Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Federal Government yesterday said retaliatory measures against South Africa are being considered as fresh xenophobic attacks on Nigerians continue to escalate.

The situation has forced plans for the evacuation of more than 1,000 affected citizens.

The new wave of attacks has persisted since last year.

Many Nigerians have been harassed, attacked and displaced in recurring waves of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa.

A number of citizens have been killed, injured or lost their businesses, homes and means of livelihood.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was reviewing its options in response to what she described as the persistent targeting of Nigerians.

‘It’s not off the table,’ Odumegwu-Ojukwu told reporters at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when asked whether retaliatory measures were being considered.

Should such a move be adopted, it could trigger a major diplomatic row between two of Africa’s leading economies.

Speaking after receiving Madagascar’s President, Michael Randrianirina, at the Villa, the minister said: ‘That is a situation that we are considering. This is up to our legislature. This is up to the highest level of government.

‘Nigeria is not happy because Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria sacrificed quite a lot, committed funds and resources to aid South Africa.

‘In schools, seats were reserved for South African students. My own generation carried placards and demonstrated in front of South African assets.

‘Sometimes, we were even arrested for doing this.’

She said Nigerians were being unfairly singled out for attacks.

‘Nigerians are not happy about how they have treated us. They are not asking other migrants to leave; they are only asking black migrants to leave,’ she said.

The minister rejected claims by some South African authorities that many of those seeking evacuation were illegal migrants, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

‘That is absolutely untrue. Our citizens are being harassed, their properties are being looted, and criminal actions are being perpetrated against them.

‘The police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly or firmly enough to condemn these incidents,’ she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also provided an update on plans to evacuate Nigerians affected by the unrest.

She said the repatriation process was progressing and that the necessary formalities were nearing completion.

According to her, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that a presidential aircraft be deployed to bring home Nigerians willing to return.

‘It wasn’t actually supposed to have started today (yesterday).

‘It is just that we were supposed to have rounded off the formalities today.

‘The repatriation is on course. Mr. President himself has reiterated the fact that his aircraft must go to South Africa.

‘Our citizens who are imperilled will have the chance of getting on this aircraft to be brought back to their country,’ she said.

The minister said the number of Nigerians requesting evacuation continued to increase as authorities processed documentation and security clearances.

She explained that South African security authorities and Nigerian officials were jointly screening prospective returnees before issuing the required travel documents.

‘The figures keep increasing. Several processes have to be undertaken by the South African Homeland Security.

‘We then ensure that we screen our citizens who want to return.

‘They are also part of the screening process and, once the citizens are cleared, they are given a document indicating that they are free to leave,’ she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu had directed the immediate establishment of crisis response units at Nigeria’s consulate and diplomatic mission in South Africa to coordinate assistance for affected citizens across various provinces.

She added that arrangements were also being made to facilitate the movement of Nigerians to the country’s consular offices, noting that the critical documentation phase had largely been completed.

The minister maintained that many of those affected were legitimate business owners whose shops had been looted or set ablaze, while others faced intimidation that prevented their children from attending school.

‘People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted and set on fire.

‘Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated.

‘So, to say that Nigerians in South Africa who are conducting legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue,’ she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed disappointment at what she described as South Africa’s treatment of Nigerians despite Nigeria’s historic support for the country’s anti-apartheid struggle.

She said the Federal Government was working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that returning citizens receive the support needed to reintegrate into society.

‘This evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA. We are working with various government agencies and departments to ensure that once they return, they can be rehabilitated and properly reintegrated,’ she said.

A soldier was yesterday killed, another injured and some villagers allegedly kidnapped after gunmen attacked an Ogun community.

The incident occurred at Karanla in the Magbon Etido area of Mowe, Ogun State.

The attackers, suspected to be kidnappers, were said to have shot the soldier at a private dredging site where he was providing security.

Sources alleged that they had attempted to kidnap an expatriate at the site who narrawly escaped but other workers there were not that fortunate.

According to Mowe/Ibafo community on X, the criminals, allegedly abducted many residents in Karanla community before they were confronted by the soldiers.

Sadly, one of the soldiers was killed during exchange of gunfire while another one sustained injuries, posted the page which shared video evidence of the incident.

It was gathered that reinforcement was immediately deployed to the area to restore normalcy.

Sources alleged that some of the kidnapped victims escaped from the criminals during exchange of gunfire with security forces, while efforts were intensified to track the culprits and rescue remaining hostages.

The incident caused panic in the area with residents alleging that it was suspected bandits that invaded the community.

But the Ogun State Police Command in a statement last night, dispelled the claim, describing the incident as an isolated criminal attack.

A statement by the spokesman for the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the injured soldier was receiving treatment, adding that security operatives responded swiftly to the incident, with police and military personnel launching a joint operation to track down and arrest those responsible.

‘The security incident recorded at a private dredging site in Magbon Etido, Mowe, was an isolated criminal attack and not a bandit operation as being speculated in some quarters.

‘Following the report, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, swiftly mobilised to the area and commenced coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible.

‘Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities in Ogun State. Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing,’ he said.

The police assured residents that the situation had been brought under control, noting that security presence in the area had been reinforced to prevent further attacks.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities, assuring that efforts were underway to apprehend the attackers and ensure the safety of residents.

The Federal Government has raised alarm over the growing burden of foodborne diseases in Nigeria, revealing that unsafe food causes more than 53,000 deaths and nearly 50 million illnesses annually across the country.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing to mark the 2026 World Food Safety Day, warning that contaminated food remains a major public health threat with devastating consequences for children and national development.

Speaking on the theme, ‘From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,’ Salako said Nigeria loses an estimated 4.26 million years of healthy life every year due to foodborne diseases through illness, disability and premature deaths.

According to him, the impact of unsafe food extends beyond mortality and hospitalisation, significantly affecting children’s growth, development and future productivity.

‘Nigeria records nearly 50 million foodborne illnesses every year, and unsafe food causes more than 53,000 deaths annually in our country. Together, these illnesses and deaths result in a staggering 4.26 million years of healthy life lost to illness, disability or early death,’ Salako said.

The minister noted that children under the age of five bear the greatest burden of foodborne diseases in Nigeria, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the total disease burden.

‘Most of this burden falls heavily on children under five, who account for more than 80 per cent of all foodborne disease burden in Nigeria. The true cost of unsafe food is not only measured in sickness and death, but also in the lost cognitive, physical and developmental potential of our children,’ he added.

Salako’s warning followed newly released estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicate that unsafe food causes approximately 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally every year.

The WHO report also shows that Africa carries the highest per-capita burden of foodborne diseases worldwide.

The minister identified diarrhoeal diseases as the leading foodborne health challenge in Nigeria, disclosing that more than 40 million cases are linked to pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Shigella and rotavirus.

‘Over 40 million diarrhoeal illnesses in Nigeria are linked to foodborne pathogens. These infections continue to be a major cause of hospitalisation, malnutrition and mortality among our youngest citizens,’ he said.

He further expressed concern over the growing threat posed by chemical contaminants in food and water, particularly lead exposure.

According to him, contaminated grains, spices and water sources are contributing to significant health losses across the country.

‘Chemical hazards are also emerging as a serious concern, with lead exposure responsible for tens of thousands of healthy lives lost through contaminated grains, spices and water sources. These numbers underscore the urgency of strengthening food safety systems across the entire value chain,’ Salako stated.

Despite the challenges, the minister said Nigeria had recorded progress in strengthening its food safety architecture.

He disclosed that the country’s 2023 Joint External Evaluation showed measurable improvements across food safety indicators, while Nigeria’s 2025 State Party Annual Report score exceeded the WHO target for low- and middle-income countries.

‘Nigeria is now one of the leading countries in the region in establishing functional systems for detecting, reporting and responding to foodborne disease events,’ he said.

However, Salako stressed that the latest statistics should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies, food producers and consumers.

He called for intensified surveillance of heavy metals and chemical contaminants, improved food safety practices in traditional and informal markets, stronger hygiene and sanitation systems, and stricter compliance with national food safety standards.

‘The new WHO estimates are a call to action. We must intensify surveillance for heavy metals and chemical contaminants. We must improve food safety practices in traditional and informal markets where most Nigerians buy their food. We must strengthen hygiene, water and sanitation infrastructure and ensure food business operators comply with national standards,’ he said.

The minister also linked food safety concerns to Nigeria’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and stroke.

He explained that ensuring food safety goes beyond preventing infections and includes promoting healthier diets and reducing harmful ingredients in processed foods.

Salako disclosed that the Federal Government had developed National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction, while the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had finalised draft sodium reduction regulations aimed at lowering salt content in processed foods.

He added that the government is implementing industrial trans-fat elimination regulations and strengthening measures to improve sugar-sweetened beverage taxation and front-of-pack food labelling to encourage healthier consumer choices.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said strengthening food safety systems remained essential to reducing the country’s burden of foodborne diseases.

Represented by the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate, Eva Edwards, Adeyeye described food safety as a critical public health, economic and development issue.

‘The theme for the 2026 World Food Safety Day reminds us that food safety is not merely a technical issue; it is a public health, socioeconomic and development imperative.

Behind every statistic on foodborne disease is a child, a family, a community or a business affected by preventable illness and loss,’ she said.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC remains committed to reducing foodborne diseases through science-based regulation, effective surveillance, stronger food control systems and stakeholder engagement.

She stressed that achieving Nigeria’s nutrition and health goals would be difficult without access to safe and wholesome food.

‘Where food is unsafe, our nutritional goals cannot be achieved,’ she said.

The NAFDAC boss also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry operators, researchers, development partners and consumers to address food safety challenges across the country.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has rejected the candidature of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 election, Dr. Wole Oluyede.

He reaffirmed his support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election bid.

Fayose said he turned down a request for a meeting from the PDP candidate, saying his conscience would not permit him to hold talks that could be misconstrued by the public.

The former governor explained that he rejected the overture because he did not want to create any impression that he was reconsidering his support for the governor.

‘The PDP governorship candidate in Ekiti reached out and requested a meeting with me, but I declined. My conscience would not permit it, and I would not want any photograph from such a meeting to be misinterpreted. My position is clear. I stand firmly with Governor Oyebanji,’ he said.

Fayose, who has repeatedly endorsed Oyebanji’s re-election bid despite being a member of the PDP, said granting such a meeting could send the wrong signal to Ekiti people and trigger needless political speculation.

‘I have made my position known publicly and consistently. There is no ambiguity about where I stand. I do not want any action on my part to create confusion or suggest that I am shifting ground,’ he stated.

According to him, any photograph or report emanating from a meeting with the PDP candidate could easily be interpreted as a change in his political stance, a situation he was determined to avoid.

‘When people see political leaders together, they naturally begin to draw conclusions. I do not want a situation where Ekiti people are misled into believing that I have withdrawn my support for Governor Oyebanji. That is not the case,’ he added.

Fayose maintained that his support for Oyebanji remains steadfast, stressing that his endorsement of the governor was informed by his assessment of the administration’s performance and its impact on the state.

‘I support Governor Oyebanji because of what I have seen. Leadership should be about the interest of the people, and I believe he has demonstrated commitment to the development of Ekiti State. My support is based on conviction, not sentiment,’ he said.

The former governor noted that he had declared his position on several occasions and had no intention of engaging in activities capable of creating uncertainty about his political alignment ahead of the election.

‘I have said it before and I will say it again: my support for Governor Oyebanji is unwavering. I am not in the business of sending mixed signals to people. What I believe in, I say openly,’ the former governor added.

Algeria have extended the contract of national team coach ?Vladimir Petkovic and his technical staff until , the country’s football federation said, days before the World Cup in North ?America, with his previous deal due ?to expire immediately after the tournament.

Petkovic, ?who took charge in February 2024, has?overseen a strong turnaround, leading Algeria to ?21 wins, four draws and three defeats in 28 matches and guiding the team to qualification ?for the 2026 World Cup, after their ?absence from the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Algeria also reached ?quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, while climbing from 43rd ?to 28th ?in the ?FIFA world rankings and from seventh to fourth in Africa ?during the Bosnian’s tenure.

The federation said ?the ?extension reflected ‘stability and confidence in the work accomplished’, with Algeria set to open their ?World ?Cup Group J campaign ?against Argentina on June 17 before facing Jordan and Austria.

The price of Irish potato has risen due to increased production costs, insecurity, inflation and supply disruptions.

In markets across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, baskets of Irish potatoes now sell for between N8,000 and N10,000.

Chief Executive Officer, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Olufemi Oladunni, attributed the persistent rise in prices to escalating farm input costs, insecurity in production areas and weakening local supply.

‘While demand is increasing, production is reducing. Potato still has enormous unexploited potential to contribute to food security, nutrition and the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers,’ Oladunni said.

He explained that ARMTI is collaborating with the International Potato Center to develop early-maturing potato varieties that are tolerant to high temperatures and resistant to major viral diseases.

According to him, the partnership is aimed at identifying suitable varieties that are early-maturing, high-yielding, disease-resistant and possess strong eating and processing qualities capable of boosting both supply and consumer demand.

Over the last four years, Irish potato prices in Nigeria have recorded one of the sharpest increases among major food commodities, reflecting the wider inflation crisis that has eroded household purchasing power.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the national average price of Irish potatoes stood at N541.57 per kilogram in December 2022. By June 2024, the price had surged to N2,423.27 per kilogram, representing a staggering 288.5 percent year-on-year increase.

Lagos consistently recorded some of the country’s highest retail prices due to transportation costs and concentrated urban demand. By the end of 2023, a kilogram of Irish potatoes in Lagos sold for as much as N1,710.02, well above the national average.

Northern cities such as Kano maintained relatively lower prices because of their proximity to the Jos Plateau, Nigeria’s principal potato-producing belt. In contrast, Port Harcourt consumers typically paid between 20 and 30 percent more than buyers in northern markets due to the high cost of transporting produce over long distances.

A bumper harvest in mid-2024 temporarily eased pressure on consumers. Prices of a 65-kilogram bag, which had peaked between N150,000 and N180,000, crashed to about N45,000 by July 2024.

The reprieve, however, proved short-lived.By January 2026, prices had rebounded sharply, with basket prices climbing back to between N8,000 and N10,000 in major markets nationwide. Premium-grade tubers attracted even steeper premiums as supply volatility persisted.Current retail prices in Lagos and Abuja range between N447.83 and N1,343.50 per kilogram, underscoring continuing instability across the value chain.The renewed surge has coincided with another spike in diesel prices, which traders say is worsening logistics and transportation costs. Diesel prices rose from N1,245 per litre in April to an average of N1,330 per litre in May, adding fresh inflationary pressure on food commodities.

A market survey tracking 67 staple food items found that 27 commodities recorded price increases in May alone, compared with 18 in the previous month. Despite the rising prices, Nigeria’s raw potato output continues to expand modestly. Production is projected to reach 1.6 million metric tons, up from 1.5 million metric tons, growing at an average annual rate of 2.9 percent since 1966.Yet analysts say production growth has failed to keep pace with rapid urban demand and the expansion of food processing industries. Nigeria has consequently emerged as the world’s third-largest importer of potato flour. Import values jumped by 298 percent within a single year, rising from $3.98 million in 2023 to $15.85 million in 2024, according to data from UN Comtrade and Trade Map. The country’s growing reliance on imported processed potato products mirrors broader shifts in the global potato economy.

Industry estimates place the value of the global potato market at $120 billion in 2025, with projections showing expansion to $149.38 billion by 2031. Growth is being driven largely by increasing demand from frozen food manufacturers and the rapid expansion of quick-service restaurant chains worldwide.

Globally, however, climate shocks, energy costs and tightening regulations continue to fuel price volatility. Across Africa, potato production reached 34.2 million tonnes in the latest consolidated figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Egypt remains the continent’s dominant producer with 8.08 million tons harvested across 269,000 hectares. Algeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya complete the list of Africa’s leading potato producers, while Nigeria remains a growing player that still depends heavily on imports for processed potato commodities. Long-term relief may eventually come from new agricultural technologies being tested across Africa. Dutch breeder Solynta, working in partnership with RegenZ, is piloting hybrid true potato seeds in Kenya and South Africa. The non-genetically modified technology requires only 25 grams of seed per hectare, compared with roughly 2,500 kilograms of conventional seed tubers, potentially reducing transport and input costs for smallholder farmers.

Meanwhile, CIP, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, recently launched a multi-country collaboration aimed at validating high-performing sweet potato varieties for large-scale deployment across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, introduced during an inception meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together breeders, scientists and development partners from Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.

Researchers say the new varieties are being assessed for yield, maturity, resilience, disease resistance and culinary qualities, alongside consumer preference and sensory analysis.

Oladunni added that orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties remain largely underappreciated in Nigeria despite their nutritional and commercial potential.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a gun-running syndicate linked to the extrajudicial murder of Oghenemine Ogidi, 28, at a motor park in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, on May 1, by a trigger-happy cop, for being in possession of a Beretta pistol.

The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, said that the arrests followed intelligence-led investigations and coordinated operations in Bayelsa and Imo states.

According to him, the first suspect, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, was arrested in Bayelsa on May 4 alongside a friend and roommate whose phone he allegedly used to facilitate the purchase of the firearm.

During interrogation, Chukwuemeka reportedly told investigators that he bought the pistol from Amadi Princewill for N290,000 and later sold it to a suspect identified as Desmond, who is currently at large, for N380,000.

Police said Chukwuemeka further revealed that Desmond arranged for the weapon to be transported to Effurun and contacted Oghenemine Ogidi, now deceased, to collect it and forward it to Sapele.

Acting on the information, operatives tracked and arrested Princewill in Imo State on May 15, who allegedly confessed that he bought the pistol from Amadi Felix Chibuike for N200,000.

Felix, he said, was subsequently arrested in Owerri on May 16, adding that one Clifford Boleyelefa, was also arrested during the investigation.

The police commissioner said all four suspects were believed to be members of the Black Axe confraternity, adding that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Efforts, he said, were ongoing to apprehend other suspects, including Desmond.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday said Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy would be driven by enterprise, investment and coordinated reforms across all levels of government, describing Lagos State as the clearest example of how sub-national leadership can accelerate national economic transformation.

Speaking at the opening of the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Shettima said Nigeria’s economic future depends on creating conditions that allow capital, innovation and productive enterprise to flourish.

Addressing policymakers, global investors, entrepreneurs, development institutions and business leaders, the Vice President described Lagos as Nigeria’s foremost economic gateway and one of Africa’s most influential centres for commerce and investment.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the state had evolved beyond being merely the nation’s commercial capital, serving instead as a testing ground for ideas, governance and economic execution.

‘Lagos is the livewire of our continent. Lagos is the furnace in which our ideas are tested against the discipline of execution. Lagos is the great doorway through which Nigeria continues to greet the future,’ Shettima said.

According to him, Lagos has consistently demonstrated that economic progress is achievable when vision is matched with competent leadership, institutional continuity and private sector confidence.

The Vice President attributed the state’s growth trajectory to sustained long-term planning and governance reforms since the return to democratic rule, while praising President Bola Tinubu for laying the foundation of what he described as the Lagos development model.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu planted the tree whose shade has sheltered a succession of leaders committed to futurist ideas, institutional continuity and disciplined governance,’ he stated.

Shettima also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the state’s growth momentum and strengthening its attractiveness as a destination for investment and business expansion.

Referring to the summit’s theme, ‘Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,’ he said the gathering reflected an emerging global reality in which cities increasingly shape production systems, supply chains, innovation networks and investment flows.

He noted that Lagos continues to attract investors because of its market access, infrastructure, talent pool and financial opportunities.

Reaffirming the economic agenda of the President Tinubu administration, the Vice President said recent macroeconomic reforms were deliberately designed to restore market confidence, improve fiscal sustainability and unlock large-scale private investment.

While acknowledging that some government decisions had been difficult, he maintained that sustainable prosperity could only be achieved through structural discipline and economic realism.

‘We have taken difficult decisions because we understand that the economy of our dream cannot be built on illusions. It must be built on productivity, discipline, competitiveness, and the courage to create a climate in which enterprise can breathe,’ he said.

Shettima further highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage and strategic position under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying both factors offer a unique platform for industrial expansion and regional competitiveness.

He noted that with projections placing Nigeria among the world’s most populous countries by 2050 and AfCFTA opening access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people, the country is well positioned to emerge as Africa’s leading production, logistics, innovation and investment hub.

The Vice President, however, stressed that the Federal Government could not deliver economic transformation in isolation, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, businesses and development partners.

Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the summit reinforced Lagos’ position as an investment-ready destination and a gateway through which investors could tap opportunities across multiple sectors of the economy.

He acknowledged the vision and foundation laid by President Tinubu in transforming Lagos and said the President’s continued support for rapid sub-national development remained unprecedented.

Sanwo-Olu also outlined achievements recorded by his administration in agriculture, healthcare, human capital development, transportation, energy, technology, trade and commerce, assuring investors that Lagos remained committed to creating an enabling environment for business growth.

Also speaking, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said one of the major gains of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms was the re-emergence of Lagos as a shining example of sub-national development across critical sectors, including trade and commerce.

According to him, the Federal Government has over the past two years taken far-reaching measures to address structural weaknesses in the economy, adding that the resilience of the reforms was already becoming evident across sectors and states.

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada, said the summit underscored the message that Lagos remained open for business, partnerships and investments, assuring stakeholders that the state would continue to provide a conducive environment for investments to thrive.

In separate goodwill messages, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, described Lagos as a city of proof rather than mere potential, while Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland, said Nigeria’s leadership had demonstrated the pragmatism needed to navigate current global economic challenges.

Representatives of the African Export-Import Bank and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat also reaffirmed confidence in Nigeria’s economic prospects and pledged continued support for investments that would strengthen trade, infrastructure and entrepreneurship across the continent.

The summit’s opening session featured a fireside chat involving Governors Caleb Mutfwang, Abdullahi Sule, Hope Uzodinma, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Alex Otti on strategies for driving investment-led growth at the sub-national level.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Monday said it has launched the Meta-Supported Initiatives for Data Protection (M-SIDP), as a strategic programme aimed at strengthening strategic guardrails for data subjects.

The Commission in a statement said the development was in connection with the Commission’s regulatory process involving Meta Platforms, Inc., following investigations into the company’s data processing practices in Nigeria

The statement issued by NDPC Head of Media Unit, Itunu Dosekun, noted that the matter was concluded in 2025 through a court-approved settlement.

‘As part of the settlement, Meta committed to supporting a two-year programme of public facing data protection measures that aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), the NDP Act General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) and the NDPC Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2023-2027.

‘The M-SIDP programme is structured around the following strategic areas: Governance, Research and Development; Fostering Safety and Sustainability Mechanisms for Ecosystem and Technology; Capacity Development for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs); Public Awareness Targeting Data Subjects – with keen interest in vulnerable,’ Itunu said.

He said nothing in the settlement limits the Commission’s independent statutory powers to carry out it regulatory functions.

‘We continue to exercise our regulatory mandate in relation to data processing activities in Nigeria, in accordance with the NDP Act and other applicable laws.

‘The Commission will consistently provide periodic updates on the implementation of the M-SIDP programme and calls on all stakeholders to support the initiative in advancing a secure and accountable privacy ecosystem in Nigeria,’ Itunu said.

Iranian military on Monday announced that the country will cease attacking Israel after having given a ‘painful response’ to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The military made the announcement in a statement issued on national radio.

This came after Israel and Iran traded attacks overnight and into Monday in what marked the most serious escalation since a ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran took effect in April.

Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday evening in what it described as a response to Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut, prompting Israel to attack targets across Iran early on Monday while Iranian strikes on Israel continued.

The flare-up in fighting marked a serious blow to efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war.

Trump on Monday urged both sides to ‘immediately stop ‘shooting’,’ after reportedly having implored Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate following the Iranian strikes.

Just hours later, the Iranian military leadership announced a surprise end to the operations.

The Islamic Republic has delivered a ‘painful response’ to Israel in support of Lebanon, according to the statement. ‘Against this backdrop, the suspension of the armed forces’ operations is hereby announced,’ it said.