Dangote Refinery Plans October IPO to Put Nigerians at the Heart of Its Growth

Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery is preparing for what could become Africa’s largest initial public offering, with the company positioning the planned October listing as an opportunity for Nigerians to own a stake in one of the country’s most significant industrial investments.

The refinery has applied to Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission for approval to raise as much as $5 billion through the IPO, although the final size of the offering has not yet been determined.

David Bird, the refinery’s Chief Executive Officer, said the central objective is broad participation by Nigerian investors. “The mandate of the IPO was to be the people’s IPO,” Bird told Reuters, explaining that the company wants Nigerians to participate directly in its growth.

For now, the company is keeping the proposed listing within Nigeria. Bird said Dangote Petroleum Refinery would want at least three years of demonstrated production and financial performance before considering an international listing, a step that could potentially support a stronger valuation. London has been mentioned as one possible destination for such a future listing.

Bird did not disclose the expected IPO size or the refinery’s valuation. However, the company’s recent fundraising provides an indication of its scale. In July, it secured $2.5 billion through a private placement that valued the refinery at approximately $40 billion.

The private placement also offered an early indication of investor appetite. Africa Finance Corporation, which led a group of strategic investors in the transaction, said the deal was 3.7 times oversubscribed and attracted substantial interest from institutional investors in Africa and around the world. Bird said preparations for the IPO remain on schedule and that investor interest during both the pre-marketing exercise and July’s private placement has been strong.

Dangote Refinery’s growing position in international fuel markets has added another layer to the company’s expansion story. Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the Lagos-based refinery has benefited from disruptions associated with the Iran war, supplying jet fuel to markets across Africa and into Western Europe as buyers searched for alternative sources of supply.

According to Bird, the refinery became Europe’s largest supplier of jet fuel in June and July, underscoring the growing reach of a Nigerian industrial facility that was originally built to transform the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

The refinery’s competitive advantage, Bird said, extends beyond its size as its access to locally produced crude, strong domestic demand and integrated operations give it a position he believes compares favourably with refining assets in the United States.

That position is expected to become even more significant in the coming years. Dangote Petroleum Refinery plans to increase its refining capacity from its current level to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years. The expansion will be financed partly through proceeds from the IPO and partly through debt, while Bird said the cost will be substantially below the approximately $20 billion required to build the original refinery.

The planned expansion comes against the backdrop of a major supply gap across the African market. Bird said the continent remains structurally short of refined fuels and petrochemicals, creating substantial room for the refinery to increase production and expand its market reach.

Within Nigeria, the refinery already supplies most of the country’s gasoline and diesel requirements and meets all of its jet fuel needs.

If completed as planned, the IPO would open ownership of one of Nigeria’s most strategically important industrial assets to a wider pool of Nigerian investors while providing capital for the next stage of its expansion.

For a refinery that has rapidly moved from being a landmark Nigerian infrastructure project to a major participant in international fuel markets, the next chapter could see Nigerians themselves take a larger financial stake in the story.

Nasarawa Secures $2 Million Lithium Agreement to Strengthen Local Processing

Nasarawa State has taken another step towards building a stronger lithium industry, securing a $2 million supplementary agreement with Chinese-backed Diamond New Energy to sustain raw material supplies for its refining operations and deepen the state’s participation in the mineral value chain.

The agreement was signed on Friday at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, with Governor Abdullahi Sule presiding over the ceremony following his recent investment visit to China.

At the heart of the deal is a practical objective: keeping the refinery supplied with lithium feedstock while ensuring Nasarawa State, as a mining licence holder, continues to benefit from the project.

Governor Sule said the arrangement was structured to protect both the company’s operations and the interests of the state. He explained that securing the necessary mining licence quickly was important to prevent the opportunity from being lost to another party, while ensuring the refinery remains functional and the jobs created by the investment are preserved.

“By keeping your factory operational, we ensure that you continue to get raw material. That is the essence of this agreement, and that is the essence of us quickly obtaining that license before somebody else will get it. Now we have achieved both aims,” Sule said.

“We are going to keep your factory functional, and we also have an interest as license owners in whatever you are doing in your company. More importantly, the people you have employed will remain employed.”

The latest agreement builds on a mining cooperation partnership entered into in 2024. According to Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), that earlier partnership played a role in the development of what he described as the largest lithium processing refinery in West Africa.

Under the supplementary arrangement, lithium materials from the state government’s mining block will continue to serve as feedstock for the refinery. Beyond securing supply, the deal provides an immediate $2 million financial benefit to the state and is expected to create additional revenue opportunities in the future.

Diamond New Energy also reaffirmed its commitment to processing more of Nasarawa’s mineral resources within the state rather than limiting its activities to extraction.

David Siong, a representative of the company, said Diamond New Energy believes in expanding resource development, deep processing, employment opportunities and broader economic activity within Nasarawa communities.

“Diamond New Energy always insists on and firmly believes in the further development of resources in Nasarawa, the deep processing of resources, creating employment for the local community, and boosting local economic development. We look forward to the support of the state government to put this cooperation into practice,” Siong said.

The agreement comes at a significant moment for Nasarawa’s emerging position in Nigeria’s mineral-processing landscape.

In July, the Federal Government inaugurated a lithium processing plant in the state with the capacity to process 6,000 metric tonnes of material daily. The facility is currently the largest lithium processing plant operating in Nigeria, adding to the state’s growing reputation as a centre for mineral processing.

Nasarawa’s development is also part of a national push to move Nigeria beyond the export of unprocessed minerals and capture more value from its natural resources domestically.

The Federal Government has projected that ongoing reforms in the mining sector could unlock about $2.6 billion in mineral-processing investments. The pipeline includes an $800 million lithium processing investment, a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, a $200 million lithium processing plant near Abuja awaiting commissioning, and a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State.

Zamfara State recently unveiled a $200 million lithium mining and processing project involving several local and foreign partners, with the project expected to contribute to mining investment and employment while expanding value-added processing.

Nigeria’s commercially viable lithium deposits are spread across a number of states, including Kaduna, Plateau, Cross River, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi and Nasarawa, with further prospects identified in other parts of the country.

Among the minerals found in these deposits are spodumene and lepidolite, high-grade lithium-bearing minerals with applications in electric vehicle batteries, consumer electronics and renewable energy storage.

As investment in lithium processing expands, developments such as this could help position Nasarawa and Nigeria more firmly within the rapidly evolving global energy and battery-materials supply chain.

Ondo Students to Gain Leadership, Technology Skills as FutureProofed 2.0 Returns

For 100 teenagers in Ondo State, the path to discovering their potential is about to take a more practical turn as DevMe prepares the second edition of its FutureProofed 2.0 bootcamp, with support from the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The initiative is designed for students aged 13 to 19 and will expose participants to areas considered increasingly important in preparing young Nigerians for the opportunities and challenges of the future. The programme will combine leadership development and technology with practical learning, teamwork and problem-solving.

Speaking in Akure on Thursday, DevMe Founder and Executive Director, Temiloluwa Asagunla, said the bootcamp was created to give young people more than theoretical knowledge. Participants will receive intensive training in self-mastery, leadership, emerging careers and digital literacy, while also taking part in practical projects and collaborative exercises.

She explained that the objective is to create a platform where teenagers can identify their strengths, develop their abilities and demonstrate what they are capable of achieving.

The second edition also comes with stronger backing from Tunji-Ojo, following the outcome of the maiden edition. Dr Ayo Ologun, who represented the minister and the federal lawmaker at the event, said the achievements recorded during the first edition encouraged the decision to expand the level of support this year.

According to Ologun, the minister's team will provide the security apparatus required to cover the venue from the beginning to the end of the programme. In addition, two top winners of the competition will each receive N2 million.

That represents a substantial increase from the first edition, when the top prize was N1 million.

Ologun said the larger financial rewards were intended to give the eventual winners resources that could help them build on their achievements and prepare for a future they could be proud of.

Beyond the competition and its prizes, FutureProofed 2.0 is positioning itself as a space where young Nigerians can begin connecting their interests with real-world possibilities. Through exposure to emerging careers, digital skills, leadership and practical projects, the organisers hope to help participants move from simply identifying their potential to actually putting it to work.

With 100 students expected to participate, the Ondo programme brings together mentorship, technology, leadership development and competition in an effort to equip a new generation with skills they can carry into the future.

Nigeria Establishes New Port Economic Regulator

Nigeria has taken a major step toward reshaping the way its ports are commercially regulated with the signing of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, establishing a dedicated statutory framework for economic regulation across the nation’s ports.

The legislation creates the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), giving it responsibility for areas including tariffs, rates and charges, competition, service standards and commercial disputes.

President Bola Tinubu signed the Act on Thursday, August 13, 2026, bringing more than a decade of attempts to establish a permanent legal foundation for port economic regulation to a conclusion.

Pius Akutah, executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), confirmed the development in a Facebook post, stating: “Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026. Thank you Mr President for making it a reality.”

The new framework changes the legal basis on which Nigeria’s port economy is regulated. Since 2014, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has served as the country’s interim port economic regulator after the Federal Government designated it to perform that role following the 2006 port concessions.

The council’s regulatory authority, however, had largely rested on presidential directives and regulations rather than a dedicated Act of Parliament. The new legislation provides a statutory basis for economic oversight and formally addresses the question of who should regulate the commercial relationship between port operators and users.

Its practical effect will now depend on implementation. Importers, exporters, shipping lines, terminal operators and other port users will be watching how and when the Act takes effect, how its powers are transferred and what institutional arrangement emerges during the transition.

A particularly important issue is the future of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. Earlier versions of the legislation proposed repealing the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, but the final institutional and transitional provisions of the 2026 law will determine whether the council is transformed into the new regulator or whether a separate institution is established to take over the responsibility.

The creation of NPERA is the result of a legislative effort that has crossed several National Assemblies. Bills seeking to establish a dedicated port economic regulator were considered during the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth assemblies, but none became law.

The latest attempt began with the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill 2023. The proposal was introduced in the House of Representatives in February 2024 and passed second reading the following month. It sought to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act and replace it with a new statutory framework.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) raised objections concerning provisions relating to shipping regulation, licences, fees and charges. The Nigerian Ports Authority also questioned possible overlaps with its responsibilities as the landlord and concessioning authority of the ports.

After eventually passing the National Assembly, the legislation was transmitted to the Presidency but was not immediately assented to. It was returned to lawmakers for amendments, including issues relating to its mandate and potential conflicts with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act 2025.

The House revised the legislation, while the Senate reconsidered its earlier passage. By March 2026, Akutah said the revised bill was awaiting Senate concurrence before being retransmitted to the Presidency. The Senate considered the amended legislation in April, paving the way for its eventual return to the President.

The August 13 assent therefore marks the culmination of a prolonged effort to move Nigeria’s port economic regulation from an interim arrangement into a statutory system.

For the maritime industry and the wider Nigerian economy, the importance of the reform will ultimately be measured by what happens after the signing. Clearer rules around charges, competition, service standards and commercial disputes could improve predictability for businesses operating through the ports, but those benefits will depend on effective implementation and clearly defined relationships among NPERA and existing maritime institutions.

Nigeria’s ports are a vital gateway for international trade, and the establishment of a dedicated economic regulator provides an opportunity to strengthen the commercial environment surrounding them.

The country has now settled the legislative question. The next challenge is to turn the new legal framework into an effective regulatory system capable of supporting a more transparent, competitive and efficient Nigerian port sector.

Nigeria’s Six Zones, Six Different Employment Priorities

Nigeria’s employment story is far more diverse than a single national jobs ranking suggests.

A nationwide survey by SBM Intelligence has found that Nigerians in the country’s six geopolitical zones have markedly different views about the sectors that are most urgently needed to create jobs and economic opportunities in their communities.

The findings are contained in SBM Intelligence’s August 2026 report, “Six Zones, One Crisis: What Nigerians say about jobs, skills and the risk of leaving.” The report draws on a survey of 1,180 respondents across 21 cities covering all six geopolitical zones.

Technology emerged as the most preferred sector nationally, accounting for 14.4% of responses. Agriculture followed with 13.2%, healthcare with 12.7%, manufacturing with 11.0% and trade with 10.9%.

In the Northwest, agriculture dominates the employment conversation. It was identified by 22.6% of respondents as the sector most urgently needed, significantly ahead of healthcare at 14.8% and technology at 14.4%.

The Northeast also placed agriculture at the top, although the gap between sectors was considerably smaller. Agriculture received 14.2%, followed by trade at 10.2% and healthcare at 10.1%. The Northeast was the only zone where no single sector established a decisive lead.

The South-South presented a different set of priorities, with manufacturing taking first place at 15.7%. Technology followed closely at 15.0%, while trade accounted for 12.0%. The result highlights the continued demand for industrial employment in a region that remains central to Nigeria’s oil economy.

Healthcare was the leading priority in the Southeast, where 17.8% of respondents selected it. Technology followed at 13.3%, while manufacturing stood at 13.0%.

The Southwest leaned most strongly towards technology, which recorded 16.6%. Healthcare came next at 15.4%, followed by education at 15.1%. The pattern reflects the region’s concentration of digital businesses, startups and service-sector activities.

In the Northcentral, technology again led, attracting 18.1% of responses. Trade followed at 15.0%, while healthcare recorded 9.7%. SBM Intelligence, however, cautioned that the Northcentral sample was heavily concentrated in Abuja and should therefore not be considered representative of the entire region.

The regional differences are closely tied to the economic realities of each part of Nigeria.

The northern zones remain major food-producing areas, supplying a substantial share of the staple foods consumed across the country. That economic role is reflected in agriculture’s strong showing in the Northwest and Northeast.

In the Southeast, the emphasis on manufacturing corresponds with the region’s long-established industrial and commercial clusters around Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha. These centres support production and trade in leather, textiles, plastics, automobile parts, footwear, bags and other manufactured goods, with products reaching markets across West Africa.

The survey also shows that identifying the sectors Nigerians want is only one part of the employment challenge. The obstacles preventing people from finding sustainable work vary considerably as well.

Nationwide, low pay was the leading barrier, cited by 19.2% of respondents. Lack of skills followed at 17.5%, while limited access to capital and credit accounted for 16.4%. Another 15.2% identified a lack of available jobs, while poor infrastructure was cited by 8.9%.

The Southeast recorded the strongest concern about low pay, with 24.8% of respondents identifying it as their biggest employment challenge. A further 20.9% pointed to an absolute shortage of jobs.

The findings suggest that the region’s problem is not simply whether people can find work, but whether the available opportunities provide adequate income. The report noted that many educated people have been pushed towards small-scale entrepreneurship because formal employment opportunities remain limited.

In the Northwest and Northeast, the bigger challenge is skills. Inadequate skills and vocational training were identified as the leading employment barrier by 26.8% of Northwest respondents and 22.9% of those in the Northeast. While insecurity remains a significant issue in the Northeast, it did not emerge as the region’s dominant employment constraint.

The Southwest faces another combination of challenges. Poor infrastructure was cited by 21.0% of respondents, while 20.0% identified limited access to capital. The figures point to the impact of power, transportation and financing constraints on the ability of businesses to grow and create more jobs.

Healthcare’s position among the country’s leading employment priorities also comes as the sector continues to offer some of Nigeria’s better-paying professional opportunities.

An earlier SBM Intelligence report examining the 15 highest-paying healthcare jobs in Nigeria found that surgeons earn between N11 million and N17.8 million annually. Cardiologists earn about N15.8 million, anesthesiologists around N12.3 million, medical doctors about N10.3 million and psychiatrists roughly N10.2 million per year.

Taken together, the findings reveal an employment landscape that cannot be fully understood through a single national strategy.

The skills needed to strengthen an agriculture-led economy are different from those required to expand an industrial cluster. A technology-focused region faces different infrastructure and financing needs from a community where trade or healthcare represents the strongest opportunity for employment.

For Nigeria, this regional diversity also represents an opportunity. Agriculture can generate employment beyond primary production through processing, logistics and value-added industries. Manufacturing can deepen existing industrial clusters. Technology can create new forms of work and connect Nigerian businesses to wider markets, while healthcare can simultaneously address service gaps and provide professional employment.

The survey ultimately points to a Nigeria with different labour-market realities operating within the same national economy. Understanding those differences could be crucial to developing skills, infrastructure, financing and investment strategies that respond to what Nigerians actually need in their respective regions.

Vi-M Strengthens Nigeria’s Digital Tax Infrastructure With Dual E-Invoicing Accreditation

Nigeria’s transition toward a more digitally driven tax system is creating a new operational reality for businesses, and Vi-M Professional Solutions Limited is positioning itself at the centre of that transformation.

The company has secured dual accreditation as a System Integrator and Access Point Provider under Nigeria’s National e-Invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System regime, giving it a recognised role in helping businesses connect with the country’s emerging electronic tax infrastructure.

Vi-M has also unveiled eNvoice.ng, a digital platform built to simplify electronic invoicing and tax compliance for businesses operating at different levels of technological capacity.

The platform arrives as the Nigeria Revenue Service begins active compliance monitoring of large taxpayers across the country. Under the new NRS directives, affected organisations are required to complete integration, validation and testing before moving to live transmission of invoices through the government platform. They must also ensure that incoming supplier invoices contain valid Invoice Reference Numbers.

Companies must now ensure that their internal systems, accounting processes and invoicing operations can work with the regulatory framework.

Vi-M says eNvoice.ng was developed to address that challenge without forcing every business into the same technology model.

Large companies operating sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning systems can use the platform, while businesses relying on accounting applications such as QuickBooks or NetSuite can also be accommodated.

The platform equally targets businesses that have yet to adopt formal accounting software. Through a lightweight workspace, such companies can create invoices, classify taxes using HS and ISIC codes, manage credit notes and transmit invoices directly to the regulatory platform without undertaking a complete ERP overhaul.

That broad usability, according to Vi-M, is central to making digital tax compliance more accessible across Nigeria's business landscape.

The company's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vivian Chigozie-Nmonwu, described the dual accreditation as an important milestone and a validation of Vi-M's work across taxation, technology, regulatory compliance and enterprise systems.

“This dual accreditation is a significant milestone for Vi-M and a strong validation of our work at the intersection of tax, technology, regulatory compliance, and enterprise systems,” Chigozie-Nmonwu stated.

She said eNvoice.ng was developed to make compliance “practical, secure, and accessible for businesses,” whether they operate complex digital systems or require a simpler workspace for their invoicing needs.

With NRS compliance monitoring already underway, she stressed the need for businesses to establish that their systems can actually meet the requirements rather than simply declare themselves prepared.

“With NRS compliance monitoring now underway, businesses need to move beyond general readiness discussions and confirm their actual onboarding, integration, validation, and transmission capability,” she said.

Chigozie-Nmonwu added that Vi-M's goal is to support businesses and implementation partners with technology that brings together compliance, usability and technical flexibility.

The company is also designing beyond Nigeria's immediate requirements. eNvoice.ng uses a modular architecture that prepares the platform for future international standards, including PEPPOL, potentially giving Nigerian businesses a stronger foundation as cross-border digital invoicing requirements evolve.

The development comes at a time when technology is becoming an increasingly important part of how Nigeria administers taxation and how businesses demonstrate compliance.

For Nigerian companies, the emerging e-invoicing regime is therefore creating a new link between everyday commercial transactions and the country's digital tax infrastructure. Vi-M's accreditation and eNvoice.ng platform add another piece to that growing ecosystem, offering businesses a route into the system without making technological complexity a prerequisite for compliance.

Aradel Refinery Set to Begin Petrol Production in 2027, Expanding Nigeria’s Refining Capacity

Nigeria’s refining capacity is set for another boost as Aradel Holdings Plc plans to commence petrol production at its modular refinery in 2027.

The company’s move comes after the removal of fuel subsidies and the deregulation of the downstream petroleum market, changes that have improved the commercial prospects of producing petrol locally.

Temitayo Ogunbanjo, who manages Aradel’s refinery arm, disclosed the plan in an interview published by Bloomberg on Thursday. He said deregulation “has now created a path” for the company to manufacture petrol.

Aradel already produces kerosene, diesel, gas oil and naphtha at the facility and adding petrol would expand its product range and increase the contribution of the modular refinery to Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply.

The planned expansion comes against the backdrop of an increase in refining activity across Nigeria. Data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on July 20 showed that modular facilities, including Walter Smith, Edo refinery and Aradel refinery, remained operational.

The facilities produced about 478,000 litres of diesel per day, with 562,000 litres supplied to the domestic market, according to the regulator.

Nigeria’s refining landscape is also being reshaped by the scale of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. NMDPRA reported that Dangote produced an average of 39.1 million litres of petrol per day during the month covered by its data.

Despite that output, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), said during the week that Africa still requires more refineries. He argued that the Dangote refinery would not be sufficient to meet the continent’s demand, even as its refining capacity is increased to 1.4 million barrels.

“The Dangote Refinery is not enough. Despite the fact that the refinery is increasing its refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels; but it is not enough for the African continent,” Lokpobiri said.

He also said the expanded Dangote facility would create opportunities for middle buyers to distribute petroleum products across Africa and the wider global market.

Aradel’s planned entry into petrol production adds another dimension to this changing landscape. Its refinery is moving from its current portfolio of kerosene, diesel, gas oil and naphtha towards producing one of the country’s most widely consumed petroleum products.

If the 2027 target is achieved, Aradel will become another domestic source of petrol, strengthening Nigeria’s growing refining base and adding to the country’s capacity to process crude oil into finished petroleum products at home.

Azikel Refinery Nears Completion as Bayelsa Moves Closer to Major Industrial Milestone

Bayelsa State is moving closer to adding a major refining facility to its industrial landscape, with the Azikel Refinery in Yenagoa now at the finishing stage after an investment that has grown to about $1 billion.

The 25,000-barrel-per-day facility is being developed as a full-slate hydro-skimming refinery, a more extensive configuration than the topping plants with which it has sometimes been compared. It is designed to process both crude oil and condensate and produce a broad range of refined petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas.

Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, said the scale of the project and the technical upgrades undertaken during development account for much of the time required to bring the refinery to completion.

The project was originally licensed in 2015 but subsequent value engineering and redesign significantly expanded its specifications. Its processing capacity was raised to 25,000 barrels per day, while the total investment increased to approximately $1 billion.

“The Azikel Refinery licensed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 has now gone through several enhanced value engineering and redesign to a 25,000 barrels per day capacity. It is now a $1 billion investment,” Eruani said.

The company has also mapped out a future expansion that could take the refinery's capacity to 125,000 barrels per day, potentially making the facility an even more significant component of Nigeria's refining and energy infrastructure.

The project is already supporting employment and technical development in Bayelsa, with no fewer than 700 people currently working on the facility.

Most of those engaged are young Bayelsans and Nigerian engineers, supported by expatriate specialists. More than 700 engineers and other personnel have been involved during the completion phase, providing employment while exposing local professionals to the demands of constructing and preparing a sophisticated refining facility for operations.

The project was conceived to help position Bayelsa as a major industrial hub while generating jobs and stimulating economic activity across the Niger Delta and the wider Nigerian economy.

With construction now nearing completion, that ambition is beginning to take a more tangible form. The refinery's growing workforce, expanded technical specifications and planned future capacity increase place the Azikel project among the developments capable of adding new industrial depth to an energy-producing state.

For Bayelsa, the completion of the facility would mark the emergence of a major industrial asset built around refining, engineering skills, employment and the potential to retain more value within Nigeria's energy economy.

Lagos Opens New 7,000-Square-Metre Fresh Food Hub in Agege

Lagos State has commissioned a 7,000-square-metre fresh food hub at Pen Cinema, Agege, providing a purpose-built centre for farmers, traders, retailers, institutional buyers and consumers.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned the facility on Wednesday, describing it as part of efforts to improve the movement of food from farmers and suppliers to communities across Lagos.

The hub accommodates hundreds of traders and includes dry and cold storage facilities, a dedicated seafood section and parking. It also has electric vehicle (EV) charging points, adding a new mobility feature to a facility designed primarily for food commerce and distribution.

“Today, I commissioned the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Pen Cinema, Agege, a modern facility designed to make it easier and more efficient to move food from farmers and suppliers to communities across Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Agege is one of the middle-level facilities within Lagos’ wider food distribution network. It receives supplies from the Central Food Security and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, helping move produce from the state’s main logistics centre towards consumers.

The arrangement also includes the Mushin Fresh Food Agro-Hub, commissioned in December 2023 to support organised food trading, storage and distribution.

Lagos is seeking to address the long distances and inefficiencies that can arise between agricultural production and urban markets by establishing facilities at different points within the supply chain. The approach is intended to improve access to storage and organised trading while bringing produce nearer to consumers.

With traders, suppliers, buyers and consumers expected to pass through the Agege hub regularly, the facility provides one of the kinds of commercial settings suited to that model.

Its primary role, however, remains food distribution. The combination of trading space, storage facilities, a seafood section and supporting infrastructure gives Agege a defined place in Lagos’ expanding network of fresh food markets.

The commissioning adds another major facility to the state’s effort to reorganise food distribution while placing EV charging within an active commercial environment.

NBA, UNICEF Launch Nationwide Legal Support for Vulnerable Children

For a child caught in Nigeria’s justice system, the absence of a lawyer can determine how long the child remains in detention, whether diversion is considered and whether rehabilitation is pursued.

A new partnership between the Nigerian Bar Association and the United Nations Children’s Fund is seeking to close that gap by expanding nationwide pro bono legal services for vulnerable children.

The initiative brings together the legal profession and major justice and child-protection institutions, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the National Judicial Institute, the Nigerian Correctional Service, development partners and civil society organisations.

Under the partnership, UNICEF and the NBA will train lawyers in child-sensitive justice, strengthen referrals, support diversion and rehabilitation, and expand legal representation for children who come into contact or conflict with the law.

Saeed urged the NBA to mobilise practitioners nationwide, noting that if every practising lawyer handled at least one pro bono child-justice case annually, access to justice for vulnerable children could increase significantly.

NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the partnership was founded on the principle that poverty, vulnerability, disability or other circumstances should never prevent a child from accessing justice.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Osigwe said lawyers would provide legal protection and effective representation to children whose rights are threatened.

The programme will establish a nationwide pro bono and referral network, equip lawyers to handle children’s cases more effectively and create opportunities for public-interest legal work.

Osigwe called on NBA branches, law firms, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other practitioners to participate.

“Let us make pro bono service for children not merely a professional obligation, but a defining culture of our profession,” he said.

He thanked UNICEF and other stakeholders, saying their involvement reflected a shared commitment to strengthening child justice in Nigeria.

Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Director of Criminal Justice and Reforms Department in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, outlined measures already supporting child justice.

Nigeria’s framework includes the Child Rights Act 2003, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, state Child Rights Laws, diversion initiatives and restorative justice mechanisms.

Fagbemi highlighted the recognition of “Justice for Children” as a distinct thematic area in the National Policy on Justice 2025. Its priorities include children’s rights awareness, expanded legal aid, diversion and restorative justice, ending unnecessary detention, child-friendly courts, specialised services and stronger institutional capacity.

He warned that legislation would have little effect without implementation at police stations, courts, correctional facilities and within communities.

The Federal Ministry of Justice has developed and is deploying the Prosecutors’ Guidelines on Handling Cases Involving Children and the Legal Aid Guidelines for Children in Contact with the Law, with UNICEF support.

Other measures include the Non-Custodial Sentencing Guidelines 2020 for the FCT High Court and a Harmonised Restorative Justice Training Curriculum and Manual promoting accountability, rehabilitation and reintegration rather than unnecessary criminalisation.

The Child Rights Act is also undergoing a clause-by-clause review following the inauguration of a review committee. Proposed amendments are expected to address digital safety, child marriage and justice reform, while strengthening provisions on legal representation, diversion, alternatives to detention, child participation and implementation.

The NBA-UNICEF partnership is designed to connect these legal measures with lawyers, justice institutions and child-protection services, giving vulnerable children a stronger route to representation and protection.

For Osigwe, the legal profession is at its best when it stands up for those who cannot defend themselves and the initiative marks the beginning of a more strategic effort to ensure children across Nigeria can access justice regardless of their circumstances.

Nigeria Unveils National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy, Targets 4,000 Tractors Annually

Nigeria is resetting the machinery of its agricultural economy, with the Federal Government introducing a policy framework aimed at expanding access to farm equipment, drawing private capital into the sector and raising productivity.

The National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy and the National Agricultural Mechanisation Investment Strategy were unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at a High-Level National Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Mechanisation.

The dialogue, themed “Anchoring National Food Sovereignty through Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation Policy, Innovation and Strategic Investment,” placed mechanisation at the centre of Nigeria’s food security ambitions.

Kyari said the new framework would move the country away from a system largely driven by government procurement towards a market-led model in which investors, technology providers, skilled operators and entrepreneurs can build viable businesses around agricultural machinery.

“Our responsibility as a ministry is to translate that vision into policy architecture, institutional coherence and practical pathways for investment and delivery,” he said.

“The opportunity before us is therefore to build an ecosystem in which capital, technology, skills and entrepreneurship converge around one objective: making mechanisation commercially viable and widely accessible.”

The policy takes a broader view of mechanisation than tractor ownership. It encompasses land preparation, planting, irrigation, crop protection, harvesting, processing, storage, logistics and transportation.

The government intends to develop what Kyari called a “Mechanisation-as-a-Service” economy, allowing farmers to hire machinery and related services as required instead of carrying the cost of owning and maintaining expensive equipment.

There is already movement on the ground. Under the Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme (RH-NAMP), procurement and deployment have commenced for 2,000 tractors, supported by more than 9,000 assorted implements and spare parts.

The investment strategy goes further with plans for a mega tractor assembly plant capable of turning out between 2,000 and 4,000 tractors each year.

Such a facility would give domestic manufacturing a larger role in agricultural equipment supply, reduce dependence on imported machinery and open additional employment opportunities.

Kyari also wants young Nigerians and women to become participants in the business that mechanisation is expected to create, rather than remain on the margins of it.

“Our youths must not stand at the edge of the mechanisation economy. They must own, operate, innovate and lead it,” he said.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who also spoke at the event, argued that buying machinery should not be mistaken for agricultural transformation.

“We must build the agriculture of tomorrow. Agriculture must be mechanised and smart,” he said.

The policy arrives alongside other measures aimed at moving more money and investment into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, for instance, is targeting $4.4 billion in investment and has been projected to deliver an internal rate of return of 30.85%.

According to the National Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, the programme is structured to draw private-sector capital into agro-industrial development, expand exports, strengthen food security and increase value addition.

The numbers behind Nigeria’s food trade make the case for a stronger domestic production base. Yusuf cited concerns raised by Kyari over an annual food import bill of more than $10 billion, against agro-export earnings of less than $400 million.

A sizeable share of what Nigerian farmers produce is also lost before it reaches consumers. Yusuf put post-harvest losses at an estimated 30% to 60%, underscoring the pressure on the country’s storage, processing, transport and market systems.

The financing question is also receiving attention. Earlier this year, the Federal Government approved a N250 billion facility for the Bank of Agriculture to lend to smallholder farmers at a single-digit interest rate.

Kyari announced the facility at a Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement Session in Abuja, presenting it as part of efforts to improve agricultural financing and insurance.

The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, National Agricultural Quarantine Service and Bank of Agriculture are among the institutions expected to support farmers and strengthen the sector’s resilience.

What the government has now placed on the table is therefore larger than a tractor procurement programme. It is an attempt to establish the machinery, financing and commercial structures around which a more productive agricultural economy can operate.

The test will be whether the policy can translate equipment into dependable services for farmers, build local capacity to manufacture and maintain machinery, and connect increased production to processing, storage, transport and markets.

For Nigeria, the prize is substantial: higher farm productivity, stronger domestic manufacturing, more jobs, lower exposure to imported agricultural machinery and food, and greater value from an agricultural sector with room to expand.

CBN Opens New Regulatory Pathway for Virtual Assets and Data-Driven Finance

Nigeria’s digital financial landscape is entering another phase of experimentation as the Central Bank of Nigeria opens applications for the second cohort of its Regulatory Sandbox Programme, creating dedicated testing pathways for virtual asset businesses and data-driven financial innovations.

Applications opened on August 12, 2026, and eligible organisations have until August 31, 2026, to submit their proposals through the CBN Regulatory Sandbox Portal.

Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach to emerging financial technologies, the new cohort is divided into two specialised tracks: the Virtual Asset Service Provider Track and the Data-Enabled Financial Services Track.

The Virtual Asset Service Provider, or VASP, Track is designed for innovations involving virtual assets, stablecoins, payments, settlement systems, custody, wallets and related financial infrastructure. Businesses developing such solutions will be able to undertake supervised live testing within parameters established by the apex bank.

The second pathway is aimed at financial solutions built around secure digital infrastructure and permission-based data sharing. The Data-Enabled Financial Services Track excludes VASPs and is intended for technologies capable of improving financial inclusion, payments, access to credit, risk management, operational efficiency and consumer outcomes.

At the heart of the programme is a controlled testing environment in which innovators can develop and test new financial products, services, business models and technologies while engaging directly with regulators.

The CBN said the arrangement will allow it to gain a deeper understanding of emerging technologies as they are tested in real-world conditions, while ensuring that innovation advances alongside safeguards for consumers and the wider financial system.

Musa Jimoh, Director of the CBN’s Payments System Policy Department, said the speed at which financial technology is evolving is reshaping how individuals and businesses access financial services.

He explained that the sandbox, powered by technology in partnership with EMTECH, gives regulators and innovators a structured setting to experiment with new solutions without removing the protections required for consumers and the financial system.

According to Jimoh, the decision to establish separate tracks for virtual asset providers and data-enabled financial services reflects the changing character of financial innovation and the CBN’s effort to create a regulatory environment that encourages responsible and transparent technological development.

For applicants, however, entry into the programme will depend on more than having a novel idea. The CBN will assess proposals according to their level of innovation, readiness for controlled live testing, expected benefits to consumers and the market, governance arrangements, risk-management capabilities and the suitability of the proposed testing plan.

Those selected will carry out supervised experiments under conditions agreed with the CBN. The testing framework will include requirements covering consumer protection, operational resilience, cybersecurity and regulatory reporting.

The central bank has also drawn a clear line between participation in the sandbox and regulatory authorisation. Admission into the programme does not constitute a licence, approval or authorisation to conduct activities outside the specific testing parameters approved by the CBN.

That distinction is particularly significant as new financial technologies continue to develop across Nigeria. The sandbox is intended not simply as a testing ground for companies, but as a mechanism through which the regulator can gather evidence, identify emerging risks and strengthen its understanding of technologies that could shape the country’s financial system.

The CBN said lessons generated through supervised testing could subsequently contribute to the development of future regulatory and supervisory frameworks as Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem evolves.

The second cohort therefore represents a strategic drive to balance two priorities that increasingly intersect in Nigeria’s financial sector: creating room for technology-driven innovation and maintaining the safety, resilience and integrity of the financial system.

The initiative also signals the CBN’s movement towards what it described as a transparent, proportionate and risk-based regulatory framework, one that can accommodate new financial models while protecting monetary and financial stability.

For Nigerian innovators working across virtual assets, digital payments, data-enabled finance and related technologies, the programme provides a structured route to test ideas under regulatory supervision and generate evidence that could influence the next generation of financial policy.

Eligible organisations seeking to participate must complete their applications through the CBN Regulatory Sandbox Portal no later than August 31, 2026.

The Gambia Turns to Nigeria’s TETFund Model for Higher Education Funding

The Gambia is looking to Nigeria’s experience with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as it develops a new financing framework for its tertiary education sector.

The Gambian Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja after leading a high-powered delegation to TETFund headquarters for a meeting with its Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono.

The Gambian government has established the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust (THET) Fund, modelled after Nigeria’s TETFund, to support higher education institutions and address funding challenges in the sector.

Officials of the new fund are expected to undertake a study tour of TETFund, examining its operations, funding structure and intervention programmes. Gomez said Gambian authorities had monitored TETFund’s work through its website, social media platforms and other media channels and believed the Nigerian model could provide useful lessons for The Gambia.

He also proposed closer cooperation between TETFund and THET Fund in research and capacity development, saying such collaboration could strengthen higher education in both countries and deepen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.

Echono explained that TETFund evolved from the Education Trust Fund (ETF), established more than three decades ago in response to a funding crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The challenge prompted the Federal Government and other stakeholders to seek a dedicated source of funding for higher institutions.

Before the introduction of the new Development Levy in 2026, TETFund was financed through a three per cent education tax on the assessable profits of companies registered in Nigeria.

Its interventions are targeted at public tertiary institutions and cover essential physical infrastructure, instructional materials and equipment, research and publication, academic staff training and development, and other areas critical to improving and maintaining standards in teaching, learning, research and academic development.

The study tour will give Gambian officials an opportunity to examine the institutional framework behind TETFund and determine which aspects can be adapted to The Gambia’s higher education system.

The delegation included Ms. Isatou Auber, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology; Dr. Samba Sowe, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Technical); and Ms. Ndey Anta Taal, Project Coordinator, CPCU, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

The move puts Nigeria’s TETFund experience before another West African government as The Gambia develops its own mechanism for funding tertiary education.

Dangote Partners CNN to Spotlight Africa’s Global Business Rise in New ‘Africa Inc.’ Series

Dangote Industries Limited and CNN International Commercial have entered a multi-year partnership that will spotlight Africa’s growing influence in global business, with Dangote sponsoring CNN’s new programme, Africa Inc.

The 30-minute series, hosted by Nigerian journalist Adefemi Akinsanya from Lagos, will explore how African companies in sectors including entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing and technology are expanding internationally, attracting investment, creating jobs and building globally competitive brands.

Africa Inc. premieres on CNN International on August 29, 2026, following the launch of short-form segments on August 5. Four additional episodes are planned through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, alongside bespoke segments every two months, digital reports and social media content.

For Dangote Industries, the partnership provides a global platform to showcase its industrialisation drive and Vision 2030 economic blueprint. The campaign will run across CNN International, CNN.com and CNN Arabic, as well as CNN Business platforms on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, with additional branded content appearing on CNN’s US television and digital platforms.

CNN’s in-house studio, Create, will also produce Africa First, a branded-content series examining Africa’s pursuit of energy independence and economic transformation through films, data-driven articles and social content. Dangote Industries will feature as an example of the continent’s industrial development.

The partnership further includes Dangote’s sponsorship of three editions of CNN’s Global Perspectives events franchise over the next 12 months.

Akinsanya joins CNN from Arise News, bringing experience from Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sky News and TRT World. Her reporting has covered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests and the 2024 United States presidential election. She was a 2023 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

"I'm thrilled to be joining CNN to launch Africa Inc. at such an exciting time for Africa's international story. Across the continent, we're seeing innovation, resilience and ambition transforming industries and creating opportunities with global impact. I'm looking forward to bringing these stories to CNN's audience," she said.

CNN International Commercial Senior Vice President for Advertising Sales, Cathy Ibal, said the partnership would help bring African innovation, resilience and leadership to a global audience.

“We are pleased to once again be working with Dangote Industries Limited to tell the stories of a self-sufficient Africa,” Ibal said.

Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Industries Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, said the collaboration forms part of the company’s global brand positioning strategy and will help showcase its Vision 2030 blueprint and industrialisation ambitions.

With the programme anchored from Lagos and backed by one of Africa’s largest industrial groups, the partnership offers a major international platform for telling the story of African businesses building for global markets.

Mo Abudu takes African cinema to new UK cultural hub

A new chapter is opening for African storytelling in the United Kingdom as Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu prepares to launch EbonyLife Place London, a destination designed to bring African cinema, food, fashion, music and art together under one roof.

Set on Wandsworth Road in London, the venue is scheduled to open in October and is being positioned as the UK’s first cinema dedicated exclusively to African and Black films.

EbonyLife Place London is being conceived to create a physical home for African cinematic culture and provide audiences with an immersive experience around the stories coming from the continent and the wider Black creative community.

The project will bring together several spaces, each contributing to that wider cultural experience. Visitors will encounter the Grand Reception, The Afrobeat Restaurant, Fèhintì Lounge, Maji Concession & Bar, Zuri Retail and The Living Wall Gallery.

Abudu announced the development on Monday in a social media post accompanied by a video of the property, revealing the scale of the project ahead of its October opening.

“EbonyLife Place London will become the first cinema in the United Kingdom dedicated exclusively to African and Black films, while also creating a vibrant cultural hub celebrating our fashion, music, food and art,” she said.

With the London project, the brand is extending its reach into the UK and creating another platform through which African stories can meet international audiences.

By combining film exhibition with spaces dedicated to cuisine, fashion, music, retail and visual art, EbonyLife Place London is designed to present African culture as a complete creative experience rather than as a single form of entertainment.

For Nigerian creative enterprise, the project also represents an international extension of a home-grown media and entertainment brand. Its arrival in London places Nigerian-led African storytelling at the centre of a new cultural space while creating a dedicated venue for films and creative expressions that speak to African and Black experiences.

When the doors open in October, EbonyLife Place London will therefore represent an ambitious attempt to give African cinema and culture a permanent, dedicated space in one of the world's most influential cultural cities.

Nigeria Incorporates New Company to Drive 90,000km Nationwide Fibre Network

Nigeria has incorporated a new company to drive the delivery of its planned 90,000-kilometre nationwide fibre network, marking a major step in the federal government’s effort to expand broadband access and strengthen the country’s digital economy.

The company, Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA), will serve as the independent entity responsible for delivering the nationwide open-access fibre infrastructure programme under Project BRIDGE.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, announced the development on on Saturday, describing Bridge OA as the institutional platform that will move Project BRIDGE from planning into execution.

He said the company will also complete the onboarding of strategic investors and accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

“This marks the transition from planning to execution, creating the institutional platform that will complete strategic investor onboarding, accelerate nationwide broadband deployment, and position Nigeria as a regional digital connectivity hub for West Africa,” Tijani said via X platform.

The project is designed to take fibre infrastructure far beyond Nigeria’s major urban centres. The planned network will extend to every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward in the country.

The government’s immediate focus is now shifting toward physical deployment. Tijani disclosed days before the incorporation announcement that work on the 90,000-kilometre fibre network would begin within the next few weeks.

He said resource mobilisation and contractual processes for the nationwide project had already been concluded, clearing the way for deployment.

Nigeria announced the 90,000-kilometre fibre plan in August 2025 as part of efforts to deepen internet access and digital inclusion.

The scale of the project could provide a stronger backbone for Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, supporting businesses, technology companies, digital services, education, public institutions and other activities that depend increasingly on reliable broadband connectivity.

Its nationwide reach is also designed to expand access to digital opportunities beyond major cities, connecting communities and businesses to the infrastructure required to participate more fully in the digital economy.

With Bridge OA now incorporated and the government saying the necessary mobilisation and contractual groundwork has been completed, Project BRIDGE is moving into its implementation phase.

If delivered as planned, the 90,000-kilometre network would significantly expand Nigeria’s fibre infrastructure and strengthen the country’s ambition to become a regional digital connectivity hub for West Africa.

Taraku Mills Rises Again: Benue Revives a Dormant Industrial Giant

For decades, Taraku Mills stood as a reminder of the gap between Benue’s agricultural potential and its industrial capacity. That picture is now beginning to change, with the long-dormant factory undergoing a revival that could reconnect farmers to large-scale processing and create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Located in Taraku village, the facility is being brought back into operation after remaining moribund since the mid-1990s. Its restoration under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia is expected to give Benue’s agricultural economy a stronger industrial foundation by creating a major outlet for crops produced within the state and stimulating businesses around the factory.

James Twenge, the plant manager, said the mills have the capacity to process 72,000 metric tonnes of maize every year, while the animal feed division can produce up to 172,300 metric tonnes annually for different types of animals.

The facility’s oil-processing operations add another layer to its industrial potential. One mechanical press production line can process 200 metric tonnes of seeds per day, while the flaking section has an annual processing capacity of 78,000 metric tonnes of seeds. The solvent extraction plant, meanwhile, can process 320 metric tonnes of seeds per day.

With the various divisions operating together, Taraku Mills could become an important link between agricultural production and industrial processing in Benue. Instead of crops leaving farms without significant local processing, the revived facility provides the infrastructure to convert agricultural raw materials into finished and intermediate products within the state.

Twenge said products from the factory could begin leaving the facility within two months, subject to the progress of the ongoing preparations.

The journey back to production, however, has involved more than repairing machinery. It has also highlighted the role of the Taraku community, whose residents helped preserve the facility during years when it was no longer operational.

Tersoo, who spoke on Saturday during an inspection of the mills by journalists and the presidential media team, said the people living around the factory took responsibility for protecting the abandoned facility and its equipment.

“They came together and said that they would guide this factory, and they did that jealously. No pin got missing in this factory until the governor came,” he said.

That community effort helped protect an industrial asset that had been inactive for years, creating an opportunity for the present administration to undertake its rehabilitation rather than allow the facility to disappear completely from Benue’s economic landscape.

Tersoo recalled that Taraku Mills was originally established during the administration of the late Aper Aku, Benue’s first civilian governor. At the time, the factory produced soybean oil and other products before its operations eventually collapsed in the mid-1990s.

According to Tersoo, the need to restore the factory became apparent when Alia assumed office as governor.

“When father Alia came up as the governor of Benue state, he saw that there was a need to revamp this company. And so, the company has been revamped,” he said.

The machinery has since been serviced and is currently undergoing test runs as the facility moves towards renewed operations.

For a state whose economy is strongly rooted in agriculture, a functioning processing plant can create demand for farmers’ produce while generating opportunities for transporters, traders, suppliers, livestock operators and other businesses that depend on agricultural activity.

The employment potential is equally significant. Twenge estimates that more than 2,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, could be created when the mills attain full production.

Taraku Mills revival offers Benue an opportunity to strengthen the connection between what its farmers produce and what its industries can process, while putting an important piece of the state’s industrial history back to work.

If the ongoing test runs lead to full production as planned, a factory that once fell into decades of inactivity could once again become a major engine for employment, agricultural processing and commercial activity in Benue.

16-Year-Old Nigerian Fencer Makes History With Commonwealth Gold

At just 16, Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson has delivered a landmark moment for Nigerian fencing, winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships.

Competing in the men’s U-23 epee at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Lagos, on Sunday, Esiovwa-Thompson defeated a field that included three Indian opponents before overcoming Asian champion Lokesh Vemani 15–5 in the final.

The victory came during his first competition for Nigeria after switching allegiance from England, and he handled the occasion with remarkable composure against the more experienced Vemani. India’s Godwin Natarajan and Ashwini Shaurya completed the podium with bronze medals.

Esiovwa-Thompson had already signalled his intentions during the group stage. Competing in Pool 4, he went unbeaten to finish top and earned a bye into the round of 16.

He began the knockout rounds with a 15–7 victory over South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela before producing one of his most commanding performances against India’s Shivaansh Kapoor, whom he defeated 15–2 in the quarter-final.

A tougher contest awaited in the semi-final, where he faced Ashwini Shaurya. With the home crowd providing strong support, Esiovwa-Thompson held his composure and prevailed 15–11 to earn a place in the final.

The achievement adds to an already promising international record. Before choosing to represent Nigeria, he competed for England and won gold in the boys’ U-13 epee at the 2022 Wratislavia Challenge. He also secured bronze in the cadet men’s epee team event in Naples.

His breakthrough in Lagos now gives Nigerian fencing a major milestone while marking the beginning of what could become a significant chapter in the young athlete’s career.

Elsewhere at the championships, England’s Oliver Strange claimed the tournament’s first gold medal after defeating India’s Manoj Patil in the men’s U-23 foil final. India’s Singh Sanasam and England’s Thomas James won the bronze medals.

For Nigeria, however, the headline achievement belonged to Esiovwa-Thompson, whose performance has added a historic Commonwealth gold to the country’s growing list of sporting accomplishments.

Nigeria Hosts Commonwealth Fencing Championships as Adeyinka Samuel Makes History

Lagos is set to take centre stage in Commonwealth fencing as the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships begin on Sunday, August 9, bringing more than 250 athletes from over 20 countries to Eko Atlantic City for six days of competition.

The championships will be held at Rugby School in Eko Atlantic City and run until Friday, marking the return of the event to Africa for the first time in about a decade after Cape Town, South Africa, hosted it.

The tournament comes with several historic firsts. Under-23 individual competitions will be recognised as medal events for the first time, while wheelchair fencing will become a full medal competition after previously being staged as a demonstration event in London in 2022.

Approximately 350 entries have been recorded across the under-23, senior, veteran and wheelchair categories, reflecting the breadth of participation expected in Lagos.

The home team will also be competing with ambitious targets. Nigeria Fencing Federation President Adeyinka Samuel said the country is aiming for medals in the under-23, veteran and wheelchair events, with gold as the ultimate objective. He expressed confidence in the preparation and determination of the Nigerian athletes and the advantage of competing before home supporters.

Among those hoping to deliver is Nigerian MP fencer Wisdom Okanlawo, who described representing his country as an honour. He acknowledged the strength of the international field but said he was determined to give his best and compete for a medal.

While Lagos prepares for the competition, Samuel has secured a landmark achievement of his own. He was elected President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation on Saturday at the federation’s elective Annual General Meeting at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City.

Samuel defeated incumbent Marie-France Dufour by 14 votes to six, becoming the first Nigerian and first African to lead the Commonwealth Fencing Federation. His election marks a departure from the federation’s long-standing leadership tradition involving countries such as Scotland, Australia and Canada.

The appointment follows a period of growing international activity for Nigerian fencing. Under Samuel’s leadership, the Nigeria Fencing Federation has hosted International Fencing Federation-sanctioned Junior World Cups and African Championships. The country has now become the first African nation to stage the Senior Commonwealth Fencing Championships.

Organisers have undertaken extensive preparations for the Lagos event, with technical compliance, transportation, venue operations and coordination of officials among the priorities. Medical arrangements include a dedicated medical team, first-aid support and a standby ambulance to respond to emergencies.

Dufour described the championships as a milestone for Commonwealth fencing, particularly because of the introduction of the new under-23 events and the elevation of wheelchair fencing to medal status. She also urged athletes and officials to uphold friendship, respect and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Olaitan Ogunbiyi, a member of the local organising committee, said securing the hosting rights was a significant achievement that required extensive planning and support from the government, sponsors, media organisations and parents.

The Lagos championships consequently bring together two important developments for Nigerian fencing: the arrival of hundreds of international athletes for a major Commonwealth competition and the election of a Nigerian to the federation’s highest leadership position.

For a sport gaining greater visibility in the country, the week ahead offers Nigeria an opportunity to compete, host and lead on the Commonwealth stage.

Nigeria Joins World Energy Council

Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council (WEC) with the inauguration of a National Member Committee and Governing Board that will represent the country within the global energy organisation.

World Energy Council Nigeria will operate as an independent, impartial and technology-neutral platform, bringing together government, industry, finance, academia and civil society to develop practical responses to the country's Energy Trilemma -energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

The development comes as Nigeria continues efforts to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and attract the investment needed to drive industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.

The Governing Board is chaired by Mr Abdulrazaq Isa, Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, a leading advocate for indigenous energy development. The inaugural Chief Executive Officer is Mr Bala Wunti, an experienced energy executive with more than three decades across the oil and gas value chain and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited.

Board members include Professor Wumi Iledare, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Mrs Aisha Farida Katagum, Dr Ainojie "Alex" Irune, Dr Emmanuel Okon, Dr Victor Ekpenyong and Dr Imamuddeen Talba. Together, they bring expertise in energy policy, regulation, investment, operations, technology, research and enterprise development.

Welcoming the Nigerian Member Committee, the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, Dr Angela Wilkinson, said Nigeria has an important leadership role to play and that the country's expertise would be represented at the World Energy Congress in Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.

Speaking on the significance of the development, Mr Abdulrazaq Isa said the Council would help strengthen Nigeria's and Africa's contributions to the global energy community by advancing solutions rooted in the country's realities, aligned with its development priorities and capable of attracting sustainable investment.

Mr Bala Wunti said Nigeria must build an energy system that is secure, affordable and sustainable, one that can power shared prosperity.

The establishment of the National Member Committee gives Nigeria a platform to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and contribute to shaping the future of the global energy sector.

Nigerian Law Professor Akasoba Duke-Abiola Receives APRC Endorsement for UN Secretary-General Bid

Nigerian law professor, diplomat and human rights advocate Akasoba Duke-Abiola has secured the endorsement of the African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC) in her bid to become the next United Nations Secretary-General.

The endorsement comes as the United Nations begins the process of selecting a successor to António Guterres, whose second term as Secretary-General will end on December 31, 2026.

In a nomination letter made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the consortium formally backed Duke-Abiola's candidature. The letter, signed by the APRC's Deputy Executive Coordinator, Edward Agbai, said the endorsement followed communication from the Nigerian National Think Tank, which informed the organisation of her nomination for consideration as Africa's candidate for the UN's highest administrative office.

According to the consortium, Duke-Abiola's record in academia, diplomacy, public service and human rights advocacy reflects the leadership and international experience required to head the United Nations at a time of growing political, security and development challenges.

"We commend your record of public service and your willingness to serve the international community at the highest level," the letter stated.

The consortium noted that, under established United Nations procedures, candidates for Secretary-General must be formally nominated by a member state through submissions to the President of the UN Security Council. The Security Council reviews all nominations before recommending one candidate to the United Nations General Assembly for appointment.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to formally submit Duke-Abiola's candidature through Nigeria's diplomatic channels, describing the move as an opportunity to strengthen the country's role in global affairs while advancing its longstanding advocacy for greater African representation, including a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The APRC also said her candidature would project Africa as a continent capable of contributing leadership, ideas, mediation, institutional wisdom and practical solutions to global challenges.

"For Africa, her candidature would represent the continent not as a passive recipient of international policy, but as a source of global leadership, ideas, mediation, institutional wisdom and moral authority," the letter stated.

Duke-Abiola is widely recognised for her expertise in law, diplomacy, security, sustainable development and global leadership. She is also the widow of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, the late Nigerian businessman and politician whose victory in the June 12, 1993 presidential election remains one of the defining moments in Nigeria's democratic history.

The endorsement places her among the African figures seeking consideration for the United Nations' top office, with the next stage of the process dependent on a formal nomination by the Federal Government through the country's diplomatic channels.

Nigeria Sets New National Standard for School Textbooks with Landmark Ranking System

Nigeria is preparing for a major change in the way learning materials are selected for public schools, with the government introducing a nationwide framework designed to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-compliant textbooks reach classrooms.

Beginning in September 2026, public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools will use only textbooks approved under the newly established National Textbook Ranking System (NTRS). The initiative introduces, for the first time, a national ranking framework for evaluating and selecting instructional materials.

Unveiling the reform in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, said the system establishes a transparent, merit-based process that aligns Nigeria's textbook approval framework with international best practices while giving learners access to credible and curriculum-aligned educational resources.

According to the minister, the initiative is expected to strengthen curriculum implementation, improve learning outcomes, expand equitable access to quality instructional materials, eliminate the proliferation of substandard textbooks and restore public confidence in the nation's education system.

One of the most significant changes is that licensing by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will no longer, on its own, qualify a textbook for classroom use. Every licensed title must also pass a national assessment before it can receive final approval.

To oversee the process, the Ministry of Education has constituted a National Textbook Ranking and Selection Committee comprising representatives of relevant education agencies and qualified experts. Working with NERDC, the committee will assess only textbooks that have already met the council's licensing requirements before recommending the highest-ranked titles to the Honourable Minister of Education.

To qualify, each textbook must satisfy prescribed academic, pedagogical, technical and quality assurance standards and achieve a minimum score of 70 per cent. Approved titles for each subject will be limited to between six and ten, depending on curriculum requirements, ensuring that only the highest-performing books are selected.

The reform also brings financial relief for publishers and authors. NERDC has reduced the assessment fee from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee has been lowered from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title. Publishers who previously paid the former rates will receive refunds of the excess amounts, with reimbursement arrangements to be communicated by the council.

From September 2026, only textbooks evaluated, ranked and approved through the National Textbook Ranking System will be authorised for use in public schools nationwide. Each approved title will remain valid for a minimum of three years to promote stability and consistency in curriculum delivery.

NERDC and other relevant regulatory agencies will monitor implementation, while schools, publishers and other stakeholders are expected to comply fully. The use of unapproved textbooks will attract sanctions, including the blacklisting of defaulting authors, publishers and schools.

The introduction of the National Textbook Ranking System marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria's education sector through higher standards, greater accountability and a more rigorous textbook approval process. By ensuring that learners have access to carefully evaluated instructional materials, the initiative is expected to support better teaching, stronger learning outcomes and a more resilient education system.

NHIA Health Insurance Initiative to Expand Coverage for 4,000 Edo Residents

About 4,000 residents of Edo State's Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas are set to benefit from expanded health insurance coverage under a National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) programme aimed at making essential healthcare more affordable and accessible.

The initiative was officially flagged off on Thursday by Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, during a presentation in Benin. According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, the programme was facilitated by Idahosa during his tenure as the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The rollout has already recorded significant progress, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries successfully enrolled. A second phase of enrolment is expected to raise the total number of beneficiaries to approximately 4,000.

During the ceremony, Edo State NHIA Coordinator, Dr Theodore Ehannire, presented official NHIA health insurance cards to Deputy Governor Idahosa and the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Omosede Igbinedion.

Idahosa said the intervention was designed to ease the financial burden of medical care by reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring more residents can receive timely treatment. He noted that responsive leadership should invest not only in physical infrastructure but also in human capital and public health, adding that no one should be denied quality healthcare because of financial constraints.

Providing an update on the programme, Dr Theodore Ehannire disclosed that more than 2,000 beneficiaries have already been enrolled under the scheme. He explained that their NHIA health insurance cards have been activated for use at accredited hospitals across Edo State and that all medical expenses covered under the programme have been fully paid, allowing beneficiaries to receive approved healthcare services without making direct payments at the point of care.

Under the programme, beneficiaries will receive medical consultations, treatment, minor surgical procedures and maternal healthcare services, including safe delivery for pregnant women.

Ehannire praised the deputy governor for prioritising the health and well-being of residents, expressing confidence that the initiative would strengthen access to quality healthcare across the benefiting communities.

Also speaking, Omosede Igbinedion described the programme as a people-centred intervention with long-term benefits for constituents. She said the true measure of good governance lies not only in infrastructure projects but also in policies that directly improve people's lives, stressing that there is no price that can be placed on health because health is wealth and life itself.

She added that the scheme would help curb self-medication, improve maternal and child healthcare, and enhance the overall well-being of residents.

As enrolment continues, another batch of beneficiaries is expected to increase the total number of people covered to about 4,000 across Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas, further expanding access to affordable healthcare services at accredited medical facilities throughout Edo State.

Jessica Oji Wins Historic World U20 Gold

Jessica Oji has delivered one of the most significant achievements in Nigerian athletics history, becoming the country's first-ever field event champion at the World U20 Athletics Championships. The 19-year-old produced a commanding performance in Oregon, where her winning throw of 18.08 metres earned her the women's shot put gold and secured Nigeria's place at the top of the podium in a field event for the first time.

For decades, Nigeria's greatest international athletics achievements have come mainly through the track and jumping events. Field events produced memorable performances, but never a world champion at the World U20 Championships. Oji has now changed that.

She stamped her authority on the competition from the very first attempt. Her opening throw of 18.05 metres immediately put her in contention before she improved to the winning mark of 18.08 metres. She followed with 17.95 metres, recorded two fouls, and closed with another excellent throw of 18.07 metres. She was the only athlete in the competition to surpass the 18-metre mark.

Before Oji's breakthrough, Nigeria's only field event medals were Esther Aghatise's silver in the women's long jump in 2002 and Chinecherem Nnamdi's bronze in the men's javelin in 2021. Oji has now become the first Nigerian to stand atop the podium in a field event at the World U20 Championships.

On 2 February, Oji officially completed her switch of sporting allegiance from the United States to Nigeria. She celebrated her 19th birthday on 23 June, claimed a Commonwealth Games silver medal on 29 July, and just one week later captured the World U20 shot put title.

At just 19, Jessica Oji has already secured a place in Nigeria's sporting history. Her victory in Oregon is not only a personal milestone but also a defining moment for Nigerian athletics, inspiring a new generation to pursue excellence and proving once again that Nigerian athletes can break new ground on the world's biggest stages.