Nigeria News Digest: Aug 26, 2025

Civil society groups urged the National Assembly to amend electoral law, removing the president’s power to appoint the INEC chairman before the 2027 elections. They also proposed a commission of professional bodies to recommend candidates and are conducting voter education campaigns at local government and ward levels.

INEC reports 1.38 million Nigerians have pre‑registered for voter cards online, with 3 million completing pre‑registration within the first week of its nationwide continuous voter registration drive.

Following an August 10 sting operation, EFCC secured convictions of multiple internet fraudsters, with several pleading guilty to cybercrime charges after arrests at the OOPL hotel, while a fourth defendant was remanded.

A mortgage banker was sentenced to 16 years in prison across multiple counts for fraud, false pretences, forgery and retention of proceeds, after a N31 million apartment deal in Lagos triggered an EFCC investigation.

Police and EFCC arrested nine suspects linked to kidnapping and cybercrime in Akwa Ibom, following a joint operation that dismantled a kidnapping ring and seized individuals involved in a recent foiled abduction attempt in Eket.

A Federal High Court judge ordered the forfeiture of more than N5 billion in shares linked to former NAPL managing director Major General Umar Mohammed and businessman Kayode Filani, after the EFCC proved its case.

Civil society groups in Kano accused the state government of intimidation after they demanded the suspension of officials facing corruption allegations, saying members were subjected to threats and harassment.

The Kaduna State government’s security unit reportedly raided a hotel used by the PDP’s campaign office, abducting its candidate Esther Dawaki and seizing campaign funds, prompting the party to accuse the governor of a political clamp‑down.

The Inspector General of Police asked the court to compel banks to provide account details for Sahara Reporters founder Sola Sowore, citing allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering linked to foreign support.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria urged the federal government to suspend the 4 % free‑on‑board charge on imports, arguing the fee would inflate the cost of locally unavailable raw materials.

Former minister Oby Ezekwesili criticized President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, saying the reform was poorly executed and has worsened poverty and inflation.

The Nigerian equities market recorded a sharp decline, dropping 2.29 billion Naira in one week amid profit‑taking and cautious investor sentiment.

Nigeria plans to lift the 5 % cap on pension fund investments in infrastructure and private equity, aiming to boost returns for retirees and support national development.

77 per cent week-on-week (WoW) to close at 144,628.15 per cent to close at N26.This week, Cowry Asset Management Limited said, "we expect the Nigerian equities market to trade mixed, with cautious sentiment dominating overall performance.

Nigeria to expand pension investment scope in infrastructure and private equity Nigeria is preparing to revise its pension investment regulations to allow a greater share of the country’s $17 billion pension assets to be allocated to infrastructure and private equity, in a strategic move aimed at boosting returns for retirees and supporting national development.The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is in the final stages of reviewing the current 5% cap on pension fund investments in these alternative asset classes, according to Ibrahim Buwai, PenCom’s spokesman.Currently, fixed-income securities account for 62% of pension fund assets, but persistent inflation, hovering above 20% for two consecutive years, and a roughly 70% depreciation of the naira against the U.

Labour leaders in Nigeria criticized worsening job conditions and called for economic diversification to boost productivity and address workers' hardships, as discussed at a recent industrial relations seminar.

Nigerian manufacturers warned of rising consumer prices and inflation after the government reintroduced a 4% import levy, shifting costs to end-users.

BUA Foods Plc shares hit a 52-week high of N590 on the Nigerian Exchange, reflecting increased market confidence despite lower trading volumes.

Medical workers at Lagos Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital urged President Tinubu to investigate alleged corruption and address deteriorating conditions under the facility’s leadership.

Nigeria Customs Service handed over N3.7 billion worth of expired pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC for destruction in Lagos, highlighting concerns over drug safety.

Katsina State expanded access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities through targeted policies and collaborations with local stakeholders.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission warned Nigerians against consuming fruits ripened with calcium carbide, partnering with health and agriculture agencies for enforcement.

Osun State enrolled 1,100 prison inmates in its free health scheme, extending care to pensioners, disabled individuals, and students previously.

A derelict 50-bed hospital in Abuja’s Gwagwalada, built with multi-million naira, remains abandoned with overgrown vegetation and deteriorating infrastructure.

The Federal House of Representatives announced an audit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital’s budget and expenditures from 2023 to 2025 to ensure accountability and transparency.

Gombe State inaugurated 169 revitalized health facilities, powered by solar energy and upgraded infrastructure, with support from the World Bank’s IMPACT project.

UNICEF and the Nigerian government launched a behavioral research lab to apply science-driven solutions to improve child survival and development outcomes.

Ondo State established a committee to align its cocoa sector with EU deforestation-free regulations, aiming to maintain Nigeria’s position as a top African exporter.

Katsina State advanced education reforms by training teachers with modern tools, balancing optimism for progress with challenges in its transitioning system.

Cross River State’s governor approved hiring 4,000 local government workers to strengthen grassroots governance and address staffing deficits after seven years without such action.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has warned Nigerians to be cautious of fraudulent recruitment schemes, urging the public to verify all information through official channels and report suspicious activities to authorities.

The NDLEA seized 2.318 tons of cannabis worth billions of naira in Kwara State, with efforts supported by local leaders to raise awareness about drug abuse.

Indian police arrested three Nigerian nationals linked to a synthetic drug manufacturing operation in Haryana, following extensive investigations across multiple states.

Airport staff were arrested for planting drugs in pilgrims' bags, implicating three Nigerians detained in Saudi Arabia, with all bags traced to a suspect named Ali Abubakar Mohammed.

The Bauchi Police arrested five suspects for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, following a medical examination that confirmed the victim had been penetrated.

Suspected bandits killed one person and abducted a couple and their daughter in Katsina, with police urging the public to report suspicious activities.

The Medical Women Association of Nigeria raised concerns over rising harmful traditional practices and gender-based violence in Rivers State, particularly in Abua/Odual.

President Tinubu is set to launch a revised national counter-terrorism strategy in October, following finalization of the draft and approval processes.

Herders attacked farmers in Bauchi's Tafawa-Balewa Local Government Area, injuring three, with police reinforcing security in the region.

A Kaduna-bound train derailed in Asham, evacuating 618 people, including 583 passengers, with seven injured and refunds being issued to affected travelers.

A fire destroyed five houses in Cross River's Agborkim Waterfall community, caused by black market petroleum activities, with no fire service available to contain the blaze.

Firefighters saved nine shops from destruction in Ilorin, with only one shop affected by the blaze despite the swift intervention.

Yinka Ayefele responded to claims that his Fresh FM Music House was uninsured, stating he would not have invested without insurance and criticizing delays in insurance investigations.

The historic Awolowo House in Lagos is being demolished to build a modern technology mall, attracting global IT companies and solidifying Lagos as a tech hub.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum approved senior directors for human‑capital management, security, economic policy and communications, following a Deloitte‑led review to restructure the secretariat and bring its operations in line with international best practices, NGF media chief Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi said.

Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar reiterated Nigeria’s pledge to fully implement the defence pact signed with Brazil on 24 June 2025, emphasizing maritime security, counter‑terrorism and defence‑industrial innovation, and announced a structured dialogue framework to ensure continuity during a bilateral meeting in Brasília on the sidelines of President Tinubu’s state visit.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris inaugurated the contract to restore Voice of Nigeria’s shortwave service with a 250 kW TX2 transmitter at the Lugbe station, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision to modernise the broadcaster’s infrastructure.

Nigeria’s Innovation Minister Uche Geoffrey Nnaji and Brazil’s Science Minister Luciana Santos signed a memorandum in Brazil to deepen cooperation on science, technology and innovation, with Presidents Tinubu and Lula da Silva present; Lula called it a fresh start for bilateral economic integration.

YouTube hosted its inaugural TV/Film Day at Google’s Lagos office, offering Nollywood producers a workshop with case studies from Europe, the Middle East and Africa—including Channel Four and Fanatiks—to help them expand globally and develop sustainable online businesses.

Group Managing Director Raymond Asemakaha of Benue Investment and Property Company said the new Benue juice plant will curb citrus post‑harvest losses, aiming for full operation by October so that no oranges leave the state, while Sono Group’s chairman Luiz Arena pledged a 15‑year partnership to produce quality juice.

Officials highlighted that the Ijaiye farm settlement’s 3,000‑hectare processing zone, part of a twin‑initiative on 7,581 ha, could boost agriculture and agribusiness in Oyo State, but emphasized that reviving abandoned farm settlements will require essential amenities such as water, electricity, roads, schools, hospitals and security, according to Folhope Nigeria Ltd chairman.

President Bola Tinubu imposed a six‑month ban on raw shea nut exports to curb informal trade, increase processor utilisation and capture higher export values, aiming to generate roughly $300 million annually and stabilise the shea value chain, a move he defended as necessary for the sector.

Six North‑East states together with Plateau in the North‑Central launched a joint initiative to safeguard the Gongola, Gali‑Lamurde and Hawal‑Kilunga river basins, citing climate variability, population growth and unsustainable land use as escalating threats to regional ecosystems and livelihoods.

Renowned juju musician Alhaji Ahuja Bello, born Ismaila Dele Bello in 1942, died early Monday at 83, a day after celebrating his birthday; he rose from an electronic technician to lead the Golden Eagles Band from 1976, becoming a leading figure in Nigeria’s 1970s‑80s music scene.

At the premiere of “The Serpent’s Gift,” starring Beverly Osu, Linda Ejiofor‑Suleiman, Stan Nze, Tina Mba and Ric Hassani, the cast turned the red carpet into a showcase of cultural futurism, celebrating Igbo heritage and African spirituality while highlighting the film’s creative vision.