Category: PM News

The Federal Government is set to launch a national campaign to promote made-in-Nigeria goods and services under the Nigeria First policy as part of efforts to revitalise the manufacturing sector.

President Bola Tinubu made this known in Lagos at the fifth Adeola Odutola lecture by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

He was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh.

According to him, the campaign aims to shift national demand towards Nigerian products that meet global quality standards, while also addressing the country’s import dependency.

Tinubu noted that preliminary studies showed that such a campaign could boost the manufacturing sector by up to six per cent and create over 500,000 jobs within the next three years.

He said his administration would continue to prioritise growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through policies promoting production, consumption, and export of made-in-Nigeria goods.

‘No country achieves prosperity or dignity without producing what it can and exporting at scale what it does best.

‘Economics of resilience begins in the factory and thrives in the marketplace and we are committed to reducing structural costs and enabling our manufacturers to compete effectively both at home and abroad,’ he said.

Tinubu also outlined six key policy commitments under the ‘Nigeria First’ strategy.

They include federal procurement reforms, quality and standards enforcement, export expansion, access to finance, energy and logistics and skills development and input security.

He urged MAN members to uphold quality and transparency in production while collaborating with government agencies to share accurate data on capacity and pricing for effective policy planning.

The President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by Mr Mansur Ahmed, former President, MAN, said manufacturers had eight key expectations from the Nigeria first policy.

Dangote said for the policy to work, it must be designed as a durable, binding national strategy for industrial development, capable of withstanding political transitions and market pressures alike.

He stressed that it must be anchored on both global best practices and Nigeria’s own industrial realities.

Dangote listed the expectations to include legislating the policy as a binding law with punitive measures for non-compliance, ensuring policy stability, consistency and long term commitment.

He added that it was important to develop a national supplier registry, drive consumer engagement and a national cultural shift, incentivise backward integration and address infrastructure and energy deficits.

Dangote called for enhanced access to finance to build local supplier capacity and leverage of Africa Continental Free Trade Area and regional export potential to strengthen local competitiveness.

‘The Nigeria First Policy represents a bold opportunity to industrialise sustainably.

‘Its success depends on clear legislation, institutional enforcement, stable policy implementation, and strong alignment across government agencies and industry.

‘To transform the economy, the Nigeria First Policy must move beyond declarations into actionable, measurable outcomes that prioritise local value creation and national prosperity.

‘Every nation is in a race to improve the living conditions of its citizens and we must realise that we are in this race, and it is a very competitive race.

‘The government has done a few thing that have given us a fighting chance, the Nigeria first policy if embraced will place us in a very competitive position,’ he said.

The President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, lauded the efforts of government to transform the economy via various policy reforms including the Nigeria First policy.

Meshioye stated that its full legislation and implementation held the potential to significantly boost the fortune of the manufacturing sector and improve the wellbeing of the Nigerian citizenry.

He, however, noted the tough realities facing the manufacturing sector, shaped by global headwinds and domestic macroeconomic and policy constraints.

Meshioye said the Nigeria First policy was not merely an industrial ambition, but a matter of national economic survival.

‘If we do not intentionally support our own manufacturers, we will not be able to compete globally.

‘MAN believe that ‘Nigeria First’ policy is about building national resilience, creating jobs at home, saving foreign exchange, driving technological innovation, and giving Nigeria the productive foundation it needs to be competitive globally.

‘To this end, effective legislation and implementation is key and must be carried out without any prevarication,’ he said.

The Lagos State Government has explained why a woman was arrested by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) after she was caught cooking on a road median in the Admiralty area of Lekki Phase 1.

In a statement by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the government said the woman’s action violated environmental and sanitation laws guiding the use of public spaces in the state.

According to the ministry, the woman claimed she was carrying out a charitable cooking activity, but such initiatives must comply with Lagos environmental regulations to ensure public safety and order.

‘The Lagos State Government appreciates the spirit of philanthropy and community support shown by many residents,’ the statement read. ‘However, all charitable activities must be done in line with extant laws to protect public infrastructure and maintain urban order.’

The ministry stressed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to keeping Lagos clean, sustainable, and livable for all.

‘Using public infrastructure such as road medians for personal or commercial activities is prohibited. It poses risks to infrastructure, creates health hazards, and disrupts traffic flow,’ the statement said.

It added that the enforcement, including the woman’s arrest and the removal of her equipment, was part of the ongoing #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns to preserve the city’s aesthetic and functional integrity.

The ministry advised residents to seek proper authorization or use designated spaces for such activities, urging charity organizers to work with relevant agencies for guidance.

‘This will help amplify the impact of goodwill while safeguarding our shared urban spaces,’ the statement concluded.

No fewer than 11-storey buildings comprising three- and four-bedroom flats were demolished on Thursday in Apo-Dutse by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of the Department of Development Control, FCTA, said the demolition followed the developer’s failure to abide by building regulations and a disregard for all communications and notices.

Galadima explained that the demolition became necessary due to the estate’s location.

According to him, the estate was not only situated under a high-tension power line but also obstructed the route of a planned bridge in the area.

He noted that although the developers were allocated the plot, the allocation was done erroneously.

He added that the developers had been offered the opportunity for an alternative plot allocation. However, they had yet to accept the offer and instead proceeded with the unauthorised development.

‘This is a statutorily allocated plot. They requested approval and applied for building plan approval, which we declined because it is in close proximity to a high-tension line and a stream channel.

‘So, we declined to grant approval, but they went ahead with the construction.

‘We have served them with notices, even from the excavation stage through various stages of development. We even issued written communications instructing them to stop the work.

‘But unfortunately, perhaps considering the status of their institution or agency, they proceeded regardless,’ he explained.

Galadima further said that the Engineering Department of the FCDA had written to his department regarding plans to construct a bridge at that section of the district.

‘So, there’s nothing we can do about this,’ he added.

The director ruled out the possibility of compensation for the demolished buildings.

According to him, compensation is only given to properties that have been approved and are later affected by development processes.

He stated that in the case of the demolished property, there was no valid approval.

Galadima also hinted at the possibility of prosecuting the defaulting developers and requiring them to pay penalties, including the cost of demolition.

The Naira weakened to N1,475.35 per US dollar on Friday, at the official foreign exchange market, marking a 0.29 percent decline from the previous day’s rate of N1,471.02, as reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The currency experienced fluctuations throughout the week, with a brief appreciation of 0.15 percent on Thursday, but overall trended downward due to sustained demand pressures and limited liquidity.

Analysts suggest that structural challenges, including foreign exchange supply constraints and market dynamics, continue to drive the Naira’s volatility, raising concerns about Nigeria’s economic stability.

In Lagos, on Friday, the Nigerian Naira continued its downward trajectory, closing at N1,475.35 per US dollar at the official foreign exchange market, as reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This marked a 0.29 percent decline, equivalent to a N4.32 loss compared to Thursday’s rate of N1,471.02. The depreciation rounded out a week of volatility, during which the Naira struggled to maintain stability amid fluctuating market conditions.

The Naira’s performance over the week of October 13 to 17, 2025, was marked by a pattern of mild but consistent depreciations, interrupted only by a brief uptick on Thursday.

Starting at N1,457.51 on Monday, the currency weakened progressively, reaching N1,463.23 on Tuesday and N1,473.29 on Wednesday. Thursday saw a modest rebound, with the Naira appreciating by N2.26 or 0.15 percent to N1,471.02, before slipping again to N1,475.35 on Friday. This net loss of N17.84 over the week underscores the currency’s ongoing challenges in the official market.

Analysts attribute the Naira’s fluctuations to a combination of increased demand for foreign currency and constrained liquidity inflows

. Nigeria’s foreign exchange market has faced persistent pressure due to limited dollar supply, driven by factors such as reduced oil revenue, high import demand, and speculative activities.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s efforts to stabilize the market through interventions, such as selling dollars to Bureau de Change operators, have yielded mixed results. For instance, recent reports indicate that the bank’s actions to bolster liquidity have not fully offset the demand pressures, contributing to the Naira’s unsteady performance.

The Naira’s depreciation aligns with broader economic challenges in Nigeria, where inflation and foreign exchange shortages continue to strain the economy.

According to recent analyses, Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at approximately $42.1 billion as of October 2025, but outflows for imports and debt servicing have limited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ability to defend the currency effectively.

The parallel market, often a gauge of market sentiment, has seen even wider disparities, with rates reportedly exceeding N1,600 per dollar in some instances, further highlighting the gap between official and unofficial markets.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to stop the planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed police lawyers to file an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, in an effort to halt the demonstration billed to hold near the Aso Rock Villa.

However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court refused to grant the police request, noting that such an order could not be issued without hearing from the respondent.

The court instead instructed the police to formally serve Sowore with the application and adjourned the matter until Tuesday, October 21, for a full hearing.

The decision effectively allows the protest to go ahead as scheduled on Monday, pending further judicial proceedings.

Reacting to the ruling, Omoyele Sowore hailed the court’s stance as a victory for democracy and citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Sowore wrote: ‘The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, sent police lawyers to sue me in an effort to stop the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.

‘However, Justice Umar refused to grant the ex parte motion and ordered them to serve me formally, adjourning the case till Tuesday for hearing.’

The planned protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, aims to draw attention to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Security analysts view the police’s attempt as a preemptive legal strategy to forestall a potentially sensitive demonstration near the seat of power.

With no restraining order currently in place, the stage appears set for what could be a high-profile protest in Abuja, with authorities expected to closely monitor developments around the Presidential Villa.

The outcome of Tuesday’s adjourned hearing will determine the next legal steps regarding the protest’s status and the broader implications for freedom of assembly in Nigeria.

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has disclosed that her upcoming movie, Behind The Scenes, was birthed through divine instruction that completely altered her initial production plans.

Speaking at the FilmOne End-of-Year Exhibitor Showcase, the producer and actress revealed that she had originally planned to begin work on the sequel to her blockbuster movie A Tribe Called Judah and had even commenced rehearsals and negotiations before being spiritually directed to make a different film.

According to Akindele, despite drafting and attempting four other scripts as well as considering several collaborations, she continued to receive divine warnings to abandon those projects.

‘We weren’t supposed to release Behind The Scenes. I actually wanted to release A Tribe Called Judah 2. We had started rehearsals and negotiations, but the Spirit of God kept telling me, ‘No, you will not shoot that film,” Akindele said.

‘We tried almost four other scripts, lovely ones, but the Spirit of God said, ‘You are joking’. We even wanted to partner with another filmmaker, but He said, ‘You’re wasting your time. You will shoot this film.”

The idea for Behind The Scenes, she explained, came from a single scene that resonated deeply with her, one she described as ‘relatable and reflective of real-life experiences’.

‘A lot of people are going through what happens in this movie. The inspiration just came, and I knew this was the story I was meant to tell,’ she added.

Behind The Scenes features an impressive cast lineup, including Tobi Bakare, Veeiye, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, and Ibrahim Chatta.

The film is slated to hit cinemas nationwide on December 12, 2025.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Headquarters Logistics Command, has announced a temporary closure of sections of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road in Lagos on Saturday, October 18, 2025, to conduct its routine 10-kilometre Walk/Jog Exercise.

The exercise, which is part of the NAF’s continuous efforts to improve physical fitness, health, and operational readiness among its personnel, will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m..

According to a statement issued by Squadron Leader Abigail Ologun, Public Relations Officer for the Command, the road closure will affect the stretch from Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

‘The Command has made adequate arrangements to ensure the exercise is smooth, safe, and hitch-free,’ the statement said.

‘NAF personnel, along with other security agents, will be deployed to guide traffic and ensure public safety throughout the duration of the event.’

Motorists and residents in the affected area are advised to use alternative routes during the two-hour closure period.

The Air Force also expressed regret over any inconvenience the disruption may cause and appealed for the understanding and cooperation of the public. Normal traffic flow, the statement assured, will resume immediately after the exercise concludes.

Popular Nigerian singer, Teniola Apata, better known as Teni, has left her fans in stitches after a video of her struggling to breathe and eat while wearing a corset dress went viral online.

In the now-trending clip, the Billionaire crooner could be seen dressed in a figure-hugging corset outfit while humorously lamenting her discomfort.

Speaking partly in Yoruba, Teni joked that wearing the corset was a bad decision as she couldn’t breathe, eat, or even drink water properly.

‘I can’t breathe or eat. I’ve made a big mistake,’ she said in the video.

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has sparked fresh reactions online after making a series of candid confessions during her appearance on the Lip Service Podcast, where she opened up about relationships, love, and intimacy.

The ‘Somebody’s Son’ crooner admitted she sometimes feels like a ‘sugar mama’, but said it’s not something she really wants to be identified with.

‘I’m like a sugar mama, but I don’t want to be,’ Tiwa said during the chat. ‘The question is, do I need somebody to. or anybody that can. if they’re in their 50s or already married, maybe I can be a second wife. I could be a second wife.’

Her revelation drew laughter from the hosts, but the singer quickly acknowledged that many women might have an issue with her statement.

‘Oh my God, I don’t know how this is going to sound. I feel like a lot of women are going to have a problem with me saying that,’ she admitted, before adding that ‘sometimes, the second wife gets the better treatment.’

Tiwa made the comment while reacting to another speaker’s claim that being the first wife guarantees more respect and care in marriage.

In another moment from the same conversation, the 45-year-old award-winning singer surprised the hosts when she confessed to learning about a particular sexual act only recently.

‘I just learnt recently about scissoring,’ she said, laughing. ‘I didn’t know that.’

Nigerian comedian and actor Ayo Makun, also known as AY, has made a shocking revelation about celebrities and influencers.

AY on his Instagram page on Thursday, noted the harm in making comparisons. He further warned people not to fashion their lives based off of what they see online, emphasising that most of it is fake.

AY further added that some influencers and celebrities go as far as borrowing outfits and wigs just to look the part.

‘Many of these celebrities you envy are living on borrowed wigs, borrowed outfits, and borrowed lifestyles. Some take pictures in hotel lobbies and call them their new homes, while others pose with cars that don’t belong to them. Social media is like a movie set; not everything you see online is real,’ he stated.