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Until July 2024, not many people had heard of the name Olufunmilayo Oluwawemimo. She was a sickle cell warrior and a mother who passed away on May 18 2024. Her husband, Damilola Oluwawemimo, is a person of interest in the case.
The news first became public on July 2, 2024, following a post from the X account (@abiolaak). She mentioned that the Minister for Women Affairs, Barr. Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye was involved in the case, and there would be an autopsy.
— Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (@abiolaak) July 2, 2024
Olufunmilayo’s family has since accused Damilola of allegedly murdering his wife, referencing past incidents of domestic abuse.
In a series of X posts on July 9, 2024, Tobi Beckley, Olufunmilayo’s brother, attempted to piece together details of the incident. He accused Damilola of shirking most of his responsibilities and showing a repeated pattern of nonchalance towards his wife’s health.
Tobi stated that he took responsibility for his sister’s health, which Damilola allegedly didn’t like. He also didn’t like being called out for showing little care about his wife’s health.
The most troubling detail was that Damilola was reportedly physically abusive. Funmi’s brother recalls an event where Damilola allegedly beat Funmi up with a phone cable.
My late elder sister was a sickle cell warrior and a victim of an abusive marriage where her husband on several occasions physically abused and assaulted her knowing fully well about her condition. You want full story, I’d give you all story. This is a thread.
Tobi says one of Funmi’s friends called her older sister, asking her to check on Funmi on the evening she died. Her sister immediately notified the family, but they couldn’t reach Funmi. When all attempts to reach Funmi failed, they tried Dami, but he didn’t pick up his calls either.
To confirm everything was all right, Funmi’s sister went to their home the following day to check on her. When she got to Funmi’s home, she met dozens of people in their compound. They told her Damilola had locked himself and his wife inside since the previous evening, and he’d threatened to kill himself and anyone who attempted to gain access to their apartment.
Subsequently, the police gained entry into the apartment and subdued Dami. Funmi was in the apartment, too, but she wasn’t breathing. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
What has happened after?
On July 8, 2024, an X account (@HonMichaelson) provided an update about the incident. He questioned the Beckley family’s motive for detaining Damilola and appearing in interviews to accuse him of murdering his wife when the autopsy result wasn’t out. Also, he said that Damilola was subjected to physical abuse during the two weeks he spent in custody.
Update on Damilola:
Recall there was a smear campaign ignited by some women rights activists about a week ago, accusing Damilola of murdering his wife and fleeing?
Today, autopsy result confirmed the immediate cause of her death to be “Haemorrhagic stroke” due to sickle cell. pic.twitter.com/nhB4bjdWK9
According to him, the autopsy results have now been released, confirming the cause of Funmi’s death to be a “Haemorrhagic stroke due to sickle cell.” He claimed that there was no foul play.
However, Funmi’s brother has contested this. According to him, a traumatic head injury is associated with bleeding in the brain and death, especially when the victim doesn’t have access to immediate medical care.
Autopsy findings revealed bleeding into the brain. Do you know that traumatic injury to the head could result to bleeding into the brain and eventual death if no prompt medical care if administered which Dami obviously refused to take his wife to the hospital? https://t.co/plWjEtpz1b
Why is #FreeAyo the number one trending topic on X today? Who’s Ayo? Why are X users clamouring for his freedom? What’s the role of Toyin Abraham in this situation? This is a full explainer.
(L) Toyin Abraham, (R) X user @47kasz (AKA Ayo)
Around 8 PM on June 9, 2024, X user @jefferybest11 tweeted that Nollywood actress and film producer Toyin Abraham sent some Nigerian police officers to arrest his mum over a tweet he claims to know nothing about. They took his mum to the Panti police division.
In subsequent tweets, user @jefferybest11 stated that the police came to look for him on account of Toyin Abraham’s statement that he bullied the actress. The police didn’t find him, so they arrested his mom and sister instead.
As the situation unfolded, @jefferybest11 contacted a friend and another X user, @47kasz, to share the confusing details. @47kasz went to the Panti police station to verify the story. While there, actress Toyin Abraham called the station to clarify that @jeffreybest11 wasn’t the bully but @47kasz. The story becomes unclear as @jefferybest11 tweeted that @47kasz turned himself in as Toyin Abraham’s bully. The actress requested the police to release the arrested mom and sister, but the mom refused to leave unless the police released @47kasz, whose real name is Ayo.
Toyin Abraham also said that the arrest of @jefferybest11’s mum and sister wasn’t her intention. She only gave the police @jefferybest11’s phone number, which was traced to a phone held by his mum, and they apprehended the woman without her knowledge.
A tweet Ayo (@47kasz) made about Toyin Abraham on June 3, 2024, has now come up. He accused the actress of collecting Tinubu’s money to make her husband’s hair grow again. It’s still unclear if this tweet is evidence of cyberbullying he’s been held for.
In a now-deleted tweet, Toyin Abraham said she planned to forgive Ayo and let the issue go until @jefferybest11 took it to X.
Since this news broke, his mutuals and some other X users have been using the hashtag #FreeAyo to highlight the injustice of his illegal arrest and detainment. They aim to create awareness and garner support for Ayo’s plight. This is what Nigerians are saying about the situation.
Some furious X users took it further and sent emails to Netflix and Prime Amazon, reporting Toyin Abraham’s abuse of power to the streaming giants and asking to remove her films.
Today, Toyin Abraham took to her Instagram Live to debunk arresting @jefferybest11’s mom. In the same breath, she vowed to make the “bully” face the law’s wrath; if she goes down, she’s going down with all her bullies. “I want to kpai, I’m ready to kpai, and all my bullies will kpai with me,” she said on IG live.
At 3:40 PM on June 10, 2024, @jeffreybest11 tweeted that a bail process for Ayo (@47kasz) is ongoing.
Academic activities at the University of Benin have been suspended indefinitely following an announcement from the school’s Public Relations Officer, Doctor Benedicta Ehanire.
Why did this happen?
On July 3, 2024, Uniben students seized the Benin -Ore highway to protest a power outage and lack of water in their hostels and campuses. The university has been struggling with power cuts, thanks to a new 200% increase in its monthly electricity bill — from 80 million to ₦200-280 million. This new energy cost came after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) cut the university’s power supply over a ₦300 million debt, forcing the university to work with power generators.
The students say they took to the street because light now comes up for only an hour a day, compared to the 20 – 22 hours they usually got. As a result, studying without electricity has become unbearable for them.
Image source: ChannelsTV
The university statement, announcing the closure, states that the university’s senate considered the students’ demand for 24-hour electricity and stable water supply in their hostels and the two campuses unrealistic. It instructed all students to leave the school hostels immediately. Academic and non-academic staff on primary duties are unaffected.
Power outages aren’t limited to Uniben alone. In a report by Punch, rising energy costs are crushing Nigerian universities.
“Some of the institutions have been disconnected from the national grid owing to millions of unpaid electricity bills to DISCOS while others who are still connected are currently grappling with huge amounts of debts running into millions of naira.”
The College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is struggling with its migration to Band A, which has increased energy costs to ₦253 million. The University of Ilorin’s electricity bill jumped from ₦70 million to ₦230 million. Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) disconnected the power supply at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology due to a ₦248 million unpaid debt. The University of Jos has an electricity bill debt close to ₦126 million.
For Uniben, this isn’t the first time it’d shut down over students’ protests. In 2021, the university closed for 24 hours following a protest over a ₦20,000 late registration fee.
On June 30, 2024, X user @Theariaspeaks posted a Twitter thread to raise awareness about an epidemic of sexual assault at the University of Lagos, sharing anonymous texts from victims and the university’s unwillingness to punish the offenders. In the hours that followed, perpetrators who’d escaped punishment for this act were called out.
This is everything we know about the reported time and dates of the sexual harassment cases flying around the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and some parties involved.
March 2024 — Oluwagbemileke Otokiti
Image source: @Theariaspeaks (X)
On June 29, 2024, Oluwagbemileke Otokiti, a 200-level pharmacy student, was called out for allegedly sexually assaulting a 200-level female medicine and surgery student. According to the anonymous messages sent to X user @Theariaspeaks, Oluwagbemileke had been involved in another incident in March 2024. He got caught, and Unilag’s House of Lords — the student legislative council — fined him ₦5000, asked him to write an apology letter and provide a guarantor to “vouch for his conduct”.
The victim reported that Oluwagbemileke assaulted her in the early hours (2:55 AM and 3:05 AM) of March 10, 2024, while studying in a classroom. During a conversation with Oluwagbemileke, he hugged her from behind without consent. Despite her expressed discomfort and attempts to get away from the situation, Oluwagbemileke persisted, “making inappropriate sexual comments and exhibiting aggressive behaviour.” She reported to the House of Lords later in the day.
According to a statement released by the House of Lords, upon the report of the assault incident, a committee was formed to investigate the situation. During one of the meetings, Oluwagbemileke confessed to the crime and issued a recorded apology. The victim asked for a written apology letter to be sent to all group chats of the College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences Students (COMPSSA), stating what happened while keeping her anonymous. At the time, she didn’t want the matter to get to the school authorities.
As of March 20, Oluwagbemileke had paid the ₦5000 fine and asked for a week extension to find his guarantor. However, he eventually failed to do so, and the matter escalated to the Dean of Student Affairs (DSA).
The victim stated that Oluwagbemileke is a repeat offender and something similar and non-consensual had happened between them in 100 Level.
On March 22, 2024, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, Unilag Chapter, wrote to the Dean of the Pharmacy faculty about Oluwagbemileke’s sexual misconduct.
Oluwagbemileke, however, participated in a faculty sports event despite several complaints from women who didn’t feel safe around him.
June 26, 2024 — Samuel Adigwe
Image source: @OlajumokeHera (X)
On June 28, 2024, another male pharmacy student was reported for sexually harassing a female radiography student.
At approximately 1:00 AM on June 26, when the victim had fallen asleep in a Cold Room where she was studying, Samuel inappropriately touched her. The victim pushed Samuel away and called her friend, who confronted him, but he wasn’t bothered. He allegedly claimed that “it was mutual”.
She reported the case to the House of Lords, and an investigation was launched immediately.
In response to the sexual assault report, Unilag’s Sub-Dean sent a warning message directed at the male students in the 400 Level pharmacy group chat.
A 300-level male Pharmacy named Ajibola was also reported around the time for the same crime. Many of his victims have come forward to report incidents where he flashed his penis or inappropriately touched them. Although he was once reported to the faculty, he’s yet to face any consequences.
October 2023 — Chibueze Nwanmah
One of the messages sent to @TheAiraspeaks also exposed Chibueze Nwanmah, a 600-level male medical student, as an abuser who has allegedly assaulted over thirty female students. Under the guise of checking on his victims’ academic progress severally, he allegedly takes advantage of them, forcing them to hug him and rub his penis against them.
In October 2023, Chibueze was reported to the school authorities over sexual assault involving at least eleven female classmates and an unknown number of students in younger classes. A petition was written and signed by fifty-four people. The authorities formed a panel, but there has been no update.
Currently, the University of Lagos and the Faculty of Pharmacy are yet to address the issues. Meanwhile, Lagos State parastatal and organisations like Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DVSA) and Stand to End Rape (STER) have picked up the case.
In an effort to mandate accountability for sexual harassment cases at the College of Medicine, Unilag, a petition has been launched, trending with the hashtag #EndSACultureInCMUL.
On July 2nd, X user @Theariaspeaks announced in a tweet that she and another X user, @BigBadReni, had a meeting with Unilag’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola. The VC has agreed to the demand to punish the perpetrators, and she has pledged to create a safe space for students to report issues of abuse anonymously and make a new sexual abuse policy for the College of Medicine, Unilag.
Nick Imudia, a business executive and former Chief Executive Officer of Konga, an e-commerce company in Nigeria, has reportedly died by suicide.
Imudia, the current CEO of the solar energy firm D.Light, allegedly jumped from the balcony of his Lekki residence on the night of Tuesday, June 25.
According to The Punch, the businessman reportedly contacted his US-based sibling with instructions on distributing his wealth. He also spoke with his young daughter, promising to always be there for her before his demise.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the case.
The Wills reports that friends and family of the deceased are still in shock, and no one knows the reason why he took his life.
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How’s the public reacting?
The news has stirred a flurry of reactions from Nigerians on social media. Business associates and acquaintances have also mourned the deceased.
The new edition of the Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11, 2024. All qualified nations, including Nigeria, will be in Paris to participate in the upcoming international multi-sport event.
Since 1952 (except 1976), Nigeria has participated in all Olympic games, and despite having only 27 medals to show for it, we’re there again in this 2024 edition. As we look forward to Nigeria’s action at this year’s edition, this article revisits all the times Nigeria won at the Olympics.
1964
Nigeria won her first bronze medal in Tokyo in 1964 through Nojeem Maiyegun. Nojeem won the bronze medal in the men’s light middleweight category.
Photo: The Nation
1972
Isaac Ikhouria, a Nigerian boxer in the men’s light-heavyweight category, won a bronze medal in München, West Germany 1972.
Ikhouria at the 2nd right (Photo: Wikipedia)
1984
A five-person relay team won Nigeria’s first-ever medal in athletics at the Olympics in the men’s 4×400 metres race. The group, made up of Sunday Uti, Innocent Egbunike, Moses Ugbesien, and Rotimi Peters, won the bronze medal with a winning time of 2:59.32. The time record was an African record that stood until 1996.
Also in 1984, Peter Konyyegwachie, a Nigerian boxer, won a silver medal in the men’s featherweight category.
1992
The Nigerian men’s 4×100 metres relay team (Oluyemi Kayode, Chidi Imoh, Olapade Adeniken, Davidson Ezinwa, Osmond Ezinwa) won a silver medal. The 4×100 metres relay for women (Mary Onyali, Christy Opara-Thompson, Beatrice Utondo, Faith Idehen) won a bronze medal.
Men’s heavyweight boxer David Izonritei won a silver medal. Richard Igbineghu also won silver for Nigeria in the men’s super-heavyweight category.
Photo: GettyImages
1996
Nigeria claimed its first Olympic gold medal this year in the women’s long jump through Chioma Ajunwa (now a Nigerian police officer). The Super Eagles also won a gold medal in football.
A silver medal came through the women’s 4×400 metres relay (the first since 1984). The relay team had Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf, Charity Opara, Falilat Ogunkoya.
Mary Onyali and Calister Ubah won a bronze medal in the women’s 200-metre category. Falilat Ogunkoya, Fatima Yusuf and Bisi Afolabi won a bronze medal in the 400-metre category. Duncan Dokiwari won another bronze medal in the men’s boxing super-heavyweight category.
2000
Nigeria claimed the gold medal in the men’s 4×400 metres relay, a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, and another in the women’s weightlifting heavyweight category.
Photo: Newsweek
2004
Nigeria won two bronze medals—one in the men’s 4×100 metres relay and the other in men’s 4×400 metres relay categories.
Photo: Making of Champions
2008
Nigeria won three silver and two bronze medals in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
The women’s team won a silver 4×100 metres relay. Blessing Okagbare got a silver medal in the women’s long jump, and the Super Eagles also got one in the men’s football category. Men’s taekwondo (Chika Chukwumerije) won a bronze medal, and so did Maryam Usman for the weightlifting women’s super-heavyweight category.
Maryam Usman at the 2008 Olympics (Photo: Making of Champions)
2016
The Super Eagles won a bronze medal in the men’s football category.
Photo: BellaNaija
2020
Ese Brume won a bronze medal in the women’s long jump category, and Blessing Oborududu won a silver medal in the women’s freestyle wrestling light-heavyweight category.
It’s been 11 days since the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed a cholera outbreak in parts of the country, including Lagos State.
Here’s what we know so far as death and infection toll rises.
What’s the current situation?
On Wednesday, June 19, the Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the agency is actively monitoring the situation and might declare an emergency if the outbreak becomes unmanageable.
Earlier, the agency, in a public health advisory published on Wednesday, June 12, said Nigeria recorded 1,141 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 14 deaths across 96 local governments in 30 states from January 1 to June 11. Ten states contributed 90% of the total numbers: Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Lagos.
In Lagos, Special Adviser to the governor on health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, revealed that the state’s cholera cases increased from 15 to 21, while infections rose from 350 to 401.
Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, confirmed the death of a 62-year-old woman, while five victims have been hospitalised. Kunle Ashimi, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (Ogun chapter), said the association is on high alert and monitoring the situation in the state.
The Oyo State government issued a health alert on June 13 following two suspected cases in Ibadan, but there have been no further reported cases. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, assured residents that there’s no cause for alarm as the ministry and other health agencies are monitoring the situation.
What’s the current strain?
The current outbreak is associated with the cholera subtype known as Serovar O1. Lagos State’s Health Commissioner, Akin Abayomi, warned that the identified strain is “highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.”
Support from international bodies
The World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund, and the International Organisation for Migration have lent their support to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
In a post shared on X, Walter Mulombo, WHO country representative, revealed that the international bodies held an emergency meeting on Tuesday, June 18, to discuss joint support for the NCDC.
FG begins water quality analysis
The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has kicked off a round of water quality analysis to control the cholera outbreak.
Permanent Secretary Aliyu Shinkafi said on Thursday, June 20, that teams from the National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Lagos, Enugu, and Sokoto have been tasked with collecting water samples to investigate the presence of Vibrio cholera.
“Additionally, the ministry is coordinating with State Technical Working Groups and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs) through the WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group (WiETWG) to address the outbreak comprehensively.”
Are tiger nuts and zobo contributing factors?
Following the outbreak, there have been speculations on social media that contaminated tiger nut drinks may be responsible for the cholera outbreak.
However, Biodun Ogunniyi, an epidemiologist with the NCDC, said the agency is about to embark on a case-control study to ascertain the situation and dispel rumours about the drinks.
Who are those at risk of infection?
According to the NCDC health advisory, people most at risk include:
People of all ages living in places with limited access to clean water
People living in areas with poor sanitation and poor hygiene
People living in slum areas where basic water or sanitation infrastructure is missing
People living in rural areas who depend on surface water or unsafe piped or borehole water sources for drinking
People who consume potentially contaminated food or fruits without washing and cooking properly
People who do not perform hand hygiene at appropriate times
Relatives who care for sick people with cholera at home
Hotlines
Report suspected cholera cases in Lagos to the following emergency contacts: 08023169485 and 08137412348.
On June 11, 2024, Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health, issued a press statement that reported, confirmed, and warned about excess cholera reports in Lagos State.
Although the state government issued another official statement yesterday stating that the alarming gastroenteritis cases are contained, this is what’s been happening.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)…
The data from the NCDC showed that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, Nigeria reported 1,141 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 14 deaths across 96 local governments in 30 states. Ten states contributed 90% of the total numbers: Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, and lately Lagos.
The Lagos State’s cases
According to the surveillance reports, Prof. Abayomi (Commissioner for Health, Lagos) revealed severe cases in areas like Ikorodu, Kosofe, Eti-Osa and Lagos Island.
The casualties
The Lagos Health Commissioner’s report noted five deaths and nothing less than sixty hospital admissions.
Increased surveillance and investigation
The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency are alerted to investigate a likely water contamination source around Victoria Island and Lekki. These agencies have also taken in samples for confirmation.
Hotlines
Report suspected cholera cases in Lagos to the following emergency contacts: 08023169485 and 08137412348. You can also dial helplines 112 or 767.
Suspected cases in Ibadan
In a press statement issued on X on June 13, 2024, the Oyo State government reported two admitted suspected cases of Cholera from Lagos state in a private hospital in Ibadan. However, the state’s health agencies are on it.
Federal government’s intervention
The government has established a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group that comprises the NCDC, Federal Ministries of Environmental and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organizations (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners.
Ever wondered what Nigerian political leaders get up to when they aren’t running the country? You’d be surprised to know some of them still work hard to secure the bag on the side.
From interests in agriculture to the media, we take a look at Nigeria’s past presidents and heads of state, and what they do to get their money up.
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1960-1966)
He served as the first and only Nigerian prime minister after independence. Outside of politics, Sir Balewa was a teacher by profession. He graduated from teacher training school in 1933 and went on to teach English in Bauchi. After bagging a diploma from London University Institute of Education in 1946, Sir Balewa returned to Nigeria where he served as headmaster of Bauchi Middle School and briefly as Inspector of Schools before he entered politics.
Nnamdi Azikiwe (1963-1966)
Nnamdi was Nigeria’s first president. Before politics, Azikiwe was fully involved in publishing. In 1934, he launched his own nationalist newspaper in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). He returned to Nigeria in 1937 and launched the Western Pilot, a newspaper dedicated to fighting for independence from British colonial rule.
Major General Aguiyi Ironsi (January 16, 1966 – July 29, 1966)
He became the first Nigerian head of state after the 1966 coup led by Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna and Major Chukuwemeka Kaduna Nzeogwu. Ironsi didn’t have many interests outside the military, having joined the Nigerian army at 18 in 1942. He remained in the army until his assassination on July 29, 1966.
General Yakubu Gowon (1966-1975)
He succeeded Major General Agunyi Ironsi as Nigeria’s Head of State. After his time in office, the general has been mostly involved in peacekeeping and academic activities, including founding the Yakubu Gowon Centre, focused on peace and conflict resolution.
General Murtala Muhammed (1975-1976)
General Muhammed served as head of state after leading a counter-coup that ousted General Agunyi Ironsi. Muhammed was primarily a military officer and didn’t engage in notable business activities outside his military and governmental roles.
General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979, 1999-2007)
Obasanjo took over as Nigeria’s military head of state after General Murtala Muhammed’s assassination in 1976 and returned as a democratically elected president in 1999. When he’s not working to make Nigeria a better place, the elder statesman is a farmer and agricultural entrepreneur. He launched Obasanjo Farms in October 1979 after handing over
power to a civilian administration. Obasanjo also owns Bells University of Technology, Nigeria’s first private university of technology, which commenced operations in 2005.
Shehu Shagari (1979-1983)
Shehu Shagari was the first democratically elected president after then military head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, transferred power to a civilian government. Outside politics and his administrative roles in government, Shagari was a trained teacher who taught at several schools, including Sokoto Middle School and the Teacher Training College in Zaria. He kept a relatively quiet life after his presidency and didn’t engage in notable business ventures.
Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985, 2015-2023)
Buhari became Nigeria’s military head of state after the coup that toppled Shehu Shagari’s government in 1983. He returned as a democratically elected president in 2015. Although primarily known for his military and political career, Buhari has some interests in agriculture. He owns a modest cattle farm in Daura, his hometown. The former president has always been vocal about continuing to engage in farming activities after his retirement from office.
General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993)
Babangida served as Nigeria’s military head of state between 1985 and 1993. In 2006 and 2010, Babangida tried to make a comeback as Nigeria’s president, announcing his intention to contest in the 2007 and 2011 presidential elections but withdrew his candidacy on both occasions. Not much is known about his dealings outside of politics, but he’s rumoured to have various business interests, primarily in real estate and oil services.
Ernest Shonekan (August 1993-November 1993)
Ernest Shonekan was Nigeria’s interim president after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. He served as head of state for 83 days. Before politics, Shonekan, a University of London and Harvard Business School alumnus, worked in the private sector. He rose through the ranks at the United African Company (UAC)—a company involved in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, agriculture, and real estate—to become chairman and chief executive officer. Shonekan returned to the corporate world after he was ousted from power by General Sani Abacha. He launched the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in 1993, creating opportunities for private sector leaders and senior public sector officials to discuss and dialogue on the future of the Nigerian economy.
General Sani Abacha (1993-1998)
He succeeded Nigeria’s interim president, Ernest Shonekan, after carrying out what would become Nigeria’s last successful coup d’état. General Abacha was mostly a career military officer who didn’t have major business interests outside the military.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999)
General Abubakar became Nigeria’s head of state after the death of General Sani Abacha in 1998. Like others on this list, Abubakar mostly focused on his military career. Post-military, the retired general has been involved in many peace and mediation efforts but has no major known business ventures. He was once rumoured to be the owner of The Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited, a company that won the bidding for four distribution companies (DISCOs) in 2012.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010)
Late Yar’Adua succeeded former president Olusegun Obasanjo after winning the presidential elections in 2007. Before he ventured into politics, his primary interests were in education and agriculture. He lectured at the College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, and worked as the general manager of Sambo Farms Ltd. in Funtua, Katsina state.
Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015)
Former president Goodluck Jonathan was the first president from the South-South region in Nigeria. He was primarily involved in academia, working as an education inspector and lecturer before he ventured into politics in 1998. Since he retired from the presidency in 2015, Jonathan has continued to pursue his interest in education and peacekeeping activities. In 2019, he was appointed as the honorary special advisor to the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund board. The ex-president is also rumoured to own Ebele Integrated Farms, which focuses mainly on fish farming.
Bola Tinubu (2023-present)
President Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, was elected president in 2023. Although he’s mostly known for his strong involvement in the country’s politics, Tinubu has other business interests. Before he ventured into politics, the president, who has a degree in Business Administration, worked with top firms like Deloitte, Mobil, and Primerose Group. He owns media organisations like Television Continental (TVC) and The Nation, and is rumoured to have huge stakes in real estate and energy companies.
On Friday, June 1, 2024, a Nigerian medical doctor, Rose Agwu, took to social media to call the attention of netizens to the arrest of her siblings.
Agwu, in a series of now-deleted tweets, said military men invaded her home in Obikabia, Abia state, and picked up her brother and sister, leaving their 72-year-old father behind. The teenagers were among civilians arrested around Obikabia junction in Aba over the killing of military officers.
“Around 5 a.m., the Nigerian Army invaded my house, broke the gate and our door, and took my 15-year-old brother and my sister, who had just come home, away, leaving only my aged father.”
The medical doctor added that the soldiers didn’t give reasons for the arrest and never revealed the whereabouts of the arrested individuals.
“Till now, they have not been released. We are still trying to locate them. Please help us ask the Nigerian Army the logical reason behind this and how they can account for all the people they took and their plans for them,” she wrote in a post.
The arrest happened shortly after masked gunmen killed five soldiers at an army checkpoint in the Aba area of the state on Thursday, May 30. The military vowed to track down the individuals responsible, making the arrest of Agwu’s siblings look like a reprisal attack.
What was the public response?
Agwu’s cry for help caught the attention of netizens who helped her amplify her message in a bid to get the attention of relevant authorities.
In an X post made more than 24 hours after Agwu’s call, PPRO of the Abia state police command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, noted that the right authorities had been notified, adding that Agwu should take the matter further by contacting the military PRO.
Reunited with family
Around 9:24 p.m. on Saturday, the medical doctor returned to X to announce that she’d been reunited with her arrested siblings. She also thanked everyone who stepped in to help escalate the matter and ensure their release.
“I want to say a very big thank you to every well-meaning Nigerian who tweeted and shed light on the arrest of innocent civilians living around Obikabia Junction Aba, Abia State, which included my 15-year-old brother and my younger sister.”
Agwu, however, complained about how her brother was treated while in he was in custody.
“No child should experience what my teen innocent brother experienced these past hours. He was slapped, beaten and is still scared. His mental health will definitely need care for him to recover from this.”
According to Agwu, some other civilians in the area were also released.
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What’s the governor doing to address the tension?
Governor Alex Otti paid a condolence visit to families of the slain soldiers on Saturday, June 1. During the visit, the governor announced a ₦25m bounty on the heads of the individuals responsible for the attack.
The governor also said he’s informed Brigadier General Olusola Diya, Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, to keep the peace in Aba as he’s confident that innocent Abians were not part of the “evil act”.
On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared an indefinite strike after negotiations with the Federal Government about a new minimum wage broke down.
Background
Following President Tinubu’s decision to scrap fuel subsidy payments in May 2023, the labour unions vowed to go on strike if the government didn’t increase the minimum wage. Talks started between both parties, working with an 8-week timeline to raach an agreement. But this didn’t happen.
A year later, the trade unions intensified their efforts to get the government to agree to their demands. The unions initially proposed a new minimum wage of ₦615,000, but reduced this to ₦495,000. However, the government argued that the number was unsustainable and offered the unions ₦57,000 instead.
The negotiations broke down on Friday, May 31, after the government increased its offer to ₦60,000. On the same day, organised labour announced that it would commence a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024.
Did the labour union cut off the country’s electricity supply?
Multiple news reports confirmed that the striking union shut down the country’s power grid. According to a statement published on NTA, the shutdown happened on Monday morning.
GRID SHUT DOWN : UNION DELIBERATELY SHUT DOWN THE NATIONAL GRID.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am… pic.twitter.com/Z9IT2S5Psa
“At about 1:15 a.m. this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.”
While the Transmission Company of Nigeria mentioned that a fix is underway, it’s unclear when the national grid will be back up.
Have banking and airport operations been halted?
Banks and airport employees were also expected to join the strike. At the time of writing, bank operations hadn’t been halted.
However, the labour unions blocked all entry points to the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, disrupting flight operations.
This is Abuja airport. NLC strike nationwide so everyone is stranded right now. Doors shut, flights grounded. pic.twitter.com/igUvznMFK8
Yes. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also decided to join the strike. On Monday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke asked the academic staff across Nigerian universities to join the strike.
His statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of the Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.”
Is the National Assembly complex out of water?
True. The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), an affiliate of NLC, has cut off the water supply at the National Assembly. Multiple reports also state that other services within the complex were disrupted, as the workers have discontinued all official activities.
Have the FG and Organised Labour reached an agreement?
Representatives of the government invited the leadership of the unions to a meeting on the evening of Monday, June 4, 2024. Following hours of negotiations, the parties reached a few resolutions.
— Deborah Tolu-Kolawole GenZ (@DeborahToluwase) June 3, 2024
i. The Federal Government is open to agreeing to a new minimum wage number that’s higher than ₦60k.
ii. The unions will meet every day for the next week to figure out a number that works.
That said, the unions maintained that the strike hasn’t been called off, pending meetings with its decision-making bodies to discuss the government’s offer.
Organised Labour temporarily suspends industrial action
On Tuesday, June 4, the leadership of the organised labour announced a suspension of the industrial action for five days, following an agreement reached with the FG on Monday, June 3.
“The President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than ₦60,000; and the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage,” the agreement stated.
The industrial action had halted economic and government activities across the nation for two days.
We’re back to the basics with our Nigerian national anthem. The “Arise O compatriots” era which started in 1978 has come to an end as of today, May 29, 2024. The newly approved national anthem is the first anthem ever adopted after independence “Nigeria We Hail Thee”.
It was written by Lillian Jean while the music was composed by Frances Berda in 1959. Nigeria used this anthem for 18 years (1950-1978) before adopting “Arise O compatriots”, and now we’re back to it.
Lyrics of ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
Unlike the anthem we’re used to, this one seems shorter, and we can bet that the students in schools are already learning the new anthem. You should get on board too.
From student loans to cybersecurity taxation, we take a stroll down memory lane to highlight how events have unfolded in the past year under the Tinubu-led administration.
May 2023
At his inaugural speech, President Tinubu’s first official decision was to remove the fuel subsidy, stating that Nigeria needed to redirect the subsidy funds to nation building. This led to a sharp increase in petrol prices from ₦195 to around ₦660 per litre, and a resultant increase in inflation in the months that followed.
As the war for access to fuel raged on, the President added a twist with foreign exchange. The CBN announced that the exchange rate will be unified, merging all forex market segments into a single window determined by market forces. The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was also suspended. This came following his decision to redesign the naira notes which influenced the disastrous cash scarcity of January 2023.
In the same month, President Tinubu introduced the student loan bill and signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023 into law to establish a legal framework for safeguarding personal information.
President Tinubu shifted his focus on infrastructure development to create jobs, and address housing and road deficits.
As the newly appointed chairman of the ECOWAS, he was also a core part of the decisions regarding the Niger Junta, which changed Niger’s political climate. Tinubu received backlash for his initial suggestion of a military response. Subsequently, the ECOWAS resorted to placing bans on the Niger Republic.
Let’s not forget that he promised us palliatives in this month too. We’re still waiting for our credit alerts.
President Tinubu announced a rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to cushion the impact of high transportation costs after the fuel subsidy removal. The President also released his ministerial nomination list which saw some reshuffling and an increase in youth leaders. They were inaugurated on August 21, 2023.
These were the twin months of drama and vindication for the President who had been facing court challenges over his victory as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar accused him of electoral manipulation. The tribunal started in September but somehow dragged into November.
In October, allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering against him were also declared null and unfounded.
In what seemed like a hope sparker, the president declared a cash transfer program for the poor and an N-Power program for unemployed graduates. Both of which, much like the palliatives of July, are now non-functional.
On October 1, 2023, President Tinubu released a statement awarding ₦35,000 provisional wage for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months. He also announced that it will commence payment of ₦75,000 to ₦15 million households at ₦25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023 among other financial schemes.
Nigerians dragged their president over alleged national budget padding and a plan to buy a presidential yacht. The president denied this and claimed that the demand was made by the Nigerian Navy.
The NLC, TUC and other associations went on strike in response to a physical assault on their leader, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The Federal Housing Authority also embarked on a demolition spree in the Festac area of Lagos state.
The President announced the commencement of a feeding programme for primary school pupils. The program has been in a hiccup state from the start.
January 2024
The Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, commissioned a 37-man committee to review the 2019 Minimum Wage. Prior to this, On October 1, 2023, the president had awarded a ₦30,000 relief fund to treasury-paid workers. This marked the beginning of a thread of tension-laced discussions with no end in sight.
The NLC went on a two-day strike because of the minimum wage and general economic difficulties. In a bid to solve this, the 37-man minimum wage committee finally convened for the first time in March.
March 2024
Under the leadership of President Tinubu, the ECOWAS lifted the sanctions placed on Niger Republic, while minimum wage discussions continued as the NLC proposed ₦615,000. There was also a massive blackout in parts of the federation as the national grid fell, and underwater submarine cables were compromised leading to a four-day internet downtime. The Federal Government announced the commencement of a 700 km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway construction through the minister of works, David Umahi.
Tinubu’s whereabouts were unknown for over a week after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024. The vice president was also out of the country at the time, causing a stir.
Fuel scarcity made a comeback, with prices going as high as ₦1000 per litre at fuelling stations. NNPCL dispelled rumours of trying to increase fuel prices and stated that the hike was as a result of logistics issues. However, VOA stated that the scarcity was a result of debts. The ministry of power implemented theElectricity Tariff Hike, another policy that saw mixed reactions from Nigerians.
The Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) entered the limelight for a Cybersecurity levy CBN imposed on electronic transactions. This sparked outrage on social media until it was eventually suspended. Landmark Beach and other businesses on the Lekki coastline were demolished for an interstate highway project under the direction of the minister of works, David Umahi for a coastal highway project but the demolished sites were eventually mapped out of the plan in a bid to avoid damaging submarine network cables.
The President also set out to commission road and infrastructure projects such as the remodelled third mainland bridge, apapa bridge and national library among others, to mark his first year in office.
The NLC gave the minimum wage committee a May 31 deadline to reach an agreement and implement a new minimum wage.
With the many trials and tribulations Nigerians have faced in the past year, one can only imagine how the next three years of President Tinubu’s administration will go.
It wasn’t up to a year ago when Cyril Osim Ndifon, a professor of law at UNICAL was called out for sexually assaulting and being a general terror to his female students for years.
This revelation and a 2023 of back-to-back sexual harassment exposures led us to put together a timeline that went back to the early 2000s with more than 20 high-profile cases, mostly students as victims of their lecturers’ inappropriate advances and often ending in silence.
Another sex-for-grades situation
On May 26, 2024, X user CHIKAMMA (@AlexVivyNnabue) called out her former UNIBEN philosophy lecturer, Dr Tony Asekhuno, accusing him of rape. Her tweet opened the floodgates of accusations from the lecturer’s other alleged victims.
According to their tweets, he’d fail his victims if they refused to date, get intimate with him or follow him to the “staff club”. And sometimes, he’d rape them.
He was called out five years ago
But CHIKAMMA’s call-out started years ago when she posted a thread of screenshots in 2019. The screenshots appear to be WhatsApp messages sent from a male friend who was forced to drop out. The same lecturer insisted on sex for grades, hinting that his harassment wasn’t limited to his female students.
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The long thread also details his inclination to spike students’ drinks. And apparently, the UNIBEN management was aware of his bad behaviour but did nothing.
Many more accusations
In the last three days, multiple X users have shared their experiences of varying levels of abuse from the lecturer. The public has called for further investigation by the relevant law enforcement and justice for the victims.
We have contacted the original accuser, CHIKAMMA, for more details to increase the chances of legal action. This is a developing story.
If your trip cuts through Gbagada expressway or involves the Apapa-Oshodi-oworonshoki bridge, you may need to find an alternative because of the traffic caused by canopies that have been set up on the expressway.
What’s happening?
President Bola Tinubu scheduled the commissioning of the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge among other infrastructural projects for Sunday, May 26, 2024.
The purpose is to mark the one-year anniversary of his tenure by highlighting his achievements in this period.The road commissions and inauguration started in Lagos on May 26, and are expected to last till May 31, 2024, but the resultant roadblocks are taking their toll on Gbagada road commuters already.
These projects include the Apapa and Tin Can Island roads, Southern parkway at Abuja, National Assembly Library Complex, the Abuja Light Rail Project and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Public Response
Nigerians on X (FKA Twitter) have expressed their disapproval of the canopies at Gbagada and the resultant traffic. They have also relayed that they believe the commissioning is unnecessary, and has not been properly carried out, as it did not put the interest of road users at heart.
However, this is just the first of many commissions and traffic may continue in other parts of the nation until May 31, 2024 when the president completes this exercise.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Emir of Kano, was reappointed as the Emir of Kano, four years after being deposed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. This decision follows the Kano State House of Assembly’s repeal of the 2019 law that created four additional emirates and led to Sanusi’s removal in March 2020.
The kingmakers formally selected Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano at the Government House on Thursday, after sitting Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law, dissolving the five emirates created under the previous administration.
The four emirs appointed by Ganduje are expected to vacate their seats within 48 hours and submit all properties to the commissioner of local governments. Sanusi has been officially reinstated as the Emir as at Friday, May 24, 2024.
Why was Sanusi taken off the Emir seat in 2020?
Lamido Sanusi was sacked after six years as Emir of Kano in March 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The official reason given for his removal was “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the State Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any lawful justification, which amount to total insubordination.”
Ganduje later claimed that Sanusi’s removal was because he broke the law and it was a calculated move to save the system and culture.
Sanusi’s outspokenness against some state policies, and his political beef with Ganduje, was believed to be a factor in his removal. His criticism of the government for taking a foreign loan to build a railway was said to have upset Ganduje.
Sanusi challenged his removal as Emir and the state government’s allegations in court but failed. He also challenged the creation of the new Emirates following his deposition, but the court did not rule in his favour.
Why does Lamido Sanusi’s appointment as Emir of Kano matter?
The reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, with the official name, Muhammadu Sanusi II, holds significant political and historical importance.
Sanusi’s removal in 2020 was widely criticised as a political move by Ganduje. His reinstatement by Yusuf is seen as a restoration of justice.
The Kano Emirate has a long history, dating back over 1,000 years. Splitting it into multiple emirates in 2019 was compared to a similar controversial emirate split by Governor Abubakar Rimi in the late 1970s, which was later reversed.
His reinstatement suggests a shift in the relationship between the emirate and the state government under the new administration.
How did the Emirate officials react to this?
The reinstallment was met with mixed reactions, one of which included a lawsuit and court order restricting his reinstallment.
Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, filed the application at the Federal High Court in Kano and the court has issued an order stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. Justice Mohammed Liman granted this order on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
What does this imply?
The lawsuit which was presented as a fundamental rights case is directed at the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the State Security Service.
The judge ruled, “That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.
“That in view of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the court at the hearing of the fundamental rights application which is fixed for the 3rd of June 2024.
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“That in order to maintain the peace and security of the state, an interim injunction of this Honourable Court is granted restraining the fifth to eight respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC and DSS) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.
“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.
“That this case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
“Status quo ante” refers to previously existing state of affairs. This means that the repealed law, known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, which had created Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi Emirates in addition to Kano, and also deposed Lamido Sanusi, are still in order.
The High court order contradicts the validity of Sanusi’s appointment as sole Emir of Kano, however the state government has officially installed him. It is unclear what will happen next.
Public Response
The new Emir has garnered a number of supporters on social media who believe that he is a good man deserving of his post after his initial sack. However, several individuals believe that he may soon be dethroned again if the next political administration does not like him.
The National Labour Congress (NLC) must’ve taken the “no gree for anybody” theme of the year seriously with their minimum wage negotiations. They’ve still not settled, following meetings between the minimum wage committee and labour unions in Abuja on May 15 and 21, 2024.
The federal government proposed a wage increase from ₦35,000 to ₦48,000 per month at the first meeting. The organised private sector (OPS) settled for ₦54,000 while labour unions maintained their stance of ₦615,000 to cope with the high cost of living.
In the second meeting on May 21, 2024, the federal government and the OPS maintained ₦54,000 because the government is short of funds. After a 30-minute break, they proposed the sum of ₦57,000. The final proposal from labour was ₦497,000. The meeting was then adjourned till Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
The major concern of the NLC is that the newly proposed amount will do nothing to help workers survive the current economic conditions, considering the electricity tariff hike, housing rates and inflation. The labour unions have given the federal government until May 31, 2024, to conclude negotiations and announce a new national minimum wage, threatening industrial action if their demands aren’t met.
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The federal government has stated that although the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude negotiations, the new minimum wage, whatever the final amount may be, will be backtracked to May 1, 2024, regardless of when negotiations end.
Around 8 pm, on May 18, 2024, a trailer crashed into at least three buses and groups of students heading home from late exams at Imo State University junction, Owerri. The accident was reportedly caused by a brake failure, and the driver of the truck is missing and allegedly on the run.
The trailer allegedly belongs to the Dangote Group.
Is this the first time we’re seeing something like this?
No. In January 2021, a dangote truck loaded with cements claimed about 18 victims on its path when it crashed into shops and properties in the Akungba-Akoko area of Ondo state. Eight of the victims were students of Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba-Akoko.
The resultant tension from students led to a temporal shutdown of the university. The company paid ₦500,000 to each family that was affected by the incident.
What is the public response to the accident at IMSU?
Social media is abuzz with condolences and agitations regarding the absence of laws that guide trailer activities and drivers’ accountability on the road.
Others have said that the junction is notorious for accidents and the government should build a flyover bridge to prevent a repeat in the future.
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Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, released a press statement sharing his condolences and stating that investigations were underway, and the Ministry of Health would actively help in providing medical services.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the Niger State Speaker of the House of Assembly announced that he planned to “assist” young victims of banditry attacks in his constituency by marrying them off.
What is the genesis of this issue?
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, said that he only came up with these plans because he had been approached by religious leaders in Mariga LGA regarding how the orphans were helpless after the banditry attacks that took their parents.
Sarkindaji stated he would pay the dowries for the bridegrooms during a mass wedding ceremony scheduled for May 24. He described the initiative as an empowerment project to alleviate the suffering of the orphans.
Although local religious leaders supported this idea, it didn’t sit well with the Minister of Women Affairs and members of the public who took to social media to air their grievances.
What did the Minister of Women Affairs do about this?
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, expressed reservations about the legality of the wedding, questioning whether the girls had reached the age of consent and marriage as defined by Nigerian laws, including the Child Rights Act. Subsequently, Kennedy-Ohanenye filed a complaint to the police and sought a court order to halt the plan for further investigations on the girls’ consent, ages, and marriage arrangements.
She said, “I have filed for an injunction to prevent him from doing whatever he intends to do on May 24th, until a thorough investigation is conducted on those girls, to determine whether they gave their consent, their ages, and who is marrying them”.
What was the speaker’s reaction?
On Wednesday, May 15 2024, Honourable Sarkindaji announced his withdrawal from the planned mass wedding of orphans after the intervention of the Minister of Women Affairs.
However, Sarkindaji later defended the initiative, insisting that the minister had misunderstood it. He said his intention was humanitarian and the planned marriages would not violate the Child Rights Act, contrary to the minister’s concerns.
Sarkindaji emphasized that the girls, despite “being ripe for marriage”, don’t have the means to wed because they are orphans or from impoverished families. He urged the minister to visit his constituency to better understand the situation of the girls and see how she could assist them directly.
The Speaker also stated that the preparations he made for the wedding, including paying bride prices on behalf of the grooms, remained in place, but the decision on whether to proceed with the wedding or not would be taken by traditional and religious leaders in the area.
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How is the public reacting to this event?
The public’s reactions were divided, with support rising from the Imams and residents within Niger state. In contrast, members of the public in other areas of the country continue to raise concerns about the mass marriage.
A petition circulating online has garnered thousands of signatures, with citizens expressing shock and dismay over what they perceive as a misuse of public funds, a violation of the rights and dignity of vulnerable children.
The Niger Imams council, represented by Umar Abudullahi states that the girls were not being forced into marriages.
The council maintained that the Minister had overstepped her bounds and would have the whole Imams in the country to battle with, if the weddings do not hold as planned.
They also asked that the Minister of Women Affairs tender an apology for her actions and words which have misrepresented their intentions and to retract her petition otherwise a lawsuit would ensue. The council also petitioned that her appointment be retracted and declared her unfit for the position of Minister.
“The planned weddings have the blessing of all the religious and traditional leaders from the area. The sponsor of the wedding consulted widely before accepting to take the responsibility and we are strongly behind him.
“The girls are not underage and they are not being forced into marriage as the minister has made the public believe. This is what the minister failed to investigate,” the council added.
Before this, the Take It Back Movement called on the Speaker to rescind his decision to marry off the 100 female orphans.
What happens next?
It’s unclear if the girls will be married off or not. The Imams council awaits a response from President Tinubu.
Some of the laws on this list have never ever been enacted, either because Nigerians don’t know them or because they just sound like page fillers in the Criminal Code Act of the Nigerian Constitution.
By the end of this piece, all you’ll wonder is “Who even thought of these laws?”
Witchcraft and juju
According to Section 210 of the Criminal Code Act of the 1990 Nigerian Constitution, if the accused confesses to being a witch or is confirmed to own or to have used charms on someone else, they get jail time. We all know village people are real, so if you have proof of their existence in your life, you can actually have them imprisoned. But if your accusation turns out false, you might be the one to spend ten years in jail.
One of the rare witchcraft cases to make it to court happened in Bauchi state in 2011. The case was settled amicably between the two witches, and it’s unclear if they served the two-year jail term.
Promising and failing to marry
In the case of Egbe v. Adefarasin (1987) NWLR (Pt. 133) 594, the Nigerian Supreme Court held that breach of promise to marry is actionable. The court insists there must be proof of this promise, like letters, a ring or pictures. In the absence of this, witnesses can testify.
One Ms Mabamije received ₦20 million in 2016, among other things, because her fiance broke his promise to marry her. The law applies to both men and women, so if your longtime partner misbehaves or has broken their promise to marry you, you know what to do.
Motivating or challenging others to fight
According to Section 84 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, anyone who challenges another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke another to fight a duel, is guilty of a felony and could be imprisoned for three years. The next time someone challenges you to throw hands, get them arrested immediately.
Aiding or committing suicide
Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria states that any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to one year imprisonment. Anyone who aids suicide gets life imprisonment.
But this law has been under review since October 2023, because it’s baffling that the government really thought one year of imprisonment was the best way to help suicidal people who actually need therapy and counselling.
Using fake gold or silver coins
The consequence of dealing in fake gold or silver coins is two years in prison according to Section 148-151 of the Criminal Code. Imagine what the lawmakers of the ’90s must’ve been through for something like this to make the Criminal Code.
If like Peter in the bible, you don’t have silver or gold, you’re safe for now.
Disrupting religious service
We have questions here. Does it count if the disruption is from the offering queue, or because members are busy staring at a fine Christian brother or sister? It probably does.
This also means if Muslims have to use the main roads for Jumaat prayers, it is illegal to disrupt them because you want to drive to your destination. Find this in Section 206 of the Criminal Code.
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Insulting religions
Considering how much this happens on social media, we have mixed feelings about this one.
Section 204 of the Criminal Code says the punishment is two years in prison. However, Sharia law considers it blasphemy, which has been used to justify the killing of people alleged to be blasphemers.
Selling bad meat
If Mr Shola who sells meat at Iba is reading this, your days are numbered, sir.
The next time you get bad meat, no need to shalaye or return it. Take it to the police station. You and the meat seller will discuss this in court. Outside food safety laws, Sections 243 & 244 of the Criminal Code specifically state a two-year sentence for people who sell diseased meat.
Street begging
Lagos state banned street begging in 2023 and said defaulters would spend two to three months in jail if caught. A few people have faced the music in court for this, but many still roam the street in ignorance.
Cheating in business
Section 421 of the Criminal Code spells out two years in prison for a trader who sells overpriced or stolen products to customers.
If this law were implemented, many Instagram vendors would be behind bars for their overpriced products, but that’s an article for another day.
There’s new drama every day in Nigeria. Since we entered 2024, we’ve dealt with fuel scarcity, inflation, a drunk electricity grid, and electricity tariff wahala, but apparently, we’re only in episode 2, season 1.
In April 2024, the electricity tariff costs increased by over 240% for Band A users and fuel price jumped from ₦600 per litre to as high as ₦1000 per litre in May 2024. The National Labour Congress (NLC) relayed messages of displeasure to the Federal government regarding this situation, but not much has changed.
In an unexpected move, The NLC on Monday, May 13 2024, shut the gates of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in Ilorin, Kwara State seeking the reversal of the electricity tariff earlier imposed. The Union members were at the IBEDC offices in Challenge and Baboko market areas in Ilorin as early as 7 a.m. to lock the gates and prevent anyone from going in. The same happened at the Discos in Lokoja, Abuja, Ikeja, Benin, Jos, Kaduna and other locations across the country.
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The Chairman of NLC in Kwara state, Comrade Muritala Olayinka said that the union was carrying out the instruction of the National Secretariat and that the offices would remain locked until the order to reopen them came from Abuja.
NLC members at a DisCo office
Earlier, the labour unions had given the NERC a May 12 deadline to withdraw the recent hike in electricity tariff or face the consequences, and their actions have shown how much they’re standing on business.
Following their protest on May 13, 2024, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero said that their actions became necessary because Nigerians were wallowing in power poverty, especially after the tariff hike when the government promised extended hours of power supply.
He also went on to say that the government had ignored their letters and complaints, and that people were paying high amounts for electricity but not getting power supply, and that it was an unbecoming situation.
Pending when the federal government responds to their complaints and strike actions, it is unclear when or if the picketing actions against electricity distribution companies will continue.
As the arm of government that handles the prosecution and interpretation of all laws in the country, there are several tiers of the Nigerian Judiciary System the average citizen may not be familiar with. There are two categories of courts recognised in the Nigerian Constitution: federal and state courts. The National Judicial Council recommends justices or judges for the courts, the President appoints the Chief Justice for the federal courts, and the state governor does the same at state courts.
Three courts exist under the federal: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Courts. Under the state courts, there is the High Court of the State, the Customary Court of Appeal and the Sharia Court of Appeal. Northern Muslim states usually have Sharia Courts rather than Customary Courts.
The hierarchy of courts in Nigeria refers to how they are organised by level, jurisdiction and region with the federal courts wielding more authority.
Tier 1 Courts: The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest and most powerful court in the land and all decisions here are final. The apex court is provided for under section 230 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). It comprises of Chief Justices and other justices who must not exceed 21. They are appointed by the president and must be qualified practitioners with at least 15 years of service. The Supreme Courts have the jurisdiction to reassess the decisions of the Court of Appeal. They also have the jurisdiction to determine State vs. State and Federal vs. State cases.
Tier 2: The Court of Appeal
The second highest court in Nigeria is the Court of Appeal. It is located in Abuja alongside 20 other locations to make it more accessible to the masses. The Federal Court of Appeal is provided for under Section 249 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended).
The president of the Court of Appeal is the head of the 49 justices that operate the Federal courts. The Court of Appeal hears and judges cases from other courts in the hierarchy. It has the jurisdiction to determine all election-related cases of the executive branch of government. The Court of Appeal is the centre of all legal systems in the country and is constitutionally required for three justices well knowledgeable in the customary and Islamic personal law to be included.
Tier 3 courts
The Tier 3 Courts are the Federal High Court, the High Court of a State/FCT, the Customary Court of Appeal of a State/FCT and the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State/FCT. All judgments reached at any of these courts can be appealed to the Tier 2 courts (Federal Court of Appeal).
The Federal High Court
The Federal High Court is based in Abuja but has other branches across the 36 states of the Country. The court is provided for under Section 249 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended). It has jurisdiction over civil matters and other cases as set out under Section 251 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended). The court also has appellate jurisdiction to determine cases from tribunals.
The High Court of a State/FCT
The highest English legal court in a state, the court is provided for under Section 255 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended) and has a large jurisdiction under the Constitution in Civil and Criminal Matters. The court is presided over by a chief judge and other judges and has appellate jurisdiction on cases from the Customary and Magistrate Courts. It shares a lot of powers with the Federal High Court.
The Customary Court of Appeal of a State
This is the highest customary law court in a state. The courts are established under Section 280 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended). The President of the State/FCT Customary Appeal Court is the head of the court, assisted by other judges to review decisions of Customary Courts in the state.
The Sharia Court of Appeal for a State/FCT
This is the highest Sharia court in the States. It is established under section 277 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended). The head is called the Grand Khadi, assisted by other Kadis to review decisions of Sharia courts in the state.
Tier 4 Courts: The State Courts
State courts are the lowest courts in the hierarchy of courts in the judiciary. They include Magistrate Courts that handle all English legal cases, Customary Courts that handle all customary legal cases and Sharia courts that handle Islamic cases enacted in northern states. The courts are established under state law and are the only courts not established under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended). All judgments under these courts can only be reviewed by their Tier 3 counterparts.
Tier 5 courts (others)
Election Tribunals
There are two types of Election Tribunals: The National Assembly Election Tribunals which handle petitions on disputed results of Senate and House of Representative elections; and the Governorship and Legislative Electoral Tribunals which handle disputed gubernatorial and state legislative electoral decisions. The Tribunals are set up by the President of the Federal Court of Appeal under the advisement of other chief judges and presidents of courts of appeals.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal
This is established by the Chapter C1 Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, No. 1 of 1989 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The Tribunal hears the petitions of citizens on corrupt public servants for breaches made under its provisions. The president of the country selects the chairman of the tribunal under the advice of the National Judicial Council. The judgment of the Tribunal can be reviewed by the tier 2 courts (Federal Courts of Appeal).
National Industrial Court (NIC)
This court is provided for under Section 254A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has exclusive jurisdiction over all industrial disputes including Workers’ Compensation Law, Trade Union and Labour Laws as well as Factory Law.
While power needs to exist in sections like this, they all follow the same manual, so justice gets served equally.
On Sunday, May 12, 2024, the streets of social media were enraged, and this time, rightly so. A man in the Auchi area of Edo state named Musa Suleman was called out and reported for taking and posting inappropriate photos of his four-year-old daughter.
What happened?
Sometime last in the first week of May 2024, ahead of his daughter’s fourth birthday, Musa Suleman posted her topless and in a g-string, posing with strong adult drinks in the background. This post quickly went viral across Instagram and X. It was soon discovered that he has actively posted similar images and videos of his three-year-old — half-naked, in provocative postures or dance moves while he eggs her on — on accounts he created in her name.
In a post he uploaded on December 30, 2023, his daughter poses provocatively with two yet-to-be-identified grown men. The viral visuals generated concern from Nigerians, who raised alarm, mass reported his accounts and contacted the necessary law enforcement for Suleman’s arrest for child abuse, pornography and exploitation.
On May 12, 2024, Musa Suleman took to his daughter’s Instagram account to plead with Nigerians to stop pulling the account down as that was his only means of income. He also stated that a Malaysian influencer and adult movie actress, Siew Pui Yi, known as Ms Puiyi, was his daughter’s mentor — as he specified in every post on her page.
Public reaction
Before his arrest, members of the public had continually reported his daughter’s Instagram till it got banned. Many people have joined in lashing Mr Suleman on his page, requesting that Instagram take it down.
Following his arrest, the public has expressed gratitude to the Police over the swift arrest of Musa Suleman but continue to urge for the other unidentified individuals associated with this case be found and arrested as well.
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Response from the police
The Nigerian Police released a press statement following Musa’s arrest on May 12, 2024:
“The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving a 4-year-old child with the Instagram handle @officialsarah_ig, circulating on social media. The content portrays the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult content. The Force expresses profound shock and grave concern over the apparent exploitation of this vulnerable child and unequivocally condemns such actions in the strongest terms possible.
Prima facie investigations indicate the involvement of the child’s father, who has been apprehended by the Police at the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters, Edo State Police Command. Every necessary measure is being implemented to ensure that justice is swiftly served. As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative to establish proactive measures to guide and counsel parents, preventing the proliferation of such anomalies in our society.
In light of the above, the Force emphasizes the importance of implementing support systems for parents and guardians to protect the safety and well-being of their children. It is crucial for caregivers to also prioritize the security of minors and seek assistance or guidance when required. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding children and upholding the law.”
What happens to Sarah now?
The Ministry of Health has taken custody of Sarah. Her Mother who remains unidentified, is also alleged to be in Abuja and to not be her primary caregiver. As investigations continue, we hope more comes to light regarding this case.
This story opens with the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ Nigeria), a media organisation that pursues investigative stories such as corrupt activities at Nigeria’s borders, decadence within the police force and negligence of citizen rights.
However, the job often comes with lawsuits and unlawful detentions. The most recent is the recent arrest of FIJ journalist, Daniel Ojukwu.
What’s the backstory?
Daniel Ojukwu, an investigative journalist for FIJ, went missing on May 1, 2024, with his phone switched off. On May 3, FIJ Nigeria discovered him in police custody on May 3, detained over a report he published in November 2023.
Despite meeting bail conditions, the Nigerian Police allegedly refused to release Ojukwu due to an “order from above”. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Nigerian authorities to release Ojukwu and end press intimidation in the country.
He was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on allegations of violating the Cybercrimes Act. On May 5, Ojukwu was transferred to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja from Panti in Lagos.
Why was he really arrested?
Daniel Ojukwu was arrested over a report in which he alleged that Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to Ex-President Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, diverted ₦147 million (US$106,154) of government money into a restaurant’s bank account. A complaint was filed on behalf of the Ex-President’s SSA by an NGO affiliated with the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party.
Ojukwu’s detention by the Nigerian Police is not the first of its kind. On February 7, police charged reporters, Azeez, Ayatullahi, Taofeek and Damilola, with conspiracy under section 27(1)(b), and cyberstalking under section 24(1)(b), of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, and defamation under section 393 of the penal code. The most recent case is First News Editor, Segun Olatunji, who recently resigned from his role after his release from police custody on March 28, 2024. His firm claimed that his reports were falsified after his arrest but Segun Olatunji maintains his stand and says that his reports are true.
As Democracy Day draws closer, concerns continue to rise about press freedom in Nigeria.
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What was the Nigerian Police’s response?
Following the protests at Abuja on Thursday, May 9, 2024, by action groups affiliated with press freedom and human rights protection in Nigeria, the FCT Police Commissioner, Ben Igweh, assured that the detained Daniel Ojukwu will soon be released from detention.
This promise was kept on May 10, 2024, when Ojukwu was released.
Daniel Ojukwu and Bukky Shonibare after his release on Friday, May 10, 2024.
The CP also warned journalists to be careful of what they write and say as they would be arrested and prosecuted like normal citizens if found guilty. Although Daniel Ojukwu is now free, many questions linger. Every journalist behind a keyboard may be writing with a new fear.
A few weeks back it was Segun Olatunji, today it’s Daniel Ojukwu. Who’s next?
Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria are all established to enforce the law without bias, but each agency has a different focus.
From the famous EFCC to the lesser-known NIA, we’ll break down each law enforcement agency in Nigeria to help you identify them, their history and job descriptions.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
The Nigerian Police Force is the largest organisation on this list and principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It was established in 1930 and is currently headed by Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun.
The NPF is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and executing the activities of all other law enforcement agencies in the country. They operate under their functions in Section 214 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) Nigeria Police Act 2020.
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The NDLEA is the country’s foremost agency in its fight against illicit drugs and intoxicants. It performs covert and major operations tackling the cultivation, trafficking and distribution of illegal and dangerous drugs in the country.
The NDLEA was established in 1989 by decree number 48 of 1989 Act of Parliament. The current chairman of the NDLEA is Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The EFCC is the financial safeguard of the country. They focus on financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud, embezzlement and other financial corruption-related cases.
Their mandate is to combat these crimes and recover stolen funds from guilty defendants. The commission was established in 2003 under the EFCC Establishment Act 2004. The current chairman of the EFCC is Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
The NIS handles border security and the integrity of the country. They are in charge of issuing visas, passports and any other document required to make legal entry into the country.
The NIS was established on August 1, 1963, by the Act of Parliament, CAP 171, Laws of the Federation Nigeria. It is currently headed by Comptroller General Kemi Nanna Nandap.
Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)
The NCS is another agency that ensures the security and integrity of Nigerian borders. Their focus is primarily on imported goods. They ensure the veracity of such goods, issuing documentation and clearance for all imports into the country.
They’re also tasked with rooting out smugglers and traffickers who circumvent legitimate means of importation to bring in illicit goods like drugs, stolen merchandise, cars, etc. The NCS was established in 1891 and operates under the Customs and Excise Management Act. It is currently headed by Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
The NIA is the country’s foremost intelligence agency. They operate in secret, focused on finding and distributing intelligence to other agencies.
They gather intelligence on sensitive issues such as terrorism, kidnapping, child and drug trafficking, cybercrime and gun trafficking. It was established on June 5th, 1986, under the National Security Agencies Act of 1986 (Decree 19). The NIA is currently headed by Director General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Department of State Services (DSS)
This agency was formed on June 5th, 1986, under the National Security Agencies Act of 1986 (Decree 19). The agency is currently headed by Director General Yusuf Magaji Bichi. Like its sister agency, the NIA, it is tasked with providing intelligence to the government and other agencies.
The DSS is focused on counter-terrorism and investigating national security threats; they also handle the security of core officials of the government.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
The NSCDC is a paramilitary institution that handles everything from providing security to public infrastructure to protecting the country’s pipelines from vandalism.
They’re in charge of registering and regulating private security enterprises in the country. It was founded on June 28th, 2003, under the 2003 NSCDC Act. The current head is the Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
The FRSC is the principal road administration agency and traffic law enforcement agency in the country.
They were established in 1988, under the Federal Road Safety Commission Act and are responsible for all road administration matters such as issuance of driver’s licenses and roadworthiness documents, traffic management and regulation, and ensuring the safety of all vehicle users on the highways.
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Established on September 29, 2000, the ICPC is responsible for investigating reports of corruption-related cases of any public body or system.
They receive, investigate and prosecute cases of corruption as dictated by their constitutional mandate under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000. The current chairman of the agency is Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye.
From traffic law enforcement to drug control, corrupt financial practices and maintenance of law and order, every agency on this list is committed to enforcing the law and promoting order.
To learn more about other national agencies in Nigeria, click here.
On May 6, 2024, CBN released a circular, introducing a new electronic transaction charge: the “Cybersecurity Levy”. The circular mandates Nigerian banks to charge a 0.5% fee on electronic transactions from mobile banking applications. The CBN says this new charge will take effect from May 20, 2024.
Why is this happening?
The groundwork was laid down in June 2018 and October 2018 CBN circulars on the compliance with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015. At the time, the levy was pegged at 0.005% of every electronic transaction However, this wasn’t enforced in 2018 or the years that followed.
Fast forward to 2024, the same act was amended as the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2024, and the cybersecurity levy was increased to 0.5%. This time, the CBN is asking Commercial banks, fintechs, payment service providers, and other financial institutions to follow this rule. But there are a few exceptions including:
Transfers within the same bank.
Salary payments
Loan repayments, and
Tuition payments
What does this mean?
When this goes into effect in two weeks, Nigerians will pay ₦5 on every ₦1,000 they transfer out of their account via electronic channels.
An electronic transfer of ₦1,000,000 will attract a ₦5,000 levy, and so on.
An important context to note is that the “Cybersecurity levy” will be in addition to existing charges Nigerians already pay for transactions. Perhaps, this is a good time to look at some of them. They include:
Transfer fee
Here, ₦10 is charged on transactions below ₦5,000.
Transactions between ₦5,001 and ₦50,000 attract a ₦25 charge and transactions above ₦50,000 attract a ₦50 naira charge.
Stamp duties
₦50 naira is charged on every transaction between ₦10,000 and ₦100, 000
Short Messaging Service
Customers who receive “alerts” from their bank pay ₦4 for every text they receive.
There is also the deposit charge
In September 2019, the CBN directed Nigerian banks to charge a 2% processing fee for bank deposits above ₦300,000 for individual accounts and a 3% processing fee for deposits above ₦5,000, 000 for corporate accounts. The CBN argued that this was an effort to promote cashless transactions. However, the Central bank suspended these charges in December 2023.
A few months later, the CBN directed banks and other financial institutions to resume processing these charges from May 1st, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 elections and was sworn-in on May 29, 2023. As is customary, he recruited a new set of ministers to work with. The president appointed 45 new ministers with a slight increase in his female selection. They were sworn in on August 21, 2023.
The full list of ministers and their portfolios includes:
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
Name: Dr Bosun Tijani
Age: 46
State of origin: Ogun
Geopolitical Region: South West
Another name for this man could be Minister of Tech. His job is to influence job creation, economic growth, and good governance through technology and innovation. It’s a new portfolio, but long overdue.
Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management
Name: Dr Ishak Kunle Salako
Age: 64
State of origin: Ogun
Geopolitical Region: South West
The Minister of State for Environment, Environment and Ecological Management in Nigeria leads environmental sustainability efforts, implementing research-based reforms and ensuring a greener environment.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
Name: Wale Edun
Age: 61
State of origin: Ogun
Geopolitical Region: South West
Ever heard of the national budget, AKA national cake, that everyone wants to get a piece of? This man is in charge of it. Everything about how money works in Nigeria is this man’s cup of tea.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
Name: Adegboyega Oyetola
Age: 69
State of origin: Osun State
Geopolitical Region: South West
This Osun state ex-governor helps Nigeria make money from the water through practices such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, shipping, and maritime transportation.
Minister of Power
Name: Adebayo Adelabu
Age: 53
State of origin: Oyo State
Geopolitical Region: South West
For everything concerning the national grid and electricity, hold this man accountable. He is literally NEPA.
Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare
Name: Tunji Alausa
Age: 53
State of origin: Lagos
Geopolitical Region: South West
Remember that we had prefects and assistants in school? The same applies here. The Minister of State assists the Minister of Health and welfare in providing healthcare facilities, disease prevention and improving the Nigerian health system.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
Name: Dele Alake
Age: 67
State of origin: Ekiti state
Geopolitical Region: South West
We’re always ranting about mismanagement of Nigeria’s natural resources. This minister’s job is to ensure our solid minerals are profitable and sustainable.
Minister of Tourism
Name: Lola Ade-John
Age: 60
State of origin: Lagos
Geopolitical Region: South West
For laws, funds and licences regarding tourism, hotels and affiliated centres, this is the go-to minister. She also heads the Council for Arts and Culture.
Minister of Transportation
Name: Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali
Age: 55
State of origin: Gombe
Geopolitical Region: North East
A lot of Nigerians will probably want to have a word or two with the minister who is in charge of road safety, efficiency and fair transport rates. The Minister directs and manages the transportation sector to ensure a safe, and integrated transport system.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
Name: Doris Uzoka-Anite
Age: 50
State of origin: Imo State
Geopolitical Region: South East
This minister can be called the national iyaloja which means captain of the market. She’s in charge of how Nigeria runs businesses either with other countries or between citizens.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Name: Uche Geoffrey Nnaji
Age: Unknown
State of origin: Enugu
Geopolitical Region: South East
Need a minister to handle the sciences and represent the government’s interest in terms of research? That’s what this one is for.
Minister of State, Labour and Employment
Name: Nkiruka Onyejeocha
Age: 54
State of origin: Abia state
Geopolitical Region: South East
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment deals with issues such as poor working conditions, child labour, labour migration, registration of trade unions, and overall labour protection services. The National Labour prefect never felt so right.
Minister of Women Affairs
Name: Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Age: 50
State of origin: Anambra
Geopolitical Region: South East
For all things female in Nigeria, this woman takes the lead. Either it is business, empowerment, education, arts, households or even disputes. She’s the national headgirl.
Minister of Works
Name: David Umahi
Age: 60
State of origin: Ebonyi
Geopolitical Region: South East
Bridges, roads, houses, hospitals, barracks etc —- everything can be traced back to this man. Talk about being a life-size bob-the-builder.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
Name: Festus Keyamo
Age: 54
State of origin: Delta State
Geopolitical region: South South
Who needs the Avatar Aang when we have our own airlord? The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development monitors and directs Nigeria’s air travel and aviation services.
Minister of Youth
Name: Dr Jamila Ibrahim
Age: 37
State of origin- Kwara state
Geopolitical Region: North Central
Her job is to promote socio-economic development for the Nigerian youth. Basically, she’s like the class rep but for young people in Nigeria.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
Name: Betta Edu
Age- 37
State of origin- Cross River
Geopolitical region- South South
Although currently suspended for embezzlement of funds, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria is usually responsible for developing humanitarian policies and showing the government how best to help its citizens.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Name: Yusuf Tuggar
Age- 57
State of origin: Bauchi
Geopolitical Region: North East
The Job of “oga foreign” is to direct foreign policies that reflect the domestic, political, economic, technological, social, and cultural aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Minister of State, Gas Resources
Name: Ekperikpe Ekpo
Age: 55
State of origin: Akwa Ibom
Geopolitical region: South South
Nothing new here, just the assistant minister of gas resources. His job is to help Nigeria tap into its natural gas assets.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources
Name: Heineken Lokpobiri
Age: 57
State of origin: Bayelsa State
Geopolitical region: South South
In one word, The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources works with the Minister of Petroleum to drive policies that enhance the sector and economy.
Minister of Sports Development
Name: John Enoh
Age: 57
State of origin: Cross River State
Geopolitical Region: South East
If jerseys and teams are involved, this man attends to the matter on a national level. The job of the Minister of Sports Development in Nigeria involves overseeing youth and sports development policies, programs, and activities.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory
Name: Nyesom Wike
Age: 56
State of origin: Rivers State
Geopolitical region: South South
The Minister plays a crucial role in institutions, headquarters, and political entities in the FCT, which houses major political figures and government institutions.
Just like the science folks got their minister, there’s one for art too. The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy in Nigeria is tasked with the development of the creative sector in the country. This includes initiatives to support artists, preserve cultural heritage, and drive economic growth through creative industries.
Minister of Defence
Name: Mohammed Badaru
Age: 61
State of origin: Jigawa State
Geopolitical region: North-West
This man is the don in charge of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ensuring they are modern, competent, and well-equipped to fulfil their duties effectively. He keeps them trained and ready on all fronts.
Minister of State, Defence
Name: Bello Matawalle
Age: 55 years
State of Origin: Zamfara State
Geopolitical Region- North West
This is the assistant defence minister. He’s in charge of the National Defence Policy, and helps the balance for internal and external security needs.
Minister of State Education
Name: Tanko Sununu
Age: 72
State of origin: Kebbi State
Geopolitical Region: North West
The Minister of State for Education’s responsibilities include creating and managing educational policies, resolving federal and local state matters, and executing duties related to the Federal Ministry of Education,
Minister of Housing and Urban Development
Name: Ahmed M. Dangiwa
Age: 61
State of Origin:
Geopolitical Region: North
The is the federal real estate agent, if you may. His job is to provide affordable housing, foster livable communities, and ensure access to decent and quality housing for all Nigerians. He’s also the man who decides what lands can be commercial or public, and what houses have been wrongly built or not.
Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development
Name: Abdullahi T. Gwarzo
Age: 63
State of Origin: Kano state
Geopolitical Region: North West
Beyond housing, this minister seeks to foster public-private partnerships, creating an enabling environment for private-sector investments, and advocating for sustainable urban development. He’s also in conjunction with the minister of housing.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning
Name: Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
Age: 62
State of origin: Kebbi
Geopolitical Region: North West
This is your guy for economic plans, policies, budgeting, advice on development, and nation building. He works closely with the minister of finance and is often in charge of planning how national expenditure happens.
Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory
Name: Mairiga Mahmud
Age: 48
State of origin: Kano
Geopolitical Region: North West
The Minister of State supports the main Minister in executing various responsibilities related to governance, infrastructure development, and service delivery within the FCT.
Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation
Name: Bello M. Goronyo
Age: 58
State of origin: Sokoto
Geopolitical zone: North West
This Minister assists in the administration of activities within the ministry, allowing the senior minister to focus on delivering water and sanitation services nationwide.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Name: Abubakar Kyari
Age: 61
State of origin: Borno
Geopolitical Region: Northeast
He’s the reason why the agricultural sector is still alive. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Nigeria is responsible for ensuring food security, rural income growth, job creation, and rural development.
Minister of Education
Name: Tahir Mamman
Age: 69
State of origin: Adamawa
Geopolitical Region: North East
The Minister of Education is the biggest driver of the education agenda through budgeting, policies, inspection and standard-setting. He defines the educational trends and models for institutions across the country.
Minister of Interior
Name: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Age: 42
State of origin: Ondo
Geopolitical Region: South West
This minister is everywhere in internal affairs. He covers various duties such as granting Nigerian citizenship, providing consular and immigration services, issuing business permits and expatriate quotas, managing federal marriage registries, coordinating national celebrations, managing national emergencies, recruiting personnel for security services, and handling retirement benefits for paramilitary retirees.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
Name: Prof Muhammad Ali Pate (CON)
Age: 55
State of origin: Bauchi
Geopolitical Region: North East
The task of providing quality healthcare for all Nigerians, achieving health goals, and enhancing health security measures falls on this minister. He is the go-to for national health partnerships with international bodies and whatnot.
Minister of Police Affairs
Name: Ibrahim Geidam
Age: 67
State of origin: Yobe
Geopolitical Region: North East
The Minister of Police Affairs oversees the affairs of the Nigerian Police Force, ensuring the effective administration and management of the country’s law enforcement agency.
Minister of State, Steel Development
Name: Uba Maigari Ahmadu
Age: 57
State of origin: Taraba
Geopolitical Region: North East
The Minister of State works with the main minister of steel development to collaborate with stakeholders, industry players, and government agencies to promote the importance of steel in driving economic activities, supporting construction projects, and fostering technological advancements in Nigeria. Basically, he’s Iron Man but from Taraba.
Minister of Steel Development
Name: Shuaibu A. Audu
Age: 43
State of origin: Kogi
Geopolitical Region: North Central
The minister’s job is to lead efforts to revive key steel projects like the Ajaokuta Steel Company, formulate policies, implement strategic initiatives, and partner with stakeholders to ensure the success of steel development projects.
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Name: Muhammed Idris
Age: 57
State of origin: Niger
Geopolitical Region: North Central
Ever seen a public relations officer at work? This is the National P.R.O. He controls the information distribution process and serves as the key spokesperson for the Nigerian federal government.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Name: Lateef Fagbemi
Age: 64
State of origin: Kwara
Geopolitical Region: North Central
This is the chief law officer of the Federal Government. He represents the government in legal matters, provides legal advice to government agencies, oversees public prosecutions, and ensures the rule of law is upheld.
Minister of Labour and Employment
Name: Simon Bako Lalong
Age: 60
State of origin: Plateau
Geopolitical Region: North Central
The relationship between workers and employers can be complicated, but this man lords over such disputes and ensures that labour relations remain cordial. He also manages labour policies in both the public and private sectors.
Minister of State, Police Affairs
Name: Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Age: 43
State of origin: Plateau
Geopolitical Region: North Central
This Minister works on implementing police reform efforts, enhancing community engagement, transparency, and professionalism within the police force. He works with the minister of police affairs to ensure that the armed forces and security are managed properly.
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs
Name: Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo
Age: 54
State of origin: FCT
Geopolitical Region: North Central
If anything is tagged as unconventional or special, this minister handles it. Programs that cover federal, state, and local governments, and extend to relations with the organized private sector are included. He also handles National Youth Service Corps matters.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Name: Prof Joseph Utsev
Age: 43
State of origin: Benue
Geopolitical Region: North Central
His job is to oversee the development, management, and regulation of water resources, ensuring the provision of clean water supply and sanitation facilities.
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security
Name: Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Age: 57
State of origin: Niger
Geopolitical Region: North Central
This minister fills in to help the minister of agriculture improve food security and promote agricultural development. He contributes to their shared goal through local production, reducing import bills, and ensuring sustainable practices.
Fuel is now more valuable than gold. Everybody wants it, but only a select few can afford or even access it.
While we wait on fuel queues for the federal government and petroleum marketers to clear up this problem, I’ve devised easy ways for you to get fuel in this season. Walk with me.
Get pregnant
I don’t mean actual pregnancy. Just fold ten wrappers, roll them and arrange them under one big maternity gown. Now add the tired sighs, a squeezed face and the pregnancy waddle for a little razzle-dazzle. And voila! You’re nine months pregnant. When people see you at the petrol station, they’ll push you to the front fast and you’ll be out in no time.
Try body odour
Once people perceive the strong stench from you, they’ll make way. Either they move or faint — it’s a win-win situation.
Forget class. Become a tout
This might backfire because this scarcity has increased the “ment” level of the average Nigerian. But if your ment is crazier, you will overcome. Find one torn tee and stained ripped jeans, then pick up the nastiest attitude you have. Insult anybody, push them around too and look at them like they can’t do shit because you’re the liquid metal. You might get beaten, but it’s worth a try.
Flirt with the fuel attendant
Lick your lips the right way and wink like Funke Akindele in Jenifa.You’ll either get the attendant’s attention or seduce someone into giving you fuel. That’s if they have time to look at your face sha.
Step in as an odogwu
If everyone buys fuel at ₦1000 per litre, offer ₦3000. Let them know who’s boss. No need for cho cho cho, show workings straight away. Wear your Christmas clothes and put on the pride of Odumeje.
Borrow military uniforms
My job isn’t to tell you where to borrow it from. Just find one, wear it and walk straight to the front of the queue. People will probably murmur, but that’s not your business. If real soldiers catch you sha, I didn’t give you this advice.
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Date a fuel attendant
This is the best time to have a boyfriend or girlfriend who works in oil and gas, A.K.A fueling station. You won’t even bother about paying, talk less of queuing. You’ll get home delivery like the king/queen you are.
Ask for help from the animal kingdom
Animals in Nigeria are notorious for taking things they’re not meant to. Examples are the snake that swallowed ₦36 million and the monkey that took government funds. Enter the forest and beg one of them to help you retrieve as many litres as you need to survive.
Don’t waste this advice. If you think none of these work for you, at least share it to save someone’s life.
The Nigerian police force (NPF) has become an integral part of every Nigerian’s life. You see them everyday — in the heat of car traffic, in their patrol cars and at checkpoints. While these uniformed officers represent the law and coordinate arrests of defaulters, not much is known about their administrative structure.
The NPF consists of departments that work together to discharge their duties. This structure is according to sections 214(2)(a) and 215(2) of the constitution which defines how police force authority is layered in ranks and the extent of their power. In these provisions, the NPF has been divided into three different structures:
Command Authority Structure
Administration Structure
Organisation structure
While these three structures are all interconnected, this article primarily focuses on the “Administrative Structure” of the NPF and their duties.
The NPF’s Administrative Structure is made up of 7 Departments (A – G). Each department has a core focus to maintain, and while it might be different, they are all charged with the central duty of upholding Justice and keeping the country safe from all threats.
A Department (Administration)
Here we have the top officials of the rank and file saddled with the core responsibility of supervision and coordination of the police in the discharge of their duties. Officers in this department handle everything from formulating policies, reforms, and procedures to carrying out disciplinary actions against juniors and senior officers in the force. This department also handles convening senior officer’s conferences and preparing annual reports and budgets.
B Department (Operations)
We have the officers in charge of directly handling the security and safety of the lives and properties of the citizens throughout the country. They plan and organise security measures for the larger communities to prevent crime, oversee inter-agency operations, and handle all policy formation on traffic control, terrorism, insurrection, natural disasters, and many other issues that affect the general population.
C Department (Logistics and Supply)
These officers handle the procurement and distribution of clothing and accoutrements such as vehicles, buildings, arms and ammunition, spare parts, and printing equipment. They maintain and distribute all necessary equipment related to the NPF.
D Department (Investigation and Intelligence)
These officers handle all criminal investigations, liaison with Interpol, Forensic investigations, prosecution, and maintenance of all records on policing and enforcing the laws.
E department (Training and Command)
This department is in charge of recruiting and training fresh cadets and other officers in the NPF. They maintain and supervise all police colleges and create policies to standardise the development of staff and equipment of the NPF in line with international standards.
F Department (Research)
This department is charged with researching and developing new and existing policies to ensure the standards of the NPF are up to date. They also handle information and ethics management.
G Department (ICT)
This department handles all the computer-related affairs of the NPF. They see to matters of cyber security and maintain all the sensitive registries and systems of the NPF such as the Biometric Central Motor Registry (BCMR), Automatic Fingerprint Identification System, and Tracking and Intercepting Device Unit.
These are all different systems and registries that are employed across departments within the NPF. They are experts in the ICT field and are essential to the discharge of the NPF Mandate.
These departments are the machines that make the police department work and show that beyond the roadside patrols and highway checks, the Nigerian police force does much more.
Call it what you want — cyberstalking, cyberbullying or trolling — it doesn’t change what it really is. Since social media became a global means of communication, it has become common to troll or bully anyone just for fun.
There’s a chance anyone can call it freedom of speech and harmless trolling, the Nigerian law sees it as cyber-stalking and can put you in trouble.
Although the main victims have been content creators, influencers and public figures, cyber-stalking happens to people around the world every day in several shapes and forms.
Now, if you’re asking yourself, “What is considered cyberbullying in Nigeria, and how can it put me in trouble?” Here are your answers.
What Does The Nigerian Law Say About Cyberstalking?
Let’s forget our lawmakers’ previous efforts to ban social media or regulate its usage, Nigeria has laws that can incriminate some of your actions on social media.
The act also states that any person(s) who sends messages with the intent to; harass, blackmail, bully or threaten another individual in such a way that causes fear of death, violence and anxiety may be convicted of a jail sentence between five to ten years, a fine between ₦15,000,000 and ₦25,000,000 or both imprisonment and fines.
What Does This Mean In Layman’s Terms?
It turns out that even if you don’t mean it, anything you say or do on social media can be used against you in a court of law — literally.
If your comments were deemed defamatory, insulting, misleading or violent by their recipient, you might have to speak to their lawyers next.
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Have These Laws Ever Been Applied?
Yes. Many artists and public figures have taken this legal “no gree for anybody” anthem seriously this year and in the past.
Although not all these cases make it to court or jail like that of Iyabo Ojo and Lizzy Anjorin, it would be best to avoid it happening in the first place. Who knows? It could be your turn and your village people decide to sprinkle trouble in it for you.
On April 21, 2024, Abuja residents raised an outcry against a Chinese supermarket located within the China General Chamber of Commerce along Airport Road in Abuja.
According to the eyewitnesses, the store refused to sell to Nigerians stating that only Chinese nationals could shop there. This claim was subsequently confirmed by a group of residents who went to the Asian supermarket and were also denied access by a security guard, who emphasized that he’d been given a “Chinese-only” directive.
What happened after this discovery?
Following this revelation, Nigerians took to social media to express their displeasure, calling the attention of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to the situation.
On April 22, 2024, the commission sealed the supermarket after interrogating Nigerian workers in the establishment. The FCCPC, led by the Director for Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, stated that to ensure consumer protection, the store would remain closed until the owner appeared before the commission tribunal for a lawful inquiry.
What is the Chinese supermarket’s response?
The mart owner – Mrs Cindy Lui Bei – who had been caught on CCTV coverage fleeing the supermarket with her family around 8:26 am on Monday, April 22, released a statement on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, denying the allegations. She claimed that her store was a retail shop which was scheduled to downsize and eventually close up, further reiterating that the shop was in no way being discriminatory. Mrs Cindy Bei further stated that the situation was a miscommunication from the security guard as she had attended to two Nigerian customers the same day the mart was sealed. She also stated that she managed several Nigerian staff and was cordial with them.
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To catch up on discrimination cases in Nigeria, click here.
On Monday, April 23, X user @mooyeeeee, shared a video that showed a group of students at Lead British International School, Abuja, bullying another female student.
The video has since spurred thousands of reactions online and many people have called the school management to look into the matter.
Hours after the post went viral, Namtira’s cousin, who, like other users, had watched the video in horror, announced that the school had been shut down for three days for investigation and that the culprits would be expelled.
Dowen College: Sylvester Oromoni
In December 2021, a video of a 12-year-old boy writhing in pain surfaced on the internet and sparked outrage. The boy, identified as Sylvester Oromoni, was a pupil of Dowen College, a boarding secondary school in Lagos. A few days after the footage went viral, Oromoni died.
His father claimed he’d sustained internal injuries after he was beaten by fellow students who bullied and tried to get him to join a cult. The school management, however, claimed he was never a victim of bullying and was injured during a football match. What followed was a legal back and forth between the school management and parents who insisted that their son opened up to them about being bullied before he died.
In April 2024, a Lagos coroner, Mikhail Kadiri, ruled that Oromoni suffered “avoidable excruciating pain” due to parental and medical negligence. He also exonerated the school of negligence and the students accused of bullying the deceased.
“The alleged suspects played no part in Sylvester’s death, but were victims of their past misdeeds.”
Deeper Life High School: Don Davis
In December 2020, 11-year-old Don Davis gained the public’s attention and sympathy after a video his mum made about his poor state made it to the internet.
In the video Davis’ mum, Mrs Deborah Okezie, lamented about her son’s health and the mistreatment he suffered from senior students in his school, Deeper Life High School, Uyo.
“They will remove his boxer and push their legs and hands into his anus,” she said. “Look at a child I sent to school. He came back with a broken anus,” she said in the viral clip.
Shortly after the case became public, the Deeper Life Bible Church, owners of the school responded to Mrs Okezie’s claims and issued a statement noting investigations into the matter. However, the school later changed their story and claimed that Davis came to the school ill, and Mrs Okezie, was in fact not his mother.
Subsequently, Mrs Okezie instituted a legal case against the school management including the two senior students who allegedly abused her son. However, in May 2022, all parties settled out of court.
Premiere Academy: Keren-Happuch Akpagher
In June 2021, 14-year-old Karen Happuch Akpagher’s, a boarding student at Premiere Academy in Abuja, died from complications after she was sexually molested.
Remnants of a condom were found in her privates, resulting in sepsis. According to Karen’s mum, she withdrew her daughter from school after a frantic call in which she complained about her health and asked to come. Mrs Akpagher said Karen didn’t feel like her normal self and she took her to the hospital two days after she returned from school. At the hospital, the doctors discovered the condom and sperm remnants that caused sepsis in the 14-year-old. Mrs Akphagher said she never got a chance to ask her daughter about the person who abused her.
In March 2022, Mrs Akpagher instituted a ₦10billion suit against the school management over negligence and failure of duty of care to her daughter. The latest update on the case was the court’s admittance of vital evidence against the school management in July 2023.
Six months later, there is still no news of any suspects being arrested. Albeit protests have continued under the Justice for Karen hashtag.
Chrisland School: Purity Okojie
In October 2021, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie cried out and claimed her 8-year-old daughter, Purity, was being bullied by a teacher in school.
“She tells her to her face that she does not like her mother; tells her that celebrity kids are badly behaved, and she should not bring her ‘aura’, she should stop feeling proud, she should not bring her online drama to school,” the actress wrote on Instagram.
In response to Okojie’s call-out, the school management issued a statement noting an investigation into the alleged case of bullying. The actress, however, did not share further updates on the matter.
With the prevalence of these stories, there’s an urgent need for the government, school administrators, policymakers and relevant bodies to create safe and inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive without fear of harassment or discrimination.
We’re not sure who the national grid is in love with, but it has fallen again. Now that you have to go about your daily activities without relying on electricity, we thought we might show you a few options to consider…
God didn’t give you the sun during the day and the moon at night for no reason. Remember when your parents said they read with the glow of moonlight in their younger days? It’s time to test that theory. Don’t wait for Nepa when the moon is out there wasting.
Read with fireflies
You call them “tanatana”, I call them the future of illumination. Let’s do something: when you’re free, catch a thousand fireflies and hang them up on your ceiling and voila! Now, you have free light 24/7. If that isn’t peak creativity, I don’t know what is.
Try Ironing with Solar Energy
Everything happens for a reason, including the crazy heat in Nigeria. Don’t let the sun shine in vain. Instead of waiting for NEPA, get a stove iron, your laundry and ironing just got easier. This solution is more economical than industrial irons that add millions to your electricity bill. Additionally, your clothes will come out smooth without any burns.
You might not be Thor Odinson, but hey, I believe in you. If lightning obeys a movie character, how much more you? When the next thunderstorm happens, go outside with your metal rod and Dunlop slippers, ready to produce your electricity.
No laundry machines? Throw your clothes away!
We were born naked, and we will die naked. It doesn’t matter if you start early. If you switch to leaves, you won’t have to worry about laundry or ironing. Leaves are clean, sustainable and very affordable. Plus, you don’t have to buy them too.
Sleep outdoors more
So, no light to power your fan? The solution is to switch to natural breeze. Mosquitoes and other bugs will likely suck you dry, but the pain will be worth it when a cool breeze touches your soul.
Buy a messenger bird
Don’t waste money on airtime or data for a phone you’ll be unable to charge. The fun part is the person you’re calling will also not be reachable because their phone is dead. However, you can’t go wrong with a bird. An eagle, hawk or turkey works. As long as it has wings, it can deliver your messages for you. But, if someone catches your bird and throws it inside their soup, I’m not there o.
Like the 10 fingers, electricity bands are not equal. If you’ve ever wondered why the electricity rarely trips off in certain parts of the country while some areas only get light on public holidays, your answer is here.
There are five bands according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). They include Band A, B, C, D and E.
Band A
These are Nigeria’s true rich kids. Users who fall under this band are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours per day. With states like Lagos, FCT, Oyo and Edo receiving the highest electricity rations, it is expected to find Band A customers in this category. Areas in Lagos with this amount of electricity include Akowonjo, Abule-egba, Ikeja, Ojodu, Oshodi, and parts of Yaba whose band currently costs ₦225 per kw/h.
Band B
If you’re part of this class, you are also rich and privileged. Band owners here get a minimum of 16 hours of light per day. With the national grid falling multiple times during the year, you still fall within the priority list of your electricity provider. This band costs between ₦61 – ₦64.07 per kw/h depending on their tariff plan.
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Band C
This class of people aren’t doing too bad. Because Nigeria’s electricity generation is low, we’d probably rank them as comfortable. People who fall under this band have a minimum of 12 hours of electricity per day. At least, if you go to work for twelve hours, there’s a good chance you enjoy light for the other half of the day. This band pays between ₦48.50 to ₦52 per kw/h.
Band D
If you only ever get light from midnight till dawn, then this is probably your class. Folks in this class enjoy what many Nigerians would call “stable light”. But hey, you get to charge your devices and iron your work clothes just before dawn. It’s a quiet type of luxury. This band costs between ₦32 to ₦52 per kw/h depending on the tariff plan and demand.
Band E
This is the lowest band that electricity service providers offer to customers. Users have access to a minimum of 4 hours per day and honestly, that doesn’t sound like enough hours of the day. On the bright side, they only cost between ₦32 – ₦43 per kw/h.
The Nigerian National Awards are a series of ceremonial awards given to outstanding individuals for their exemplary service and contributions to the country. These honours are divided into different ranks and categories, showing their hierarchy and significance.
The National Awards were established by the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964 and have been conferred yearly to deserving individuals since October 1963.
The National Honours Awards Committee, the body in charge of nominations and award presentation, selects nominees according to different criteria, including efforts in nation-building, community development, service to humanity, professional excellence and the upholding of national integrity.
Here is a list of the National Awards in descending order:
Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR)
This is the highest award that can be conferred to civilians. The award is mostly held by presidents and past presidents, with the last individual to attain it being the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Notable non-presidential holders of the award are Queen Elizabeth II, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) for their contributions to nation-building.
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)
This is the second-highest award on this list. Its holders are usually vice presidents, chief justices, senate presidents, and monarchs in Nigeria. However, there have been exceptions to this rule, and they include Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Godwin Emefiele, Chief Bisi Akande, and Amina Jane Muhammed who were awarded for their work internationally and as nation-builders.
Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)
This award is given to present or past speakers in the House of Representatives or top cabinet Members in the Executive Council, police chiefs, significant traditional rulers, and distinguished military generals. It is also esteemed to individuals esteemed to have contributed immensely to politics, philanthropy in the society and community development. Past awardees include Tony Elumelu, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
This national honour is often presented to state governors, exceptional members of the legislature, cabinet members of the executive council and any other individuals who have contributed immensely to society as deemed fit by the President and award board. Past awardees include Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Prof Ali Pate, and Dr Herbert Wigwe.
Office of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
This is one of the highest civilian national award in the country. It is awarded to individuals who have shown great leadership and have recorded achievements in the country. This list of awardees ranges from individuals in the business, education and industry to legislature members. Past awardees include Tony Ezenna, Hon. Adebayo Adelabu and Sam Ohuabunwa.
Office of The Order of The Niger (OON)
The Order of the Niger is the second-highest civilian honour in Nigeria, and it’s awarded to individuals who have made immense strides in sectors such as Agriculture, Business, Arts and Culture. Notable past recipients include David Adeleke aka Davido, Kunle Afolayan, and Tiwatope Savage.
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
The award is for individuals who have shown significant commitment and support to the country and its ideals. The award is presented to public servants, community leaders, and worthy individuals in the society.
A notable recipient of this award is musician Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy. Other recipients in the entertainment industry include Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Joke Silva, Kanayo. O. Kanayo, Osita Iheme, Genevieve Nnaji, Patience Ozokwor.
Member of The Order of the Niger (MON)
This award is conferred on individuals who have made admirable contributions to the country in their respective fields. The MON has in the past been awarded to professionals in sports, entertainment, journalism, social or legal advocacy, etc.
The most recent recipients of this award are the officials and players in the National team after their impressive performance in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), as well as musicians: Innocent Idibia, K1 De Ultimate, and Teniola Apata.
Idris Okuneye AKA Bobrisky, a popular Nigerian socialite, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, for mutilating some naira notes. On April 12, 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced her to six months in jail without the option of a fine.
What was her crime?
The EFCC spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest and stated that Bobrisky was arrested on four different counts to which she pleaded guilty. During the judgment, Justice Abimbola Awogboro mentioned that Naira mutilation has become a menace that’s damaging the country’s image. Bobrisky’s sentence was to make an example of how Naira Abuse will be treated going forward
But is the sentence fair?
Naira Abuse has long been a criminal offence in Nigeria, but spraying naira notes when dancing has also been a part of the Nigerian culture for ages; this law hasn’t seen much enforcement in the past. Before Bobrisky, on February 1, 2023, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) arrested Nigerian actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, after a video of her spraying and stepping on the new Naira notes circulated on the internet. Just like Bobrisky, she bagged six months of imprisonment.
According to the 2007 CBN Act, the punishment for naira abuse — which includes spraying, stamping, engraving, selling and mutilation — is a fine of ₦50,000 or six months imprisonment. For a first-time offender, members of the public believe that the sentence with no option of a fine was made out of bias, but Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was also sentenced with the only difference being that she got the option, of a fine because she was a first-time offender who pled guilty. She was eventually granted bail on February 15 2024, but for Bobrisky the case is not the same.
Although Bobrisky is also a first-time offender and has pled guilty with a promise to change and use his platform to educate people about the naira abuse, he wasn’t granted bail. This begs to question if there is some sort of bias behind the decisions of the court.
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When did this one start?
The police have started taking Naira Abuse more seriously, rounding up more offenders in the last several months than they ever have before. One Simon Idio was arrested on February 12, 2024, for selling the naira. Who knows what might come next?
To learn other possible ways you might be breaking the law, click here.
Over the last two weeks, Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist working to uncover the corruption in Nigeria, brought the covert and blatant corruption of the Nigerian Customs Services to light.
Who is Fisayo Soyombo?
A Nigerian investigative journalist known for his undercover work in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. He is the Founder/Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
In his investigative journey, he has spent five days undercover as a suspect in a police cell and eight as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison to expose corruption.
Soyombo also drove the equivalent of a stolen vehicle from Abuja to Lagos, passing 86 checkpoints to investigate bribery. He’s also investigated the abandonment of soldiers injured in battle against Boko Haram and the corruption in the handling of corpses at government-run mortuaries and cemeteries. In 2019, Soyombo went undercover for three weeks as a patient at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
With the work Fisayo has done, he has been able to cause impact in a few leading to the release of unjustly imprisoned people, treatment of neglected soldiers, arrest of corrupt police officers and commendations from the ex-governor and minister of interior – Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola among other awards. In other cases, the government has either promised to investigate or dismissed the case.
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What did he uncover about the Nigerian Customs?
Posing as a smuggler in 2022, Fisayo discovered that the Nigerian Customs Service is ridden with corruption. In a report published on February 21, 2024, he stated that he illegally imported 100 bags of rice in November 2022 from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria without facing resistance from security operatives because some NCS officials were paid.
Soyombo linked up with a smuggler who provided insider information about how the customs officers moved, enabling him to transport the rice between Nigeria and the Benin Republic through the forest using motorcycles.
He found that smugglers can bring anything into Nigeria without consequence as long as they pay bribes to customs officers. These officers provide insider information to smugglers, further facilitating smuggling activities. According to Fisayo, the major stakeholders in this ring of corruption include popular businessman, IBD Dende, and Comptroller Hussein Ejigbunu, among other officers of the customs services.
His findings have sparked social media discussions about the need for reform within the agency and the broader issue of corruption in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Customs Services respond
The Nigerian Customs Services hasn’t officially responded to these revelations. However, they have probed a comptroller. The Nigerian police have also investigated FIJ’s board director – Bukola Shonibare under the guise of an invitation.
The Police also demanded that FIJ’s board provide Fisayo Soyombo for investigation. IBD Dende also filed a pre-action statement against Fisayo Soyombo on grounds of defamation and character assassination with a demand for ₦500 million in damages and a retraction of the published report.
Between 2020 to 2024, several bills and pleas have reached the Nigerian Senate regarding the use of firearms. The most recent bill came from Senator Ned Nwoko in January 2024. His bill called for the introduction of a law allowing civilians in Nigeria to own and carry firearms for self-defence stating insecurity as a major reason.
The requirements necessary for owning these firearms as proposed by Senator Nwoko included references from medical doctors, endorsement from local government officials, certification from traditional leaders, and confirmation by the Divisional Police Officer to verify the absence of criminal involvement among others. While this bill has passed its first reading and garnered strong support from other prominent figures, recent events paint this bill as a bad idea.
On Saturday, March 30 2024, the bodies of three dead and four injured children were recovered after a gunpowder explosion in Taraba state. The Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command, CP David Iloyanomon confirmed the incident happened in Didango Geita, a community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
What’s the full story?
The seven victims had reportedly gone to help on a rice farm belonging to the grandfather of one of the deceased. Things took a different turn when an explosion was heard at the site. The eyewitness who reported the event, Mallam Audu Danjuma, said the villagers broke into a panic thinking it was an IED explosion and contacted the police.
However, CP David Iloyonomon refuted this claim stating it was a gunpowder explosion from a Dane gun triggered by the children. According to him, the anti-bomb unit has carried out a thorough investigation and confirmed this. The Police commissioner further explained that a bombing or dynamite explosion would have blasted the children’s bodies beyond recognition, leaving no survivors. The positioning of the children’s bodies and pellets of gunpowder found at the scene also supports the police’s findings. This paints a clear picture of what happened and takes away the possibility of an IED explosion or an assailant.
The deceased children, all below the age of 12, were identified as Miracle Danjuma, Liyacheyan Bitrus, and Kefas Bitrus. The injured children, Joseph Danjuma, Leah Aluda, Godbless Hassan, and Christian Hassan, are receiving treatment at the state’s specialist hospital in Jalingo, the state capital.
This brings to question whether firearms are a solution to Nigeria’s insecurity problems or the beginning of many possible problems with accidents like this being one of them. Can the Senate trust Nigerians to only use guns for self-defence and to keep them far away from children or should we potentially expect more cases like this?
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, an incident between KFC represented by the manager at their outlet in the Murtala Mohammed Airport and the son of the former Ogun state governor, Adebola Daniels, broke into the limelight. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) acted swiftly and shut down the branch barely a day later on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The incident has sparked public reaction and criticism. Here’s everything we know about the situation.
What went down between KFC and Debola Daniels?
The issue between Debola Daniels and KFC stemmed from an incident where KFC denied access to Adebola Daniel, the son of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, who uses a wheelchair. Adebola Daniel shared his experience of being asked to leave the KFC premises at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos because of KFC’s “No wheelchairs allowed,” policy. He described this experience as humiliating and discriminative towards people with disabilities.
In his open message to KFC, Debola asks if he is not human enough to eat at the restaurant.
Debola Daniel via X
What reaction did this get?
This incident prompted a reaction from the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, who announced the shutdown of the KFC outlet following an investigation that confirmed the allegations of discrimination against Adebola Daniel by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN. The only penalty on the list was a public apology.
Some individuals took to Twitter to disagree with this penalty, stating that an apology would not cut it as KFC violated the law through their actions.
What does KFC have to say about this?
Taking to their Twitter account, KFC released a statement about the incident reinforcing the management’s stand against bias and discrimination and assuring the public that they are training their staff to be more inclusive and servicing to guests regardless of their status and ability.
While Nigerians await KFC’s public apology as directed by FAAN, you can join the conversation on our WhatsApp channel here.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is barely a year into his reign and is already arguably the most critiqued president of Nigeria. One of his lesser-known but still highly criticised actions is his response to the Republic of Niger’s current political instability.
What happened between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger?
On July 26, 2023, junta forces took over President Mohamed Bazoum’s government through a coup. In a bid to return things to order, the ECOWAS imposed sanctions spearheaded by President Tinubu.
However, these sanctions have affected both Niger and Nigeria, disrupting cross-border trade and causing economic hardship in both countries. They have also hindered regional stability and counter-terrorism initiatives in which both countries were involved. What started as an effort to control political turmoil has created multiple problems in that region of West Africa.
What were the sanctions placed on Niger?
The sanctions included the closure of land and air borders, freezing of assets in the ECOWAS Central Bank, suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, freezing of state enterprises in commercial banks, freezing of service transactions, including utility services, and a no-fly zone for commercial flights to and from Niger.
What is Nigeria’s business there?
Our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the sitting chairman of the ECOWAS. And the sanctions with the most effect on Niger’s socio-economic decline are Nigeria’s decision to cut off electricity supply to Niger and close the borders between us.
As the chairman, President Tinubu was instrumental in the decision-making of the ECOWAS board. He received criticism for initially taking forceful measures that affected the trade and security of Nigerian states sharing borders with Niger. Once the border was reopened, he received praise from the Northern governors forum whose states had been most affected in Nigeria.
What’s the current situation?
The ECOWAS sanctions against the Niger Republic were lifted on February 24, 2024, on humanitarian grounds, with the hope of fostering dialogue with the military junta in Niger, Mali and Guinea and improving the socio-economic conditions in the region.
The land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, the No Fly Zone for all commercial flights to and from the country and the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger have all been lifted.
Public reaction
While some political analysts, like Idayat Hassan, welcome the decision to lift the sanctions, others doubt its impact. Some others believe the ban should have never happened in the first place and that lifting it is a sign of weakness from the ECOWAS, which the junta will exploit.
Do you think ECOWAS could’ve done better, or President Tinubu could’ve managed a better compromise?
