Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria’s electricity supply has come under renewed pressure as the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) blamed gas supply shortages and reduced water levels for the decline in power generation across the national grid. The operator said the challenges had reduced electricity available for distribution, forcing Distribution Companies (DisCos) to cut supply hours and increase load shedding across their networks. NISO disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that inadequate gas supplies had restricted the capacity of some thermal power plants to generate electricity. It also identified reduced water inflows into reservoirs as a major factor affecting output from hydroelectric…

Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has called for compulsory national identification registration for all Nigerians as part of efforts to tackle insecurity across the country. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Gumi said a reliable national registration system would help security agencies identify individuals, close security gaps and make it more difficult for criminal elements to operate undetected. He proposed giving villagers and nomadic communities a one-year grace period to complete their registration, after which individuals who deliberately refuse to comply should face appropriate legal consequences. According to the cleric, a comprehensive identification exercise would also create thousands of employment opportunities…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised concerns over the nutritional quality of some vegetable oil and salt products sold in Nigerian markets after a survey found that several samples failed to meet national food fortification standards. The findings followed a two-month assessment conducted by the commission in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples, were analysed during the exercise. The survey covered randomly selected markets and households across northern…

Nigeria accounts for at least 25 per cent of maternal deaths worldwide, with one in 22 Nigerian women facing the lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications, the United Nations has warned. UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, disclosed the figures on Wednesday at the second annual National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Network Conference in Abuja. Eyong described maternal mortality as a serious national challenge requiring urgent and collective action from government, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders. She said a Nigerian woman faced a lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing growing scrutiny over its handling of the preliminary voters’ register and compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Electoral stakeholders and legal practitioners have questioned the commission’s interpretation and enforcement of statutory deadlines, particularly concerning the publication of the preliminary voters’ register and the nomination of political party candidates. The concerns have raised questions about INEC’s neutrality, transparency and accountability, with critics arguing that the electoral umpire must be held to the same legal standards it demands of political parties and candidates. The controversy comes…

Fenerbahce twice came from behind to secure an impressive 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, ending the Reds’ 100 per cent record in this season’s competition. The Turkish side produced a spirited performance to claim all three points, with substitute Vedat Muriqi scoring the decisive goal late in the game. Liverpool started brightly despite heavy rainfall, with Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola missing early opportunities to put the visitors ahead. Fenerbahce gradually took control of the contest, creating several openings through Barcola and Munoz. However, Liverpool survived a penalty scare after Kostas Tsimikas challenged Mason Greenwood. The…

The Ondo State Government has warned manufacturers, distributors and traders against producing, distributing or selling fake, expired, adulterated and substandard products, threatening violators with sanctions and prosecution. The government said it would not tolerate business practices that endanger public health, compromise consumer safety or exploit residents for financial gain. The warning was issued during a stakeholder engagement with business operators organised by the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency (ODCCPA) as part of efforts to promote fair competition and strengthen consumer protection. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Pastor Bola Ademuwagun, reaffirmed the…

The National Assembly has transmitted the State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent after receiving approval from 30 State Houses of Assembly, advancing the proposed establishment of state police services in Nigeria. The development was announced during Wednesday’s plenary after Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau read a notice from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The notice indicated that the National Assembly had received approval reports from 29 state assemblies as of the close of business on Tuesday, November 3. However, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele subsequently announced that 30 state assemblies had approved the proposed constitutional…

Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), has criticised Nigeria’s political leadership, saying the country’s development challenges stem from a lack of ideas rather than insufficient resources. Makinde made the remarks on Wednesday, in Abuja while unveiling his manifesto for the 2027 presidential election. “Nigeria has the resources and the capacity to achieve greatness. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and human resources, but our leaders are poor in ideas,” he said. The Oyo State governor presented his manifesto as a blueprint for addressing Nigeria’s economic, political, social and institutional challenges. He explained that the document…

The House of Representatives has issued a fresh seven-day ultimatum to chief executives of major telecommunications companies in Nigeria, demanding their personal appearance before its investigative committee over persistent poor network services. The lawmakers warned that failure to comply could trigger constitutional sanctions, including the enforcement of arrest warrants against the affected executives. The directive followed the failure of the chief executives of MTN, Globacom, Airtel and T2 Mobile to honour the committee’s invitation for the second consecutive time. The Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Telecommunications Service Quality, Olumide Osoba, announced the fresh ultimatum after the operators again…