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More Nigerians have fallen into poverty as economic stabilisation and growth momentum have yet to improve the livelihoods of citizens of Africa’s top crude producer, according to the World Bank.

Poverty levels are projected to hit 61 percent in 2025 as 139 million people slipped below $3 per person per day, compared to 129 million people last year as weak growth and high inflation eroded purchasing power more sharply since 2019, largely reflecting pre-2023 policy missteps and external shocks.

‘Between 2019 and 2023, average consumption fell by 6.7 percent, especially in urban areas, while poverty rose from 40 percent (81 million people) to a projected 61 percent (139 million people) by 2025, with three-quarters of the increase occurring before 2023,’ the Washington-based lender said in its Nigeria Development Update report, ‘From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home’, Wednesday.

‘Recent reforms are correcting past policy missteps, but meaningful improvements in livelihoods will hinge on sustained disinflation, stronger inclusive growth, better public services, and continuous targeted support to the most vulnerable.’ Nigeria has embarked on a series of reforms since President Bola Tinubu took the helm of affairs some two years ago, including scrapping decades of fuel subsidies that drained government finances and relaxed the exchange rates to be more market determined.

Those radical policies, though have restored long-lost investor confidence in Africa’s most populous nation, stoked inflation to a near three-decade high and saw the naira tumble by more than 70 percent.

But the storm might just be over as key economic indicators are showing signs of recovery and stability, a turnaround that’s expected to slow poverty levels in the medium to long term.

The World Bank wants authorities to bring ‘reform gains home to Nigerians’ by reducing food inflation; improving the use of public resources for development, and strengthening the social safety net to protect the poor and economically insecure.

Tetracore Energy Group, a leading integrated midstream-downstream energy company, in Nigeria and Africa, is proud to announce the appointment of three distinguished professionals: Oscar N. Onyema OON, Aisha Balewa Abubakar, and Dr. Ayodele Oni to its Board of Directors.

They join existing board members President/CEO – Olakunle Williams, Kemi Williams, Okezie Okah-Avae, and Oladayo Williams, bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership that aligns with Tetracore’s growing ambitions.

Over the years, Tetracore has consistently demonstrated innovation and resilience across the energy value chain, from expanding natural gas infrastructure and distributing gas across Nigeria and beyond, being the largest Gas Trading Company and auto gas distributors in the country. The company has also pioneered hybrid renewable projects that power industries and communities, reinforcing its commitment to Africa’s sustainable energy transformation. Strengthening its board marks a strategic step toward consolidating these achievements and guiding the company’s next phase of growth.

‘The energy future of Africa will be driven by strong institutions and visionary leadership,’ said Olakunle Williams, President/ CEO, Tetracore Energy Group. ‘Welcoming our new directors represents a defining moment for Tetracore as we will continue to drive, deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions across the continent.’

Meet the New Board Members

Oscar N. Onyema, OON, a renowned figure in Nigeria’s financial and capital markets, brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning financial services, energy, and technology. As former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX Group), he transformed the institution into a globally respected organisation through transparency, innovation, and investor confidence. With several prestigious awards showcasing his excellence, he was given a special recognition award for Transformational Leadership in the Nigerian Capital Markets in 2018 and the Meritorious Service and Contribution to the Development of the Stock Exchange /Capital Markets in Nigeria award in 2021.

At Tetracore, Onyema’s deep expertise in capital markets and financial innovation will support the company’s next phase of growth, driving strategic partnerships and unlocking new investment opportunities across Nigeria’s energy infrastructure landscape.

Aisha Balewa Abubakar joins the board as a respected strategist and advocate for sustainable business practices. With over three decades of experience in banking and finance, she has served as a Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (Capacity Development Department), where she spearheaded collaborations with global institutions such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).

Beyond her financial acumen, Balewa brings a strong understanding of corporate governance, diversity, and human capital development. She holds an MA in Human Resource Management and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Her appointment reinforces Tetracore’s commitment to sustainability, inclusiveness, and stakeholder trust.

Dr. Ayodele Oni, a distinguished energy lawyer and industry expert, complements the board with his exceptional technical and regulatory expertise. Recognised globally, he was ranked among the world’s leading energy lawyers in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. With decades of experience advising national and multinational energy firms, he combines technical insight with legal precision to ensure projects are not only innovative but also compliant and commercially viable.

At Tetracore, his vast experience will enhance the company’s technical oversight, regulatory alignment, and project delivery frameworks, particularly as it expands in gas commercialization, renewable energy, and infrastructure development.

With these appointments, Tetracore Energy Group reinforces its commitment to shaping Africa’s energy narrative through innovation, leadership, and long-term value creation. Guided by a dynamic board and strong executive management, the company remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate industrialization, expand clean energy access, and build a resilient energy ecosystem that powers growth across communities and industries.

President/CEO Olakunle Williams, Kemi Williams, Okezie Okah-Avae, Oladayo Williams, and the newly appointed directors will continue to drive Tetracore’s mission to advance industrialization, promote cleaner energy adoption, and empower communities through reliable access to power.

The Plateau State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that social media activist Ummulkair Abdulmumin Illyasu was arrested, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

According to the Command, the viral reports circulating on various social media platforms alleging that officers raided her residence and forced her to delete a video from her Facebook page are entirely untrue.

In a press statement issued to Journalists on Tuesday in Jos, Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer, clarified that Ummulkhair was only invited for questioning following a report of an alleged inciting post made by her on social media. According to the statement, the post had the potential to incite unrest in the state, and the invitation was aimed at seeking clarification not effecting an arrest. ‘During the interview, she was simply advised to desist from making inciting comments and to explore proper channels to seek clarification on government policies,’ the statement said.

The Command stressed that at no point was she arrested, detained, or forced to delete any content, contrary to viral online claims.

The police further noted that no instruction was given by the Plateau State Government to arrest the activist, adding that such assertions are entirely baseless.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting citizens’ right to free speech, stating that its actions were intended solely to maintain peace and public order.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM), aiming to strengthen data management and improve service delivery within Nigeria’s health insurance system.

At the signing ceremony in Abuja, Kelechi Ohiri, director-general of NHIA, described the agreements as an important step toward making the agency’s operations more evidence-based and responsive to citizens’ needs.

‘Today is a landmark day for us because we have been able to sign MoUs that represent real commitments by the respective organisations. These are not just documents; they are concrete steps toward improving data quality and service experience for Nigerians,’ Ohiri added.

He explained that the partnership with NBS would help ensure NHIA policies and programmes are guided by accurate, inclusive data.

‘This is both a commitment of the Statistician-General and myself to work together towards improving data quality and to be able to answer simple but crucial questions: what works well in Nigeria, and are we having measurable impact on people’s lives?’ Speaking on the second MoU, Ohiri said the partnership with SERVICOM is aimed at improving the service experience of over 20 million Nigerians covered by health insurance programmes. He noted that the agreement, which coincides with Customer Service Week, will strengthen feedback systems and complaint resolution mechanisms.

Addressing questions on petitions made against some institutions, Ohiri revealed that NHIA resolved about 90 per cent of over 2,000 complaints from enrollees last year.

‘We encourage people to speak up when there’s a problem. Silence is what I call the silence of the graveyard; it gives a false impression that everything is fine when it’s not. People must feel they can be heard, and we must make sure they are heard’, he said.

Anthony Oshie, SERVICOM national coordinator, commended NHIA for initiating the collaboration and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening service delivery in the health sector.

He described the signing as ‘a significant milestone’ that will enhance citizens’ access to quality healthcare and promote accountability in public institutions.

‘Today, we are ready to move forward, not just on paper, but in action, to make sure citizens can see and feel the difference in service delivery,’ he said.

Peter Ameh, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has scored the tenure of Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) low, saying that his tenure was a setback for multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Yakubu on Tuesday handed over to the commission’s oldest serving National Commissioner in the electoral body, May Agbamuche, as the Acting National President.

But speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Ameh alleged Yakubu’s leadership was characterised by high-handedness, disregard for opposition parties, and a failure to uphold transparency in the electoral process.

According to him, ‘Under Professor Mahmood’s tenure, the opposition suffered. He was not accommodating when it came to opposition or multi-party democracy; all he wanted was to crush it. The high-handedness was much.’

According to him, Yakubu’s administration had failed to build institutional capacity within INEC, claiming that the commission became elitist and detached from its core mandate.

‘Mahmood spent 10 years at the commission, leaving that place, what you see is an elitist escort to protect him from the anger that was in the commission. There wasn’t any essence to build or lift the spirit of the staff,’ he stated. He further criticised the former INEC chairman for mismanaging Nigeria’s electoral cycles and eroding public trust. ‘When you talk about INEC, the commission’s primary duty is to conduct elections. During Mahmood’s tenure, there was corruption and mismanagement. Legitimacy was bastardized,’ Ameh said, citing the Edo State election as an example of alleged irregularities.

‘The conduct of the 2023 general elections is a bitter taste in everybody’s mouth; that is what he will be remembered for,’ he added.

Ameh also faulted Yakubu for failing to take responsibility after the technical glitches that marred the 2023 polls.

‘He was supposed to come out and say what happened’, he added.

He made promises that the results would be transmitted, but he failed. Maybe there was a glitch, but he should have set up an independent investigative body to find out what went wrong,’ he argued.

He concluded that Yakubu’s actions weakened Nigeria’s democratic structure.

‘For me, Mahmood’s tenure damaged the multi-party democracy we have. He pushed and invested so much energy in Section 225A to undermine political parties. He turned the essence of our democratic system into a laughing stock,’ Ameh stated.

Uba Sani, Kaduna State Governor, has approved disbursement of ?2.321 billion for the settlement of pension entitlements, gratuities and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased civil servants across the State.

The disbursement covers Accrued Rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Gratuity/Death Benefits under the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS). With this payment, Kaduna State has now paid out ?6.678bn in 2025 and a total of ?13.5bn in the last two years of the present Administration.

Ahmed Maiyaki, Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, said the welfare of pensioners remains a top priority of the government, stressing that regular and timely payments will continue to ease the hard ship of senior citizens.

According to Ibrahim Balarabe, Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Pension Bureau, the latest batch will benefit 661 retirees and families across State and Local Governments – with ?1.736bn for Accrued Rights of 511 retirees under the CPS, and ?585m for Gratuities and Death Benefits to 315 pensioners and next-of-kin under the DBS.

The Bureau further explained that for those under the Contributory Pension Scheme, their Accrued Rights would be credited directly into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with their respective Pension Fund Administrators, while pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme would be invited for screening and verification before payment.

Governor Uba Sani has consistently maintained that ensuring dignity for pensioners is not just a statutory obligation, but a moral responsibility of Government.

This approval, the statement concluded, further underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of pensioners, upholding their rights, and strengthening the trust of the Kaduna workforce.

Mahmood Yakubu has said that his decision to bow out of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was to pave way for the appointment of a new chairman.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yakubu had, on Tuesday, stepped down and handed over to a national commissioner, Ms May Agbamuche-Mbu, as acting Chairman of the commission.

NAN also reports that the brief hand over ceremony took place during the commission’s regular consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said that his bowing out would also enable the person taking over to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.

He said that he knew the enormity of the challenges ahead, having been privileged to serve the commission for 10 years, with only a few more weeks remaining for him to serve.

‘I have taken a decision and conveyed the same as provided by Section 36, Subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

‘In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior national commissioners by date of appointment.

‘Following consultation with other national commissioners, Ms May Agbamuchembu will serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman of the commission.

‘I hope that this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new chairman.

‘It will also enable the new chairman to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex environment,” he said.

Yakubu expressed appreciation to members of the commission and RECs for the excellent working relations they shared.

He noted that since 2015, he had worked with 24 national commissioners and 67 RECs.

He said that he would forever cherish the support of successive secretaries and staff of INEC nationwide.

‘Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities, sometimes on the verge of breaking down,” he recalled.

Yakubu also appreciated the support of the National Assembly, political parties, the National Peace Committee, civil society, the media, the labour unions, security agencies, National Youth Service Corps and other stakeholders.

‘Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments as well as criticisms which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” he said.

He noted that over the years, INEC, under his watch, achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations.

Yakubu added that the commission also consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of INEC’s manual processes with digital platforms and applications.

These, according to him, include the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation agents by political parties, accreditation of national and international observers, and the media for elections, voter accreditation and result management.

He added that with the support of development partners, INEC had introduced various technologies to improve diverse aspects of election management, such as the easy location of election facilities.

Others were management of collation and returning officers, virtual training of electoral staff, management of political parties’ finances and audits as well as the overall monitoring of elections using our Election Monitoring and Support Center, (EMSC).

Yakubu said while tremendous progress was made under him, a lot more still needed to be done.

He stated that the commission was already preparing for Anambra governorship election holding in November and the FCT Area Council election as well as Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2026.

He said that in addition to those off-cycle elections, INEC already commenced preparations for some of the major activities for the 2027 general elections, while awaiting the enactment of a new Electoral Act.

‘The bill is currently before the National Assembly. It is expected that electoral reforms contained in the new act will necessitate further review of our regulations and guidelines, as well as the manuals for elections.

‘Beyond these reviews, the commission needs to further clean up the voters’ register, review the locations of some of the polling units, and allotment of voters to them.

‘The management of party primaries is another major area of activity. You may recall that for the last general election in 2023, the Commission processed the nomination of over 20,000 candidates.

‘Furthermore, election logistics involving the procurement, production and transportation of huge quantities of materials by road, by air and by sea are monumental undertakings,” he said.

In her brief response, the acting INEC chairman, Agbamuche-Mbu, commended Yakubu for setting high record during his tenure as the commission’s chairman.

‘We acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements made by Yakubu during his tenure, in particular his hard work and dedication in serving our country meritoriously.

‘We wish you God’s guidance in your future endeavours. As you step down, we pray for greater success in whatever you set out to do.

‘We are confident that history will judge you very well,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu assured Yakubu that the commission would do its best to maintain and uphold the standards he had set.

‘I pledge to uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication and in unity with the honourable commissioners, the RECs, the directors, all the staff of INEC nationwide,’ she said.

The acting chairman also pledged to work with the stakeholders to ensure the success and growth of the commission.

Highlights of the occasion included presentation of presented two books entitled: ‘Election Management in Nigeria 2015-2025”, a compendium of all activities carried out in the last 10 years under his watch and’Electoral Technology 2015-2025”.

NAN reports that Yakubu, thereafter, signed his official handing over notes and presented them to Agbamuche-Mbu.

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, with support from The Nippon Foundation (TNF), has hosted a series of Green Mega and Mini Field Days across five states, namely, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Nasarawa, to promote climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices that enhance productivity, soil health, and farmers’ resilience to climate change.

According to a statement by the Association, the field events, held at SAA’s demonstration sites, showcased innovative practices that integrate maize and soybean strip cropping, conservation agriculture, and integrated soil fertility management.

Farmers also witnessed the benefits of biochar application, proper plant spacing, mulching, and the use of improved seed varieties, including Provitamin A maize and high-yielding soybean.

Speaking at the Mid-Season Review Meeting held at the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture in Makurdi, Godwin Atser, SAA Country Director, said the activities are vital tools for technology demonstration and farmer learning.

‘Field days are powerful platforms that catalyze knowledge of SAA’s approaches across the agricultural value chain.

‘They create opportunities for interaction with farmers and allow us to scale improved practices that drive productivity and resilience’, he said.

Atser urged SAA field officers to remain committed to delivering new technologies that enhance sustainable farming outcomes in the country.

In Gombe State, the Green Mega Field Day drew participation from farmers, partners, and government officials, including representatives of the State Ministry of Agriculture, traditional and religious leaders, and development organizations.

Barnabas Malle, Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, represented by Ibrahim Sajo, commended SAA’s interventions, describing them as transformative for rural communities.

‘SAA’s interventions have brought visible progress to our communities,’ he said. ‘Through this collaboration, we are raising a generation of farmers who understand sustainable intensification and climate-smart agriculture – key to ensuring food security and economic prosperity in Gombe State.’

One of the highlights of the events was a testimonial from Gloria Umaru Dangombe, a female farmer and host of one of the demonstration plots. She expressed delight at the impact of the new technologies on her farm.

‘The Provitamin A maize we planted has performed beyond our expectations,’ she said. ‘The mulching technique helped our soil retain more water, and the crops have grown much better. We are seeing real change in our fields and have more confidence in facing long dry spells.’

Across the participating States, the events featured interactive sessions, cultural displays, and field tours that encouraged peer learning and highlighted the success of participatory agricultural extension methods.

Each of the five states – Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, and Nasarawa – hosted one Mega Field Day, while Nasarawa held two. Several Mini Field Days were also conducted at the community level – ten in Gombe, twelve in Nasarawa, five each in Benue and Kano, and ten in Jigawa – to deepen grassroots engagement and ensure wider adoption of SAA-promoted technologies.

Through support from The Nippon Foundation, SAA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda by promoting regenerative and market-oriented agriculture that delivers both economic and environmental benefits.

‘The Green Mega and Mini Field Days are part of our broader effort to build healthier soils, boost productivity, and secure the livelihoods of smallholder farmers,’ Dr. Atser added.

The events concluded with renewed commitments from farmers and stakeholders to expand the adoption of climate-smart technologies for a more sustainable agricultural future in Nigeria.

ýIyiola Omisore, former national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that governance is not a dancing matter but a serious responsibility that must be taken seriously by disciplined and competent leaders.

ýOmisore, stated this on Tuesday at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo when he formally announced his intention to contest the 2026 Governorship election under the APC.

ýAddressing a crowd of party faithful, the former deputy governor of the State, said his decision to contest stemmed from a commitment to restore seriousness, focus and development to the affairs of the State.

ýHe said, ‘People are expecting maturity governance, educational improvement, agricultural improvement, rural capital development, structural adjustment of the state, capital development, impartial policies, among others.

ý’Most importantly a very serious government, government is not a dancing matter, it’s a serious business and must be taken seriously by serious people.’

ýHe added that the gathering was meant to demonstrate the preparedness of committed APC members across the state, to ensure his emergence as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming primaries.

ý’This is to show preparedness of the core APC members in the state, to show how ready we are to ensure that I become the party candidate by God’s grace in December, and to further strengthen the belief of the people in the coming APC government in Osun State.

ý’APC chance in Osun 2026 governorship election is 100 percent, these are volunteers from the nook and cranny of the state, this is just within the party and not the public this is an internal politics, preparing us for the forthcoming primaries in December.

ý’This is also to show the strength of the rescue mission to ensure that we get the party ticket by God’s grace and win the governorship election’, he added.

ýAjibola Famurewa, the Coordinator Iyiola Omisore Movement, described him as the most experienced aspirant capable of returning the APC to power.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected N564.71 billion total revenue in the second quarter of 2025 out of N742.34 billion billed to customers.

The commission disclosed this in its 2025 Second Quarter Report obtained from its website in Abuja on Tuesday.

The report said that this translates to a collection efficiency of 76.07 per cent in comparison to the total revenue collected by all DisCos in 2025 First Quarter.

It said that the first quarter revenue was N553.63 billion out of N744.26 billion billed to customers, which translated to a 74.39 percent collection efficiency.

‘This means that at an aggregate level, DisCos recorded a 1.68 Percentage Point increase in collection efficiency between first quarter and second quarter 2025,’ it said.

The report also said that under the quarter being reviewed, Eko DisCo recorded the highest collection efficiency of 87.80 per cent.

‘Conversely, Jos DisCo recorded the lowest collection efficiency at 43.82 per cent.

‘A comparison of DisCos’ performance shows that Port Harcourt, Benin, Ikeja , Ibadan, Eko and Yola DisCos recorded improvement in collection efficiency between first quarter 2025 and second quarter 2025.

‘Conversely, the remaining five DisCos recorded declines in collection efficiency,’ it said,

The report said that Abuja and Jos had the most significant declines across the quarters.