Category Nigeria News

The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard routes.

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The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), in a statement on Monday, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the approval following a passionate appeal from regulated public transport operators, who raised concerns over the sustainability of transit operations amid mounting economic pressures.

It said that the new fare structure would take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

According to the state government, the adjustment is aimed at cushioning the impact of sustained economic challenges affecting public transport operations.

“The review is also in line with the previously approved annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the review, officials noted, is underscored by persistent inflationary trends, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS),” the statement signed by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, read.

It further noted that Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) had continued to grapple with rising operational costs, including increased expenses for vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the implementation of the new national minimum wage structure.

“In a bid to maintain and improve service standards, operators are also investing in the procurement of new, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to enhance passenger comfort and promote environmental sustainability.

The All Progresives Congress (APC) has inaugurated the governing council of the Progressive Institute (TPI) as part of efforts to deepen the nation’s democracy.

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The council was inaugurated by the National Chairman of the ruling party, Nentawe Yilwatda.

Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration, Yilwatda described the institute as a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s vision to institutionalise research-driven and data-based politics in Nigeria.

The Anambra State Government has announced the shutdown of the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Market in Nkwo Nnewi.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Soludo Visits Tinubu, Says Anambra Lost Opportunities, Money Due To Sit-At-Home

It said that the market would remain closed for business for one week, beginning from midnight on February 23, 2026.

“Anambra State Government hereby informs the general public that New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation (NASPA) Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business.

“The market, whose date of closure is effective from midnight today, Monday, 23rd February, 2026, will reopen next Monday, 2nd March, 2026,” a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, partly read.

The state government explained that the closure of the market followed low compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s order to end Monday sit-at-home in the state.

“The order to close the market was handed down on behalf of the governor by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, in the company of the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi(Rtd), and Nnewi Mayor, Echezona Anazodo,” it said.

It also advised traders and customers to avoid the market until Monday, March 2, 2026, when it would be reopened for business, to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

“The market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.

“Meanwhile, normal activities have resumed in Anambra State on Mondays following the governor’s order late January 2026,” the statement added.

Onitsha Market Shutdown

Soludo had in January ordered the immediate shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other adjoining markets for one week, in the first instance, in a move to enforce compliance with the state’s directive against the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.

Speaking at the market, the governor said hsi adminstration would not tolerate economic sabotage.

He said the government could not stand by while a few individuals wilfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy.

“I’m just from Akwa; everywhere is open. Government offices are open. Markets are open, and people are going about their businesses. Then you’ll come down to Main Market, the once-reputed market as the largest market in West Africa.

“Anyone who has not opened, I mean, for Main market, of all markets, to be shot down. I know that people have done this sit-at-home on Mondays for quite some time now, and as they say, ‘an abomination that lasts a year becomes culture’.

“No! This can no longer go on in Anambra. Are you hearing me? And I will tell you this: you either decide that you want to trade here or you can go elsewhere. Are you hearing me?

“This main market, if you don’t want it open, I will come and take a bulldozer and level it. Are you hearing me? And I’m very, very serious about it. I’m not joking.

“Going forward, any shop that is not open will be locked for one week,” the governor added.

The market was later reopened for business.

Sit-At-Home

Parts of Anambra State have for years observed a Monday sit-at-home that disrupted commercial and social activities, leaving markets, schools, and workplaces deserted.

The practice, imposed by non-state actors in the South-East, has been widely criticised for adversely affecting the state’s economy, forcing traders, transport workers, and students indoors.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed a fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

It disclosed, in a post on X (former Twitter) on Monday, that the incident occurred at Terminal One of the airport.

FAAN stated that, though no fatality has been recorded, its team of firefighters was on the ground to contain the fire.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the public of a fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

“Our firefighting team is currently responding and working to contain the situation. No loss of life has been recorded.

“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the agency stated.

Terminal One Remodelling

Last year, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, defended plans by the Federal Government to remodel Terminal One of the airport with ₦712bn, saying it was a quest to meet world-class standards.

Keyamo said the airport terminal, built over four decades ago, has gone rusty.

“The roof of the airport is leaking; the place is decrepit and smelly. You see people selling Indomie and all kinds of kiosks erected there. The ceilings are failing, and the carousels are not working because their parts are not in the market anymore,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The fiscal approval by the Federal Government for the project triggered discontent from various quarters as critics argued that it was a misplacement of priority by the Bola Tinubu administration at a time when millions of Nigerians groan under all-time high inflation, hunger, and skyrocketing living costs.

But Keyamo argued that the airport upgrade would be funded “through the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Funding,” as it was “not a budgetary kind of expenditure”.

He also stated that without the rebuilding of the airport terminal, many foreign airlines would abandon the country’s route.

He said, “As it is today, you cannot land in Lagos (local airport) and try to connect to an international flight, maybe to Ghana.

“Lagos is not a hub, but that was the plan in 1977 when it was designed and in 1979 when it was commissioned. You cannot process one passenger from one terminal to another, so that has stunted the growth of aviation.

“What we are trying to do in Lagos now is to make Lagos a very modern airport and create a proper hub to begin to compete with other hubs in Africa…So, we want to completely pull down Terminal One.

The Ogun State Government said it has commenced an independent and comprehensive health audit of residents in the Ogijo community, Sagamu Local Government Area, following confirmation of lead poisoning concerns.

The move comes months after the government sealed seven used battery recycling facilities in November 2025 over alleged culpability in environmental contamination.

Authorities also announced a temporary suspension of lead ingot exportation pending the outcome of a full investigation into the reported pollution.

The intervention followed an on-the-spot inspection led by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, after a viral video sparked fears of possible exposure to lead in the community.

Subsequent measures included environmental audits and regulatory reviews aimed at safeguarding public health and restoring public confidence.

At a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ologijo’s Palace, the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, announced that the health audit had begun after blood samples were collected from more than 500 scientifically selected residents to determine their blood lead levels.

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She explained that global attention generated by reports from international media organisations placed the community under intense scrutiny, necessitating a deliberate government response.

“Shortly after the reports emerged, both the ministries of health and environment visited the communities to allay fears and outline a clear monitoring, evaluation, and response framework,” Coker said.

She added that the Ministry of Environment proceeded with environmental assessments following the closure of companies considered to pose potential risks.

According to her, Governor Dapo Abiodun directed that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research be engaged to independently conduct the study to ensure transparency and credibility.

“We have ensured that NIMR is working independently to deliver unbiased results, and once the report is received, appropriate recommendations will be submitted to the governor for necessary action,” she said.

She further disclosed that NIMR began fieldwork last week, collecting over 500 blood samples using a stratified scientific methodology that covered individuals — pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, and other residents — previously identified with elevated lead levels, within mapped areas.

While noting that some previously sealed facilities had been reopened after compliance reviews, Coker said the Ministry of Health would introduce a monitoring protocol requiring periodic blood lead level testing for workers in the affected industries.

She reassured residents and traditional authorities that the government remains committed to their welfare and would continue community engagement to develop sustainable solutions based on the audit’s outcome.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMR, Oladipo Obafunwa, said a professional team was deployed to carry out the exercise in line with established scientific standards.

He noted that the sampling process was designed to ensure representation of vulnerable groups, adding that laboratory analysis would be conducted with the highest level of integrity and findings presented objectively.

Speaking on behalf of residents, the traditional ruler, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, commended the government for its prompt intervention and transparent engagement.