Category Nigeria News

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) announced its intention to increase intra-African trade, improve data accuracy, and address structural obstacles to regional integration by strengthening cooperation with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Adewale Adeniyi, the head of the NCS, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, where he met with senior officials to discuss ways to improve Customs efficiency and advance the AfCFTA Agreement’s objectives.

He praised the Secretariat for continuing to engage key stakeholders, including development partners, private sector players, and Customs administrations, to promote Africa’s growth.

The upcoming Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference, scheduled for November 17 to 19, 2025, was reportedly the result of an existing partnership between both institutions, according to Adeniyi.

For Smarter Trade, the Netherlands Expands Cooperation With Customs.

The AfCFTA Secretariat has played a key role in coordinating trade between Africa’s countries. We held a number of meetings in addition to reviewing the Secretariat’s concept note. He claimed that the Abuja conference has now a clear course of action.

One of the main outcomes of the collaboration, in his opinion, was the consensus that customs administrations should take the lead in resolving the persistent gaps in trade data across the continent.

CGC Adeniyi Reaffirms its commitment to supporting AfCFTA to promote stronger intra-African trade.

…rejects the Customs PACT Initiative Endorsement by AfCFTA

Adewale Adeniyi, the country’s Comptroller-General of Customs, has reiterated the country’s commitment to… twitter.com/tgPU718iJ6

Adeniyi emphasized the need to strengthen the framework, which brings together all en-trained Customs officials under one roof, created by the AfCFTA Secretariat.

He claimed that the framework would ensure consistency and coordination in customs policies and trade facilitation once it had been institutionalized through the Customs Pact.

“Customs must take the lead in fixing trade data gaps. Working closely with my counterparts across Africa, I’ve accepted this challenge as a challenge to champion,” the Comptroller-General said.

“It is necessary to strengthen the structure that all Customs heads are bound by AfCFTA. The Secretariat’s system will effectively support sustainable trade cooperation once the Customs Pact is institutionalized.

He added that the main obstacles to Africa’s trade expansion are weak data integration, fragmented policies, and poor inter-agency collaboration.

He expressed confidence that the C-PACT Conference would establish a new standard for global customs collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

Adeniyi and his delegation were welcomed by the AfCFTA’s Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for its leadership in promoting regional cooperation.

Femi Gbajabiamila, President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, has reiterated the president’s commitment to reforms in the healthcare system, including the national healthcare delivery system’s revitalization.

He made this statement on Tuesday when he met with Haruna Mamman, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, in his office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation Conference (West Africa Region), which is scheduled for April 20 through April 24th, 2026, will be hosted by the association after it has secured the organization’s hosting rights. The conference will be held in Nigeria, the first African country.

Gbajabiamila reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s unwavering support for healthcare reforms, noting that the government still prioritizes health.

He cited a number of recent accomplishments, including the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities, the expansion of Nigeria’s 20 million to 60 million coverage, and increased investment in building up new health infrastructure and human resources.

READ MORE: FG Appeals To Resident Doctors to End Strike, Says 60% of Arrears Cleared.

The association received a first hosting right in West Africa thanks to a clear implementation plan, which the president’s chief of staff stressed. ‎

“Thank you for coming in and explaining your plans to us.” Congratulations, he said, “I’m delighted that you’re organizing this first of its kind Commonwealth event in April of this year.”

“We wish you the very best, and government undoubtedly will assume any and all of your roles as appropriate.” ‎

I believe it is crucial if this office has a clear idea of where you are, the course of action for April, what you’ve accomplished, and how you intend to carry it out.

For seamless coordination, he further demanded synergy between the association, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. ‎

Haruna Mamman, the national leader of NANNM, pleaded for the government’s assistance in facilitating the success of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation Conference.

He claimed that Nigeria’s participation in the West African regional CNMF conference would benefit and demonstrate its leadership in the healthcare sector. ‎

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Mamman, will also be present at the event, which will feature nurses and midwives from 56 Commonwealth nations. . . . Shirley Botchwey ‎

According to him, the conference supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and encourages international cooperation and professional excellence in the health sector. ‎

He requested that the Federal Government grant him financial assistance, visa facilitation, and CNMF executive sponsorship. ‎

Mamman also requested that the CNMF leadership make a courtesy visit to Tinubu in order to officially kick off the conference in April 2026. ‎

We have no doubts about Mr. President’s political will, which will help make Nigeria a popular destination for other people. We think that this conference will give Nigeria a sense of pride, according to Mahman. ‎

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law a bill prescribing a 10-year jail term for anyone who violently or forcefully gains entry into state-owned property.

The governor also assented to another provision stipulating a five-year imprisonment for individuals involved in the unauthorized sale or transfer of government property without the governor’s consent.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin.

Itua said the new legislation underscores the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, impunity, and the misuse of public assets.

“The Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, establishes the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, a statutory body mandated to oversee, safeguard, and recover all public properties belonging to the state”, the statement read.

READ ALSO: Indigenous Contractors Protest Non-Payment Of Debts At National Assembly

“The law empowers the committee to prevent unauthorized occupation, vandalism, encroachment, alienation, or destruction of public assets”.

The committee, he added, is empowered to identify, inspect, seal, and recover encroached public properties, investigate disputes, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance.

It may also initiate legal actions through the Ministry of Justice against any individual or organization found in violation of the law.

Okpebholo reaffirmed that public assets belong to the people of Edo State, not private individuals.

“This law ensures that no one, no matter how highly placed, can appropriate public property for personal gain”, he said.

Under the new law, unauthorized sale or transfer of government property without the governor’s consent attracts a five-year prison term, while violent or forceful entry into state-owned property could result in up to 10 years ‘ imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offence

It stipulated that professionals who aid or abet illegal land transactions involving state property will also face sanctions, including prosecution and possible referral to their professional regulatory bodies for disciplinary action.

The Senate has appealed to protesting government contractors to remain calm, assuring them that the Senate will soon approve the President’s request for ₦1.150 trillion domestic borrowing to settle outstanding debts owed to them.

Some contractors had earlier besieged and barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly over unpaid debts for executed projects, vowing to sustain their protest for seven days until their demands were met.

The blockade disrupted accessALSO to the premises, delaying the day’s plenary and creating tension among lawmakers.

Speaking during plenary, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that the upper chamber had already approved domestic borrowing to enable the Federal Government clear the backlog of payments. He urged the contractors to be patient as government takes steps to address their grievances.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Seeks Fresh ₦1.15trn Domestic Loan To Fund 2025 Budget Deficit

“We have just approved domestic borrowing to settle the indebtedness of contractors. I appeal for calm and urge them to give the Federal government time to resolve the issue”, he said.

Also during plenary, the Senate announced plans to debate recent comments attributed to former U. S. President Donald Trump alleging a Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Akpabio said he would await the Federal Government’s official response before making any comment on the issue.

Akpabio clarified that he was not in a position to respond to President Trump, underlining that the matter involves sensitive diplomatic considerations.

According to him, “Who am I to respond to President Trump”?

Akpabio’s rhetorical question was geared towards clarifying that he never made such comments. He revealed that he has already petitioned the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) and taken legal action against the blogger behind the false report.

The Senate President also called for caution in public discourse, urging Nigerians and the media to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory narratives that could jeopardize national unity.

He, however, assured lawmakers that the Senate would formally discuss the development at a later legislative date.

The Senate President also called on the Cybercrime Unit to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading fake news about the Senate and its leadership.

Akpabio further noted that Nigeria’s internal challenges must be viewed from all perspectives, underscoring the need for peace and unity in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s problems must be weighed from all sides. What we need is peace”, he said.

Members of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Tuesday staged a protest at the National Assembly gate in Abuja, demanding payment for completed projects.

The contractors accused the Federal Government of failing to pay debts owed for projects executed, completed, and commissioned since 2024, despite repeated assurances.

According to them, over 50 per cent of the affected projects are constituency projects reportedly awarded by some members of the National Assembly.

The protest prompted security operatives to lock the first and second gates of the National Assembly complex to prevent escalation.

Ismaila Mustapha, a popularly referred to as Mompha, and another defendant in the ongoing fraud trial have been accused of prima facie charges by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.

The defendants’ no-case submission was rejected, according to a post on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) official X account on Tuesday, stating that there is sufficient evidence to warrant their submission.

Mompha and his business, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, are facing charges of money laundering and allegedly running an unlicensed bureau de change, according to the EFCC.

In order to continue the hearing, the court then adjourned the case to January 27 and February 28, 2026.

Mompha’s case has seen a number of legal developments over the years. Prior to his initial accusations of laundering about $32.9 billion, the EFCC filed an eight-count charge involving about $36 billion.

Also read: Mompha, a alleged Internet fraudster, files a lawsuit against EFCC, seeks N5m in compensation
The offenses include failing to report assets, keeping criminal proceeds, and conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activity.

The court granted him bail in the amount of $ 200 million and two similar guarantees in January 2022. His bail was later voided in June 2022 after he failed to appear in court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.

In August of this year, the EFCC accused him of keeping the proceeds from criminal activity and making false asset declarations.
The EFCC made the announcement in May 2023 that Mompha had been re-arrested in connection with alleged $6 billion laundering in collaboration with international partners.

Court records revealed that his account reportedly had received more than $30 billion, which was thought to be crime proceeds, by July 2024.

The court accepted a report from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the court’s earlier hearings, alleging that Mompha’s iPhone was used to attempt to transfer account details abroad and attempt money transfers.

Mompha has consistently refuted all allegations, accusing the EFCC of misusing his case to promote its reputation. He insists that the charges brought against him are untrue and maintains innocence.