The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has said that Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies at the ports. The PEBEC DG said, ” “Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies. ALSO READ: PEBEC scores Anambra high on infrastructural development“These are not just numbers; they represent missed opportunities, jobs not created, and delayed economic growth. Recall that the NPA achieved a 100% success rate in PEBEC reforms, ranking 5th among agencies in 2025 with an 84.2% compliance rating. By closing the operational gaps identified during the port inspections, the NPA and PEBEC aim to create a more competitive maritime environment that attracts investment and facilitates seamless trade.

Forms of insecurity like banditry, terrorism and kidnapping currently bedevilling the country will only be reduced when prosperity is spread to the nation’s rural areas, especially, border communities. I feel that the first and most important thing is to spread prosperity to nation’s border communities. “With the people enjoying prosperity, they would resist this type of aggression, no matter where they’re coming from. ALSO READ: Insecurity: 16 kidnap victims rescued as govt closes markets, motor parks in Kogi“So, Niger state should protect their territory, so also Kwara state should protect their territory by spreading prosperity. Ashiru said government support for religious organisations should go beyond physical assistance to include intellectual guidance and policy direction to ensure that religious teachings promote peace and development.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning to the Senate, demanding the immediate inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act amendment or risk “mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the election,” declaring that “electoral integrity is at stake.”In a statement tagged ‘The Senate Must Come CLEAN Now: Electoral Integrity at Stake’, signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC said it was expressing “deep concern over the confusion and contradictory narratives emerging from the Senate regarding the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly on electronic transmission of results,” warning that “this lack of clarity undermines public trust and is deeply troubling for our democracy.”The labour centre stressed that “the Nigerian people deserve a transparent electoral process where their votes are not only counted but seen to be counted,” insisting that the Senate must “provide an immediate, official, and unambiguous account of its proceedings and final decisions. ALSO READ: Electoral Act: Senate summons emergency plenary“Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate INEC to transmit results electronically in real-time was not adopted, with the existing discretionary provision retained,” a development it said has “generated nationwide apprehension,” noting that “subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion.”Placing the controversy within Nigeria’s recent electoral history, the Congress warned that “at a critical juncture following the 2023 elections, such legislative ambiguity risks institutionalising doubt at the heart of our electoral integrity and echoes past controversies that have caused national distress.”The NLC therefore demanded “immediate clarity and transparency,” insisting that “the Senate must issue a definitive statement on the exact provisions passed, clarifying the final wording and rationale,” while adding that “the National Assembly leadership must also ensure the harmonisation process produces a final bill with crystal-clear provisions,” stressing that “any ambiguity in the transmission and collation of results is a disservice to our democracy.”Calling for a restoration of confidence in the legislature, the statement said, “We call on the Senate to restore legislative credibility by ensuring its processes are transparent and its outcomes clear,” adding that “the amended Act must provide an unambiguous mandate for INEC to electronically transmit and collate results from polling units in real-time.”Looking ahead to the next general election, the Congress declared that “the path to the 2027 elections must be built on certainty, not confusion,” warning lawmakers that “Nigerian workers and citizens are watching closely.”The NLC said it was already mobilising, noting that “the NLC is working within its networks to advocate for clarity and integrity,” and issuing a blunt caution: “We will not stand by while the trusts of Nigerians are betrayed again and the clarity of our electoral laws compromised.”In one of its most serious threats yet on electoral reform, the labour centre warned that “failure to add electronic transmission real-time will lead to mass action before, during and after the election or total boycott of the election,” adding that “our nation must choose the path of clarity and integrity.”Drawing parallels with recent legislative controversies, the NLC cautioned that “we need to avoid the same confusion that trailed the new Tax Acts,” insisting that “the time for honest, people-focused legislation is now.”

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on governments, corporate bodies and philanthropists to support the orientation camp cultural carnival and other initiatives of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). She made the call as the Special Guest of Honour during the cultural carnival staged by the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps members at the NYSC FCT Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja. She also commended the scheme’s management for providing the enabling environment for the Corps members to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, in his remarks at the event, commended NYSC for fostering national unity and integration through its deployment policy, which exposed Corps members to the diverse cultures of the country. Speaking later in an interview, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that Corps members would continue to showcase and promote the country’s cultural heritage.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of the National Assembly, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, has advocated for the establishment of a military base in Ogbomoso to prevent bandits’ incursions from neighbouring states. He described the project as a deliberate intervention to expand Federal educational presence and promote technical skills development in the state. In some states, there were two or three Federal institutions, but in this state, there was only one. “I said to myself, as pre-eminent as UI had become, to say we don’t have any other Federal educational institution in this state was scandalous. “I told Kabiyesi I was bringing a Federal institution but wanted it sited in Ayede.

A fatal road accident involving a trailer heading towards Gujungu, Jigawa State, has claimed the lives of more than 30 persons at Kwanar Barde in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State. The incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, was allegedly caused by reckless driving, leaving many others with serious injuries. Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, mourned the victims of the crash, describing the incident as heartbreaking and a huge loss to the affected families and the entire people of the state. “According to reports, the fatal accident involved a trailer heading towards Gujungu, which allegedly crashed due to reckless driving, leading to the death of over 30 persons, while many others sustained serious injuries. Governor Yusuf further warned motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid reckless driving and strictly comply with traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), has warned that making real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory could disenfranchise millions of voters in rural and insecure parts of the country. Speaking at a book launch on the burden of legislators in Nigeria, Akpabio explained that electronic transmission remains permissible under the law, but that insisting on real-time transmission could create legal and logistical challenges. Reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, NIW described the push for mandatory real-time transmission as a looming “democratic emergency,” citing Nigeria’s weak digital and power infrastructure. NIW also raised concerns over Nigeria’s unstable power supply, noting that frequent national grid collapses could disrupt elections mid-process if electronic transmission becomes compulsory. NIW urged civil society groups and policymakers to focus on infrastructure readiness, calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecommunications operators to ensure nationwide internet coverage before pushing for mandatory real-time transmission of election results.

President Bola Tinubu will between March 18 to 19, 2026 embarked on a historic two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. The visit, according to the British Royal Family, is at the invitation of King Charles III. In the information posted on the official X handle of the British Royal Family, @Royal Family, President Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. He said, “First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18 to 19 March 2026.”

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone, has commended the recent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In a statement issued on Sunday, the President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem said that the decision marks a significant and positive turning point for the people of the South East. He said: “we applaud the leadership of IPOB for listening to our people and choosing the path of peace and progress”. He recalled that for too long, the enforced sit-at-home every Monday has crippled the economic, educational, and social life of our region. We urge our people to return to their normal activities on Mondays with optimism and vigour, demonstrating to the world that the South East is resilient and forward-looking.

….as tax revenue accounts for 12.6% IGR, non-tax revenue contributes 87.4%…targets N870bn in 2026Enugu State Government recorded N406.77bn in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2025, the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has announced. “The state’s total IGR of Enugu State in 2022 was N26.8bn made up of N16.2bn tax revenue and N10.6bn non-tax revenue. “In 2024, we moved the IGR to N180.5b made up of N30bn tax revenue and N150bn non-tax revenue. This represents a performance of 80 per cent from budget perspective as well as a 125 per cent IGR growth from 2024 figure of N180.5b. Just in 2025, the tax revenue grew from N30bn in 2024 to N51.5bn in 2025, this represents 72 per cent growth year-on-year.

According to the statement, Kanu said there is “no longer any justification” for the sit-at-home, stressing the need for the full restoration of normal life across the region. IPOB warned that any individual or group attempting to enforce the sit-at-home going forward would be acting contrary to Kanu’s directive, declaring that “the era of Monday sit-at-home is over.” Residents were urged to remain law-abiding and vigilant. The Monday sit-at-home was introduced in 2021 following Kanu’s arrest and continued detention after his extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to face terrorism-related charges. The prolonged shutdowns led to significant economic losses, repeated school closures, and sustained pressure from South-East governors urging residents to ignore the order. He also warned that salaries would be deducted from erring workers, insisting that there was no official sit-at-home policy in the state.

“The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10th 2026”, Odo announced. While passing the Electoral Bill, 2026 on Wednesday last week, the Senate had removed mandatory electronic transmission (real time) of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission from Clause 60 (3) of the bill. “There is nothing else urgent, to my understanding, if not the electoral bill. But, on Saturday, Akpabio himself eventually confirmed that the Senate removed mandatory, real-time transmission of results from the bill. “Mandatory Real-Time Transmission or Results of Nothing”, one of the messages read.

The surge was driven largely by renewed strength in consumer goods stocks, pushing total market capitalisation to a record N110.23 trillion and signalling growing investor confidence in corporate earnings. While the index has returned 10.36 per cent year-to-date, the Consumer Goods Index has recorded a far stronger gain of 115 per cent YTD. The company maintained a healthy balance sheet with manageable debt levels, highlighting the broad-based nature of the consumer goods rally. With dividend season approaching, expectations are rising for strong payouts, particularly from consumer goods companies with improved earnings and cash positions. The strong recovery in earnings and improving macro environment have positioned consumer goods stocks at the centre of Nigeria’s ongoing equity rally.

A gospel musician has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command in connection with the death of four persons inside a music studio in the Ajah area of Lagos State. The incident occurred at a studio located within the HFP Shopping Complex, Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah. ALSO READ: Gospel singer, three crew members found dead in Lagos studioPolice sources confirmed that the four individuals slept overnight at the studio and were discovered dead the following morning. Another police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the studio door was locked from the inside when the individuals were checked on the next morning. “It was when they got there the following morning that they discovered the studio door was locked from inside.

Toyota Motor Corporation on Friday named its finance chief, Kenta Kon, as its next Chief Executive Ofiicer (CEO) replacing Koji Sato from April 1. Kon is known for his focus on cost control and is widely regarded as the architect of a planned buyout of forklift maker, Toyota Industries. He served as Toyoda’s secretary from 2009, when Toyoda became CEO, until 2017, when he was appointed head of the accounting division. In addition to his role at Toyota, Kon oversees finances at mobility technology unit Woven by Toyota, experience that could help as the company works to strengthen its software capabilities to match Chinese competitors. Sato became CEO in April 2023, when Toyota was facing criticism for its slow progress in battery electric vehicles.