🗞️ Nigeria's greatest opps - a countdown
Hi!
This edition was written with this album playing. If you like good music, this is my gift to you. The message? ‘trans people have always existed’. because they have babyyy. Alright, let’s do the news
In this edition
Nigeria’s poverty might get worse
Healthcare is hanging by a thread
Petrol price is on the rise again
This edition is 1,974 words. (approx 6 min read)
Nigeria’s greatest opps
Opp 1: Poverty
Me begging FG:
A recent PwC report predicted that with rising inflation, interest rates, and naira depreciation, Nigeria is on the verge of ushering another 13 million people into dire poverty this year (presently, around 129 million are living in poverty).
Nigeria’s inflation crossed 34.80% in December 2024, creating significant economic pressure on the population.
The report highlights the limited impact of recent government measures — the increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 affects only 4.1% of the population, as most Nigerians work in informal sectors like agriculture and small-scale businesses that fall outside wage regulations.
In response, the federal government has proposed distributing N75,000 cash transfers to approximately 70 million of the poorest Nigerians by 2025.
However, this initiative comes after President Tinubu previously suspended social investment programs because the people in charge keep “allegedly” stealing the money.
Imported food prices increased by 37.65% between January and December 2024, reaching 692.6% by year's end, despite government efforts to control inflation. The Federal Government's 150-day duty-free import window for staple commodities like maize, rice, wheat, and cowpea failed to significantly reduce prices
They’ve even increased the cost of making phone calls by 50% for the first time in 10+ years
UNICEF says things are bad bad
UNICEF says we need $15 million to fight the fatal standard of living in highlighted critical socioeconomic challenges in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, demanding
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate, urged state governors to provide matching grants to address pressing issues.
Munduate says severe malnutrition among children and nursing mothers is particularly worrying. According to UNICEF data, 5.5 million children in Northern Nigeria are severely malnourished.
She also identified open defecation as a major health risk, potentially reversing polio eradication efforts. 40 million Nigerians still practice open defecation.
UNICEF has already supported 50 Primary Healthcare Centers in collaboration with federal and state governments.
Munduate says we need to address quality education, healthcare, and nutrition, calling on state governments to collaborate with other organisations to improve living conditions.
Opp 2: Money
Debt is killing my country
Nigeria's public debt reached N142.3 trillion by September 2024, a 5.97% increase from June.
The rise is primarily due to the naira depreciating, which dramatically increased external debt from N63.07 trillion to N68.89 trillion. While external debt in dollar terms remained relatively stable at $43.03 billion, the weaker naira significantly inflated the local currency value.
The Federal Government's domestic debt rose to N69.22 trillion, driven by increased bond issuances, including Nigeria's first domestic dollar-denominated bond. Federal Government bonds are now 78.95% of the domestic debt stock.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, acknowledged the challenges but said the government is committed to economic reforms.
Bagudu says the government plans to boost revenue through innovative strategies, targeting petroleum, solid minerals, and creative industries, while also seeking to fund infrastructure through various initiatives like the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.
Opp 3: My country is addicted to fraud
EFCC arrests people
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested ex-Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria MD Ahmed Kuru and four other defendants, including Union Bank and Super Bravo Ltd, for allegedly defrauding Arik Airline of N76 billion and $31.5 million.
The defendants were charged with theft, abuse of office, and making false statements. They all pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC alleges that in 2011 Union Bank made false statements about Arik Air's loans, transferring N71 billion to AMCON.
The commission says the defendants fraudulently converted N4.9 billion to NG Eagle Ltd and destroyed an aircraft valued at $31.5 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to the defendants, each requiring N20 million and a surety. The defendants must submit their passports to the court registrar. The trial is set to commence on March 17.
EFCC officials are getting really comfortable with stealing
The EFCC dismissed 27 officers in 2024 for stealing, misconduct and fraudulent activities.
Recent incidents include a Lagos Zonal Command case where 10 officers were detained for not accounting for critical items they seized, including gold bars valued over ₦1 billion and $350,000-$400,000 in cash.
In the Kaduna Zonal Office, an officer named Polycarp allegedly absconded with over $30,000 in property upon learning of an impending audit.
Dismissed officials were found guilty of tampering with recovered assets.
The agency's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed an ongoing investigation into a $400,000 claim against a sectional head. Wild
The World Bank is not with this fraud culture 😩
The World Bank has imposed a 30-month ban on Nigerian companies Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and their Managing Director Norman Didam for fraudulent activities in the National Social Safety Nets Project.
This ban is because the bank found that Didam’s companies has purposely breached rules and deceived the bank.
Investigations found multiple violations: misrepresenting conflict of interest, improperly accessing confidential tender information, falsifying company experience records, submitting forged authorisation letters, and providing inducements to public officials.
The debarment prevents the companies and Didam from participating in World Bank Group-financed projects for 30 months.
Didam accepted the conditions and agreed that were the World Bank to rehire the companies after the ban period, they would undergo stringent integrity compliance conditions.
Opp 4: Insecurity
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that at least 86 people died in a tanker explosion that occurred in Dikko Junction, Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, last week Saturday. The agency also disclosed that over 55 people were injured and are in hospital - Guardian NG
A terrorist group led by Dogo Gide has reportedly killed 20 Boko Haram fighters from the Sadiku faction and seized a cache of weapons - Guardian Ng
Opp 5: Stable electricity
Vandalism
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps says they have been securing and monitoring Nigeria’s transmission meters.
They probably need to regroup because last week, vandals damaged 18 transmission towers across Rivers, Abia, and Kano states over 5 days
Reports estimate that repairs will require N1.9 billion. Incidents include:
In 2024, vandals destroyed 119 transmission towers, contributing to 12 grid collapses and 32,800 megawatts of load loss. TCN warns these attacks drain financial resources and hinder grid expansion efforts.
No light in rural areas
In 2024, the FG spent over N14.36 billion on rural electricity projects, yet many rural areas still have no light. - Punch
In true Nigeria fashion, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in charge of these projects, has been accused of N12.7 billion fraud linked to its former management.
Communities in states like Edo, Ogun, Taraba, and Yobe are still left in the dark, despite promises and allocations from the government.
Looking to 2025, the government is proposing a hefty N1.3 trillion investment to improve electricity access in these underserved areas, focusing on renewable energy and expanding the national grid. But despite these ambitious plans, the gap between promises and real results is glaring, with both civil society groups and local residents pointing out that progress has been slow.
Opp 6: Petrol
NNPCL has increased its petrol price in Abuja from N965 to N990 per litre, and from N925 to N960 per litre in Lagos. This is even as the global price of petrol fell. Last year we were at N1,200+ per litre so I’m at the edge of my seat and a lot of people have started panic buying.
Politics
APC won the Local Government elections held on January 18 in Ondo State, winning all 18 chairmanship and 203 councilorship seats across the state.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) withdrew from the election just 48 hours before voting, citing a lack of confidence in Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission’s ability to conduct a transparent election.
The Commission cancelled the election in two LGAs because a contesting political party in the elections used an old party logo.
Who is a terrorist?
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against Muhammad Mahdi Shehu, a self-proclaimed activist, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The charges include:
False publication to cause public alarm (under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act).
Dissemination of terrorism-related false information (under Sections 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022).
Intentional dissemination of false information (under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024).
False allegation of a treasonable act (under Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act).
Use of social media to support false allegations of a national security threat (under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act).
The charges stem from Shehu's alleged sharing of doctored videos that falsely claimed that the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in northern Nigeria.
Additionally, the DSS filed a motion requesting Shehu's detention for 60 days to complete investigations, which was granted by Justice Rilwan Aikawa.
Health
Malaria jabs
There were 263 million reported malaria cases in 2023, with about 597,000 recorded. More than half of the malaria-related deaths occurred in just four countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Tanzania.
To address the malaria deaths, PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, developed a vaccine called RTS,S
In 2029, the first batch of the vaccine was distributed, in collaboration with GAVI Vaccine Alliance, in Malawi, Ghana and Kenya.
According to reports since distribution started, hospitalisations have dropped, and mortality rates from malaria have decreased by 13% in those countries.
In 2024, Gavi started administering the vaccine in Cameroon
Over 9.8 million vaccine doses have been delivered, protecting an estimated five million children.
Gavi plans to expand the vaccination program to up to eight additional African countries this year, aiming to protect 13 million more children. By 2030, the initiative aims to provide protection to 50 million children with four doses of the malaria vaccine.
Free surgery for pregnant people
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has announced that C-sections will now be free for all women in need of the procedure.
The initiative aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality by addressing financial barriers to essential healthcare.
Free C-sections will be provided to vulnerable women who meet eligibility criteria, with services available at both public and private facilities covered by the National Health Insurance Authority.
The initiative focuses on high-burden areas where maternal mortality is most prevalent. Additionally, community health workers will play a key role in promoting maternal care and educating families about available services.
Who is going to perform the surgeries when Nigeria hates doctors?
FCT
The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD FCTA) has raised concerns about the neglect of hospitals and the poor welfare of doctors, urging FCT Minister Nyesome Wike to prioritise healthcare facilities.
Dr. George Ebong, the President of ARD FCTA, highlighted issues such as hospitals in poor condition, unpaid salaries for some doctors for up to six months, and a severe shortage of medical staff and equipment.
He also mentioned that the FCT has not paid non-payment of housing allowances to doctors.
In December, the association gave Wike a 21-day ultimatum in December 2024 to address these issues. Dr. Ebong emphasised that if the situation is not resolved, the association may initiate an indefinite strike, as doctors are reaching a breaking point. He called on the minister to visit the hospitals, address wage issues, and ensure the proper functioning of medical facilities to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system in Abuja.
In Ibadan, Medical students of the University College Hospital (UCH) staged a peaceful protest over the 82-day blackout blackout at the hospital.
The protest called for the immediate restoration of power to UCH and other hospitals facing similar issues.
The students also ask for the 50% electricity tariff discount announced by the Ministry of Power in August 2024 to be implemented.
Which is a mess because the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) revealed that only 6,000 doctors were remaining in Nigeria as of February 2024. This is amid our continued struggle with Lassa Fever — Nigeria recorded about 22 deaths and 143 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across seven states between December 30, 2024, to January 12, 2025.
Other news
Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a defamation suit at the Enugu High Court against Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari for defamation - Guardian Ng
The Lagos State government, on Friday, ordered the closure of the pedestrian bridge located between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 in Oshodi Bus Terminal due to concerns regarding the safety and structural integrity of the bridge - The Cable
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has put a hold on all access gate fees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport - Punch
This edition was written by Adetomiwa.
That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘