By Aremu Fakunle (PhD) – It is no longer news that the Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts. The move seeks to curb informal trade, secure raw materials for domestic processors, and accelerate value addition in one of Nigeria’s most promising non-oil export sectors. Officials note that the shea value chain, if fully developed, could generate up to US$300 million annually for the Nigerian economy. Why shea matters in Nigeria and West Africa Shea is more than just a tree crop; it is a lifeline for millions. Across the shea…
Author: Editor
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country is safe, stressing that the technology is intended to improve food security and nutrition. Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), gave the assurance during a sensitisation workshop organised for directorate officers of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The event, held in collaboration with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), Nigerian Chapter, was designed to provide clarity on the role of biotechnology in food and health systems. Addressing…
A specialist from UNICEF, Olayinka Afolabi, has explained why states like Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun in southwest Nigeria are at risk of cholera outbreaks. He said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) found that poor sanitation in these states is the main reason for cholera outbreaks from time to time. Afolabi shared this information in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, during the start of a 3-day emergency preparedness workshop. The workshop was for southwest states and Edo State to prepare for floods and other emergencies. The event, called the Multi-Sectoral Emergency Preparedness Workshop, was organized by the Oyo State Government and…
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has announced plans to begin ground-breaking ceremonies for housing projects across the country. It also called on Nigerians to register early so they can benefit from affordable housing opportunities. FHA Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Oyetunde Ojo, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the commissioning of a new road inside the FHA Estate, Apo-Guzape. He said, “We are about to start nationwide ground-breaking for our housing projects. We encourage Nigerians to register early on the FHA website or at our zonal offices.” Ojo explained that the FHA operates with limited government funding and…
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, is one of Nigeria’s leading aviation schools. The college is committed to producing highly skilled professionals for the aviation industry. Since it was founded in 1964, NCAT has grown to become the largest Approved Training Organization (ATO) in Africa. Over the years, the school has trained pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, and many other experts who keep aviation running. Across Africa, aviation training shows both progress and challenges. For example, Ethiopia’s aviation academy trains fewer than 50 pilots each year, while Rwanda’s Akagera Aviation School trains about 20 fixed-wing and…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested 15 people and seized fake and expired drugs worth more than ₦110 million during special enforcement operations across the country. The operations were carried out in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, and Asaba in Delta State. According to NAFDAC, the seized items included sex enhancement drugs, oxytocin’s, strong painkillers such as tramadol and morphine, antibiotics, and other unregistered medicines. The agency said the suspects are in custody and will remain there while investigations continue. NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that selling or distributing drugs in unapproved places…
The Kwara State House of Assembly has asked the state governor to instruct the Ministry of Agriculture to launch an awareness campaign on the dangers of planting Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) seeds, especially their effects on human health and the environment. This call followed a motion titled “Need to discourage farmers from planting Genetically Modified Organisms seeds in order to enhance food security in Kwara State”. The motion was moved by Mr. Mohammed Kareem Musa, who represents the Patigi State Constituency. During the debate, Mr. Musa said that eating genetically engineered food harms biodiversity and weakens traditional farming methods. He…
Between July 2024 and June 2025, kidnappers in Nigeria demanded a staggering ₦48 billion in ransom. However, only ₦2.57 billion—about 5% of that figure—was paid to secure the release of abducted individuals. Scope of the crisis: Over this period, 4,722 people were kidnapped across at least 997 incidents, resulting in 762 fatalities linked to these abduction cases. Hotspots: The North West region remains the most violent zone, with Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina leading in abduction figures—Zamfara alone accounting for over 1,200 victims. Industry dynamics: Kidnapping has evolved into a structured, profit-driven criminal industry. Consequently, ransom amounts have been pushed higher—in…
The Osun State Government has dragged the Federal Government before the Supreme Court over the alleged unconstitutional withholding of statutory allocations meant for its 30 local government councils. In a suit marked SC/CV/379/2025 and filed on April 23, 2025, Osun is challenging the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) which stopped the release of funds for February, March, and April. The state fears the May allocation may also be withheld. The case, filed by a team of senior lawyers led by Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), argues that the AGF acted outside his powers by directing…
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has given out 6,220 bags of drought-resistant seeds to farmers in Gombe State. This is part of their effort to support farming that can withstand changing weather conditions. The seeds were distributed during the start of a five-day meeting organized by ACReSAL’s Federal Project Management Unit in Gombe. This meeting focused on the Gali-Lamurde and Hawal-Kilunga river basins. It is part of a bigger national plan to create 20 special land and water management strategies across Nigeria. At the event, ACReSAL’s National Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhamid Umar, spoke about the urgent need…