Author: Tech & Tools Desk

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise urgent interventions in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, real estate, and trade in order to transform Nigeria’s current growth momentum into a more resilient, inclusive, and job-creating economy. In a policy brief on Nigeria’s second-quarter 2025 GDP report, the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said that while the economy is showing signs of stronger recovery, structural reforms are necessary to translate growth into jobs, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity. He stated: “Q2 2025 is a clear statement that Nigeria’s economy is moving beyond stabilisation toward a stronger recovery. But to translate this growth into jobs, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity, the focus must shift to unlocking productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, real estate, and trade — the sectors that touch the lives of most Nigerians.” Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23 per cent year-on-year in Q2 2025, compared to 3.13 per cent in Q1 and 3.48 per cent in the same quarter of 2024. CPPE noted that while oil and gas recorded a sharp expansion of 20.46 per cent, its contribution of just 4.05 per cent to GDP highlights the need for stronger non-oil sector growth. According to Yusuf, agriculture rebounded to 2.82 per cent from 0.07 per cent in Q1 but continues to face structural challenges such as weak infrastructure, low mechanisation, and insecurity. Manufacturing slowed to 1.60 per cent due to high production costs, forex instability, and import dependence, while construction moderated at 5.25 per cent following delays in infrastructure projects. He stressed that sustaining growth momentum will require reducing energy and logistics costs, scaling up infrastructure investment, expanding affordable credit for farmers and MSMEs, and boosting local content and import substitution. Trade and real estate also recorded modest growth at 1.29 per cent and 3.79 per cent, respectively — both of which, Yusuf noted, are labour-intensive sectors that need targeted policy support. He concluded that consistent reform implementation, improved governance, and strong private sector collaboration are critical to ensuring that Nigeria’s economic growth delivers inclusive prosperity.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the federal government and security agencies to take immediate action to rescue one of its members, Onyesom Peace Udoka, who was abducted along with her sister and others on the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State. Udoka, a newly qualified lawyer, was kidnapped while returning from the recent Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja. In a statement released on Sunday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, condemned the abduction, describing it as “unacceptable and utterly condemnable.” He emphasized that no family should be subjected to such trauma, especially at a moment meant to celebrate the future of the legal profession. “It is heartbreaking that at a time when our nation should be celebrating young lawyers, they and their families are being thrown into such harrowing experiences,” Osigwe stated. The NBA urged authorities to prioritize the safe and immediate release of Udoka, her sister, and the other victims. It also called for stronger, more coordinated measures to address the rising insecurity on Nigeria’s highways. “The safety of Nigerians must not be treated with levity. Protecting lives is the government’s primary responsibility and must be carried out with the seriousness it deserves,” the association said. The NBA expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for improved national security and the protection of all citizens.

Eleven years after 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College disappeared, families and supporters marched through Mexico City on Friday, demanding answers in a case that remains unresolved and continues to spark national outrage. Among them was Delfina de la Cruz, whose son was among those who vanished on September 26, 2014. Battling the rain, she led the protest alongside other mothers of the missing students, voicing deep frustration over the lack of justice. “We are back where we started,” she said. “I just want to know what happened to my son—where he is, if he’s even still alive.” The students, known for their political activism, had commandeered buses to travel to a protest in Mexico City when they went missing in Iguala, Guerrero. The case is one of Mexico’s most infamous human rights tragedies and part of a wider crisis of enforced disappearances in the country, where more than 120,000 people are officially missing. So far, only the remains of three students have been found and positively identified. Investigations suggest the students were abducted by a drug cartel in collusion with local police, but the full truth remains elusive. On Friday, demonstrators also criticized the government’s handling of the case. Holding a banner, retired university professor Jesús Gumaro condemned former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum, for failing to bring clarity or justice. “We had hope that this administration would resolve it, but nothing has happened,” said Gumaro, 66. Although dozens of individuals, including a former attorney general and military officers, have been prosecuted, no one has been convicted. The victims’ families accuse the military of withholding critical information. Anger escalated on Thursday when protesters rammed a truck into the gates of a military barracks in Mexico City during a demonstration no injuries were reported, and the facility remained secure. The Ayotzinapa case has drawn international condemnation and become a symbol of Mexico’s broader crisis of impunity and drug-related violence, which has claimed over 450,000 lives since 2006. An initial official version of the events labeled the “historical truth” under then-President Enrique Peña Nieto claimed the students’ bodies were incinerated and dumped in a river. That account has since been discredited. In 2022, a truth commission established by López Obrador’s government declared the disappearances a “state crime,” citing the military’s direct or indirect involvement. The commission reported that army personnel had real-time knowledge of the abduction but failed to intervene. As the years pass, the victims’ families continue to demand justice, vowing not to remain silent until the full truth is known.

The Federal Government has filed charges against five retired senior police officers over alleged age falsification and forgery. However, their scheduled arraignment before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama was stalled for the third time on Thursday due to their absence. The defendants — AIG Idowu Owohunwa (retd.), CP Benneth Igweh (retd.), CP Ukachi Peter Opara (retd.), DCP Obo Ukam Obo (retd.), and ACP Simon A. Lough (SAN) (retd.) — are facing a 14-count charge, marked CR/353/2025, instituted by the Inspector-General of Police. They are accused of conspiring to falsify their ages to extend their service beyond the mandatory retirement period, in violation of the Penal Code and Public Service Rules. The charges also include forgery, fraudulent declarations, and the use of falsified documents in police records and court proceedings. At Thursday’s hearing, prosecution counsel ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel informed the court that attempts to serve the defendants at their last known addresses had failed, as they had relocated. He added that copies of the charge sent to their WhatsApp numbers also yielded no response. Ezekiel urged the court to issue a bench warrant for their arrest. Defence counsel, Terkaa Aondo (SAN), opposed the request, insisting that criminal charges must be personally served. He argued that the prosecution had the capacity to bring the defendants before the court, stating: “If they could arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and Omoyele Sowore in Nigeria, why not these defendants?” In his ruling, Justice Yusuf Halilu agreed that personal service is mandatory in criminal cases, describing the request for a bench warrant as premature. He reminded the police of their duty to produce the defendants, noting that they had previously been granted bail on self-recognisance. The case was adjourned to November 17 for arraignment, with the judge directing both the prosecution and defence to ensure the defendants’ presence in court.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Anambra has stressed that accurate registration of candidates is fundamental to the successful implementation of Computer-Based Examinations (CBE). WAEC Branch Controller, Mr. Tunde Ajibade, made this known in Awka during a strategic meeting with the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders. The session focused on preparations for the Federal Government’s planned adoption of CBE for the 2025/2026 examinations and was attended by school principals, teachers, private school owners, cybercafé operators, and education leaders. Ajibade cautioned that errors during registration could have lasting consequences, including loss of admission opportunities. He highlighted the importance of properly capturing candidates’ photographs since entry into examination halls would require facial verification. “A single mistake, such as uploading the wrong image, can make a candidate ineligible. While some errors may be corrected, others are irreversible. A successful examination begins with accurate registration,” he said. He also raised concern over the increasing number of amendment requests caused by registration errors and called for more training and sensitisation of registration officials. On CBE centres, Ajibade explained that schools with WAEC-accredited facilities would serve as examination centres, while schools lacking adequate infrastructure would be merged with nearby accredited institutions. On provisions for candidates with special needs, Anambra Head of Examinations, Mr. Olanrewaju Fadehan, urged schools to go beyond simply ticking disability options during registration. He noted that schools were required to complete a proforma form to ensure candidates received appropriate accommodations, adding that WAEC must be notified in advance for adequate preparation. In her remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, commended WAEC for engaging stakeholders ahead of the examinations, describing the initiative as a proactive step toward credible and transparent assessments. She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting examination processes that uphold quality education.

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a nationwide enforcement of the National Policy for the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) on academic credential verification. The enforcement is set to begin on October 6, 2025. In a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on August 8 and released in Abuja on Wednesday, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and higher institutions across Nigeria were directed to adopt a structured verification system for the academic credentials of both current and prospective staff. The process will be carried out through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the NERD programme. Akume emphasized that no appointment will be confirmed without NCVS clearance, which affirms the authenticity of academic qualifications presented. “Effective from October 6, 2025, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as all higher institutions in Nigeria, whether civilian, military, private, or public, are to commence the implementation of an intensive yet structured verification of the academic credentials of all staff and intending staff through the National Credential Verification Service of the NERD programme, and thereafter ensure compliance for each new recruitment by obtaining instant NCVS clearance. This clearance affirms the authenticity of each academic credential presented anywhere within the Federal Republic of Nigeria before confirming appointment,” Akume stated. Each clearance will include a National Credential Number and unique security codes for record-keeping. The reform requires that every certificate, diploma, or award presented in Nigeria be issued by an accredited institution and remain traceable, verifiable, and validated instantly. The initiative eliminates the previous reliance on institutions for credential verification, embedding a national quality assurance framework insulated from compromise. The policy derives its mandate from Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, 1985, with NERD designated as the enforcement authority. NERD was initially proposed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in May 2023. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who introduced the NCVS in March after Federal Executive Council approval, described the scheme as a systemic quality assurance measure to curb academic fraud, fake degrees, and unearned honours. Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that the agency is ready for nationwide rollout. She urged MDAs, post-secondary institutions, tertiary institutions, and private sector organisations to register their NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers via the agency’s website. “NERD is a federation initiative and the federal standard for higher education digitisation, designed to protect national security and prestige, ensure education integrity, and digitally enhance the economic value of Nigeria’s education for global competitiveness,” Galadima said. She added that NERD’s responsibilities also cover administration of the National School Number (NSN), National Credential Number (NCN), and National Document Number, alongside maintaining a National Database of Resource Persons for instant verification of genuine honours. “The Federal Government has created the nation’s official one-stop shop for data consistency. Each system remains autonomous; NERD facilitates organic cooperation and coordination of decentralised systems in the national interest,” she explained. Galadima further disclosed that the NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, comprises the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, as well as committees of vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts nationwide.

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has urged the Dangote Refinery to make petroleum products more accessible and affordable to marketers in order to ensure consistent supply and eliminate fuel queues nationwide. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, DAPPMAN spokesperson Ikem Ohia called for stronger collaboration with the refinery. He dismissed suggestions of conflict, emphasizing that marketers simply want a transparent system that guarantees regular product availability. “Our main concern is steady access to reasonably priced fuel, so Nigerians don’t face shortages or long queues,” Ohia said. He acknowledged Dangote as the dominant supplier but raised concerns over limited access and unclear pricing structures. Highlighting DAPPMAN’s vast distribution network—including depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar—Ohia urged Dangote to utilize these facilities to meet national demand. “We’re asking him to use the infrastructure already in place for effective distribution,” he added. Responding to claims that marketers seek subsidies, Ohia clarified: “We’re not asking for subsidies. We’re businesspeople negotiating like any other supplier-customer relationship. We want to bridge the supply gap.” Ohia also noted that globally, refineries typically prioritize bulk sales through off-takers to maintain continuous production, rather than relying solely on retail gantry sales. He criticized the refinery’s preference for a few select partners, arguing that a more open, inclusive system would benefit the country. Many DAPPMAN members operate extensive retail networks, including some with hundreds of filling stations, but they face limited supply due to restricted access to the refinery’s products. “Current supply volumes are not meeting demand. Bulk deliveries to depots are critical,” he said. The discussion comes amid concerns that Dangote’s investment in 4,000 CNG-powered trucks could give it excessive control over fuel distribution. In contrast, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has urged marketers to adapt, suggesting they consider acquiring the Port Harcourt Refinery rather than resist Dangote’s business model. Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery has pushed back against DAPPMAN’s claims, rejecting the ₦1.5 trillion subsidy figure as “false and unfounded.” The refinery stated that its pricing is based on production costs and regulated margins, and that marketers are responsible for their own logistics, as fuel subsidies were abolished in May 2023.

China has ordered at least 10 cities to close schools and businesses as Super Typhoon Ragasa advances toward the country’s southern coast. The restrictions, announced on Tuesday, will affect tens of millions of people and disrupt operations at thousands of factories across China’s manufacturing hub. According to the Guangdong Emergency Management Bureau, Ragasa is expected to make landfall within 24 hours in the province’s central and western coastal areas. The bureau urged authorities to “decisively adopt measures, fully ensuring the safety of people’s lives and property, and minimising disaster losses to the greatest extent.” Guangdong has triggered its highest emergency response for windstorms, with Ragasa packing gusts of up to 230 kilometres (140 miles) per hour, the Hong Kong Observatory reported. In Shenzhen, a major technology hub, about 400,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate. City authorities warned of “severe wind, rain, waves and floods” and directed the closure of businesses and markets from Tuesday afternoon. Similar measures have been enforced in Zhuhai, Dongguan, and Foshan. “The strong winds and heavy rainfall will severely impact our city, posing a critical defence situation,” Foshan’s emergency command said in a statement. Ragasa is currently churning through the South China Sea after battering parts of the Philippines, where at least one death has been reported. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also warned vessels in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and nearby waters to take safety precautions. Experts note that climate change, driven by global warming, is increasing the frequency and intensity of such storms.

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has weighed in on the ongoing fuel supply dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), advising the association to embrace innovation or risk irrelevance. In a statement addressing recent developments in the downstream oil and gas sector, Otedola congratulated Aliko Dangote on the progress recorded since the refinery began operations, describing it as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic growth. He warned that entrenched interests seeking to resist reform would only delay, not stop, the transformation already underway. Recalling that he founded DAPPMAN in 2002 to challenge the dominance of major marketers, Otedola noted that times have changed and many depots now sit idle in the face of new realities created by local refining. “With Dangote’s refinery fully operational, the old business model is crumbling. We now have efficient, reliable, and proudly Nigerian production and supply,” Otedola stated, while pointing out the wider benefits of reduced congestion around key ports and the introduction of 8,000 new CNG-powered trucks for nationwide distribution. He argued that depots no longer play the vital role they once did, adding that their employment impact has been overstated compared to filling stations that directly create jobs. Instead of clinging to outdated infrastructure, Otedola urged DAPPMAN members to focus on retail outlets, restructuring, or investing in new value chains. Drawing parallels with the cement industry, he noted that once Nigeria became self-sufficient in production, many bulk carriers and depots became obsolete. He warned that a similar outcome awaits fuel depots unless operators adapt quickly. According to Otedola, resisting change would only lead to bankruptcy, while forward-thinking strategies such as acquiring or restructuring refineries could secure the association’s relevance in a transformed market. He further credited President Bola Tinubu for the political will to fully deregulate the downstream petroleum sector, saying the reform has dismantled entrenched interests and ushered in an era of transparency, competition, and accountability. Otedola also revisited the subsidy regime under former President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that over N2 trillion was siphoned through fraudulent claims linked to depot licenses, which encouraged rent-seeking and corruption instead of innovation. He concluded by praising Dangote’s efforts: “Aliko’s refinery is not the problem. It is the solution. Let’s move forward. Africans are proud of you, and yes, my dear brother, you can now go to Monaco and rest—you’ve earned it.”

The Lagos State Government has expressed its commitment to partnering with investors on waste-to-energy initiatives, as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable waste management and strengthen climate adaptation strategies. This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a panel discussion at the Harvard University Climate Action Week, themed “Rising Seas, Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation Strategies in West Africa.” Wahab noted that with a population exceeding 20 million and an estimated 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily, Lagos is prioritizing a climate-resilient model that treats waste as a resource rather than a burden. He revealed that the state has already developed a climate adaptation and resilience plan, conducted pre-feasibility studies on waste-to-energy and wastewater projects, and entered into a contractual agreement with a Ghana-based firm to process part of its daily waste into compost, recyclable plastics, and fertilizer. “If the current agreement is successfully implemented, we plan to decommission major landfill sites such as Olusosun and Solous. These initiatives highlight our commitment to collaborative progress,” Wahab said. Highlighting the environmental risks facing Lagos as a coastal city including sea level rise, flash floods, heatwaves, and intense rainfall Wahab emphasized the state’s ongoing investments in drainage infrastructure and the enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly those prohibiting construction on flood-prone areas. He also raised concerns about the city’s expanding landmass from 3,577 to 4,050 square kilometers driven by land reclamation. He stressed that all reclamation projects must secure Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and integrate comprehensive drainage master plans to effectively manage stormwater and mitigate flooding risks.