Nigeria News Digest: August 31, 2025

Following a Supreme Court ruling, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the 23 Rivers local government chairmen to cede authority to their heads of administration, and the state Independent Electoral Commission held elections to fill the vacated seats.

Abia APC chief Anthony Agbazuere predicts that the South‑East will swing toward President Tinubu in 2027, citing his tax reforms and restored local‑government autonomy while accusing state governors of hindering the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Nigerian national Theophilis Anwana, convicted of second‑degree rape in Baltimore, after a final order of removal was issued; he remains in ICE custody.

Peter Obi has moved to court to rebut defamation allegations, with his attorneys threatening legal action against a former aide, and he has encouraged his supporters to back the ADC in upcoming contests.

Niger State police, in a dawn sting operation, arrested nine individuals linked to thuggery and possession of dangerous weapons across Minna, as part of an ongoing effort to curb criminal activity.

Police in Niger State dismantled a kidnapping plot, recovering multiple firearms, ammunition and ₦6.9 million, and seized a vehicle suspected of belonging to the suspects. The operation aimed to curb armed robbery and drug trafficking in the region.

The Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts urged the federal government to align the sugar‑sweetened beverage tax with public health goals and industrial growth, calling for stakeholder engagement to balance health protection and economic competitiveness.

The National Economic Council unveiled a $1 trillion plan to replace the current development blueprint, pledging inclusive design with state, local, private, and traditional partners to advance Nigeria's 2050 agenda.

Construction of a 10,000‑bpd modular refinery in Abia State will begin in Q1 2026, with the project expected to generate about 1,000 direct jobs and attract $300 million in foreign investment.

NAFDAC shut down the unauthorized Shine Shine Skincare facility in Lagos' Agege district after discovering the production of bleaching cosmetics marketed as 'organic' but manufactured under poor GMP conditions.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong supported the Suicide Prevention Bill, which seeks to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide and establish a structured system for mental health care and prevention across Nigeria.

Doctors warn that rising stroke cases among Nigeria’s young population are linked to hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, inactivity, smoking, poor diet, and emphasize prevention through diet, exercise, and early detection.

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has ordered a thorough investigation into alleged unfair recruitment practices in the National Assembly after concerns were raised about the process.

Katsina State has revoked all private and community schools’ operating licenses, requiring payments to the state treasury for renewed permits by September 2025.

The Federal Government has revised school curricula, reducing subject loads at all levels to improve learning quality and ease academic overburdening.

A human trafficker was arrested in Akwa Ibom State, where police rescued two victims and learned of prior trafficked individuals sent to Libya and Burkina Faso.

NDLEA arrested a 75-year-old man in Anambra for drug possession and destroyed nearly 179,000 kg of illicit substances in a separate operation in Taraba State.

Niger State police arrested suspects linked to assassinations, thuggery, drug cultivation, and illegal immigration, including two Senegalese nationals held for trafficking.

A man was arrested in Adamawa State on suspicion of killing a 5-year-old boy after authorities received a tip from the boy’s mother.

The family of a motorcyclist shot by Lagos police buried him in an Islamic ceremony amid community protests following the fatal confrontation.

A petrol tanker explosion in Lagos destroyed four vehicles and caused a fire, attributed to the driver’s excessive speed.

Jigawa State launched a N1.2 billion hybrid solar-grid project to electrify urban areas, blending renewable and traditional energy sources.

The Federal Government formed a 21-member Building Code Advisory Committee to enhance safety standards and finalize Nigeria’s national building regulations.

The Minister of Transportation ruled out sabotage for the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment, which is under investigation, and apologized for a recent clash with media.

North-east governors warned of potential food shortages by 2026, urging federal subsidies for farmers amid rising agricultural input costs and damaged infrastructure.

Floods in Nasarawa State killed one person and destroyed over 300 farmlands, with authorities urging compliance with weather advisories to prevent further losses.