Nigeria Digest: July 22, 2025

Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, the 2023 governorship candidate of APC in Adamawa State, has resigned from the party effective July 19, 2025. In a letter addressed to the party chairman, Binani expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had to serve at various levels. The resignation comes after her loss in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, criticized the way local government elections are conducted in Nigeria, alleging vote allocation rather than free and fair voting. He made these remarks following the Supreme Court's decision to grant full financial autonomy to local governments, pointing to continued flaws in the electoral process.

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu's success in the 2027 presidential election, calling on the opposition to support his re-election bid. He argued that no coalition could hinder President Tinubu's victory.

Peter Obi's running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, stated that he would be content if Peter Obi contested the 2027 presidential election without him. He believes Peter Obi's candidacy would be strong with or without his involvement.

A Federal Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $222,729.86 USDT recovered from Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams. The property was deemed proceeds of crime, and the court ruled in favor of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bishop Katung Jonas and Okewole Dayo are facing fraud charges in court, accused of using church sermons to lure over 44,000 Nigerians into a fraudulent cooperative society scheme. The scheme reportedly promised high returns and left victims with substantial financial losses.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello's request to travel abroad for medical reasons has been denied by a Federal High Court in Abuja. This is the second time the court has rejected his travel request, as it deems the medical grounds insufficient for releasing his passport.

Nigeria's economic reforms have contributed to reduced inflation and increased foreign reserves, boosting stability in the forex market. Analysts expect sustained FX liquidity to continue supporting naira stability in the near term.

Nigeria's central bank has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27.5% to combat persistent inflationary pressures. While inflation in some advanced economies has slowed, the central bank remains cautious about potential upward risks in emerging markets.

Nigeria's debt servicing costs have fallen below 50% of its revenue due to economic reforms implemented by the government. This significant decrease reflects the government's efforts to manage its finances and reduce its debt burden.

Tax evasion and illicit financial flows by multinational corporations cost Nigeria an estimated $18 billion annually. The loss of revenue highlights the need for urgent action to strengthen tax laws and combat these practices.

The Kaduna State Government has made health insurance mandatory for all couples and aspiring wedding applicants. This requirement aims to ensure residents have access to quality healthcare and financial protection against unexpected medical expenses.

FCT health centers have reopened after a three-month closure caused by a strike by health workers. Residents expressed relief at the return of medical services, highlighting the impact of the strike on their healthcare access.

Nigeria is committed to ending pediatric HIV and preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus. The federal government aims to achieve this through a National HIV Health Sector Symposium, which will bring together various stakeholders to discuss strategies and accelerate progress.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello's request to travel abroad for medical treatment was denied once again by a Federal High Court in Abuja. The court found his medical grounds insufficient and agreed with the EFCC's objections to the request.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 567 suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping and child trafficking, while also rescuing four kidnap victims and 13 trafficked children through collaborative efforts with multiple units.

Nigerian troops have apprehended 199 terrorist suspects and other criminals in a nationwide operation, neutralizing several terrorists and arresting a wanted cattle rustler in Plateau State.

A machine explosion at an industrial facility in Ibadan caused a major fire, destroying millions of naira in property, but fire crews contained the blaze before it spread further.

An explosion at a pharmaceutical company in Ile Ife, Osun State, left one person dead, but the Osun State Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.