Nigeria News Digest: August 30, 2025

Kaduna ADC stakeholders have accused former Governor Mallam Nasir El‑Rufai of attempting to hijack the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. They called on the national leadership to intervene, stressing that no individual, regardless of rank, should supersede the party’s interests.

Rivers State held local government elections on Saturday under President Bola Tinubu’s sole administrator, Ibok Ete‑Ibas, despite the Supreme Court’s nullification of the 2024 polls. Commission chairman Michael Odey pledged security with police support, while critics questioned the legitimacy of a non‑democratic regime.

FCT Minister Festus Wike announced that Rivers State’s emergency rule will lapse on 18 September, allowing the state House of Assembly to resume its legislative duties and restoring government at the grassroots level.

Osun APC denied allegations from the African Democratic Congress that it was planning to rig the 2026 governorship election through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, stating no law prohibits voter mobilisation.

Two brothers, Teddy and Rooney Hart, along with ten others, were convicted of advance fee fraud; each received a two‑year prison sentence or a fine, while another defendant received a similar sentence or fine.

A lawyer sued Governor Jide Sanwo‑Olu for blocking him on X, alleging the action violated his freedom of expression and demanded a public apology within seven days.

Nigerian Daniel Chima Inweregbu pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiracy for mail and wire fraud and money laundering tied to a $405,000 romance scam, facing up to 20 years imprisonment.

EFCC Benin office executed 12 sting operations between January and June 2025, arresting 327 suspects, while the Abuja directorate conducted eight operations that yielded 299 arrests.

Oyo police arrested a driver carrying a ₦1 million fake currency parcel that contained three serial numbers—₦500,000, ₦300,000 and ₦200,000—sealed in transparent plastic.

The Attorney‑General defended the withdrawal of high‑profile charges as fact‑based, stating politics did not influence the decision and explaining that the case against Fidelity Bank’s MD predated her tenure.

42‑year‑old pastor Samson Ajayi was arraigned in Akure Magistrates’ Court on charges of raping his 17‑year‑old daughter, claiming the act was caused by a 'generational curse,' and was later arrested at a prayer mountain.

Akwa Ibom police arrested a suspect over an attempted armed robbery and defilement, recovering a locally made pistol and live cartridge during operations against crime syndicates.

President Tinubu faces calls to investigate the controversial release of five Chinese nationals arrested for lacking valid immigration documents, amid allegations of unauthorized interference.

Former Nigerian Army Properties Limited managing director's lawyers dispute an EFCC claim, arguing a federal court erred in approving the N5 billion share forfeiture case.

The Nigerian stock market gained N26.01 trillion in eight months, driven by FX stability, corporate recovery, and domestic investor activity, with projections to surpass N100 trillion by 2025.

Nigeria and Singapore signed a new investment treaty to strengthen economic ties, supporting Nigeria's foreign policy goals to attract global capital under President Tinubu's administration.

Shell's Shell Nigeria and All On CEO Ronald Adams urged increased off-grid energy investments to address Nigeria's energy deficit, citing a potential $10–20 billion market opportunity.

Nigeria's tax code transitioned from the Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) to the Economic Development Tax Incentive (EDTI), enhancing accountability in investment-linked tax breaks.

Nigeria introduced a 5% fuel tax to reduce hydrocarbon reliance, with new 2025 regulations requiring payment at sale points but leaving revenue allocation unspecified.

The naira strengthened against the dollar in August, appreciating to N1,531/$ amid increased diaspora remittances that boosted the country's foreign exchange reserves.

Holcim finalized a $1 billion sale of its Nigerian operations to Huaxin Cement, exiting Africa's top cement market despite pending legal challenges affecting foreign investment perceptions.

Nigeria launched its first live tracker for the creative economy, linking music, film, fashion, and content sectors to global markets and attracting cross-border investment.

The Central Bank of Nigeria and Brazil’s central bank opened high‑level talks and technical sessions on monetary policy, financial stability and regulatory cooperation, seeking to expand remittance flows and fintech collaboration between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s biggest market.

Health experts debunk myths around masturbation, confirming no medical evidence linking the practice to prostate cancer or other serious physical ailments.

The MNJTF Sector 3, supported by the AU and EU, conducted a 6-day free medical outreach in Borno, providing consultations and essential drugs to encourage displaced communities to return home.

Counterfeit sexual lubricants in Nigeria pose serious health risks, including infections and STDs, as they lose effectiveness quickly and are often sold in unregulated markets.

The Police Service Commission warned applicants of fraudulent recruitment adverts, emphasizing that no official process has begun and urging patience and caution.

UNIPORT's best graduate, with a 4.89 CGPA, shared her academic success and passion for counseling, aiming to impact youth mentorship and industrial psychology.

Oyo State is using AI-backed education reforms to address Nigeria's learning crisis, with SUBEB praising Governor Makinde's investment and urging other states to follow.

USAID funding cuts threaten a Borno school for victims of Boko Haram, which has educated orphans since 2007, highlighting Nigeria's struggles with educational funding.

HomeVida is using short films to address rape and sexual abuse, encouraging victims to seek justice through storytelling supported by Luminate.

Troops rescued 117 hostages and arrested 150 suspects, including terrorists and oil thieves, in nationwide operations, with significant successes in the North West and Niger Delta regions.

An American man received a life sentence for murdering a Nigerian-born boxer, with the judge describing the punishment as deserved for the fatal crime.

Lagos State's Attorney General Lawal Pedro announced that 8,692 domestic and sexual violence cases were recorded between August 2024 and July 2025, highlighting a significant rise in reported incidents and prompting calls for stronger protective measures.

A fire at a girls' hostel of Ondo State Polytechnic engulfed the building, leaving two people injured; school officials had not yet released a statement as the blaze spread rapidly.

Governor Peter Mbah launched a free fertilizer program distributing 40,000 bags of fertiliser and agro‑inputs to more than 60,000 registered farmers in Enugu State, emphasizing direct delivery without intermediaries to boost agricultural productivity.

Tetracore Energy Group commissioned a Phase II compressed natural gas facility in Ogbere, Ogun State, designed to supply industries, power plants and auto‑gas vehicles, supporting President Tinubu’s national CNG initiative and expanding clean‑energy infrastructure.

The Katsina State Executive Council approved the purchase of 700 motorcycles and 20 Hilux vehicles to equip the Community Watch Corps and security agencies, aiming to strengthen joint operations against banditry, kidnapping and other crimes across the state.

At the third Delta State Social Media Summit, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori urged young people to use social media as a tool for sustainable development, job creation and state branding, citing his own rise through digital platforms.

The United Nations Development Programme, together with Onyx Investment, provided funding and advisory services to three Nigerian SMEs, unlocking a $50 million blend of public and private capital aimed at strengthening the sector that contributes over 80 % of employment and 50 % of GDP.

Singer‑songwriter Fave described her collaborative work with Davido on the hit track “Kante,” emphasizing that the song reflects a true partnership rather than a featured appearance, despite earlier family discouragement to pursue music.

Nigerian filmmaker Jide Kol explained that his African heritage and diaspora experience drive his vision to elevate Nollywood and African storytelling into mainstream Hollywood discourse, aiming for broader global recognition.

Singer Tiwa Savage turned BBC Radio 1Xtra’s album launch into a takeover, performing tracks from her new album This One Is Personal and sharing insights into its inspiration, her pioneering career in Africa, and how she balances motherhood with a global music career.

On Friday, Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu formally opened the newly remodeled 15th Jumu’at Mosque in Kware Local Government Area, a project lauded by local officials, including Chairman Ibrahim Attahiru Ruggar Giwa, for strengthening the region’s Islamic infrastructure.