The Lagos State Government has launched Africa’s first Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme, a landmark initiative aimed at raising safety standards and professionalism in water transport. Unveiled in May 2026, the programme marks a significant step in the state’s Blue Economy drive. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Blue Economy, described the initiative as both timely and transformative, reinforcing Lagos’ leadership in maritime innovation across the continent. Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Emmanuel said the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting the millions who depend on Lagos waterways daily.…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Nigeria has taken a major step toward improving emergency response, with the National Economic Council approving 112 as the country’s unified, toll-free emergency number. The decision, reached at the council’s 157th meeting held virtually, is aimed at improving coordination and accelerating response to security incidents, medical emergencies, fires, and natural disasters nationwide. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, said the move is designed to eliminate delays caused by fragmented systems and bureaucratic bottlenecks. “This is not only a technical reform. It is a test of the state’s humanity,” Shettima said. “In moments of crisis, citizens do not need…
The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) is intensifying efforts to unlock the region’s maritime economic potential through a new initiative aimed at harmonising training standards and building a globally competitive workforce across member states. Paul Adalikwu, MOWCA Secretary-General, made this known at a four-day exchange programme involving the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Accra; Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer, Abidjan; and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron. Adalikwu said the initiative is critical given that over 90% of trade in West and Central Africa is seaborne, stressing that human capital development remains central…
The West African Tax Administration Forum has called for stronger collaboration between the media and tax authorities, stressing that press freedom is key to improving tax transparency, compliance, and sustainable development across Africa. In a statement marking World Press Freedom Day,Jules Tapsoba, WATAF Executive Secretary, said an independent and responsible media plays a critical role in building accountable tax systems and strengthening public trust in government institutions. According to him, accurate and professional journalism helps citizens better understand tax policies and public finance, while also holding institutions accountable. “A free and responsible press is indispensable to transparent tax systems. By…
Nigeria has once again signed a deal to revive its long-moribund refineries. This time, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is partnering with Chinese firms in what is being framed as a Technical Equity Partnership. On paper, it sounds promising. In reality, Nigerians have every reason to be sceptical. For decades, the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have been less of national assets and more of fiscal sinkholes. Over $2.4 billion has been poured into rehabilitation efforts with little to no meaningful output. Each new administration has announced fresh “turnaround maintenance” plans, often with fanfare, only for the projects to…
Nigeria’s state oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding with two Chinese firms to revive the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, assets that have consumed over $2.4 billion in public funds with little output to show. The agreement, signed in Jiaxing, China, brings NNPC into a proposed Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. The deal is aimed at completing outstanding engineering work, as well as ensuring long-term operation and maintenance of the refineries. NNPC Group CEO Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside…
Nigeria’s telecom operators have recovered over N2 trillion from subscribers in a sweeping debt recovery drive that has left millions of mobile lines unable to make calls, as airtime and data borrowing services remain suspended. The crackdown, enforced by major operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile, follows their inability to meet new compliance requirements set by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This has triggered a halt in lending services and a nationwide push to recover outstanding debts. With borrowing services still inactive, telcos have restricted indebted subscribers from making calls until all outstanding airtime…
By Elvis Eromosele Nigeria’s push to strengthen digital trust has taken a new turn as the House of Representatives urges the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the SIM reassignment window to 18 months. At first glance, the proposal appears straightforward: give more time before inactive numbers are recycled to reduce fraud, identity theft, and wrongful criminal exposure. But beneath the surface lies a more complex issue. This issue goes beyond timelines and cuts to the heart of how Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem is structured, funded, and regulated. A critical but often overlooked factor in this debate is the commercial model…
By Ishola N. Ayodele, fimc-CMC “Always address the Message before the Messenger” – Ishola Ayodele There is an African proverb that says: “The fly that no one chases thinks it is a king.” But there is another, far deeper one: “The man who chases every fly will never eat in peace.” Between those two proverbs lies the entire dilemma of crisis management. In the unfolding drama surrounding United Bank for Africa’s response to the false social media claims about Group Chairman Tony Elumelu’s marriage, I see a clear example of corporate overreach. While the desire to protect a respected leader…
…Appointments Signal a New Phase of Growth and Impact for Nigeria’s Premier Community of Female PR Professionals Nigerian Women in PR, the Nigeria country hub of the Public Relations Women Foundation (PRWF), has announced the appointment of its first non-founder executive leadership team. The five appointments mark a significant milestone in the organisation’s evolution from a founder-led community to a fully institutionalised professional body with distributed leadership capacity. The appointments take effect immediately and each executive will serve a two-year tenure through March 2028. The Appointed Executives Adaoha Njemanze – President Adaoha Njemanze is the Founder of NOVVA media and…