news and current affairs.
15.2M homes fail safety test, FG pushes housing overhaul
The government says millions of homes across Nigeria are in bad shape. Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa gave the figure of fifteen point two million inadequate units. These buildings exist but are unsafe or lack basic services like water and power. The data came from a national initiative using statistics from several agencies. The study found the problem goes beyond just needing new construction. It requires upgrading existing homes and improving neighborhoods. Kano State had the worst results, while Bayelsa had the best according to their index. The ministry plans to open a National Housing Data Center to guide policy. They hope it will boost investor confidence and should be running by early 2026. Current efforts include the...
Lagos spices up food scene, bets big on culinary economy
Lagos is pushing its food industry as a major economic driver. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the sector connects the country's farm output to consumers. He spoke at the Lagos Food Festival, calling it a key part of the state's strategy. The goal is to create jobs and support young entrepreneurs in the culinary space. The festival showcases local cuisine and small businesses. Sanwo-Olu described it as an active economic plan, not just a cultural event. The government is providing training and financial support. Officials want to build a full ecosystem for food entrepreneurs. They aim to make Lagos a top African destination for food and tourism. The Agriculture Commissioner, Abisola Olusanya, also commented. She said the sector has...
Apapa Customs rakes in N2.6T, eyes bigger 2026 haul
The Apapa customs command reported huge revenue collection for eleven months. Area Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba announced the figure at a year-end event. The command collected over two point six trillion naira. This marks a significant increase compared to the same timeframe the previous year. Oshoba credited automation, better compliance, and port ecosystem cooperation for the growth. Key initiatives like the Authorized Economic Operator program and a unified management system drove efficiency. The command also simulated a new cargo scanner to speed up inspections. Enforcement actions led to seizures of drugs, weapons, and expired products. Officials warned against false declarations while preferring voluntary compliance. Senior...
Customs cracks down on banks dragging their feet on remittance
Nigeria Customs is cracking down on banks that are slow to send in collected revenue. Their spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, said delays break their service agreement and hurt government income transparency. The agency will start penalizing any designated bank that misses its remittance deadline. The fine will be an interest charge set at three percent above the current interbank lending rate. Banks will get official notices detailing the late amount and the penalty owed. Continued non-compliance could lead to further regulatory sanctions. Customs emphasized that moving payments into the wrong accounts is a major violation. Banks are being told to tighten their internal controls and follow the agreed-upon timelines strictly. The...
CRC taps Olawuyi to steer brand, boost credit literacy
CRC Credit Bureau just hired a new head for its brand and communications team. Olawuyi Awofisayo got the job to manage corporate messaging and stakeholder relations. The company's managing director, Dr. 'Tunde Popoola, said his skills fit their goal of expanding credit access and financial literacy across Nigeria. Awofisayo will run brand strategy, media relations, and content creation. He has over six years of experience in digital marketing and communications. His previous role was as a branding manager for a legal firm named Olisa Agbakoba Legal. He has also done consulting work and managed digital campaigns, including one for a presidential candidate. He holds several certifications in areas like crisis management and...
IBD ditches JAPA dream, pitches care economy for youths
A business group wants to change how Nigeria trains young people for jobs. The Institute of Business Development, led by Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi, proposed these reforms at a conference in Abuja. They introduced the Innovative Empowerment Community Network, or IECN, as a unifying plan. This system would link training centers with unemployed youth and elderly citizens needing care. The IBD president criticized current skills programs. He said offering cash incentives attracts the wrong participants. The new approach would hide any startup grants during recruitment. The goal is to select people who truly want to learn, not just collect handouts. Rewards would come only after completing certification. Regarding the trend of youths leaving...
Lekki Port goes full auto, eyes trade domination
The Lekki Deep Sea Port is now completely automated. Its CEO, Wang Qiang, says this move is meant to improve international trade. He encouraged importers and government agencies to use the port's digital systems. Full digitalization of customs and other services should speed up cargo clearance. Qiang stated the port handled over thirteen trillion naira in trade value during the three quarters. That figure makes it Nigeria's second-busiest port by trade value. The port has already reached about half its designed capacity. He emphasized that strong road, rail, and barge links are critical for future growth. The new coastal highway should help, but a dedicated rail line is still needed. The terminal's chief executive, Capt Jedrzej...
Cross River cheers $4.29B PPP boost, eyes seaport boom
A state lawmaker praised a federal decision on major projects for the Cross River. Chief Hilary Bisong, the assembly's Chief Whip, commended the approval of over four billion dollars in public-private partnership investments. He said this aligns with the national Renewed Hope Agenda to attract private capital. Bisong highlighted the Bakassi Deep Seaport as a crucial part of the package. He stated the port will handle large vessels and help decongest other ports. This should boost maritime capacity and stimulate industrial activity. The projects aim to improve export competitiveness and global trade integration. He also credited the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for his leadership. Bisong noted the governor's alignment with...
PalmPay splashes N400M on festive cash, global trips
PalmPay is giving away a huge sum of money to its users for the holidays. The digital bank has allocated four hundred million naira for a customer reward campaign. The promotion runs for several weeks, ending in early January. It is tied to their Purple December brand initiative. The headline event is called the World Travel Carnival. Users earn digital cards by making transactions on the app. They need to collect five specific city cards. Combining these creates a World Card for a share of the cash pool. More World Cards means a bigger cash reward. People can also swap extra cards with friends. Top prizes include fully paid international trips. The top two users with the most eligible transactions in each round can win. The trip...
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