Nigeria slashes import duties to fight rising cost of living

Nigeria will cut import duties on a range of goods from July 1, in a move aimed at easing living costs and supporting businesses.

Key tariff reductions

The presidency said duties will be lowered on rice, sugar, palm oil, passenger vehicles and construction materials.

Under the new rates, tariffs on passenger vehicles will drop to 40 percent, bulk rice to 47.5 percent, and raw sugar cane to between 55 and 57.5 percent. Palm oil duties will fall to 28.75 percent.

Electric vehicles, mass-transit buses and manufacturing machinery will be fully exempt.

Push to curb inflation

The measures are part of efforts by the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce inflation and lower costs for households and businesses.

Inflation eased to 15.06 percent in February from a peak of about 33 percent in December 2024, but remains high.

Rising external pressures

Officials say global factors, including the Iran war, are adding pressure through higher fuel prices.

Finance Minister Wale Edun said Nigeria will seek support at meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Petrol prices have risen by more than 50 percent, increasing costs for transport and businesses.

Africa News

Nigeria becomes net petrol exporter for first time in decades as Dangote refinery scales up

Nigeria has become a net exporter of petrol for the first time in decades, marking a turning point for a country long defined by its dependence on imported fuel despite being Africa’s largest oil producer.

The shift, recorded in March 2026, was driven by rising output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is rapidly transforming the country’s downstream oil market.

Data from energy intelligence firm Kpler shows Nigeria exported about 44,000 barrels per day (bpd) of petrol during the month, slightly exceeding imports and leaving a net surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd.

It is a symbolic and economic milestone. For years, Nigeria relied heavily on fuel imports due to underperforming state refineries, a system that drained foreign exchange and exposed the economy to global supply shocks.

That dynamic is now changing.

Crude supply to the 650,000 bpd Dangote refinery rose to about 565,000 bpd in March, one of its highest levels since operations began in late 2023. At the same time, petrol imports fell sharply to around 41,000 bpd, the lowest level ever recorded.

The figures point to a rapid replacement of imports with domestic refining.

Beyond reducing import dependence, the refinery is also expanding Nigeria’s reach into new markets. In March, it shipped a 317,000-barrel cargo of petrol to Mozambique, its first export to East Africa, with another cargo expected in April.

The move signals a broader shift in African fuel trade flows. East African countries, traditionally reliant on suppliers from the Middle East, are increasingly diversifying sources amid persistent global supply disruptions and shipping risks.

For Nigeria, the implications are significant.

Exporting petrol could help boost foreign exchange earnings while reducing demand for dollars previously used for imports, a key factor behind pressure on the naira in recent years. It also strengthens energy security by anchoring supply within the country.

At a global level, Nigeria’s entry into the export market could intensify competition, particularly in Europe where petrol supply is already ample.

The development reflects a deeper structural change: Nigeria is beginning to move from exporting crude and importing refined products to processing more of its oil domestically, a long-standing policy goal that has repeatedly failed in the past.

The Dangote refinery sits at the centre of that transition.

Its scale and rising utilisation are already reshaping expectations for the sector, with analysts pointing to potential gains in industrial activity, trade balance, and fiscal stability if output remains strong.

At the same time, the refinery’s owner, Aliko Dangote, is pursuing plans to list the business across multiple African stock exchanges in what could become the continent’s first pan-African initial public offering.

The proposed listing aims to attract investors across different countries and deepen cross-border capital flows, though analysts say execution will depend on regulatory alignment and currency stability.

For now, the export milestone offers the clearest signal yet that Nigeria’s long-troubled downstream oil sector may be entering a new phase, one defined less by scarcity and imports, and more by domestic capacity and regional influence.

By Ayodeji Adegboyega, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Dangote refinery hikes exports to ease Africa supply crunch

Nigeria police arrest 33-member gang over church abductions

Nigerian police have arrested a 33-member gang over a November attack in which 38 people were abducted from a church in central Kwara state, police said on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide crackdown on violence.

Federal police spokesperson Anthony Okon Placid said the gang carried out the 18th November attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku town and was also responsible for other kidnappings, cattle rustling, and armed robbery across the region.

The 33 suspects were arrested in coordinated raids across Kwara and neighbouring Kogi state following human and technical intelligence, part of a wider operation that has detained 50 suspects since January, Placid said in a statement.

Nigeria has long grappled with insecurity, from mass kidnappings for ransom to banditry and militant attacks. The Eruku assault intensified pressure on the government, already under scrutiny from US President Donald Trump, who had threatened military action over what he calls persecution of Christians.

Placid said the police would charge several suspects soon, while pursuing fleeing gang members and recovering more weapons.

Reuters

Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes

A former Nigerian oil minister accused of being treated to luxury home stays and lavish spending sprees in the UK in exchange for granting government contracts has denied asking for or taking bribes.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, told Southwark Crown Court on Monday that she had "tried to push back on corruption" in a country plagued by it since the days it was a British colony.

Several Nigerian businessmen are alleged to have bankrolled huge spending sprees, including more than £2m at luxury store Harrods and £4.6m on refurbishing homes in London and Buckinghamshire.

But the ex-minister said that the cost of services laid on for her while on official duties was later repaid.

"I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort from these persons and did not abuse my office," Alison-Madueke told the court.

"I always sought to act impartially".

She said money spent on her behalf was reimbursed by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), adding that a service company was set up in London to handle the logistics because the financial structure of the NNPC was in a mess.

"They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs... to allow me to perform the job that I did," she said.

The prosecution's case is based on allegations that Alison-Madueke was given access to a "grand" home in Buckinghamshire, a £2.8 million home in Marylebone, and multi-million pound homes overlooking Regent's Park, and allegedly benefited from renovations valued at £4.6m.

The court heard how she and her extended family spent five days over Christmas 2011 at a house in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, because her ex-husband required hospital treatment and could not fly back to Nigeria.

She said she was not involved in the arrangements for the stay.

A second visit, she said, was over two weeks when she and 10 to 12 officials wrote a book praising the Nigerian president's championing of women.

"I took it upon myself to put together that book to showcase what he did for women," she said.

Alison-Madueke said another property overlooking Regent's Park was used for "discreet" official meetings, while she said another property she is accused of using was "completely gutted" for renovations and unusable when she saw it.

The court had previously heard how Alison-Madueke and her mother stayed in two apartments in St John's Wood with the rent being covered by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko. He is one of several Nigerian businessman involved in the case who are not on trial.

Alison-Madueke said she had suggested this was much cheaper than continuing to hire £2,000-a-night suites in expensive hotels like the Savoy and Dorchester.

In court on Monday, the former minister said she was not aware at the time that one of her chauffeurs had delivered £100,000 in cash to her, adding that the money had had nothing to do with her.

The court heard how Alison-Madueke had risen quickly through the ranks at Shell, becoming the first senior female executive in its Nigerian operation.

This was despite her not wanting to work for the multinational company because of its treatment of her father, she said, who had once also been a senior employee.

"I found the job uncomfortable to put in mildly, " she said, explaining that her father, who was a tribal leader, had once unsuccessfully taken legal action against Shell "for apartheid practice in West Africa."

She told the court how when she worked at Shell, the company was having big problems dealing with oil spills in the Niger delta area where her family was from. She didn't believe the company had done enough "to make good on the devastation that they had caused".

Asked about concerns with her own security, she said Nigeria was a "very patriarchal society" so to have a "woman sitting at the helm was a major no no."

She added that she was "under dire threats of kidnap" and that members of her family had been seized.

The court also heard how in 2015, Alison-Madueke was elected the first female head of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), a group of oil-exporting countries which meets to decide how much crude oil to sell on the world market.

Alison-Madueke denies five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Also on trial, oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, denies one count of bribery and another count of bribing a foreign public official.

Meanwhile, Alison-Madueke's brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, denies conspiracy to commit bribery.

The trial continues.

BBC

Related story: Ex-Nigeria oil minister in bribery trial spent £2m at Harrods, court hears

Up to 200 civilians killed in Nigeria after air force 'misfire' on market

A Nigerian Air Force strike targeting jihadist rebels hit a local market in the northeast, killing as many as 200 civilians, a local chief reported on Monday.

Officials confirmed a misfire but provided no further details.

Amnesty International cited survivors as saying that at least 100 people were killed in the air strike on Saturday on a village in Yobe state, near the border with Borno state, which is the epicentre of the insurgency that has ravaged the region for over a decade.

“We have their pictures and they include children,” Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's Nigeria director, said, referring to the casualties.

“We are in touch with people that are there, we spoke with the hospital,” he said. “We spoke with the person in charge of casualties and we spoke with the victims.”

A worker at the Geidam General hospital in Yobe, said at least 23 people injured in the incident were receiving treatment. The worker spoke anonymously as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Such misfires are common in Nigeria, where the military often conducts air raids to battle armed groups who control vast forest enclaves.

At least 500 civilians have died since 2017 in such misfires, according to a tally of reported deaths carried out by the AP news agency.

Security analysts point to loopholes in intelligence gathering as well as insufficient coordination between ground troops, air assets and stakeholders.

The large, remote market located near the Borno-Yobe border is known to be often used by Boko Haram militants to buy food supplies.

Abdulmumin Bulama, a member of a civilian security group working with the Nigerian military in the northeast, said there was intelligence that Boko Haram terrorists had gathered very close to the market and were planning an attack on nearby communities.

“The intel was shared and the Air Force jet acted based on the credible information,” Bulama said.

The Yobe State Government confirmed in a statement that a Nigerian military strike was targeting a stronghold of the Boko Haram jihadi group in the area and that “some people…who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.”

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency also acknowledged that an incident had occurred resulting in “casualties affecting some marketers” and said it had dispatched response teams to the area.

Nigeria's military issued a statement saying it conducted a successful strike on a “terrorist enclave and logistics hub” belonging to terrorists in the area, killing scores of them as they rode on motorcycles.

It did not provide any detail about a possible misfire, but noted that motorcycles remain prohibited in conflict hot spots and “any such movements in restricted areas are therefore treated with the utmost seriousness.”

Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the incident, adding that the military is “fond of” labelling civilian casualties as bandits

Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north, where there is a decade-long insurgency and several armed groups that kidnap for ransom.

Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa group operating in communities in the northwestern part of the country that borders Niger Republic.

By Gavin Blackburn, euronews

Related stories: Nigeria opens investigation after deadly airstrike kills dozens in market

Survivors ask why Nigeria bombed busy market in effort to target jihadist group

Nigeria opens investigation after deadly airstrike kills dozens in market

The airstrikes on the village of Jilli, in Yobe State, occurred on Saturday, with the death tolls differing according to the sources.

Nigerian military jets struck the village market while pursuing Islamist militants in the northeast of the country on Saturday night, a councillor for the area and residents said on Sunday.

A UN security report seen by French news agency AFP first stated that "4 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets launched airstrikes that mistakenly killed at least 56 people and injured 14 others at the Jilli market... on 11 April."

"This occurred during a military operation targeting Boko Haram fighters who visited the market to conduct terrorism activities," it added.

Amnesty International initially said on social media that there were "more than 100 dead" and 35 people seriously injured when the attack happened.

Local chief Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam described it as "a devastating incident".

"As I'm speaking to you, over 200 people have lost their lives from the air strike at the market," he said in a telephone interview with Reuters.

He said injured people had been taken to hospitals in Yobe and Borno.

Crossfire

Nigeria's military first said it had "successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli". It added that "scores of terrorists" were killed in the strike, but did not mention any civilian deaths.

In a separate statement, the air force announced it had launched an investigation following reports that its airstrike "may have affected a local market in Jilli, resulting in civilian casualties".

The Nigerian Air Force said in its statement it had activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell "to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation".

The government of Yobe state later said in its own statement that an air strike on the area had been conducted near a market where shoppers and vendors had gathered.

"Some people from Geidam LGA (local government area) bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected," said Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, military adviser to the Yobe state government. He gave no further details.

Mistaken targets

The strike occurred on the border between Yobe and Borno states, the heartland of the long-running insurgency that has killed thousands of people and displaced millions more over the years.

Africa's most populous country has been fighting a jihadist insurgency for 17 years, since Boko Haram's 2009 uprising, which has seen the emergence of powerful splinter groups including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Jihadists kill 18 Nigerian troops including senior brigadier general

This strike is the latest in a series of such incidents in the north of the country.

In January 2025, a military airstrike killed at least 16 people in northwestern Zamfara state after an army jet mistook local vigilantes for criminal gangs.

A month earlier, a military jet killed 10 people when it hit villages while bombing jihadist positions in neighbouring Sokoto state.

International scrutiny and US involvement

Jihadist violence had slowed from its peak in around 2015 but Boko Haram and ISWAP have recently increased attacks in northeastern Nigeria vying to establish a caliphate.

Researchers have noted a rise in violence since last year. More than 100 people in the north have been killed over the last 10 days by both jihadists and criminal gangs.

Nigeria is facing international scrutiny over its security situation, including pressure from US President Donald Trump, who ordered bombardments on Islamists militants last Christmas.

Earlier this year the United States began deploying 200 troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support to soldiers in fighting jihadist groups.

In the face of pressure to tackle insecurity, Nigeria's Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi on Friday said the government had brought to court 508 cases and convicted nearly 386 people for links to jihadists groups terrorism in a mass trial.

rfi

Related stories: Survivors ask why Nigeria bombed busy market in effort to target jihadist group

Up to 200 civilians killed in Nigeria after air force 'misfire' on market

Survivors ask why Nigeria bombed busy market in effort to target jihadist group

Survivors and observers have questioned the Nigerian military’s rationale for a devastating airstrike on a busy market that killed as many as 200 people, many of them civilians.

The hit on Jilli market on the border of the north-eastern Borno and Yobe states on Saturday is the latest in a string of attacks by the country’s air force over the past decade with a high civilian death toll.

The military said it had been targeting members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) jihadist group. A local councillor said more than 200 people had died, while Amnesty International said the death toll was above 100 and rising.

Nigeria has struggled to suppress multiple conflicts, including an insurgency in the north-east by the Islamist group Boko Haram, which it has been battling for 17 years. The group split in 2016, with Iswap forming in its place. Meanwhile, the country’s north-west region is beset by armed groups of bandits, and there are regular fatal clashes between herders and farmers in the country’s middle belt.

Nigeria’s military said in a post on X on Sunday that it had “successfully conducted a precision airstrike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli … [that] followed sustained intelligence”.

The statement, attributed to the military spokesperson Sani Uba, said: “Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike.”

However, local traders denied that Islamist fighters had been among them. “I don’t know if there were jihadists at the market. We are just ordinary people,” Mala Garba, 42, told Agence France-Presse while recovering from injuries at a hospital in Maiduguri, Borno’s state capital.

He was among 46 victims of the airstrike at the hospital. Some were heavily bandaged, while others had IV drips attached.

Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, the area’s local councillor and traditional leader, said: “It’s a very devastating incident at Jilli market. As I’m speaking to you, over 200 people have lost their lives from the airstrike at the market.”

Yobe state officials later admitted that civilians had been affected. “Some people … who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected,” Brig Gen Dahiru Abdulsalam, a military adviser to the Yobe state government, told Reuters.

It was likely there had been Iswap members or supporters at the market, said Malik Samuel, a researcher with Good Governance Africa. “That area is particularly known for the presence of Iswap,” he said. “It’s a major logistics route for the group.”

However, he said it would have been “impossible” for an airstrike to distinguish between fighters and civilians at a busy market frequented by hundreds or even thousands of people, adding: “Would it not be better to trace people leaving the market and going to known areas occupied by this group … instead of just hitting a market that you know clearly that there would be civilians in this place?”

Nigeria’s military has killed at least 500 civilians in airstrikes since 2017, according to the Associated Press. At least 115 people were killed in 2017 when a camp housing displaced people in Borno was bombed. More than 120 people were killed in two airstrikes on a religious gathering in Kaduna state in December 2023.

“The lack of accountability is a big problem, because it emboldens the military to continue doing that,” Samuel said.

Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s executive director, said: “You cannot trust the military to investigate themselves. Whenever they investigate themselves, the outcome is as usual: they exonerate themselves.”

He added: “These deadly airstrikes will undermine trust in public institutions and will even undermine the fight against insurgency and banditry.”

The US has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from jihadists, although Muslim civilians are also killed by Islamist groups. On Christmas Day 2025, the US carried out airstrikes on an Islamist group known as Lakurawa in north-west Nigeria.

By Rachel Savage, The Guardian

Related stories:  Up to 200 civilians killed in Nigeria after air force 'misfire' on market

Nigeria opens investigation after deadly airstrike kills dozens in market

Military air strikes kill dozens of people in northeast Nigeria

Dozens of people died in air strikes in Nigeria's northeastern Yobe state as military aircraft hunted jihadists, local residents and Amnesty International said Sunday.

Africa's most populous country has been fighting a jihadist insurgency for 17 years, since Boko Haram's 2009 uprising, which has seen the emergence of powerful splinter groups including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In recent years, civilians have been caught in the crossfire and killed in military air strikes targeting the militants, though the authorities sometimes dispute hitting civilians.

The latest air strikes on the village of Jilli occurred on Saturday, the death tolls differing according to the sources.

Amnesty International said on X there were "more than 100 dead" and 35 people seriously wounded.

“We have their pictures and they include children,” Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's Nigeria director, told the Associated Press, referring to the casualties.

“We are in touch with people that are there, we spoke with the hospital,” he said. “We spoke with the person in charge of casualties, and we spoke with the victims.”

Local chief Lawan Zanna Nur however said "the total casualties, dead and injured, is around 200".

Many were taken to hospitals in nearby Geidam and Maiduguri, he added, where at least eight more of the wounded had died Sunday.

"We are talking of dozens dead but it is difficult to give a specific toll," he said.

Nigeria's military said in a statement it had struck a location in Jilli, "long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators".

Calling it "a carefully, well coordinated planned and intelligence-driven operation", the military said in a statement that it "successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli".

It said "scores of terrorists" were killed in the strike, but did not mention any civilian casualties.

The Nigerian Air Force later responded to reports of civilian casualties with a statement saying it had activated ‌its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell "to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding ⁠mission on the allegation".

A market committee member Bulama Mulima Abbas told AFP "36 bodies have been counted" after the airstrike "on the traders".

An intelligence source told AFP that Jilli market "is wholly controlled by Boko Haram who provides security and collect tax from traders".

Jihadist violence had slowed from its peak in around 2015 but Boko Haram and ISWAP have recently stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria in their campaign to establish a caliphate.

The insurgency which started in 2009 has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million more, according to the United Nations.

Early this year the United States began deploying 200 troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support to soldiers in fighting jihadist groups.

Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi on Friday said nearly 400 people had been convicted for terrorism and terrorism financing in the latest series of mass trials.

"In total, we brought about 508 cases. Of this 508, we were able to secure 386 convictions, 8 discharges, 2 acquittals and 112 adjourned to the next phase," he told reporters.

France 24

Related story: Nigerian politician arrested for allegedly providing false intelligence to embassies

Australian miner announces lithium-rich mineral discovery in Nigeria after securing six licences

Australian miner Chariot Resources Limited has announced a lithium-rich mineral discovery in Nigeria following the approval of six mining licences by the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), marking a significant step in its entry into the country’s critical minerals sector.

In a statement, the company said the MCO approved the transfer of a total of six licences—comprising four exploration licences and two small-scale mining licences—from Continental Lithium Limited to C&C Minerals Limited, its Nigerian joint venture entity.

The licences cover both exploration permits at the Fonlo and Gbugbu projects, as well as small-scale mining interests at the Saki project, effectively consolidating Chariot’s control over key assets in the region.

Shanthar Pathmanathan, Executive Chairman & Managing Director of Chariot, said:“These approvals are monumental for the Company and indeed the global lithium sector as they signify the first entry of an ASX-listed lithium company into the high-potential lithium sector in Nigeria, which hosts lithium pegmatites that are already producing spodumene for the Chinese market but remain almost entirely undrilled."

The approvals represent substantial progress toward completing Chariot’s acquisition of a 66.667 percent stake in C&C Minerals, with Continental Lithium retaining the remaining 33.333 percent.

The company described the development as a key regulatory milestone that materially de-risks its Nigerian lithium portfolio acquisition.

Chariot also confirmed that four additional licences—three at Saki and one at Iganna—are still awaiting final approval from the MCO.

Spodumene discovery strengthens Nigeria lithium ambitions

Independent laboratory analysis conducted by the University of British Columbia confirmed the presence of high-value spodumene across all six sampled sites from the Fonlo and Iganna projects.

According to The West Australian, the mineral accounted for between 28.4 percent and 75.3 percent of crystalline content, a result the company says significantly strengthens its development outlook.

Spodumene is considered one of the most commercially viable lithium-bearing minerals due to its relatively straightforward processing compared to more complex alternatives such as lepidolite, which was not detected in any of the samples.

The six samples also returned lithium oxide grades ranging from 2.66 percent to 5.96 percent, reinforcing expectations of high-grade mineralisation.

Additionally, elevated caesium values were recorded, with pollucite reaching up to 9.5 percent in one Iganna sample, indicating strong lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite potential.

Chariot said the findings support its plan to advance drill-ready targets and accelerate exploration across its Nigerian portfolio.

The company added that the mineralogical results substantially de-risk its development pathway and will guide upcoming exploration, fieldwork, and potential small-scale mining assessments as it moves toward phased project development in Nigeria.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Related stories: Nigeria says it has pulled in $2.6 billion into mining as it seeks US backing to make Africa a global critical minerals hub

Poverty forces Nigerian families into backyard mining

Nigerian artisans preserve handwoven fabric amid rising global demand

In Iseyin, a sleepy town in southwestern Nigeria, shaded spaces under trees, makeshift sheds, and narrow alleys serve as production hubs for aso-oke, a handwoven fabric indigenous to the Yoruba people.

Demand for this fabric has surged both domestically and internationally, fuelled by the Nigerian diaspora and the growing global recognition of the country’s fashion and music culture. Despite this popularity, artisans steadfastly resist mechanisation, maintaining that handweaving is essential to the fabric’s unique character.

Located roughly 200km (108 miles) from Lagos, Nigeria’s cultural and fashion epicentre, Iseyin stands as the acknowledged home of aso-oke. Under the intense heat of a muggy morning, yards of yarn and freshly woven fabrics stretch across dusty spaces surrounded by weathered sheds where weavers diligently work behind wooden looms. The craft has become an economic lifeline, attracting young people, including university graduates, who flock to Iseyin to learn the tradition.

Bare-chested with tattooed biceps glistening, Waliu Fransisco works at his wooden loom, the rhythmic click-clack filling the air as he weaves a cream-and-blue fabric. Ten years ago, Fransisco abandoned his career as a Lagos nightclub singer to master aso-oke weaving. Though he initially found the physical demands challenging, he has no regrets about his decision.

“Now I earn a decent living from weaving aso-oke and I’m satisfied,” the 34-year-old told AFP.

Aso-oke, which roughly translates to “the cloth from up country”, is a thick, often vibrantly multicoloured fabric that has become a staple in Nigeria, Africa’s fashion capital. It appears in traditional ceremonial attire, statement fashion pieces, and casual wear. Strips are sewn onto other fabrics, adding distinctive color and elegance, as seen when Meghan Markle wore an aso-oke wrapper and shoulder shawl during her visit to Nigeria with Britain’s Prince Harry two years ago.

In Iseyin, the steady rhythm of ancient wooden looms provides the soundtrack to a tradition passed through generations. Aso-oke remains both a cultural emblem and a marker of identity. Historically, production involved preparing threads from cotton or silk—cleaning, spinning, and dyeing fibers using traditional methods before setting them on looms, with limited colour options.

Today’s weavers increasingly use loom-ready threads in diverse colours “mostly imported from China”, according to 42-year-old weaver Abdulhammed Ajasa. Artisans spend hours arranging threads on looms to create narrow, tightly patterned strips that are later sewn together into wider cloths for garments and accessories.

“This is what Iseyin is known for,” says Kareem Adeola, 35, from behind his loom. “We inherited it from our forefathers.”

AFP

Nigerian politician arrested for allegedly providing false intelligence to embassies

Aliyu Gebi, a Nigerian politician and security consultant was arrested last week and subsequently granted bail over allegations that he supplied what security sources described as false intelligence to foreign embassies in Nigeria, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

Mr Gebi, a lawmaker in the 7th House of Representatives, was arrested by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) on Friday, 03 April, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The politician who has now become a prominent figure in Nigeria’s security architecture, allegedly provided “false intelligence” to embassies in Nigeria.

A security source who was not authorised to speak to the press about the matter, said Mr Gebi’s report ignited tension, forcing some airlines to cancel flights to Nigeria.

“Lufthansa cancelled flights scheduled to take off to Nigeria,” the source said, adding British Airways nearly did the same.

Another source said the same intelligence was relied upon by the United States to issue an advisory to its citizens in Nigeria. Citing “deteriorating security situation”, the US Department of State, in a tweet on Wednesday, asked its non-essential workers in Nigeria to leave the country due to worsening security conditions. The Nigerian government has refuted this claim, urging Nigeria’s partners to ensure balanced and up-to-date reporting that reflects the “progress being made” to secure Nigeria.

Describing the West African country as unsafe, the US advised Americans to reconsider travelling to Nigeria. In its updated travel advisory, the US Department of State listed armed robbery, kidnapping, assault, and roadside banditry as violent crimes that are common across the country.

Places like Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina were listed as states with higher risk. Other states listed include Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.

While the content of Mr Gebi’s report could not be obtained by this newspaper, many sources said it created diplomatic tension.

“Many embassies received the report and wanted to act on it, but the Nigerian government dialogued with them and they shelved their plans,” another source told PREMIUM TIMES.

“But the United States went ahead to issue that advisory,” he added.

The diplomatic relationship between Abuja and Washington worsened last year when the latter redesignated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern following false claims of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, a claim which was propagated by President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers.

While the Nigerian government admitted that the country is facing threats, it argued that Nigerians of all faiths are victims of terror attacks. The United States maintained its position and launched missiles on Nigerian territory, claiming that it targeted Islamic State fighters in Sokoto, North-west. The Nigerian government later said it was briefed before the attack and provided the intelligence used by the US.

Mr Trump would later accept that Muslims are also victims of violence in Nigeria. This was followed by the deployment of US troops to the North-east where the Boko Haram insurgency has lingered for more than a decade. The Nigerian military said the US troops will not be involved in combat operations but will provide training and technical support.

Investigation continues

While Mr Gebi had been granted bail, sources said he’s being investigated and will be charged in court afterwards.

The former politician, this newspaper gathered, has been reporting to the SSS headquarters since the incident.

“He has been going to the SSS office since he was granted bail,” one source said. “He is being investigated and will be charged in court.”

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Mr Gebi for comments. His line was switched off and messages sent to him on WhatsApp and via SMS had neither been acknowledged nor responded to. Our reporter observed that he has not been active on WhatsApp, raising suspicion that his phone might have been confiscated by the secret police.


Who is Gebi?

Mr Gebi, was born on 17 January 1975 in Bauchi State.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 where he chaired the committee on internal security.

He subsequently became a special adviser at the ministry of interior between 2015 and 2023.

Mr Gebi was later appointed as special adviser on non-kinetic security strategies at the Defence Headquarters where he focused on peace frameworks, early warning systems and coordinated responses to insurgency and cross-border terrorism.

By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times

Related story: US expands Nigeria travel warning, lets embassy staff leave Abuja

Nigeria’s poverty crisis deepens as 140 million struggle despite easing inflation

Poverty in Nigeria deepened sharply to 63 per cent in 2025, affecting an estimated 140 million people, even as inflation began to slow, highlighting a widening gap between macroeconomic gains and the lived realities of households, according to the World Bank.

The alarming figure was disclosed in the Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update (April 2026), titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development”, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday. The report paints a sobering picture of worsening living conditions, despite signs of stability in key economic indicators.

According to the report, poverty levels have steadily climbed over the past three years, rising from 56 per cent in 2023 to 61 per cent in 2024, before peaking at 63 per cent in 2025. This upward trajectory underscores the persistent vulnerability of millions of Nigerians, particularly in the face of structural economic challenges, weak income growth, and uneven distribution of economic gains.

The World Bank noted that while inflationary pressures began to ease during the period under review, the decline did not translate into improved purchasing power or higher real incomes for most citizens. Instead, households continued to grapple with high living costs, stagnant wages, and limited access to economic opportunities.

“This trend reflects a disconnect between macroeconomic stabilisation and improvements in household welfare,” the report stated, warning that the benefits of policy reforms and fiscal adjustments have yet to reach the majority of Nigerians.

Analysts say the findings highlight deeper structural issues within the economy, including low productivity, high unemployment, and inadequate social safety nets. Despite recent policy efforts aimed at stabilising the naira, boosting government revenues, and curbing inflation, the impact has largely remained at the macro level, with minimal trickle-down effect on ordinary citizens.

The report further emphasised that children are among the most affected by the rising poverty levels, with long-term implications for human capital development. It called for urgent investment in early childhood development, nutrition, healthcare, and education as a pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty.

“Without targeted interventions, the current trajectory risks entrenching intergenerational poverty,” the Bank warned, stressing that early investment in children yields some of the highest economic and social returns.

The World Bank also urged the Nigerian government to strengthen social protection systems, expand cash transfer programmes, and prioritise inclusive growth policies that directly impact low-income households. It noted that while macroeconomic reforms are necessary, they must be complemented by measures that address inequality and improve livelihoods.

The report comes at a time when Nigeria is implementing sweeping economic reforms, including subsidy removals and exchange rate unification policies that have drawn mixed reactions due to their short-term impact on living standards.

As policymakers push for economic recovery and stability, the World Bank’s findings serve as a clear signal that growth without inclusion may deepen hardship rather than alleviate it.

By Kenneth Athekame, Business Day

Women at the frontline of Nigeria’s disease detection and response

Women are at the frontline of Nigeria’s disease detection and response. Their work drives faster reporting, higher vaccination coverage and stronger trust between communities and health services.

“When my son developed a rash, I was scared,” says Hauwa Mohammed, a mother from Angwan Gangaran Tudu in Keffi, Nasarawa State. “But the women health workers came to our home, explained what to do and helped us get care quickly.”
Her experience reflects what is happening across many parts of Nigeria. When health threats emerge, women are often the first to respond. They support families, counter misinformation and connect communities to care.

Women protecting children during a measles outbreak

When measles cases began to surface in Angwan Gangaran Tudu, concern spread quickly among caregivers. Measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine‑preventable child mortality in Nigeria, particularly among children who miss routine

Women health workers mobilised immediately. They went door to door to share accurate information, encourage early reporting of symptoms and explain when and where to seek care. Their actions helped families act early and supported wider outbreak containment efforts.

Across Nigeria, women form many frontline health workers involved in maternal, newborn and child health services . They provide essential care in clinics, laboratories, emergency operations centres and rural communities, supporting national priorities under the National Strategic Health Development Plan II and National Primary Health Care Development Agency programmes.

Serving a population of around 220 million people , Nigeria’s health system relies heavily on trusted community health workers, many of whom are women, especially in rural and hard‑to‑reach settings.

From community action to measurable results

The response also showed how investing in women strengthens routine systems, not only emergency response.
“When women are trained and trusted at the community level, the results are clear,” said Dr Zeenat Kabir Asma’i, World Health Organization (WHO) North Central Zonal Coordinator. “We see earlier case detection, higher vaccination uptake and better follow‑up with families. These are not short‑term gains. They improve how the health system works every day.”

During the recent measles response in Nasarawa State, women mobilisers supported surveillance teams to reach households early.

Outputs included:

. 76 500 doses of measles vaccines delivered
. 11 cold chain units deployed
. Five health facilities supported to strengthen routine immunisation and reporting
. A vaccination workforce made up of 78 percent women

These outputs led to outcomes:

. Vaccination coverage increased from 60 percent to 97 percent in targeted communities
. Faster reporting of suspected cases
. Fewer non‑compliant households
. Stronger trust between caregivers and health workers

At Angwan Waje Primary Health Care facility, community health worker Jamila Musa Zakari identified suspected measles cases and referred them for documentation. Women volunteers used immunisation sessions, antenatal clinics, home visits and community announcements to address rumours that had previously delayed care‑seeking.

“When we visit homes, mothers listen to us because we understand their worries,” says Hauwa Nasir, a community volunteer vaccinator. “We explain how early reporting protects their children.”

Some settlements, including Karama, initially resisted vaccination, particularly among nomadic families who had migrated from Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States. Many households prioritised food and basic needs over health services. Women volunteers worked with village heads and fathers to address concerns, improving vaccine acceptance.


Women’s leadership strengthens health systems

Before the intervention, measles reporting in the affected local government area followed a three‑year trend: 22 cases in 2023, 24 in 2024 and 17 in 2025 . After the women‑led response, reported cases declined further.

WHO supported the response with technical guidance, training and supplies, while the Government of Nigeria led implementation through state and local health authorities, ensuring national ownership and alignment with public health priorities.

“Women contribute as community volunteers, health professionals and programme leaders,” said Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Nigeria. “When women are supported to lead, health services become more responsive to the people they serve.”
Dr Grace Amos Tsakpa, State Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State, added:

“Strengthening women’s leadership is not only a matter of equity. It is essential for building a resilient health system that serves every community.”


A growing impact across Nigeria

From community volunteers in Borno to surveillance officers in Kano and midwives in Rivers State, women are strengthening disease surveillance, improving vaccination uptake and building confidence in health services, including in conflict‑affected and hard‑to‑reach settings.

Back in Angwan Gangaran Tudu, families say they feel better prepared.
“Now we know what to look for, and we report quickly,” Hauwa Mohammed says. “The women health workers helped us protect our children.”


What needs to happen next

Nigeria has made progress, but gaps remain in women’s access to leadership roles, training and career advancement.
A clear call to action:For policymakers: Invest in women’s leadership across the health workforce
For partners and donors: Support gender‑responsive health systems and community‑based surveillance
For communities: Continue early reporting and ensure children receive routine immunization

Women are not only delivering health services in Nigeria. They are shaping stronger, faster and more trusted responses that protect families and save lives.

WHO

UN resolution revives focus on slavery legacy in Nigeria’s Badagry

Badagry, once Nigeria’s largest slave port, remains a powerful symbol of the transatlantic slave trade, where millions of Africans were forcibly taken between the 16th and 19th centuries. Today, its historic sites preserve the memory of that era, as renewed global debate, including at the United Nations, raises questions about reparations, with many in Africa remaining skeptical about meaningful outcomes.

CGTN Africa

Nigerian airline joins global ticketing network, eyes wider reach

United Nigeria Airlines has been admitted into a global airline network that allows passengers to connect across multiple carriers on a single ticket, a move that could significantly expand its reach beyond Nigeria.

The airline announced its admission into the Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement (MITA) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, on Thursday.

MITA is a framework used by airlines worldwide to collaborate on ticketing and passenger connections, enabling travellers to move seamlessly across different airlines without needing separate bookings.

For a carrier that has largely focused on domestic routes, the development signals a shift towards deeper participation in international travel networks.

“This is more than just a regulatory approval; it is a gateway to the world for United Nigeria Airlines,” the airline said.

It added that the framework would allow it to enter partnerships with other IATA-member airlines, making it easier for passengers to access global destinations through connecting flights.

“Admission into the MITA network validates our operational standards and aligns us with global best practices in aviation,” the airline added, noting that passengers would benefit from “seamless, single-ticket itineraries, unified baggage check-ins, and smoother connections.”

An aviation analyst, Nura Ahmad, said the development reflects a strategic approach to growth, particularly in a challenging operating environment.

“For an airline like United Nigeria, this is a smart way to grow without overextending itself. You may not see them flying to London or Dubai immediately, but this kind of arrangement means their passengers can get there more easily through partnerships,” he said.

He added that beyond convenience, the move also strengthens the airline’s credibility within the global aviation space.

“Being part of that system shows they’ve met certain standards. It builds confidence, not just for passengers, but for potential partners as well,” he noted.

The airline highlighted that the arrangement would enable it to collaborate more easily with other carriers within the IATA network, potentially improving connectivity for its passengers.

By Mariya Shuaibu Suleiman, Premium Times

Nigeria imports 70% of its medicines – why local manufacturing doesn’t meet demand

Nigeria imports at least 70 per cent of its medicines. This is striking for a country of over 230 million people and at least 120 active pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Domestic manufacturing is largely concentrated in lower-end medicines that require relatively simple production processes. The more complex and higher-value pharmaceutical products continue to be imported.

This pattern has persisted for decades. It reflects two things. First is the limited impact of policies aimed at reducing import dependence. The other is the entrenched interests across pharmaceutical companies. An incentive structure that favours imports over local production.

I recently completed my doctorate studies focusing on the political economy of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria, with comparisons to Uganda, Bangladesh and India. My research looked at how the industry had evolved and analysed how the distribution of organisational power and manufacturing capabilities has made it difficult for reforms to work.

I found that policy interventions have largely failed because weak institutions cannot influence manufacturers to expand their production capabilties.


The biggest obstacles stem from how power and benefits are distributed across political, bureaucratic and pharmaceutical actors.

Any policy that does not fully take this into account will likely be resisted.

Factors militating against Nigerian manufacturers

Nigerian manufacturers face:

. a lack of protection and incentives to produce certain medicines
. high levels of imports of finished medicines
. pressure to import as well as manufacture
. low manufacturing capabilities.

Weak incentive structure:

The first policy to specifically support domestic manufacturers of medicines was introduced in 2005, when the Nigerian government restricted the importation of 17 lower-end medicines. The prohibited medicines included paracetamol, aspirin and metronidazole (antibiotic) tablets.

The protectionist policy has not been expanded since then. So manufacturers have no incentive to invest in technological upgrading to make more complex medicines.

Importation of finished medicines:

At least 100 manufacturers also import medicines – including some that are produced locally. In some cases, manufacturers both produce and import the same medicine, marketing them under different brand names.

Two medicines illustrate this. The antibiotic ciprofloxacin (tablet form) is currently imported by at least 93 registered pharmaceutical companies, even though 21 domestic producers make it too.

A similar pattern is evident for artemether-lumefantrine, a widely used antimalarial medicine. Fewer than 30 pharmaceutical companies produce it locally. More than 200 import it – including some established manufacturers.

Manufacturers as producers and importers:

Many companies combine local manufacturing with importing finished medicines as a way of managing risk.

This creates commercially attractive, lower-risk revenue streams for manufacturers. They are likely to resist policy or reforms that would limit imports in favour of expanded local production.

Low manufacturing capacities:

Nigerian pharmaceutical companies have low manufacturing capacities. And the learning process involved in complex manufacturing is time consuming, costly and risky.

It is also difficult to compel a company to do something where governance is weak.

In the absence of adequate and sustained policy support, many manufacturers rely on political networks to protect their interests or challenge policies that threaten them.

An example is the modification of a regional tariff in 2016 because it threatened locally manufactured medicines. The regional trade policy had imposed zero duty on essential finished medicines and up to 20% on the raw materials used in medicine manufacturing. This was to increase the availability and affordability of essential medicines across the region. Nigerian manufacturers exerted pressure on government to reject it.

In the absence of credible policy support for upgrading into technologically sophisticated medicines, manufacturers continue to rely on imports. Similarly, they continue to influence policy decisions that could disrupt existing revenue streams.

Why the problem persists

When some pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicines locally while others import the same products, it weakens collective action. It’s harder to mobilise around shared policy demands.

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, an influential trade association, illustrates this challenge. One of its objectives is to lobby for increased market protection for locally produced medicines. But member firms have differing commercial interests in locally manufactured and imported medicines. This often works against policy objectives.

It impedes how member firms form alliances to support or oppose policies. It also affects influence over them.

Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines has less to do with the commonly cited capability constraints. It is the outcome of a policy vacuum that has made it more attractive to import products.

This dynamic is also evident in some other African countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. Manufacturers similarly import more complex medicines and produce simple medicines locally. There is limited support for domestic manufacturing of more complex medicines.

Moving forward

High levels of imports limit the rewards for expanding manufacturing capabilities and any credible path to competitiveness. The significant revenues generated from imports also weaken incentives to invest in learning how to produce more complex medicines.

Recognising this matters for policymakers and international development organisations.

The challenge is not simply increasing financial support or political commitment. It is designing policies that reconfigure current benefits. They need to make it worthwhile to invest in more complex pharmaceutical manufacturing.

By Efefiom Kofon, ICIR

Nigeria begins mass trial of 500 terrorism suspects

Nigeria has begun the prosecution of more than 500 people accused of involvement in militant attacks in one of the country's largest ever terrorism trials.

The suspects face charges linked to aiding and abetting terrorism, particularly in the north-east where an insurgency by the Boko Haram Islamist group began 17 years ago.

Since then insecurity has spread to many other areas of the West African nation, leaving communities, often those in rural areas, at the mercy of mushrooming militant groups and gangs that kidnap for ransom.

The mass trial opened on Tuesday at a high court in the capital, Abuja, where 227 suspects were arraigned before 10 judges, according to the attorney general.

Hundreds of people have lost their lives in bombings and various attacks across Nigeria this year alone.

Very few people are ever prosecuted over terror attacks - and suspects are often detained and spend years in custody without facing trial.

According to the AFP news agency, gunmen killed at least 20 people on Wednesday in the western state of Niger. Residents say the attackers raided villages in Shiroro district, an area where kidnapping gangs and Islamist militants are known to operate.

Security was tight during the court session on Tuesday, with suspects transported in heavily guarded convoys under military, police and intelligence supervision.

International observers, including human rights groups and the Nigerian Bar Association, were also present in court.

The defendants are alleged to have taken part in attacks mainly in northern Nigeria, while others face charges of supporting militants through funding, supplying arms and logistics.

Five of the accused have already been given varying jail terms - from seven to 20 years - after pleading guilty to charges that included selling livestock, supplying food and information to militant groups.

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi said the scale of the operation showed the government's resolve to deal with the matter.

"The federal government is committed to ensuring that due process is followed while bringing those involved in terrorism to justice," he said.

Security expert Bashir Galma, a retired army major, told the BBC that the trial, which is expected to continue in phases, was a "positive development" and a "significant milestone" in Nigeria's fight against terrorism.

"For years Nigerians have been complaining about why they keep these suspects [in custody] instead of making them face the law for what they are suspected of doing," he said.

"This will bring some level of peace for people whose loved ones were killed or injured."

The trial would also dispelled rumours that suspects were routinely released after arrest "so that they can go back to their terrorism business", the analyst added.

However, he predicted that some of the accused could be released soon, given that they were arrested many years ago - a factor he said the judges would likely take into consideration.

By Mansur Abubakar and Chris Ewokor, BBC

US expands Nigeria travel warning, lets embassy staff leave Abuja

The United States has urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria and authorised the departure ​of non‑emergency U.S. government employees and their families ‌from the embassy in Abuja, citing worsening security conditions across Africa’s most populous nation.

U.S. travel advisories often shape how investors, international ​organisations and airlines assess country risk. The move ​to allow staff departures signals heightened concern in Washington ⁠as kidnappings, banditry and attacks on security forces ​persist, particularly in northern Nigeria.

In an updated advisory late on ​Wednesday, the State Department kept Nigeria at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, but added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to states Americans ​were warned not to visit. That brings to 23 ​out of 36 the number of states under the “Do Not Travel” ‌category.

The ⁠U.S. highlighted threats from Islamist insurgents in the northeast, criminal gangs in the northwest and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil‑producing regions.
Last month, ​Washington warned of ​a “terrorist threat” ⁠against U.S. facilities and affiliated schools in Nigeria.

The U.S. reviews the advisory several times ​a year and has kept Nigeria at ​Level 3 ⁠or Level 4 for much of the past decade due to persistent insecurity.

The U.S. military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating ⁠in ​Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide ​training and intelligence support to the military, which is fighting Islamist militants ​across the north.

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters

Related story: Joint Security Forces Neutralize Bandits, Thwart Attack on Niger Communities

Nigeria sweats in heatwave as Iran war drives up costs to stay cool

High temperatures are nothing new for Nigeria, Africa's most populous country which is just above the equator. However, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the situation is worsening. It warned in a 2025 report that from 2016 to 2025, nine out of ten years were "among the 12 warmest on record."

Analysts attribute the rising temperatures in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, to climate change, its coastal location, dense population, limited greenery, and heavy traffic.

The constant use of generators worsens the problem because the petrol-guzzling machines emit heat and greenhouse gases.

Public transport, meanwhile, is shambolic, with most commercial vehicles dilapidated and lacking functioning air conditioning.

Temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius in Lagos at the end of March, according to NiMet.

They reached 38 degrees Celsius in the capital Abuja, while Sokoto in the northwest hit 44 degrees Celsius, with NiMet describing the conditions as "unhealthy."

Rising fuel prices

Nigeria's unique economic situation as Africa's fourth-largest economy, combined with a dilapidated power grid that is much less stable than those of some of its poorer neighbors, has led to widespread use of private generators, at least among those who can afford them.

That number may be dwindling as fuel prices soar due to the Iran war. Gasoline prices have nearly doubled in the capital, from around 850 naira ($0.62) per liter to over 1,300 – a record high in a country where it was sold for about 195 naira at the start of 2023.

Health warnings

The heatwave could also worsen Nigeria's malaria problem. According to the World Health Organization, climate change – through increased rainfall, temperatures, and humidity – can sometimes speed up malaria transmission by helping mosquitoes to breed faster.

Nigeria recorded about a quarter of the world's malaria cases and 30% of global deaths in 2024, according to the WHO.

The upcoming rainy season provides some relief as storms cool down temperatures.

However, it will also present its own challenges, like flooding.

CGTN

Joint Security Forces Neutralize Bandits, Thwart Attack on Niger Communities

A joint security operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local volunteer forces has successfully thwarted a planned large-scale attack on communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The operation, which took place on Tuesday, targeted bandits who were reportedly advancing on Bagna and Erena communities. Local sources indicated that the attack, if carried out, could have resulted in significant casualties and destruction.

Credible security sources revealed that the successful intervention was made possible through advance intelligence that exposed the bandits’ plan. Acting on this information, the combined security team strategically positioned themselves and laid an ambush for the attackers.

As the bandits approached the targeted communities in large numbers, they were met with heavy resistance from the operatives and local volunteers. In the ensuing confrontation, scores of the attackers were reportedly killed, effectively neutralizing the threat

“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles were headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” the source revealed.

Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.

“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.

“We are witnessing an increase in ĺcollaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” the source said, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthened security in several communities across the country.”

This Day

Related story: Nigeria rolls out locally made armoured carriers as army ramps up defence capabilities

Families in Nigeria With Autistic Children Fight for Better Support

Autism is gaining more global attention, but awareness and support remain limited in many parts of Africa. In Nigeria, families raising children on the spectrum often face stigma, isolation, and limited access to care.

DW

Nigeria Debuts New Crude Grade with Landmark Export to the Netherlands

Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC has exported its first cargo of a new light crude grade, Cawthorne, to the Netherlands, the company said on Wednesday.

NNPC is aiming to boost production and diversify its export streams as Nigeria works to lift output after years of underinvestment, oil theft and operational disruptions.

About 950,000 barrels were shipped from the Cawthorne floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO), located off Bonny in Rivers State, which supports output from oil mining lease 18, NNPC said.

The launch follows recent additions such as Nembe and Utapate crudes under what NNPC described as a broader strategy to expand Nigeria’s portfolio of exportable oil blends.

Nigeria produced about 1.4 million barrels per day in March, OPEC data shows, well below capacity.

NNPC Chief Executive Bashir Bayo Ojulari said the development supported government targets to raise crude output to three million bpd by 2030.

Nigeria depends on oil exports for most of its foreign exchange earnings.

Reuters

20 Killed, Multiple Abducted in Northwest Nigeria Village Raids

Armed men in Nigeria killed at least 20 people, including ​security guards, and abducted an unknown number ‌after attacking villages in northwestern Niger state, police and residents said late on Tuesday, the ​latest violence plaguing the north of ​the country.

The attack happened in Niger's Shiroro ⁠district, where kidnapping gangs and Islamist ​militants are known to operate.

Niger state police spokesperson ​Wasiu Abiodun said gunmen invaded Bagna and Erena villages on Tuesday and, when security responded, two ​community guards and a driver were killed ​and others injured.

But residents said at least 20 people ‌were ⁠killed and that the attackers, who also destroyed homes, operated for several hours and overwhelmed security personnel in the area.

Some ​villagers fled to ​the ⁠nearby towns of Gwada Zumba and Galadima Kogo, the residents said.

Insecurity ​is Nigeria's biggest problem and President ​Bola ⁠Tinubu is pushing to allow Nigeria's 36 states to establish their own police to ⁠help ​curb the violence.

Reuters

Related story: Dozens killed in Easter attacks in Nigeria

Former prominent slave port has renaissance as key Nigerian tourist attraction

The Nigerian town of Badagry in Lagos State was once a major slave port, one of the most prominent in West Africa during the transatlantic slave trade, which began in the early 16th century and declined in the 19th century. Today, it has become a key tourist destination and an important site for research into the history of slavery. The town is filled with monuments from the slave trade era, reflecting its complex and storied past.

CGTN Africa

Related story:  Video - Inside Nigeria’s coastal town of Badagry

Dangote refinery hikes exports to ease Africa supply crunch

Nigeria's Dangote refinery has increased gasoline and urea exports to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. Owner Aliko Dangote says the refinery has shipped around 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African nations.

Reuters

Dozens killed in Easter attacks in Nigeria

Dozens of people have been killed in multiple attacks in Nigeria over the Easter weekend.

France 24

Locals dispute Nigerian army claim of 31 rescued after Easter attack

Residents of a Nigerian community have disputed the army's assertion that it rescued 31 civilians held hostage following a Sunday morning church attack in the north.

The army had said that it freed the civilians seized by gunmen who had raided a church in Ariko, Kaduna state, during Easter celebrations. The authorities said five civilians had been killed, but a local church official put the number of dead at seven.

But the president of the Ariko community association, Joseph Ariko, told the BBC that the captives were still unaccounted for, and asked the army to name the rescued. "As far as we are concerned, all the abducted victims are still with the bandits."

The army has not yet responded.

It had said that soldiers engaged the attackers in a "fierce firefight", forcing them to flee and leave the hostages and the bodies of the dead victims behind.

Attacks and kidnappings for ransom are common occurrences in northern Nigeria, as the country grapples with security threats from jihadist groups and armed gangs, locally known as bandits.

Although the army said it responded swiftly to Sunday's attack, local media report that residents said the gunmen operated for a long time without facing resistance.

On Monday, Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria questioned the rescue claims after speaking with residents.

"Nobody has been rescued… If they are rescued, where did they take them to?" he told the BBC.

As a result of the firefight, officials had said the "fleeing terrorists" had "significant casualties, as evidenced by blood trails along their escape routes".

Troops had also been deployed to hunt the insurgents and reinforce security.

The army urged residents to share information that can support operations against groups fuelling insecurity across the country.

In a separate incident, Nigeria's military killed 65 bandits following an offensive in Zamfara state, the AFP news agency reported on Sunday, days after a large group of bandits abducted residents from villages ‌in the state.

Police had on Saturday confirmed that there had been a mass abduction in villages in the state earlier in the week and a manhunt had been launched.

Late last year, the administration of US President Donald Trump raised concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria - and urged the government to do more to improve security and strengthen protection for Christian communities.

Trump had previously claimed there was a "Christian genocide" under way in Nigeria - an allegation strongly rejected by Nigeria's government, which said Muslims, Christians and people of no faith were victims of attacks.

In February, US troops were deployed to Nigeria to train its forces and help them with intelligence in their fight against Islamist militants and other armed groups.

By Makuochi Okafor and Paul Njie, BBC

Nigerian banks raise $3.36 billion in major reform drive

The Central Bank of Nigeria says 33 banks have met new capital requirements under a major recapitalization programme. The exercise raised $3.36 billion, boosting financial stability and strengthening the sector’s ability to support economic growth.

CGTN Africa

Police arrest Nigerian man over $550,000 scam targeting American woman

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspect over an alleged $550,000 cyber fraud targeting an American woman.

The suspect, identified as Emwanta Smith, was arrested on 26 March in Benin City, Edo State, by operatives working through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, the police said.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon, said the arrest followed a four-day intelligence-led operation conducted between 23 March and 26 March after a formal complaint by the victim.

The police said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly posed as high-ranking government officials and other prominent figures to gain the victim’s confidence.

He was said to have subsequently persuaded her to transfer funds via cryptocurrency channels over the period from October 2025 to January 2026.

“Investigations revealed that the suspect used false identities of notable personalities to deceive the victim and induce payments via digital currency platforms,” Mr Okon said.

He said proceeds of the alleged fraud were traced to the acquisition of five vehicles and an uncompleted building in Benin City, which have now been secured as exhibits.

He also disclosed that counterfeit cash valued at $10,000 was recovered from the suspect at the time of arrest.

Mr Okon said investigations are ongoing and reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling cybercrime, particularly schemes that exploit cross-border anonymity and digital financial systems.

Pattern of scams targeting Americans

In July 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian police arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Chukwuebuka Obiaku, who allegedly lured an American woman to Nigeria under the guise of marriage and extorted $48,000.

Some cases have had fatal consequences. In October 2023, a US citizen died by suicide after losing his life savings to a romance scam carried out by a network of fraudsters, including Nigerians based in the US and Nigeria.

In February this year, a Nigerian, Afeez Adewale, was extradited to the US to stand trial for offences, including sexual extortion, wire fraud and a death linked to the scheme.

Earlier, in April 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it arrested 22 Nigerian cyber fraud suspects accused of sexually blackmailing and extorting minors in the US.

Edo State has featured prominently in several high-profile cyber fraud cases.

In September 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex in Edo State to American victim Cheryldene Cook, who was scammed by Aisosa Ohue after paying N104 million in a romance scam.

In May 2025, the EFCC traced $30,000 in laundered funds from the activities of an internet fraudster in Auchi, Edo State

By Ekemini Simon, Premium Times

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

Alleged ‘Fake Prince’ Arrested in Nigeria as Another Apparent Victim of the Romance Scam Comes Forward

Nigeria's fuel prices surge as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts global oil markets

Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria is experiencing soaring fuel prices driven by global energy volatility linked to the US and Israel's war against Iran. The Dangote refinery produces 75 million litres of petrol daily—exceeding domestic demand—but disrupted crude supplies and surging global prices have pushed local petrol costs up 50 per cent in the first month of the conflict. Commercial operators and families are struggling as transport and food prices climb, forcing many to cut back on essential purchases and meals. The refinery is working to diversify crude sources and develop its own oil production to reduce dependence on volatile international markets.

Al Jazeera

Nigeria fuel prices surge 65% amid global oil shock

Fuel prices in Nigeria have surged by 65% amid a global oil shock, even as the country's foreign reserves continue to decline. Analysts attribute the pressure to low oil production, theft, and underperforming refineries. With oil accounting for more than 80% of foreign exchange earnings, the shortfall is driving higher living costs and currency instability.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria makes progress in recovering looted Benin artefacts

Nigeria has recorded a breakthrough in the effort to recover artefacts looted during the 1897 Benin Expedition. A joint announcement by Cambridge University and Nigeria’s Commission for Museums and Monuments confirms the transfer of legal ownership, while physical returns are planned for the coming months. The move forms part of a wider push across Europe to address colonial-era collections.

CGTN Africa

Related story: Video - UK returns stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Ex-Nigeria Airways staff demand $26mn severance payout

Former employees of defunct Nigeria Airways (Lagos) are urging the federal government to release NGN36 billion (USD26 million) in severance benefits approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year, reports Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper.

The payments, approved in June 2025, were meant to resolve a decades-long struggle for compensation following the airline's liquidation in 2004. However, nine months after the presidential directive, the funds have yet to be disbursed, according to workers’ representatives.

In a March 29 statement, spokesperson Sheri Kyari, also a former assistant manager at Nigerian Airways, said the finance ministry had not yet authorised the release of the money. The group appealed to the current finance minister, Wale Edun, and other officials to act immediately.

"Across Nigeria, elderly former workers are dying in penury, unable to afford food, shelter, medication, and other basic necessities of life," Kyari said, adding that some retirees had died without receiving their entitlements.

The former employees' struggle for severance pay has spanned multiple administrations. Former president Muhammadu Buhari approved partial payments after years of protests, but a balance remained outstanding until Tinubu’s approval last year.

Nigeria Airways ceased operations in 2003 and was formally liquidated in 2004 by the federal government.

By Hilka Birns, ch-aviation

World Bank approves $500m to boost Nigeria’s agriculture, target one million farmers

The funding, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), will support the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) project over a six-year period from 2026 to 2032.

The project is designed to improve farm productivity, strengthen value chains, and create jobs, while helping to stabilise food supply in Africa’s most populous nation.

Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy, contributing about a quarter of gross domestic product and employing roughly half of the workforce.

Yet the sector has struggled for years with low yields, weak infrastructure, climate shocks, and limited access to finance, leaving many smallholder farmers stuck in subsistence production.

The AGROW programme aims to shift that model by linking farmers more directly to markets and private sector buyers.

It will provide matching grants to agribusinesses that source produce from smallholder farmers, with a focus on processing, storage, and market access.

Key crops targeted under the initiative include rice, maize, cassava and soybeans, staples that are critical to both food security and industrial use.

Beyond financing, the programme will invest in research and extension services, expand access to climate-resilient seeds, and introduce a national digital registry for farms and farmers.

Authorities say the digital system will help improve planning, input distribution, and access to advisory services, including weather information.

The project will also seek to improve regulation of seeds and fertilisers, while encouraging private sector participation in input supply and land-based investments.

“AGROW is a transformative step for Nigeria’s agriculture, empowering smallholder farmers, unlocking private sector–led growth, and strengthening food security in a sustainable way,” said Mathew Verghis, the World Bank’s country director for Nigeria.

He added that the initiative is expected to benefit up to one million farmers and attract significant private capital into the sector.

The World Bank estimates the programme could mobilise an additional $220 million in private investment over its lifetime.

The new funding comes amid broader efforts by the Nigerian government to revive agriculture as a driver of growth and reduce reliance on food imports.

In recent months, authorities have launched complementary initiatives, including irrigation expansion projects aimed at improving year-round farming.

However, investment in the sector remains relatively low. Nigeria allocated less than 2% of its 2025 budget to agriculture, far below the 10% target agreed by African countries under the Maputo Declaration.

Past interventions such as the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme and the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have sought to improve access to finance and boost domestic production, but structural challenges persist.

With rising food prices and pressure on household incomes, the success of AGROW will be closely watched as a test of whether Nigeria can translate policy support and external funding into tangible gains for farmers and consumers.

By Ayodeji Adegboyega, Business Insider Africa