Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics Ltd/Gte has urged the federal government to tread carefully on its proposed ban of raw shea nut exports. The group warned that while the idea of promoting local processing is commendable, rushing into the ban could harm existing investments, disrupt export contracts, and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders across the country. Shea is a multi-billion-dollar industry, valued globally at about $6.6 billion, and Nigeria is one of the top producers. The sector is also crucial for rural economies, particularly women who dominate production and processing. In a statement signed by…

Lagos NLC Demands ₦150,000 Minimum WaThe Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Chapter, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to raise the minimum wage of workers in the state to ₦150,000, citing the rising cost of living in Lagos. Chairperson of NLC Lagos, Mrs. Funmi Sesi, made the demand on Thursday while reacting to recent wage increases announced by the governments of Imo and Ebonyi States. Currently, Lagos State pays a minimum wage of ₦85,000. But Sesi argued that this figure no longer reflects the realities of living in Lagos, where the cost of accommodation, transportation, feeding, and utilities is…

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, as possible presidential candidates for 2027. The governor, who doubles as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said this while speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday. His comment follows the PDP’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south; a move seen as a corrective step after internal divisions cost the party dearly in the 2023 general elections. Mohammed described Jonathan as “one of the most celebrated politicians today despite previous political…

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri says the Abuja-Kaduna highway is now safe for travellers after a test ride on the route. Omokri drove the corridor on Thursday with Nollywood actor Wale Ojo, journalists and volunteers who joined via the hashtag #RenoAbujaKadunaTour. He praised the security presence and ongoing roadworks. “The essence of the trip was to prove that the road was safe and secure for Nigerians to ply,” he said. He also inspected sections of the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano reconstruction. “The reconstructed parts of the road were so well done and smooth. It was a good job, and Nigerians should commend…

The United States has scrapped tariff exemptions on small packages valued at $800 or less, a move that could push up costs for consumers and squeeze small businesses. The Trump administration said the step was necessary to stop tariff evasion and the smuggling of drugs. From now, packages entering the US will either attract normal import tariffs or face a fixed duty of $80 to $200 per item. Exemptions will only apply to personal items and gifts. The policy has already disrupted postal services. At least 25 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, and Japan, have suspended some parcel deliveries…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered that all Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in the country must be geo-tagged within the next 60 days. The apex bank said the move is aimed at curbing fraud and tightening oversight of the booming PoS industry, which has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in Nigeria’s financial system. The directive affects operators such as Moniepoint, OPay, PalmPay, commercial banks, and other licensed providers. According to the CBN, every PoS machine already in circulation must be registered with its exact GPS location, while new devices must be geo-tagged before activation. Any device…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has called on the people of the South East geopolitical zone to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a statement on Wednesday, Kalu expressed concerns over the reports of low turnout of Igbo people in the process so far. The Deputy Speaker said that the voter exercise is a crucial step in ensuring that the voices of the people are heard. Decring the poor statistics of people so far registered, Kalu said that it…

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, says Brazil is turning to Nigeria as a key economic partner amid its trade disagreements with the United States. Speaking in Brasília during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit, Sani revealed that the trip could unlock more than $30 billion in investments across agriculture, aviation, and science and technology. According to him, a series of MoUs signed in Brazil are set to boost food security, airspace collaboration, renewable energy, and innovation; sectors he described as critical to Nigeria’s long-term growth. “Brazil needs reliable partners at this time, and Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is well positioned.…

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for Tuesday’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Opeifa apologised to Nigerians and assured that the investigation into the incident would be thorough and transparent. “Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference. Once it happens, the chief executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility,” he said. The NRC boss admitted the…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos chapter, has rejected the Federal Government’s new loan scheme for workers in tertiary institutions. Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Tuesday, the union’s chairman, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, described the initiative as a “trap” and a “poisoned chalice.” Two weeks ago, the Federal Government unveiled the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, which it said was meant to boost welfare and professional growth of both academic and non-academic staff. But ASUU insists that what lecturers need is not more loans, but better pay and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement.…