Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
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.…
The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign has suffered a major scare after first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was stretchered off with a suspected serious injury on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old, turning out for Chippa United in a South African league clash against Richards Bay, went down in the 35th minute and could not continue. Nwabali, who rose to prominence at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire where his heroics helped Nigeria reach the final, is a key figure in José Peseiro’s squad. His condition now casts huge doubt over his availability for Nigeria’s must-win qualifiers against Rwanda on September 6 and…
President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s capital market has witnessed “remarkable growth” under his administration, crediting investor confidence in his reforms for the surge. Tinubu spoke in Brazil while meeting the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and the Board of the Nigerian Exchange Group during his state visit. According to the Presidency, market capitalisation and trading volumes have almost tripled since 2023, reflecting stronger investor participation. Tinubu promised more reforms to make the market a “trusted engine of enterprise and prosperity,” stressing that his government would keep pushing policies to unlock capital and protect investors. SEC…
The African Democratic Congress has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress for initiating discussions on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets. The coalition party stated that the such moves show a disregard for the hardship Nigerians are facing. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted both parties for focusing on 2027 politics rather than addressing current challenges. “The general election is still in 2027; it’s still two years away. Why are we so preoccupied and behaving in such a way that Nigerians begin to look at the political elite across…
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah yesterday reiterated his call for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. He said freeing Kanu “was the right thing to do” and that he had met the President over it. Mbah spoke during a question-and-answer session after his presentation on “Leadership and transformation” at the Showcase Session of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu. The governor also shared practical strategies he applies in overcoming barriers and unlocking the state’s opportunities. Urged by a participant not to give up on his advocacy for Kanu’s release, the…