Nigeria News Digest: August 25, 2025

CSOs called for an amendment removing the president’s appointment power over the INEC chair before the 2027 elections, and urged mass voter turnout at local levels while proposing a commission of professional bodies to vet chair candidates.

Gombe Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya signed the Local Council Development Areas Bill 2025, creating 13 new LCDAs in addition to 11 existing LGAs, and set up a transition committee to oversee implementation, aligning with the national constitutional review for new LGAs.

As INEC launched its Continuous Voter Registration nationwide, the Lagos APC instructed ward and local government leaders to mobilize communities, targeting new, young and relocated voters to secure permanent voter cards, underscoring the importance of maintaining Lagos's political continuity.

INEC reported that 3,000,000 Nigerians had completed online voter pre‑registration within a week of the Continuous Voter Registration launch, a figure that significantly exceeds earlier expectations and reflects heightened voter engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Alia congratulated newly elected Speaker Alfred Emberga and the Benue State House of Assembly, pledging continued support and collaboration for the state’s progress following Emberga’s swift election as speaker of the 10th assembly.

The civil society group FREECON sued President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General, the Rivers State Sole Administrator and RSIEC chairman in federal court over the conduct of the August 30 local government elections, challenging the legality of the President’s appointment of a sole administrator.

Mixed reactions emerged as the Continuous Voter Registration began nationwide after the online pre‑registration started on August 18; while some youths welcomed the chance to secure permanent voter cards, others cited network issues, prompting state officials to intensify outreach.

The All Progressives Congress suspended its 2023 Edo South senatorial candidate Valentine Asuen for allegedly inciting division within the party, a move that underscores the APC’s commitment to internal discipline and upholding democratic values amid its internal processes.

Nigerian lawyers debated SERAP’s call for a probe into alleged cash‑for‑bill payments in the National Assembly, while also highlighting issues over local government statutory allocations and the federal‑state financial relationship.

Thousands of Osun residents gathered at INEC offices on Monday to register for permanent voter cards during the Continuous Voter Registration, while monitors observed the process to ensure transparency and compliance with guidelines.

Governor Sanwo‑Olu swore in Olufemi Okeowo as chairman of the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, urging officials to support him, and praised his prior performance, expecting him to strengthen local governance in Lagos.

A coalition of 20 Kano civil society organisations called for the suspension and prosecution of senior officials linked to corruption cases exceeding N7 billion, urging an independent audit and cooperation with the EFCC and ICPC to restore public trust.

A Lagos high court convicted four more internet fraudsters arrested by the EFCC during an August 10 raid at the Obasanjo Presidential Library complex, sentencing them to 30‑day jail terms effective from their arrest dates.

The EFCC’s Uyo Zonal Directorate arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at Uyeh Heaven and Ayam Estates in Uyo, following intelligence on their activities, as announced by the commission’s head of media.

Amnesty International and Nigerian NGOs denounce the conviction of seven youths in Borno state for #EndBadGovernance protests, calling the trial a sham and demanding justice.

A rights group accuses Enugu police of abducting, torturing, and maliciously prosecuting Lagos resident Alfred Friday, alleging fabricated charges and abuse.

Economists warn Nigeria's negative real interest rates disproportionately burden savers, transferring wealth to borrowers and the government while fueling inflation.

Nigeria’s Q2 2025 GDP could grow 3.2–3.9%, driven by non-oil sectors, data rebasing, and stable foreign exchange rates despite energy sector challenges.

Cross River State, a major food producer, faces high inflation with costly staple prices, ranking among Nigeria’s top 20 states with the highest food price inflation.

President Tinubu’s Brazil visit is positioned as a strategic move to enhance economic ties and establish direct flights, bolstering bilateral trade and cultural exchange.

Fifteen Nigerian companies generated N12.7 trillion in H1 2025, outperforming the prior year’s revenue amid macroeconomic challenges.

Onitsha Main Market, Nigeria’s largest by trade volume, generates over $5 billion annually across 65 specialty markets and contributes significantly to regional commerce.

Unclear NAICOM guidelines have stalled insurance sector recapitalization, creating confusion over capital qualification and reform timelines.

Nigeria’s NCDC and Resolve to Save Lives aim to overhaul legal frameworks for public health data governance to improve disease surveillance and response.

Misinformation linking the HPV vaccine to harm fuels widespread hesitancy in Nigeria, undermining efforts to combat cervical cancer.

Stigma and cultural taboos worsen Nigeria’s menstrual health crisis, though a proposed national policy aims to expand access to hygiene products and education.

NCCE shut down 22 unaccredited colleges of education, while NiMet issued flood warnings as Nigeria’s top stories highlight corruption, climate risks, and infrastructure efforts.

Former presidential candidate Chris Imumolen opened a library in Abuja’s Lugbe community, emphasizing education as a pillar of national development.

NYCN commended Kosofe local leaders for distributing GCE exam forms to youth, supporting educational opportunities and community empowerment.

A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer was arrested in Lagos for attempting to transport cocaine to Abuja, claiming she inherited the drug trade from her late husband.

The Army rescued 27 abducted passengers in Benue as part of nationwide counter-terrorism operations, which also resulted in 15 terrorists killed and 30 kidnapped victims freed.

The NDLEA busted a drug syndicate at Kano Airport, arresting suspects who fraudulently linked pilgrims' details to bags containing narcotics destined for Saudi Arabia.

Police in Akwa Ibom arrested a boat operator suspected of aiding kidnappers, as part of broader efforts to combat crime in the state.

The NDLEA arrested a 29-year-old man in Kano for possessing 7,000 tramadol capsules hidden in an oil jerrycan, as part of its mission to combat illicit substances.

Six people died and two were injured in a Delta car crash involving an articulated vehicle that crushed two other cars near the Second Niger Bridge.

Over 50 Ekeson bus passengers were stranded overnight in Ekiti after a tyre burst, with no spare tyre available, highlighting lapses in vehicle maintenance.

A boat mishap in Sokoto left six dead and three missing, adding to recent tragedies in the region.

Julius Berger has resumed work on Abuja Centenary City after an 11-year hiatus, aiming to develop infrastructure that meets world-class standards.

NIGCOMSAT has launched commercial broadband services in Nigeria, seeking to compete in the satellite internet market dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Nigeria has 90 million people without electricity, though the government claims 70 million now have access through private sector partnerships.

Yabatech secured a €117,000 EU grant to develop solar-powered aquaponics for food security, integrating catfish production with vegetable farming.

Vice-President Shettima urged African leaders to develop indigenous military technology for long-term security, emphasizing trust and intelligence-sharing.

FiberOne Broadband announced a major upgrade to its infrastructure and customer experience, starting in Lagos and expanding to other cities.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector grew by only 12% over five years, with crop production weakening under President Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria’s government, IFAD and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency have launched an initiative to scale climate‑smart agriculture, emphasizing Climate Information Services. The CSAPR project under the SAPZ programme will employ tools and climate data to de‑risk investments, strengthen resilience and broaden inclusion after a workshop with agencies, partners and farmer groups.

Oyo State Governor announced that the state will partner with Chinese investors to transform its agricultural sector, aiming to boost food productivity, create thousands of jobs and develop an agro‑industrial processing hub; the state's Agribusiness Development Agency said the investors’ vision aligns with its strategies.

Yobe State government granted cash assistance to 356 women in all 178 wards to start goat‑farming enterprises, a move hailed by the state’s APC Women Leader as evidence of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s ongoing commitment to women’s economic empowerment.