NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG to spend 73.9 bn on Maraba-Keffi road
Metro

FG to spend 73.9 bn on Maraba-Keffi road

234 total views today

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Government is to spend N73.9 billion to complete the reconstruction and expansion of the Maraba-Keffi road project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government also set a 13-month completion date of June 2026 for the project awarded to MS. China Harbour Engineering Company(CHEC) Nigeria Limited.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, made these known while inspecting the ongoing expansion of the Abuja-Keffi expressway on Saturday.

Goronyo commended President Bola Tinubu for making the project a reality.

He said that the completion of the road would in no small measure reduce the transportation problems on the corridor.

“This road is very critical because it is crisscrossing a lot of states.

“We have completed the road from Keffi to Makurdi and the one from Mararaba up to Keffi is now ongoing.

”Makurdi to Enugu is ongoing and achievable progress has been recorde by the contractor.

“What we are expecting is that by June next year, the entire stretch of this road from Abuja up to Port Harcourt will be completed,” he said.

Goronyo said that the government had opened a corridor for movement of goods and services, adding that this had translated to reduction in travel time and other economic benefits.

He said from the assessment so far,appreciable progress had been made.

“This contract was awarded in June 2023 with a completion period of 30 months.

”Work started here in December last year and now you can see that they have gotten up to 42 per cent completion,” he said.

Goronyo also said that the ministry was waiting for a certificate from the contractor so that more funds would be released for the project.

He said the ministry would work out modalities to expand the lanes on the road for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaking on behalf of the contractor, Mr Ronald Liao, CHEC Commercial Manager, said the road would achieve a 56 per cent benchmark by month end.

Liao explained that the company was unable to reach the benchmark on time due to the heavy traffic on the corridor.

“The traffic flow from Masaka to Mararaba daily is very heavy.

“So, we have no other choice but to work at night.

“That is a big task and a challenge to our work progress.

“However, with the help of the ministry and with the help of the controller and also the help of the FRSC, we will complete the work within the right time,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

FG inaugurates governing board to strengthen sugar council
Economy/Business

FG inaugurates governing board to strengthen sugar council

252 total views today

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Governing Board for the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), to strengthen and enhance its activities.

Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh, while inaugurating the Governing Board of the NSDC in Abuja on Thursday, said that the council should intensify efforts in its activities, to achieve its mandates and goals.

The minister said that the inauguration of the board would help to strengthen the council and enhance its activities.

He urged the board to work assiduously to ensure that within the next three months, they would be able to achieve good results.

“I mean urgent work needs to be done.

“We need to be committed and work together to ensure we strengthen the growth of the council.

“As the reporting minister, I must be ready to brief the President on the level of steps that have been taken to make sure that we are able to achieve the goals and mandates of the council.

“We must ensure that we make progress and ensure that the purpose of the inaugurating the board is achieved respectively,” he said.

The minister also urged the board to be committed to ensuring effective implementation of the brownfield backward integration projects.

“We must ensure that the sites are being worked upon. We should identify if there are sites that are fertile enough for the growing of sugarcane.

“If they are not, the council will provide guidance to know the land that is available.

“We must all be committed to doing the work, to make sure that we progress,’’ he said.

The minister reminded the council of how competitive the market was.

“We are competing with countries like Brazil that have been in this business for upwards of several years.

“So, our competitors are our seedlings that we are planting.

“We are not just talking about producing in-country, but the cost effectiveness of that production is important because of the competition that we are all involved in,’’ he said.

Responding, Chairman of the board, Sen. Surajudeen Basiru, thanked the minister and the President for the opportunity given to him and other members of the board.

Basiru said that the board would work hard to offer good performance and ensure the council’s achieve its goals and mandates.

“We have been given three months to make sure we deliver and bring a positive result.

“We will try our best to ensure that we don’t disappoint the minister and Nigerians at large,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

FG to repatriate 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad
Metro

FG to repatriate 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad

207 total views today

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government says discussions are ongoing on how 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad and other parts of the world will be returned to Nigeria in safety and dignity.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Ahmed revealed that no fewer than six million people are displaced in Nigeria while thousands of refugees are living elsewhere across the world.

“We have 15,000 Nigerians that want to return to the country voluntarily and we also have not less than 100,000 foreigners living in this country as refugees.

“All these are the responsibilities of the commission, to give them support,” he said.

While reiterating government’s tireless efforts to ensure safe return of the displaced persons, Ahmed thanked President Bola Tinubu for the support given to the commission and the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

The  NCFRMI boss also disclosed that Nigeria would be hosting the first thematic meeting under its chairmanship of the Rabat Process with more than 100 delegates from the 57 partner countries in attendance.

It would be recalled that Nigeria assumed chairmanship of the Rabat Process – a Euro-African dialogue on migration and development – in January, 2025.

Ahmed said that the meeting, scheduled for May 13 and May 14, themed, “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration”, would pave the way for bilateral discussions between Nigeria and other countries, leading to better migration governance

“Membership in these platforms provides opportunities for knowledge transfer and better migration management.

“Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat Process is seen as an advantage, despite its being a one-year term,” he added.

The federal commissioner also outlined the challenges in managing migration, including the need for adequate advocacy to inform younger generations about legal migration pathways.

“There is a need to educate migrants about the consequences of irregular migration, including negative outcomes.

“The focus should be on advocating for legal migration pathways to reduce the number of irregular migrants.

“Regular migration involves moving through legal channels, while irregular migration often involves dangerous and illegal methods.

“Irregular migration can lead to hardship and danger, with many migrants unable to return to their home country,” he said

Ahmed, therefore, called for better coordination and support from various stakeholders, including the media to enhance migration governance. (NAN)

Edited by Bukola Adeoye/ Rotimi Ijikanmi

FG advocates legal framework for MSME support system
Economy/Business

FG advocates legal framework for MSME support system

231 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, has called for the establishment of a legal framework to back the operations of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) across Nigeria.

Enoh said this at the induction ceremony of the newly certified BDSPs organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the absence of a binding law is a major gap that must be urgently addressed to ensure service accountability and sustainability.

“There has to be a law that supports and backs BDSPs because of the importance of the job they are expected to do,” the minister said.

He said that while many systems exist within Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

MSME support structure, the main challenge remained functionality and regulation.

“Our problem is not the absence of systems; it is the failure of those systems to work.

“Regulation is weak, and we tend to create new structures instead of strengthening existing ones,” he added.

The minister stressed that certified BDSPs must not only meet performance standards but be monitored regularly, with the possibility of license withdrawal if expectations were not met.

“Licenses must not be permanent. They must be performance-based,” he said.

Enoh also commended SMEDAN’s effort in standardising MSME support services across the country.

He called on stakeholders including development partners and financial institutions to engage certified BDSPs.

In his remarks, SMEDAN Director-General, Mr Charles Odii, reiterated the agency’s focus on deepening support for small businesses across the country.

Odii said this would be done by ensuring only qualified and credible professionals provide development servicesUp 2nd left.

He urged the newly inducted BDSPs to take their role seriously.

The National Steering Committee on BDSPs disclosed that about 331 service providers were inducted following rigorous training and assessment.

The event marked a significant step in the government’s efforts to strengthen enterprise support structures and boost economic inclusion across the country. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FG unveils revised National Migration Policy
Metro

FG unveils revised National Migration Policy

267 total views today

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with other development partners, has unveiled the revised 2025 National Migration Policy to address the evolving migration challenges in the country.

During the unveiling on Tuesday in Abuja, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Mr Tijani Ahmed, emphasised that the policy aimed to strike a balance between the opportunities and risks associated with migration.

Ahmed explained that the revised policy would ensure Nigerian migration practices aligned with global standards, such as the UN’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, reflecting the country’s commitment to international migration frameworks.

“This update marks a significant step toward modernising Nigeria’s migration governance, especially with the validation of the 2025 National Migration Policy.

“The policy, first adopted in 2015, has now been updated to address emerging migration realities, including economic shifts, conflict-driven displacement, and human trafficking.

“The review process was led by the NCFRMI and involved a 19-member Policy Review Committee, representing government agencies, civil society, academia, and international partners.

“The updated policy also responds to new challenges and is designed to offer practical solutions, ensuring its effectiveness in managing migration,” Ahmed stated.

Ahmed noted the importance of the integrated approach, which ensured that Nigeria’s policy was not only locally relevant but also aligned with global migration governance standards.

In his remarks, Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, highlighted the policy’s focus on addressing the loss of skilled professionals, especially in healthcare.

Sununu stated that the policy would encourage “brain circulation” through partnerships between Nigerian and international universities.

“More than 1.4 million Nigerians have emigrated in recent years, with 51 per cent of them holding tertiary education credentials.

“Initiatives like transnational education agreements aim to retain academic and medical talent while fostering knowledge exchange,” he said.

Sununu further noted that the revised policy reflected Nigeria’s commitment to proactive migration management amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

“Once approved by the Federal Executive Council, the policy will see state governments, civil society, and international partners working together under a coordinated strategy.

“Education on the risks of irregular migration is crucial, as this has contributed to insecurity within the country.

“The document provides a holistic approach to addressing these issues and, when fully implemented, should significantly reduce irregular migration,” Sununu emphasised.

Sununu also touched on ongoing agricultural empowerment initiatives for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and partnerships aimed at delivering essential services such as healthcare and education.

He commended the NCFRMI’s leadership and the contributions of all stakeholders, stressing the government’s readiness to present the revised policy for adoption by the Federal Executive Council.

He underscored the importance of collaboration at all levels to ensure a coordinated, rights-based approach to migration, reintegration, and poverty reduction in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Abiemwense Moru

FG set to offset 5 months wage award arrears
General News

FG set to offset 5 months wage award arrears

891 total views today

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Federal Government is to pay the outstanding five months N35,000 wage award arrears to workers.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) made this known in a statement issued by Mr Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations.

Mokwa said that the Federal Government had earlier paid five months wage award in instalments.

He said that the outstanding arrears would be paid in installments of N35,000 per month for five months.

He said the first installment of the outstanding wage award arrears would be paid after the April 2025 salary.

“The wage award arrears will not be paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid”, he said.

He said that the Federal Government was determined to fully implement all policies and agreements regarding staff remuneration and welfare to enhance productivity and efficiency.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

FG to reduce inflation, create more jobs- Edun
Foreign

FG to reduce inflation, create more jobs- Edun

284 total views today

By Nana Musa

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the Federal Government plans to reduce inflation rate to single digit and create more jobs.

 

Edun stated this during a press conference addressed by the Nigerian economic team, as part of activities marking the end of the 2025 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings on Saturday in Washington D.C.

 

He said that the government was collaborating with development partners like the World Bank to create jobs for Nigerians in pursuit of sustainable employment and poverty eradication.

 

“The objective is to create jobs locally, empower youths, and support them through essential infrastructure.

 

“That includes digital infrastructure, access to data, internet, and fibre optic networks, to enable them to work remotely,” the minister said.

 

Edun said that the country’s unemployment rate had dropped to 4.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 from 5.3 per cent in first quarter 2024.

 

According to him, the world now faces a very uncertain future, but Nigeria is well positioned to survive the shocks in spite of heightened tensions, inflation, and declining global growth.

 

The minister also said that President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda were working and the results were commendable.

 

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, said that the government acknowledged the impact of inflationary pressures on the country.

 

“We recognise that inflation remains the most disruptive force to the economic welfare of Nigerians.

 

“Our policy stance is firmly focused on bringing inflation down to single digits in a sustainable manner over the medium term,” Cardoso said.

 

The CBN governor said that the painful reforms embarked upon by the country was now yielding positive results.

 

“At the IMF meetings the nation was a reference point of how reforms could change the economic trajectory of a nation for the better.

 

“The reforms are not easy, but they are delivering results. We have moved from a position of vulnerability towards one of growing strength,” he said.

 

Cardoso said that the significance of Nigeria’s efforts was restoring investors confidence.

 

“The country had a high-level investment forum at the Nasdaq Market Site in New York.

 

“That gave insights into the positive impact of the reforms and growing appetite for investment in Nigeria by Diaspora Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

 

“The New York forum delivered powerful outcomes, it significantly bolstered investor confidence in the country’s market fundamentals, with leading voices affirming the country’s economic progress and renewed standing as a compelling investment destination,” he said.

 

The CBN governor said that the country  recorded a balance of payments surplus of 6.83 billion dollars in 2024, principally on the back of rising exports and capital inflows.

 

According to him, this has supported the stability of the domestic unit amidst boosted investor confidence, discouraged speculative arbitrage and closed the gap between official and parallel market rates.

 

Cardoso said that the recapitalisation efforts were gaining momentum with maximum support and compliance from all stakeholders in the banking sector.

 

He said that the Tinubu-led government planed to set the nation on an ambitious trajectory of becoming a one trillion dollar economy by 2030.

 

According to him, the CBN has set the capital base for financial lenders nationwide, highlighting its goal of enhancing banks’ ability to fund large-scale projects and drive economic activities.

 

“The banking sector recapitalisation is well underway, with strong momentum and stakeholder alignment,” Cardoso said.

 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, said that the country was doing well to reposition the financial system so as to restore confidence.

 

“The economic team of this administration is doing very well on the fiscal aspect of our economy, so that poverty will be reduced.

 

“I think we have done all the needful in terms of activities to the tax reform bills to make them workable,” he said.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the delegation, which was led by Edun, include Cardoso, Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, and other top government officials.

 

NAN reports that the delegation had a series of meetings with fund managers, global financial leaders, and multilateral institutions investors.

 

Also, meetings were held with other development partners to cement existing relationships, create new partnerships and spread the news of the dividends of Nigeria’s economic reforms.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

FG seeks enhance global support for reforming economies
Foreign

FG seeks enhance global support for reforming economies

184 total views today

By Nana Musa

Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has called for enhanced global support for reforming economies.

 

Edun made the call at the G-24 Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 IMF World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C , on Wednesday.

 

The minister urged IMF and the World Bank to reward reform-minded economies, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, by expanding access to affordable financing and deploying more innovative instruments to support their transitions.

 

Edun also welcomed the IMF’s recent establishment of a third Sub-Saharan Africa chair and urged increased African representation at senior management levels within the Bretton Woods institutions.

 

He said that the country was open for business, adding that the reforms would deliver their full impact.

 

“We need the international community to match our ambition with strong, targeted support.”

 

Edun reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s strong commitment to structural reforms, fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and comprehensive tax policy reforms.

 

The minister said that this administration’s focuses on restoring macroeconomic stability and building a more resilient, inclusive economy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

FG relaunches national school feeding programme
Metro

FG relaunches national school feeding programme

437 total views today

By Philomina Attah
The Federal Government is set to relaunch its Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP) on May 29.

 

The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Sununu, revealed this on Wednesday during a meeting with development partners, NGOs, and government officials in Abuja.

 

Sununu announced that the relaunch would take place to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.

 

He said the programme aims to combat child hunger and improve educational outcomes across the country.

 

Sununu highlighted the plan’s holistic design — providing daily nutritious meals using locally sourced ingredients to support both children’s health and local farming communities.

 

He stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and collaboration to sustain the programme and ensure its long-term success.

 

“The initiative aims to benefit 10 million children and could increase school enrolment by 20 per cent and academic performance by 15 per cent by 2025,” he said.

 

The relaunch comes amid projections that over 30 million Nigerians may face hunger, underscoring the urgency of swift and effective implementation.

 

“Our mission is to feed every public school pupil in Primary One to Three, nurturing their potential and building the nation’s future,” he stated.

 

The programme is also designed to reduce malnutrition, boost school retention rates, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

 

He described it as a major step towards fighting hunger, malnutrition, and low school enrolment across the country.

 

He urged community ownership, active parental involvement, and training for cooks, while noting the programme’s potential to empower women and smallholder farmers.

 

Development partners, including the AMA Foundation and private firms like Tetra Pak, have pledged support for the renewed initiative.

 

The government also promised reforms, improved monitoring, and collaboration to guarantee sustainability and measurable impact.

 

Sununu called on all stakeholders to unite, stressing that the programme is capital intensive and requires joint effort for success.

 

Dr Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of RH-NHGSFP, described the programme as an investment in the nation’s future.

 

She said the aim extends beyond feeding — it also includes empowering women, youth, and farmers through inclusive and sustainable practices.

 

Adebowale noted that N100 billion has been allocated in the 2025 budget to scale up reach and deepen community impact.

 

“The updated RH-NHGSFP will provide daily meals to public primary pupils using food grown and sourced locally,” she explained.

 

She emphasised the power of collaboration, saying success would depend on collective action and a shared national vision.

 

Between 2018 and 2022, the programme improved nutrition and enrolment, but struggled with supply chain and farmer involvement issues.

 

Adebowale disclosed new QR-coded supply chains and real-time tracking for better transparency, quality control, and accountability.

 

According to her, the programme will fully integrate women, youth, cooks, and farmers, offering targeted training and income opportunities.

 

“Nutritionists, health professionals, and supervisors will monitor food quality and assess pupil health and programme outcomes.

 

“The focus remains on local sourcing, especially through women-led cooperatives, aiming to reduce rural poverty by 40 per cent,” Adebowale said.

 

She said collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission would ensure all beneficiaries are registered and tracked.

 

She urged partnerships with development agencies, community leaders, politicians, and state governors to ensure nationwide ownership.

 

Dr Badamasi Lawal, CEO of NSIPA, said the relaunch represents a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against child hunger and inequality.

 

Represented by Dr Binta Musa, he called on stakeholders to unite and secure a healthier, more inclusive future for children.

 

The meeting ended with a call for strategic partnerships to align the initiative with key Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

FG reforms have improved Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook – Report
Foreign

FG reforms have improved Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook – Report

255 total views today

 

By Nana Musa

Mr Jason Wu, Assistant Director for Global Markets, International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that the recent government reforms had improved Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook.

 

Wu said this at the ongoing IMF/World Bank 2025 Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, during the release of the agency’s Global Financial Stability report for April 2205.

 

He said that the reforms had simultaneously lowered Nigeria sovereign credit profile, while adding that the country remained exposed to financial volatility and weakening global risk appetite.

 

“Nigeria’s sovereign spread has widened in recent weeks as global stock markets decline.

 

“For major commodity exporters like Nigeria, if trade tensions continue to dampen global demand, revenue shortfalls are likely.

 

“Authorities must stay vigilant and adopt the right policies to respond,” Wu said.

 

The IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) highlighted Nigeria’s return to the international debt market in late 2024 with its first Eurobond issuance since 2022.

 

This marked a positive shift in investor sentiment toward frontier markets, buoyed by macroeconomic reforms and improved credit ratings.

 

He quoted the report, saying “Sovereign eurobond spreads for frontier economies narrowed in 2024 and early 2025, helped by fiscal reforms, progress in debt restructuring, and foreign exchange policy adjustments.”

 

Examples cited include debt restructuring in Ethiopia and Ghana, and Nigeria’s forex market reforms.

 

“Frontier economies were able to issue foreign currency debt at relatively modest yields,” the report noted.

 

It added that the total issuance in first quarter of 2025 was roughly half of the total for 2024.

 

The report said, “Nigeria returned to the eurobond market in late 2024 for the first time since 2022, while Egypt re-entered in January 2025.”

 

It also revealed that Angola secured foreign currency financing through a total return swap with an international bank, while Côte d’Ivoire accounted for the largest eurobond issuance in Africa during first quarter.

 

Regionally, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is also projected to ease slightly to 3.8 per cent in 2025, before rebounding to 4.2 per cent in 2026.

 

The nation’s growth, however, is expected to remain below the regional average.

 

“For Sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to decline from 4.0 per cent in 2024 to 3.8 per cent in 2025, before modestly recovering to 4.2 per cent in 2026.

 

“Among major economies, Nigeria’s forecast was downgraded by 0.2 percentage points for 2025 and 0.3 for 2026, due to falling oil prices.

 

“South Africa saw a 0.5-point downgrade for 2025 and 0.3 for 2026, citing weak 2024 performance and deteriorating sentiment,” the report said.

 

Also, South Sudan recorded the sharpest downgrade, with its 2025 forecast slashed by 31.5 percentage points due to delays in restarting oil production through a damaged pipeline.

 

On a positive note, Nigeria’s current account balance is expected to remain in surplus, however, declinin from 9.1 per cent of GDP in 2024 to 6.9 per cent in 2025, and 5.2 per cent in 2026.

 

This surplus could offer a degree of protection against external economic shocks. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email