Lagos State has signed new power agreements with three independent power producers (IPPs) to scale electricity generation capacity to between 200MW and 400MW over the next few years. The deals, comprising Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and concession arrangements, were finalised at Lagos House, Marina, with Mainland Power Limited, Fenchurch Power Limited (in partnership with Aggregate Utilities Limited), and Viathan Engineering Limited. The projects form part of Lagos’ embedded power programme and cover three of the four IPPs under the initiative, aimed at improving electricity reliability and reducing dependence on the national grid. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who presided over the signing,…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Kano State generated N102 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) in 2025, reflecting strong growth from N74 billion recorded in 2024. Dr. Zaid Abubakar, Chairman of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), disclosed this during the agency’s Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Kano. The state is now targeting about N200 billion in IGR for 2026, nearly double its current performance, on the back of ongoing reforms and improved tax administration. Abubakar attributed the increase to institutional restructuring, stronger compliance mechanisms, and closer collaboration with stakeholders. “The service is targeting N200 billion IGR on attainment of full institutional autonomy,” he…
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has cautioned Nigerians against a fake online message claiming the introduction of a new vehicle tax, describing it as misleading and fraudulent. In a statement by its spokesperson, Dare Adekambi, the agency said a widely circulated infographic falsely directs vehicle owners to an unofficial website and urges them to make payments through unauthorised channels. “The information did not emanate from the NRS or any government agency,” Adekambi said, urging the public to ignore the claims and rely only on verified government sources. The viral message alleges that a new vehicle tax will take effect from…
Nigeria’s reintegration programme for “repentant” terrorists and bandits was conceived as a pragmatic alternative to an endless war. Nearly a decade later, it is increasingly clear that the policy sits on a fragile foundation—one strained by weak oversight, questionable incentives, and a widening gap between government intent and public trust. At its core, the initiative, anchored by Operation Safe Corridor, reflects a familiar doctrine in conflict resolution: you cannot kill an ideology with bullets alone. In theory, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration offer a pathway to reduce the number of active fighters, weaken insurgent networks, and address the socio-economic roots of…
A Port Harcourt-based manufacturer of tractors, heavy machinery and farm implements is weighing plans to relocate to Rwanda or other African countries, citing Nigeria’s new duty-free import policy as a major threat to its survival. The policy, which allows duty-free importation of tractors and electric vehicles—despite their local availability—has raised concerns among domestic producers about unfair competition and potential market distortion. Ibifri A.C. Bobmanuel, president of the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF) and managing director of Bobtrack Tractor Limited, confirmed that the company is actively considering relocation offers. He disclosed that Rwanda has proposed incentives, including up to 15…
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were safely evacuated after a gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, where the annual event was being held. According to officials, the suspect fired a shotgun at security personnel, triggering a rapid response from the United States Secret Service. An agent targeted in the attack was protected by a bulletproof vest and is reported to be in stable condition. Speaking shortly after the incident, President Trump confirmed the officer was “in good shape.” Authorities said the suspect…
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board says about five per cent of the state’s health budget is allocated, directly and indirectly, to immunisation, as routine vaccine coverage climbs to 66 per cent. Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Mustafa disclosed this in an interview to mark World Immunisation Week, noting that sustained investment in vaccine delivery and health systems is driving improved outcomes across the state. He explained that immunisation efforts in Lagos State are funded through a combination of federal vaccine supply and state-backed support for logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and service delivery. The programme is also supported by partners including…
The World Health Summit has opened applications for its fully funded 2026 Stipend and Fellowship Programme, targeting participants from low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. The announcement, made via the summit’s official X account, invites qualified candidates to apply for the global health gathering scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, from October 11 to 13, 2026. Organisers said the fellowship will support up to 15 participants, including individuals with lived experience in global health. Successful applicants will receive round-trip economy flights to Berlin, four nights of hotel accommodation close to the venue, and full summit registration covering access to…
Nigeria cannot afford to treat Mali’s latest crisis as a distant problem. The coordinated attacks in Mali, reaching as far as Bamako, offer a stark warning of how quickly insurgencies can evolve when pressure eases, coordination improves among armed groups, and state response lags. For Nigeria, the message is clear: act decisively now or risk a more complex, multi-front security emergency. At the heart of the lesson is escalation. What began in Mali as localised unrest grew into a hybrid threat involving jihadist factions, separatist elements, and external fighters. Nigeria is already confronting a similar mix through Boko Haram and…
Authorities in Mali have imposed a 72-hour nightly curfew in the capital, Bamako, following a wave of coordinated attacks that struck the city and several other regions, signalling a major escalation in the country’s security crisis. The curfew, announced by Governor Abdoulaye Coulibaly, runs from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and took effect on April 25, 2026, as security forces intensified operations to restore order. Officials say the attacks—linked to jihadist and separatist groups—are among the most complex and coordinated in recent years. At least 16 people were reported wounded in the initial assaults, while the military claimed it had…