Category Nigeria News

The Federal Ministry of Steel Development and its defence counterpart have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence the local production of military hardware.

The MoU also covers the construction of a military industrial complex at the Ajaokuta steel territory in Kogi State.

The MoU, which contained two key components, was signed between the steel and development minister, Prince Shuaibu Audu, and the Federal Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.

READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Govt Not Interested In Fighting Insecurity – Babachir Lawal

The second agreement signed was between Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.

The partnership signals a new dawn for Nigeria’s industrial and security advancement, and is part of the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and advancing national industrialisation objectives.

Prince Audu described the partnership as “a historic breakthrough and one of the most significant developments since the establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex nearly 50 years ago”.

He explained that the collaboration would see the Engineering Workshops at Ajaokuta repurposed for the production of military equipment such as bullets, helmets, vests, and rifles, while a portion of land within the complex will be allocated to the Ministry of Defence for the establishment of a military industrial complex.

‘Renewed Hope’

Audu said that the agreement aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritises national security, job creation, and industrial development through local production.

“This initiative will greatly strengthen our security architecture and contribute to addressing the insecurity challenges facing various parts of the country, particularly in the North East and North West.

“By utilising the infrastructure at Ajaokuta, we are positioning Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production and industrial growth,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Lizzy Okoji, on Monday.

In his remarks, Matawalle commended the collaboration as a bold and visionary step toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

He noted that the partnership demonstrated the Federal Government’s determination to transform Nigeria from a consumer to a producer of military hardware by leveraging its natural resources and indigenous capacity.

“Ajaokuta Steel Plant remains a national asset and the foundation of Nigeria’s industrialisation. This partnership is a strategic alliance between our defence and industrial sectors, reinforcing the President’s vision to enhance local productivity and build a stronger, safer Nigeria,” Matawalle stated.

Also speaking, the Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, highlighted the importance of the agreement, noting that steel is the foundation of all military production.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the circulation of a suspected substandard and falsified antibiotic, BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg), discovered within Nigeria’s drug supply chain.

According to a statement released by the agency, the product contains fraudulent registration details and originates from an unverified source, posing a serious threat to public health.

The alert followed a report from a retail outlet in Zaria, Kaduna State, which identified the suspicious product after purchasing it from a distributor in Kano. Investigations revealed that the NAFDAC Registration Number (A4-4724) displayed on the fake BETACLOX package actually belongs to Mebendazole 500mg, manufactured by Chi Ltd., indicating a clear case of number misappropriation.

READ ALSO: NCDC Confirms 176 Deaths From Lassa Fever Across 21 States

The fake product, allegedly imported by Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., lists its address as No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State. However, verification by NAFDAC confirmed that the genuine Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd. is registered at No. 101 MCC Road, Calabar, further exposing inconsistencies suggesting unauthorized use of the company’s identity.

Details of the falsified product include:

Product Name: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg)

Batch No.: 230701

Manufacturer: Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Kerala, India

Manufacturing Date: 07/2023
ExpiryDate: 07/2026

Fake NAFDAC Reg. No.: A4-4724

All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and mop up the falsified product across all regions. Distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare providers are urged to remain vigilant, ensuring that medicines are obtained only from authorized suppliers and checking product packaging for authenticity.

Members of the public are advised to report suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office or call their toll-free number 

Public Alert No. 37/2025.
Alert on the Report of Substandard and Falsified (SF) BETACLOX found in Nigeria#NafdacALERTShttps://t.co/jeUBRGyVjd pic.twitter.com/ILyPb34uI4

President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025 into law before month end.

This is according to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, during a public hearing jointly organised by the Senate and House of Representatives committees on ICT and cybersecurity and Digital and Information technology today.

He indicated that Nigeria is poised to make history as the first African nation to enact a comprehensive law on digital economy and e-governance.

Tijani described the Bill as a transformative framework that will modernise governance, strengthen the digital economy and help unlock Nigeria’s pathway to a 1 trillion dollar economy.

“This Bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this month, as it is one of the catalysts for achieving our 1 trillion dollar economic projection,” the minister said.

READ ALSO: We’re Taking Power Very Seriously To Enhance Livelihoods Of Nigerians – Tinubu

According to him, the digital economy contribution to Nigeria’s GDP has grown from 16 percent to 19 percent, with projections to reach 21 percent by 2027.

The bill he explained, establishes a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for electronic communications, digital signatures, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cybersecurity and digital literacy.

He stressed that the Tinubu administration is focused on long-term digital reforms not short-term solutions.

“Together with the National Assembly, we are deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network to connect every geopolitical zone, state and local government with world-class internet access.

“Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of over 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in underserved communities,” Tijani said.

The bill also proposes the creation of a National Data Exchange System to facilitate secure data sharing among government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and between the public and private sectors, further outlining a framework for ethical AI adoption, aimed at boosting productivity and competitiveness across industries.

“In strengthening this Bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn. The generation that liberalised our telecoms sector in 1999 laid the foundation for today’s growth. Now, we take the next bold step to expand our economy through technology and innovation,” he said.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has decried what he says is a lack of transparency in the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project in the state.

He spoke when he received a delegation of European diplomats, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, and the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, at the Government House, Benin City.

READ ALSO: West African Art Museum Will Be Restored As Birthday Gift To Benin Monarch — Okpebholo

“The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government,” Okpebholo was quoted as saying in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Monday.

“It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and now to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), without clarity or consultation with our revered traditional institution,” he said.

The governor noted that the state government was never briefed on the project’s financials, ownership structure, or operational details.

He said even the Oba of Benin had personally expressed concern over its handling.

“The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements,” he added.

Respect For Tradition

Reaffirming his administration’s openness to partnerships, he noted that transparency and respect for the Benin Kingdom were non-negotiable.

“We welcome foreign collaborations, but everything must be transparent and must honour our traditions,” he said.

“Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum? We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible and people-centred,” he said while condemning the demolition of the historic Central Hospital in Benin City to make way for MOWAA.

Okpebholo, however, assured that his administration remained committed to accountability and due process in all dealings.

“Edo people are peace-loving and welcoming, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture and institutions,” he declared.

The governor also said he was shocked over the recent visit of the foreign envoy to the state for activities related to MOWAA, saying that his administration was not informed.

Okpebholo later led the delegation on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, where he described the development as another example of the “lack of transparency” that has surrounded the MOWAA project since its inception.

“They have spoken about areas of collaboration and also about what happened yesterday. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth,” he added.

While expressing displeasure over the handling of the project, the monarch said, “It is like history wanting to repeat itself.

A rally organized by a faction of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) to mark the 30th anniversary of the execution of the group’s founder, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others witnessed low attendance.

The event, held at the Peace and Freedom Park within the MOSOP secretariat premises, proceeded as planned despite the limited turnout, amid reports of separate commemorations by other Ogoni groups.

Professor Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, acclaimed president of the group, expressed concern over the low level of engagement by the Ogoni people in the organization’s activities.

He described the turnout as indicative of growing divisions within MOSOP, recalling how the organisation founded by the late Ken Saro-Wiwa was once a united and formidable force for the Ogoni struggle.

He called for renewed participation and unity to continue the struggle for environmental and social justice, emphasizing that the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives must be preserved.

READ ALSO: NYSC Begins Verification Of Foreign‑Trained Graduates For Batch ‘C’ 2025

Professor Wai-Ogosu further lamented that the Ogoni community had lost not only “very intelligent minds” but also leaders who could have driven development in the region.

He recalled that the decades-long struggle for environmental rights claimed many lives, including four chiefs killed at a community gathering and the nine executed by the military regime in 1995.

He added that over 2,000 others died in various military operations prior to that year.

As part of the week-long commemoration, MOSOP organized a public lecture, thanksgiving service, and tributes to the “Ogoni 9.” The group also laid wreaths at memorial sites and visited families of unsung heroes who fell during earlier military crackdowns.