Category Nigeria News

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has explained the cause of the recent drop in calls in Abuja.

Tijani spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He addressed complaints about poor networks and widespread call disruptions across the city.

The minister said a dispute between a major tower management company and its diesel supplier triggered the problem.

READ ALSO: Telecoms Tariff Hike Shouldn’t Be More Than 60% — Minister

Tijani explained that the dispute escalated into a court matter involving both parties.

He said the supplier’s union later shut down several towers in Abuja during the disagreement.

“That’s what has been responsible for the drop in calls you’ve been seeing in Abuja,” the minister added.

Watch the video below:

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, says the Federal Government is building clear job pathways for the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTTs) beneficiaries.

Tijani spoke on Friday during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed concerns about whether the training programme leads to real employment.

The minister said the initiative focuses on skills and structured placement, noting that technology careers require more than classroom learning.

“We actually have a dedicated team that is focused on placement. What we’ve realised in technology is that it’s one thing to spend six months learning; it’s another thing to be ready for the jobs out there,” he said.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Tap Into AI, Digital Economy, Tijani Tells Young Nigerians

Tijani explained that the ministry created a placement pathway that moves trainees into internship positions within technology companies.

“We’ve actually created a programme that puts these folks into internship positions in some of the technology companies.

“In cases where companies say, ‘We don’t need interns because we don’t want to pay them; they won’t add value immediately,’ we secured the support of the EU and UNDP through the Jubilee Fellowship Programme to pay their salaries for one year,” he said.

He stated that the initiative had supported nearly 3,000 interns and helped place over 15,000 trainees overall.

“We know the number is small, but we keep polishing these people,” he said.

The minister added that the government was expanding global job opportunities for trainees.

“Many foreign companies want Nigerian talent to work locally,” he revealed.

He also explained that the ministry was signing BPO partners who match trainees with remote roles.

Tijani said President Tinubu conceived the 3MTT programme to widen the digital sector and close Nigeria’s skill gap.

He explained that rising digital innovation also influenced the programme’s design.

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has sworn in 30 commissioners, 25 elected local government council chairmen and their vice chairmen, as well as board members of key state agencies.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Hauwa Wali Multi-Purpose Hall, Government House, Minna. The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, was represented by Justice Maimuna Abubakar of High Court 6, who administered the oath of office and allegiance.

READ ALSO: Minister Commissions Projects In Niger, Connects Community To National Grid

Governor Bago said the appointees were carefully selected based on proven track records and capacity, expressing confidence that they would deliver quality service for a greater and more prosperous Niger State.

He urged them to reflect on past governance challenges and work collectively toward building a sustainable, inclusive, and progressive state.

“The New Niger Agenda requires dedication, discipline, and results-driven leadership. I expect all of you to give your best in the interest of our dear state,” the governor stated.

READ ALSO: [FULL LIST] Bago Submits 30 Commissioner-Nominees For Screening

In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, reminded the newly inaugurated officials of the enormous responsibilities before them.

He emphasized that their performance would significantly determine the success of the administration’s developmental vision.

Usman noted that a retreat had been organized to properly align the officials with the administration’s priority areas and to set clear expectations for their roles.

READ ALSO: Niger Assembly Urges Bago To Ban Sign-Out Day In Schools

Among those sworn in were board members of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), the Secondary Education Board, and the Law Reform Commission.

The Federal Government has temporarily opened Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, measuring 47 kilometres and stretching from the Ahmadu Bello Way junction to Eleko village junction in Lagos State. 

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the opening of the coastal road at an event in Lagos attended by government officials, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.

He told the gathering on Friday that the opening of the highway will bring ease to commuters and is expected to end the harrowing driving experience for road users in the Lekki-Ajah corridor.

With Section 1 of the mega road project now opened to traffic, Umahi said the Federal Government has fulfilled a promise to the people.

READ ALSO: [Coastal Road] FG To Charge N3,000 On Average Per Toll Gate, Says Umahi

Last month, the works minister, during an inspection tour of the coastal highway project, assured that Section 1 would be completed and opened to traffic between December 12 and 17, 2025.

The former governor of Ebonyi State said April 2026 has been set aside to complete Section 1.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a project expected to run through nine coastal states across the country.

It will start in Lagos and terminate in Cross River. The mega road project will also pass through Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Bayelsa, and Ogun states.

READ ALSO: Coastal Road To Be Completed In Eight Years, Cost N4b Per Km – FG

The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has a projected full length of about 700km.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of the coastal road in February 2024. Construction work began on the Lagos axis of the road the following month.

Two months later, specifically in May 2024, President Bola Tinubu flagged off the multimillion-naira project, which will cost N4bn per kilometre.

Umahi said in an April 2024 appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that the road, which was a subject of controversy over its cost and the award of the contract, will be completed in eight years.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has extended the deadline for the migration of all beneficiaries under the Fast Track Scheme to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, from December 31, 2025, to January 31, 2026.

Disclosing this in a statement, NCS spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada, said the move was in line with the service’s commitment to deepening trade facilitation, securing supply chains, and strengthening compliance with global standards.

“The extended timeline provides operators with ample opportunity to meet programme requirements and secure AEO certification without disruption to their business operations,” the statement read.

He described the extension as a reinforcement of the service’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and inclusive transition process for all stakeholders.

According to Maiwada, the decision to fully migrate from the fast-track scheme to AEO aligned with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and supported by Sections 108 to 111 of the NCS Act, 2023.

READ ALSO: FCCPC Seals Ikeja Electric For ‘Violating Consumer Rights’

The NIS spokesperson asked all existing Fast Track beneficiaries who had yet to complete their migration to initiate and conclude their AEO applications through the official platform:aeo.nigeriatradehub.gov.ng.

“For enquiries, technical support, or guidance, stakeholders may reach the dedicated helpdesk via [email protected].

“Only companies duly certified under the AEO Programme will continue to access the facilitation privileges previously available under the Fast Track Scheme,” he said.

The AEO programme, he stated, is a globally recognised compliance-based initiative that grants trusted operators enhanced benefits such as expedited cargo release, reduced documentation, lower inspection levels, pre-arrival processing, and greater predictability in cross-border trade.

Maiwada said that NCS would convene another comprehensive stakeholders` engagement forum on December 18 in Lagos, aimed at providing practical guidance on the AEO`s migration process, demonstrating application procedures, and addressing compliance-related concerns.

He said participants would have the opportunity to interact with AEO implementation teams and get access to comprehensive information on programme requirements, benefits, and operational modalities.

“The NCS urges all fast-track beneficiaries to take advantage of the extension period, participate actively in the engagement forum, and complete their transition to the AEO Programme.

“This proactive involvement not only ensures compliance with applicable regulations but also enhances the supply chain’s effectiveness and sustainability, fostering a collaborative environment that benefits all parties.

Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, on Friday pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge.

Ngige was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa.

He was alleged to have awarded eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, with NSITF, to the said company to the tune of ₦583,682,686.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Naira) only.

READ ALSO: EFCC Arraigns Ngige On ₦2.2bn Corruption Allegations

Appearing before the court, the EFCC Counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, asked the high court for a date for the commencement of the trial.

Before the date, he asked that the accused be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

Counsel to the defendant said his client has been in the EFCC custody for the past three days

He said the defendant is not an unknown person in the country – a former minister – up until a year and three months ago.

Ngige argued that they will meet any bail condition for his client, saying the ex-minister is not in good health and needs to get to the hospital