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A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Abuja, has issued a notice of consequences of ‘disobedience’ of court order against Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled national secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a Form 48 dated April 20, 2026, the court warned both men of possible imprisonment if they failed to comply with its judgement delivered on January 12, 2026.

BusinessDay reports that the ruling had dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the PDP.

The notice, seen by our correspondent, explicitly cautioned that continued disobedience would amount to contempt of court. It also directed Anyanwu and the INEC chairman to immediately comply with the subsisting judgement or risk committal to prison.

The development stems from Suit No. CV/1050/2025, where Anyanwu is listed as respondent, while key PDP figures, acting on behalf of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) including Umar Damagum are listed as applicants.

INEC was also joined in the matter due to its recognition of party leadership.

At the heart of the dispute is INEC’s continued recognition of Anyanwu as PDP national secretary despite the court’s affirmation of his expulsion over alleged anti-party activities.

The PDP is neck-deep in crisis as rival factions loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and another aligned with Nyesom Wike, the FCT are both claiming legitimacy.

Although Anyanwu has appealed the January ruling, PDP stakeholders insist that the judgment remains binding, noting that a notice of appeal does not constitute a stay of execution.

The Turaki-led faction loyal to Makinde, has also threatened further legal action against INEC if it fails to withdraw recognition of Anyanwu, raising the stakes in an already volatile political standoff.

With Nigeria’s informal sector accounting for roughly 65 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to data by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), economists are raising fresh concerns that the resurgence of COVID-19 or its escalation to another pandemic could quickly wipe out fragile economic gains and push millions deeper into hardship.

From roadside mechanics and petty traders to artisans and daily wage earners, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy depends heavily on face-to-face transactions and daily income flows. Any disruption, particularly a nationwide lockdown, could trigger a cascading economic shock, experts warn.

This concern is rooted in extensive research and thoughtful insights by analysts who fear that recent economic gains could be eroded if Nigeria experiences another lockdown resulting from the pandemic.

A recent study by Ruth Okoebor on the economic effects of COVID-19 lockdowns found that Nigeria slipped into recession as economic activities ground to a halt. Published in the Covenant Journal of Business and Social Science, the study highlighted how the shutdown of businesses led to massive job losses, especially among informal workers who rely on daily earnings.

‘As a result of the lockdown, economic and social activities came to a standstill, leading to significant job losses for many Nigerians, particularly those in the informal sector,’ the study noted.

‘Declining revenues forced companies to cut salaries or lay off workers entirely,’ the study added.

Fresh anxiety has also been triggered by a recent health development, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a COVID-19 case in Cross River State involving a 53-year-old expatriate in Akamkpa Local Government Area on April 21, 2026. Authorities say the patient is stable and receiving care, while emergency response measures have been activated to contain any spread.

In a recent development, the Cross River State Government says it has identified and isolated 10 persons who interacted with the Chinese national who reimported COVID-19 into Nigeria.

Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, said they were identified during contact tracing carried out by health officials while speaking with journalists.

Despite assurances from the Cross River State government that there is no cause for panic, the development underscores lingering vulnerabilities in both the health and economic systems.

Health experts and policymakers continue to stress that the threat of future pandemics remains real. Speaking at a public health symposium in Abuja, Iziaq Salako, the minister of state for health and social welfare, recently warned that global health crises are inevitable.

‘The next pandemic is not a matter of if but when,’ he said, emphasising the need for preparedness.

The World Health Organization defines a resilient health system as one capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats while maintaining essential services during crises.

In Nigeria, however, experts say systemic weaknesses could magnify both the human and economic toll of future outbreaks.

For a country where millions depend on daily income to survive, another widespread shutdown could once again stall livelihoods, disrupt supply chains, and deepen poverty, making resilience not just a health priority but an economic imperative.

What the numbers say

With one doctor attending to nearly 10,000 patients, according to recent reports by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), experts note that brain drain has placed Nigeria in a dire position when it comes to handling another pandemic.

‘With an estimated population of over 240 million people and only about 11,000 resident doctors, Nigeria records a ratio of 1:9,083. This is far from global best practice,’ Mohammad Suleman, NARD president, stated.

The figures are even higher in remote areas of Northern Nigeria. Evidence shows that Zamfara and Jigawa states record between 20,000 and 27,000 patients per doctor, respectively.

On the other hand, only 20 percent of the country’s 34,000 primary healthcare facilities are fully functional, with a high concentration in urban areas. In the event of a pandemic, rural and underserved communities are most at risk.

Staying prepared

More funding for research, strengthened surveillance, continuous training and retraining of healthcare professionals, enhanced incentives for frontline workers, and the development of strategic global partnerships are essential steps to effectively contain future pandemics, according to a joint report by Nigeria Health Watch and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The National Association of Resident Doctors, University College Hospital (UCH) chapter, also emphasised the need to provide basic amenities such as water and electricity in healthcare facilities nationwide.

‘Without these amenities, hospitals cannot function optimally in

the face of a disease outbreak,’ Uthman Adedeji, president of the NARD (UCH) chapter, noted in an interview with this reporter.

Keyamo made this disclosure after a high-level meeting in Abuja convened to address the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs. He said President Bola Tinubu, who was briefed on the outcome, directed that a formal proposal be submitted for his immediate consideration. ‘The first request that he will consider and grant is a generous discount on the debts the airlines are owing the aviation agencies – NAMA, FAAN, NCAA, and so on,’ Keyamo said. ‘The percentage of discounts and all that, Mr President will decide.’

Tinubu is also expected to set up a committee to review the multiple taxes, levies, and charges imposed on domestic tickets, with a view to reducing the cost burden on passengers. The president will additionally meet airline operators directly to discuss broader issues around access to capital.

Airlines want more

Airline operators welcomed the government’s intervention but pushed for significantly more. Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace, said the proposed discounts did not go far enough, calling instead for a total waiver of all debts owed to aviation agencies and a suspension of further payments until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

Onyema described the financial pressure on airlines as severe, with operators forced to borrow money to sustain fuel purchases while struggling to maintain safety and maintenance standards. He also called on the government to address the punishing interest rates on aircraft financing in Nigeria, where airlines borrow at 30 to 35 per cent – compared to around 3 per cent in other jurisdictions. ‘This is killing,’ he said, urging the government to recapitalise the Bank of Industry, which he described as the only lender still offering relatively affordable rates to airlines.

The fuel price spike

At the heart of the crisis is a more than 300 per cent increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has climbed from N900 per litre as of 28th February to N3,300 per litre. Onyema said the rise was disproportionate to global crude oil price movements and called for marketers to be held accountable. ‘Even Dangote is surprised, because what he is selling to us still remains the cheapest, and some of them lift from there,’ he said. ‘So why the astronomical rise?’

The Airline Operators of Nigeria had threatened to suspend operations from 20th April over the fuel costs but subsequently announced a temporary stand-down following appeals from the minister.

Africa will require at least two additional Dangote-sized refineries to meet rising fuel demand, according to the Africa Finance Corporation’s State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report (SAIR) 2026 unveiled on Thursday.

Rita Babihuga-Nsanze, chief economist and director of Research and Strategy at AFC, presented the 2026 report at the ongoing Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

She said the findings highlight the continent’s continued vulnerability stemming from its reliance on exporting raw materials and importing refined products.

‘In refined fuels, around 70 percent of Africa’s consumption is imported, exposing the continent to global supply shocks and chokepoints. Demand is projected to grow by 56 percent by 2040, creating an import gap of 86 million tonnes, equivalent to at least two additional Dangote-sized refineries. The opportunity to build refining capacity is particularly strong in East Africa, where infrastructure remains limited,’ she said.

Babihuga-Nsanze explained that the report, titled ‘The Africa We Build: From Capital to Systems,’ shifts the narrative on Africa’s infrastructure challenge from scarcity to connectivity.

According to her, Africa’s problem is no longer the absence of capital, infrastructure, or resources, but the lack of systems to connect them into productive, scalable outcomes.

‘Across capital, energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and industrial inputs, the resources are already present and expanding. What is missing are the systems that bring them together into industrial capacity and investable opportunities,’ she said.

The report introduces two key additions. The first is an updated AFC domestic capital dataset, providing a country-by-country analysis of capital pools across banking, pensions, insurance, sovereign funds, and development finance institutions.

It estimates that Africa holds more than $4 trillion in domestic capital, which continues to grow but remains significantly underutilised, largely due to weak intermediation into long-term infrastructure and industrial investments.

The second is a new map combining transport systems with mineral endowments, offering a unified view of infrastructure and resource geography. The report argues that industrialisation requires aligning these two elements, which have historically been developed in isolation.

On financing, the report notes a sharp decline in external flows, with official development assistance to Africa falling by 23 percent in 2025, the largest annual drop on record. However, it argues that domestic capital could offset this gap if effectively mobilised and deployed.

In transport and logistics, AFC criticises the continent’s long-standing ‘pit-to-port’ model focused on exporting raw commodities. It calls for a shift toward integrated transport systems that support domestic trade and industrialisation by linking resources, energy, and markets.

The report also highlights aviation as a key enabler of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia have significantly boosted GDP contribution and job creation through liberalisation, infrastructure investment, and strong national carriers.

On energy, AFC calls for a broader approach beyond household electrification to include powering industries and economies. Africa currently adds between six point five and eight gigawatts of power annually, far below the estimated 20 gigawatts required to meet development needs.

It points to structural inefficiencies across energy systems, including transmission bottlenecks, climate vulnerabilities, and fragmented grids, and calls for a ‘rewiring’ of energy infrastructure through regional integration, expanded transmission, and increased private sector participation.

The report also highlights opportunities in fertiliser production, noting that while Africa holds around 80 percent of global phosphate reserves, it produces only about 20 percent of phosphate-based fertilisers. It identifies growing opportunities for both phosphate and gas-based fertiliser production, particularly in East Africa.

In digital infrastructure, the report notes that while mobile connectivity now reaches about 85 percent of the population, a widening usage gap limits economic impact. It identifies a ‘missing middle’ in digital ecosystems needed to translate access into productivity and growth.

Across all sectors, the report concludes that Africa’s core challenge is not a lack of resources, but the absence of integrated systems to unlock value at scale.

Lerato Mataboge, commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission (AUC), responding to the findings, said they align with its push for integrated continental infrastructure through frameworks such as the Single African Air Transport Market and the Single Electricity Market Programme. However, she noted that implementation remains slow due to weak cross-border coordination and national-focused planning.

She called for mandatory regional infrastructure planning, stronger alignment with intra-African trade goals, and improved joint resource mobilisation. It also highlighted priorities including refinery expansion, hydropower development, nuclear energy frameworks, and better mobilisation of domestic capital.

Speaking during a cocktail event at the summit, Samaila Zubairu, AFC president and chief executive officer, said the institution is focused on building systems that enable capital to drive real economic transformation.

‘This evening is not simply a reception. It marks the beginning of an important conversation about how Africa chooses to build its future, intentionally, at scale, and on its own terms,’ he said.

Zubairu noted that Africa’s challenge is no longer access to capital, but the inability to convert it into productive investments and jobs.

‘For too long, we have operated an economic model where we export value at its lowest form and import it back at a premium. That model was never sustainable,’ he said.

He warned that renewed volatility in global energy markets continues to expose the continent’s dependence on imports despite its resource wealth.

‘Fuel supply disruptions, rising costs, and pressure on foreign exchange are becoming more urgent, not because we lack resources, but because we still import too much of what we consume,’ Zubairu added.

He emphasised the need for a shift from fragmented, import-dependent systems to integrated regional solutions that strengthen energy security, stabilise supply, and support industrial growth.

As the Nigerian literary community joins the globe to commemorate the 2026 World Book Day today, April 23rd, the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), has called for stricter enforcement of copyright laws and increased awareness around intellectual property protection.

The society, in a statement it issued today in Ibadan in commemoration of the day, warned that the persistent infringement-particularly in the digital age-poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s creative and knowledge economy.

Also in the statement, REPRONIG reaffirmed its mandate to protect the secondary rights of authors, publishers and other content creators, while ensuring they receive fair compensation for the use and reproduction of their works.

The annual event, observed globally under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), celebrates books as vital tools for education, cultural preservation and human advancement, while also drawing attention to the necessity of copyright protection. REPRONIG noted that this year’s theme resonates strongly in Nigeria, a country with a long-standing and globally recognised literary tradition.

Meanwhile, Gbadega Adedapo, chairman, REPRONIG, described books as more than physical objects, calling them ‘the architecture of civilisation’ and instruments through which societies document their histories, challenge injustice and inspire progress. He emphasised that when literary and artistic works are reproduced without authorisation, creators suffer not only financial loss but also a loss of recognition and dignity.

The organisation highlighted Nigeria’s rich literary heritage, referencing iconic figures such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, whose works have shaped global understanding of African narratives. It stressed that protecting contemporary creators is essential to sustaining this legacy.

REPRONIG also outlined its role as Nigeria’s authorised collective management organisation for text and image works, operating under the supervision of the Nigerian Copyright Commission and in alignment with the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations. Through bilateral agreements with similar bodies worldwide, the organisation ensures that Nigerian creators are compensated when their works are reproduced internationally, while also licensing the use of foreign works within Nigeria in compliance with global copyright standards.

According to the statement, REPRONIG has begun distributing royalties through key professional bodies, including the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the Nigerian Publishers Association, marking a significant step in its efforts to deliver tangible benefits to rights holders. It added that a nationwide licensing drive targeting educational institutions, government agencies and corporate organisations is ongoing.

Despite the gains, the society expressed concern over the widespread nature of copyright violations across the country. It cited the routine photocopying of textbooks, unauthorised scanning and sharing of academic materials via platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and the commercial exploitation of images and artworks without proper attribution or compensation. It warned that the rapid expansion of digital technologies has lowered the barriers to infringement, making the problem more pervasive and damaging.

REPRONIG also called on the federal government, particularly the National Universities Commission and the Ministry of Education, to enforce copyright compliance through regular audits in schools and higher institutions. It also urged corporate organisations to embrace licensing not merely as a regulatory requirement but as an ethical obligation to support the creative sector.

The organisation further addressed young and emerging creators across Nigeria, encouraging writers, researchers, illustrators and visual artists to formalise their participation in the copyright ecosystem by joining recognised professional associations and registering their works. It assured them of continued advocacy and protection, stressing that a thriving creative industry depends on the collective strength of its participants.

Looking ahead, REPRONIG outlined a series of strategic commitments for 2026 and beyond, including the expansion of its rights-holder database, intensified public education campaigns on copyright compliance, and deeper engagement with digital platforms such as e-learning services and online publishers. It also pledged to advocate for a more robust and modern copyright legal framework capable of addressing the realities of the digital era.

In addition, the organisation said it would strengthen partnerships with international bodies to ensure Nigerian literary and artistic works are respected and fairly remunerated across global markets.

The statement concluded with a message of solidarity with the global literary community and a renewed call for collective responsibility in protecting intellectual property. It emphasised that the sustainability of Nigeria’s creative and intellectual landscape depends on recognising and respecting the rights of those who produce knowledge and cultural content, noting that when creators are protected and rewarded, the entire society benefits.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is seeking the support of East African governments to replicate his Nigeria-scale refinery in the region in a move that could reshape fuel supply, deepen regional integration, and accelerate the continent’s push toward industrial self-sufficiency.

Speaking at a presidential panel at the Africa We Build Summit, organised by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), in Nairobi, Dangote said his group is ready to build a refinery comparable to the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility developed in Nigeria, provided there is strong policy backing and alignment from governments across East Africa.

‘If we agree with the governments here about the refinery, we will lead and make sure that the refinery is built within the next four or five years,’ he said, offering a firm commitment that signals growing confidence in Africa-led mega infrastructure projects.

The proposal comes amid ongoing discussions between regional leaders on establishing a joint refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, designed to serve multiple countries including Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility is expected to process crude from across the region, supported by shared pipeline infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Dangote’s push underscores a broader shift among African policymakers and investors toward reducing dependence on imported refined products and building domestic industrial capacity. Africa remains heavily reliant on fuel imports despite being a major crude oil producer, a structural imbalance that leaders at the summit repeatedly described as unsustainable.

‘What we lack in Africa is quite a lot,’ Dangote said. ‘We are a continent of imports, and we are not really exporting much. When you export raw materials, you are exporting jobs. When you import, you are importing poverty.’

He stressed that consistency in government policy and strong institutional support would be critical to unlocking such large-scale investments. According to him, uncertainty and reversals in policy have historically discouraged long-term capital deployment across the continent.

The Dangote Group is already embarking on an aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to invest $40 billion across sectors including refining, petrochemicals, fertiliser and manufacturing by 2030. The proposed East African refinery would form a central part of that vision, extending the group’s industrial footprint beyond West Africa.

Regional leaders signalled strong alignment with Dangote’s position, framing the refinery initiative as part of a wider economic transformation agenda anchored on value addition and regional cooperation.

Kenyan President William Ruto said Africa can no longer afford to export raw materials while importing finished products, describing the practice as a drain on jobs and long-term prosperity.

‘Why would we fail?’ Ruto said. ‘We have the raw materials, we have the market, we have the capital, and we have the industrialists to run these projects.’

Ruto confirmed that discussions are already underway for a regional refinery model that pools resources and demand across borders, rather than duplicating infrastructure in individual countries. He said such collaboration would allow Africa to fully utilise its assets while building economies of scale.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reinforced the argument, pointing to the significant value lost when raw materials are exported without processing. He cited gold as an example, noting that refining it locally can nearly double its value while creating jobs and supporting downstream industries.

‘We cannot continue exporting raw materials,’ Museveni said. ‘It is near criminal to export unprocessed resources when we have the capacity to add value.’

Beyond refining, leaders at the summit emphasised the need to build integrated industrial ecosystems, linking energy, mining, manufacturing and logistics across the region. The proposed refinery is expected to serve as a catalyst for such development, particularly in petrochemicals and related industries.

Dangote also called for deeper regional integration to support industrial growth, including the removal of barriers to the movement of goods, services and people. He criticised the current system where non-Africans often find it easier to move across the continent than Africans themselves.

‘If you don’t allow free movement, it will be difficult to trade,’ he said, urging governments to adopt visa-free policies to unlock intra-African commerce.

The refinery push is taking place alongside a broader conversation about mobilising Africa’s own capital to fund development. Samaila Zubairu, Africa Finance Corporation CEO noted that the continent holds trillions of dollars in pension and insurance assets, much of which is currently invested in low-yield instruments rather than infrastructure.

He called for regulatory reforms and risk-sharing mechanisms to channel this capital into large-scale projects, arguing that Africa must move beyond small-ticket investments to financing projects in the tens of billions of dollars.

For Dangote, the message was clear: Africa now has the financial institutions, technical capacity and entrepreneurial drive to execute projects of global scale. What is needed, he said, is the political will and policy consistency to match that ambition.

‘We have big financial institutions now, we have big entrepreneurs,’ he said. ‘There is nothing we cannot do in Africa.’