Category Nigeria News

Five Chinese companies have been sealed by the Ogun State government, and some officials have been detained for allegedly assaulting state and law enforcement personnel.

DL Plastics, Dyschenghan Plastics, SH Agricultural, Beautiful Fibre, and Jincaicai Nigeria are just a few of the businesses along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s Ogere axis.

Abayomi Hunye, the company’s Managing Director and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, claimed that the businesses consistently broke environmental laws.

He explained that the businesses engaged in practices like improper waste disposal, waste burning, and refusing to use recognized government waste collectors.

“For the past six months, we have been on this case.” They declined to accept our invitation despite our letters and our invitation to let them know what they have done.

Our officials have visited them several times but they have not allowed them to enter, according to Hunye.

“Assault On State Officials”

Authorities reportedly locked the gates of the buildings last Thursday, but the businesses also broke the government chains and seals.

They remained silent, so our security staff locked their entrance gates last week, and they sealed them. However, they broke the government chains that were in place to encrypt them, he continued.

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He claimed that when law enforcement officers went back to enforce the order, they were attacked by workers who suffered serious injuries.

Our law enforcement and law enforcement personnel were assaulted, mobbed, and taken to the hospital. He claimed that they intended harm and performed lawful duties.

Government’s Alert

Hunye criticized the incident as barbaric, citing the firms’ continued status as an environmental nuisance and a threat to legitimate governance.

The companies have the temerity to assault and inflict bodily harm on law enforcement officers and state government officials without considering their serious implications, he said, making it even more entrancing.

He reaffirmed that the government would not tolerate resolute foreigners who operate illegally and hide under investment.

The Kogi State Government has condemned a violent protest at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Tuesday, the government dismissed claims of exclusion.

Fanwo said protesters under the Association of People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) locked the university gate and disrupted activities.

He described their claims of marginalisation in employment as “false”, insisting CUSTECH had already employed qualified persons with disabilities.

“Several PWDs are employed in both academic and non-academic roles”, Fanwo stated in the government’s press release.

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He cited examples, including Rofiat Ohize, a technologist in Chemistry since May 2024, and Ahmed Rufai Omuya, an executive officer.

Another appointee, Mustapha Obaje, joined in March 2025 as an assistant lecturer in Technology Education, Fanwo added.

“These appointments demonstrate CUSTECH’s commitment to competence and merit in recruitment”, the statement stressed.

‘ Merit-Based Employment ‘

The government said vacancies at CUSTECH are publicly advertised, with all applicants, including PWDs, given equal opportunities to apply.

“Applications do not indicate disability status, recruitment is based strictly on qualifications and competence”, Fanwo clarified.

He maintained that the state could not operate a quota system in professions requiring high standards and academic excellence.

While sympathising with PWDs, the government said their claims of exclusion were “baseless” and encouraged proper applications for vacancies.

‘ Protest Politically Motivated ‘

Fanwo alleged the protest carried “political undertones”, citing the protesters ‘ expensive recording gadgets and heavy media mobilisation.

“With 2027 approaching, some politicians may exploit vulnerable groups to destabilise institutions”, the statement read.

He commended CUSTECH’s management and students for exercising restraint, preventing escalation into chaos during the disruption.

Governor Usman Ododo, Fanwo noted, remains committed to fairness for all citizens, regardless of physical status.

The government urged police and security agencies to investigate the protest and prevent future politically motivated disruptions.

Dr. Brian Reuben, the Africa Economic Summit Group’s (AESG) chief executive officer, has urged Nigerians to be able to cast ballots because of their democratic inequities.

This was made known on Wednesday during the Morning Brief, a morning program on Channels Television.

More than $20 billion is currently expended by Nigerians, which he described as being more than the Gross Domestic Product of some African nations, out of the total number of Nigerians living abroad.

He noted that while voting in federal elections is not possible for Nigerians in the Diaspora, they still invest in businesses, mentor new businesses, and act as informal ambassadors.

This is a “democracy deficit,” not just a policy gap. He said that many Nigerians who have a stake in our future have been silent because they have never committed crime but simply because of geography.

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He argued that the democracy of Nigeria is undermined by excluding people based on location, arguing that diaspora voting is a strategic imperative and a fundamental human right.

Dr. Reuben claimed that studies have demonstrated how politically transforming and technically feasible voting is abroad is in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

In the House of Representatives’ late November 2024, a bill to amend the constitution and allow for diaspora voting took the form of a second reading. The bill, which was cosponsored by Speakers Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, seeks to amend the 2022 Electoral Act and has been referred to the Constitution Amendment Committee for further legislative action.

Diaspora voting will be introduced as part of the proposed electoral reforms in 2025, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Watch the video below:

In a reportedly reported fire at the Afriland Towers in Lagos on Tuesday, ten employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc lost their lives.

The FIRS and United Capital Plc have confirmed the deaths in separate statements.

FIRS reported losing four of its employees, but UCP reported that the incident had resulted in the loss of six.

The victims were identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager) and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

When the tragedy struck, the deceased were occupied by the building’s sixth and seventh floors, which also house two FIRS offices.

The statement read, “Firs announces the tragic loss of four of its employees during the fire incident at Afriland Towers with a heavy heart,” the statement read.

The agency claimed the affected floors serve as the base for its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office.

It added that the building’s Security and Safety officials called the fire service right away when they were called, but that already the building was covered in thick smoke.

According to FIRS, its management and staff are deeply shocked and have reached out to the deceased’s families, promising to offer all the help they need.

“We are collaborating with all relevant organizations in Lagos to discover the root of the unfortunate incident. We will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices, including those located in rented and owned buildings, throughout the country, according to the statement.

The UCP also expressed grief over the deaths of its employees, calling the fire victims “our company and family” and “an integral part” of it.

The statement continued, “Their painful loss leaves an unfilling void.”

On Tuesday, panic seized Broad Street as a result of smoke coming from the basement of the building.

Onlookers rushed with ladders and foamy materials for support while occupants were frantically jumping down in fear on the video.

While below stretched out their hands to catch them, strewn at glass windows to breathe.

According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the fire started in the basement of the Afriland Tower’s inverter room.

Witnesses described obscene scenes where smoke echoed across Broad Street as it quickly spread through the upper floors.

Additionally, images of the incident showed that some windows were forced open for ventilation, and that smoke was seen billowing from the upper floors.

Numerous occupants crowded around the structure’s windows and ledges to escape the dense smoke that quickly spread.

The state’s performance in the 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal candidates is unprecedented, a feat that the state and its educational system have come so far as to be.

Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, the NECO Registrar, made the announcement at a press conference in Minna, Niger State on Wednesday. &nbsp,

With 68, 159 candidates (5.02% of the total) passing with five credits or more, including English and mathematics, Kano State was in command of the nation, according to the results. Kano is at the top of the NECO SSCE performance index for 2025 thanks to this impressive performance.

Following a number of radical education reforms and investments that Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration initiated, this historic success comes. &nbsp,

NECO releases 2025 SSCE results, reports a 61% drop in exam malpractice, and more.

Additionally, Prof. Wushishi disclosed that a total of 1, 358, 339 candidates sat for the June/July 2025 NECO exams, with 818, 492 students receiving five credits, including math and English, out of the total candidates. Overall, 1, 144, 496 candidates, or 84.26%, passed with five credits or more in any subject.

Lagos and Oyo were in the lead when Kano outperformed other states. Lagos State placed second with 67,007 candidates, and Oyo came in third with 48,042 candidates.

Governor Yusuf expressed his excitement over the findings in a statement released by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, describing the accomplishment as “a testament to the tireless work and vision” that underpinned his government’s educational policies.

This outstanding performance makes me happy. The results speak for themselves when we give priority to education, invest in our teachers, and guarantee access to high-quality education, according to Governor Yusuf. Every teacher, student, and parent who has backed our reforms is responsible for this success.

According to Sabi Abdullahi, the agriculture minister for president, the government of President Bola Tinubu has made significant progress in improving food security.

Food and commodity inflation rose as a result of Tinubu’s election as president as the country battled its worst cost of living crisis since its independence more than 60 years ago.

However, the minister noted that food commodity prices have decreased during his interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

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“There is significant improvement, but I won’t say that we are completely out of the woods.” And when I say that prices are significantly lower, you can see that supply is not the only factor in affordability.

Remember that while we are in an economy, there are many things that will have an impact on people’s ability to pay for food.

The Minister also addressed the government’s plan to create 21 million jobs in the agricultural sector, stating that all-year-round farming is being promoted to accomplish that goal.

“What we are doing right now is promoting year-round farming,” which means that you can plant and harvest some crops in 60 or 90 days.

“And we’re saying it’s two or three months, depending on the type of crop. So we are talking about irrigation because we want people to use, for instance, what we have as water resources.

On Tuesday, the Federal Government made new incentives available to encourage large-scale investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.