Nigeria News Digest: August 21, 2025

The Nigerian Bar Association has urged the Federal Government to release Osun State’s withheld local government allocations, calling the withholding unconstitutional and a breach of the rule of law, while Governor Ademola Adeleke has echoed the call for immediate disbursement.

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians abroad to return and help drive national development, stressing that progress requires shared responsibility from both citizens at home and those overseas.

Civil society organisations are urging that the next INEC chairman be a proven, non‑partisan figure with a solid academic and professional record, following Yakubu’s decade of electoral oversight.

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s aborted attempt to switch from the PDP to the APC has exposed deep rifts in the ruling party, raising concerns that his move could reshape the 2026 electoral landscape.

Two internet fraudsters arrested during a Lagos sting operation at the Obasanjo Presidential Library Hotel were sentenced by the Lagos High Court, adding to the 93 suspects already detained.

A student group led by Feranmi Gabriel condemned the conviction of seven Borno youths, accusing the trial of being a sham and the sentences—ranging from caning to five years in prison—of being outrageous.

The Bauchi Police Command reported that in the last six months it arrested 748 suspects, recovered over N38 million in cash and seized stolen vehicles and equipment, while processing 394 criminal cases.

After a mob killed 13 wedding guests in Plateau’s Mangun district, a state court granted bail to 20 suspects, sparking outrage among relatives who view the decision as a miscarriage of justice.

A U.S. State Department report warned that Nigeria’s N70,000 minimum wage is insufficient to lift people out of poverty, noting weak enforcement and an economy that has worsened.

The federal government opened an August 2025 bond auction offering ₦200 billion across two 5‑year issues, with total subscriptions exceeding ₦185 billion.

Nigeria's Finance Minister Wale Edun praised a partnership between PepsiCo and DP World, stating it reflects the country's commitment to business growth and reform, while expanding a sustainability collaboration with WaterAid.

Communications Minister Bosun Tijani cited approving a telecoms tariff hike as his toughest decision, balancing sectoral losses with a $2 billion investment in network infrastructure upgrades.

NGO Helpster provided critical healthcare to a remote Yobe village of 3,000 residents through a partnership with Ayaji Medical, addressing severe gaps in medical access in underserved regions.

Human rights group CHRICHED warned of rising mental health challenges among Kano women, urging the government to establish a psychiatric hospital to address maternal and community mental health crises.

Oyo State allocated N45 million for HIV/AIDS interventions, including test kit purchases and awareness campaigns led by ambassadors to strengthen disease control efforts.

The Nigerian Air Force conducted free medical outreach in Imo State, treating over 11,000 people and performing 846 surgeries to bolster its Civil-Military Relations strategy.

FCT police arrested 116 suspects in a two-week crackdown targeting crime hotspots in the nation's capital, reinforcing commitments to public safety and drug enforcement.

A court in Anambra State remanded four suspects charged with rape, continuing efforts to address sexual violence cases across Nigerian judicial systems.

NSCDC Jigawa donated N900,000 to the family of a slain officer, collected through contributions from colleagues, local officials, and community members following an attack on the officer.

Imo Police arrested three individuals linked to child trafficking, recovering a stolen four-year-old boy and disrupting a network selling children across state lines.

Ogun Customs seized a N905 million Rolls-Royce and other high-value contraband, including cannabis, through joint anti-smuggling operations with NDLEA enforcement agencies.

Katsina State's latest bandit attacks left 50 dead, including 20 individuals found burnt in Malumfashi, marking a steep rise in civilian casualties from recent assaults.

A fire in Kwara State's Ajase-Ipo cattle market destroyed 28 shops, including plank and container structures, though emergency responders contained the blaze before reaching livestock.

Investment in infrastructure and foreign exchange stability are crucial for business growth, according to a CEO, who also highlighted the need for improved logistics and connectivity, especially in underserved areas, to drive technological advancement and expansion.

The FCT Minister has officially launched the Karu Water Project, aiming to provide potable water to Abuja's outskirts, with completion set for June 2026, fulfilling a commitment made by President Bola Tinubu two months prior.

NAMA has commenced a comprehensive audit of Nigeria's airspace to evaluate safety, efficiency, and compliance, while a civil society group criticized NCAA's 'flight mode ban' as internationally embarrassing.

President Tinubu announced Nigeria's participation in TICAD9, aiming to secure over $1 billion in trade and investment, focusing on green innovation, industrial growth, and youth opportunities.

Jigawa State, in partnership with BCDA and Chinese investors, is developing Maigatari as a livestock processing hub, expected to boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance cross-border trade.

A mosque in Katsina State was attacked by bandits during morning prayers, killing at least 27 people, prompting a former presidential aide to highlight Muslims as the primary victims of such violence.