Category: Business Day

Devyani International Nigeria, operators of KFC Nigeria, has continued its commitment to supporting communities through its ‘Box of Happiness’ initiative, partnering with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) for a third outreach under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

The outreach took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Lagos Food Bank warehouse in Mangoro, Ikeja, bringing together KFC employees, LFBI staff and volunteers to package and distribute essential food items to families across underserved communities.

Through the intervention, 2,137kg of food was distributed, equivalent to approximately 7,123 meals, directly reaching 100 beneficiaries and an estimated 512 indirect beneficiaries within their households.

The food packages included essential items such as rice, vegetable oil, sausages, patties, Wellcome snacks and Sympli potatoes, helping improve household food access, dietary diversity and access to nutritious meals.

The outreach also reflected KFC Nigeria’s commitment to hands-on community engagement. Twenty-two KFC team members contributed 88 volunteering hours, supporting beneficiary registration, food packaging, distribution and documentation throughout the exercise.

Speaking at the outreach, Anthony Katchy, Head of Human Resources at Devyani International Nigeria, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to initiatives that create meaningful impact in communities.

Also speaking, Dr. Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, appreciated KFC Nigeria’s continued support and hands-on involvement, noting the importance of sustained partnerships in tackling hunger, improving nutrition and strengthening communities.

For the families reached, the food boxes provided more than essential supplies. They offered immediate relief, eased the pressure of putting meals on the table and served as a reminder that community support can make a meaningful difference.

The latest outreach builds on the growing partnership between KFC Nigeria and LFBI, with both organisations looking towards further collaboration and opportunities to scale the impact of the initiative.

Through the ‘Box of Happiness’ initiative, KFC Nigeria continues to demonstrate that meaningful community impact can begin with something as simple and as powerful as putting food on a family’s table.

Residents and motorists were stranded in some parts of Abuja on Saturday after heavy rainfall caused flooding in several communities of the nation’s capital.

Flooding was reported in Wuse 2, including Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, around Delight Event Centre in Gudu, and parts of Efab Estate in Lokogoma.

The bridge linking Gaduwa and Durumi was also flooded, preventing motorists from crossing.

The Ebeano-Gudu road and its connecting bridge were also affected.

A video shared by a resident showed motorists and pedestrians unable to cross the flooded road.

‘Dear Honourable Minister of the FCT, please come to our rescue. This is the current situation of Ebeano/Gudu Road. The bridge is flooded,’ the resident said.

‘People coming from Gudu junction can’t cross, and people coming from Ebeano can’t get to Gudu.’

The flooding has raised fresh concerns about Abuja’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall, especially as the rainy season continues.

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) have warned of a high risk of flooding this rainy season.

The Federal Capital Territory is among the areas identified as vulnerable.

NiHSA also warned that the risk of flooding could increase between August and September and advised residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions.

Environmental experts say heavy rainfall is not the only reason for Abuja’s flooding.

They blame the city’s rapid growth, construction on waterways and the loss of natural drainage channels.

Kenneth Iyamu, a retired Air Vice Marshal and president of the Association of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Practitioners, told BusinessDay that Abuja was originally planned with green areas and natural water channels to reduce the risk of flooding.

He said many of these areas have since been built over for homes, businesses and roads.

‘Water channels and green areas have been built over, so floodwaters are now being redirected into communities that were previously considered safe,’ he said.

He added that the loss of these natural drainage routes has made more communities vulnerable to flooding.

Several parts of Abuja, including Trademore Estate, Karimu, Galadimawa and Idu, have experienced repeated flooding after heavy rainfall.

Iyamu said the flooding of areas that were previously considered safe shows that Abuja’s natural flood protection has been reduced.

He also called for better plans to help people who are forced to leave their homes because of flooding.

According to him, government should provide temporary shelters, food, security and support for affected residents, including arrangements for their livelihoods and children’s education.

‘You cannot simply tell people to vacate without providing shelters, food support, security and arrangements for livelihoods and education,’ he said.

Abuja’s repeated flooding shows that the problem goes beyond heavy rainfall. Blocked drains, poor waste disposal, development on waterways and weak enforcement of planning rules are also contributing to the problem.

Experts say government needs to improve drainage, protect natural water channels and enforce planning rules before more heavy rainfall causes further disruption across the capital.

Abdulrahman Mohammed, acting director-general of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD),said the agency had increased its preparations after receiving flood warnings from NiHSA and NiMet.

He said FEMD had started public awareness campaigns in vulnerable communities and was monitoring water levels around rivers, drainage channels and areas prone to flooding.

Mohammed admitted that many of the flash floods within the city were caused by blocked drainage channels and poor waste disposal.

‘The flash floods we are seeing within the city are mainly because drainage channels are blocked,’ he said.

He said FEMD had informed relevant government agencies before the rainy season that drainage channels needed to be cleared.

When asked whether this pointed to failures by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mohammed said, ‘I think so.’

The repeated flooding has led to calls for stronger enforcement of Abuja’s planning and environmental rules.

Stakeholders want government to identify flood-prone areas, remove structures built on waterways and clear blocked drainage channels.

They also want better planning to prevent people from building on flood plains and natural drainage routes.

FEMD is monitoring several vulnerable communities across the six area councils, including Yangoji, Lugbe, parts of Kwali, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Wuse and areas around Trademore Estate.

The agency has also warned that people who build illegally on flood plains may not qualify for government compensation or relocation if their land was not legally allocated.

Mohammed said residents with valid land allocations could be considered for compensation or relocation, while those who built without the required approvals could face a different situation.

With the 2027 election campaigns set to officially open on August 19, Nigerians are mounting pressure on presidential and National Assembly candidates to move beyond personality attacks, ethnic and religious mobilisation and incendiary rhetoric, demanding instead that politicians tell voters how they intend to fix the country’s worsening economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and declining living standards.

The demands came as the political class enters the most consequential phase of the 2027 electoral cycle, with the presidential and National Assembly campaigns scheduled to begin on August 19 ahead of the January 16, 2027 polls, while campaigns for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly will commence on September 9 ahead of the February 6, 2027 elections.

With memories of violence, hate speech and bitter personality-driven campaigns from previous elections still fresh, Nigerians who spoke to BusinessDay warned that the 2027 contest must not become another battle of insults, ethnic calculations and character assassination.

Instead, they want candidates to place the economy, security, jobs, poverty, education, healthcare, infrastructure and the welfare of ordinary citizens at the heart of their campaigns.

Nigerians have also challenged political parties to go beyond slogans and make specific, measurable commitments, explaining not only what they intend to do if elected but how they plan to achieve it.

For many voters, the August 19 commencement therefore represents more than the formal opening of political campaigns; it is the beginning of a test of whether the country’s political class can shift electoral competition from personalities and identity politics to competence, ideas and solutions.

Nigerians who spoke to BusinessDay said politicians must recognise that the electorate is increasingly interested in solutions to worsening economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and deteriorating public services.

Pharmacist Ahmed Adamu Babawuro, a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said the 2027 campaign should be vigorous, robust and firmly anchored on issues affecting Nigerians.

He urged political parties and their candidates to go beyond personality attacks and present practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, particularly the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

Babawuro said the campaign should provide candidates with an opportunity to explain how they intend to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improve access to quality and affordable medicines and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported drugs.

He said political competition should ultimately be about ideas, competence and service to Nigerians.

Similarly, Unom Samuel Shiaondo, a retired civil servant, warned political actors and their supporters against campaign violence and hate speeches, saying Nigerians should be allowed to choose their leaders without fear or intimidation.

Speaking in a telephone interview with BusinessDay, Unom said Nigeria’s democracy could no longer be described as nascent, stressing that the destruction of lives and property during political campaigns and contests should have no place in the country’s democratic development.

‘There should be no violence. We expect to see a peaceful campaign from the political actors and gladiators. They should caution their supporters against violence. Violence does no one any good,’ he said.

Unom added that political parties, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission must conduct themselves in a manner that would protect the integrity of the electoral process.

‘Democracy is a game of interest, so all parties and security agencies should conduct themselves in order and allow Nigerians to make their choices. INEC must also be neutral in all these, to allow for a free, fair and credible electoral process,’ he said.

His position came against the background of concerns that the 2027 contest could reproduce some of the most damaging features of previous elections, when inflammatory speeches, personality attacks, ethnic mobilisation and religious sentiments contributed to heightened tensions, violence and deep divisions among citizens.

Jackson Lekan Ojo, a political analyst, said the central challenge before the political class was to move the 2027 campaign away from personalities and identity politics and towards practical solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

Ojo said the economic and security crises confronting Nigerians had provided sufficient lessons for politicians and voters alike, arguing that candidates should no longer assume that the electorate would be satisfied with empty political rhetoric.

‘I believe our electorate are more sophisticated now. The economic hardship and worsening security situation have taught Nigerians important lessons, and they are better positioned to demand accountability and credible solutions from those seeking their votes,’ Ojo told BusinessDay.

‘What Nigeria needs now is issue-based kind of electionary evangelism. What you are going to do for the people, look at the situation of Nigeria, look at what we are going to do to improve the situation, to make us live, to come back and live in El Dorado,’ he said.

Ojo warned that candidates who resort to personal attacks, religious sentiments and ethnic mobilisation would be doing the country a serious disservice. He also rejected the argument that the 2027 election should be determined primarily by considerations of whether it was the ‘turn’ of a particular region.

‘If you go to any hospital, do you ask if that doctor that is going to treat you is a Muslim or from the North or from the West or from the South? No. The best doctor is the one that we need now,’ he said.

Ojo said the same principle should guide the choice of political leaders, arguing that Nigerians needed candidates capable of rebuilding the economy, reducing poverty and improving living conditions.

‘Anybody that can engineer our economic system now, anybody that can treat the poverty now, that is the kind of person we want. The person should be ready to tell Nigerians what he is going to do and how he is going to do it,’ he said.

Gabriel Mvendaga, a transporter from Taraba State, said politicians should use the campaign period to explain how their policies would affect ordinary Nigerians rather than spend valuable time attacking one another. He said the cost of living, fuel prices, transportation costs and insecurity were among the issues that would matter most to ordinary voters.

Also, Major Charles, from Edo State, an automobile mechanic operating on the outskirts of Abuja, urged candidates to focus on policies that could improve the livelihoods of artisans, mechanics, traders and other informal-sector workers.

He said political campaigns should provide concrete answers on employment, infrastructure, electricity and access to affordable credit rather than become platforms for exchanging insults.

Wongcit Nanyi Mamdat, from Plateau State and working in Abuja, said politicians should be restrained in their choice of words, particularly because inflammatory statements could deepen existing ethnic and religious tensions.

She urged political parties to tell Nigerians how they intended to address insecurity and create an environment in which citizens could live and conduct their businesses safely.

Blessing, a student at the Bingham University in Nasarawa State, told BusinessDay that young Nigerians should be central to the 2027 campaign conversation.

She said political parties should present clear plans on education, employment, digital opportunities and entrepreneurship instead of treating young people merely as campaign crowds and social-media promoters.

Blessing said politicians must understand that young Nigerians were tired of promises that were not matched by actions, and urged candidates to present measurable programmes and explain how they intended to implement them.

Analysts say the 2027 campaign therefore presents political parties with an opportunity to change the character of electoral competition by making policy debates, accountability and competence central to the contest. It also places responsibilities on the candidates, their supporters, security agencies, the media and INEC to ensure that political competition does not become a trigger for violence.

Professor Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has also stressed the need for peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process, saying the success of the 2027 elections is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and the electorate.

As the August 19 campaign commencement draws closer, the 2027 contest presents politicians with a test that goes beyond their ability to mobilise crowds or win votes. They are expected to demonstrate that they have workable solutions to Nigeria’s economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and deteriorating public services, and clearly explain what they intend to do, how they will do it and how Nigerians can hold them accountable.

Geregu Power Plc has appointed Mohammed Sani Jaoji as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer.

This leadership change represents the company’s second major executive shakeup in just seven months, as the power producer navigates a challenging landscape and struggles to position itself for growth.

Jaoji served as Technical Assistant to the Minister of Power between 2019 and 2023, before returning to Geregu Power Plc.

Geregu had in January 2026 tapped Siemens Energy’s Sean Manley as interim CEO to also spearhead its new growth strategy.

Manley became the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective February 2, 2026 and his tenure ended on August 14, 2026, according to Geregu.

On Monday August 17, the Board of Geregu Power Plc said Jaoji appointment is subject to the approval of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Jaoji holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

‘He brings over three decades of experience in the power sector, spanning technical and leadership roles at the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Geregu Power Plc, where he served as Head, Maintenance Planning and Performance between 2007 and 2019.

The Board is confident that the appointment will strengthen the governance structure and strategic direction of the Company pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer.

‘This appointment is following the non-renewal of the term of the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Sean Manley which end on August 14, 2026.

‘The Board also expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Manley for his service and contributions to the Company during his tenure and wishes him success in his future endeavours,’ Geregu said.

Sam Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Enyimba Economic City Development Company (EECDC), has described the proposed Enyimba Economic City, as a project of strategic importance to Abia, the South-East geopolitical zone and Nigeria, and expressed the board’s readiness to work with the State Government to achieve its objectives.

He urged that nothing should be allowed to interrupt the development process already initiated, saying that the board was committed to finding a way forward in the interest of the project and the region.

Ohuabunwa, who led members of the reconstituted Board of the Enyimba Economic City Development Company, on a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti at his Nvosi country home, in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the State, said that the visit was primarily to introduce the newly constituted board to Governor Alex Otti.

He described Governor Otti-led administration, as a demonstration of the dividends of democracy, saying that residents could now see tangible improvements in infrastructure and other sectors of the state.

He said that the board had examined the disagreement between the company and the Abia Government and described the dispute as puzzling, given the State Government’s position, as a partner in the Enyimba Economic City project.

According to him, the board was not interested in reopening old wounds, but was seeking forgiveness and an opportunity to rebuild its relationship with the State Government.

‘Our critical request is to ask for your forgiveness and forbearance in all the ways that things did not happen the way they ought to have happened.

‘We should begin to see how we can walk back, repair the relationship, rebuild it and move forward together’, Ohuabunwa said.

Governor Alex Otti in his response, noted that his administration is not opposed to the Enyimba Economic City project, but insisted that all processes concerning the development must be transparent and properly executed.

He said that his administration remains pro-business and will continue to support genuine investments that would comply with due process and protect the interests of the State, communities and other stakeholders.

‘I’m not against any Enyimba Economic City, but I believe that there are things that were not properly done and they should be done properly.

‘But having said that, since the matter is subjudice, I’ll leave it at that’, Governor Otti said.

The governor explained that the land originally associated with the project covered about 9,803 hectares across parts of Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government Areas.

According to him, the State Government had initially sought to retain about 1,000 hectares of the land for the development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.

‘About how we got here, when we had our meeting, it was about the company ceding just about a thousand hectares out of the close to ten thousand hectares.

‘I think it’s about 9,803 hectares of land spanning through Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West and we were setting up the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.

‘So after the meeting, the company agreed only to renege later and asked us to go to the Federal Government.

‘So, what we did was to; since the land belongs to us as a government, and since we couldn’t take only one thousand, we revoked the entire CofO and took the one thousand that we required,’ he said.

Governor Otti said that the State Government’s action was also informed by concerns over the processes through which the land had been acquired and the absence of relevant documentation.

He noted that the dispute subsequently went to arbitration, where, according to him, some monetary awards were made in favour of the State Government.

The governor, however, cautioned that the matter was now before the courts and said he would not make extensive comments that could prejudice the judicial process.

‘I’m just going into this out of respect and this matter is now before the court, so ordinarily I would say it’s sub-judice until the court finishes with this matter.

‘But because of the caliber of people, who have joined the board, that’s why I’m discussing it’ .

Governor Otti also questioned the equity arrangement reflected in documents available to his administration, saying the state was entitled to only 6% equity in the company despite the substantial size of the land associated with the project.

‘Even the documents I have shown you say that the government has 6% of the equity.

‘I was just asking myself, so you give 10,000 hectares of land in Abia and you have 6% equity? I would not do that kind of deal’, he said.

The governor further expressed concern over claims that some original landowners had not received compensation, noting that the issue had contributed to multiple legal disputes.

He said that the State Government had no objection to investors acquiring land for the economic city, if the affected communities were properly compensated and appropriate agreements reached.

‘If Enyimba Economic City goes and acquires those lands, pays the people, and they have an agreement, you should come and I will give them Certificate of Occupancy or title documents. I don’t have a problem.

‘I support businesses. People are acquiring land, once you do the right thing, I have no problem’, Governor Otti added.

He said that his administration would continue to encourage genuine investment, insisting on transparency, fairness and accountability in transactions involving public assets.

Governor Otti also congratulated members of the reconstituted board and expressed confidence that their experience would help address outstanding issues surrounding the project.

He said that leadership must prioritise the welfare and security of the people, adding that any departure from those responsibilities amounted to selfish leadership.

The governor thanked the board members for the visit and expressed confidence that their intervention would contribute to resolving the issues surrounding the project within the ambit of the law.

The World Bank has tied $200 million in performance-based financing to Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework for mini-grids, putting the country’s decentralised electricity strategy under greater pressure to deliver policy reforms alongside new power infrastructure.

The $200 million represents the entire Performance-Based Conditions (PBC) allocation under the World Bank’s $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project. The financing is linked specifically to reforms designed to create a more predictable regulatory environment for mini-grid developers.

The World Bank’s latest project paper shows that the third PBC, an improved regulatory framework for mini-grids, carries the full $200 million allocation, with $150 million linked to an intermediate target and $50 million to a subsequent target.

Under the condition, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is required to revise its mini-grid regulations to allow batch processing of licence and tariff applications, require distribution companies to provide 12 months’ notice before reaching a mini-grid site, and clarify the rights and obligations of communities in urban mini-grid projects. The condition also includes a revision of the permit limit for mini-grids.

The World Bank’s framework makes the regulatory reform particularly important because DARES was designed around the premise that concessional public financing would reduce the capital burden on private developers and attract commercial investment into distributed renewable energy.

Nigeria’s ability to unlock the financing is therefore closely connected to whether its regulatory framework can give investors sufficient certainty to commit capital to mini-grid projects.

Investor appetite is reshaping the programme

The financing milestone comes as the World Bank itself is changing the composition of DARES after implementation revealed stronger private-sector interest in some categories of mini-grid projects than others.

The bank stated that DARES has generated strong private-sector and distribution-company interest in interconnected mini-grids, with a pipeline of potential sites ‘significantly exceeding’ the number that could be financed under the original programme envelope.

At the same time, the report identified limited private-sector interest in Minimum Subsidy Tenders for isolated mini-grids.

This has prompted a proposed $95 million reallocation from isolated to interconnected mini-grids, effectively directing more of the programme’s resources towards the part of the market where developers and DisCos have demonstrated stronger appetite.

The World Bank said the early pipeline also showed that the public contribution required for mini-grids was higher than initially modelled.

‘Price discovery from the first interconnected mini-grid tender result revealed that the grant requirement for these projects is significantly higher and the private sector contribution lower than originally anticipated,’ the report said.

That finding creates a central tension for Nigeria’s off-grid strategy, indicating that the government needs private capital to scale decentralised electricity. However, the economics of serving underserved communities require a larger public subsidy than originally expected.

5.2 million people reached

DARES has nevertheless made significant progress since becoming effective in November 2024.

As of June 2026, the World Bank said more than 5.2 million people had gained access to electricity, against an end target of 16.2 million. More than one million standalone solar systems had also been deployed.

As of June 10, 2026, the project had disbursed $70.26 million. A further $128.6 million had been cleared for award for the first interconnected mini-grid Minimum Subsidy Tender.

Meanwhile, $293.6 million had been committed through signed grant agreements under the Performance-Based Grant window for isolated mini-grids.

The World Bank cautioned, however, that access results are running ahead of disbursements partly because standalone solar systems are considerably cheaper and faster to deploy than mini-grids.

‘Some of the other activities under the project, such as the isolated and interconnected mini grids, will provide this at a higher cost,’ the report said.

The $200m is not the new $243m financing

The performance-based financing should be distinguished from the $242.9 million additional financing package contained in the World Bank’s June 2026 restructuring.

That package comprises a $49.1 million U.S. Department of Justice trust-fund grant and approximately $193.8 million in JICA financing. The World Bank’s project paper records the additional financing at $242.9 million.

The $49.1 million grant will expand renewable-energy electrification to public institutions, including healthcare and education facilities, while JICA financing will help scale interconnected and isolated mini-grids and strengthen institutional capacity.

The World Bank is also replacing the original $20 million Lagos solar-rooftop pilot with a broader public-institution electrification programme covering federal and sub-national institutions.

More public money, lower private-capital target

The shift towards larger and more complex projects is already affecting DARES’ private-capital expectations. The World Bank has reduced its estimate of private capital mobilisation from $1.028 billion to $733 million following the restructuring.

It attributed the reduction partly to the higher public contribution required for mini-grids and the movement of funds towards solar-for-business initiatives and public-institution electrification, which generate less private capital mobilisation than standalone solar.

Despite the reduction, the bank expects every $1 of public financing to leverage $0.79 in private capital, with total private capital mobilisation estimated at $733 million.

The implication is that Nigeria’s decentralised power market is moving towards a more deliberate blended-finance model, where concessional funding takes on a greater share of project risk before private capital enters.

DARES target raised to 811MW

The restructuring also raises the project’s renewable-energy capacity target from 465MW to 811MW, with interconnected mini-grids accounting for the largest share of the revised capacity target.

The World Bank’s revised framework allocates 434MW to interconnected mini-grids, compared with 56MW for isolated mini-grids, alongside solar home systems, public institutions, businesses and productive-use equipment.

The project is also introducing a new target for public institutions and extending the closing date to December 31, 2029, one year beyond the original deadline, to allow sufficient time to implement the expanded programme.

Nigerian consumers have raised the alarm over declining product quality and quantity amid rising prices, warning that it is worsening the cost of living crisis.

They described the trend as ‘shrinkflation’, the practice of reducing product quantity and quality while prices remain the same or increase.

The consumers stated this in an interview with Consumer Watch, lamenting that brands are now offering smaller sizes and lower-grade products while charging more.

Several shoppers who voiced their minds said that such products include: sachet beverages, canned foods, tomato paste, milk, noodles, and soap, among others, adding that they no longer get value for their money.

Speaking on the same issue, a Lagos-based consumer, Chinwe Uzoma, decried the situation, stressing that it is becoming unbearable.

According to her, ‘Before now, when you bought a sachet of Milo and milk, you were sure of a good cup of tea. But today, it is no longer the same. The tea tastes bland and watery.

‘We, the consumers, are no longer getting value for our money,’ she lamented.

Another consumer who spoke with Consumer Watch described the situation as intolerable.

According to her, ‘In the past, one sachet of Milo and milk was enough for a rich, tasty tea. Now, the same combination produces tea that is tasteless and weak.

Speaking in the same vein, Vivian Onyebukwa said: ‘It’s unfortunate that consumers are experiencing a reduction in both the quality and quantity of some consumer goods, especially sachet goods.

‘Take, for instance, beverages such as milk, drinks, and even tomatoes. These items are supposedly meant to nourish the body; instead, they have become a source of illness to the consumers. Some sachet tomatoes are allegedly manufactured with flour and colour, and they call it tomatoes.

‘Sachet milk is now chaff and tasteless. Most sachet drinks are now sending consumers to their early graves.

‘However, despite reduction in quality and quantity, their prices are going up every day. Government should look into this. We have a government agency in charge of quality control. Manufacturers should not be allowed to take consumers’ health for granted.

On her part, a trader, Aisha Bello, said: ‘I used to buy a medium size of sachet Milo for my children, and it would last for the week . Now the sachet is smaller, and we finish it in 3 days, but the price is even higher .”

Another consumer, Chinedu Okoro, said manufacturers are quietly cheating Nigerians and added that they change the packaging but keep the price.

‘If you don’t pay attention, you won’t notice. Government needs to step in,’ he said.

Speaking also, another Lagos-based consumer, Blessing Ikechi, had the trend as ‘evil’, blaming manufacturing firms for being unfair to Nigerian consumers.

‘Take, for instance, when you buy any tinned product. As soon as you open the tin, you discover that the content is only half, unlike before when it would fill up the container.

‘The annoying part is that the price of such products has gone higher. It is a serious issue that should be urgently addressed by the regulatory agencies.”

She added that if manufacturing firms must reduce the quantity of a product, they should also reduce the price.

‘When you buy a tinned product now, once you open it, the content is just half. Before, it used to fill the container,’ she said. ‘But the price has even increased. This is unfair to Nigerians, and the regulators need to act urgently.

Reacting to the development in a report, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, said it has commenced investigations into cases of ‘shrinkflation’ across markets nationwide.

A director at the Commission in the report stated that manufacturers are obligated to disclose any changes in product weight or quality to consumers.

‘We will not allow consumers to be shortchanged. Companies must be transparent, and where there are violations, appropriate sanctions will be applied,’ the official stated.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, also urged consumers to report substandard products through its consumer safety channels.

Analysts described ‘shrinkflation’ as a common response by manufacturers to rising costs of raw materials. But consumer rights groups argue that failing to clearly label such changes amounts to deceptive practice.

Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwoland, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on his re-election, urging him to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attract more development to the state.

Oba Akanbi, who described Adeleke’s re-election as a reflection of the will of God expressed through the ballot, stated that stronger cooperation between the state and Federal Government would help accelerate development across towns and villages, not only the capital.

The Oluwo said the governor’s victory also reflected the growing participation of young people in the state’s political process, noting that youths played a significant role in canvassing and mobilising voters for his re-election.

His words: ‘When God speaks, I listen. When HE instructs, I bow. When HE commands, I submit. The re-election victory of the Executive Governor of Osun State, Asiwaju Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, reflects a divine will of Olodumare (God) expressed by voters through the ballots.

‘I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on this remarkable victory. The victory is a pure manifestation of youthful participation and involvement in his administrative drive. He drove a set of dedicated youth who committed themselves to canvass and convince voters on the need to reelect the governor.

‘Align with the federal government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR so as not to be an isolated Governor because Osun needs the federal government to bring more developments to cities, towns, and villages, not only the capital.

‘I have strong hope that aligning with the federal government will accelerate and attract more dividends to Osun State and her people,’ he said.

Oba Akanbi also urged Adeleke to strengthen his engagement with the grassroots beyond election periods by visiting every local government area and organising periodic summits, which he described as ‘Apero.’

He further urged him to be magnanimous in victory, stressing that he is now the governor of all residents of Osun State.

‘You are the governor of all in the state. Olodumare will bless you with sound health and divine wisdom to constructively manage the state,’ he added.

Nigeria’s housing deficit has never posed a demand problem. Millions of Nigerians want to invest in properties and will service a mortgage if the terms are reasonable. Currently, what the industry lacks is a fairly priced financing structure that is patient enough for prospective property owners while delivering attractive returns to the providers of the capital.

In addition to financing issues, a lack of understanding of available investment opportunities also poses a risk to the sector. The MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), managed by ARM Investment Managers on behalf of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, was set up to address some of these issues and provide a trusted investment vehicle for Nigerians. Its results for the first half of 2026 give a clear picture of how far that effort has come in its first year and a half of operations.

For the six months ending June 30, 2026, the fund generated a total income of N17.48 billion from its investing activities, including income from mortgages created and interest income on cash holdings.

In simple terms, MREIF’s income is not generated from trading or speculative activity, but from interest on the loans and financial assets it holds. This is exactly the kind of steady income a fund built around long-term mortgage lending should be generating.

After accounting for operating costs, the fund posted a profit before tax of N14.49 billion and profit after tax of N14.24 billion, building on the N7.34 billion the fund had already earned in the first quarter of the year.

The total value of MREIF’s assets stood at N269.9 billion by the end of June. Of that, N131.67 billion has been disbursed specifically as mortgage loans, and that money has so far financed 1,909 completed housing units for homeowners.

These units span all six of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and cover 27 states, which matters because mortgage financing in Nigeria has typically clustered around a small number of major cities, leaving large parts of the country underserved.

In terms of MREIF’s mortgage beneficiaries, 87.2% are salaried employees and 12.8% are self-employed, largely a reflection of the fund’s single-digit interest rates, made possible through its network of 22 partner banks and mortgage institutions that help extend this pricing to eligible homebuyers.

So, this pricing structure is arguably an important model as it has brought homeownership within reach of people who earn a regular salary but would never qualify for a market-rate mortgage.

Mortgages are only one side of what MREIF does. The fund has also extended what are called offtake guarantees to three developer projects so far.

In practical terms, this means MREIF is backing developers so they can secure construction financing to build housing units, financing that banks might otherwise hesitate to provide without that guarantee in place. Those three guarantees currently support 475 housing units under construction.

This matters because financing the supply of housing is often harder to solve than financing the demand for it, and it is one part of the fund’s work that gets far less attention than mortgage numbers do.

All of this lending is funded by investor capital, and MREIF’s mid-year results show how that capital was rewarded. On July 15, the fund paid its interim dividend for the first half of 2026 to two groups of investors.

Commercial investors, who hold 1 billion units, received N8.61 per unit, which works out to an annualised yield of 17.37% and a total payout of N8.61 billion. Government-held units, totalling 1.5 billion units, received N2.80 per unit, a yield of 5.65% and a payout of N4.20 billion.

Combined, the fund returned N12.82 billion to investors across its 2.5 billion outstanding units.

The difference between those two yields is not a sign that one group of investors is being treated better than the other. It is the mechanism that allows the whole structure to function.

Government capital accepts a lower return so that it can fund mortgages with rates the ordinary Nigerian can afford, while commercial investors are paid closer to market rates to keep them willing to fund the programme.

This blended finance model enables the combination of public and private capital at different price points to fund affordable mortgages. Blended finance only works if the underlying numbers hold up over time, and six months into this financial year, MREIF’s do.

In total, a balance sheet of N269.88 billion, equity of N266.78 billion, and a net asset value of N106.71 per unit describe a fund that is on a steady trajectory rather than in short bursts.

For a programme designed to outlast any single housing policy cycle, this kind of consistency matters more than a single standout quarter would. What the half-year figures show, when studied collectively rather than in isolation, is a fund whose earnings and housing impact are moving in the same direction, which is not something every investment vehicle in this sector can claim.

Many seniors want to stay in their own homes and keep living life on their own terms. Yet, even ordinary everyday chores may result in some accidents that are hard to predict, such as falling in the washroom or losing control in the kitchen. In such instances, it is not always possible to get help in time, particularly when the individual is alone or unable to access a phone. Meanwhile, family members usually get anxious because they cannot respond promptly if something is wrong.

Because of these issues, new safety technologies are becoming more common in everyday life. They aim to identify the emergency at its early stage, establish contact with help, and shorten the queues in the case of an emergency. Through this type of assistance, elderly people are able to maintain their routine with less fear and greater confidence.

This article describes how these technologies function and how they make independent living safer.

1. Automatic Fall Detection That Responds When Every Second Matters

A growing number of people now rely on fall detection devices for seniors because automatic fall detection technology can identify a sudden fall without any manual action. This is crucial when one is injured, confused, or unable to press a button after falling. Waiting to be assisted in such situations can be dangerous, particularly when no one else is around.

These systems have sensors that monitor movement and body position during the day. In the event of a sudden fall or any other irregular impact, the system can automatically trigger an alarm to request help. As it requires no input, it still works even when the individual is unable to move or react.

On top of that, many falls occur in everyday settings such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. Since the system responds instantly, it helps shorten the gap between the accident and the commencement of assistance. Such a faster response can be a significant difference when quick assistance is most required.

2. GPS Tracking That Extends Protection Beyond Home

Although it is safer to stay at home, walking, shopping, or socializing with other people are also common activities among seniors. At such times, GPS tracking technology is significant as it can be used to determine the precise position of an individual in case of an emergency. This is useful in scenarios where a person cannot communicate their position or provide a timely response, making it simple to let others know where help is required.

In case of an issue outside, emergency teams or relatives can see the location information instantly and get in touch with the individual immediately.

This minimizes uncertainty and assists in arriving at the right place within a shorter time span, even in an urgent situation. It is especially helpful in areas that are not familiar, where finding directions can take extra time.

Due to this enhanced security, the elderly can move around without the fear of being locked up in their living rooms. They can keep on with their daily routine and still have a dependable safety connection in the background. By doing so, GPS tracking helps to maintain independence and safer movement beyond the home.

3. Two-Way Communication That Connects Seniors to Immediate Help

After an alarm has been raised, effective communication is highly essential in knowing what is going on. Two-way communication technology makes this possible by allowing seniors to speak directly with a trained monitoring professional through the device. This eliminates the hassle of looking or calling on a phone when one is in a stressful situation.

The connection is automatically opened in case of sending an alert, and help can be provided at once. At that, the senior can explain what has occurred, how they feel, or what type of support they might require. Using this information, the responder decides whether to call family members or dispatch emergency services.

As someone is talking to them, it immediately makes the situation less overwhelming. Rather than trying to handle the confusion by themselves, they are guided and supported in real-time. This direct connection assists in ensuring that the response corresponds to the actual need in a clear and timely manner.

4. 24/7 Monitoring Services That Provide Continuous Peace of Mind

Around-the-clock support is essential because emergencies can happen at any time of day or night. 24/7 monitoring technology ensures that trained professionals are always available to respond when an alert is activated. This constant readiness removes the problem of waiting for help during off-hours.

Whenever a signal comes in, the monitoring team immediately checks the situation and follows a set response process. They may speak to the person through the device, contact emergency services, or inform family members, depending on the urgency. This structured response helps ensure nothing is missed.

Since the system never shuts off, seniors do not need someone physically present at all times to feel safe. They can continue living independently while still having access to help whenever it is needed. At the same time, families gain reassurance knowing that support is always in place.

Conclusion

Safety has become easier to manage with simple technology that fits into everyday life. Seniors can continue their daily routines with more confidence because support is available when something unexpected happens. This reduces stress in situations where quick action is needed and helps create a stronger sense of stability at home and outside.

At the same time, families gain reassurance knowing that help can be reached without delay. This balance of independence and support makes daily living safer and more comfortable, while allowing seniors to stay active and maintain their freedom.