Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has officially launched an investigation into the recent severe flooding along the Airport Road axis and Lokogoma District to determine the root causes and implement lasting solutions.

Speaking during his routine media chat on Wednesday, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, revealed that a high-level task force led by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Director of Development Control was immediately dispatched to conduct on-the-ground assessments across affected communities, including Lugbe and Lokogoma.

‘When I heard of the incident, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the Director, Development Control had to go to the place, not only at the airport road but also in Lokogoma,’ the Minister stated.

‘The one that is man-made, we can solve the problem; the one that is natural, there is nothing we can do-it becomes a natural disaster. So, it’s something that we have to investigate’.

While acknowledging that recent torrential downpour in the nation’s capital has reached unprecedented levels, the Minister stressed that preliminary findings point to long-standing violations of the FCT masterplan, where structures have been erected across natural waterways and designated road corridors without valid approvals.

He vowed that the administration will take all necessary steps to correct abuse of the Abuja masterplan along the airport road axis and will not hesitate to bring down any structure found along waterways.

According to him, ‘From our studies, Lugbe has always been violating the Abuja masterplan… All over the years, you see people building without approval and blocking where is supposed to be a roadway. As an administration, we are not taking it lightly’.

Beyond structural enforcement, the Minister disclosed that the FCTA is also taking stern administrative action against officials within the administration who facilitate illegal encroachments into green areas and waterways.

He revealed that a government Director was recently suspended under civil service rules for issuing unauthorized ‘temporary approvals’ to commercial operators on designated green zones, while another official faced disciplinary sanctions for illegally reallocating park lands under the guise of security clearing.

On allegations that some of the structures marked for demolition held prior government approvals, the Minister reiterated that illegal approvals obtained through undue influence would not serve as a shield against enforcement.

‘You got approval to do something wrong, sometimes, it’s under influence. Government policy is that nobody should do anything on green areas. Now you go with the spirit that nothing will happen, and then when we come to enforce, you say you have approval. It is not going to be accepted,’ he clarified.

OUTBREAK of Diphtheria has claimed the lives of 23 people and 143 others suspected to have contacted the disease in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The development has caused serious concerns among health officials in the state, who have stepped in to limit the spread of the disease.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’am-Nigerian ristos, said the outbreak of the disease is mainly in Jos North Local Government, adding that the government is making efforts to prevent the spread to neighbouring local governments.

‘There is actually an outbreak of Diphtheria in the state. As of today, we have 143 suspected cases and we have lost 23 patients. Some of the patients are receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau State Specialist Hospital,’ he said.

‘We have made a lot of effort to stabilise the situation and to prevent further escalation. Rikkos community is majorly affected.. The most unfortunate is that there’s no anti-toxin for treatment, so we use antibiotics. It spreads through coughing, sneezing and contact with the person that is affected,’ he said.

Earlier, the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for Jos North Local Government, Baks Bulus, said 15 deaths occurred within three days of the outbreak of the disease, and warned that additional cases may arise if urgent preventive measures are not adopted.

He said the development came barely two days after a family in Jos reportedly lost two children to the suspected infection.

Explaining the mode of transmission, Bulus said Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can spread rapidly from one person to another, particularly among close contacts.

He added that people sharing personal items such as utensils and towels with infected persons were at risk of contracting the disease.

‘It keeps spreading when people come in close contact with an infected patient,’ he said.

‘For children, who have been vaccinated, the effects may not be much and may not lead to death. But for a child, who has not been vaccinated or has not completed the required doses, it can be deadly,’ he said.

He urged residents, particularly those in affected communities to maintain good personal hygiene and report suspected symptoms at government health facilities.

‘People should maintain good personal hygiene and avoid overcrowded places. We advise residents to visit the nearest health facility because early detection is key to saving lives,’ he said.

He, however, said health personnel from the local government had been deployed to the affected communities to intensify surveillance and sensitise residents on measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS) has announced sweeping reductions and outright removal of selected fees, in a move aimed at lowering the cost of investing and easing transaction barriers across Nigeria’s capital market.

Under the revised pricing framework announced on Tuesday, CSCS cut lien fees for retail investors by 50 percent, from 0.25 percent to 0.125 percent, while nominal transfer fees for qualifying transfers between immediate family members have been completely scrapped.

The market infrastructure operator also removed broker code creation and renewal fees as well as eligibility fees payable by brokers across the exchanges serviced by CSCS.

The fee review comes as the Nigerian capital market seeks to deepen retail participation, improve liquidity and make market access more affordable for investors and intermediaries.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Shehu Yahaya Shantali, said the company was responding to the evolving needs of investors and market participants by reducing areas of friction in the investment process.

‘As Nigeria’s capital market continues to grow and evolve, we believe its infrastructure must continually respond to the needs of investors and market participants,’ Shantali said.

According to him, the review is designed to improve accessibility and support greater participation while maintaining the security, resilience and efficiency of the infrastructure underpinning the market.

He added that CSCS would continue to invest in technology and capabilities while working with stakeholders to ensure that the post-trade infrastructure remains responsive to market needs.

The reductions are expected to particularly benefit retail investors and market intermediaries by lowering transaction-related costs and creating greater room for brokers, fintech companies and other market participants to develop products aimed at expanding investor access.

The removal of the family-transfer charge could also make the transfer of eligible securities within immediate families significantly cheaper, potentially supporting greater intergenerational ownership and transfer of investments.

For brokers, the scrapping of code creation and renewal charges, alongside eligibility fees across CSCS-serviced exchanges, reduces some of the operational costs associated with market participation.

CSCS said the revised pricing forms part of its broader strategy to enhance investor experience, encourage retail participation, promote innovation and contribute to the development of a deeper and more inclusive capital market.

The company, which serves as Nigeria’s central securities depository and provides clearing and settlement infrastructure, has played a key role in the market’s transition to electronic and dematerialised securities.

Its services cover equities, commercial papers, corporate bonds, sub-national bonds, selected sovereign bonds, exchange-traded funds, real estate investment trusts, mutual funds and commodities.

The latest intervention comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by market regulators and infrastructure providers to reduce barriers to investment and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s capital market.

CSCS said it would continue to work with regulators, exchanges, market operators and other stakeholders to identify further opportunities to improve market efficiency and strengthen the infrastructure supporting sustainable growth.

The Yoruba movie industry has suffered another loss following the death of Nollywood actress Atinuke Remilekun Kareem, who died after battling breast cancer.

Kareem’s death comes barely two weeks after the passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who also reportedly died after battling cancer.

The actress’ death was announced on Tuesday by the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) through its Executive Governor, Owolabi Ajasa.

Before her death, Kareem had publicly appealed for financial assistance to enable her continue treatment for breast cancer.

In a video released alongside the announcement, the actress spoke about the financial burden her illness had placed on her family and appealed to members of the public to support her treatment.

‘I’m a breast cancer patient. It has been going on for a while. My family has spent a lot of money; I’ve come to seek help. The association I belong to, TAMPAN, has tried too, but it’s not enough,’ she said.

Appealing for further assistance, Kareem said she had two young children and urged Nigerians to support her with whatever they could afford.

‘Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help,’ she said.

Confirming her death, TAMPAN Ogun State appreciated individuals who contributed financially, offered prayers, and provided encouragement and other forms of support during her illness.

In a statement signed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, TAMPAN acknowledged the support extended to Kareem and her family.

‘We sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed financially, offered prayers, encouragement, and support towards the treatment of our dear colleague, Atinuke Remilekun Kareem,’ the statement said.

The association described the contributions as significant to the actress and her family during her period of illness.

‘Your kindness and sacrifice during her difficult moment meant so much to her family and all of us. We are deeply grateful,’ it added.

TAMPAN said Kareem eventually succumbed to the illness despite efforts to support her treatment.

‘Sadly, despite all our efforts and prayers, Atinuke has passed on and answered the final call,’ the statement said.

The association condoled with Kareem’s family, colleagues, and loved ones, while praying for strength for them to cope with the loss.

‘We cannot question the Almighty God. We can only submit to His will and pray that He grants her eternal rest and gives her family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss,’ it added.

Global ride-hailing giant, Uber Technologies has announced the immediate winding down of its operations in Nigeria after twelve years, marking an abrupt exit from one of Africa’s most vibrant markets as part of a global restructuring plan.

Crucially, senior Uber officials have strongly stressed that the company’s departure from Nigeria is entirely part of its broader internal re-alignment and is in no way linked to any regulatory disputes or recent discussions involving the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Company representatives clarified that the decision stems purely from a global strategic shift rather than local airport regulations or localised enforcement issues.

In a report made avaliable to the Nigerian Tribune, one of its officials explained that, ‘No. Uber’s decision to discontinue operations in Nigeria was made following a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa. The decision is not related to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports.’

The parent company revealed it is cutting approximately 3,300 jobs worldwide, amounting to roughly 10 per cent of its total workforce, in a bid to simplify its organisational framework and pivot toward emerging technological frontiers.

Chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber’s rapid expansion over the past five years had created excessive complexity within the company, including additional management layers, fragmented responsibilities and slower decision-making. Explaining the rationale behind the development in its communication to staff, Khosrowshahi noted that the changes were designed to make the company leaner and more agile.

‘Today, we’re making a number of significant organisational changes across Uber,’ Khosrowshahi said in a message to employees.

‘We are removing layers, simplifying team structures, refining our global location strategy, and focusing our people and investments against the biggest opportunities ahead of us,’ he said.

According to management, employees whose positions were affected by the downsizing had already been notified, except in countries where labour regulations require formal statutory procedures before dismissals can take effect.

Under the restructuring metrics, the company will reduce the number of employees who are seven or more layers below the chief executive by 20 per cent, while the number of small teams with only one or two members will be nearly halved.

Furthermore, Uber is combining its delivery operations across restaurants, retail, and its direct white-label delivery business, alongside the consolidation of select engineering and science teams to eliminate operational redundancies.

The announcement has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s technology and urban mobility sectors, catching local drivers, riders, and industry observers completely off guard. For a country grappling with high unemployment rates, the exit of a major multinational employer has ignited intense public anxiety. Reactions from everyday Nigerians on social media and major transit hubs reflect deep apprehension regarding the future livelihoods of thousands of drivers who relied on the platform for daily sustenance.

Weighing in on the development, stakeholders in the transport and tech ecosystem have expressed concern over the viability of international gig economy models within the current macroeconomic climate.

Damola Layade, a digital economy analyst, noted that the exit underscores the unique pressures foreign tech firms face in navigating regulatory bottlenecks and currency volatility in sub-Saharan Africa.

‘While Uber’s global strategy focuses on trimming bureaucratic fat and scaling profitable hubs, its withdrawal from Nigeria signals a sobering reality for foreign direct investment in our digital services sector. It highlights how macroeconomic headwinds and high operational costs can force even the most dominant global players to re-evaluate their footprint,’ Layade stated.

Similarly, representatives of local transport worker associations have voiced deep frustration over the abrupt exit. Comrade Adebayo Salawu, an activist advocating for ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria, decried the sudden loss of economic security for thousands of operators.

‘Our drivers woke up to massive uncertainty. Many invested heavily in vehicle financing loans believing Uber was a permanent fixture in the Nigerian transport ecosystem. Leaving overnight without robust transitional support leaves our members highly vulnerable,’ Salawu lamented.

Industry watchers note that Uber’s exit portends a major shift for the Nigerian transportation industry. While the development creates a temporary vacuum in the premium ride-hailing segment, it leaves an open door for aggressive expansion by existing competitors like Bolt and InDrive, as well as a golden opportunity for homegrown Nigerian ride-hailing startups to capture market share.

However, experts warn that unless structural challenges such as high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and harsh regulatory frameworks are addressed, the vacuum left by Uber may expose remaining players to identical operational strains. As Nigeria adjusts to this sudden market realignment, the focus shifts toward how local regulators and indigenous alternative platforms will cushion the economic blow and absorb the displaced workforce.

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, have arrested two suspected child traffickers and rescued a four-year-old girl in Kuje Area of the FCT.

The suspects, identified as Rose Daniel and Blessing John, were arrested on August 27, 2026, while attempting to escape with the child, identified as Ummi Mariam Abdullah.

According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspects were apprehended following a tip-off from a vigilant member of the community who observed the incident and alerted the police.

‘Responding swiftly to the report, Police operatives arrived at the scene, rescued the child and arrested both suspects.

‘Preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects had earlier been arrested in December 2025 and arraigned for a similar offence. They were subsequently convicted and released on bail after spending about five months in prison.

‘Further investigation showed that since their release, the suspects had abducted and trafficked four children to different parts of the country.

‘In the most recent case, two children were allegedly taken to an accomplice in Port Harcourt identified only as ‘Madam Ijeoma,’ who reportedly bought each child for N1.5 million.

‘The rescued four-year-old girl has since been reunited with her family. The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.’ The statement stated.

According to the statement, the FCT Police Command urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the safety and whereabouts of their children.

Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, Complaint Response Unit 08107314192, and PPRO FCT 07038979348.

A global stockpile of mpox vaccines has been launched in a move aimed at preventing a repeat of the shortages and inequalities that left poorer countries struggling to protect their populations during previous outbreaks.

The initiative, launched on 27 August, is particularly significant for Africa, which accounts for about two-thirds of reported mpox cases globally. The new reserve is expected to begin operations later this month, giving countries access to vaccines during outbreaks without waiting for doses to be secured after an emergency has escalated.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said the launch marked ‘an important step towards a more sustainable and equitable approach to mpox outbreak response’.

‘By establishing a dedicated global stockpile, using an approach that has proven successful for managing other emergency vaccines, we are ensuring that countries can access them more quickly when they need them, saving lives and containing outbreaks before they spread further,’ he added.

Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, said mpox could be particularly devastating for children, not only because of its physical effects but also because of the stigma, interrupted learning and fear that can accompany isolation from family and friends.

‘This vital initiative will help us quickly get vaccines to the children, families, and communities most at risk of the disease,’ she said.

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General and CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), welcomed the development, saying access to vaccines for all those who need them was ‘absolutely vital’.

‘That’s why this global coordination mechanism and vaccine stockpile matter. Both will help ensure vaccines reach the people and communities at greatest risk – when and where they are needed most. This is rare good news,’ he said.

The development comes as mpox continues to spread in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where governments face the additional challenge of animal-to-human transmission alongside person-to-person spread.

Between January 2022 and 31 July 2026, 145 countries and territories reported 190,683 confirmed mpox cases and 529 deaths.

For African health authorities, the stockpile could help address one of the most persistent problems in the global response to infectious diseases: those facing the greatest burden are often among the last to receive the tools needed to control it.

During the 2022 mpox outbreak, lower-income countries struggled to obtain vaccines as wealthier nations moved to secure limited supplies.

The new stockpile is funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and will be coordinated by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision. The ICG comprises the IFRC, Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.

The mechanism builds on an allocation system established in 2024 during the previous mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern to ensure countries can access vaccines more quickly and equitably during outbreaks.

Mpox is primarily spread through close physical contact, including sexual contact. In parts of Africa, however, animal-to-human transmission continues to pose a threat, creating opportunities for new outbreaks and complicating efforts to contain the disease.

The illness can be particularly severe in children and people with suppressed immune systems. Its impact can also extend beyond the disease itself, contributing to stigma, isolation and interrupted schooling, while placing additional pressure on already stretched health systems.

For Africa, where the majority of reported global mpox cases continue to occur, the significance of the new stockpile will ultimately depend on how quickly vaccines can move from the global reserve to communities facing outbreaks.

The initiative offers a potential shift from scrambling for vaccines after an outbreak has intensified to having doses available in advance. But ensuring that those vaccines reach the people most at risk will require strong surveillance, rapid allocation, effective delivery systems and sustained support for African health systems.

The Nigerian naira gained against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,329.4300 at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1,329.4300 per dollar and closed at N1,329.0000 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1,332.9396 on August 31, 2026, appreciated by at least N3.51 after trading activities on Tuesday.

At the parallel market, the buying rate increased by N2 while the selling rate remained the same when compared to the previous trading rate on Monday, August 31, 2026.

According to Aboki FX, the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Tuesday, August 31st, 2026, was N1,400 and N1,405 per dollar for buying and selling rates, respectively.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Tinubu cannot determine how state and local governments spend the additional revenue they receive following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Wike made the remark on Wednesday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while responding to comments by former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, concerning the utilisation of funds generated from the subsidy removal.

The former Rivers State governor argued that rather than criticising the Federal Government, Obi should focus on how the increased allocations are being spent by the state and local governments.

According to Wike, the Federal Government had already distributed the gains from subsidy removal to the sub-national governments, leaving each tier of government with the responsibility of determining how its funds should be used.

He said, ‘All he should have asked is, ‘Having removed the subsidy, what do you do with the gains?’ This is what I think a reasonable person should talk about.

‘Now, the government has said the gains have been shared among sub-nationals. Tinubu has no power to say, ‘State, this is what you should do with the funds that you’ve brought in from the fuel subsidy.’

‘He has no power to tell local governments what to do with their money. All tiers of government are independent.’

Wike further maintained that the increase in federal allocations had strengthened the finances of many states, enabling them to meet obligations such as salaries and pensions while also implementing development projects.

He said the removal of the subsidy had eased the financial pressures previously experienced by several state governments.

‘Today states are saying, unlike before, we can’t pay salaries or pensions, and there are strikes all over the place. Now there are no strikes; there are advantages. Now, I have money to carry out projects,’ he said.

The FCT minister also defended Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, describing it as a difficult but courageous policy choice that previous administrations had avoided.

Wike said the focus should now shift to ensuring that states account for the increased revenue they have received.

‘Tinubu deserves kudos for taking the bold decision no president took. Now, it’s time for states to account for the funds they have gotten,’ Wike said.

Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the establishment of Special Criminal Divisions within the state High Court to fast-track the trial of serious offences, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, murder, rape and cultism.

The call followed a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing the Ibadan North-West Constituency, Hon. Dawood Olalere, who raised concerns over prolonged criminal proceedings, congested court dockets and the growing number of awaiting-trial inmates.

Olalere said increasing cases of violent and organised crimes, particularly kidnapping, banditry and attacks in parts of northern Oyo, required a more responsive criminal justice system.

He noted that although judicial officers had remained committed to their duties, the handling of both civil and criminal matters by the High Courts had contributed to frequent adjournments and delays in the determination of criminal cases.

According to him, speedy adjudication is essential to maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that perpetrators of serious crimes are brought to justice without undue delay.

Olalere said the proposed Special Criminal Divisions would allow designated judges and courtrooms to focus on criminal matters, improve case management and accelerate trials.

He also warned that delays could discourage victims and witnesses from cooperating with security agencies, weaken the deterrent effect of prosecution and contribute to overcrowding in custodial facilities.

The lawmaker urged the Chief Judge of Oyo State and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to establish dedicated Criminal Divisions across the state’s judicial divisions.

He also called on the state government to provide adequate funding, judicial personnel and technology, including digital case-management systems and electronic recording facilities, to support the initiative.

The motion proposed greater coordination among the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders to accelerate investigations and prosecution.

Olalere further advocated funding for witness protection, victim-support services and free legal aid for indigent defendants, stressing that speedy trials must be balanced with the right to a fair hearing.

He urged the Attorney-General to establish and adequately staff a specialised unit within the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to handle cases before the proposed Criminal Divisions and provide regular training for prosecutors.

Security agencies were also urged to speed up investigations and promptly transmit case files to the Ministry of Justice to prevent delays in prosecution.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, was asked to provide regular records of awaiting-trial inmates and facilitate virtual hearings where appropriate to expedite arraignment and trial.

The Assembly’s Committee on Public Petitions, Justice and Judiciary was tasked with liaising with the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on implementation and reporting progress to the House.