Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Kaduna State Government will begin distributing free fertiliser to 100,000 smallholder farmers across its 23 local government areas, as part of a wide-reaching agricultural support initiative. Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, made the announcement during a press briefing, noting that the distribution will begin Saturday and marks the first of its kind in Nigeria. “This is currently the only state offering fertiliser free of charge to smallholder farmers,” he said. “Our goal is to boost food production, support vulnerable farmers, and ensure fair access to agricultural inputs.” An initial batch of 300 trucks of fertiliser is…
By Atoyebi Nike Manufacturers in Nigeria’s paper industry are raising concerns over the poor implementation of the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, warning of job losses and missed economic opportunities if urgent reforms are not made. The policy, signed by President Bola Tinubu to promote local goods in government procurement, has not protected the sector from cheap and substandard paper imports, stakeholders say. Williams Sun, CEO of Forcefield Paper Mills, said most Nigerian textbooks are still printed abroad despite local mills operating with advanced technology and round-the-clock capacity. “We are running our machines non-stop, but the printing presses are idle.…
By Atoyebi Nike The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has assured that the Federal Government is committed to permanently ending strikes in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions through sustained engagement and honouring agreements with academic unions. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, Alausa said President Bola Tinubu had given a clear directive that industrial actions by unions such as ASUU, NASU, SANU, and others must become a thing of the past. “The President has directed that not again—ever in this country—will ASUU or other tertiary trade unions go on strike,” Alausa said. The minister stressed the importance of…
By Atoyebi Nike Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has confirmed that 23 people died in Sunday’s flood disaster that swept through parts of Yola-South Local Government Area, with several others still missing. Arriving in Yola on Monday, Fintiri went straight to the affected communities, offering condolences and reassurance to displaced residents. At Yelwa Primary School, where a temporary camp has been set up, the governor promised immediate relief materials and long-term support. He announced the formation of a technical committee involving the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and NEMA to assess the full extent of the damage. “Based on…
By Atoyebi Nike The Fintech Association of Nigeria has announced the 8th edition of Nigeria Fintech Week (NFW), scheduled for October 7–9, 2025, with a broader national outlook and the theme: “The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future.” At a press conference in Lagos, President of the association, Dr. Stanley Jacob, described the event as a transformative platform for collaboration across sectors. “We are no longer just an association; we are a movement,” he said. “NFW25 is where partnerships will be born, sectors reimagined, and Nigeria’s digital economy orchestrated like a grand symphony.” NFW25 will feature multi-location events in…
By Atoyebi Nike Policymakers and experts at the Uwais-Maiwada Aid Foundation (UMAF) Forum have urged Nigeria to shift from theory-heavy education to skills-based learning to reduce youth unemployment. Former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva said human capital must be prioritised over natural resources, calling the rising number of out-of-school children a national issue. UMAF’s Executive Secretary, Uwais Maiwada, said the forum focused on turning education into a tool for empowerment. Lawmakers Miriam Onuoha and Mark Useni pledged legislative support, highlighting TETFund and TVET schemes. Ex-Transport Minister Mu’azu Sambo warned that Nigeria’s youthful population could become a liability if not equipped with…
By Atoyebi Nike China’s race with the United States for dominance in artificial intelligence has entered a more intense phase as Shanghai launched a 1 billion yuan ($139 million) subsidy programme to boost its AI industry. The funding will support computing power, discounted AI models, and data procurement, with up to 500 million yuan earmarked for new research institutions. Other Chinese cities like Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing are also rolling out AI support, highlighting a nationwide strategy to build domestic capabilities and reduce dependence on US technology. Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced a new AI Action Plan on July 23,…
By Atoyebi Nike The trial of Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alongside three others, began on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The case, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), involves allegations of fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office. Three former senior Kaduna State officials Aisha Dikko Kalil, Bariyatu Yusuf, and Samuel Aruwan—testified for the prosecution. Kalil, the state’s Attorney-General from 2019 to 2023, told the court that tuition for her foreign training was paid by the state, while…
By Atoyebi Nike Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected Nigerien terrorist attempting to breach a security perimeter in Katarko, Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Military sources confirmed on Monday that the suspect’s inability to communicate in any Nigerian language prompted investigations into possible transnational terrorist ties. In Borno State, an adult woman and a child, both relatives of terrorists, surrendered voluntarily to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama after fleeing the Churchur axis, a development the military described as a sign of sustained pressure on insurgent strongholds. In Sokoto, troops of the 8…
By Atoyebi Nike The European Commission has intensified its scrutiny of Chinese-owned e-commerce platform Temu, alleging the company has failed to adequately monitor illegal and unsafe products sold on its platform, in breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Preliminary findings released on Monday reveal that Temu’s internal risk assessment last October was deeply flawed and failed to accurately gauge threats to EU consumers. Commission analysts said test purchases and platform reviews uncovered a pattern of counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods reaching European customers including items like baby toys and electronics. EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen said consumer safety…