Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Funke Akindele, a famous Nigerian actress-turned-politician, has announced her political plans after an unsuccessful attempt in the last general elections. The actress was the running mate to Abdulazeez Adediran, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023. Following their defeat by Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Funke Akindele took to her social media page to delete all politically related posts. However, in response to her loss during her most recent interview on the premiere live episode of the ‘WithChude’ podcast, the actress, who had been mute on political topics since 2023, stated…

Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has announced that certain categories of civil servants in Nigeria will be exempt from paying tax, specifically those earning below N1 million per year. The Senator made this revelation in Minna, Niger State, shortly after the Workers’ Day celebration. He revealed that the tax reform bills, which include this provision, are set to be presented to the National Assembly next week for passage. “The Tax Reform Bills are ready for presentation before the National Assembly next week,” Senator Musa said. “Once passed, any worker earning below N1 million annually will…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to raise the retirement age for all civil servants to 65 years or 40 years of service, aligning with conditions already granted to select sectors. Speaking during the May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday, NLC President Joe Ajaero made the appeal while presenting the union’s key demands. “It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants,” Ajaero stated. He emphasised that equal treatment across all…

Governor Monday Okpebholo has raised the minimum wage for workers in Edo State from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 in a bid to improve their living standard. The governor announced this on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day. “Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers. “It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this will make a real difference, and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has traced funds linked to the failed crypto bridge exchange scheme to at least four countries. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, said although efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds, full restitution to victims may be impossible. Olukoyede said several accounts have been blocked and funds frozen, although the amounts cannot be disclosed yet. He said most of the transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency and routed through wallets beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction. “We have been able to block some accounts. We have been…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has responded to recent public comments made by legal luminary Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) regarding her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), had in a letter dated April 14, 2025, demanded that Senator Natasha retract her allegations and provide evidence that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023. In her response dated April 30, Natasha stated that she had not received any letter from Agbakoba through post, courier, or personal delivery, and therefore rejected any suggestion of deliberate silence. “I place it…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that workers play a key role in helping the country grow and succeed. In a statement to mark the 2025 Workers’ Day on Thursday, he called on the Federal Government to see workers not just as tools for economic growth but as important partners in building a great nation. Atiku said, “The Nigerian worker remains the indomitable engine driving our nation towards the long-anticipated promise of prosperity. “In the face of persistent hardship and inadequate remuneration, Nigerian workers have continued to shoulder the burdens of our economic ambitions with quiet heroism. “It is…

Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has approved a new salary scale for Abia Health Care workers, Abia State Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS) with effect from May 1st 2025. In a statement by Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche Commissioner for Health on Wednesday disclosed that, with the approval of ASWOSS will be at par with the Federal salary structure for Health workers namely CONMESS – (Consolidated Medical Salary Scale for Doctors) and CONHESS – Consolidated Health Salary Scale for Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists and radiographers. He also announced the approval of the Governor for the recruitment…

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja with the businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, as ordered by the court. Achimugu, who was sandwiched by two female EFCC officers, arrived in court at about 11:35 am. Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on Monday, ordered the industrialist, alleged to have fled the country, to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday at noon. Justice Ekwo, who gave the order in a short ruling, also ordered the EFCC, upon the appearance of Achimugu at its office, to return with her to…

Bank customers will commence payment of N6 for every SMS transaction alert starting tomorrow. This is coming on the heels of the increase in telecommunications rates by telecommunications providers following a nod by the federal government. The SMS charges were increased by 50% to N6 from the previous N4 per message. Various banks had sent emails to their customers to inform them of the current change. An email from Guaranty Trust Bank Limited with the heading “Increase in SMS Transaction Alert Fee” read: “Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee…