Category: Daily Trust

The Lilypond Export Command (LEXC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) processed exports valued at $792.56 million in the second quarter of 2026, representing a 24.35 per cent increase over the $599.60 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Lagos, attributing the performance to increased export activities and improved trade facilitation measures.

According to him, the command handled 5,510 export containers during the review period, compared with 3,732 containers in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting an increase of 1,778 containers or 32.27 per cent.

Ariyibi said agricultural products remained the dominant export category, accounting for $422.08 million, up from $369.84 million recorded a year earlier.

He added that exports of manufactured goods surged to $350.67 million, an increase of $230.37 million over the $120.30 million posted in the corresponding period of 2025, describing the growth as evidence of Nigeria’s expanding industrial capacity and ongoing export diversification efforts.

In contrast, exports of solid minerals dropped sharply to $7.17 million from $91.15 million in the second quarter of 2025. Ariyibi said the decline aligns with the Federal Government’s policy encouraging local value addition before mineral exports.

On revenue generation, the area controller said the command collected N5.38 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), representing an increase of N512.02 million, or 9.52 per cent, over the N4.86 billion realised in the same period last year.

However, export surcharge collections declined to N95.26 million, down from N149.39 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Ariyibi noted that the command’s performance followed the consolidation directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which designated Lilypond as the dedicated command for processing containerised exports.

He said the command continued to maintain close collaboration with key regulatory agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the Port Police and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure seamless export operations.

The controller commended the Comptroller-General for providing an enabling environment for trade facilitation, particularly in the non-oil export sector.

He also urged exporters, freight forwarders and haulage operators to comply with existing export regulations, warning that ignorance of the law would not be accepted as an excuse.

Ariyibi encouraged stakeholders to leverage the command’s open-door policy and acquaint themselves with export prohibition guidelines to ensure efficient and lawful export processing.

Nile University of Nigeria hosted the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of The Gambia, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, as part of a National Universities Commission (NUC)-coordinated study tour to strengthen institutional learning and knowledge exchange in higher education.

Selected as one of the universities for the official engagement, Nile University provided the Gambian delegation with first-hand insight into its approach to academic delivery, innovation, digital learning, entrepreneurship and student development.

The Gambian delegation was led by Hon. Prof. Gomez, accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Isatou Auber. Also participating in the visit were Engr. Suleiman Adebayo, Deputy Director/ Team Lead, University-Industry Linkage Division at the National Universities Commission (NUC), alongside other officials from the NUC.

In his welcome speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Professor Dilli Dogo, FNAMed, DFMC, described the visit as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration among African higher education institutions and strengthen the exchange of knowledge and practices capable of advancing the continent’s university system.

‘We are honoured that Nile University was selected as one of the institutions to host this distinguished delegation. Universities have an important role to play in Africa’s development, and that requires us to look beyond our individual institutions and countries to build partnerships, exchange knowledge and learn from one another. We welcome opportunities such as this to contribute to the continued advancement of higher education across the continent,’ Professor Dilli Dogo said.

The visit built on longstanding educational ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, strengthened over the years through academic exchanges, scholarships, capacity development and the contributions of Nigerian academics to The Gambia’s university system.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Prof. Gomez described Nigeria as a longstanding and valued partner in The Gambia’s higher education development, acknowledging the significant contribution Nigerian academics have made to the country’s university system. ‘It is always good to come back to our roots because Nigeria has been a trusted partner in our educational journey for many years. Most of the faculty members in our universities are Nigerians, and the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia was also Nigerian. That reflects the depth of the relationship our two countries have built over the years,’ he said.

He added that the study tour was designed to enable the delegation to examine institutional systems and practices that could provide useful lessons as The Gambia continued to strengthen its higher education sector.

A key part of the visit was a guided tour of Nile University’s facilities and learning ecosystem. The delegation visited the University’s state-of-the-art Virtual Reality room, which supports experiential learning in business, leadership and decision-making.

The tour provided insight into the University’s integrated approach to teaching and learning, executive education, digital learning, innovation and entrepreneurship, and student support, as well as its continued investment in creating an environment that prepares students for the evolving demands of the workplace and society.

The visit also provided a platform for broader discussions on institutional development and the evolving role of African universities in strengthening academic quality, expanding research and innovation, embracing technology-enabled learning and equipping graduates with the knowledge and capabilities required to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

By hosting the delegation, Nile University reinforced its commitment to advancing higher education through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnerships that extend beyond institutional and national boundaries, while strengthening its contribution to developing future-ready graduates and the wider transformation of higher education in Nigeria and across Africa.

The delegation, before departure, solicited cooperation and collaboration with the Education Sector in The Gambia and promised to forward workable proposals for MoUs towards the advancement of the newly established University of Science and Innovation and Technology in The Gambia.

They believe Nile University has what it takes to support a workable partnership with the University of The Gambia

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve not to negotiate with or yield to criminals as part of efforts to tackle banditry in the state.

Lawal stated this on Thursday when he visited Bungudu Local Government Area to commiserate with families and residents affected by a recent bandit attack.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed details of the visit in a statement on Thursday.

The governor, who began the condolence visit at the palace of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, said the state government remained committed to deploying resources and efforts towards restoring security and peace.

‘I am here to express my sympathy and offer condolences to the families, the Emir, and the people of Bungudu following last week’s bandit attacks,’ Lawal said.

‘This is a test from Almighty Allah, and we will overcome it. The state government is dedicating resources and efforts to end the threat of banditry.’

The governor urged residents to remain patient, describing the security situation as a sensitive issue that requires perseverance and prayers.

‘I encourage everyone to remain patient, as this sensitive issue requires both perseverance and steadfast prayers,’ he said.

Lawal also assured families of those injured and abducted during the attack that the government would continue to provide necessary support.

‘We will continue to provide all necessary assistance to those injured and will do everything possible to secure the safe return of all kidnapped victims,’ the governor said.

He prayed for the families of those killed in the attack, saying, ‘I pray that God grants the victims’ families the strength to endure this loss. May Allah forgive those who lost their lives.’

Responding, the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, commended the governor’s efforts towards addressing insecurity in the state.

Attahiru, who said he was a member of the state’s security council, expressed confidence that the challenge of banditry would be overcome.

‘As a member of the state’s security council, I am aware of the governor’s efforts. I am confident that we will overcome the challenge of banditry,’ the monarch said.

‘We appreciate your condolence visit. It means a lot to the people of Bungudu LGA.’

During the visit, Lawal also visited the family of the late Alhaji Bello Umar Bungudu and other families affected by the attack to offer his condolences.

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, declared on Thursday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on course to reclaim power in Kwara State in the 2027 general elections.

He cited, among other factors, the successful submission of the party’s candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Saraki added that the ‘growing defections and sustained unity among members’ remain among the greatest paths to victory.

Daily Trust reports that the meetings took place shortly after the PDP concluded its candidate nomination process for the 2027 polls.

Saraki, who remains the party’s leader in Kwara, has intensified consultations with stakeholders across the state in recent weeks to unite the opposition and strengthen its structures.

The PDP, which governed Kwara for 16 years before losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019, is seeking a political comeback. Since its defeat, the opposition has consistently pledged to reclaim the state.

Saraki spoke during separate meetings with PDP stakeholders from the Kwara North and Kwara South Senatorial Districts. During the engagements, he urged party leaders and supporters to remain united and intensify grassroots mobilization.

The meetings were attended by the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Suleiman Bolakale Kawu; his running mate, Rev. Cornelius Fawenu; the party’s National Assembly candidates from both districts; members of the State Working Committee; party elders; and other stakeholders.

According to his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki confirmed that all PDP candidates have been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal. He described this as a major milestone in the party’s preparations.

‘As I assured our members earlier, all our candidates have now been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal. This marks another important step in our preparations for the 2027 elections,’ Saraki stated, thanking members for their patience and confidence throughout the nomination process.

He noted that the continued defections into the PDP across Kwara North and South reflect growing public confidence. ‘What gives me even greater confidence is what is happening across both senatorial districts, where people are joining the PDP in droves because they see our great party as the only credible alternative for good governance,’ he said.

The former Senate President stressed that unity is crucial as the party expands, urging members to subordinate personal interests to the collective goal of returning the PDP to power.

‘As our numbers grow, so does our responsibility to remain one family. I appeal to our leaders and supporters to accommodate one another and place the collective interest of the party above personal ambition. Our unity and discipline remain our greatest strengths,’ he added.

He pledged to continue supporting the party and its candidates throughout the electioneering process, reiterating his conviction that ‘with unity, commitment, and hard work, victory is within our reach.’

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a major export-driven sector, identifying Cross River State as a strategic hub capable of supplying the South-South region and international markets.

Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Muktar Maha, disclosed this during a visit to Cross River ahead of the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum in Ikom Local Government Area.

Maha said the facility, the first of 12 planned along Nigeria’s international borders, is designed to strengthen livestock health certification, prevent the entry of diseased animals into the country and enhance confidence in Nigeria’s livestock value chain.

He said the Federal Government was determined to build a modern livestock economy capable of creating thousands of jobs while boosting non-oil exports, noting that Nigeria’s red meat export market is valued at about $3.4 billion.

According to the minister, Cross River is strategically positioned to become the country’s livestock export gateway because of its coastal location, proximity to Gulf markets and ongoing investments in transport infrastructure.

‘We believe Cross River can dominate the red meat industry in the South-South. With Calabar’s access to the coast, we are only a few hours away from Gulf markets,’ he said.

Maha disclosed that the ministry plans to establish a modern abattoir ecosystem in the state capable of processing about 500 cattle daily, a project expected to generate about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs through meat processing, transportation, cold-chain logistics, feed production and other value chain activities.

To address supply challenges in the poultry sector, the minister announced plans to facilitate the importation of about 60 million hatchable eggs as a short-term intervention while licensing more operators to reduce delays experienced by livestock farmers.

He also urged investors to explore opportunities in commercial fodder production, including Napier grass, alfalfa and ryegrass, saying demand for quality animal feed remains high in Gulf countries.

He added that the proposed Obudu livestock facility would incorporate cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and a dairy centre in partnership with a university.

Maha further disclosed that the ministry would inspect the Obudu Ranch and other livestock assets during the visit to evaluate investment opportunities and accelerate the development of the state’s livestock sector.

Responding, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to partner the Federal Government.

He said the Obudu Cargo Airport, now about 85 per cent completed, together with ongoing investments at Obudu Ranch, would support livestock exports and position the state as a major agricultural and trade hub.

The Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum is expected to play a critical role in safeguarding animal health, facilitating cross-border livestock trade and supporting the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda through agriculture.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s formal admission as a National Member Committee of the World Energy Council (WEC), saying the development will strengthen the country’s participation in global discussions on energy security, equity and sustainability.

Tinubu also congratulated the inaugural leadership of WEC Nigeria, including Abdulrazaq Isa, who will serve as chairman, and Bala Wunti, the Chief Executive Officer.

In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Nigeria’s admission into the global energy body as a significant development for the country’s energy sector.

He said Nigeria’s membership of the century-old organisation, which has a presence in more than 100 countries, would provide the country with an opportunity to play a greater role in shaping global energy policies and conversations.

‘Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council to lead, not just participate – to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global energy decisions,’ Tinubu said.

The President also congratulated members of the inaugural board, drawn from the energy value chain, regulatory institutions, industry associations, finance, academia and the Future Energy Leaders community.

Tinubu said the composition of the board, bringing together industry operators, regulators, finance experts and young energy leaders, would provide the balance and credibility required for the organisation to carry out its mandate.

He described Isa as a ‘distinguished patriot and trailblazing industrialist,’ citing his investments in indigenous refining and industrial energy.

The President also described Wunti as ‘one of Nigeria’s finest energy strategists and reform champions,’ noting his more than three decades of service in the energy sector.

Tinubu pledged the Federal Government’s support for WEC Nigeria as a neutral and technology-agnostic platform for policy dialogue, investment mobilisation and innovation.

He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working with the World Energy Council and its global network towards improving access to secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

The President wished Isa, Wunti and other members of the inaugural board success in their assignments.

The Plateau State House of Assembly has introduced a bill seeking the demolition of buildings used for kidnapping, ritual killings, terrorism and other violent crimes.

The bill, sponsored by Eli Bako Ankala and co-sponsored by Speaker Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, Joseph Gokum, Abel Nimchak and Mathew Kwarpo, aims to deter the use of properties for criminal activities and improve public safety.

It also seeks to hold property owners accountable where they knowingly allow their buildings to be used for crime.

Under the proposed law, where a court of competent jurisdiction establishes that a building was knowingly used for offences such as kidnapping, unlawful detention, ritual killings, human trafficking, terrorism, cult-related killings or other violent crimes, it may order the forfeiture, sealing, demolition or any other appropriate action against the property.

The bill, however, provides safeguards for innocent property owners.

It states that no building should be demolished simply because a crime occurred there unless the court is satisfied that the owner knowingly permitted or participated in the criminal activity, or that the property was deliberately maintained or repeatedly used for criminal purposes.

Where a demolition order is issued, the relevant government authority is required to carry it out within 48 hours.

The proposed legislation also places responsibilities on landlords to verify the identities of prospective tenants, maintain accurate tenancy records, report suspected criminal activities to security agencies and cooperate with lawful investigations.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock sector have called for the integration of private veterinary laboratories into the country’s animal disease surveillance system to strengthen disease detection, improve reporting, and enhance preparedness for disease outbreaks.

The call was made on Thursday at a summit on the ‘Public-Private Laboratory Forum on Strengthening Poultry Disease Surveillance in Nigeria’ in Abuja.

Participants stressed the need for collaboration among federal, state, local government and private veterinary laboratories to improve surveillance data collection.

The Director of Infectious and Transboundary Animal Diseases at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Professor Clement Meseko, said effective disease surveillance could only be achieved through collaboration among all actors in the veterinary laboratory ecosystem.

‘It’s very interesting that at this time we are discussing the veterinary laboratory network, particularly with respect to how there can be collaboration between the government laboratories, the national laboratories, the state laboratories, and, more importantly, the private laboratory,’ he said.

Country Manager of the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines Nigeria, GAVmed, Moses Arokoyo, identified poor reporting and fragmented data collection as major weaknesses in Nigeria’s animal disease surveillance system.

‘So what we have seen as a gap is the fact that there is no integration of data. We say that if an event is not recorded, it means it didn’t happen,’ he said.

Arokoyo said harmonising data from public and private laboratories would improve Nigeria’s capacity to predict and respond to disease outbreaks.

Also speaking, the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Matthew Adamu, called on the government to strengthen veterinary laboratory infrastructure at the state and local government levels.

‘We have the National Veterinary Science Institute involved as the top-most reference lab as far as this country is concerned. It is designated as a laboratory for some diseases by the World Organisation for Animal Health as a reference lab. However, we have a serious challenge at the sub-national level,’ he stated.

The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku, called for an urgent shift in attitude towards disease data reporting, warning that fragmentation and under-reporting are undermining Nigeria’s ability to control poultry diseases.

Anzaku, who was represented by Dr Adeniyi Adedoyin, recalled that the same issue was raised 3-4 years ago.

‘Why do we have teaching hospitals and different labs – public and private – generating data, and everybody keeps to their own data?’ he asked.

He noted that the human health and pharmacy sectors have already harmonised their surveillance systems and are moving faster, while the veterinary sector is lagging.

Dr Onallo Akpa, Director General of the Poultry Association of Nigeria(PAN), called for increased investment in research and laboratory capacity to tackle Newcastle Disease and other endemic poultry diseases that continue to threaten Nigeria’s livestock.

The Director General of PAN, therefore, tasked participants to use the two-day deliberations to identify ‘missing gaps’ and develop strategies to reduce the endemic nature of poultry diseases and their economic impact.

Transportation is a dominant structural element of the capital city plan. All the relevant categories of transportation services are proposed in the transportation plan to ensure viable and efficient national capital for Nigeria. A suitable corridor for the location of rail alignment, in the event that rail service to the FCC is found to be feasible in the future has been proposed. Human imperfections aside, the system as planned is very adequate to alleviate any future chaotic urban transportation problem that is anticipated in the city.

The specific objectives of the City Transportation System are: maximise public transportation mobility for those residents who do not own cars; maximise traffic movements passing through the various development sectors; provide multiple highway paths between development sectors thereby avoiding network bottlenecks; and achieve maximum self-containment within the outlying sectors.

The traffic network in the city consists of Outer Expressways, Inner Expressways, Ring Roads, Parkways, Transit ways, Civil Spine Roads, Arterial Roads, collectors and service roads. Of all these categories, only the Transitways are yet to be implemented, but the proposed corridors were provided and being fervently guarded and protected.

The content of the Transitways include the National Railway (NR) and Commuter Rail (CR), and where the NR and CR will be on the same track. Until the actual implementation commences, it will seem as if the reserved corridors were vacant lands.

Over the years, these corridors were bedeviled by barrages of encroachments. If not for the ever vigilance of Development Control and Park and Recreations Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), the entire areas reserved for the future developments of road and rail would have since disappeared. Unfortunately, that protection is now a thing of the past, not because these agencies lack the capability and capacity for their enforcement functions.

At the beginning of every administration, whoever is appointed the FCT Minister makes a vow to defend the Abuja Master Plan. What is required of the ministers to keep to their promises is simply to manage the land within the territory earmarked for the federal capital according to the recommendations of the Abuja Master plan. However, the level of compliance of the various ministers to what they promised are not the same.

According to the master plan, in the early phases of the federal capital development, the transit spine will operate as a busway, and at later stages, might incorporate a higher capacity transit mode, such as rapid rail transit, and light rail transit. From a functional point of view, rapid transit could provide a higher capacity and operating speed than light-rail transit, but at the expense of higher implementation cost and the need for a higher exclusivity along the right-of-ways.

Notwithstanding the failure to commence the implementation of the project due to the cost component, as all transportation corridors everywhere in the world, the undergrounds of the flanks are used as service lines for water, electricity, sewer and others, serving the various sectors of the city.

Invariably, although the Transitways are not yet implemented for the public transportation uses they have since been in use as water mains underground service corridors for water supply, and sewer lines for the evacuation of liquid wastes from all the various sectors of the city. Tampering with or the violation of that reserved corridor for any other use would portend serious danger and untold hardship to the residents of the city.

The prevailing circumstance is the ongoing violation of the S12 Transitway along the highbrow Maitama and Wuse II Districts. The underground 800mm diameter water pipeline that supplies water to Maitama, Wuse II, Wuye, Zone 4 and parts of Central Area District were laid decades ago, prior to the commencement of physical developments in many parts of the city.

Massive construction activities along the line broke the pipeline. It resulted to the disruption of water supply to all the districts aforementioned for 18 days. Obviously, the repair, two days ago, that allows the continuation of water supply is only temporary. This is because the massive development over the main pipeline continues unabated.

We can only deceive ourselves because the overburden structure has the tendency of causing leakage or rupture on the underground pipeline. Thus, the need for access for future maintenance is inevitable. That was why the city plan provided for the underground services to be along such corridors which would not be overburdened by any physical development apart from the earmarked transportation service.

The other solution would have been to divert the pipeline to pass through another area that will be secured. But there is no vacant land around for the diversion because almost all were already developed. Even if an undeveloped land is found it is not possible to obtain such corridor that can continue to a very long stretch for the laying of public utilities.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, key political stakeholders, community leaders, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Kogi East Senatorial District have declared their full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Meeting under the banner of the Kogi East APC Strategic Leadership Conference in Abuja, chaired by Major Gen. Patrick Ademu Akpa (Rtd), the group resolved to mobilize the electorate across the district to ensure a decisive victory for the party in the upcoming polls.

The conference, held under the theme ‘Unity, Electoral Strength, and Power Rotation,’ emphasized the need for a structured and negotiated framework to ensure political equity.

The stakeholders advocated for a formal arrangement regarding power rotation, which they argue is essential for the long-term stability of the state.

The communiqué, signed by 26 prominent leaders-including Major Gen. Patrick Ademu Akpa (Rtd), Amb. Isaac A. Onu, Rt. Hon. Ismaila Inna Hussaini, Rt. Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Egwu, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma, AIG Abutu Iyaro (Rtd), Dr. Sani Teidi, and Hon. Dan Okolo-outlined the following core objectives:

A major pillar of the group’s agenda is the urgent need to reverse a 20-year decline in infrastructure across Kogi East.

The leaders expressed concern that, in the decade following the passing of the late Governor Prince Abubakar Audu, the region has suffered from both systemic neglect and a lack of unified leadership.

Consequently, the group declared its resolve to engage the state and federal governments directly to secure concrete development projects.

They emphasized that while they are fully committed to the re-election of Governor Ododo, they will proactively negotiate for sustainable development to improve the living standards of citizens in the district.y