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Sports broadcasting in Nigeria is not just about airing matches, it is a booming multibillion-naira industry powered by the electric energy of football, athletics, and other fan-favorite events. From local stations to global streaming platforms, the sector fuels advertising revenue, sponsorship deals, and cultural influence across the continent. But behind the glitz and goals lies a tightly regulated legal terrain that every player in the game broadcasters, content aggregators, advertisers, and tech platforms must navigate with precision.

Whether you are streaming live from the pitch or monetizing highlight reels, staying compliant is not optional its the difference between scoring big and getting benched. This article breaks down the legal playbook with a practical compliance checklist, spotlighting the key laws, regulators, and obligations that shape Nigeria’s sports broadcasting ecosystem.

2.0. Key Laws and Regulations Governing Sports Broadcasting in Nigeria.

Sports broadcasting rights also called media rights are the legal permissions granted to a broadcaster to air sporting events. These rights are a form of intellectual property and are often sold or licensed for huge sums, especially for popular events like football matches. For example, SuperSport holds the rights to broadcast English Premier League (EPL) matches across Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigerian broadcasters must negotiate sublicensing agreements or risk violating copyright laws. Unauthorized streaming or rebroadcasting can lead to legal action and fines.

In Nigeria, sport broadcasting is governed by several laws. At the foundation of regulation is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended 2023). The constitutional framework provides an important balance between commercial rights and press freedom. The Constitution guarantees that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference ‘. It also provides that ‘every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions. ‘ However, reasonable restrictions in the interest of public safety, public health, among others are permitted setting the foundational legality of broadcasting.

The Nigeria Copyright Act 2022 also plays a significant in regulating sports broadcasting. It recognizes broadcasting rights as a form of intellectual property. Under the Copyright Act (the Act), copyright is conferred on a work which is a broadcast transmitted from Nigeria or by a broadcasting organisation that has its headquarters situated in Nigeria . However, the Act preserves fair dealings exceptions in cases where the reproduction of a work under the direction or control of a broadcasting organisation is a lawful broadcast done without infringing the copyright in the work . Also, this Act makes extensive provisions for broadcasting organisations to report illegal broadcasting websites to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) so that they may be taken down.

One of the most important regulations is the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, regulated by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) under the National Broadcasting Commission Act 1992. In June 2020, NBC issued amendments to the sixth edition of the Code, introducing major reforms on anti-competition, sporting rights, local content, online broadcasting, and advertising. Notably, the Amendment prohibits exclusivity in sporting rights and mandates that broadcasters sublicence live foreign sports events on fair terms . The NBC Code amendments required broadcasters airing prime foreign sports to invest 30% of rights’ costs in local sports and advertisers to balance exposure between foreign and local events. They strengthened local content rules by mandating Nigerian directors, producers, and at least 75% Nigerian participation in productions, and extended NBC oversight to online platforms like Netflix and IrokoTV. Broadcasters were also required to suspend campaigns for clients who defaulted after 60 days. These provisions, especially those on exclusivity and sublicensing, drew criticism for violating constitutional property rights, the Copyright Act, and international treaties. In Femi Davies v. National Broadcasting Commission , the Federal High Court addressed the validity of NBC’s restrictions on exclusive broadcast rights, ultimately ruling that the Commission lacked such authority and affirming exclusivity as a legitimate investment protected under copyright and contract law. By granting a perpetual injunction, the Court restored certainty for broadcasters while underscoring the balance regulators must strike between public access and commercial interests.

Other important regulations to note are The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 regulates competition in sports broadcasting by curbing monopolistic exclusive rights and empowering the FCCPC to sanction anti-competitive contracts. The Cybercrimes Act 2015 complements this by prohibiting digital piracy and unlawful rebroadcasting, highlighting the need for strong digital rights management.

4.0. Compliance Checklist for Businesses in Sports Broadcasting

Given that the sports broadcasting industry in Nigeria is regulated by a complex legal framework, stakeholders must pay close attention to compliance at every stage of their operations, from licensing and content acquisition to advertising and fair competition. Non-compliance carries significant risks, including regulatory sanctions, financial penalties, and reputational damage. To guide businesses in navigating these requirements, the following checklist highlights key areas for compliance.

4.1. Corporate and Licensing

a. All broadcasting entities must be duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and maintain statutory registers in compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.

b. Following incorporation, all broadcasting entities must obtain the appropriate licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to legally operate within Nigeria. This includes terrestrial, satellite, cable, and digital platforms. For Over-the-Top (OTT) and streaming services, operators are required to either register with or formally notify the NBC, depending on the nature of their service . In addition, they must demonstrate adherence to local content requirements such as ensuring a minimum quota of Nigerian-produced programming, promoting indigenous language content where applicable, Supporting the development of local creative industries, proactive engagement with the NBC and transparent documentation of compliance efforts are essential to avoid regulatory delays and ensure smooth market entry or continued operation.

c. Keep proof of all filings, renewals, and approvals, as failure to maintain proper licensing records can attract NBC sanctions.

4.2. Rights Acquisition and Contracts

a. Before entering into any broadcasting rights agreement, stakeholders must conduct full due diligence to avoid legal disputes and ensure the integrity of the content acquisition process.

b. Contracts involving broadcasting rights should include clear and enforceable sublicensing clauses. These must reflect Nigerian case law that recognises and protects exclusive rights, while also anticipating potential regulatory intervention by bodies such as the NBC.

c. Ensure all contracts to comply with the Copyright Act 2022, especially with respect to digital rights, streaming, highlights, and social media use.

d. Include warranties, indemnities, and compliance clauses that cover NBC, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), FCCPC, and NDPA regulations.

4.3. Advertising and Sponsorshipa. Before airing any advertisements directed at Nigerian audiences, broadcasters must secure approval from ARCON before airing any adverts targeting Nigerian audiences. Maintain records of all approvals.

b. Ensure advertising partnerships and sponsorship agreements comply with ARCON standards on truthful claims, local content, and payment obligations.

c. Implement internal controls to suspend advertising for clients who default on payments, in line with NBC/ARCON directives.

4.4. Local Content and Production

a. Broadcasters must meet the National Broadcasting Commission’s local content requirements by involving Nigerian producers, directors, and ensuring that at least 75% of production participants are Nigerian nationals.

b. When acquiring foreign sports broadcasting rights, operators should maintain clear documentation of investments in local sports programming. This remains a best practice for regulatory goodwill even though enforcement under the 2020 Amendment has been judicially limited.

4.5. Competition and Fair Trade

a. Ensure operations comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), avoiding practices that may be construed as market allocation, tying, or abuse of dominance.

b. Before any merger, acquisition, or rights aggregation, assess whether the transaction meets FCCPC notification thresholds and seek clearance to avoid ‘gun-jumping’ penalties.

4.6. Data Protection and Consumer Privacy

a. Comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA 2023) when processing subscriber data. Maintain a data register, privacy notice, and lawful basis for processing.

b. Include data protection clauses in contracts with vendors, streaming platforms, and payment processors, and appoint a Data Protection Officer where applicable.

4.7. Recordkeeping and Dispute Management

a. Maintain detailed records of sublicensing offers, advertising approvals, programming logs, and compliance registers for at least seven years.

b. Incorporate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) clauses in contracts. Given recent rulings limiting NBC’s powers, ensure arbitration or dispute resolution mechanisms align with enforceable legal standards.

Conclusion

The sports broadcasting industry in Nigeria is shaped by a strict legal and regulatory framework that balances commercial goals with consumer protection and competition principles. To succeed, businesses must embed strong compliance systems that respond to changing regulations and judicial trends. Following the compliance checklist and engaging proactively with regulators helps new and existing operators reduce legal risks, safeguard investments, and support a sustainable sports broadcasting sector.

Christian Aniukwu is the Managing Partner at Stren and Blan Partners and supervises the firm’s Technology, Entertainment, Media and Sports (TEMS) Sector. Omonefe Irabor-Benson is a Senior Associate, while Stanley Umezuruike and Rebecca Sojinu are Associates in the TEMS Sector.

The Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Tagma, says Morocco is a new destination for investment and a proud partner to Nigeria.

Tagma communicated this when he paid a condolence visit to Tein Jack-Rich, President of Belemaoil Group, on Wednesday in his Abuja residence.

The visit was to commiserate with Jack-Rich on the passing of his uncle, Dr Harrison Tiger.

Tagma expressed his deepest sympathies to Jack-Rich, describing him as a friend, philanthropist, and partner who deserves support and attention from good friends and allies.

Having spent the last eight years in Nigeria, Tagma highlighted the strong bond between Morocco and Nigeria, particularly in the economic sector. ‘Morocco is a new destination for investment, and we are proud to be a great partner to Nigeria.

‘All Nigerians want to do business with the Moroccans, and we look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration,’ he said

Tagma said that Morocco had signed an agreement to form the Nigeria/Morocco Friendship Group, underscoring Nigeria’s deep interest in fostering a robust relationship with Morocco.

The condolence visit from the Moroccan envoy was one of many received by Jack-Rich from prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Jack-Rich expressed his happiness for the condolence visit and described Tagma as a good friend.

He emphasised on the importance of African partnership and intra-African trade for economic growth. ‘Africa must partner with itself, trade with itself to grow the African soil economically.’

Jack-Rich urged Nigerian leaders to put aside their party differences and work together for the economic growth of the nation.

‘Our leaders must work together, irrespective of party differences, to drive economic growth and development.

‘This call for collective action highlights the need for Nigerian leaders to prioritise the country’s economic development,’ he said.

To commemorate 2025 World Food Day, Sterling Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and food-secure Africa.

This year’s World Food Day, themed ‘Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,’ highlights the need for collective effort to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all, while promoting sustainable livelihoods and protecting the planet.

‘The 2025 World Food Day theme captures exactly what Africa needs right now: collaboration. No single institution or government can fix food insecurity alone. We must work hand in hand with financial institutions, technology providers, farmers, development partners, and other key stakeholders to create a future where hunger is history,’ said Olushola Obikanye, group head, Agriculture at Sterling Bank.

‘At Sterling Bank, we’ve seen what’s possible when partnerships align with purpose. Our commitment goes beyond financing as we are helping to build an ecosystem where farmers have access to credit, markets, and the knowledge they need to thrive,’ he added.

He emphasised the urgency of partnership-driven solutions to transform Africa’s food systems.

‘Food security must move from being a national aspiration to a continental priority. We are sitting on 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet Africa still imports billions of dollars’ worth of food annually. This paradox can only change through action, investment, innovation, and inclusion.’

For Sterling Bank, the theme underscores a truth that has guided its work in agriculture: Africa’s food destiny depends on shared responsibility between farmers, financiers, policymakers, and communities.

Over the past decade, Sterling Bank has emerged as one of Nigeria’s foremost financiers of agricultural development, channeling funding and expertise into projects that strengthen food systems, enhance productivity, and empower communities.

The bank has disbursed over N500 billion in loans to commercial farmers and more than $300 million to support agricultural value chain actors across the country. In 2022, it launched SWAY AgFin, a digital platform that has since enabled over 25,500 youth and women farmers to access financing and market opportunities.

Through partnerships with GIZ and USAID, it has implemented capacity-building programmes that have reached over 10,000 agribusinesses, enhancing competitiveness and sustainability, while also supporting over 100,000 rice, maize, and soybean farmers under the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and SWAY AgFin.

Obikanye noted that these achievements are a product of Sterling Bank’s deliberate focus on long-term agricultural transformation.

‘Our strategy is built on three pillars: empowerment, innovation, and sustainability. We are empowering farmers through finance, innovating through technology, and promoting sustainability through climate-smart agriculture. The result is not just better yields, it’s better livelihoods and stronger communities,’ he said.

Sterling Bank’s leadership in agricultural advocacy and investment will again take centre stage at the upcoming Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, scheduled for November 6-7, 2025, where thought leaders and innovators will convene under the theme ‘Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny.’

The summit, convened annually by Sterling Bank, has become one of Africa’s foremost platforms for driving sustainable agricultural policy and investment.

ASA 2025 will bring together policymakers, financiers, agribusiness leaders, and farmers to co-create practical solutions for achieving a resilient, food-secure continent.

‘World Food Day and ASA 2025 are connected by a single truth,’ Obikanye said. ‘Africa’s food future will be secured only when we combine innovation, capital, and compassion to build systems that feed our people and protect our planet.’

Through its H.E.A.R.T. strategy, focusing on health, education, agriculture, renewable energy, and transportation, the bank continues to drive investments that promote sustainable development, inclusive growth, and shared prosperity across Africa.

Ninety-nine years after landing in Nigeria through Mohammed El-Khalil, the El-Khalil family has built a legacy in Nigeria, with the Seven-Up Bottling Company.

Currently, the company is led by Sari El-Khalil, Mohammed’s grandson, who serves as the Managing Director and Faysal El-Khalil, Mohammed’s son, as the board Chairman.

Faysal and Sari featured during the fireside chat at the Family Business Summit 2025, organised by PwC in conjunction with BusinessDay. Speaking during the chat, they provided insights into how they have built one of the biggest family businesses in Nigeria.

Faysal, who served as MD of SevenUp from 1978 to 2005, put the age of the business at 65. He said, ‘The first bottle from our factory rolled out on the 1st of October 1960. So, we celebrate two anniversaries on the 1st of October every year.’ The arrival of Mohammed El-Khalil in Nigeria

Sari commenced the conversation, providing a detailed summary of his grandfather’s sojourn to Nigeria. He highlighted that in the early years of the 20th century, when Lebanon was still under Ottoman rule, Mohammed El-Khalil set out in search of a better life. This trip took him to Mexico, where he encountered life’s difficulties. However, on a trip back to Lebanon, he landed in Marseille, France where he encountered a Lebanese couple.

According to Sari, a Lebanese couple instructed Mohammed, ‘You must go to Nigeria, you will find gold on the sides of the streets.’

In 1926, he landed in Nigeria.

The older Faysal continued the story. Like many newcomers at the time in Nigeria, Mohammed began in trading, buying bales of textiles and selling them in Lagos. Success in those days meant expanding into Balogun Street or Martin Street, and Mohammed was determined to get there.

Through discipline, thrift, and persistence, his trading business flourished. By 1927, he diversified into road transport, launching a venture that would, over time, become the largest privately owned transport company in West Africa.

Even as his business expanded, Mohammed remained deeply connected to his roots. He returned to Lebanon, where he met and married his wife. Though much of his time was spent in Nigeria, together they raised eight children, six boys and two girls. Several of them were born in Nigeria, reflecting the deep bond the family maintained with the country that had become their second home.

As the older children completed their education abroad, the family began to see a new chapter unfolding. By the late 1950s, when his eldest son Anwar returned to Nigeria, Mohammed realised it was time to diversify once again. This decision marked the beginning of the family’s transition from trading and transport into new sectors, a shift that would eventually lead to the creation of Seven-Up Bottling Company. Sari’s journey to the top of the family business

For Sari El-Khalil, the current MD of the company, the story of Seven-Up is also the story of home. ‘I’ve spent most of my life in Nigeria,’ he said. ‘I grew up here, son of the soil.’

Long before he carried an executive title, Sari’s earliest memories were not of boardrooms, but of trucks and bottling lines. As a boy, he noted that he would return from school to the company’s offices in Ijora, Lagos, running around the yard, trying to change the oil of trucks, and occasionally joining door-to-door sales teams. ‘Even when I was in Lebanon,’ he recalled, ‘I’d come back for the summers. And instead of partying with my friends, I’d get on the trucks and do sales. It’s been in my blood since I was very young, part of my DNA.’

But that early exposure didn’t translate into entitlement. After earning his undergraduate degree in Boston, Sari returned to Nigeria for a five-year internship in the company. ‘The plan was always to go back for an MBA, get higher education, and then come back,’ he said. ‘But my mentor at the time advised me to step out, to see something different.’

That advice changed everything. Sari worked abroad for five years with PepsiCo, gaining first-hand corporate experience outside the family ecosystem. ‘It was the best decision,’ he reflected. ‘It helped me understand what it means to work in a structured corporate environment, to be accountable, to earn your place. And at the same time, it made me appreciate even more what it means to own something, the difference between being an employee and being an owner.’

When he finally returned to Seven-Up, it wasn’t out of obligation, but conviction. ‘It was never forced,’ he said. ‘I was given choices, and it led me back here.’

Family governance and constitution

For all its decades of expansion and commercial success, Faysal recounts that the El-Khalil story is not just about building factories, securing distribution networks, or selling soft drinks. It is also a story about family, about how the bonds that built a business can just as easily be tested by it.

After establishing Seven-Up Bottling Company and steering it into one of Nigeria’s most recognised consumer brands, he noted that the first generation of the El-Khalil family faced a governance challenge.

‘Some founders fall into what we call the founder’s trap,’ he reflected, recalling the early years after their father’s passing. ‘Our eldest brother, who led Seven-Up, became a sort of second founder. He was a visionary, but he didn’t want to let go.’

That tension, between continuity and change, shaped much of the company’s evolution. Faysal noted that, like many family businesses, questions arose about who should lead: was it by seniority or by merit? How long should one remain in the office? Should pay and influence be tied to bloodlines or to performance?

Out of this came a resolve to create what they called the family constitution, a detailed playbook to define how the family and the business would coexist. It outlined governance rules, leadership succession, retirement ages, and even boundaries for those who could join the enterprise.

The Federal House of Representatives has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to collaborate with Akwa Ibom State and ensure the establishment and completion of Ibom Deep Seaport.

These are Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other relevant agencies.

The directive followed a motion presented on Tuesday on the floor of the House by Unyime Idem, Member Representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Leader, Akwa Ibom House of Representatives Caucus and co-sponsored by nine other members of the Caucus.

Idem noted that the global economy is increasingly shaped by marine trade and the blue economy, which encompasses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creationHe emphasised that ‘these resources remain largely untapped in Akwa Ibom State, leading to the loss of potential foreign direct investment (FDI) and reduced economic opportunities that could significantly improve the standard of living in the State and across the country.’

He disclosed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) projected that the Ibom Deep Seaport could attract investments worth over $5.6 billion, and decried that the project has remained stalled, thus hindering the development of intermodal transport systems, limiting Nigeria’s full participation in the blue economy, and weakening its export and logistics competitiveness. He said that when realised, the Ibom Deep Seaport would directly stimulate local economies, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, catalyse industrial growth, strengthen maritime value chains, and facilitate the full implementation of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) blueprints.

‘Nigeria’s vast coastline and Akwa Ibom State’s strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean offer immense potential for export-driven economic expansion through the establishment of the Ibom Deep Seaport. The State produces several exportable commodities such as cocoa (a major non-oil export), palm oil, palm kernel, cassava, maize, timber, rubber, fish, and seafood.

”It is also proximate to abundant natural resources and solid minerals, including crude oil, natural gas, kaolin, and limestone, key materials for manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and construction. ‘The blue economy currently contributes about 2% to Nigeria’s GDP, and with the President’s strategic proposal to raise this to between 5% and 10%, the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport would be a major driver in achieving this goal.’

He expressed hope that the establishment and realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport will lead to the expansion of haulage networks, boost export capacity, attract foreign direct investments, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Ports and Harbours, Finance, and Shipping Services to pay an oversight visit to the proposed project site, and, based on their findings, make appropriate recommendations to support its realisation.

Joash Amupitan (SAN), President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has denied ever being part of the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Amupitan made the clarification on Thursday during his screening before the Senate for confirmation.

Responding to a question from Senator Seriake Dickson, who asked if he had served on Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 presidential election, Amupitan said, ‘I never and did not appear at any time whatsoever at the Presidential Election Tribunal.’

His response comes amid some media (Not Business Day) claims that he was a lead counsel to President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the tribunal proceedings.

One of the posts, dated October 10, 2025, alleged that, ‘The newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, previously served as lead counsel to the APC and President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

‘It’s evident that Tinubu has appointed a close ally to head the commission, a move that could potentially compromise the neutrality and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process in 2027.’

Tinubu had on Tuesday transmitted Amupitan’s name to the Senate for confirmation, following the completion of the tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who served two terms as INEC Chairman.

Last week, the President formally presented Amupitan as his preferred choice to lead the electoral commission. His nomination was subsequently approved by the Council of State, which unanimously endorsed him as the next INEC Chairman.

During the council meeting, Tinubu noted that Amupitan, a native of Kogi State in the North Central region, is the first person from the state to be nominated for the position.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, the President described Amupitan as ‘apolitical’ and a person of integrity. Members of the Council, including former Heads of State, reportedly gave their unanimous backing to his nomination. Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State also commended the choice, describing Amupitan as ‘a man of integrity.’

58-year-old Amupitan, is a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State.

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has urged people living with HIV to adhere to their prescribed medications to maintain their health and combat AIDS in the country.

Patrick Dakum, IHVN’s Chief Executive Officer, who made this call in Abuja emphasised the importance of medication adherence, noting that free HIV services are available in over 380 health facilities it is supporting across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Rivers State.

He informed that these services include: Free testing services; Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults and children; free laboratory services for HIV diagnosis and monitoring; and free Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services for pregnant women. He added that currently, over 238,000 individuals receive anti-retroviral treatment in IHVN-supported health facilities and at no time were life saving services disrupted.

Dakum emphasised the importance of sustainability in health programs, while affirming the Institute’s goal is to test 95% of people living with HIV, initiate treatment for 95% of those who test positive; and achieve viral suppression through adherence to treatment. On expanding HIV services and empowering communities, IHVN’s CEO highlighted the institute’s efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV by extending services to communities through partnerships with faith-based organisations and community leaders.

He stated that community programs have enabled caregivers and the vulnerable including children, adolescents and young adults to be reached with a comprehensive package of care and community-based intervention to improve adherence, nutrition and quality of life.

He noted that the Nigerian government is making progress in owning and supporting HIV programs, marked by inclusion of people living with HIV in health insurance, local production of HIV test kits, and the soon-to-be introduced HIV preventive injectable Lenacapavir.

He, therefore, urged the need for continued collaboration among government, people living with HIV, civil society organisations, and the media to sustain progress in elevating country ownership and addressing public health challenges. ‘By working together, stakeholders can achieve a healthier future and control the HIV epidemic,’ he said.

The Lagos State government has urged the National Assembly to be wary of the proposed Central Gaming Bill, warning that the legislation was not only unconstitutional but a violation of a subsisting Supreme Court judgment.

Lawal Pedro, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, at a news conference on Wednesday, noted that the bill, now before the Senate for concurrence, risks plunging the country into a constitutional crisis.

According to Pedro, the bill, titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Lottery Act No. 7 of 2005 and the National Lottery (Amendment) Act No. 6 of 2017, and to enact the Central Gaming Bill to Regulate the Operation and Business of All Forms of Online and Remote Gaming Across the Geographical Boundaries of the Federating Units and Beyond the Borders of Nigeria’, seeks to centralise the regulation of gaming, betting, and lotteries nationwide. Pedro, who was accompanied by Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, noted that the Supreme Court had settled the matter in Suit No. SC/1/2008 – AG Lagos and 22 Ors v. AG Fed and Ors, where it held that lotteries, betting, and gaming fall within the legislative competence of states, not the Federal Government.

Referencing the court’s judgment delivered on October 13, 2024, the Lagos justice commissioner said: ‘Lotteries, betting, gaming, and any other games of chance are residual matters falling within the exclusive legislative competence of the states, except in the Federal Capital Territory.’ He also cited specific portions of the judgment in which the Supreme Court ruled that the National Lottery Act of 2005 was enacted ultra vires the National Assembly, declaring it unconstitutional and nullifying it in its entirety.

Pedro warned that any attempt to reintroduce similar legislation under a new name, such as the proposed Central Gaming Bill, would amount to ‘legislating in defiance of a binding Supreme Court decision, the highest expression of contempt of court. ‘Once the Supreme Court has made a decision on a subject, particularly under the Constitution, it becomes final and binding on all persons and authorities in Nigeria, including the Executive and the Legislature.’

He further explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling had permanently restrained the federal government and its agencies from regulating lotteries and gaming across the states, making the matter ‘forever settled’ unless the Constitution itself is amended.

‘Some proponents of the Bill argue that it only targets online gaming, but my question to them is, does ‘online’ mean ‘federal’? Whether a lottery ticket is sold physically or via mobile phone, the activity remains a game of chance within the state’s jurisdiction,’ he added.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has urged Nigerians abroad and at home to take advantage of growing investment opportunities in the country through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS), which recorded over ?673 million worth of diaspora-driven investment deals in 2024.

Speaking at a joint world press conference ahead of the 2025 edition of the Summit, scheduled to hold from November 11-13 in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa said the event has become a credible platform for channeling diaspora investments into productive sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

The 2025 Summit, themed ‘Fast Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment’, will be hosted at the NiDCOM Headquarters in Abuja.

According to her, the Summit, which began in 2018 has evolved into a trusted mechanism for facilitating direct and impactful investments from the Nigerian diaspora, linking global investors with local entrepreneurs and projects.

‘NDIS has grown beyond being just a conference; it is now a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable development.

‘It has fostered job creation, youth empowerment, and connected Nigeria’s enormous talent pool to the country’s development agenda’, she said.

Reviewing the 2024 edition, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that the event attracted over 1,500 participants, including 236 investors and 1,197 business owners.

‘The Summit yielded 56 investment deals valued at about ?673 million,’ she noted, adding that the creative sector led with 39 deals, while infrastructure, real estate, agribusiness, and energy sectors also recorded significant traction. She further commended several state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, for leveraging previous Summits to attract investors and drive strategic development projects.

‘A good example is Ondo State’s port initiative, which gained Federal Government approval after being pitched through the Summit,’ she revealed.

The NiDCOM boss also announced that President Bola Tinubu will serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2025 edition, while appreciating long-standing partners such as the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), First Bank, NNPC Limited, AG Mortgage, and the media including BusinessDay for their continuous support.

Also speaking, Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), described the Summit as a vital bridge linking the Nigerian diaspora with development opportunities at home. She emphasised that this year’s theme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote inclusive prosperity.

Jointly organised by NiDCOM and NDSI, the 2025 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit will connect diaspora investors with local entrepreneurs across key sectors such as finance and fintech, ICT, creative industries, sports, agribusiness, healthcare, education, real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy.

As part of its investment towards the fight against cancer in Nigeria, the Management of LAPO said it had facilitated the screening and referred 495 individuals for further medical examinations.

Honestus Obadiora, Executive Vice President, Health and Social Development, LAPO stated this on Wednesday at the flag of the Organisation’s 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness for the Month of October in Benin City.

Obadiora, who flagged off the free cancers screening programme at Staff Clinic and Uwelu Market Health Post respectively all in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, said the screened individuals were referred to Government approved health facilities across its targeted communities.

The Executive Vice President, Health and Social Development, LAPO, who was represented by James-Wisdom Abhulimen, Head Corporate Communications, LAPO, said the referred patients were among the 12,422 community members reached through the targeted cancer awareness programme between July and September this year.

He said the awareness programme was designed to educate the public on the risk factors, early warning signs and preventive strategies. ‘These interventions have significantly enhanced the prospects of early diagnosis and effective treatment, thereby reducing the health, economic, and emotional burden that cancer imposes on individuals, families and communities.

‘Our consistent community sensitisation efforts are geared towards promoting positive health-seeking behaviours , encouraging regular medical check-ups, and demystifying the misconceptions surrounding cancer.

‘We are deeply committed to enduring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of good health and well-being’, he said.

Obadiora noted that the LAPO’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a vital platform dedicated to promoting health education, early detection, and collective action against one of the most pressing health challenges in the society.

While asserting that Cancer continues to pose a significant public health burden in Nigeria and across the world, he stated that LAPO recognises that the fight against the disease cannot be won by treatment alone, but prevention, awareness, and early detection remain the most powerful tools in saving lives.