Day: January 27, 2026

Nigeria, Türkiye target $5b trade volume, strengthen bilateral ties

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye announced on Tuesday that his country aimed to achieve a $5 billion trade volume with Nigeria, more than double the current $2 billion. Discussions to realize this target have already begun, he said, during a joint press briefing with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the sidelines of Tinubu’s State Visit to Ankara. According to a release signed Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Nigerian delegation highlighted the significance of the visit in strengthening economic, security, and social…

Frank Tietie: Military lacks power to try treason, says coup cases belong in civilian courts

Emporium Reporters

Human rights and development lawyer, Mr. Frank Tietie, has cautioned that the Nigerian military does not have the legal authority to try officers for treason or coup plotting under the Armed Forces Act, insisting that such cases must be handled by civilian courts. Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Tietie warned against the careless use of the term “coup” in relation to ongoing investigations involving some serving officers. He stressed that while allegations of attempts to overthrow a democratically elected government are extremely serious, only civil courts…

Apapa Customs, NDLEA intercept 347.5kg of Canadian loud hidden in imported vehicle

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Port Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 347.5 kilograms of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in an imported Toyota Sienna vehicle. Disclosing the development, the Public Relations Officer, Apapa Port Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman, said the seizure followed a joint operation by officers of both agencies and was carried out barely 24 hours after the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, received a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit. According to him,…

CSOIL Chairman visit Chief of Naval Staff, reaffirms support for Nigerian Navy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of Chinese Shipbuilding Offshore International Limited (CSOIL), Mr Liu Song, on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abass (Admiralty Medal), as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in naval development. During the visit, Mr Liu expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between CSOIL and the Nigerian Navy, noting the significant achievements recorded in shipbuilding and vessel acquisition over the years. He reaffirmed his company’s commitment to deepening the existing collaboration and expressed optimism that…

FG inaugurates National Technical Committee to regulate Cosmetics, safeguard public health

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group (NCSM-TWG) to address the rising health risks associated with unsafe cosmetic products in Nigeria. The inauguration, held in Abuja on Tuesday, marks a significant move from policy formulation to concrete implementation in regulating cosmetic safety nationwide. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Dogara Okara said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from cosmetic-related health hazards that have long been underestimated. He warned that…

Senate President urges lawmakers to finish strong as 2026 plenary resumes

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate has charged members of the Tenth National Assembly to intensify their legislative efforts and remain focused on national development as the Senate resumed plenary for 2026 after the Christmas and New Year recess. Speaking at the first sitting of the year, the Senate President, in a welcome address titled “The Final Stretch: Finishing the Work, Honouring the Trust,” described the remaining period of the Assembly as a decisive phase that demands urgency, discipline, and reform-driven governance. He welcomed senators back from recess, noting that the…

WCO commends Nigeria’s Time Release Study, says it will boost faster and safer trade

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has praised Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a critical reform tool capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening trade competitiveness and enhancing national security across Africa. The commendation was given by the WCO Secretary-General, Mr Ian Saunders, on Monday, January 26, 2026, during the presentation of the TRS Report at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. Saunders described the study as a practical and evidence-based initiative that provided Nigeria with clear insights into its cargo clearance processes and areas required improvement. He noted that the TRS,…

IMPI projects 5.5% economic growth as Nigeria rides reform wave

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has projected that Nigeria’s economy will expand by at least 5.5% in 2026, driven by new tax laws, macroeconomic stability, and growing private sector investments. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, IMPI described 2026 as a potential “boom year” for the country, attributing the optimism to the federal government’s steadfast implementation of economic reforms since 2023. “For us, understanding the background to the current developments and the philosophical underpinning of the economy, we submit that the year 2026…

Nigerian Navy hosts French African Command, reaffirms leadership in Gulf of Guinea Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, welcomed the Commander of the West and Central French African Command, Major General Pascal Ianni, along with Major General AG Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, and members of their delegation, in a high-level courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal).The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen existing defence and maritime security cooperation between Nigeria and France, while exploring avenues for deeper collaboration in maritime domain awareness, capacity building, training, and…

NITDA, KOICA strengthen partnership to boost Youth, MSME innovation through Digital Academy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reinforced its commitment to youth and MSME empowerment through digital innovation by hosting international partners, including the KOICA Nigeria Office, Korean experts, and academic leaders, for a high-level engagement on strategic collaboration. Representing NITDA’s leadership, the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of the partnership in unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential. He noted that Nigerian youth, who constitute nearly 40 per cent of the population, are actively engaged in the startup ecosystem despite…