The Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, says the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First Policy”, which prioritises qualified local businesses in public procurement, will boost Nigerian entrepreneurs. Ekeh said this in a statement on Thursday. It was reported that the “Nigeria First Policy” is an economic directive approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025 to prioritise locally manufactured goods and services in all public-sector procurements. He added that the policy could create a dependable domestic market for Nigerian businesses and strengthen local capacity. The Zinox boss noted that the initiative could also help Nigerian companies compete more effectively…
Author: Newsdesk
Nigeria’s foreign reserves have climbed above the $53 billion mark for the first time in more than 17 years, strengthening the country’s external financial position and providing a larger buffer for foreign exchange transactions. Latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the reserves stood at $53.11 billion as of August 24, 2026, representing the highest level recorded since January 2009. The latest figure places Nigeria’s reserves just about $142 million below the $53.25 billion recorded on January 12, 2009, when the country last reached a comparable level. The reserve accumulation has accelerated in recent months. CBN…
The Federal Government says judicial officers and court personnel will be included in its ongoing housing interventions across the country. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, said this in a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Badamasi Haiba, on Thursday in Abuja. Darma made the remark when he received the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), retired Justice Babatunde Adejumo (OFR), on a courtesy visit. He assured the delegation that the judiciary would be carried along in the implementation of the Federal Government’s ongoing housing projects across the 36 states…
The Federal Government has metered 60 per cent of electricity customers in Nigeria under Phase One of the $500 million World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. This formed part of the updates on the activities of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) at its second meeting for the year 2026. The meeting was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Gbeleyi, explained that the meeting provided the Vice President with updates on some of the activities of the NCP. “On various issues, we provided updates on…
The African Perinatal Society (APS) has called for increased awareness and early antenatal care among pregnant women to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria and other African countries. The call was made at the Second International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine organised by the society in collaboration with UNICEF and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH). President of APS, Prof. Aliyu Dayyabu, said the conference aimed to bring together perinatologists and other health professionals to develop practical solutions to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Dayyabu, a Consultant Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and lecturer at Bayero University Kano, said some international…
A paediatrician, Dr Lilian Ekwem, has called for stronger family and government support for breastfeeding mothers to improve child health and survival. Ekwem made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration organised by the State House Medical Centre, Abuja. The theme of the celebration was “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” Ekwem, Chief Consultant Paediatrician and Rheumatologist, described breast milk as the ideal nutrition for newborns, particularly during their first six months. “Breast milk is gold and breastfeeding is the ideal and still the standard nutrition for the newborn, especially in the…
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Wednesday began a regional consultation on reviewing Nigeria’s Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy. The two-day North-West zonal workshop in Kano seeks stakeholders’ contributions towards developing a sustainable framework for managing agricultural land and soil resources. Olanipẹkun Oshadiya, Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, said the review was crucial to achieving national food security. Oshadiya, represented by his Personal Assistant on Gender and Innovation, Dr Wasiu Oyediran, described land and soil as the bedrock of Nigeria’s food system. He said soil productivity and sustainability were critical to increasing…
Nigeria and Thailand on Wednesday agreed to deepen bilateral ties across technology, agriculture, commerce, renewable energy and other areas of strategic interest. Speaking during a meeting with Thailand’s delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima acknowledged the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Thailand. “I believe that our relationship should go beyond transactions in crude oil, rice production and so on. “So, there is a need for us to review our bilateral relationship at a strategic level. “Nigeria is a large market. There are enormous opportunities for partnership and investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy and solid…
The SIAT Group (Société d’Investissement pour l’Agriculture Tropicale NV), majority shareholder of Presco Plc, has celebrated its agricultural legacy, leadership and people at the SIAT Forward event. The event, themed “Legacy, Leadership & the Future,” brought together SIAT’s founding family, retired directors, board members, executives, financial partners and other stakeholders. The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the Group’s history, recognise those who contributed to its growth and celebrate its continuing legacy. Incorporated under Belgian law in 1991 under the leadership of Pierre Vandebeeck, SIAT began its African journey with the acquisition of Presco in Nigeria that year. The…
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State chapter, has called for increased irrigation financing to enable farmers to cultivate crops all year round. The AFAN Lagos State Chairman, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, made the call in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos. Agbayewa urged local farmers to shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigated farming to ensure continuous cultivation and improve food production. “We have a rain-fed agriculture system and most farmers have no capital to adopt irrigation solutions or technology. “There is nothing our farmers can do to ensure all-year-round farming without proper irrigation systems. Farmers have…