggle if our demands are not addressed,” he said.
Mr Aina said that among the union’s key demands is the implementation of the new minimum wage for nurses and other staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.
He added that the union was also calling for the payment of uniform allowances to all nurses and midwives in the service of Oyo State, in accordance with public service rules.
Other key demands include: Mass recruitment of nurses and midwives into the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to address severe staffing shortages.
Also, implementation of a 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for nurses and midwives in Oyo State service and implementation of enhanced hazard allowances for those working at the local government level.
Mr Aina emphasised that the strike aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for improved welfare and working conditions for nurses and midwives across the state.
Importers undercut Africa’s richest man as fuel prices in Nigeria get more competitive
This time, it is not the refinery that is driving the market, but rather the marketers who are lowering prices.
According to recent investigations by The Punch, numerous filling stations are now selling fuel for less than N860 per litre, which is lower than prices charged by Dangote-linked marketers such as MRS, Heyden, and others in Lagos and Ogun States, which range from N865 to N875.
SGR, a filling station in Ogun State, reportedly reduced its pump price to N847 per litre on Tuesday.
The true game changer, however, is in the ex-depot market.
Importers like Aiteo and Menj have reduced their depot rates to N815 per litre, which is lower than the N820 presently offered by the Dangote refinery.
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, stated that the importers continue to evaluate lower prices.
“Depot owners are dropping their petrol prices. Some of them are selling N815, some are selling N817, while Dangote is selling N820. NNPC is still selling at N825; it has not dropped its prices yet,” he stated.
He also touched on the subject of fuel importation, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu should not to adhere to demands to outlaw the import of petroleum, calling this the beauty of market liberalization.
“This is the beauty of the liberalization of the market. That is why we opined that the President should not ban anybody from importing petroleum products,” he stated.
Nobody should be stopped from bringing in petroleum products. That is the beauty of opening up the market. Implementation and local refining will checkmate unfair pricing. As an indigenous country, you must refine to ensure that you have the best price,” he added.
The decision to cut fuel prices came just a few days after Dangote urged the country’s current administration to ban the importation of fuel.
Speaking at the Global Commodity Insights Conference in Abuja, presented by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in collaboration with S&P Global Insights, Dangote said unequivocally that petroleum products should be listed on the list of prohibited imports.
“The Nigeria First policy announced by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” the Nigerian billionaire stated.
According to recent investigations by The Punch, numerous filling stations are now selling fuel for less than N860 per litre, which is lower than prices charged by Dangote-linked marketers such as MRS, Heyden, and others in Lagos and Ogun States, which range from N865 to N875.
SGR, a filling station in Ogun State, reportedly reduced its pump price to N847 per litre on Tuesday.
The true game changer, however, is in the ex-depot market.
Importers like Aiteo and Menj have reduced their depot rates to N815 per litre, which is lower than the N820 presently offered by the Dangote refinery.
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, stated that the importers continue to evaluate lower prices.
“Depot owners are dropping their petrol prices. Some of them are selling N815, some are selling N817, while Dangote is selling N820. NNPC is still selling at N825; it has not dropped its prices yet,” he stated.
He also touched on the subject of fuel importation, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu should not to adhere to demands to outlaw the import of petroleum, calling this the beauty of market liberalization.
“This is the beauty of the liberalization of the market. That is why we opined that the President should not ban anybody from importing petroleum products,” he stated.
Nobody should be stopped from bringing in petroleum products. That is the beauty of opening up the market. Implementation and local refining will checkmate unfair pricing. As an indigenous country, you must refine to ensure that you have the best price,” he added.
The decision to cut fuel prices came just a few days after Dangote urged the country’s current administration to ban the importation of fuel.
Speaking at the Global Commodity Insights Conference in Abuja, presented by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in collaboration with S&P Global Insights, Dangote said unequivocally that petroleum products should be listed on the list of prohibited imports.
“The Nigeria First policy announced by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” the Nigerian billionaire stated.
Fuel price wars in Nigeria after the Israel-Iran conflict
Earlier this month, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery initiated the price competition by trimming its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N880 to N840 per litre, a 4.5% reduction aimed at providing relief to Nigerians grappling with high fuel costs.
Not long after, the refinery again slashed pricing, this time to N820.
These measures were considered noteworthy, especially given the refinery’s past price rises, which were partially motivated by geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, notably the war between Israel and Iran.
At the time, Dangote, along with NNPC and other marketers, retaliated by hiking petroleum prices. However, the refinery quickly flipped, lowering pricing to match the reality of the global oil supply chain.
This is hardly the first price war initiated in the sector.
Late last year and earlier this year, the Dangote Refinery and the NNPC engaged in a fierce battle for the larger shares of the fuel market.
At the height of the price cuts, fuel prices had gone from as high as N1200 per liter to N860, forcing the entire market to react, with some players highlighting the losses they had to endure.
Earlier this month, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery initiated the price competition by trimming its gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N880 to N840 per litre, a 4.5% reduction aimed at providing relief to Nigerians grappling with high fuel costs.
Not long after, the refinery again slashed pricing, this time to N820.
These measures were considered noteworthy, especially given the refinery’s past price rises, which were partially motivated by geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, notably the war between Israel and Iran.
At the time, Dangote, along with NNPC and other marketers, retaliated by hiking petroleum prices. However, the refinery quickly flipped, lowering pricing to match the reality of the global oil supply chain.
This is hardly the first price war initiated in the sector.
Late last year and earlier this year, the Dangote Refinery and the NNPC engaged in a fierce battle for the larger shares of the fuel market.
At the height of the price cuts, fuel prices had gone from as high as N1200 per liter to N860, forcing the entire market to react, with some players highlighting the losses they had to endure.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Nigeria kidnappers kill 35 hostages even after ransom paid
Kidnappers in Nigeria have killed at least 35 people they abducted from a village in northern Zamfara state despite ransoms being paid for their release, a local official told the BBC.
In recent years, criminal gangs in the region, known in the country as bandits, have taken to kidnapping people as a means to raise money.
In this incident, 56 people were taken from Banga village, Kauran Namoda local government area in March. The gunmen then demanded a ransom of one million naira ($655; £485) per captive, media in Nigeria report.
Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura said that most of those killed were young people who "were slaughtered like rams".
"What happened was that the bandits demanded ransom money, and after some back-and-forth, they were given what they asked for. They then released 18 people, including 17 women and one young boy, on Saturday," Haidara added.
"Only they [the gunmen] know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people. They forget that they are killing their own brothers, and we will all meet before Allah."
Residents said three pregnant women who were among the hostages gave birth while in captivity, but all the new-borns died due to lack of care.
Survivors recounted being forced to witness the brutal killing of fellow hostages before being allowed to leave the forest.
Sixteen of those released on Saturday are in hospital receiving treatment, while the bodies of the 38 killed by the bandits are unlikely to be returned as in these cases corpses are rarely released.
In a statement, the Zamfara government condemned the killings calling them "barbaric and cowardly" and declared that such atrocities added to its resolve to wipe out terrorism from the state.
"To the grieving families, we share your sorrow and pray for strength and healing. To the good people of Zamfara, remain united and vigilant. Report suspicious activities, and together, we will defeat evil."
The government has said that the killers would be brought to justice.
In an attempt to curb the spiralling and lucrative kidnapping industry, a law was enacted in 2022 making it a crime to make ransom payments. It carries a jail sentence of at least 15 years, however no-one has ever been arrested on those charges.
It also made abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.
But families often feel forced to pay to save their loved ones, citing the government's inability to ensure their safety.
By Chris Ewokor & Mansur Abubakar, BBC
In recent years, criminal gangs in the region, known in the country as bandits, have taken to kidnapping people as a means to raise money.
In this incident, 56 people were taken from Banga village, Kauran Namoda local government area in March. The gunmen then demanded a ransom of one million naira ($655; £485) per captive, media in Nigeria report.
Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura said that most of those killed were young people who "were slaughtered like rams".
"What happened was that the bandits demanded ransom money, and after some back-and-forth, they were given what they asked for. They then released 18 people, including 17 women and one young boy, on Saturday," Haidara added.
"Only they [the gunmen] know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people. They forget that they are killing their own brothers, and we will all meet before Allah."
Residents said three pregnant women who were among the hostages gave birth while in captivity, but all the new-borns died due to lack of care.
Survivors recounted being forced to witness the brutal killing of fellow hostages before being allowed to leave the forest.
Sixteen of those released on Saturday are in hospital receiving treatment, while the bodies of the 38 killed by the bandits are unlikely to be returned as in these cases corpses are rarely released.
In a statement, the Zamfara government condemned the killings calling them "barbaric and cowardly" and declared that such atrocities added to its resolve to wipe out terrorism from the state.
"To the grieving families, we share your sorrow and pray for strength and healing. To the good people of Zamfara, remain united and vigilant. Report suspicious activities, and together, we will defeat evil."
The government has said that the killers would be brought to justice.
In an attempt to curb the spiralling and lucrative kidnapping industry, a law was enacted in 2022 making it a crime to make ransom payments. It carries a jail sentence of at least 15 years, however no-one has ever been arrested on those charges.
It also made abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.
But families often feel forced to pay to save their loved ones, citing the government's inability to ensure their safety.
Monday, July 28, 2025
Video - Nigeria women’s team win 10th Africa football crown
The Super Falcons rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to beat Morocco 3-2. The win gave Nigeria its 10th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. Head coach Justin Madugu was named Coach of the Tournament.
Nigeria launches free mobile game that rewards players with cash, airtime and crypto
Nigeria.-In a major shift for Nigeria’s mobile gaming landscape, a new game is set to make waves with a bold promise: play for free and earn for real. Rise & Hustle is designed specifically for Nigeria’s mobile-first population.
Designed for entry-level smartphones, the game uses very little data and skips the usual in-app purchases or pay-to-win features. That makes it a smart choice in a country where mobile gaming dominates and data costs still count.
Mobile gaming makes up 83 per cent of all gameplay in Nigeria, and with 92 per cent of people owning smartphones, Rise & Hustle is launching at just the right time.
More than just a game, it is packed with local slang, street-style art and stories that connect directly with young Nigerians. The colourful design and gameplay show off the humour, grit and spirit of a generation that’s quickly taking over the gaming world in the country.
Now players have the chance to earn in-game cash called Bucks by completing daily “Missions” which include mini-games and street-style challenges. Bucks can be spent on mobile airtime, data bundles, cashback at local stores and on merchandise.
The platform also allows Bucks to be exchanged for Rise Tokens, which run on the Binance Smart Chain, a well-known blockchain made by Binance that handles digital transactions quickly and cheaply. They follow BEP-20, which is a set of rules that helps the tokens work safely and seamlessly with different apps, wallets and services.
Real rewards and squad feature boost experience
Rise & Hustle Co-founder and CEO, Josh Tromans-Jones, said players can now enjoy a profitable gaming experience. “We’re excited to bring Rise & Hustle to Nigeria, where every tap, grind and level-up earns you Bucks that you can turn into airtime, Rise crypto and real rewards from our partners,” he said, according to the Guardian.
At the heart of Rise & Hustle is the Squad feature. It lets players team up, work together and share rewards. When one player earns Bucks, the whole squad benefits, encouraging teamwork while keeping the fun going.
Tromans-Jones said the game zeroes in on what Nigerian gamers really want and delivers. “Gamers in Lagos, Abuja and across Nigeria are done with games that only take their data and give nothing back. Rise & Hustle changes the game by delivering entertainment and real-world tangible rewards.
“Our proprietary rewards engine is built to benefit players at every level of the game from Missions (daily challenges and tasks) through to Squads, and we’re proud to launch the game here in Nigeria.”
Rise & Hustle has launched at a time when Nigerian gamers are eager for real value and aims to give players a genuine chance to earn rewards for their time spent playing. With no hidden fees and multiple ways to cash in, the platform shows that gaming can be both entertaining and rewarding.
Rise & Hustle Co-founder and CEO, Josh Tromans-Jones, said players can now enjoy a profitable gaming experience. “We’re excited to bring Rise & Hustle to Nigeria, where every tap, grind and level-up earns you Bucks that you can turn into airtime, Rise crypto and real rewards from our partners,” he said, according to the Guardian.
At the heart of Rise & Hustle is the Squad feature. It lets players team up, work together and share rewards. When one player earns Bucks, the whole squad benefits, encouraging teamwork while keeping the fun going.
Tromans-Jones said the game zeroes in on what Nigerian gamers really want and delivers. “Gamers in Lagos, Abuja and across Nigeria are done with games that only take their data and give nothing back. Rise & Hustle changes the game by delivering entertainment and real-world tangible rewards.
“Our proprietary rewards engine is built to benefit players at every level of the game from Missions (daily challenges and tasks) through to Squads, and we’re proud to launch the game here in Nigeria.”
Rise & Hustle has launched at a time when Nigerian gamers are eager for real value and aims to give players a genuine chance to earn rewards for their time spent playing. With no hidden fees and multiple ways to cash in, the platform shows that gaming can be both entertaining and rewarding.
Related stories: Nigeria opens doors to stablecoin firms under regulatory oversight
Nigeria win 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after thrilling comeback against Morocco
Nigeria staged a remarkable fightback from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
It was a record-extending 10th triumph for Nigeria, confirming their status as the most successful women’s team in Africa. Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi led the fightback at Rabat’s Stade Olympique before the substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home an 88th-minute winner.
The Morocco captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, and the winger Sanaâ Mssoudy scored in the first half hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as they sought to become only the fourth country to take the continental title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
The Super Falcons pick up $1m in prize money – doubled since the last edition – and become the first side to lift the new-look Wafcon trophy.
In Friday’s third-place playoff, Ghana defeated South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Casablanca. Nonhlanhla Mthandi’s fine strike from outside the penalty area put Banyana Banyana in front just before the break, but Ghana levelled in the 68th minute when a header from South Africa defender Alice Kusi deflected in off the goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Linda Motlhalo was denied by the Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan late on, before Evelyn Badu hit the crossbar for the Black Queens in stoppage time. It was Konlan who made the difference in the shootout, saving two South Africa penalties as Ghana won 4-3. Victory over the defending champions earned Ghana their first top-three finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since 2016.
It was a record-extending 10th triumph for Nigeria, confirming their status as the most successful women’s team in Africa. Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi led the fightback at Rabat’s Stade Olympique before the substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home an 88th-minute winner.
The Morocco captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, and the winger Sanaâ Mssoudy scored in the first half hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as they sought to become only the fourth country to take the continental title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
The Super Falcons pick up $1m in prize money – doubled since the last edition – and become the first side to lift the new-look Wafcon trophy.
In Friday’s third-place playoff, Ghana defeated South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Casablanca. Nonhlanhla Mthandi’s fine strike from outside the penalty area put Banyana Banyana in front just before the break, but Ghana levelled in the 68th minute when a header from South Africa defender Alice Kusi deflected in off the goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Linda Motlhalo was denied by the Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan late on, before Evelyn Badu hit the crossbar for the Black Queens in stoppage time. It was Konlan who made the difference in the shootout, saving two South Africa penalties as Ghana won 4-3. Victory over the defending champions earned Ghana their first top-three finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since 2016.
Dangote Demands Fuel Import Ban to Protect Nigeria’s Refining Future
The owner of the biggest refinery in Africa, Aliko Dangote, has urged the government to ban the import of fuels in line with its “Nigeria First” policy.
“The Nigeria First policy announced by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, should apply to the petroleum product sector and all other sectors,” Dangote said, as quoted by local media at an industry event, referring to the initiative launched earlier this year that bans government agencies from buying foreign goods if the same goods are available locally.Dangote went on to say that a lot of the imported fuel in Nigeria was of subpar quality that would not be allowed in other fuel markets.
“We are now facing increased dumping of cheap, often toxic petroleum products, some of which are blended to substandard levels that would never be allowed in Europe or North America,” Nigeria’s richest man said. Dangote also said that some of the fuels that enter Nigeria are produced with discounted Russian oil, which makes them cheaper than local fuels, which is unfair to local refiners.
The Dangote refinery, with a total capacity of 650,000 barrels daily and a price tag of $20 billion, was built to reduce Nigeria’s 100% reliance on imported fuels. The refinery began operation in 2024 and has been ramping up since then. In an interesting twist, this ramp-up has seen a temporary rise in U.S. crude oil exports to Nigeria in the first quarter of this year as domestic demand declined on refinery maintenance, making the oil more affordable for Nigerian buyers.
Any imports, however, are a threat to the Dangote facility, whose owner has an ambition to one day supply all of the fuels consumed domestically. There might even be some left to export, per the plans. Indeed, according to Dangote, Nigeria is currently a net exporter of fuels, with 1.35 billion litres of gasoline exported over the last 50 days.
By Irina Slav, Oilprice
Friday, July 25, 2025
Video - Nigeria eyes regional role as refined fuel hub
Nigeria’s oil minister, Heineken Lokpobiri, reaffirmed the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for refined petroleum products. Despite being a major crude producer, Nigeria still imports over 70 percent of its fuel, but officials say scaling up local refining and regional collaboration could help stabilize pump prices across West Africa.
Video - Soaring healthcare costs push Nigerians to traditional medicine
Skyrocketing medical costs are driving patients toward traditional practitioners who offer low-cost alternatives to modern medicine.
Video - Nigeria’s Army-Air Force partnership reshapes security landscape
Kabir Adamu, a national security policy and strategy specialist for Nigeria and the Sahel, credits a strengthened army-air force collaboration for progress in tackling banditry. He highlights how this partnership addresses root causes such as resource conflicts and weak governance, marking a shift in Nigeria’s approach to curbing insecurity in affected regions.
Nigeria opens doors to stablecoin firms under regulatory oversight
Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director-General Emomotimi Agama said the country was open to stablecoin businesses that comply with local regulations.
According to a Thursday report by English-language local news outlet, The Cable, Agama said stablecoin companies that complied with local regulations were welcome in Nigeria. “Nigeria is open for stablecoin business, but on terms that protect our markets and empower Nigerians,” he said.
“We have onboarded some firms focused on stablecoin applications, all while ensuring compliance with core risk management principles,” Agama said, adding that those companies were admitted through the SEC’s regulatory sandbox.
Agama made his remarks on Thursday at the Nigeria stablecoin summit in Lagos. During a panel discussion, he said regulating stablecoins was essential for Nigeria’s development.
Nigeria bets on crypto
He emphasized that regulating stablecoins is essential to Nigeria’s financial development. “When the history books document Africa’s financial revolution, today will be remembered as the moment we moved from potential to action.” This echoed a recent shift in Nigeria’s approach to crypto regulation.
In late May, a shift in local cryptocurrency regulation led Blockchain.com to announce plans to open a physical office in Nigeria, its “fastest-growing market” in West Africa. “Nigeria has taken meaningful steps toward creating a clear framework for crypto,” Owenize Odia, Blockchain.com’s general manager for Africa, reportedly said at the time.
Nigeria’s rocky crypto past
In March, Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris said that the many crypto businesses operating inside the country were not facing litigation or criminal prosecution. Enforcement efforts aimed “to strengthen our laws, not to cripple anybody. We are ensuring that no one comes and operates without regulation,” he said.
The remarks followed Nigeria filing an $81.5 billion lawsuit against Binance in February, claiming the exchange caused the crash of Nigeria’s local currency, the naira. Local prosecutors also argued that Binance owed $2 billion in back taxes as the Nigerian government continued to grapple with sensible crypto policy.
Despite Nigerian authorities accusing a crypto exchange of being responsible for the devaluation of the local currency, some officials spoke highly of the technology. In a March opinion article, Mohammed Idris, minister of information of Nigeria, recognized that “blockchain technology and other digital assets are no longer on the fringes of our economy.”
He added: “They are fast becoming central to how our people transact, create and build.”
By Adrian Zmudzinski, COINTELEGRAPH
According to a Thursday report by English-language local news outlet, The Cable, Agama said stablecoin companies that complied with local regulations were welcome in Nigeria. “Nigeria is open for stablecoin business, but on terms that protect our markets and empower Nigerians,” he said.
“We have onboarded some firms focused on stablecoin applications, all while ensuring compliance with core risk management principles,” Agama said, adding that those companies were admitted through the SEC’s regulatory sandbox.
Agama made his remarks on Thursday at the Nigeria stablecoin summit in Lagos. During a panel discussion, he said regulating stablecoins was essential for Nigeria’s development.
Nigeria bets on crypto
He emphasized that regulating stablecoins is essential to Nigeria’s financial development. “When the history books document Africa’s financial revolution, today will be remembered as the moment we moved from potential to action.” This echoed a recent shift in Nigeria’s approach to crypto regulation.
In late May, a shift in local cryptocurrency regulation led Blockchain.com to announce plans to open a physical office in Nigeria, its “fastest-growing market” in West Africa. “Nigeria has taken meaningful steps toward creating a clear framework for crypto,” Owenize Odia, Blockchain.com’s general manager for Africa, reportedly said at the time.
Nigeria’s rocky crypto past
In March, Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris said that the many crypto businesses operating inside the country were not facing litigation or criminal prosecution. Enforcement efforts aimed “to strengthen our laws, not to cripple anybody. We are ensuring that no one comes and operates without regulation,” he said.
The remarks followed Nigeria filing an $81.5 billion lawsuit against Binance in February, claiming the exchange caused the crash of Nigeria’s local currency, the naira. Local prosecutors also argued that Binance owed $2 billion in back taxes as the Nigerian government continued to grapple with sensible crypto policy.
Despite Nigerian authorities accusing a crypto exchange of being responsible for the devaluation of the local currency, some officials spoke highly of the technology. In a March opinion article, Mohammed Idris, minister of information of Nigeria, recognized that “blockchain technology and other digital assets are no longer on the fringes of our economy.”
He added: “They are fast becoming central to how our people transact, create and build.”
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Video - Northeast Nigeria’s farmers battle insurgency, climate, and economic crises
In Nigeria’s northeast, farmers face a triple threat: Boko Haram’s lingering insurgency, climate shocks, and soaring food prices. Once peaceful farmlands are now battlegrounds for survival, pushing millions toward hunger and economic despair.
Troops kill at least 95 'bandits' in northwest Nigeria
Armed gangs known as "bandits" have taken root across Nigeria's rural hinterlands amid poverty and government neglect. They raid, loot and burn villages, exact taxes, and conduct kidnappings for ransom.
On Tuesday, Nigerian air and ground troops "foiled an attempted bandit attack, launching air strikes and shootouts" in the northwestern state of Niger, according to the report, which was produced by a private conflict monitor.
It added that "at least 95 bandits" were killed in the clash, which occurred near the villages of Warari and Ragada in the Rijau local government area.
The Nigerian military put out a statement about the clash Wednesday, saying that forces "engaged terrorists in a firefight, neutralizing several."
One soldier was killed, it said.
Tuesday's attack follows a slew of battles where the Nigerian military -- which has in the past has been quick to publicise and sometimes exaggerate its gains -- has kept relatively mum on apparent victories where scores of bandits were killed.
An intelligence source told AFP the military was changing tack after realising publicising their gains was keeping jihadists and bandits abreast of their operations.
The army declined to comment.
Nigeria's myriad bandit gangs maintain camps in a huge forest straddling Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states, in unrest that evolved from clashes between herders and farmers over land and resources into a broader conflict across the sparsely governed countryside.
Since 2011, as arms trafficking increased and the wider Sahel fell into turmoil, organised armed gangs formed, with cattle rustling and kidnapping becoming huge moneymakers in the largely impoverished northwest.
Groups also levy taxes on farmers and artisanal miners.
Violence has spread in recent years from its heartland in the northwest -- where analysts say some gains have been made by the military recently -- into north-central Nigeria, where observers say the situation is getting worse.
Increasing cooperation between the criminal gangs, who are primarily motivated by financial gains, and jihadists -- who are waging a separate, 16-year-old-armed insurrection in the northeast -- has seen attacks worsen.
Despite recent gains in the northwest, the military remains overstretched. While improved cooperation between the army and air force has aided the fight, analysts say, airstrikes have also killed hundreds of civilians.
Between 2018 and 2023, there were more deaths from bandits than there were from jihadist groups, according to figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based monitor.
Last week motorcycle-riding bandits rounded up a group of farmers working their fields outside Jangebe village in Zamfara state, killing nine and kidnapping around 15 others, local residents told AFP.
Earlier this month, Nigerian soldiers killed at least 150 bandits in an ambush in northwestern Kebbi state, a local official said.
On Tuesday, Nigerian air and ground troops "foiled an attempted bandit attack, launching air strikes and shootouts" in the northwestern state of Niger, according to the report, which was produced by a private conflict monitor.
It added that "at least 95 bandits" were killed in the clash, which occurred near the villages of Warari and Ragada in the Rijau local government area.
The Nigerian military put out a statement about the clash Wednesday, saying that forces "engaged terrorists in a firefight, neutralizing several."
One soldier was killed, it said.
Tuesday's attack follows a slew of battles where the Nigerian military -- which has in the past has been quick to publicise and sometimes exaggerate its gains -- has kept relatively mum on apparent victories where scores of bandits were killed.
An intelligence source told AFP the military was changing tack after realising publicising their gains was keeping jihadists and bandits abreast of their operations.
The army declined to comment.
Conflict spreading
Nigeria's myriad bandit gangs maintain camps in a huge forest straddling Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states, in unrest that evolved from clashes between herders and farmers over land and resources into a broader conflict across the sparsely governed countryside.
Since 2011, as arms trafficking increased and the wider Sahel fell into turmoil, organised armed gangs formed, with cattle rustling and kidnapping becoming huge moneymakers in the largely impoverished northwest.
Groups also levy taxes on farmers and artisanal miners.
Violence has spread in recent years from its heartland in the northwest -- where analysts say some gains have been made by the military recently -- into north-central Nigeria, where observers say the situation is getting worse.
Increasing cooperation between the criminal gangs, who are primarily motivated by financial gains, and jihadists -- who are waging a separate, 16-year-old-armed insurrection in the northeast -- has seen attacks worsen.
Despite recent gains in the northwest, the military remains overstretched. While improved cooperation between the army and air force has aided the fight, analysts say, airstrikes have also killed hundreds of civilians.
Between 2018 and 2023, there were more deaths from bandits than there were from jihadist groups, according to figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based monitor.
Last week motorcycle-riding bandits rounded up a group of farmers working their fields outside Jangebe village in Zamfara state, killing nine and kidnapping around 15 others, local residents told AFP.
Earlier this month, Nigerian soldiers killed at least 150 bandits in an ambush in northwestern Kebbi state, a local official said.
US aid cuts see millions go hungry in Nigeria, as jihadists surge
Resurgent jihadist attacks, huge cuts in foreign aid and a spiralling cost of living: hunger is looming in northeastern Nigeria, where more than a million people face starvation.
Before insurgency upended daily life, Damboa was a regional farming hub. Today it stands on the frontline of survival.
Located around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Borno state capital Maiduguri, the town lies on the fringes of the Sambisa forest, a game reserve turned jihadist enclave.
While Nigeria‘s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year due to a myriad of factors that saw jihadist groups strengthen and security forces stretched thin.
Almata Modu, 25, joined thousands of others fleeing the countryside into town in May, after jihadists overran her village. Rations are already meagre – and set to run out as Western aid dries up.
“We are safe, but the food is not enough,” Modu says, wearing a purple hijab, approaching an aid distribution centre in a police station.
Aminata Adamu, 36, agrees. She fled her home a decade ago and receives monthly rations for four registered family members – even though the family has since grown to 11.
Before insurgency upended daily life, Damboa was a regional farming hub. Today it stands on the frontline of survival.
Located around 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Borno state capital Maiduguri, the town lies on the fringes of the Sambisa forest, a game reserve turned jihadist enclave.
While Nigeria‘s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year due to a myriad of factors that saw jihadist groups strengthen and security forces stretched thin.
Almata Modu, 25, joined thousands of others fleeing the countryside into town in May, after jihadists overran her village. Rations are already meagre – and set to run out as Western aid dries up.
“We are safe, but the food is not enough,” Modu says, wearing a purple hijab, approaching an aid distribution centre in a police station.
Aminata Adamu, 36, agrees. She fled her home a decade ago and receives monthly rations for four registered family members – even though the family has since grown to 11.
‘Lives will be lost’
The limited food will soon run out by the end of July as Western aid cuts – including President Donald Trump‘s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development – send humanitarian programmes into a tailspin.
“This is our last rice from USAID,” says Chi Lael, Nigeria spokeswoman for the World Food Programme, pointing at a stack of white bags at another distribution centre in Mafa, around 150 kilometres from Damboa.
There are five million “severely hungry” people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states – the three worst affected by the jihadist insurgency waged by Boko Haram and rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
WFP has until now only been able to feed 1.3 million who now face starvation as food handouts run out. “There is no food left in the warehouses,” says Lael. “Lives will be lost.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. June to September is known as the “lean season”, the time between planting and harvest when families have little food reserves.
Normally, rural farmers would buy food – but amid mass inflation from an economic crisis, coupled with forced displacement, many “can’t afford much”, says Diana Japaridze, of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Flying into Damboa shows vast swathes of farmland, abandoned because of the violence. The IS-aligned ISWAP has become better organised.
Concurrently, the Niger-Nigeria counter-terrorism collaboration has been strained as the military is stretched thin by a separate banditry crisis and an economic crunch has stiffened rural grievances that such groups feed off, according to analysts.
A farmer was killed in his field just days ago, residents said.
Meanwhile, Damboa has the highest and most severe cases of malnutrition among children under five years in northeast Nigeria, said Kevin Akwawa, a doctor with the International Medical Corps.
The limited food will soon run out by the end of July as Western aid cuts – including President Donald Trump‘s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development – send humanitarian programmes into a tailspin.
“This is our last rice from USAID,” says Chi Lael, Nigeria spokeswoman for the World Food Programme, pointing at a stack of white bags at another distribution centre in Mafa, around 150 kilometres from Damboa.
There are five million “severely hungry” people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states – the three worst affected by the jihadist insurgency waged by Boko Haram and rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
WFP has until now only been able to feed 1.3 million who now face starvation as food handouts run out. “There is no food left in the warehouses,” says Lael. “Lives will be lost.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. June to September is known as the “lean season”, the time between planting and harvest when families have little food reserves.
Normally, rural farmers would buy food – but amid mass inflation from an economic crisis, coupled with forced displacement, many “can’t afford much”, says Diana Japaridze, of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Flying into Damboa shows vast swathes of farmland, abandoned because of the violence. The IS-aligned ISWAP has become better organised.
Concurrently, the Niger-Nigeria counter-terrorism collaboration has been strained as the military is stretched thin by a separate banditry crisis and an economic crunch has stiffened rural grievances that such groups feed off, according to analysts.
A farmer was killed in his field just days ago, residents said.
Meanwhile, Damboa has the highest and most severe cases of malnutrition among children under five years in northeast Nigeria, said Kevin Akwawa, a doctor with the International Medical Corps.
150 nutrition centres shutting down
Fanna Abdulraman, 39, mother of eight, brought her six-month-old, severely malnourished twins to a nutrition centre.
She latched them to her breasts but, malnourished herself, she can’t produce milk.
Of the 500 nutrition centres that the WFP operates in northeast Nigeria, 150 are to be shut at the end of July due to shortage of funding. That leaves the lives of some 300,000 children at risk, according to WFP nutrition officer Dr John Ala.
Two imposing banners bearing the trademark blue-and-red USAID logo still hang on the front gate, where stocks will soon run out.
A sign of the insecurity in the area, everyone entering the centre is frisked with a handheld metal detector. Looming food shortages threaten to make matters worse.
“When you see food insecurity, poverty, the next thing… is more insecurity, because people will resort to very terrible coping mechanisms to survive,” Ala said.
Across the country a record nearly 31 million people face acute hunger, according to David Stevenson, WFP chief in Nigeria.
With WFP operations collapsing in northeast Nigeria, “this is no longer just a humanitarian crisis, it’s a growing threat to regional stability”, said Stevenson.
Fanna Mohammed, a 30-year-old mother of nine, was oblivious food aid and child nutrition treatment will soon end.
“I can’t imagine that we will live,” she said when she found out, an eight-month-old strapped on her back, a two-year-old shyly fidgeting next to her.
In a June-to-September outlook report, the WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization warn “critical levels of acute food insecurity are expected to deteriorate” as the conflict intensifies, economic hardships persist and floods are expected.
Despite the desperate need for more food, only a few farmers dare to venture out.
They tend their fields under the protection of armed militias, stationed a few kilometres apart along the Maiduguri-Mafa highway.
Fanna Abdulraman, 39, mother of eight, brought her six-month-old, severely malnourished twins to a nutrition centre.
She latched them to her breasts but, malnourished herself, she can’t produce milk.
Of the 500 nutrition centres that the WFP operates in northeast Nigeria, 150 are to be shut at the end of July due to shortage of funding. That leaves the lives of some 300,000 children at risk, according to WFP nutrition officer Dr John Ala.
Two imposing banners bearing the trademark blue-and-red USAID logo still hang on the front gate, where stocks will soon run out.
A sign of the insecurity in the area, everyone entering the centre is frisked with a handheld metal detector. Looming food shortages threaten to make matters worse.
“When you see food insecurity, poverty, the next thing… is more insecurity, because people will resort to very terrible coping mechanisms to survive,” Ala said.
Across the country a record nearly 31 million people face acute hunger, according to David Stevenson, WFP chief in Nigeria.
With WFP operations collapsing in northeast Nigeria, “this is no longer just a humanitarian crisis, it’s a growing threat to regional stability”, said Stevenson.
Fanna Mohammed, a 30-year-old mother of nine, was oblivious food aid and child nutrition treatment will soon end.
“I can’t imagine that we will live,” she said when she found out, an eight-month-old strapped on her back, a two-year-old shyly fidgeting next to her.
In a June-to-September outlook report, the WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization warn “critical levels of acute food insecurity are expected to deteriorate” as the conflict intensifies, economic hardships persist and floods are expected.
Despite the desperate need for more food, only a few farmers dare to venture out.
They tend their fields under the protection of armed militias, stationed a few kilometres apart along the Maiduguri-Mafa highway.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Video - IMF urges Nigeria to raise VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent
The IMF warns that Nigeria’s 7.5 percent Value Added Tax rate could cost the country $300 million, or 0.5 percent of GDP, straining essential services. With one of Africa’s lowest VAT-to-GDP ratios, a hike to 10 percent is proposed, but experts caution it may fuel inflation, impacting households and businesses.
Video - Expert highlights drivers of Nigeria’s 2025 GDP growth
Nigeria’s GDP grew 3.13 percent year-on-year in Q1 2025, driven by sectors like housing, which has surpassed oil in GDP contribution. Basil Abia, Policy Analyst and Co-Founder of Veriv Africa, explains the key factors fueling this economic expansion.
Nigeria in talks about holding Formula 1 race in Africa
Nigeria are in talks with Formula 1 about the prospect of holding a grand prix in Africa.
Lewis Hamilton has said the sport cannot continue to “ignore” Africa as it explores new locations for future calendars, and Nigeria want to stage a race at a circuit in the capital Abuja.
F1 has not raced in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix in Kyalami.
But a proposal by Opus Race Promotions has “early support” from the Nigerian government, according to a report by the Times.
Opus Race Promotions in April presented the concept of an F1 race in Nigeria and held talks with Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the National Sports Commission.
They were then officially appointed to negotiate with F1 and the FIA, the sport’s governing body, on behalf of the Nigerian government.
“We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria as soon as practicable - not just as a sporting event, but as a catalytic driver of tourism, infrastructure development, youth engagement, economy and indeed soft power for Nigeria,” said Dikko said. “This vision aligns with vision of our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has been invited by the promoter to visit Abuja to review the project.
Rwanda and South Africa have previously expressed interest in hold a grand prix in Africa, but neither bid has progressed in recent months.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has said F1 should race in Africa.
Hamilton said last year: “We can't be adding races in other locations and continuing to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa.”
To receive the best stories in your inbox every day, click here to register for one or more newsletters from The Standard.
By Tashan Deniran-Alleyne, Evening Standard
Lewis Hamilton has said the sport cannot continue to “ignore” Africa as it explores new locations for future calendars, and Nigeria want to stage a race at a circuit in the capital Abuja.
F1 has not raced in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix in Kyalami.
But a proposal by Opus Race Promotions has “early support” from the Nigerian government, according to a report by the Times.
Opus Race Promotions in April presented the concept of an F1 race in Nigeria and held talks with Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the National Sports Commission.
They were then officially appointed to negotiate with F1 and the FIA, the sport’s governing body, on behalf of the Nigerian government.
“We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria as soon as practicable - not just as a sporting event, but as a catalytic driver of tourism, infrastructure development, youth engagement, economy and indeed soft power for Nigeria,” said Dikko said. “This vision aligns with vision of our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has been invited by the promoter to visit Abuja to review the project.
Rwanda and South Africa have previously expressed interest in hold a grand prix in Africa, but neither bid has progressed in recent months.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has said F1 should race in Africa.
Hamilton said last year: “We can't be adding races in other locations and continuing to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa.”
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025
'Nigeria First' policy aims to prioritize homegrown goods and services
Supporters say the initiative represents a bold step toward economic self-reliance. The government states that the policy will be supported by an executive order to ensure the desired results.
Monday, July 21, 2025
Video - Dangote refinery to provide free fuel distribution to Nigeria’s independent retailers
The refinery will deliver fuel directly to consumers and independent retailers nationwide at no logistics cost, aiming to slash prices and challenge established fuel marketers.
Kemi Badenoch makes false claim about Nigerian citizenship
The Nigerian Constitution states that any person born outside Nigeria is automatically a citizen of Nigeria if either of their parents is a Nigerian citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
Ms Badenoch, however, said on Sunday that while many Nigerians are taking advantage of the UK’s relatively easy citizenship acquisition process, it remains “virtually impossible to obtain Nigerian citizenship.”
While speaking with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria during an interview, the 45-year-old British politician said there was a need for the UK to tighten its citizenship and immigration policy.
She used her children’s alleged inability to get Nigerian citizenship to illustrate the stark contrast between Nigeria’s approach and that of the UK.
“I have that (Nigerian) citizenship by virtue of my parents, but I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” she said.
“Yet loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquiring British citizenship. We need to stop being naive,” she added.
Despite being born to Nigerian parents and migrating to the UK at the age of 16, Ms Badenoch has repeatedly criticised the UK’s immigration policy, which she says makes it too easy for citizens of Nigeria and other countries to move to the UK.
She has consistently called for stricter immigration controls.
“We are allowing our tolerance to be exploited. That is not right,” she said in the CNN interview.
“Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept.
“There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries,” she added.
Reviewing Claim of Nigerian citizenship
Ms Badenoch’s claim about Nigeria’s citizenship policy is at best inaccurate.
Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution states that any person born outside Nigeria is automatically a citizen of Nigeria if either of their paparents is a Nigerian citizen at the time of the child’s birth. This is regardless of whether that parent is the mother or the father.
By this, a Nigerian-born mother can pass citizenship to her child, just like a Nigerian-born father can.
Ms Badenoch did not provide details of her efforts to get Nigerian passports for her three children. However, based on the constitutional provision, the children could only legally have been denied Nigerian citizenship if she had renounced her Nigerian citizenship before their birth. Ms Badenoch is married to Hamish Badenoch, a Northern Irish bank official and politician. They got married in 2012.
The Conservative Party leader said that if her party becomes the UK’s ruling party, under her leadership, the UK would prioritise implementing stricter policies on citizenship acquisition and immigration.
“It’s been too easy. It is basically a conveyor belt. We want people who want to come to the UK and be net contributors, not people who will immigrate and then need welfare and social housing.
“That’s not right because they haven’t paid into the system,” she said.
By Beloved John, Premium Times
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Issah Abiola: The Railroad Dream of Nigeria’s First Female Train Driver
In 2008, Nigerian woman Issah Abiola joined China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), where she dedicated herself to mastering diverse skills through rigorous training. Her perseverance and determination propelled her to become Nigeria’s first female train driver.
As a bridge of friendship between China and Nigeria, Abiola has actively shared stories of Sino-African cooperation everywhere she went. She adopted the Chinese name Bai Yang, which means “the resilient poplar tree”. In an exclusive interview with China News Service’s “W. E. Talk”, Abiola shared her “railroad dream” and her vision of China-Africa cooperation.
Here are the excerpts of the interview:
CNS: What motivated you to become Nigeria’s first female train driver in history? What challenges did you face during this journey, and how did you overcome them?
Abiola: While working on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway project, I learned that a professional training program for train drivers was about to begin. That moment sparked something in me, and I mustered the courage to apply. During my time studying in China, I was deeply impressed by the speed and orderliness of Chinese railways — that’s when the dream of becoming a train driver first took root in my heart. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I wanted to break gender stereotypes by myself, and set an example for more Nigerian women.
Throughout the training, I faced many challenges. There was skepticism from society, as many believed women were not suited to be train drivers. The physical demands and technical requirements were also intense. But I firmly believed that ability has nothing to do with gender. With determination, hard work, and the dedicated guidance of my Chinese instructors, I gradually overcame the difficulties and proudly became Nigeria’s first certified female train driver.
CNS: You self-learned Chinese and chose the Chinese name Bai Yang which means poplar trees. What is the story and meaning behind this?
Abiola: In 2010, I came to China to study language and culture. During a train ride, I was struck by the sight of rows of tall, upright trees outside the window. A Chinese colleague told me they were poplar trees (baiyang), symbolizing resilience and the strength to stand tall in the face of adversity.
That moment deeply moved me, and I decided to adopt “Bai Yang” as my Chinese name. I hope to be like the poplar tree, standing firm in any environment. More importantly, I want to pass on this spirit of resilience and confidence to African women, encouraging them to chase their dreams and break through social barriers.
As a woman in this industry, I hope to break traditional stereotypes and inspire more women to pursue their dreams. My story shows that as long as you are willing to try, there is nothing a woman cannot achieve. For Nigerian society, especially for young women, this carries an important and positive message.
CNS: What changes do you think the BRI has brought to Nigeria? How do you see the role of Africa-China friendship and cooperation in promoting cultural exchanges and friendship?
Abiola: The BRI has brought tangible changes to Nigeria. In the past, many areas faced transportation difficulties, which affected people’s lives and regional development. Today, with the construction of railways and light rail systems by Chinese enterprises, not only has travel efficiency improved, but the local economies along the routes have also been stimulated.
Chinese technology and engineering standards have set a new benchmark for railway construction in Nigeria. From engineering design and equipment manufacturing to operations and maintenance, they are always demonstrating high quality and efficiency. These advanced experiences have provided strong support for the modernization of Nigeria’s transportation system and have greatly benefited front-line workers like me.
Transportation is the lifeline of a nation’s development. Africa-China cooperation in the transportation sector has not only improved our infrastructure, but also created opportunities for economic recovery and employment. For local young people like me, these projects have provided a chance to learn new skills, secure meaningful jobs, and even inspire more women to join the railway industry.
The significance of Africa-China cooperation goes beyond economics — it extends to cultural understanding and people-to-people connection. Through working and living with my Chinese colleagues, I’ve learned about Chinese culture, language, and cuisine, while also sharing Nigeria’s traditions. This kind of interaction brings us closer and lays a solid foundation for lasting friendship between African and Chinese people.
CNS: Promoted by the BRI, what potential do you see for future cooperation between Africa and China? How can we further strengthen Africa-China relations？
Abiola: In the future, Africa-China cooperation can further explore areas such as education and vocational training, green development, and digital infrastructure. For example, providing more scholarship programs and technical training opportunities for African youth can help us build local capacity for independent development.
At the same time, more cultural exchanges, youth visits, and joint initiatives can be carried out, shifting the focus from the “nfrastructure project level” to the “people-to-people engagement level”. I believe that as long as we uphold the principles of mutual benefit and mutual respect, Africa-China relations will continue to grow stronger and go even further.
Baiyang (Issah Abiola), Nigeria’s first female locomotive driver, joined China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria in 2008. When the Abuja Rail Mass Transit officially launched in 2018, she was received by then-President Muhammadu Buhari as the train’s driver. In 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria awarded her the “China-Nigeria Friendship Contribution Award”. In 2025, she received the Friendship Envoy Award at the second Orchid Awards.
Dangote links power shortages in Nigeria to stolen funds hidden abroad
“We as a company alone are producing, group-wide for our own consumption, over 1,500 MW,” he stated.
"So, Nigeria should not be three times what we are producing as a country. Nigeria should be at about 50,000 MW to 60,000 MW,” Dangote added.
The Nigerian business mogul, whose refinery and fertilizer plants are among Africa's largest, explained that his company's investment in energy demonstrates how private sector engagement in power generating can be game-changing.
He encouraged Nigeria's government to further open up the industry to encourage private investment and involvement.
Dangote, who has spent the last decade developing the $20 billion refinery project, also stated that, while establishing the refinery was extremely tough, increasing Nigeria's power generating capacity to 30,000 MW is far easier - provided the appropriate policies and commitments are in place.
“What we have done here just shows that there’s nothing impossible. All this can be replicated in our power sector. There’s no reason why Nigeria should be doing 5,000 MW,” Dangote asserted.
“What we have actually done here is much more difficult than making Nigeria 25,000 or 30,000 megawatts of power, with transmission and distribution. But it’s not the work of the government alone,” he continued.
Dangote's comments come as his refinery, which is projected to drastically cut Nigeria's dependency on foreign petroleum products, ramps up operations.
Dangote links power shortages to a lack of investment and stolen funds hidden abroad
Much like the fact that such a facility which is typically supposed to be a government initiative is now privately owned, the Nigerian philanthropist noted that the power sector is also privatized, which presents an opportunity for investors.
“We, the private sector, Nigerians, most especially us, should stop taking our money abroad and invest the money here to make sure that we develop our own country and continent, because without us showing the confidence that, yes, we have confidence in our own economy and the leadership of the country, foreigners will not come,” Dangote explained.
“We know our leaders; we have confidence in them. So, that money they’re taking out of the country, they should leave it here so that it can benefit everybody.”
As reported by the Punch newspaper, he criticized people who stole public assets and hid them overseas rather than utilizing them to help develop the country, as he connected capital flight to stunted growth.
“I keep saying this: there’s nowhere that you will say that there’s no corruption. There are lots of countries that have more corruption than we do, but they are growing. Our biggest problem and challenge is that people who have stolen money have taken the money abroad,” he said.
“So, the money has no use to them; it has no use to their family because they cannot show their family that they have stolen money. And they are not investing here to grow the domestic economy.”
Much like the fact that such a facility which is typically supposed to be a government initiative is now privately owned, the Nigerian philanthropist noted that the power sector is also privatized, which presents an opportunity for investors.
“We, the private sector, Nigerians, most especially us, should stop taking our money abroad and invest the money here to make sure that we develop our own country and continent, because without us showing the confidence that, yes, we have confidence in our own economy and the leadership of the country, foreigners will not come,” Dangote explained.
“We know our leaders; we have confidence in them. So, that money they’re taking out of the country, they should leave it here so that it can benefit everybody.”
As reported by the Punch newspaper, he criticized people who stole public assets and hid them overseas rather than utilizing them to help develop the country, as he connected capital flight to stunted growth.
“I keep saying this: there’s nowhere that you will say that there’s no corruption. There are lots of countries that have more corruption than we do, but they are growing. Our biggest problem and challenge is that people who have stolen money have taken the money abroad,” he said.
“So, the money has no use to them; it has no use to their family because they cannot show their family that they have stolen money. And they are not investing here to grow the domestic economy.”
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Video - Former Nigerian President Buhari laid to rest
Thousands of mourners gathered at the residence of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to pay their respects. The 82-year-old former leader was laid to rest on Tuesday, in his garden.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Video - Burna Boy’s latest album champions resilience and reform
This week marks a milestone for Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, who is poised to release his new album, No Sign of Weakness. Inspired by his personal triumphs over adversity, the album's title reflects his resilience. Beyond music, Burna Boy offers insights on how Africa can address its multifaceted challenges.
Video - Experts call for overhaul of Nigeria meat supply chain to boost food security
West African countries, including Nigeria, spend over $3 billion annually on meat imports, primarily from Argentina and Australia, despite local producers' capacity to meet demand. This dependence has fueled food insecurity and drained foreign reserves. Afreximbank is urging increased investment in local meat value chains, with experts advocating for a strategic overhaul of the region’s meat supply system.
Dangote plans construction of Nigeria’s largest seaport
Aliko Dangote is forging ahead with a proposal to build a seaport in Ogun State to facilitate exports, including liquefied natural gas.
The move is expected to accelerate an expansion of Mr Dangote’s conglomerate, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing an interview with Africa’s richest man.
An application to authorities last month, according to the outlet, sought “to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” in Olokola.
The free trade zone was initially considered as the host of Mr Dangote’s mega oil refinery and petrochemical plant, now situated on the outskirts of Lagos, before an impasse with the government thwarted the plan.
The port is conceived to connect the Dangote group’s logistics and export operations in Lagos, including Lekki Deep Sea Port, through which it currently ships petroleum products and fertilisers overseas.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Bloomberg quoted Mr Dangote as saying.
Betting on LNG exports requires the laying of pipelines from the Niger Delta, all the way to Lagos, an ambitious pursuit intended to overtake Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as Africa’s biggest LNG exporter.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what NLNG is doing today,” said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president of the group.
“We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore,” he added.
The group exports fertiliser to the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and recently disclosed an aspiration to set up a fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, which will help Africa’s second most populous nation develop production capacity.
The ambition is, nevertheless, far bigger than that, given plans to topple Qatar as the foremost manufacturer of urea in the next 40 months and to also make Africa self-sufficient in fertiliser within the same time frame.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the continent’s largest, began operations in 2024 after years of construction delays.
Construction of storage tanks to hold a minimum of 1.6 million litres of petrol and diesel in Namibia is in the works.
Mr Dangote hopes to list the petrochemical business on the local stock exchange in Lagos this year and the refinery on the bourse next year.
The move is expected to accelerate an expansion of Mr Dangote’s conglomerate, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing an interview with Africa’s richest man.
An application to authorities last month, according to the outlet, sought “to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” in Olokola.
The free trade zone was initially considered as the host of Mr Dangote’s mega oil refinery and petrochemical plant, now situated on the outskirts of Lagos, before an impasse with the government thwarted the plan.
The port is conceived to connect the Dangote group’s logistics and export operations in Lagos, including Lekki Deep Sea Port, through which it currently ships petroleum products and fertilisers overseas.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Bloomberg quoted Mr Dangote as saying.
Betting on LNG exports requires the laying of pipelines from the Niger Delta, all the way to Lagos, an ambitious pursuit intended to overtake Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as Africa’s biggest LNG exporter.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what NLNG is doing today,” said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president of the group.
“We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore,” he added.
The group exports fertiliser to the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and recently disclosed an aspiration to set up a fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, which will help Africa’s second most populous nation develop production capacity.
The ambition is, nevertheless, far bigger than that, given plans to topple Qatar as the foremost manufacturer of urea in the next 40 months and to also make Africa self-sufficient in fertiliser within the same time frame.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the continent’s largest, began operations in 2024 after years of construction delays.
Construction of storage tanks to hold a minimum of 1.6 million litres of petrol and diesel in Namibia is in the works.
Mr Dangote hopes to list the petrochemical business on the local stock exchange in Lagos this year and the refinery on the bourse next year.
Video - Analyst reflects on late Nigerian President Buhari's legacy
Policy analyst Christopher Ogunmodede examines former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s triumphs and challenges as a military officer and civilian president.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Billions wasted on broken refineries - Africa's richest man tells his side of the story
He did this at his own oil refinery, where he gave members of the Global CEO Africa from the Lagos Business School a tour of the facility while highlighting the ludicrous amount already spent on reviving the state-owned refineries.
Dangote specified that his refinery, which he initiated after the country's 16th head of state, the late President Umar Yar'adua's cancelled his plans to acquire government refineries, now produces more than 50% of its output in the form of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), while even government refineries only devote 22% of their output to this product.
“The refineries that we bought before, which were owned by Nigeria, were doing about 22 per cent of PMS. We bought the refineries in January 2007. Then we had to return them to the government because there was a change of government,” he stated.
“And the managing director at that time convinced Yar’adua that the refineries would work. They said they just gave them to us as a parting gift or so.
And as of today, they have spent about $18bn on those refineries, and they are still not working. And I don’t think, and I doubt very much if they will work,” he added.
The Nigerian billionaire emphasized that the refineries' turnaround maintenance was similar to attempting to update a car that was manufactured forty years ago, even though technology had since evolved, as reported by the Punch.
“(The turnaround maintenance) is like you trying to modernize a car that was built 40 years ago, when technology and everything have changed.
Even if you change the engine, the body will not be able to take the shock of that new technology engine,” he elaborated.
Dangote's statement corroborated the claims of Yar’adua predecessor, former president Olusegun Obasanjo last year on the refineries, two of which were closed when Mele Kyari, the former NNPC Group Managing Director, declared them open.
The NNPC understood it was unable to handle the refineries, according to Obasanjo, who further stated that when he asked foreign oil corporations like Shell to run the facilities, they refused.
Aliko Dangote and other Nigerians had invested $750 million to gain control of the refineries, but his successor Yar'adua annulled the agreement, according to Obasanjo.
What Obasanjo had said
“So, why do we do this kind of thing to ourselves? NNPC knew that they could not do it, but they knew they could eat and carry on with the corruption that was going on in NNPC. When people were there to do it, they put pressure. In a civilized society, those people should be in jail,”
Obasanjo had stated. Again, in January, Obasanjo said, “I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn have been squandered on the refineries and they still will not work.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it (the refinery) is working, why are they now with Aliko (Dangote)? And Aliko will make his refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
“So, why do we do this kind of thing to ourselves? NNPC knew that they could not do it, but they knew they could eat and carry on with the corruption that was going on in NNPC. When people were there to do it, they put pressure. In a civilized society, those people should be in jail,”
Obasanjo had stated. Again, in January, Obasanjo said, “I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn have been squandered on the refineries and they still will not work.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it (the refinery) is working, why are they now with Aliko (Dangote)? And Aliko will make his refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Security forces kill 30 gunmen after armed attacks in northwest Nigeria
Nigerian security forces have killed at least 30 gunmen after armed attacks in the country’s troubled northwest, authorities said Thursday.
The joint police and military operation occurred Wednesday after hundreds of armed men attacked several villages, State Commissioner for Home Affairs Nasir Mua’zu said in a statement.
Mua’zu said three police officers and two soldiers died during the counter-attack which was launched against the gunmen who attacked the villages Tuesday evening.
“We are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens,” he said.
In recent months, the northwestern and north-central regions of Nigeria have recorded an uptick in attacks by armed gangs on communities in these regions. Hundreds have been killed and injured in the attacks.
Bandit groups are known for mass killings and kidnappings for ransom in the country’s conflict-battered north. Most of the groups are made up of former herders in conflict with settled communities.
Dozens of armed groups take advantage of the limited security presence in Nigeria’s mineral-rich northwestern region, carrying out attacks on villages and along major roads. Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative way for bandit groups to fund other crimes and control villages.
Aside from the conflict in the country’s north-central and northwest, Nigeria is battling to contain an insurgency in the northeast where some 35,000 civilians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced, according to the U.N.
By, Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
The joint police and military operation occurred Wednesday after hundreds of armed men attacked several villages, State Commissioner for Home Affairs Nasir Mua’zu said in a statement.
Mua’zu said three police officers and two soldiers died during the counter-attack which was launched against the gunmen who attacked the villages Tuesday evening.
“We are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens,” he said.
In recent months, the northwestern and north-central regions of Nigeria have recorded an uptick in attacks by armed gangs on communities in these regions. Hundreds have been killed and injured in the attacks.
Bandit groups are known for mass killings and kidnappings for ransom in the country’s conflict-battered north. Most of the groups are made up of former herders in conflict with settled communities.
Dozens of armed groups take advantage of the limited security presence in Nigeria’s mineral-rich northwestern region, carrying out attacks on villages and along major roads. Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative way for bandit groups to fund other crimes and control villages.
Aside from the conflict in the country’s north-central and northwest, Nigeria is battling to contain an insurgency in the northeast where some 35,000 civilians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced, according to the U.N.
Nigeria rejects US push to accept Venezuelan deportees
Nigeria has pushed back on accepting Venezuelans deported from the United States, after US media reported President Donald Trump was urging African countries to take in deportees from around the world.
Deporting people to third countries has been a hallmark of the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented migrants, notably by sending hundreds to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
"The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prisons," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday.
"It will be difficult for Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We have enough problems of our own," he added.
Tuggar also suggested the US motivation for threatening tariffs against the Brics political bloc – of which Nigeria is a member – was related to the issue of deportations.
Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on Nigerian goods exported to the US.
Deporting people to third countries has been a hallmark of the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented migrants, notably by sending hundreds to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
"The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prisons," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday.
"It will be difficult for Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners. We have enough problems of our own," he added.
Tuggar also suggested the US motivation for threatening tariffs against the Brics political bloc – of which Nigeria is a member – was related to the issue of deportations.
Trump has announced a 10 percent tariff on Nigerian goods exported to the US.
Contentious deportations
The president of Guinea-Bissau told reporters that Trump had raised the issue of deportations to third-countries but "he didn't ask us to take immigrants back".
The president of Guinea-Bissau told reporters that Trump had raised the issue of deportations to third-countries but "he didn't ask us to take immigrants back".
Thursday, July 10, 2025
We’ve uncovered massive fraud in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry – EFCC
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, said the agency conducted a preliminary probe into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and discovered ‘mind-boggling’ corruption cases.
Mr Olukoyede disclosed this on Wednesday during the third day of the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, organised by the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives in Abuja.
“In the last three weeks, we launched a commission-wide investigation into the extractive industry, particularly the oil and gas sector. What we have discovered is mind-boggling. And we have only just opened the books. If this is what we’re seeing at the surface, imagine what lies beneath,” he said.
The EFCC chairman argued that the corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector directly contributes to rising insecurity across the country.
“There is a very strong connection between the mismanagement of our resources and insecurity. When you look at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, trace it back, and you will find a pattern of corrupt practices and diversion of funds meant to improve people’s lives,” he stated.
PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is not the first time corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has been uncovered. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the key player in the country’s oil industry, is currently facing scrutiny from the National Assembly.
In June, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts queried the company over N210 trillion allegedly unaccounted for in its audited financial statements between 2017 and 2023.
During a hearing, the committee demanded detailed explanations from the NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun, and other top officials, directing them to provide a detailed explanation regarding the whereabouts of the funds within seven days.
However, the agency failed to meet the initial seven-day deadline because its top officials were attending a retreat at the time and requested an additional 20 days to review relevant documents. The committee rejected the request and issued another 10-working-day ultimatum, which will expire tomorrow. As of now, it remains unclear whether the NNPC will comply.
Culture of impunity and poor oversight
The EFCC boss condemned the culture of impunity in the country, noting that individuals under investigation for financial crimes are often celebrated in public spaces.
“We see people who have stolen our money. We have shown you evidence. We’ve traced where the money went. We are already in court. Yet, they’re being celebrated all over the place. Does that show we’re serious?” he asked.
He also questioned the National Assembly’s ability to effectively oversee more than 700 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), many of which operate without adequate internal controls.
“How many books can you check? How many files will you read? We need to build strong internal compliance systems that can proactively checkmate corruption.
“That money could have built hospitals, schools, and supported millions of Nigerian students from primary to tertiary level,” he said. “Nigeria has no business borrowing to survive, given the natural and mineral wealth it possesses.”
He urged political leaders to put aside ethnic and party divisions and unite against the scourge of corruption.
“If we execute even 60 per cent of our capital budget efficiently between 2025 and 2026, we will empower small and medium-scale industries. We’ll build infrastructure. We’ll be fine,” he said.
“What we need is transparency in revenue generation and accountability in public expenditure.”
By Abdulqudus Ogundapo, Premium Times
Mr Olukoyede disclosed this on Wednesday during the third day of the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, organised by the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives in Abuja.
“In the last three weeks, we launched a commission-wide investigation into the extractive industry, particularly the oil and gas sector. What we have discovered is mind-boggling. And we have only just opened the books. If this is what we’re seeing at the surface, imagine what lies beneath,” he said.
The EFCC chairman argued that the corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector directly contributes to rising insecurity across the country.
“There is a very strong connection between the mismanagement of our resources and insecurity. When you look at banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, trace it back, and you will find a pattern of corrupt practices and diversion of funds meant to improve people’s lives,” he stated.
PREMIUM TIMES reports that this is not the first time corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has been uncovered. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the key player in the country’s oil industry, is currently facing scrutiny from the National Assembly.
In June, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts queried the company over N210 trillion allegedly unaccounted for in its audited financial statements between 2017 and 2023.
During a hearing, the committee demanded detailed explanations from the NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun, and other top officials, directing them to provide a detailed explanation regarding the whereabouts of the funds within seven days.
However, the agency failed to meet the initial seven-day deadline because its top officials were attending a retreat at the time and requested an additional 20 days to review relevant documents. The committee rejected the request and issued another 10-working-day ultimatum, which will expire tomorrow. As of now, it remains unclear whether the NNPC will comply.
Bill to criminalise unexplained wealth
The EFCC chairman called on members of the National Assembly to pass a bill that would criminalise unexplained wealth as part of the strategy to reduce fraudulent financial practices by Nigeria’s public officers,
“Help me pass the Unexplained Wealth Bill. I’ve been begging for the past year. This same bill was thrown out in the last Assembly. If we don’t make individuals accountable for what they own, we’ll never get it right,” he added.
Mr Olukoyede mentioned a scenario involving a civil servant who had accumulated five properties in Maitama and Asokoro, areas which are considered as part of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Abuja.
“Someone has worked in a ministry for 20 years. We calculate their entire salary and allowances. Then we find five properties—two in Maitama, three in Asokoro. Yet we’re told to go and prove a predicate offence before we can act. That is absurd.”
The EFCC chairman called on members of the National Assembly to pass a bill that would criminalise unexplained wealth as part of the strategy to reduce fraudulent financial practices by Nigeria’s public officers,
“Help me pass the Unexplained Wealth Bill. I’ve been begging for the past year. This same bill was thrown out in the last Assembly. If we don’t make individuals accountable for what they own, we’ll never get it right,” he added.
Mr Olukoyede mentioned a scenario involving a civil servant who had accumulated five properties in Maitama and Asokoro, areas which are considered as part of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Abuja.
“Someone has worked in a ministry for 20 years. We calculate their entire salary and allowances. Then we find five properties—two in Maitama, three in Asokoro. Yet we’re told to go and prove a predicate offence before we can act. That is absurd.”
EFCC tracks illicit assets abroad
Mr Olukoyede also announced that the commission is expanding its asset recovery drive to other countries, noting that several assets acquired through illicit means by Nigerians have been traced overseas.
“Last month alone, I visited four or five countries chasing Nigeria’s stolen assets. An ambassador even told me they discovered an estate in Iceland owned by a Nigerian. Iceland of all places!” he exclaimed.
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the limits of what the EFCC can achieve in recovering stolen funds.
“There is no amount of capacity I can build, no level of effort I can put in, that will enable me to recover even half of what has been stolen from Nigeria, because the custodians of those assets in foreign countries don’t want to let go. Under international law, the custodian of stolen assets is just as guilty as the original thief,” he said.
Mr Olukoyede also announced that the commission is expanding its asset recovery drive to other countries, noting that several assets acquired through illicit means by Nigerians have been traced overseas.
“Last month alone, I visited four or five countries chasing Nigeria’s stolen assets. An ambassador even told me they discovered an estate in Iceland owned by a Nigerian. Iceland of all places!” he exclaimed.
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the limits of what the EFCC can achieve in recovering stolen funds.
“There is no amount of capacity I can build, no level of effort I can put in, that will enable me to recover even half of what has been stolen from Nigeria, because the custodians of those assets in foreign countries don’t want to let go. Under international law, the custodian of stolen assets is just as guilty as the original thief,” he said.
Culture of impunity and poor oversight
The EFCC boss condemned the culture of impunity in the country, noting that individuals under investigation for financial crimes are often celebrated in public spaces.
“We see people who have stolen our money. We have shown you evidence. We’ve traced where the money went. We are already in court. Yet, they’re being celebrated all over the place. Does that show we’re serious?” he asked.
He also questioned the National Assembly’s ability to effectively oversee more than 700 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), many of which operate without adequate internal controls.
“How many books can you check? How many files will you read? We need to build strong internal compliance systems that can proactively checkmate corruption.
“That money could have built hospitals, schools, and supported millions of Nigerian students from primary to tertiary level,” he said. “Nigeria has no business borrowing to survive, given the natural and mineral wealth it possesses.”
He urged political leaders to put aside ethnic and party divisions and unite against the scourge of corruption.
“If we execute even 60 per cent of our capital budget efficiently between 2025 and 2026, we will empower small and medium-scale industries. We’ll build infrastructure. We’ll be fine,” he said.
“What we need is transparency in revenue generation and accountability in public expenditure.”
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
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Nigeria becomes first African country to regulate media portrayal of tobacco, rituals
Nigeria has become the first African country to formally regulate the portrayal of tobacco use, money rituals, and narcotics in media content, according to a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
The announcement was made following the board’s presentation at the 2025 World Tobacco Conference held in Ireland, where the country’s new policy was praised as a bold and visionary step toward safeguarding public health and cultural values.
The National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, which positioned Nigeria as a trailblazer in African media regulation, said the regulation borders on the control of the promotion and glamourisation of tobacco, narcotics, ritual killings, and money rituals at the World Tobacco Conference in Ireland, held from 22- 27 June 2025.
The regulation, a first of its kind in Africa, was lauded as a bold step toward safeguarding public health and cultural values.
At the world conference, the Executive Director of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, delivered a status report detailing the regulation’s objectives, stakeholder engagement process, and enforcement mechanisms.
By Omotoyosi Idowu, Premium Times
The announcement was made following the board’s presentation at the 2025 World Tobacco Conference held in Ireland, where the country’s new policy was praised as a bold and visionary step toward safeguarding public health and cultural values.
The National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, which positioned Nigeria as a trailblazer in African media regulation, said the regulation borders on the control of the promotion and glamourisation of tobacco, narcotics, ritual killings, and money rituals at the World Tobacco Conference in Ireland, held from 22- 27 June 2025.
The regulation, a first of its kind in Africa, was lauded as a bold step toward safeguarding public health and cultural values.
At the world conference, the Executive Director of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, delivered a status report detailing the regulation’s objectives, stakeholder engagement process, and enforcement mechanisms.
Policy
The policy, which was approved and gazetted in 2024 under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, targeted harmful portrayals in Nigerian films, music videos, and skits.
The conference recognised Nigeria as the first African nation to implement such a comprehensive measure, with attendees commending Mrs Musawa’s leadership as “a courageous and visionary move to protect public health and preserve cultural values.”
One significant outcome of the conference was the various pledges by several international organisations to assist Nigeria in continuing to implement the regulation.
The support—set is expected to be delivered through their local partner, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, which will include logistical and technical assistance to enhance compliance and awareness.
Mr Husseini highlighted the significance of this backing at the conference, stating, “The recognition received at the World Tobacco Conference is a direct result of the Honourable Minister’s unwavering commitment to responsible cultural governance and public safety.”
The policy, which was approved and gazetted in 2024 under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, targeted harmful portrayals in Nigerian films, music videos, and skits.
The conference recognised Nigeria as the first African nation to implement such a comprehensive measure, with attendees commending Mrs Musawa’s leadership as “a courageous and visionary move to protect public health and preserve cultural values.”
One significant outcome of the conference was the various pledges by several international organisations to assist Nigeria in continuing to implement the regulation.
The support—set is expected to be delivered through their local partner, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, which will include logistical and technical assistance to enhance compliance and awareness.
Mr Husseini highlighted the significance of this backing at the conference, stating, “The recognition received at the World Tobacco Conference is a direct result of the Honourable Minister’s unwavering commitment to responsible cultural governance and public safety.”
Commitment to Enforcement
The NFVCB emphasised its dedication to ensuring the regulation’s success, collaborating with local and international partners to prevent the Nigerian creative industry from promoting harmful behaviours or ideologies.
The policy’s focus on curbing the glamourisation of tobacco, narcotics, and ritualistic practices aligns with global efforts to mitigate the influence of media on public health.
The NFVCB emphasised its dedication to ensuring the regulation’s success, collaborating with local and international partners to prevent the Nigerian creative industry from promoting harmful behaviours or ideologies.
The policy’s focus on curbing the glamourisation of tobacco, narcotics, and ritualistic practices aligns with global efforts to mitigate the influence of media on public health.