Nigeria News Digest: August 19, 2025

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State called on residents outside the state to transfer their voter registration cards back to Osun in preparation for the 2026 elections. He emphasized the importance of mass participation in voting to maintain people-oriented leadership.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 69,376 Nigerians pre-registered online for voter registration in the first seven hours. The commission emphasized that voter registration is open to Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who are not currently registered.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State rejected the results of a recent by-election, alleging intimidation and irregularities during the process.

Observers described the recent by-election in Kaduna State as credible but noted a widespread lack of enthusiasm and voter apathy. They called for increased voter education to enhance public confidence in the electoral system.

The Kano State Police Command charged approximately 333 suspected thugs to court for disrupting the by-election in Shanono/Bagwai and Tsanyawa/Ghari constituencies. These suspects were involved in various offenses such as carrying weapons and attempting to disrupt the voting process.

The Delta State Government has launched a Widows Welfare Scheme, providing financial and healthcare support to 10,000 widows across the state.

A Nigerian court sentenced two internet fraudsters arrested at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) to jail. The court also ordered the forfeiture of their assets, including iPhones, identified as proceeds of their crimes.

Six individuals were convicted by an Edo State High Court for internet fraud and had their assets, including phones, laptops, and bank funds, ordered to be forfeited by the court.

A 25-year-old man named Yusuf Ibrahim was remanded in custody in Osun State for allegedly stealing N8.9 million in sales proceeds from his workplace to gamble.

The telecom industry in Nigeria is anticipating tax reforms that aim to reduce the number of levies on operators. They hope these reforms will stimulate investment and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

The attainment of Nigeria’s $1 trillion GDP goal by 2030 faces significant challenges, including inflation, low oil production, and persistent issues in the power sector. Experts doubt the feasibility of achieving this target.

After an 11-year delay, the Abuja Centenary City project has resumed with a N750 billion infrastructure deal with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, aiming to transform the area into a modern technological hub.

The federal government of Nigeria has initiated a review of the revenue allocation formula, intending to allocate more funds to state governments while emphasizing the need for increased accountability and efficient service delivery.

President Tinubu has directed a significant reduction in dialysis costs at select federal hospitals, lowering the price from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000, with plans to expand access by year-end.

Chadian authorities have arrested the son of Boko Haram's founder and five other suspected terrorists, a move praised by the US as a significant step in combating terrorism in the region.

Libyan police have arrested six Nigerian nationals, a local driver, and his mother for alleged involvement in a human smuggling operation in Sirte.

The federal government has directed FERMA to begin rehabilitating the Loko-Oweto-Agatu Road in Nasarawa State to provide an alternative route ahead of potential Abuja-Lokoja flooding.

Nigerian scholars are developing an AI-driven platform called 'Naija Falsehoods Buster' to combat misinformation across the country's media landscape.

A proposed Civic Tech Corps aims to reform Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps, leveraging tech skills for nation-building through innovation and community projects.

The Odua Group has sealed a N10 billion cocoa investment deal, emphasizing a renewed focus on agricultural development and the historical significance of Cocoa House.

The Minister of Agriculture & Food Security will address strategies for driving non-oil growth through agriculture at the FirstBank Agric and Export Conference.

Burna Boy has become the African artist with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking five consecutive years of unprecedented success.

The Lagos State Government has declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, a public holiday in honor of Isese Day, celebrating Yoruba cultural heritage.