News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As Nigeria marks the 66th Independence anniversary, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole has insisted that negotiations on trade must support industrial development, non-oil exports, competitiveness and job creation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Oduwole, who revealed this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nigeria’s Trade and Investment Negotiation Architecture, stated that the reformed Enlarged National Focal Point on Trade Matters provided a foundation for broad consultation but required improvements. The engagement was designed to discuss with stakeholders on the proposed Nigeria Trade and Investment Negotiation Architecture, comprising the National Trade Coordination Platform (NTCP) and the National International Investment Agreement Negotiation Team (NIIANT). Oduwole identified delays, overlapping responsibilities, changes in technical representation and gaps in institutional r...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has vowed sustained media engagement on competition and consumer protection issues, which helped Nigerians become more familiar with the agency. Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Tunji Bello stated this when he received executive members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He highlighted the role of the media in increasing public awareness of the commission and its activities, adding that many Nigerians were largely unaware of the FCCPC until recent years. Bello commended journalists for assisting to raise its public profile, adding that the commission would consider the association’s request for training and further engagement. He said: “If FCCPC is becoming more known to the public, it is as a result of the kind of publicity you have given us. When something happens here, and ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Female graduates celebrate at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Supported FAST Programme graduation ceremony The African Development Bank (AfDB) has trained and certified 572 572 young Nigerians across Abuja and Katsina State, linking them to employment opportunities in the built sector. Implemented by Family Homes Funds Limited, the beneficiaries received training in six trades critical to Nigeria's housing and infrastructure development such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical works, painting and tiling. Through a $1 million grant from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF), the bank combined classroom instruction with hands-on experience on active construction sites, the programme equipped beneficiaries with industry-recognised skills and practical workplace experience. As Nigeria expands its housing and infrastructure footprint, demand for skilled construction workers continues to grow, even as wom...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The European Union-funded Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI) has invested $2.5 million to expand production, processing and engagement with smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s tomato processing company in the North. Already, EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) signed the agreement through the AgriFI ACP Regional Window as a structured convertible note on behalf of Tomato Jos Inc., a vertically integrated tomato farming and processing company. The financing will support the acquisition of packaging equipment, factory upgrades and expansion of drip irrigation, while helping Tomato Jos introduce new product formats and reach additional markets, including business-to-business and hospitality customers. Interestingly, more than half of the company’s raw materials are currently sourced from smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, even as the investment is expected to lower energy and production costs while strengthening the economics of local tomato processin...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Joseph Utsev The Federal Government is currently engaging with relevant state governors, including discussions with Kebbi State, to implement sustainable water-resource management and handle excess water from the Lagdo Dam. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, who stated this on Monday in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Rivers Day, said that the government is identifying dams requiring rehabilitation as part of measures to manage excess water and mitigate flooding. World Rivers Day is observed annually on the fourth Sunday of September to raise awareness of the importance of rivers and promote their conservation and sustainable management. Utsev enjoined Nigerians to end open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, plastics and effluents into drains, streams and rivers, calling for conservation of forests and wetlands, responsible wastewater management, efficient water use and stronger collaboration among stakehold...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have set a fresh target of investing N300 billion pension funds in infrastructure development across the country in 2027. Director General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaranm stated this while addressing journalists after the fourth edition of the Pension industry Leadership Council meeting in Lagos. She noted that the actual deployment of the funds commences by the second quarter of 2027 with N241billion already mapped out by pension fund operators for investment in infrastructure, followed by additional funds to hit N300 billion. Already, the PFAs have mobilised the N241 billion under an infrastructure framework established in conjunction with FSD Africa, as they are mandated to participate in infrastructure investment. “As part of that initiative, our pension fund managers have committed a total of N241 billion and we expect that to touch up to N300billion and we do have a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu At least, about 661,291 Nigerians secured direct and indirect jobs through businesses supported by the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) scheme. This was even as 33.5 per cent of the beneficiaries are first-time formal borrowers, bringing more than 22,000 Nigerians into the formal credit system for the first time. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated this on Monday in a post via his official X handle, @officialABAT. He said: “Credit matters because of what people can do with it. A trader can restock before the festive season. When a manufacturer takes a bigger order and buys another machine to fill it, another Nigerian gets a job. NCGC estimates that the businesses it has supported account for 661,291 direct and indirect jobs.” Tinubu informed that the development provides the beneficiaries with progressive credit records, saying that successful repayments could strengthen their records and improve the prospects of securing f...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) has advocated accelerated implementation of strategic investments especially in infrastructure and agriculture within the member countries, describing them as important drivers of peace, stability and shared prosperity. Executive Secretary of NBA, Mr Kocou Houanye disclosed this on Tuesday at the Regional Conference on Hydro-Diplomacy and Strategic Investments for Shared Prosperity in Transboundary Basins in Abuja. NBA is an intergovernmental organisation that promotes cooperation and integrated resource management among nine member countries of the Niger Basin such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad, even as NBA based in Niger coordinates activities for the region. Houanye called for stronger regional cooperation and strategic investments to promote peace, stability and shared prosperity in the Niger and Lake Chad basins. He stated that the conference provided an opportunity f...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has formulated a strategic policy to harness Nigeria’s $582.4 billion non-renewable natural resources in support of President Bola Tinubu’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy. This is even as the Agency noted that across Africa's 54 nations, Nigeria’s endowment of critical transition minerals, agricultural raw materials, and industrial feedstock is virtually peerless. Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso stated this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen ahead of the second edition of the Africa Raw Materials Summit (ARMS 2026). He said: “Across Africa's 54 nations, our endowment of critical transition minerals, agricultural raw materials, and industrial feedstock is virtually peerless. Yet our vulnerability to external commodity price shocks persists, our currencies face avoidable pressures, and our youth seek jobs that our raw-commodity ex...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, the Federal Government has sought investments that strengthen domestic production, deepen value chains, create jobs, transfer skills, technology and position Nigerian enterprises to participate more competitively in regional and global markets. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) with the theme: “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy.” The AfCFTA, which covers 55 member states of the African Union, aims to unite all African countries to create a single market for goods and services, targeting a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $3.4 trillion. Oduwole said: “Our businesses must therefore produce competitively and must meet the required standards, must understand the target market, and they must b...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has restrategised to empower 200 youths in Oyo State with vocational skills and start-up tools under its National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy ,NPRGS. Coordinated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education ,OSSAP-TVEE, the programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, marketable skills and tools to pursue entrepreneurship and build sustainable livelihoods. Scheduled to commence next week, the pilot project which begins with the South-West , would be replicated across the six geopolitical zones to expand access to skills, tools and livelihood opportunities. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education ,TVEE, Dr Abiola Arogundade said on Tuesday in Abuja, that the beneficiaries would receive training in three tracks such as Graphics/Artificial Intelligence ,AI, Makeup and Fashio...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has threatened to revoke the operational license of fuel stations caught under-dispensing petroleum products, compelling the regulator to order immediate checks and calibration of fuel dispensers nationwide. This was even as the Commission mandated retail outlets nationwide to immediately calibrate and verify their fuel dispensers and totalisers, warning that outlets caught under-dispensing petroleum products risk sanctions. The NMDPRA issued the directive via its official X handle on Tuesday in Abuja, describing the act as a serious breach of consumer trust.  It said: “The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has observed incidents of under-dispensing of petroleum products at retail outlets nationwide. The Authority views this as a serious breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated. “To safeguard the interests of consumers, all retail outlet o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In a bid to address electricity shortfall, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN, has called on the Federal Government to embrace sustainable energy solutions. President of APWEN, Chinyere Igwegbe stated this at its 2026 International Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, with the theme: "Designing Adaptive Systems: Engineering Energy, Building Net-Zero, Delivering Tomorrow’s Infrastructure." Making a case for innovative approaches to infrastructure development across the country, Igwegbe harped on the need for stronger collaboration among the stakeholders.  She noted that the theme is timely as climate change, energy transition, rapid urbanisation and emerging technologies continue to reshape engineering practice and influence infrastructure planning across Nigeria and Africa. The President argued that the current infrastructure should not only serve present needs but also respond ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Heineken Lokpobiri The Federal Government has challenged African countries to revamp indigenous companies and retain greater value from their natural resources while strengthening the energy sectors. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, when he received a  delegation from the Republic of Congo, led by its Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mr Steve Onanga, on a working visit to understudy Nigeria’s local content development. He assured that Nigeria would share its experience in local content development to fast-track the development of indigenous capacity in Congo and increase value retention from petroleum resources. “If Nigeria can do it, I believe Congo can do it. Nigeria believes that the solution to Africa’s energy poverty largely rests with Africans developing their own capacity and resources,” he said. He stated that Nigeria had more than 20 to 30 competent indigenous service comp...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, has threatened tough actions against the allegations of illegal importation of containers into Free Trade Zones, cautioning operators against flagrant violation of the rules of engagement. This was even as the Agency vowed to embark on tighter enforcement measures like intensified inspections, closer scrutiny of documentation, coordinated action with partner enforcement agencies and full application of penalties provided under the law. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi said on Wednesday in Abuja, that the free trade zone's operating licence is a legal instrument of obligation and a foundation for maintaining a fair and transparent global marketplace. He said: “Effective immediately, the Authority is tightening its enforcement posture against the allegations of illegal importation of containers into our controlled spaces. “Operators who circumvent law...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed emergency restoration of critical road infrastructure across the country, emphasising the need to protect road users from unnecessary delay and safeguard livelihoods.  Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi stated this during the inauguration of ‘Operation Rescue Benin -Asaba Expressway’ at Benin City, Edo State. He informed that the Federal Government’s emergency intervention on the Benin–Asaba Highway under the Ministry’s ‘Operation Rescue’ initiative, is aimed at restoring safe, smooth, and uninterrupted movement along the critical corridor. The Benin–Asaba Highway is a strategic Federal Highway that commenced at AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State, and terminates at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, with a distance of 125km. It was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company, BAECC, by the immediate past administration but the handing over of the site was performed by the p...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, has listed regulatory alignment, data sovereignty and trust as three fundamental pillars critical for securing Africa’s digital space and creating an enabling environment to support sustainable digital development. National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji disclosed this on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA 81, with the theme: “Securing the Digital Frontier: Regulatory Alignment, Data Sovereignty, and Trust as Catalysts for Future Readiness.” The event, which assembled stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges in shaping Africa’s digital economy, highlighted Africa as a continent with significant potential to thrive in the digital century. Olatunji stated that critical gaps must be addressed to fully realise the potentials in Africa, calling for stronger regulatory alignment, data sovereignty and trust as critic...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Festus Keyamo The Federal Government has revealed that policy reforms in the Aviation sector led to the opening of new routes and increased airlines’ interest in Nigeria's market. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo stated this at the 2026 ACI Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, with the theme: “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience.” He pointed out that Nigeria’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, safety score rose from 49.5 per cent before the administration assumed office to 75.5 per cent, describing it as the highest in Africa. The Minister attributed the increased availability of aircraft and competition among airlines to a reduction in airfares, although he acknowledged that the sector is yet to reach its desired level. He said: “Tickets are coming down. They are not what they were in January and December. It’s because of competition. We have created healthy competiti...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has restrategised to expand participation in the digital and entrepreneurship economy to the 36 States through digital devices and skills training. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education TVEE, Dr Abiola Arogundade stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with digital media managers in Abuja. The initiative, implemented under the National Digital Skills and Technical Empowerment Programme, NDSTEP, is aimed at widening access to digital skills, vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities across the country. While presenting tablets to 70 digital media personnel, she hinted that the devices would help beneficiaries access opportunities, find customers and convert vocational training into sustainable livelihoods. She noted that the Federal Government plans to distribute 400,000 digital devices to young Nigerians, students, artisans, entrepreneurs and vulnerable group...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, has aligned with the United Kingdom to bolster talks on trade deals, information sharing and compliance between the two countries. This formed the crux of discussions during a high-level bilateral meeting between NCS and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs ,HMRC, of the Uk in Abuja, meant to finalise a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement ,CMAA.  Comptroller-General of Customs ,CGC, Adewale Adeniyi said that the engagement was part of efforts to conclude negotiations on the agreement ahead of the proposed signing in December. Adeniyi, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General ,ACG  of Customs in charge of Strategic, Research and Policy Department, Nafi’u Isyaku noted that the negotiations were conducted virtually for about six months before the two sides decided to meet physically in Abuja. Senior Policy Adviser at His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Syed Moinuddin described the meeti...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has released its 2026 Annual Report of the Executive Board, highlighting rising public debt,  Artificial Intelligence, AI, investments, trade reorientation, and digital currencies as major issues taunting the global economy. Titled: ‘Navigating a Precarious World’, the report covered the activities of the global body during its 2026 fiscal year, from May 1, 2025, to April 30, and as well as developments beyond the period. The global economy continued to demonstrate resilience in spite of challenges from geopolitical shocks, ongoing conflicts, and major shifts in the global trading system. IMF identified four major forces shaping the global economy as rising public debt, surge in AI investment transforming economies and labour markets, trade reorientation amid an unprecedented energy supply shock and the rapid development of stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, and tokenisation. The Fund continued to su...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma; Chief Executive of NMDPR, Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar; and MD of Family Homes Fund Limited, Mr. Abdul Mukhtar at the Presentation of Houses to Staff of NMDPR under the FG's Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, has disbursed ₦100 billion off-taker guarantee, in addition to ₦19.9 billion in direct funding to developers, in order to facilitate construction financing for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, workers to access completed homes through sustainable mortgage arrangements. Managing Director/Chief Executive of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi stated this on Thursday in Abuja, at the presentation of allocation letters to 430 staff of the NMDPRA in Abuja. The letters covered housing units across A...