Nigeria News Digest: September 2, 2025

RSIEC advised parties affected by the recent Rivers State local government elections to seek court remedies if they had complaints. The Labour Party called for electoral and judicial reforms, accusing the APC‑led administration of corrupt practices. RSIEC chair Michael Odey stressed that the law offers a channel for lawful, peaceful redress.

APC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze alleged the Rivers local government elections were a sham, claiming no voters turned up and that result sheets had been stolen and fabricated. He called the process "cooked‑up trash" and urged the public to ignore the fabricated results.

Vice Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas inaugurated 23 newly elected local government chairmen, praising the peaceful elections and aligning them with President Tinubu’s emergency declaration. He urged the chairmen to study constitutional and local laws, prioritize small‑business support, infrastructure, and education, and cooperate with biometric enrolment.

Ahead of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s reinstatement on 18 September, the Rivers State APC announced its willingness to collaborate with him. Chief Tony Okocha noted the party had focused on competitive strongholds and pledged to hold the governor accountable after his suspension following the 18 March emergency declaration.

INEC reported that 2,532,062 Nigerians completed online pre‑registration for the Continuous Voter Registration exercise within two weeks, with detailed data released by state, gender, age, occupation and disability. Registrants are still required to verify the process in person at INEC centers.

ADC gubernatorial candidate John Nwosu declared he will not step down for any rival in the upcoming Anambra election, rejecting a visit from Labour Party candidate George Moghalu that aimed to negotiate. The contest features Nwosu, Moghalu, incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and other contenders.

Former Abia House of Assembly deputy speaker Ngozi Ulunwa, together with ex‑secretary to the state government Ralph Egbu, mobilised local leaders in Ukwa West to join the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections. Governor Alex Otti welcomed their support and urged more leaders to join to help rebuild the state.

INEC in Lagos rejected allegations from the ADC that the Continuous Voter Registration figures had been manipulated. Head of Voter Education Taiwo Gbadegesin said the numbers matched past trends and reflected demographic realities, citing effective public awareness campaigns. The commission called the claims unfounded.

A Federal High Court in Yenagoa ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election, stating that his prior terms do not disqualify him under Section 137 of the Constitution. The court affirmed that he had only served once, in 2011.

In prison, alleged crypto fraudster Jesam Michael is said to have bribed a Cross River State police commissioner to have his former lawyer detained for alleged document forgery. Reports claim Michael paid N250,000 through a police officer and used his connections within the police and DSS to further his interests despite his fraud conviction.

Human‑rights activist Victor Ojei, also known as WongBox, was arraigned on three assault‑related charges in Delta State. A magistrate court in Asaba released him on bail after he satisfied stringent conditions, ending his remand pending trial.

The DSS arrested two suspects in Kaduna who ran a fake recruitment scheme posing as the agency, potentially defrauding 250‑350 people. Authorities are pursuing other members of the syndicate and warned the public to report suspicious job offers. The arrests followed a warning from DSS about official recruitment announcements.

A Finnish court sentenced Nigerian‑born Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism‑related crimes. The Finnish judiciary highlighted the importance of rule of law, and Nigeria’s government may seek his repatriation. The case was unrelated to the Indigenous People of Biafra movement.

The Nigerian Army detained a soldier in Borno suspected of gunrunning after troops recovered weapons and rescued kidnapping victims during recent operations. The soldier allegedly collected ammunition from clearance missions to supply terrorists, while forces secured AK‑47 rifles, rounds and rescued hostages across the region.

The Central Bank of Nigeria's July Inflation Perception Survey identified fuel, insecurity, and electricity shortages as primary factors driving inflation. The report revealed 91% of respondents cited energy costs as the top concern, while over half of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity access despite government pledges.

Fidelity Bank pioneered capital growth in Nigeria by completing a N500bn share offering under new regulatory requirements. Through a 2024 public offer, it became the first bank to publicly raise capital for expansion, outperforming peers with highest total returns over three years.

Sub-Saharan Africa's economies show slow post-pandemic recovery, but growth remains insufficient to meet development needs. Nigerian economists emphasize the need for sustainable transformation during the 2025 conference on Africa's economic regeneration through inclusive strategies.

Renewed naira-yuan swaps have led Chinese traders to increasingly adopt Nigerian currency for transactions. This shift, supported by a $2bn bilateral agreement, aims to stabilize the naira and reduce U.S. dollar dependency while creating integrated currency markets in both countries.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises plans to list electricity distribution and generation companies on Nigeria's stock exchange to attract investment. This initiative aligns with economic diversification goals and energy sector reforms targeting infrastructure upgrades.

Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association argues rising government revenues justify raising civil servants' minimum wage above ₦70,000. States like Ebonyi and Imo have already implemented wage hikes, with Imo increasing pay by 48.6% to ₦104,000.

Public finance expert Godwin Nataro urged President Tinubu to overhaul ineffective ministries, cut military expenditures, and prioritize food security. He called for transparency in land administration and accountability in federal cabinet appointments.

Despite government pledges to leverage forest resources, charcoal remains undervalued in Nigeria's economic policies. The industry loses billions annually due to lack of regulation and export frameworks, even as deforestation accelerates amid climate change challenges.

Analysts caution against risks as Nigeria's new debt strategy expands borrowing limits to N109 trillion. The 55:45 domestic-external debt ratio aims to reduce currency risks, with short-term foreign borrowing capped at 10% of reserves.

The Nigeria Customs Service reported that it collected approximately N3.6 trillion in customs revenue during the first half of 2025, meeting its revised target. National Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Maiwada said the figure reflects strong performance and announced new appointments that comply with the Federal Character Policy, filling vacancies created by recent retirements.

Rotary International has pledged $11.8 million for Nigeria to combat malaria, diarrhea, and polio. Additional funding supports maternal health, sanitation, and infrastructure projects through international partnerships.

A United Airlines flight to Washington returned to Lagos after a passenger required urgent medical attention mid-flight. Passengers were informed of the diversion as emergency teams prepared for the landing.

Health Minister Iziaq Salako emphasized collaboration to strengthen Nigeria's public health system during a conference. Drawing from pandemic lessons, he called for innovation to ensure resilience against future health crises.

The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency advocates for evidence-based traditional medicine frameworks. Through new training programs and documentation efforts, officials aim to modernize indigenous medical practices and expand global partnerships.

A fatal crash in Edo State killed four people after a Lagos-bound truck collided with vehicles on Benin-Lagos road. Emergency responders transported three survivors to hospital, where one later succumbed, per official reports.

One death and two injuries resulted from a Lagos road collision involving a truck and bus near Ikorodu. Authorities warned drivers to exercise caution on high-risk routes like Ikorodu Road following the incident.

A fire caused by an electrical surge damaged a radio station in Oyo, destroying equipment worth millions. This incident follows a similar fire at another station.

A collision at the Ibeju Bus Stop on Lagos' Lekki‑Epe Expressway on September 2 claimed six lives, including two men, three women and a child. LASTMA, assisted by the Federal Road Safety Corps, police and the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, rescued nine survivors. The injured were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Epe and Hammond Hospital, while the deceased were transferred to the FMC morgue.

The House of Representatives has established an ad-hoc committee to investigate the recruitment of 785 workers into the National Assembly Service Commission. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen directed the House Committee on Public Service Matters to conduct a thorough probe and report back.

OPay Digital Services has extended its ₦1.2 billion scholarship fund to Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as part of a 10-year commitment to support education. This initiative aims to empower financially challenged students and foster academic advancement.

The Federal Government has urged stakeholders to collaborate on the Youth Economic Intervention and Deregulation Programme to address youth unemployment and poverty. The initiative focuses on equipping young Nigerians with skills and resources for national development.

The KADA EduPACT International Summit in Kaduna addressed Nigeria's education crisis, emphasizing transformative strategies and global models. The summit aimed to create an inclusive and impactful education system.

Over 21,000 applicants are competing for 13,000 spots at the University of Ilorin, with eligibility based on UTME scores and O’level results. The Post-UTME screening began on August 28 and ends on September 4.

The West African Examinations Council plans to fully implement computer-based testing for WASSCE by 2026, transitioning from paper-based exams. The move aims to enhance the examination process.

NAPTIP rescued 12 women from human traffickers in Kano, aged 15 to 50, in a joint operation with the Hisbah Board. The agency continues to combat human trafficking trends.

A 48-year-old man and his 15-year-old son were arrested in Gombe for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl. The father denied the charges, but investigations are complete, and they will face trial.

NDLEA seized 8,000 bottles of Akuskura and 48 blocks of cannabis in Kano. A 37-year-old suspect was arrested, and the substances are under investigation.

Police arrested a notorious human trafficker in Akwa Ibom, rescuing two victims. The suspect allegedly trafficked women to Libya and Burkina Faso for exploitation.

Atiku Abubakar claimed over 10,000 lives were lost in Northern states under Tinubu's administration, criticizing the APC's silence. He accused the government of neglecting security in the region.

Anambra police arrested four suspects linked to a kidnapping case where a N5 million ransom was paid. The operation aims to combat crime and ensure public safety.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau will release a preliminary report on the Abuja-Kaduna train accident in 23 days. The investigation includes site inspections and technical examinations.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration began dismantling Boulevard Park in Maitama after determining the site violated park policy and the Abuja Master Plan. Director of Development Control Murtar Galadimma said the park had been over‑built, its allocation revoked, and that the agency may recover enforcement costs while restoring the area to its intended recreational purpose.

At a stakeholder meeting in Minna, Dr. Fatima K. Aliyu urged a ban on imported cassava derivatives, arguing they undermine local producers and stunt sector growth compared with rice. She highlighted Niger State's comparative advantage in cassava cultivation and its potential to attract agro‑industries if domestic processing is prioritized.

The Bauchi State Agro‑Climatic Resilience in Semi‑Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project opened a transparent bidding process for 40 tractors intended to raise agricultural productivity and food security. Officials, including the state environment commissioner and project coordinators, attended the ceremony and called on bidders to ensure fairness to support the state's farming resilience.

The United Kingdom pledged $7.5 million in debt financing to bolster agriculture and food security in northern Nigeria. Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter said the funds will improve smallholder farmers' access to finance, quality inputs, climate‑smart training and reliable market linkages, supporting climate‑vulnerable regions and broader economic resilience.

A joint Micro Cassava Enterprise Support Programme by CATO Foods, Agroallied Global Concepts and the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation is equipping 100 smallholder farmers in Osun State with inputs, training and guaranteed market access. The initiative, praised by local traditional leaders, exemplifies how private‑sector and development partners can transform cassava farming livelihoods.

Bose Ogulu, mother of Grammy‑winning artist Burna Boy, marked her 35th wedding anniversary with husband Samuel Ogulu, thanking God for the journey and the three children they have raised together.

Actress Funmi Awelewa expressed grief after skitmaker known as Mrsankucomedy died in a car accident early Monday. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, prompting tributes from colleagues and fans.