Nigeria to start exporting new crude grade in March, further boosting output

Nigeria's state oil firm NNPC will begin exporting a new light, sweet crude grade called Cawthorne from March, an NNPC spokesperson said, adding to a recent recovery in output from Africa’s top exporter.

The launch is part of Nigeria's broader push to lift production, long constrained by unrest and crude theft, and follows the introduction of two other new grades since 2024. Nigeria, already pumping close to its OPEC quota, is among the countries seeking a higher target within the producer group.

Cawthorne crude, which is due to be exported in the third week of March according to a source familiar with the matter, has an API gravity of 36.4, making it similar in quality to Nigeria's Bonny Light, valued for its high yields of gasoline and diesel.

NNPC last week issued a tender for the grade for March 24-25, a trader said.

The grade is expected to be exported through the Floating Storage and Offloading vessel Cawthorne, analysts at Kpler said in a note, which has a capacity of 2.2 million barrels and aims to boost crude oil transportation and production from Oil Mining Lease 18 and surrounding assets in the country's Eastern Niger Delta.

Based on the vessel's storage constraints, Cawthorne could lift Nigeria’s crude and condensate supply from roughly 1.65 million barrels per day currently to around 1.7 million bpd for the rest of the year, Kpler said.

Nigeria's OPEC+ crude output quota is 1.5 million bpd and the country pumped 1.48 million bpd in January, based on OPEC data.

Other grades Nigeria has launched in recent years include Obodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024.

By Seher Dareen and Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Nigeria opens negotiation for $5.7bn Chinese investment across power and mining

 

Nigeria is stepping up efforts to secure up to $5.7bn in Chinese investment to strengthen its power, mining, and manufacturing sectors, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Finance Minister Wale Edun held talks in Abuja with a high-level delegation from GCL Group, led by former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu, as the government seeks fresh foreign direct investment to support economic reforms.

Officials said the proposed $5.7bn package would target large-scale energy generation, local mineral processing, and new industrial facilities designed to expand employment and export capacity.

“The proposals include large-scale energy generation, local mineral processing and new factories aimed at boosting jobs, exports and value addition,” the ministry said in a statement.

The discussions form part of a broader strategy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rebuild productive capacity and shift Africa’s largest economy away from dependence on raw commodity exports.

According to the ministry, the engagement reflects “rising investor confidence” in Nigeria’s reform trajectory, particularly policies aimed at improving energy security, deepening industrial output, and sustaining long-term growth.

While detailed project timelines were not disclosed, the government framed the talks as consistent with its push to attract targeted capital into sectors with strong multiplier effects.

For global investors, the potential deal signals Beijing’s continued commercial interest in Nigeria’s industrial expansion, even as Abuja works to reposition itself as a manufacturing and processing hub within Africa’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Relates story: US Bill targets illegal Chinese mining in Nigeria

Medical negligence claims spark countrywide debate over hospital safety in Nigeria

A growing number of heartbreaking cases is forcing Nigerians to confront a troubling question — how safe are their hospitals? From reports of surgical gauze allegedly left inside a gunshot survivor to claims of a toddler disappearing after a routine procedure, families across the country are speaking out about suspected medical errors and negligence that have changed their lives forever. Legal experts say proving liability remains complex, leaving many patients feeling powerless.

CGTN Africa

Attackers kill at least 50, abduct women and children in Nigeria’s Zamfara state

At least 50 people were killed and several women and children abducted after armed men attacked a village in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, a state lawmaker told Reuters last weekend.

Hamisu A. Faru, lawmaker representing Bukkuyum south, said the attackers raided Tungan Dutse village from around 5 p.m. on Thursday until about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, burning down buildings and shooting residents who tried to flee.

“They have been moving from one village to another … leaving at least 50 people dead,” Faru told Reuters by phone.

He said the number of abducted victims was yet to be determined. Traditional leaders and local government officials were still accounting for the missing.

A Zamfara state police spokesperson did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Abdullahi Sani, 41, a resident of Tungan Dutse, said three family members were killed in the attack.

“No one slept yesterday, we are all in pain,” he said.

A day earlier, residents contacted security forces and local authority when they saw more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men. But the warning was ignored, Sani said.

Insecurity is a pressing concern in Nigeria and the government is under mounting pressure to restore stability.

There has been a surge in attacks blamed on “bandits”, who have carried out deadly assaults, abductions for ransom, and displaced communities across northern Nigeria.

Reuters

Nigerians are 5 months away from owning a piece of Dangote's fortune

 

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group and Africa’s richest man, has announced that Nigerians, in the next four to five months, will have the opportunity to invest directly in the Dangote Refinery.

Dangote made the announcement on Saturday while giving members of the press a tour of the refinery.

Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Senior Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), was among those who paid the visit, as were members of the NNPC board and senior management team.

Dangote said arrangements are already in place to allow individuals to buy shares in the refinery over the next four to five months.

“Individually, Nigerians too will have an opportunity… in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” Dangote said.

He mentioned that the NNPC already owns shares in the company for Nigerians, as seen in the Punch.

“They are holding 7.25 per cent of the shares that we have here… and they are holding that on behalf of Nigerians,” Africa’s richest man stated.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn dollars,” he added.

This initiative builds on Dangote's proposal to list the refinery on the stock market, which he announced in July 2025, after being accused of favoring foreign investors over local financiers.

Dangote’s real reason for listing his refinery

In a follow-up conversation with the press in December, Dangote commented on the reasons for opening the refinery to public investors.

He emphasized that the listing was not mainly about maintaining control, but rather about leaving an enduring legacy.

“At the moment, our main interest is to list on the exchange, so that every living Nigerian can own part of the refinery,” he said at the time.

“Somebody asked me a question, is it 5 or 10 percent you want to sell, and I said that when we are going to sell the shares, we will not put a cap, if they happen to buy 55% and I own 45%, so be it,” he added.

When asked explicitly if the offer extended beyond Nigerians living in the country, Dangote simply said, "Yes."

The Dangote Refinery, valued at over $20 billion, represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Once fully operational, it has the potential to produce around 1.4 million barrels of oil per day, which would make it one of the largest refineries in the world.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Dangote cement makes history as first to list commercial papers on Nigerian exchange NGX

Nigeria defeats European tech giant in $6.2m suit

Nigeria has secured a significant international legal victory after an arbitration tribunal dismissed a $6.2 million claim brought by European Dynamics UK Ltd. over a stalled federal digital procurement project.

The dispute, filed against Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement, stemmed from disagreements over the national electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system. The project, backed by the World Bank, was designed to improve transparency and efficiency in federal procurement.

In a statement, Kamarudeen Ogundele, special assistant to the President in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said the tribunal issued a final ruling that is not appealable. The decision clears Nigeria of potential financial exposure of about $6.2 million, roughly N9.3 billion.

European Dynamics had sought about $2.4 million for alleged milestone completions, $3 million in general damages, and a further $800,000 in settlement-related claims. However, the tribunal sided fully with Nigeria’s defence.

Nigeria argued that software customisation contracts are performance-driven and only deemed delivered after a successful User Acceptance Test confirms compliance with technical specifications and statutory workflows. The tribunal agreed, ruling that the identified deficiencies were the contractor’s responsibility to correct at no extra cost.

The sole arbitrator, Funmi Roberts, consequently dismissed all claims in their entirety.

Nigeria’s legal team was led by Johnson & Wilner LLP, with founding partner Basil Udotai serving as the lead on the arbitration.

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi praised the Bureau’s leadership and the legal team, describing the outcome as a strong signal that Nigeria “can no longer be taken for granted.”

The case was inherited by BPP Director General Adebowale Adedokun upon assuming office.

For Nigeria, the ruling not only averts a multimillion-dollar payout but also reinforces the government’s position on performance accountability in major digital infrastructure contracts, an area closely watched by investors and development partners across Africa.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Nigerian extradited to US for sextortion, death of an American

A Nigerian, Afeez Adewale, appeared before the US federal court in Philadelphia on Tuesday after he was extradited from Nigeria for his involvement in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy that led to the death of a young American.

He was extradited from Nigeria last Friday by Federal Bureau of Investigation representatives in Nigeria, who had taken him into custody since August 2023.

Mr Adewale is charged with the sexual extortion and death of a young US citizen in the eastern district of Pennsylvania, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice.

“Adewale is charged by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy,” the statement disclosed.

The department also noted that Mr Adewale, who was arrested in Nigeria in August, is part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists who target minors in the US.

Two members of his team had been extradited from Nigeria and sentenced in 2024. The department identified the two as Imoleayo Aina, also known as “Alice Dave,” and Samuel Abiodun.

They were extradited to the US in August 2024.

Mr Abiodun pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced to five years in prison. While Mr Aina pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud, and was sentenced to six years in prison.

The US Justice Department also said the extradition, through the “support and assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), months after his arrest, was essential to this effort.”

It also said “Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department” provided support.

This is the latest case of a Nigerian extradited to the US for cyber fraud.

Nigeria’s first extradition treaty with the US was signed by the colonial government in 1931.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that in 2023, two Nigerians, Samuel Ogoshi and Samson Ogoshi, were extradited to the US from Nigeria after they were indicted for sexually extorting numerous teenage boys in Michigan.

Another case was reported in 2019 involving 56-year-old Adedeji Adeniran, who was extradited to the Northern District of Florida.

One notable high-profile extradition from Nigeria to the US involved Fatade Olamilekan, who was extradited in July 2022 to face charges related to a $3.5 million fraud scheme.

Mr Olamilekan had been on the FBI’s wanted list for allegedly stealing over $3.5 million worth of equipment and had his extradition coordinated by the EFCC.

By Beloved John, Premium Times

Related story: How sextortion scammers in Nigeria targeted my son

‘Severance’ Producer Boards Sequel to Nigerian Netflix Hit ‘Black Book’

 

Nicholas Weinstock, the Emmy-nominated producer of Severance, is on board to produce The Black Book 2 – Old Scores, the sequel to Editi Effiong’s 2023 Nigerian revenge thriller that smashed records worldwide.

The original Black Book, made for just $1 million, hit no. 3 on Netflix‘s global charts in 2023, ranking in the top 10 in more than 69 countries and racking up more than 20 million views worldwide. It stars Richard Mofe-Damijo as Paul Edima, a former hitman and deacon, who takes revenge after his son is framed and killed by a corrupt police unit.

Weinstock’s Invention Studios is producing The Black Book 2 along with Effiong’s Anakle Films. Effiong returns as writer and director on the sequel. The feature picks up where Black Book ended, with Paul Edima continuing his assault on the corrupt system. A blurb for the film says the second installment will “delve deeper…into themes of justice, redemption, and societal unrest in contemporary Nigeria.”

“The Black Book showed us that local stories can spark global conversations,” said Effiong, in a statement. “With Old Scores, we’re not just continuing a story, we’re continuing a movement — one that affirms the power of African voices to shape cinema worldwide.”

“What Editi’s created with The Black Book is unique in its power: not just a great action film but a film franchise of extraordinary skill, ambition, and worldwide commercial appeal,” added Weinstock. “It’s a phenomenal time for African and international creators to be delivering work at the quality level of traditional Hollywood and actually beyond – and to be stunning global audiences with sheer imagination and excellence. And there’s no better example of that than Old Scores and its game-changing potential.”

Weinstock’s Invention Studios produced June Squibb action-comedy Thelma (2024), and Weinstock’s production credits include features like Queenpins (2021) and Dinner in America (2020), and the Emmy-nominated Showtime series Escape at Dannemora. He is one of the producers of AppleTV+ hit Severance, which has been nominated for 53 Emmy Awards.

The Black Book 2 isn’t Weinstock’s first Nigerian project. He is also producing Clarissa, Arie and Chuko Esiri’s Nigerian-set modern adaptation of the Virginia Woolf novel Mrs. Dalloway, which stars Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, and Ayo Edebiri, and which Neon recently picked up for U.S. distribution.

Anakle Films is represented by 3Point0 Labs, with Effiong represented by Zero Gravity for writing and directing. Weinstock is represented by CAA and Aron Baumel of Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson + Christopher.

By Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter

Related story: Nigerians would need to pay more for Netflix despite diminishing purchasing power

Nigeria’s President Tinubu warns terrorist activities are threats to development

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has expressed grave concern over the rising tide of terrorism and banditry, which he sees as major threats to the country's development. While he remains confident that Nigeria will overcome these challenges, the ongoing security issues continue to disrupt daily life and hinder progress.

CGTN Africa

Related story: US deploys 100 soldiers to Nigeria as attacks by armed groups surge

Dangote cement makes history as first to list commercial papers on Nigerian exchange NGX

 

Dangote Cement Plc has become the first company to list Commercial Papers (CPs) on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), marking a structural shift in Nigeria’s short-term debt market.

The listing follows NGX’s introduction of a Commercial Paper window on December 3, 2025, after receiving approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), expanding the Exchange’s product suite and deepening Nigeria’s domestic debt capital market.

Details of the Issuance

According to BusinessDay, Dangote Cement’s Series 1 and Series 2 Commercial Papers were admitted under its N500 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.

The N19.95 billion Series 1 CP has a tenor of 181 days and will mature on May 20, 2026. The N99.92 billion Series 2 CP carries a tenor of 265 days and is scheduled to mature on August 12, 2026.

Both instruments were issued at a discount and will be redeemed at par value of N1,000 upon maturity. Series 1 and Series 2 offered implied yields of 17.50 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities Limited, described the development as a milestone for the domestic debt market. “Dangote Cement’s Commercial Paper listing on NGX signals growing sophistication in Nigeria’s short-term debt market. The attractive yields of these instruments highlight strong investor appetite for high-quality, short-tenor corporate debt, and provide a benchmark for future issuances,” he said.

NGX’s Strategic Expansion

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, said the launch aligns with the Exchange’s broader strategy to strengthen capital formation.

“The introduction of Commercial Paper listings is a pivotal step in our strategy to position NGX as a comprehensive capital-markets infrastructure that accelerates capital formation across Africa,” Popoola said.

“As we continue strengthening the foundations of a transparent, technology-driven and inclusive marketplace, our focus remains on building a system that supports sustainable growth, enhances market resilience and unlocks new opportunities for the broader economy.”

Commercial Papers are unsecured short-term debt instruments used by corporates to finance working capital and immediate funding needs. Historically, Nigeria’s CP market has operated largely over-the-counter, limiting transparency and secondary market liquidity.

By admitting CPs to trading, NGX introduces greater visibility, structured price discovery and improved tradability for short-term instruments.

How Nigeria Compares Across Africa

While Commercial Paper markets are established in several African economies, Nigeria’s move formalises a segment that had largely operated outside exchange visibility.

South Africa operates one of the continent’s most mature CP markets, with active issuance among banks and corporates.

Kenya also maintains a robust short-term debt market under the Capital Markets Authority, with regular CP issuances by financial institutions and major corporates.

Morocco and Egypt similarly support structured corporate short-term instruments.

Within West Africa, short-term corporate instruments are available through the BRVM regional exchange, covering markets such as Ivory Coast and Senegal, though with comparatively lower liquidity.

Nigeria’s development narrows the structural gap between its market and those of more advanced African economies.

Implications for Issuers and Investors

The listing comes amid elevated interest rates and tighter credit conditions, prompting corporates to seek flexible funding options.

Short-tenor instruments such as CPs offer quicker access to liquidity, while investors benefit from competitive yields relative to traditional fixed-income products.

Dangote Cement’s transaction reinforces NGX’s ambition to position itself as a full-spectrum capital-raising platform, supporting funding across equities, bonds and short-term instruments.

By Olamilekan Okebiorun, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Aliko Dangote calls for emergency power summit as blackouts threaten Nigeria’s $500bn economy

Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills at least 37 miners

At least 37 miners have died in a suspected carbon-monoxide leak at a lead and zinc mine in central Nigeria's Plateau state, witnesses have told the BBC.

The tragedy is believed to have happened just before sunrise at a site outside the town of Wase run by the mining company Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd.

Toxic gas is believed to have built up underground in poorly ventilated tunnels, causing the workers to collapse just before the end of their night shift.

They were discovered by those reporting to work in the morning - more than 20 other miners were rescued and rushed to hospital for treatment.

Security personnel have sealed off the mine, which is about 200km (124 miles) south-east of the state capital of Jos, as investigations get under way to find out the cause of the leak.

State officials are yet to visit the area and response efforts have reportedly been slow because of security concerns - armed criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, have been active there in recent years.

The Nigerian government has suspended mining licences in the affected area and ordered an investigation, vowing to release further details in due course.

Safiyanu Haruna, one of the miners who found the bodies at the start of his shift, told the BBC that some of the miners who were underground survived and were taken to a hospital in Wase for treatment.

According to Haruna, the incident occurred at around 06:30 local time (05:30 GMT) killing 37 miners.

He said the miners had just finished performing their early morning Muslim prayers and had returned underground to finish their shift.

The Plateau state government has issued a statement saying that according to its preliminary investigation 37 miners were killed in a blast at the mine - but workers at the scene say this is not the case.

"It was carbon-monoxide gas that leaked and killed them," Haruna said.

"There was no rescue for them at the time because those who were coming for the morning shift had yet to arrive," he said.

"It is sad to lose 37 miners who were struggling to make ends meet. We're disturbed by the incident."

The victims, believed to be men aged between 20 and 40, were buried shortly afterwards in accordance with local tradition, another local resident told the BBC.

The news has devastated the mainly Muslim community.

Mining disasters occur relatively frequently in Nigeria.

Less than two years ago, dozens of gold miners died after being trapped underground when a pit collapsed in neighbouring Niger state.

Officials believe that incident was caused by torrential rains which had softened the soil.

The tragedy is likely to renew concerns over safety standards in Nigeria's mining sector.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Nigerian Muslims look to Ramadan for peace after US strikes target militants in Sokoto

As Ramadan begins in Nigeria's northern Sokoto State, residents in this largely peaceful area express hope that the holy month will bring calm and reconciliation following recent US airstrikes targeting suspected Islamist militant hideouts. Authorities said the strikes precisely targeted enclave threats, but locals emphasize community stability and pray for de-escalation amid broader regional security concerns.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria’s $150m Suit Against Google, GoDaddy.com Adjourns

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned the 150 million dollars suit filed by a Nigerian, Chianugo Peter, against Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC until April 22 for hearing.

The case, which was before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence in today’s proceedings.

Although Peter’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, and Mark Mordi, who is counsel to Google LLC, were in court, Justice Egwuatu was said to be in another official assignment.

The matter was consequently fixed for April 22 for hearing.

Peter had filed the suit over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTubeAudio.com domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing efforts in breach of the contract.

Peter, through his lawyer, named GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit filed on April 14, 2023 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023.

In his earlier originating summons filed by Ekpenyong of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, the Nigerian sought a $150 million in compensation from Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC for the alleged cyberspace contract breach.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendants shut down his domain and business name: YouTubeAudio.com and transferred the rights over the name to Google LLC, an American multinational technology company.

Google LLC, in its initial statement of defence dated Nov. 9, 2023, and filed Nov. 10, 2023, by its lawyer, Mr Mordi, SAN, of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, urged the court to dismiss Peter’s suit as being unmeritorious and lacking in merits.

Justice Egwuatu had, in April 2024, gave the plaintiff go-ahead to amend his originating processes after his lawyer moved the application for same and it was not opposed by the defence counsel.

In his amended statement of claim dated April 29, 2024, Peter sought ten reliefs.

He sought a declaration that GoDaddy.com was wrong to shut down the YouTubeAudio.com domain name on Dec. 7, 2022 and that Google was wrong to remove “YTAudio” with its website youtubeaudio.com from its Google PlayStore on Dec. 25, 2023 without adequate compensation to him.

He said this is notwithstanding that YouTubeAudio.com domain and business name is different and distinct from YouTube trademarks.

He wants the court to declare that he is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.

He sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of $50 million to him for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.

He sought a $100 million in damages for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name.

Peter also sought from the defendants the sum of 50 million naira to enable him to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users.

The Nigerian sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of 10 million naira to him for prosecution of the suit.

Alternatively, Peter prayed the court for an order for GoDaddy.com to reinstate and hoist the YouTubeAudio.com domain name which was shut down on Dec. 7, 2022 and for Goggle to also reinstate YouTubeAudio.com on its Google PlayStore platform which was unilaterally removed on Dec. 25, 2023.

He submitted that he acquired rights over YouTubeAudio.com domain name from Go Daddy.com LLC who conducted a search before confirming that he could make use of the name.

The plaintiff averred that he promoted the domain and business name from 2014 to 2022 and even wrote to Google to introduce YouTubeAudio’s services and to partner with it in 2014 and 2021 but received no response from it on both occasions.

He said in February 2021, he applied for and YouTubeAudio.com was registered on Google Adsense platform for displaying advertisements on the website.

Besides, Peter said in August 2021, the domain and business name was registered on Google Playstore.

According to him, the plaintiff consistently paid GoDaddy.com LLC for registration and use of the domain name from 2015 to 2022.

But Google LLC, in its amended statement of defence and counterclaim dated and filed May 31, 2024, averred that its registration of the YOUTUBE trademarks at the Trademarks Registry gives it the exclusive right to the use of the said trademarks.

It submitted that it has incurred expenses in the sum of 24,040 64 dollars in dealing with Peter’s “deliberate infringement of the counterclaimant’s YOUTUBE trademarks.”

The company, therefore, sought a declaration that Peter’s registration and use of the YouTubeAudio business name with BN 2395035 at the CAC is an infringement of its YOUTUBE registered trademarks.

It prayed the court for an order directing Peter to pay the company the total sum of $24,040.64, being the expenses incurred in dealing with his infringement of the YOUTUBE registered trademarks.

It equally sought an order directing the plaintiff to pay the company the cost of defending the suit.

In his amended reply to Google’s amended statement of defence dated 12th July 2024, Peter responded that it is not in doubt that Google LLC owns YouTube trademarks; however, YouTubeAudio is distinct and different from YouTube trademarks.

He submitted that Google LLC, being a foremost search engine in the world, knew that he had earlier written to it, that he was making use of the YouTubeAudio domain name for the past eight years without any objection or caveat by either GoDaddy.com or Google.

“Hence, Google LLC is estopped from claiming any right over the YouTubeAudio domain name,” he said. GoDaddy.com LLC had neither filed any process nor represented in court Nigeria’s Air Cargo Reforms Crucial for AfCFTA Gains-Centre.

By Julius Alagbe, Market Forces Africa

Aliko Dangote calls for emergency power summit as blackouts threaten Nigeria’s $500bn economy

 

Speaking at the national launch of the National Industrial Policy 2025 in Abuja, Dangote called for an urgent one or two-day national retreat dedicated solely to resolving the country’s long-running power crisis.

The event, themed “From Policy to Productivity: Implementing Nigeria’s Industrial Future”, brought together senior government officials, development partners, and business leaders. President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“One of the things that I want to advise Your Excellency… is to call a national forum where we will resolve the issues of power,” Dangote said.

“Because without power, there is no way in any country you can create growth or create jobs. So, power means growth. No power, no growth.”

His remarks come at a delicate moment for Africa’s largest economy, valued at roughly $500 billion based on current World Bank estimates. Nigeria is seeking to reposition itself as a manufacturing hub under its new industrial policy, yet erratic electricity supply continues to undermine productivity and investor confidence.

A recent five-day electricity supply disruption across parts of the country underscored the urgency of Dangote’s intervention. Between 12 and 15 February 2026, several power plants experienced gas constraints after maintenance work by Seplat Energy temporarily reduced supply, leading to nationwide generation shortfalls and load shedding.

Manufacturers say such episodes are not isolated incidents but part of a persistent structural problem. Many factories now rely heavily on diesel generators to remain operational, sharply raising production costs. Dangote, whose conglomerate spans cement, fertiliser, and oil refining, acknowledged the irony.

“I would have loved to sell more diesel, but that is not the right way. The right way is to make sure there is power,” he said, noting that some businesses spend more on generating electricity than on producing goods.

Beyond electricity, Dangote argued that Nigeria must also strengthen protection for domestic industries if it hopes to industrialise at scale. While he praised the government’s policy incentives as “very good”, he insisted that incentives alone are not enough.

“If you give us zero-interest loans, free land and power, if there is no protection, there is no way any industry will thrive here. Importation of anything is importation of poverty and exportation of jobs,” he said.

His comments reflect broader concerns within Nigeria’s organised private sector about the impact of heavy import dependence, high interest rates, and infrastructure deficits. Stakeholders warn that cheap imports and dumping, combined with local structural constraints, are squeezing domestic manufacturers and contributing to inflationary pressures.

Dangote also highlighted the scale of private sector influence in Nigeria’s economy. According to him, the private sector accounts for nearly 90 per cent of gross domestic product, compared with about 10 per cent for government activity.

“Nigeria is the only country in Africa where the private sector is bigger than the government,” he said, urging closer collaboration between policymakers and business leaders.

At the same time, he stressed that businesses must fulfil their obligations. “When we do our business, we must pay our taxes. It is a joint venture. The government is the major shareholder in every business,” he said, noting that tax revenues from large industrial operations ultimately strengthen public finances.

Dangote expressed cautious optimism about recent economic reforms, pointing to improved currency stability and renewed investor interest. He suggested that reducing import dependence and expanding local manufacturing would further strengthen the naira and generate employment.

Experts say the success of the National Industrial Policy 2025 hinges on resolving the electricity bottleneck. Without reliable power, ambitions to boost exports, reduce imports, and position Nigeria as a manufacturing gateway to African markets may remain out of reach.

For Dangote, the message was clear and urgent: fix the power sector first. Only then can policy translate into productivity, and ambition into sustainable growth.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Nigeria turns to China for a new $2 billion loan to rebuild ailing power grid

US deploys 100 soldiers to Nigeria as attacks by armed groups surge

The United States has sent 100 military personnel to northern Nigeria to train and advise local forces, as deadly threats rise from armed groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL (ISIS)-linked factions.

Samaila Uba, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters spokesman, confirmed the US troops’ arrival in the northeastern area of Bauchi on Monday.

He said they will provide “technical support” and “intelligence sharing” to help target and defeat “terrorist organisations”. The US also sent “associated equipment” to support the mission.

Uba stressed that the US soldiers will not play a direct combat role, but will share technical expertise under the full command authority of Nigerian forces.

“The armed forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist organisations that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens,” said the military spokesman in comments carried by Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper.

Last weekend, gunmen on motorcycles rampaged through three villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 46 people and abducting many others. The bloodiest attack happened in the village of Konkoso, in Niger State, where at least 38 people were shot dead or had their throats slit.
Protracted fight

The US deployment follows an easing of tensions that flared between Washington and Nigeria late last year, when US President Donald Trump accused the country of failing to stop killings against Christians and threatened to intervene militarily.

The Nigerian government has rejected Trump’s accusation, and analysts say people across all faiths, not just Christians, are victims of armed groups’ violence

In December, US forces launched air strikes on ISIL-affiliated fighters in the country’s northwest. Last month, following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of US Africa Command confirmed that a small team of US military officers were in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.

Nigeria is facing a protracted fight with dozens of local armed groups increasingly battling for turf, including the homegrown Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

There is also the ISIL-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialise in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

Recently, the crisis worsened to include other fighters from the neighbouring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.

Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations.

While Christians have been among those targeted, analysts and residents say the majority of victims of the armed groups are Muslims in the Muslim-dominated north, where most attacks occur.

Nigeria’s 240 million people are evenly split between Christians, mainly in the south, ‌and Muslims, mostly in the north.

Al Jazeera

Related story: US announces military team sent to Nigeria after recent attacks

Trump Says There Could Be More US Strikes In Nigeria

Nigeria opens probe into Temu over suspected data protection breaches

Nigeria's data watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce giant Temu for suspected data-law violations, the regulator said on Tuesday, a move that could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa's biggest markets.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said concerns over Temu's data-processing practices - including online surveillance, opaque handling, cross-border transfers and possible breaches of data-minimisation rules, triggered the investigation.

The move comes amid rising global scrutiny of Temu's rapid expansion.

NDPC chief Vincent Olatunji ordered the probe and warned that processors could be held liable for any non-compliance.

The company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Last year, the agency fined Multichoice Nigeria, Africa's largest pay-TV operator, 766 million naira ($565,990) for breaching data-protection rules.

Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally, the NDPC said in a statement.

Temu, owned by Nasdaq-listed PDD Holdings, has expanded rapidly in Nigeria with an app-driven marketplace offering steep discounts on fashion, electronics and household goods.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Nigeria warns against enlisting abroad after reports of deaths in Ukraine

Nigeria's foreign ministry has issued an urgent warning over what it describes as the increasing illegal recruitment of its citizens to fight in foreign conflicts.

It comes after Ukrainian officials said they found the bodies of two Nigerians who they said were killed in combat last year.

Nigeria has not confirmed those deaths but in a statement on Sunday, foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa revealed that "several Nigerians who have fallen victim to such unfortunate situations were deployed to combat zones after being misled and coerced into signing military service contracts".

Kenya has issued a similar warning to its citizens.

According to Nigerian officials, investigations and security reports indicate that some nationals were enticed with promises of well-paid employment, security work, educational opportunities or migration incentives, only to find themselves thrust into active war zones.

In some cases, victims were allegedly forced to sign contracts written in foreign languages without proper legal advice, and their travel documents were confiscated upon arrival.

Intermediaries are also said to arrange travel using tourist or other non-military visas.

Ebienfa cautioned Nigerians against accepting such offers, emphasising that they not only endanger lives but may also violate Nigerian and international laws concerning mercenary activities and foreign enlistment.

The Nigerian government stated it was working with local and international partners to investigate these cases and enhance public awareness.

Its diplomatic missions abroad have been directed to strengthen consular support and issue advisories to citizens.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine itself has previously faced criticism for attempting to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.

African governments have increasingly been warning their citizens and working to repatriate those who were deceived into joining the conflict.

Last week, South Africa announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had pledged assistance in returning South African nationals who had travelled to Ukraine to join Russian forces.

Retired Nigerian military expert Maj Bashir Galma told the BBC that the recruitment of Nigerians and other Africans into foreign conflicts was not unprecedented.

"Even during the Yugoslavia issues many years ago, we had that problem and it is sad that our youth are falling into these traps and losing their lives to a war that means nothing to them," he said.

By Makuochi Okafor, BBC

Nigeria faces humanitarian crisis due to aid cuts

A reduction in international aid is exacerbating Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis, particularly in Borno state, where over two million displaced people depend on assistance. With several aid organizations scaling back, critical services like nutrition and healthcare are being disrupted, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk.

CGTN Africa

Court convicts two Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism, N3.4bn fraud

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, on cyber-terrorism and a N3.4 billion fraud charges.

The convicts, alongside one Friday Audu, were among a syndicate of 792 fraudsters arrested for cryptocurrency, investment and romance fraud on 19 December 2024 in Lagos.

They were arrested during a surprise operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) operatives.

Some of the suspects had been convicted and sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment in separate trials last year.

On Wednesday, trial judge Daniel Osiagor convicted Haoyou and Hongxu after they changed their pleas from “not guilty” to “guilty” during Wednesday’s proceedings.

The judge imposed cumulative 46 years’ imprisonment on each of the two convicts, according to a statement by the prosecution agency, EFCC, on Wednesday.

The statement did not disclose the breakdown of the sentences attracted by each of the offences of which they were convicted. That would have revealed the maximum number of years the convicts would spend in prison, since the prison terms on imposed on them for each charge are likely to run concurrently.

But the statement said the judge gave the convicts an option of a N56 million fine.

He also ordered that they undertake three days of community service and be repatriated to their home country after serving their sentences.

The case was adjourned until 29 April, for the continuation of trial of the third defendant, Friday Audu, who maintained his plea of not guilty.

Plea reversal

Messrs Huanthe g and Hongxu were arraigned alongside Mr Audu and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 on seven counts of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud and money laundering.

The charges involve N3,407,824,740.78 and $2,562,203 allegedly traced to the syndicate.

At the resumed hearing on 11 February, lawyer to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court that Messrs Huang and Hongxu wished to change their pleas.

When the charges were re-read, both defendants pleaded guilty, while Mr Audu maintained his earlier plea.

Following the plea change, prosecution lawyer Bilikisu Bala-Buhari urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years on counts four to seven.

The court subsequently convicted and sentenced the two men.

The offences

According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired in 2024 to access computer systems in a manner capable of seriously destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social structures.

They were accused of recruiting and employing Nigerian youths to falsely pose as foreign nationals on online platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims through cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.

The offences contravene Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), as well as provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The EFCC also alleged that between August and December 2024, the defendants retained N3.4 billion in a Union Bank account belonging to Genting International Co. Ltd., knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The anti-graft agency said the defendants were among 792 suspected cybercrime operatives arrested on 19 December 2024, during a coordinated operation in Lagos codenamed “Eagle Flush.”

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said investigations revealed that Mr Audu incorporated Genting International Co. Ltd. at the directive of Mr Huang to facilitate the alleged fraudulent scheme.

Forfeiture

The court ordered the forfeiture of items recovered from four properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi to the Federal Government.

Recovered items include 1,596 mobile phones, 43 computer systems, 194 routers, a network server, thousands of SIM cards, 126 air-conditioning units, generators, vehicles, office furniture, mattresses and bunk beds.

Bail to defendant

Earlier in the proceedings, Mr Osiagor granted Mr Audu bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving director and property owner with verifiable title documents deposited in court.

However, bail was denied to the two Chinese nationals prior to their guilty pleas after the EFCC argued that they were flight risks and key figures in the alleged syndicate.

By Emmanuel Agbo, Premium Times

Related story: Epstein wanted to trade in Nigeria’s crude oil, but feared being defrauded

Nigerian fintech Redtech plans to raise $100 million for expansion

CEO Emmanuel Ojo says the company will first extend its services to 29 African countries, after which they will consider a Series A funding round. Redtech expects annual transactions on its platform to grow from $25 billion in 2025 to $100 billion within two years, with the transaction value tripling to $73.6 billion. Backed by tycoon Tony Elumelu, Redtech is also looking to expand its equity base and introduce new products across the continent.

CGTN Africa

US Bill targets illegal Chinese mining in Nigeria

A new bill in the United States House of Representatives seeks to have the US Secretary of State collaborate with Nigeria to counter what lawmakers describe as the destabilizing impact of illegal Chinese mining operations in the country.

The “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” was introduced on Tuesday by five Republican lawmakers: Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. The sponsors allege that some Chinese mining companies operating in Nigeria have been paying protection money to Fulani militias, fueling local violence and insecurity.

Under the proposed legislation, the Secretary of State would provide technical support to Nigeria aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating militia-related violence, including through disarmament programs and comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation. The bill also calls for coordination with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the UK to advance religious freedom and peace.

Clauses 10 and 11 of the bill specifically direct:

“The Secretary of State should work with the Government of Nigeria to counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”

The legislation also tasks the Secretary of State with determining whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

The bill references a 2023 report by The Times, which alleged that Chinese nationals in Nigeria’s mining sector were indirectly funding militant groups in the northwest to secure access to mineral resources. According to the report, some miners in Zamfara acted as runners for militant groups, raising concerns that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy.”

If passed, the bill would represent a significant US intervention in Nigeria’s mineral sector and security landscape, linking foreign mining operations to militia activity and underscoring broader concerns about regional stability, counter-terrorism, and governance.

By David Meshioye, The Guardian

Related story: Nigeria attracts $1.3bn Chinese lithium investment amid push for clean energy value chains

Desperation pushes communities in Nigeria to seal peace pacts with armed gangs

In northern Nigeria's Katsina state, persistent insecurity has led some communities to take drastic measures. A recent attack in a town occurred despite a local peace agreement with armed groups, highlighting the fragility of such deals. While authorities like the police do not endorse these arrangements, they reflect the extreme steps residents are taking to protect themselves when formal security measures fall short. CGTN explores this complex reality on the ground.

CGTN Africa

Related story: US to deploy 200 troops to train Nigerian forces in fight against terrorists

Uncertainty on the streets over Nigeria’s sachet alcohol ban

 

It’s a hot early afternoon on a tree-lined street in FESTAC town, a popular residential estate in Lagos. People take shelter in the shade beside a local restaurant. Cash vendors work the curb near a major hotel, and at a roadside kiosk, two Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps sachets go for 200 Naira ($0.12, €0.11).

Philip, who buys sachets “almost every day,” says he prefers to “take it small, small” rather than buy a large bottle. “I plan it…I have a minimum and a maximum.” For him, sachets are about volume control, not price. “If there is no sachet, I can switch to a bigger one… It depends on my mood,” he told DW.

Nigeria’s food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, has long planned a phase-out of alcohol packaged in sachets and in plastic bottles of less than 200ml (0.05 gallons). It announced the ban would be enforced as planned from December last year, but disagreement between government agencies has created confusion and ambiguity about whether the ban is actually in force. The policy is intended to reduce alcohol abuse by minors and drivers.

Conflicting directives are causing confusion

At a Lagos press briefing in late January 2026, NAFDAC Director General Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye stated that enforcement had resumed, saying the agency had received a “matching order” from the Senate. But NAFDAC’s statement conflicts with a December 15, 2025, directive issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), ordering an immediate suspension of all enforcement actionspending consultations and a final directive. The statement also added that any action taken without OSGF clearance “should be disregarded.”

At the time of publication, there was no public OSGF notice lifting that suspension, leaving manufacturers, retailers and buyers guessing which order to obey.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general of Nigeria’s Manufacturers Association (MAN), says that a “renewed ban” would hurt the economy, disrupt compliant producers, and encourage the sale of illicit, unregulated products. He added that operators are “confused as to which directive to follow.”


According to Ajayi-Kadir, alcohol packaged in sachets serves low-income adult consumers, and an outright ban would limit their choice.

On January 23, members of Nigeria’s labour unions, including the country’s Distillers and Blenders Association, held demonstrations outside NAFDAC’s Lagos office, holding placards that read: “Local manufacturers deserve protection, not frustration” and “5.5 million Nigerians cannot be pushed to the streets.” They argue that the ban risks jobs and investments.

Each sachet has its ‘own work’ in the body

For Amara Ruth, who has sold alcohol packaged in sachets at her roadside kiosk in FESTAC town since 2019, demand has not dipped. “People always buy,” she told DW. “At night sales are very high,” she said, adding that afternoons also bring in a steady flow of clients. Pricing is simple: 100 Naira for the smaller sachet, 200 Naira for the larger one.

Ruth believes buyers would still pay even if prices rose, because sachets are an inexpensive entry point. Her bestsellers range from gins used for libation to bitters and “manpower” brands popular for sexual enhancement. “Each sachet has its own work they do in the body,” she explained. Nigerian bitters drinks are herbal-based alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are traditionally believed to provide the body with various health benefits.

“Nobody from NAFDAC has come here. Nobody at all,” she says, recalling only a temporary squeeze on one bitters brand last year. Ruth sometimes refuses sales to older men who get drunk quickly or to young buyers she does not trust, but admitted that children may buy for adults.

Philip’s experience is similar. He says availability has not tightened since talk of a ban began. “Nothing changed. It’s even multiplied. In Lagos, you can get it anywhere, within 20 meters, you have one.” On youth access, he adds: “If they want to get it, they will get it.”

A 2019 report published in African Health Sciences revealed 30% alcohol use among young Nigerians. The World Health Organization’s (WHO)Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health (2018) estimated heavy episodic drinking among Nigerians aged 15–19 at 22.5%, one of the highest rates in Africa.

Alcohol in sachets linked to road accidents, domestic violence

Civil society groups like CAPPA, a regional corporate accountability organisation, and NHED, a Nigerian Health Equity NGO, argue that sachets make high-strength alcohol easy for young people to obtain and conceal, linking widespread use to road crashes, school dropouts, domestic violence and early addiction.

Several African countries have restricted or banned sachet alcohol on health grounds. Kenya in 2004 andCote d’Ivoire in 2016, with additional actions in Malawi, Cameroon and Tanzania.

In Nigeria, the question is no longer about availability — sachets remain widely sold — but about who is responsible for enforcement, with NAFDAC announcing a crackdown while the OSGF’s suspension order remains in place.

Back in FESTAC town, very little appears to have shifted. At Amara’s kiosk, sachets continue to sell alongsidebeer and sodas, and demand remains steady through the day.

For consumers like Philip, the appeal is still convenience and control over how much they drink. But until the authorities resolve the conflicting directives and set out how enforcement should work at street level, drinkers can allay their confusion with an alcohol sachet of their choice.

By Okey Omeire, Inquirer

Nigerian lawmakers approve real-time online election results

Following major pressure from trade unions and civil society, Nigeria's Senate on Tuesday reversed its earlier decision to reject plans for the real-time electronic transmission of election results in future.

The vote last week against making the automatic and immediate uploading of results mandatory — a measure long championed by pro-reform groups as key to reducing risks of interference during manual vote collation — sparked widespread condemnation and public protests.

The lower chamber of parliament, the House of Representatives, had approved the proposal before the Senate threw it out, with some members arguing the plan would prove impractical.
Presidential elections expected a year from now

After an emergency meeting on the matter, the Senate said that members "approved the electronic transmission of election results... after the completion of all statutory procedures at the polling unit."

It said the decision was unanimous and that it would boost "public confidence" and enable "citizens to follow the electoral process more transparently."

Nigeria's next presidential election, when incumbent Bola Tinubu is likely to seek a second and final term, is scheduled for February 2027.

Nigeria's largest trade union group threatened over the weekend to try to boycott the next vote entirely unless the changes were implemented.

"Failure to add electronic transmission in real time will lead to mass action ‌before, during and ‌after the election, or total boycott of the election," NLC President Joe Ajaero said on Sunday.
Public skepticism and voter apathy high, long tradition of contested results

At the last presidential election in February 2023, turnout dipped to 27%, its lowest levels since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

The result was challenged in court and ultimately had to go to the Supreme Court.

Almost every election in Nigerian history, barring 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat, has faced legal challenges. Allegations of wrongdoing are commonplace albeit almost always unsuccessful before the judges.
Can the vast, violence-ridden country deliver real-time vote counts?

Over the past decade, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced various technology designed to improve the integrity and transparency of election results.

However, the implementation and execution has proved extremely challenging and unsuccessful.

In 2023's vote, the new online results database was much touted but proved an unreliable platform, with only around 10% of constituencies, mostly in the larger and wealthier cities and towns, managing to deliver prompt results.

EU election observer Barry Andrews wrote after that vote that the plan to post itemized results online "were perceived as an important step to ensure the integrity and credibility of the eletions," but that "uploading the results ... did not work as expected."

Conditions next February are not likely to be much better in Africa's most populous country.

Internet connections remain patchy in rural areas. The country's police and military is struggling to contain a string of often Islamist rebel and terrorist insurgencies, as well as criminal groups and gangs, in several different states.

Delayed or extended voting has been commonplace in many of the roughly 176,000 polling stations nationwide for years for a variety of reasons, from security concerns to technical mishaps or simple overcrowding.

By Mark Hallam, DW

US to deploy 200 troops to train Nigerian forces in fight against terrorists

The United States will deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to train its armed forces in their fight against terror groups, Nigerian and US officials said on Tuesday, as Washington increases military cooperation with the West African country.

"We are getting US troops to assist in training and technical support," Major General Samaila Uba, a spokesperson for Nigeria's Defence Headquarters, told AFP.

The Wall Street Journal reported the deployment, which will supplement a small US team already in the country to aid the Nigerians with air strike targeting.

The additional troops, expected to arrive in the coming weeks, will provide "training and technical guidance," including by helping their Nigerian counterparts coordinate operations that involve air strikes and ground troops simultaneously, the US daily said.

A US Africa Command spokesperson confirmed the details of the report to AFP.

Nigeria has been under diplomatic pressure from the United States over insecurity in the country, which US President Donald Trump has characterised as "persecution" and "genocide" against Christians.

Although there are instances where Christians are specifically targeted, Muslims are also killed en masse, with Trump's senior adviser on Arab and African affairs Massad Boulos saying last year Boko Haram and Daesh "are killing more Muslims than Christians."

Abuja rejects allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, a framing long used by the US religious right.

So do independent analysts, who point to a broader state failure to curb violence from these groups and armed gangs across swaths of sparsely governed countryside.

Despite the diplomatic pressure, Nigeria and the United States have found common ground in increasing military collaboration.

The US targeted terrorists in northwest Sokoto state with strikes in December, in a joint operation with Nigeria, officials from both countries said.

Going forward, the US military has said it will supply intelligence for Nigerian air strikes and work to expedite arms purchases.

While the 200-troop deployment represents a scaling up of that collaboration, "US troops aren't going to be involved in direct combat or operations," Uba told the Journal.

Nigeria requested the additional assistance, he added.

Africa's most populous country is battling a long-running insurgency concentrated in its northeast, while non-ideological "bandit" gangs conduct kidnappings for ransom and loot villages in the northwest.

AFP

Related story: US announces military team sent to Nigeria after recent attacks

Nigeria insecurity persists despite US military deployment

Nigeria insecurity persists despite US military deployment

CGTN examines the latest wave of violence in Nigeria alongside the limited presence of US military personnel in the country.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria slips to 85th in global internet speed rankings as peers pull ahead

Nigeria’s expanding internet access is no longer translating into better online performance, as the country slipped to 85th place globally in internet speed, underscoring growing infrastructure pressure and a widening digital gap with regional peers.

According to the latest Speedtest Global Index by US-based research firm Ookla, Nigeria’s median mobile download speed stood at 44.14 Mbps by December 2025, down seven places from the previous ranking.

The report, which assessed mobile and fixed broadband performance across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), shows that while more Nigerians are online, network quality is struggling to keep pace with demand.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), only three countries made the global top-100 list: South Africa (64th), Kenya (80th), and Nigeria (85th). South Africa retained its regional lead despite dropping five places globally, posting a median mobile download speed of 65.7 Mbps, while Kenya recorded 45.37 Mbps.

The results highlight a growing contrast across the region. While Nigeria continues to face infrastructure bottlenecks, other African markets are making sharper gains through fibre expansion and network modernisation. Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, recorded the biggest improvement in SSA, climbing to 103rd globally with a median download speed of 58.17 Mbps, despite relatively low fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) coverage of between 15 percent and 19 per cent, according to Omdia.

Ookla noted that Côte d’Ivoire’s performance may be boosted by a user base concentrated on higher-speed connections, supported by competitive offerings such as Orange’s entry-level fixed broadband packages starting at 50 Mbps.

Elsewhere, Mauritania posted the largest ranking jump in SSA, rising 24 places to 106th globally after expanding its national backbone with 5,500 kilometres of fibre, with plans to add another 8,000 kilometres under its Digital Agenda 2022–2025.

Six SSA countries now rank within the global top-120, reflecting uneven but accelerating infrastructure investment across the continent.

South Africa remains unique in the region for its widespread use of wholesale-only fibre-to-the-premises networks, a model analysts say has helped improve competition and service quality.

Ookla said improvements in both fixed and mobile network performance typically result from a mix of network optimisation, architecture modernisation, technology upgrades, fibre expansion, commercial migration to higher-speed plans, quality-of-service regulation, and strategic policy support from governments and regulators.

While Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to dominate the MEA rankings, Nigeria’s slide signals a more urgent challenge, in that, without faster, more resilient networks, gains in internet penetration risk delivering diminishing economic returns, especially for digital services, fintech, remote work, and online education.

For Africa’s largest internet market, the message is that connecting more users is no longer enough, speed now matters just as much.

By Royal Ibeh, Business Day

Alex Iwobi and Nigeria push for a lifeline for 2026 World Cup

 

Already eliminated on paper for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria is pushing for a second chance.

In recent hours, Alex Iwobi has broken his silence. The Fulham midfielder still holds out hope that the Super Eagles could feature at the 2026 World Cup, as all eyes turn to FIFA and the ongoing administrative dispute with DR Congo.

Speaking to Supersport, Alexander Iwobi voiced a sentiment shared by an entire nation. Despite Nigeria’s sporting elimination in the play-offs, the hope for a lifeline through administrative means remains very much alive in the Super Eagles’ locker room. "We are still waiting. I hope we can go to the 2026 World Cup. It’s a tough choice, because winning AFCON is a huge legacy, but many of my teammates have never experienced a World Cup. I can’t be selfish." he said.

The case hinges on a complaint filed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), challenging the eligibility of several key DR Congo players (with names like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Epolo, Mario, and Axel Tuanzebe being mentioned).

Although FIFA already dismissed the initial complaint last December, the NFF continues to push for a deeper investigation.

Foot Africa

US withdrawal from WHO puts strain on Nigeria’s health budget

Nearly N400 billion, or 20 percent of Nigeria’s 2026 health budget, depends on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) technical support, funding, and disease-surveillance operations. This has raised concerns among experts who believe that the United States’ exit from the global organisation could affect the speed and efficiency of health policy interventions in Nigeria.

From disease surveillance to strategic partnerships in vaccine programmes, training, and medical research, WHO plays a critical role in Nigeria’s health sector. However, with the United States’ withdrawal from the organisation, experts warn that the country’s health budget could come under significant strain.

BusinessDay analysis shows that about 12 items in the 2026 health budget rely on WHO’s technical support, international donor funding, policy guidance, and adherence to global standards. These items together amount to nearly N400 billion, representing about one-fifth of the N2.1 trillion proposed health budget for 2026.

For instance, the allocation for the National Blood Bank Service Commission, item 142 of the 2026 proposed health budget,worth N42.8 billion, largely depends on WHO’s technical support. Blood screening, safety standards, and quality assurance are critical aspects of the commission’s operations and are guided by WHO protocols.

Similarly, the allocation for the National Centre for Disease Control,item 90 of the 2026 proposed health budget,worth N22.4 billion, is heavily dependent on WHO’s technical capacity. Disease surveillance, health-emergency coordination, and laboratory safety standards are largely WHO-led, and any weakening of this capacity could undermine Nigeria’s preparedness for disease outbreaks or pandemics.

Ebuta Agbor, vice president of the Medical Initiative for Africa, expressed similar concerns, warning that Nigeria may need to draw up a supplementary health budget to address potential funding and capacity gaps.

“The withdrawal of the United States from WHO could have significant and unprecedented impacts on sub-Saharan Africa, as over 50 percent of countries in the region allocate less than five percent of their annual budgets to the health sector,” he said.

On the contrary, some budget items, including allocations to Federal Medical Centres, teaching hospitals, and psychiatric and orthopaedic hospitals, are not directly dependent on WHO support, according to BusinessDay analysis.

Recall that U.S. President Donald Trump officially announced on January 22, 2026, that the United States had completed its withdrawal procedures from WHO. As the organisation’s largest donor,contributing between $500 million and $700 million annually, representing 15 to 18 percent of its funding,the U.S. exit has raised concerns among experts about increased health security risks for many African countries.

Winners, losers of US exit from WHO

While some experts have raised concerns about the impact of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO on Nigeria’s health system, others argue that it presents an opportunity for the country to become more self-reliant and exercise greater control by dealing directly with the U.S.

Oyebade Funmilade, a public health specialist and expert in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, highlighted an increased disease burden as one of the possible impacts of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO in Nigeria.

“The HIV disease burden could spike if the PEPFAR programme slows its operations due to a shortage of funds,” he noted.

“However, it also creates an opportunity for increased investment in pharmaceutical research and the promotion of local products, thereby reducing our dependence on external sources,” he added.

Neto Ikpeme, a health economist and analyst, pointed out that although the U.S. withdrawal from WHO might affect some ongoing health programmes, it also offers Nigeria an opportunity to deal directly with the United States. He referenced a $2.1 billion five-year health partnership deal between Nigeria and the U.S. signed in December 2025.

“Although the U.S. withdrawal from WHO could slow the progress of some ongoing health programmes, it also presents an opportunity for direct partnerships with foreign partners, giving the country more control, as seen in the recent $2.1 billion deal signed by both countries,” he added.

In addition, African countries with relatively higher health budget allocations, such as Rwanda (18.8 percent), Botswana (17.8 percent), and Niger (17.8 percent), are better positioned to experience minimal disruption from the United States’ exit, according to WHO. In contrast, countries with significantly lower health spending, including Nigeria (4.2 percent), South Sudan (2.1 percent), and Cameroon (2.8 percent), are likely to face greater adverse impacts.

Increased budget, reduced percentage allocation

Nigeria’s health budget increased by 157.4 percent, from N816 billion in 2022 to N2.1 trillion in 2026, BusinessDay analysis shows.

However, the percentage share of the health budget allocation remained relatively stable over the five-year period but declined by 1.3 percentage, from 5.5 percent in 2025 to 4.2 percent in 2026.

Stakeholders in the health sector have raised concerns, noting that the allocation does not meet the Maputo Declaration target of 15 percent annually.

Taiwo Obindo, President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APIN), highlighted the impact of low funding in the health sector.

“Nigeria’s health budget falls short of the Maputo Declaration target of 15 percent, further putting the country’s health system at risk of poor emergency response and threats to lives,” he noted.

By Faith Donatus, Business Day

Survivors recount terror of Nigeria massacre where people were burned inside houses

 

First, the jihadists sent a letter saying they were coming to the village to preach, said Nigerian chief Umar Bio Salihu.

When no one attended, they went on a rampage, killing people and torching houses, he said.
Salihu is the traditional chief of Woro, a small, Muslim-majority village in west-central Nigeria where alleged jihadist gunmen are reported to have perpetrated a massacre late Tuesday.

Details were still emerging from the attack, but it was one of the country’s deadliest in recent months. According to the Red Cross, the death toll stood at 162 people, and the search for bodies was ongoing.

Badly shaken, Salihu recounted the night of terror he survived as the attackers killed two of his sons and kidnapped his wife and three daughters.

Around 5pm, the gunmen “just came in and started shooting”, the 53-year-old chief told Agence France-Presse on Thursday, clutching his Muslim prayer beads in his hand.

“All those shops that are within the road, they burnt them … Some people have been burned inside their houses,” he said.

Salihu survived by hiding in a house, then fled to the neighbouring town of Kaiama.

The attack lasted until 3am, he said.

“When the day breaks, the corpses we see, it’s too much,” he said.

Agence France-Presse reporters who visited Woro found it deserted except for a handful of men searching for bodies and burying the dead.

Large parts of the village had been reduced to piles of ash and rubble, with the remains of burned-out vehicles strewn across its dirt roads.

Resident Muhammed Abdulkarim said he had been standing by the road when he saw a group of what looked like soldiers in uniform approaching.

Then he realised they were “bandits”, he said.

“They started chasing people, catching people, tied them by their back,” he said.

“We just hear, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa. They are shooting them (in) their heads.”

Abdulkarim, 60, lost 12 family members in the attack, and his two-year-old son was abducted, he said.

Woro, a village of several thousand people, sits near a forest region known to serve as a hideout for jihadist fighters and armed gangs, groups that have fuelled nearly two decades of violence in Africa’s most populous country.

It is a Muslim community, but its residents want nothing to do with radicalised jihadist groups, said Salihu, the village chief.

“People don’t want to follow their ideology,” he said.

When a radical group sent a letter saying they planned to come to Woro to preach, no one attended, he said.

Salihu alerted the local security services.

“I think that is what brought the anger to come and just kill people like that in the community,” he said.

The governor of Kwara State gave the death toll from the attack as 75.

But residents reported burying upwards of 165 bodies.

The attackers kidnapped another 38 people, mostly women and children, said local assembly member Sa’idu Baba Ahmed.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned the “beastly attack”, deploying an army battalion to the troubled region and blaming the Islamist movement Boko Haram - though the name was often used generically for jihadist groups in Nigeria.

Kwara State is racked by violence by armed “bandit” gangs and jihadist groups that have been extending their range from northwestern Nigeria farther south.

In October, the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil in the state, near Woro.

Nigeria’s northeast is meanwhile the scene of long-running violence by Boko Haram and a rival offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Nigeria is broadly split between a Christian-majority south and a Muslim-majority north.

US President Donald Trump has alleged there was a “genocide” of Christians in Nigeria - a claim rejected by the Nigerian government and many independent experts, who say the country’s security crises claim the lives of both Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.

Washington has alternately pressured and aided the Nigerian government in its fight against jihadist violence.

On Christmas Day, the United States launched strikes targeting jihadist militants in northwestern Nigeria.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the massacre in Woro as a “terrorist attack”, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

AP

Related story: Attacks on civilians in central and northern Nigeria kill nearly 200

Nigeria turns to China to help fix its broken refineries

Nigeria's state-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), recently revealed its plans to partner with a Chinese company to rehabilitate its dilapidated oil refineries.

This new development was disclosed by the NNPC’s chief, Bayo Ojulari, who also relayed that the group has established a plan to invite refinery operators with proven experience rather than contractors.

"I'm just coming from a meeting with one of the potential investors," Ojulari said, without giving a name.

"They are going to the refinery tomorrow to inspect. It's a Chinese company that has one of the biggest petrochemical plants in China."

The NNPC head stated that operations in the refineries had been put on hold to give time to evaluate potential restoration solutions.

This coincided with the opening of the Dangote Refinery, which provided "breathing space" for the supply of domestic petroleum, as seen on Reuters.

According to him, NNPC would give partners a share of its equity rather than selling the refineries so that the facilities could finance themselves.

In November, however, Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, disclosed that the West African country was open to the idea of selling the refineries.

Selling them is now “one of the options” under consideration, Olu Verheijen stated.

Debacle with Nigeria’s state-owned oil refineries

For the past two years, the energy group has unsuccessfully attempted to fully reactivate three of its primary oil refineries in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt.

These endeavors to restore the facilities to operational status have resulted in both public controversy and shifts in strategic direction.

The government initially sought to rehabilitate these refineries, primarily in response to the commissioning of Dangote's 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery; however, this effort proved unsuccessful, necessitating an exploration of potential public-private partnerships.

Subsequently, in October 2025, the NNPC announced its search for new technical private equity partners to facilitate the revival of its long-dormant refineries.

The company’s three refineries have a combined processing capacity of 445,000 barrels per day but have remained idle for decades, forcing the country to rely almost entirely on imported fuel, and much more recently, on the Dangote refinery.

This was despite heavy investments to modernize the three oil refineries.



Nigeria’s oil refinery scandal

In May 2025, reports indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria's corruption watchdog, had launched a full-scale investigation into a $2.9 billion refinery rehabilitation fund fraud, revealing almost ₦80 billion in accounts related to the Managing Director of one of the refineries, who at the time was just laid off.

Several NNPCL executives, including former GCEO Mele Kyari, have since then been monitored very closely.

The agency requested that NNPCL furnish certified copies of the listed officers' emoluments and allowances, including retirees.

Theyalso requested confirmation of the names of 13 former top officials, including Abubakar Yar'Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.

Nigeria's engagement with Chinese collaborators underscores the necessity of addressing its persistent refinery challenges as the nation seeks to achieve enhanced self-sufficiency in fuel.

While the Dangote Refinery has alleviated immediate supply constraints, the future of Nigeria's state-owned refineries remains uncertain, with options ranging from equity partnerships to outright divestment remaining on the table.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Nigeria emerges top Belt and Road beneficiary with China-backed $24.6bn GRIP megaproject