Nigeria Digest: July 31, 2025

The Court of Appeal in Akure has confirmed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's victory in the Ondo State governorship election, dismissing appeals from opposition parties.

Edo State's APC and PDP are in conflict over calls to redeploy INEC officials, with the APC accusing the PDP of attempting to influence upcoming bye-elections.

Bauchi State Governor condoled the passing of Alhaji Ahmed Makama Hardawa, chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, acknowledging his contributions to grassroots democracy.

INEC has cautioned political parties in Ekiti State against involving underage voters in the Continuous Voter Registration process ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

INEC is partnering with the National Orientation Agency to improve voter education and publicity efforts for future elections.

PDP chieftain Abduljabbar Rufai revealed that the party is engaging with Peter Obi to rejoin, citing strategic advantages for the 2027 general election.

The African Democratic Congress has criticized the APC's 'no vacancy' statement, labeling it disrespectful and dismissive of Nigerians' democratic rights.

Nicolas Felix, a former APC presidential aspirant, predicted that President Bola Tinubu would secure 15 million votes in the 2027 election, dismissing opposition threats.

INEC's Osun REC, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, sought collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service to prevent non-Nigerians from registering in the Continuous Voter Registration.

Anambra community leaders have urged Governor Soludo to address a leadership crisis, alleging government interference in the selection of the town's President General.

Bauchi State Governor Mohammed declared the state a safe haven for peace, emphasizing the government's commitment to security and stability.

The APC in Edo State claims the PDP is concerned about potential losses in upcoming by-elections due to the incumbent governor's achievements.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) disputed Plateau State Governor's claim that withdrawing soldiers is necessary, arguing that the majority of Nigeria's mobile police force hails from the same regions.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with Ghanaian officials to address tensions and protests targeting Nigerians in Ghana.

Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of social media personality Ghali Ismail, detained over a video discussing President Tinubu's health.

The Court of Appeal has upheld a three-year sentence for former Imo Commissioner Laseberry Anyanwu over the diversion of N180 million in state funds.

The CJID Openness Index Report highlights uneven press freedom and civic space across Nigerian states, noting incidents of harassment against journalists.

Delta State police arrested a woman for faking her kidnapping to collect N3 million ransom after spending N3.6 million on her bridal shower.

A Kwara court sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death for ritually killing Hafsoh, a final-year student, after finding him and four others guilty of conspiracy.

An Islamic cleric, Bello, was found guilty of ritual murdering Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde and was sentenced to death by a Kwara court. Four others accused in the case were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Delta State authorities arrested notorious kidnapper Chiadiji Collins, known as “Smooth,” following a tip-off about his activities in several communities.

Over 9.6 million suspected spam messages were blocked by Airtel Nigeria's AI-powered spam alert service in two months, as the company works to combat mobile fraud.

Nigeria is revising its 2025 budget due to lower-than-expected oil revenue. The government is considering various measures, including adjusting its oil price benchmark and increasing non-oil revenue.

Transcorp Plc reported N279.7 billion in revenue during the first half of 2025 and plans to pay a N4.06 billion interim dividend, attributing its success to strategic investments.

The share performance of 39 Nigerian firms led to a N863 billion gain for the stock exchange, indicating a continued bullish trend in trading.

Nigerian Breweries Plc achieved a revenue of N733.19 billion in the second quarter of 2025, a 53% increase compared to the same period in 2024, driven by cost optimization, strong market execution, and brand equity.

First Holdco reported a N1.7 trillion interim dividend as part of its latest financial results.

Wema Bank saw its profit before tax surge by 231% to N101.2 billion in the first half of 2025, due to various strategic initiatives.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company reported a 157% year-on-year profit surge in the first half of 2025, driven by strategic focus and operational efficiency.

BUA Foods reported a significant 101% increase in profits to ₦1 billion in the first half of 2025, accompanied by total assets reaching ₦1.5 billion. Revenue also grew by 8% to ₦1 billion, driven by strong performance across all product segments.

Dangote Cement plans to inaugurate a 3Mta grinding plant in Côte d'Ivoire this quarter, furthering its expansion in Africa and cementing its position as a major exporter.

The Ngogbehei Cancer Centre has launched in Nigeria, focusing on cancer prevention, education, and grassroots care to strengthen the healthcare sector.

eHealth Africa called on young innovators to use technology to address healthcare challenges at the 2025 Insights Learning Forum, emphasizing the role of digital health.

Nigeria faces a public health crisis due to high consumption of processed foods, prompting CAPPA to advocate for improved nutrition policies and awareness.

The federal government plans to integrate neurological care into primary healthcare and expand health insurance coverage for brain and spine disorders.

Kaduna's Kuringa Health Clinic, which serves multiple communities, lacks essential facilities and staff despite receiving funding.

A Rotary outreach provided maternal and child health services to 160 pregnant women in the FCT, aligning with global health priorities.

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights expressed support for the nurses' strike, highlighting unresolved issues in the healthcare sector.

The Oyo State CDWR supported a seven-day warning strike by nurses, citing unpaid allowances and unmet wage demands.

The Police Service Commission warned against fraud in upcoming police recruitment, emphasizing fairness and equity in the process.

The Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria denounced anti-Nigerian protests in Ghana as a concerning trend threatening regional unity.

A university's new dress code is facing criticism for its restrictive policies on student clothing choices, raising concerns about moral policing over academic well-being.

Over 60 students from six government schools in Abuja participated in a literacy and reading culture competition organized by the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Police Force initiated a promotion exercise for long-serving inspectors to reach the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police by August 29, 2025.

Amnesty International's Director in Nigeria criticized the government's inaction on insecurity following the Zamfara massacre, urging immediate action to protect citizens.

A guard and cook were sentenced to death by hanging in Katsina State for the murder of former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Rabe Nasir.

Bandits attacked Dogon Ruwa village in Plateau State, but security forces repelled the assault; however, four members, including two soldiers and two CJTF operatives, were killed in the exchange.

All Progressives Congress chieftain Joe Igbokwe claimed that the security crisis in the South-East is due to actions of people from the Igbo community, not Fulani herdsmen, citing the recent death of businessman Ifesinachi Onyekere.

A 17-year-old boy drowned in Dandalama village, Kano State, according to the Kano State Fire Service.

The renaming of streets in Lagos has sparked ethnic tensions, with critics arguing that prioritizing one group undermines the city's historical diversity.

The Ilaje community in Lagos is protesting the renaming of a historic road to King Sunny Ade Road, demanding a reversal to preserve their cultural heritage.

The Lagos State Government has urged property owners to renovate their buildings' facades to align with the vision of establishing Lagos as a 21st-century economy.

Contractors have accused FCT Minister Wike of withholding ₦5.2 billion in payments, leading to health issues among workers and calls for presidential intervention.

Katsina State has allocated ₦703 million to enhance security at 14 hospitals, including perimeter fences and barricades, as part of broader security reforms.

The Center for Journalism Integrity and Development (CJID) ranked Imo, Bauchi, and Lagos as the most dangerous states for journalists in Nigeria, based on factors like access to information, harassment, transparency, and legal frameworks supporting press freedom.

MTN Nigeria's Chief Marketing Officer highlighted the potential of 5G technology and IoT to revolutionize media and entertainment, enabling high-bandwidth and low-latency solutions for content creators.

ICT stakeholders have agreed to collaborate on addressing multiple taxation and other challenges impacting the growth and innovation of the sector.

Nigeria Fintech Week (NFW25), taking place from October 7–9 in Lagos, aims to promote local funding for tech startups in Nigeria. The week will be a platform for over 20,000 stakeholders across Africa's digital landscape to connect and explore investment opportunities.

The GESP initiative, supported by UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and UK Aid, empowered over 1,000 young girls aged 13-24 with employable skills in tech fields through its YabaTech program, providing them with toolkits and certification.

African publishers face challenges in obtaining fair compensation from AI companies using their content to train artificial intelligence models. Experts call for regional efforts to develop frameworks for neighboring rights and ensure long-term value for African publishing in the AI era.

Tres Bien Events, a South-South event management company, celebrates its 20th anniversary with the launch of its founder and CEO's book, 'The Octopus,' sharing insights and lessons from her journey in building a successful brand.

Nairametrics emphasized that content published under 'NM Partners' does not necessarily reflect their endorsement, taking responsibility only for their own original content and platform provided for diverse voices.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said President Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency on food security aims to transform the agricultural sector into a resilient and youth-driven engine of economic growth, tackling insecurity and inflationary pressures.

Beninese artist Charbel Coffi's first solo exhibition in Lagos,'Rooted,' explores themes of endurance, grit, and grace through vibrant canvases made with kaolin, laterite, and clay, reflecting on life and the land.

The rising cost of cinema tickets has made it difficult for some Nigerians to afford watching films regularly. While some enjoy the comfort of home viewing, nothing compares to the shared experience of watching in a cinema.

Iran denies allegations leveled by Nigeria's secret service about organizing a spy cell in Nigeria and its recent attempts to intervene involving Abdullahi Mustapha Berende.

The article 'The Paradox of Expecting Saints in a Corrupt Society' argues that expecting superhuman leaders in a corrupt society is impractical, highlighting the need for societal change and individual responsibility.