Author: Tech & Tools Desk

Dangote Refinery has announced plans to commence free direct supply of petrol nationwide beginning Monday, September 15. In the announcement shared on its X page Thursday, the refinery also revealed a price adjustment, pegging petrol at N841 per litre in Lagos and the South-West, while Abuja, Edo, Kwara, Rivers, and Delta States will retail at N851 per litre. On the free delivery initiative, the refinery explained that it will begin with 11 states before gradually extending operations to others. It further invited petrol station owners across the country to register for the scheme and access related benefits. It should be recalled that on June 15, the refinery disclosed the purchase of 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tankers. The company also noted that its 2025 target is to deploy 10,000 CNG-powered trucks to boost fuel distribution efficiency and reduce logistics costs.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is set to address the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during its high-level General Debate at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, September 24. According to a revised provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu is scheduled to speak on the second day of the debate, during the afternoon session around 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Nigerian time). He will be the 17th speaker of the day. This year’s General Debate will feature 195 leaders, including 98 heads of state, five vice presidents, 44 heads of government, four deputy prime ministers, 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four delegation chairs. As tradition dictates, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will open the debate, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump, representing the host country. Sources at the UN noted that the speakers’ list is still being updated and could change if Tinubu does not attend in person. Traditionally, heads of state speak on the first two days of the debate, while vice presidents and other leaders take the floor in the following days. Last year, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu and spoke on day one—an unusual occurrence made possible through Nigeria’s strong diplomatic standing and maneuvering at the UN. Movses Abelian, UN Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, explained that the revised list reflects adjustments in the level of representation and exchanges between member states, and will continue to be updated until the debate begins. The 80th session of the UNGA opened on September 9 with Annalena Baerbock of Germany inaugurated as President of the Assembly, becoming the fifth woman in history to hold the position. In her remarks, she urged unity in tackling global crises such as war, poverty, and climate change. The high-level General Debate will run from September 23 to 29 under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights.” Events marking the high-level week will take place from September 22 to 30, including the UN’s 80th anniversary commemoration, the SDG Moment, the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Conference on Palestine and the Two-State Solution, the Climate Summit, and a High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.

The Federal Government has said it has no immediate plan to implement the proposed five per cent Petroleum Products Tax under the Tax Administration Act, 2025. Finance and Economy Minister, Wale Edun, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja, stressing that the surcharge is a long-standing provision from the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act of 2007, not a new tax by the Tinubu administration. The levy has drawn public outrage, with organised labour threatening nationwide strike action if the policy goes ahead. Critics fear higher fuel prices could trigger fresh inflation and worsen economic hardship. Edun clarified that inclusion of the surcharge in the 2025 Act does not translate to automatic implementation. “No order has been issued, none is being prepared, and there is no plan for immediate enforcement,” he said. He added that the government’s focus is on improving tax governance, blocking revenue leakages, and enhancing efficiency rather than introducing new levies. Committee Chairman on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explained that the surcharge is designed to create a dedicated fund for road repairs across the country. He argued that poor infrastructure contributes significantly to high transport costs and food inflation. Oyedele said the fuel surcharge, scheduled for January 2026, would be implemented cautiously to avoid stoking inflation. He suggested timing the rollout during favourable economic conditions, such as naira appreciation or lower global oil prices. He stressed that revenue from the levy would be ring-fenced for road projects. “This money will be used strictly for fixing roads that can lower transport costs and reduce food prices,” he said. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has gazetted four new tax reform laws—the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025—to take effect from January 1, 2026. The reforms include zero per cent tax for small companies with turnover below N100 million and assets under N250 million, as well as a corporate tax reduction for large firms from 30 to 25 per cent, to be applied at a date set by the president on the advice of the National Economic Council.

Nigerians living in South Africa have fully mobilised to support the Super Eagles in today’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein. Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, President-General of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday. “We are eager for victory and for Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup. We have mobilised Nigerians here in South Africa to come out and support the Super Eagles in today’s match,” he said. Onyekwelu explained that NICASA had been working closely with the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa to sensitise members of the community about the importance of rallying behind the national team. “We know it always feels like a power tussle whenever Nigeria and South Africa meet on the field, but we believe this will not raise unnecessary dust,” he added. He said the association had been promoting the concept of “Mbotu”—a spirit of African openness and unity—to foster harmony among fans. “We have been preaching tolerance, patriotism, and law-abiding conduct among Nigerians,” he noted, adding that NICASA had also engaged local law enforcement and other security agencies to ensure peace before, during, and after the match. “The union has sensitised Nigerians to live decently and avoid any form of provocation or confrontation around this crucial fixture,” he said. Onyekwelu expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ performance, assuring that the players would feel the full backing of Nigerians in South Africa. “One thing is sure—the Super Eagles will hear, see, and feel our support. We shall ginger them to victory,” he said. Nigeria currently sits in third place with 10 points after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda, just one point behind Benin in second. South Africa leads the table with 16 points from seven matches after their 3-0 victory against Lesotho.

The Abia State Government has announced a new policy prohibiting students from transferring between Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) and Senior Secondary 3 (SS3) classes. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia. He explained that the measure, which applies to both public and private schools, is aimed at curbing examination malpractice. According to him, all SS2 students must now pass a state-organised promotion examination before moving to SS3. “This initiative is designed to strengthen accountability and integrity in the education system,” he said. On basic school graduation ceremonies, Ubochi noted that such events will now be restricted to terminal classes — Primary 6 and SS3 — to reduce financial strain on parents. He further announced that schools must separate textbooks from workbooks to allow reuse by younger siblings, cutting down costs for families. Additionally, students enrolling for tertiary entrance examinations will be required to present their basic education certificates. To support this, schools have been directed not to charge more than ₦2,000 for Primary 6 certificates, addressing concerns that many parents often leave them uncollected. The commissioner explained that these changes are part of Governor Alex Otti’s broader reforms to tackle underfunding, poor infrastructure, and persistent malpractice in the state’s education sector. Similar restrictions on mid-school transfers have been implemented in states such as Anambra, Lagos, and Enugu, aimed at preventing students from moving to less stringent schools ahead of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests. In 2023, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) raised alarms over impersonation and organized malpractice across Nigeria, with South-East states flagged for closer monitoring. Abia’s latest reforms reflect a renewed push to restore discipline and credibility in its schools.

Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, Yeye Mofin of Lagos and founder of the prestigious Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, has died. Her passing was confirmed on Sunday in a statement by the school, which she established in 1991 in memory of her late daughter. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, on Saturday, September 6, 2025. She was a pioneer, an accomplished lawyer, and a visionary educationist whose life was dedicated to empowering young women through education,” the statement read. Born in Lagos on March 23, 1933, Fowler (née Moore) attended CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, and later Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, where she earned her Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1951. She began her career in teaching before training as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. She later studied law at Middle Temple and was called to the Bar in 1962. She returned to Nigeria the following year, where she was also called to the Nigerian Bar. Fowler went on to specialise in insurance law and consultancy while also contributing to public life. She served as a councillor at the Lagos City Council between 1978 and 1980 and played active roles in the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Red Cross, and the Corona Schools Trust Council. In 1991, her passion for education inspired her to found Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, which has since grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost all-girls schools, celebrated for academic excellence and leadership development. Fowler, who was widowed in 2015 after the passing of her husband, Professor Vidal Fowler, was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos by Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II in recognition of her contributions to education and society. Described as a devout Christian, philanthropist, mentor, and lover of music, Fowler is remembered by her school community as “a guiding light whose legacy of service, faith, and dedication will continue to inspire generations.”

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) recently hosted Nigeria’s first student-led neurosurgery conference, drawing over 2,000 medical students and healthcare professionals from across the globe for the inaugural Mission: BRAIN Ilorin Conference a landmark event aimed at addressing critical gaps in brain health. Organised by Mission: BRAIN Ilorin, a student-led initiative at UNILORIN, the two-day conference provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange around the science, ethics, and challenges of neurosurgery particularly in underserved Nigerian communities. With the theme “Bridging Gaps: Advancing Brain Health Through Science, Ethics and Innovation,” the event featured keynote speeches, expert-led panel discussions, research presentations, clinical skills training, and academic competitions. Supported by the Nigerian Academy of Neurological Surgeons (NANS), the Neuroscience Society of Nigeria (NSNS), and the Department of Surgery at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), the groundbreaking event began with a pre-conference clinical skills lab. Over 100 participants were trained in essential life-saving techniques including CPR, airway management, and emergency response for traumatic brain injuries. In his keynote address, Prof. Femi Bankole, a consultant neurosurgeon at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), emphasized the complexities of brain health and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. “No single person, discipline, or idea can solve the puzzle of brain health in isolation,” he said. Bankole also highlighted a significant challenge in African neuroscience: the lack of localized data. He warned that using AI diagnostic models trained solely on Western datasets could lead to misdiagnosis in African patients, advocating for ethical innovation driven by region-specific research. Prof. Olayide Agodirin, Head of the Surgery Department at UNILORIN, further expanded the discussion by exploring how machine learning is transforming neurology from enhanced diagnostic precision to predictive modeling that could aid in prevention strategies. Mubarak Mustapha, a 400-level medical student and President of Mission: BRAIN Ilorin, explained that the conference was part of the group’s mission to strengthen brain health awareness and capacity in Nigeria. “This is the first-ever student-led neurosurgery conference in Nigeria. We’ve brought together surgeons, researchers, innovators, and students to foster knowledge exchange, build skills, and create networks aimed at improving brain health outcomes,” he said. Mustapha explained that Mission: BRAIN Ilorin, established in 2023, is affiliated with the Mission: Brain Foundation, a global nonprofit committed to expanding access to neurosurgical care through training, research, and international collaboration. He noted that the group’s outreach efforts are focused on demystifying neurological disorders, particularly in communities where such conditions are often misunderstood or attributed to spiritual causes. “For example, during our World Epilepsy Day outreach, we educated over 1,000 individuals on seizure management and addressed common myths around epilepsy. We also launched the CranioGuard Mission, focused on preventing spinal and brain injuries,” he said. The chapter’s efforts have earned them international recognition, with awards from the global Mission: Brain Foundation in categories such as Service and Compassion, Academic Leadership, and Healing Hands. A major highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the Global Surgery Box NG a compact, cost-effective suturing training kit developed by the UNILORIN Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group (UCTSIG), designed for use in resource-constrained settings. Additionally, the Ilorin NeuroJournal, a new academic publication under Mission: BRAIN Ilorin, was launched at the event, featuring scholarly contributions from 10 countries across five continents. The conference also included awards for outstanding contributions, including prizes for winners of the university-level abstract competition, a secondary school essay contest, and the Neurovation Challenge, which showcased innovative, student-driven solutions to neurological healthcare challenges.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will impose temporary duties on pork imports from the European Union following an investigation that found evidence of dumping. The probe was initiated last year amid the EU’s scrutiny of Chinese state subsidies in the electric vehicle sector. According to a statement from China’s commerce ministry, “Preliminary findings indicate that imports of relevant pork and pig by-products from the European Union are being dumped.” As a result, authorities have decided to enforce “provisional anti-dumping measures in the form of deposits.” The import tariffs, which range between 15.6% and 62.4%, will take effect on September 10, the statement added. These provisional duties remain subject to the ongoing investigation by the commerce ministry, which has been extended until December. Relations between China and the EU have been strained in recent years, largely influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has neither condemned Russia’s actions nor demanded a troop withdrawal, leading many of Ukraine’s allies to suspect that China has supported Moscow. China maintains a position of neutrality, frequently calling for peace while accusing Western nations of fueling the conflict by supplying arms to Ukraine. Earlier on Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed “strong opposition” to US President Donald Trump’s calls for European leaders to apply economic pressure on China regarding the Ukraine war.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday reaffirmed its plan to embark on a nationwide strike from September 10 if the Federal Government and its agencies fail to address its demands. NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, noting that a meeting held with the government on Monday ended without any meaningful outcome. Earlier this week, the association had issued a 10-day ultimatum to the relevant authorities, warning that its members would down tools if their grievances were not resolved. The doctors criticized the government’s failure to honor its commitments, highlighting that many resident doctors are yet to receive their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund. They also cited the refusal to pay five months of arrears from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as unpaid 2024 Accoutrement Allowance and other longstanding salary arrears. Three weeks ago, the government inaugurated the Committee on Collective Bargaining for the health sector, intended to negotiate issues of remuneration, welfare, and working conditions with key unions. However, Osundara said there has been no meaningful progress since then. “The 10-day ultimatum is still counting, and unfortunately, there has been no positive response from the government,” he said. “If doctors cannot register for exams, their residency training will automatically be extended by one year, which will eventually cost the government even more.” He added that out of over 2,000 resident doctors across the country, many have not received their training funds, with the registration deadline set for Friday, September 5. Teaching hospitals in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Maiduguri, and several others have been affected. Meanwhile, doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso have been on strike since July 29, while their counterparts in Kaduna State commenced an indefinite strike on September 1.

Google had earlier suggested less severe remedies, such as reducing its revenue-sharing deals with partners like Apple to keep its search engine as the default on their devices and browsers. On Tuesday, the company welcomed the court’s decision as a victory, suggesting that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) may have influenced the outcome. “Today’s ruling acknowledges how much the industry has evolved with AI, giving people more ways to find information,” Google said in a statement. “This reinforces what we’ve said since 2020: competition is strong, and consumers can easily choose the services they prefer.” Google has consistently denied any wrongdoing since the case began in 2020, arguing that its dominance reflects the superior quality of its search engine rather than unfair practices. Last year, Judge Amit Mehta found that Google had indeed relied on anticompetitive tactics to maintain its monopoly in online search, in violation of US law. However, Judge Mehta concluded that forcing Google to sell Chrome would be “a poor fit for this case.” The company also avoided being forced to divest Android, which powers most of the world’s smartphones. Google had argued that separating Android or Chrome would effectively render the products unworkable. Following the ruling, Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater wrote on X that while the order aims to restore competition in the long-monopolized search market, the Justice Department is still considering whether it goes far enough. Alphabet’s shares surged more than 8% after the decision. The outcome also benefits smartphone manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Motorola. Before the ruling, Google had paid billions to such firms to exclusively preload or promote its apps and services. Court documents revealed that Google spent over $26 billion on such arrangements with Apple, Mozilla, and others in 2021. Now, the company is barred from signing exclusive deals covering Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, or the Gemini app. This change allows device makers to feature rival search engines, browsers, or AI assistants alongside Google’s products. Still, Google can continue compensating distributors for default placement. Industry analysts described the ruling as a partial win for Google and its partners. “It’s good news for big tech,” said Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management, noting that Apple also benefits since the decision forces annual renegotiations of its search deal with Google. Melissa Otto of S&P Global Visible Alpha added that the decision was “less severe than markets had feared,” making it a win-win for large corporate players given Google’s search revenue of nearly $200 billion projected this year. Not everyone was satisfied. DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg criticized the order for not going far enough to curb what he called Google’s “illegal practices,” warning that consumers would still suffer. The ruling does not end Google’s legal battles. Later this month, the company faces a separate Justice Department trial over allegations that it holds unlawful monopolies in online advertising technology.