President Tinubu says "worst is over" on independence day amid worsening hardship

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared on Wednesday that the “worst is over” following a series of painful economic reforms that have left millions struggling with rising costs and deepening poverty.

In a national address marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, Tinubu defended his administration’s decision to scrap fuel subsidies and unify the foreign exchange rate - moves that triggered inflation and widespread public anger but, he said, were necessary to “reset” the economy.

“Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit,” Tinubu said.

He cited second-quarter GDP growth of 4.23% - the fastest in four years - and a decline in inflation to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years.

Tinubu also pointed to five consecutive quarters of trade surpluses, a rebound in oil production to 1.68 million barrels per day, and a rise in external reserves to $42.03 billion - the highest since 2019.

The president said the government had disbursed 330 billion naira ($222.90 million) to eight million vulnerable households under its social investment programme and was expanding infrastructure across rail, roads, airports, and seaports.

However, critics questioned the transparency of the cash transfer scheme. Two weeks ago, the finance minister announced the disbursement, sparking calls for a public register of beneficiaries.

Despite Tinubu’s upbeat tone, the IMF’s most recent Article IV assessment warned of persistently high inflation and worsening poverty.

Over 129 million Nigerians - more than half the population - live below the poverty line, while funding cuts by international donors have forced the World Food Programme to shut down 150 nutrition centres in the conflict-hit northeast.

“We are racing against time,” Tinubu said, even as critics including opposition party leader Peter Obi argue that his spending priorities have not matched the scale of the country’s humanitarian and economic challenges.

The speech comes amid growing labour unrest over the recent dismissal of 800 workers at the privately owned Dangote Oil Refinery for unionising.

The dispute has disrupted power supply and could threaten the oil production gains touted by Tinubu. ($1=1,480.4900 naira)

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Video - Nigeria’s new 20 percent expat tax sparks investment concerns

Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Act, effective January 1, 2026, will impose a 20 percent tax on expatriates earning over $521 monthly, replacing outdated regulations to generate trillions of naira. Critics warn it could deter foreign investment and complicate diplomatic ties.

CGTN Africa

Bill Maher calls out media for ignoring killing of Christians in Nigeria

 

Comedian and television host Bill Maher, known for his acerbic wit, is calling out the media for its silence on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

“If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble. And, again, I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria,” Maher said on his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on September 27.

“They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches,” Maher said. “This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this?”

Maher famously hosted the show “Politically Incorrect” and has said he is not beholden to any party or ideology. He often provides scathing sociopolitical commentary on his television show and podcast.

By Susie Pinto, News Nation

Nigeria Handed World Cup Lifeline After South Africa Docked Points

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived after football’s governing body sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March be forfeited, after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. The decision awards Lesotho a 3–0 win and deducts three points from South Africa.

Alongside the points loss, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.

The ruling has blown Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers wide open. South Africa, who had been leading, now dropped to second level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by just three points, setting up a tense finale to the qualifying rounds next month.

Only group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in North and Central America.

SAFA confirmed it will appeal the decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and “unprecedented.” South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, described the affair as “embarrassing” and promised an investigation into the administrative failure that led to the sanction.

Nigeria, meanwhile, have been handed a golden opportunity. Wins in their remaining fixtures could send the Super Eagles top of the group and back on course for World Cup qualification.

Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa must travel to Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. With just three points separating the top four sides, Group C has become one of the most unpredictable races in African football.

By Aymen Alami, MWN

Dangote’s meeting with the oil union in Nigeria on day one hits a brick wall

A delegation from the union held a meeting with the Dangote Refinery; however, the negotiation, which was put together by the government around 4. PM on Monday was reportedly unfruitful.

Mohammed Dingyadi, the Minister of Labor and Employment, and Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, were part of the nine-hour-long dialogue, which lasted until early Tuesday morning.

Despite the lengthy negotiations, the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN were unable to reach a mutual agreement, as seen in the Punch.

After the meeting, the labor minister revealed that the delegations from both parties would meet again at 2:00 PM on Tuesday to break the stalemate.

Following reports of widespread dissatisfaction, the Federal Government called both sides to the bargaining table, concerned about the dispute's possible effects on the country's economy and energy security.

Dangote’s dispute with PENGASSAN

The Dangote Refinery is currently locked in a major dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the firing of hundreds of workers.

The union claims that more than 800 Nigerians were fired after joining PENGASSAN and replaced with expats, accusing management of violating labor rights and discriminating against local employees.

In retaliation, the union requested a suspension in crude oil and gas delivery to the $20 billion refinery, causing severe disruptions in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

They followed up with a nationwide strike that has drawn the solidarity of other union groups in the downstream sector.

Currently, major oil institutions in Nigeria, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been shut down owing to PENGASSAN’s strike.

Dangote Group denies the allegations, maintaining that the dismissals were part of a reorganization to combat sabotage in particular refinery facilities, and condemning the supply disruption as "economic sabotage."

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa