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Governance, Public Affairs

FG Calls for Probe Into Nigerian’s Death in South African Police Operation

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The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has condemned the killing of Nigerian national Ibeh Chika Simon during a South African Police Service (SAPS) operation in Bellville, Cape Town, describing the circumstances surrounding his death as deeply troubling. In a statement dated July 25, the Consulate also expressed concern over the shooting of another Nigerian, Egwabor Patrick Chuks, who is receiving treatment for serious injuries sustained during the operation on July 23. The Nigerian mission described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of unresolved deaths and alleged police misconduct involving foreign nationals in South Africa. It warned that the situation was particularly worrying amid growing Afrophobic sentiment, which it said threatens the rights to life, dignity and due process guaranteed under South African law. The Consulate called on South African authorities to launch a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable. While reiterating that Nigerians living in South Africa are expected to obey the country’s laws, the mission stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should never justify the use of excessive force or unlawful killings. According to the statement, criminal suspects are entitled to due process through the courts, and law enforcement agencies must operate within the limits of the law. The Consulate extended condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured Nigerian a speedy recovery. It also urged Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm, law-abiding and to seek justice through legal and diplomatic channels. The latest incident comes amid continued concerns over attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Nigerian national Emeka Charles Iroegbu was allegedly killed by police officers on June 28, while another Nigerian, Musa Yunana Joe, was reportedly murdered by unidentified attackers on the same day. The Federal Government has previously evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in seven batches following outbreaks of Afrophobic violence. President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have repeatedly condemned attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals. Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has also said the Federal Government will seek compensation from South African authorities for Nigerians who lost businesses, property and livelihoods as a result of the anti-African attacks.

Health

FG Raises Nursing Admissions to 50,000 to Tackle Health Worker Shortage

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The Federal Government has increased annual admissions into nursing schools from about 20,000 to 50,000 students as part of efforts to address the country’s shortage of healthcare professionals and strengthen the health sector. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during an interview with journalists, explaining that the move is part of wider education reforms aimed at developing the skilled workforce needed to support President Bola Tinubu’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030. According to Alausa, the administration is prioritising investment in human capital by expanding access to professional education, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare. He said the government’s long-term objective is to position Nigeria as a global supplier of skilled professionals capable of driving economic growth at home while competing successfully in international labour markets. The minister noted that admissions into nursing schools have more than doubled since the current administration took office, rising from around 20,000 to approximately 50,000 students annually. He added that enrolment into medicine, pharmacy and dentistry programmes has also been significantly expanded to help close the country’s healthcare workforce gap. Alausa expressed confidence that the increased training capacity would begin to ease the shortage of nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals as more graduates enter the workforce over the coming years. He described education as a key pillar of the administration’s economic agenda, saying it would play a central role in achieving sustainable growth and supporting the President’s development objectives. The minister also assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was designed to remain financially sustainable beyond the lifespan of the current administration. According to him, the scheme was carefully structured to ensure its long-term viability rather than serving as a short-term intervention. Alausa further stated that the government has restored relative industrial peace in tertiary institutions through continued engagement with academic and non-academic staff unions, noting that the improved stability is contributing to better performance across the higher education sector. Nigeria has continued to grapple with a shortage of healthcare workers due to years of limited training capacity and the increasing migration of nurses and doctors abroad in search of better pay and working conditions. The situation has placed additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system, particularly at the primary and secondary healthcare levels. To address the challenge, the Federal Government has expanded admissions into nursing and other health-related programmes while increasing investments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and other human capital development initiatives. The government believes these measures will help meet local healthcare demands while positioning Nigeria as a major source of skilled professionals for the global workforce.

Politics

Joshua Sets Up Fury Clash With Knockout Comeback

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British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua produced a remarkable comeback on Saturday night, recovering from two early knockdowns to stop previously unbeaten Albanian Kristian Prenga in the second round of their bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Joshua endured a nightmare start as Prenga, who entered the contest with a perfect record of 20 knockouts in 20 fights, dropped the former world champion with a powerful uppercut less than 20 seconds into the opening round. Prenga sent Joshua to the canvas again before the end of the round, raising fears of a major upset. However, Joshua responded impressively in the second round, regaining his composure before landing a series of heavy right hands that trapped Prenga against the ropes. The referee halted the contest, handing the Albanian his first professional defeat and improving Joshua’s record to 30 wins from 34 fights, including 27 knockouts. Speaking after the victory, Joshua welcomed the prospect of a long-awaited clash with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, while expressing respect for his rival’s accomplishments. “I respect everything he has done and achieved, but I’ve wanted this fight for a long time, and now we’re here,” Joshua said. “I hope the fans are in for a great show.” He added: “I’ve learned that I cannot be stopped. I’m not going to be denied.” The fight marked Joshua’s first appearance since the December car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and members of his team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Clearly emotional after the bout, Joshua dedicated the victory to their memory. Wearing camouflage gear bearing their names, he described the performance as being driven by their spirit. “It was more than power. That was spirit. That was Latz and Sina,” he said. “It’s been a difficult time, but champions get back up when they’re knocked down. That’s what this was about.” Joshua’s victory came just a day after Tyson Fury recorded a seventh-round technical knockout win over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand, with both heavyweights successfully completing their tune-up fights ahead of a proposed showdown. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that contracts for the highly anticipated all-British contest have already been signed, although the venue is yet to be decided. Wembley Stadium remains a leading option, while staging the fight in the United States is also under consideration. Hearn praised Joshua’s resilience, saying the former champion showed tremendous character by recovering from two first-round knockdowns to secure the stoppage victory. Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk also commended Joshua’s performance, saying the British-Nigerian looked better than when they previously met. According to Usyk, Joshua’s improvement is not only physical but also mental.

Energy, Governance

Ibom Power MD: N28bn Federal Government Debt Shut Down Nigeria’s Only State-Owned 191MW Plant

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Nigeria’s only wholly state-owned power plant, Ibom Power Plc, has blamed a N28 billion debt owed by the Federal Government for the prolonged shutdown of its 191-megawatt facility in Akwa Ibom State. Speaking in an interview with Platforms Africa, the Managing Director of Ibom Power, Camillus Umoh, revealed that the plant generated electricity for fewer than 30 days out of the last 360 days in 2025 due to a lack of gas supply. According to Umoh, the crisis began after Acugas, the plant’s gas supplier, suspended deliveries over years of unpaid invoices and adopted a “pay-before-supply” policy to avoid accumulating further debts. He explained that even during the few days the plant was operational, it often generated only 30 to 40 percent of its installed capacity because of limited gas availability. Umoh said the debt owed to Ibom Power is part of the estimated N4 trillion legacy debt affecting Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), where power generation companies are not fully paid for electricity supplied to the national grid. He disclosed that the Federal Government has paid N12.3 billion of the N28 billion owed to the company, leaving an outstanding balance of N15.7 billion. However, he noted that the repayment arrangement includes both cash and bonds, with the bonds redeemable only at a discount. He also pointed out that the debts are being settled without interest or compensation for years of depreciation. The prolonged liquidity challenges have also prevented the company from carrying out critical maintenance on its General Electric turbines, increasing operational risks. Beyond the gas shortage, Umoh highlighted transmission constraints as another major obstacle. He said the 51-year-old Aba–Itu transmission line can evacuate only about 60MW, while the Calabar–Itu transmission line has remained out of service for four years following repeated vandalism. Despite these setbacks, Umoh said the plant is capable of generating between 82MW and 83MW whenever gas is available more than Akwa Ibom State’s current electricity demand of between 65MW and 71MW. He added that the facility was originally designed to export electricity to other states and eventually expand its capacity to 685MW under a second phase. He stressed that while the technical challenges are manageable, resolving the sector’s liquidity crisis and ensuring reliable payment for electricity generated remain essential to restoring stable operations and preventing similar disruptions across Nigeria’s power sector.

Business, Energy

Sahara Group Urges Financing Model That Reflects Africa’s Energy Transition Realities

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Sahara Group has called for a fresh approach to Africa’s energy transition, infrastructure financing and energy journalism, urging stakeholders to adopt strategies that reflect the continent’s unique realities. The company made the call on Wednesday during the third edition of its thought leadership forum, Asharami Square, themed “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact and Transformation.” Speaking at the event, Sahara Group’s Director of Governance and Sustainability, Ejiro Gray, said the company’s “Beyond XXX” vision is focused on shaping the future rather than celebrating past achievements. Gray stressed that Africa’s energy transition should be driven by local realities and supported by balanced, evidence-based journalism capable of examining the complexities of energy development and sustainability. “Effective journalism should not only tell us what happened; it should help us understand why it matters, whose interests are affected and what perspectives are missing from the conversation,” she said. Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, said reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector are creating new opportunities for investment. According to him, the major challenge facing the sector is no longer technology but mobilising capital, developing bankable projects and creating an environment that attracts long-term investment. “The issue is no longer technology. The real challenge is mobilising capital at scale, structuring bankable opportunities and creating an ecosystem that attracts long-term financing,” Wanka said. He noted that ongoing reforms are opening investment opportunities in embedded generation, mini-grids, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and industrial power solutions, while encouraging journalists to report more extensively on policy implementation and investment opportunities. A panel discussion featuring Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Temitope George, Managing Director of Investment Banking at Chapel Hill Denham, Kemi Awodein, and moderated by Argus Media Associate Editor for Africa, Adebiyi Olusolape, examined financing options for Africa’s energy future. The panelists agreed that although Africa has significant domestic capital, attracting greater investment will require stronger governance, improved investor confidence and better project preparation. Speaking on the role of the media, Professor Ogwezzy-Ndisika called for more investigative and solutions-driven reporting on the energy sector. “Energy reporting must go beyond headline events and announcements. Journalists need to ask deeper questions, examine the evidence and connect policy decisions to their impact on communities and everyday lives,” she said. George highlighted the importance of ensuring projects are investment-ready, while Awodein said governance, transparency and clear value creation remain essential for attracting long-term capital. The event also featured the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship Judging Panel, an initiative aimed at strengthening energy journalism across Africa. Sahara Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Bethel Obioma, said the fellowship is designed to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of the technical, commercial, environmental and policy issues shaping the energy sector. He added that the initiative aligns with the company’s “Beyond XXX” vision of investing in people and platforms that will contribute to Africa’s energy future, with Professor Ogwezzy-Ndisika serving as the programme’s lead assessor.

General News

18 Nigerians Among 20 Dead in Cameroon Boat Tragedy

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At least 18 Nigerians and two other foreign nationals have died following a boat accident in the Republic of Cameroon while travelling to Adamawa State, Nigeria. The boat, which was travelling from Garoua in northern Cameroon to Yola in Adamawa State, reportedly capsized late Monday night after being caught in a violent storm. According to reports, the vessel was carrying more than 50 passengers and was heavily loaded with iron rods and other building materials destined for Dasin, a community in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Eyewitnesses said the boat encountered severe weather around midnight, causing it to overturn. Initial reports suggested that about 30 people may have died in the incident. However, local authorities have so far confirmed 20 fatalities, including 18 Nigerians and two foreign nationals. Sources said the remains of the Nigerian victims have been buried in Wuro Bokki community in Fufore Local Government Area, while search and rescue operations continue for passengers who are still missing. Divers from both Nigeria and Cameroon are participating in the ongoing rescue efforts. Meanwhile, several survivors are receiving medical treatment at hospitals in border communities.

Politics

Defense Minister Holds Meeting With Tinubu Amid Exit Rumors

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Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has dismissed speculation that he plans to resign from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, describing the reports as false and threatening legal action against those responsible for spreading them. Musa spoke to State House correspondents on Tuesday after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, focused on the country’s current security situation. He said he briefed the President on ongoing security operations and expressed optimism about the progress being made in tackling insecurity. “I just came back from briefing Mr President on the current security situation, and he is very happy with us. We are going to continue doing well,” Musa said. The minister thanked Nigerians for their continued support of the armed forces, stressing that addressing insecurity requires the collective efforts of citizens alongside security agencies. “I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for all the support. The support has been massive. To defeat the terrorists and the bandits is a whole-of-society approach. Nigerians have keyed into it, and things are getting better, and they will continue to improve,” he added. Reacting to reports that he intended to leave office, Musa denied ever discussing resignation and described the claims as baseless. “I am not going anywhere. I have never discussed this. I don’t even know who the person is that brought that information,” he said. He warned that legal action would be taken against those behind the rumour. “But whoever it is, we will take legal action against them. We are surprised. I was shocked when I saw that. I don’t know where that came from. But you always expect that there will be people who will not be happy when things are going well.” According to the minister, recent improvements in the country’s security situation may have prompted attempts to spread misinformation. “Security is improving, things are getting better, and for them, that is a sad point. They always want to make it look as if it is not so,” he said.

Elections, Governance, Politics

Atiku’s Lobbyists Take Tinubu’s 1990s Forfeiture Case to Trump, US Congress

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A United States lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says it has submitted documents relating to President Bola Tinubu’s 1990s civil asset forfeiture case to officials in the administration of President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress. The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, disclosed the development in a post on its official X account, stating that it is acting under a 12-month lobbying contract valued at $1.2 million with Atiku. According to the firm, it has begun distributing more than 60 pages of U.S. Department of Justice documents following engagements with officials in the Trump administration, members of Congress and senior congressional staff. The documents relate to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Justice investigation conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The matter involved allegations linking Tinubu to a heroin trafficking network and a 1993 civil asset forfeiture case in Chicago. In its statement, the firm said, “Many within the U.S. government were previously unaware of the DOJ’s allegations concerning Bola Tinubu. We are changing that.” It added that the decision to brief U.S. officials was influenced by the impact of drug trafficking in the United States, describing it as a problem that has claimed thousands of lives and affected countless families. For now, the firm said it has released only a chronology summarising the Department of Justice’s allegations, including the timeline of the investigation, court filings and the forfeiture judgment. It added that it intends to ensure the complete court filings, supporting affidavit and related federal court decisions are brought to President Trump’s attention. The 1993 case involved the forfeiture of $460,000 from bank accounts linked to Tinubu while he was a private citizen in the United States. Tinubu was not criminally charged, and his representatives have consistently maintained that the matter was resolved through a civil settlement without any admission of wrongdoing. The submission marks a renewed effort to draw international attention to decades-old U.S. court records as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election gather momentum. There was no immediate response from the Presidency or the White House at the time of the firm’s announcement. However, President Tinubu’s media team has previously dismissed renewed references to the case as politically motivated. The lobbying firm said it would continue pushing for wider circulation of the documents within the U.S. government, a move that could revive discussions around historical legal records and their implications for Nigeria-U.S. relations.

Crime

Authorities Uncover Disturbing Details of Lagos’ 3-Bedroom ‘University’

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Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Badagry Area Command, have uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State. The operation also led to the rescue of 106 youths and the arrest of the alleged proprietor, who is accused of luring prospective students with promises of admission into a foreign university. According to the NSCDC, the raid was carried out in the early hours of Monday after several days of intelligence gathering and surveillance. The agency said the institution had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus but allegedly operated online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university. Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities at the apartment. “We received reliable intelligence regarding the activities at the location. Our operatives kept the premises under surveillance for several days before carrying out the operation. The proprietor has been arrested and is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been placed under protective custody,” he said. Preliminary investigations showed that most of the rescued youths, aged between 19 and 24, were recruited from states including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states. Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited through online platforms. The corps alleged that victims paid admission and processing fees ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦1.5 million, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign higher institution. Investigators also discovered that participants were allegedly required to recruit new students in exchange for commissions. According to the NSCDC, the recruitment model resembled a Ponzi or chain-marketing scheme, with earnings tied to the number of new recruits brought into the programme. One of the rescued individuals reportedly told investigators that after paying $400 to enrol, he convinced his brother in Kogi State to join the scheme and had already begun receiving referral commissions. The investigation further revealed that some participants were allegedly engaged in promoting unidentified products online while earning commissions from both product sales and recruitment. Expressing concern over the development, Ekunola said many parents were unaware of their children’s actual activities in Badagry. “We have begun contacting their families. One parent told us her child had informed the family that he travelled to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. That clearly shows many parents had no idea what was really going on,” he said. He added that all 106 rescued youths would be profiled before being reunited with their families after investigations are concluded. The NSCDC said anyone found culpable in operating the suspected illegal institution would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. It added that investigations have been expanded to identify other collaborators and determine whether similar operations exist in other parts of the country.

Business, Energy

31 Firms Awarded Licenses for 37 Oil Blocks

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Thirty-one companies have emerged as successful bidders for 37 oil and gas blocks in Nigeria’s 2025 Licensing Round following the conclusion of the commercial bid conference held in Abuja. The exercise, organised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) at the Transcorp Event Centre, attracted 143 companies, which submitted nearly 200 bids for 37 of the 50 oil and gas blocks on offer. The awarded assets span the Niger Delta’s onshore, shallow water and deep offshore regions, as well as the Benin, Anambra and Chad basins, and the Benue Trough. Thirteen of the 50 blocks offered did not receive any bids. According to the commission, the 2025 licensing round marked the first time Nigeria’s frontier basins including the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Anambra Basin and Benin Basin recorded significant investor participation. The successful companies are SSonic Petroleum Limited, CFP Pipeline and Flowlines, Dutchford E&P Limited, Attabanson Global Company Limited, Rosem Energy Limited, Pivot-GIS Limited, Network E&P, Asharami, LexOil, BVOF, Gupsco Energy Limited, Saratoga, Volante, Concept-Reel Petroleum Services Limited, Clinton Oil Field, Nuway Oaklane Limited, Ramec, Italia, Blueridge E&P, Up Energies Limited, AYM Shafa, Blackrock Holdings Limited, Funtay Integrated Business Limited, Riparian Development and Production Limited, Nikstallis, Stardeep Petroleum, Dakoda & U Limited, Southborne Oil and Gas Limited, Lanaka Petroleum, Highban Resources Limited and Eyre Energy Limited. NUPRC stated that the successful bidders would receive their final awards only after paying the required signature bonuses and obtaining the approval of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Speaking after the bidding process, NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan congratulated the successful companies and urged them to make prompt payment of their signature bonuses and commence development of the awarded assets. She also warned that any awarded asset left undeveloped could be withdrawn under the commission’s “drill or drop” policy.