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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has announced plans to introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and ensure residents receive accurate electricity charges.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos, spoke at the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange Meeting held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday.
The meeting, themed ‘Building a Competitive Electricity Marketplace: Strategies to Attract Investments and Boost Confidence in the Lagos Electricity Market Using the Capital Market,’ focused on strategies to enhance the state’s electricity sector.
“We will introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and provide accurate electricity charges,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Lagos into a model for electricity market reforms across Africa by implementing innovative policies.
He emphasised that creating a competitive and reliable electricity market will guarantee a steady power supply, reduce dependence on generators, and significantly lower costs for businesses and households.
“By so doing, the environment is clean. It is a win-win situation for all,” he said.
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‘LAGOS ENCOURAGES PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION’
Sanwo-Olu said the state government is implementing policies to encourage private sector participation, improve regulatory oversight, build investor confidence, and create an enabling environment for investments in power infrastructure and renewable energy.
According to him, the Lagos State Electricity Law has paved the way for the government to decentralise power generation, transforming the sector.
The governor said the law will boost private sector participation, leading to a more dynamic and efficient energy marketplace.
“We will leverage the capital market to finance large-scale energy projects through instruments such as energy bonds, power purchase agreements, and electricity derivatives,” he said.
“By implementing these strategies, our aim is to build a competitive, reliable and sustainable electricity marketplace that serves the needs of the people and businesses.”
Biodun Ogunleye, commissioner for energy and mineral resources, noted plans to revolutionise the state’s energy sector by implementing innovative strategies.
Ogunleye said the Clean Lagos Electricity Market initiative aims to eradicate blackouts across the state through a multi-step approach, including establishing robust market institutions.
The commissioner emphasised the need to deploy cutting-edge tools, enhance delivery capacity, and attract new investments, with a key strategy being the construction of five energy hubs to significantly boost power capacity.
“The state government is committed to ensuring that power capacity goes up drastically in the state as the government is building a total of five energy hubs,” Ogunleye said.
“We, therefore, call on the private sector, individuals and other stakeholders to support the government in its bid to create and ensure that power supply is well-distributed irrespective of geographical areas.”
‘CAPITAL MARKET OPERATORS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES COLLABORATION IS CRUCIAL’
On his part, Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said the collaboration among capital market operators, government agencies, and development finance institutions is crucial for unlocking the full potential of market-based financing for the power sector.
Agama, represented by Bola Ajomale, SEC’s executive commissioner of operations, urged regulators, policymakers, investors, market operators, and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration and leverage the capital market to transform Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The DG assured that the SEC will continue to implement policies that promote a stable and efficient market, providing a secure environment for investors and issuers.
3,690 Nigerians face deportation
201 Nigerians in custody for deportation
We no longer go out – Nigerian immigrants
Japa: Nigerians shun travel to US
Nigerian illegal immigrants in the United States have disclosed that they have restricted their movements to public places to avoid being arrested and deported.
This came as they expressed optimism that they would be protected against deportation by the many lawsuits filed against President Donald Trump over his immigration policies.
Some of the illegal immigrants, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, said they had refrained from going to work, church, and public places since Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States as a sacrifice to continue staying in the country.
About 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are facing deportation, according to a document compiled by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Removal Operations.
The document, titled, ‘Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,’ shows that Mexico and El Salvador top the list of nations facing the highest number of deportations, with 252,044 and 203,822, respectively.
As revealed in the document, 1,445,549 non-citizens were on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024.
On his inauguration day, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at toughening immigration policies, including the termination of birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
The US Justice Department also threatened to prosecute local and state authorities that failed to comply with Trump’s immigration directives, which included a pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
Following the directive, 538 illegal immigrants were deported from the United States on January 23.
We no longer go out – Nigerian immigrants
Meanwhile, Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, disclosed on her official X handle that the largest deportation operation in history was underway.
Saturday PUNCH had earlier reported that Nigerians and other African illegal immigrants in the United States might be the next targets for deportation by the American government.
However, our correspondents gathered that the affected Nigerians had devised means to avoid being deported, expressing fear that their forced return to Nigeria might spell doom for them.
In separate interviews, the illegal immigrants, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being identified, stated that their difficult living conditions in the US were better than returning to Nigeria, citing reports of hardship and insecurity as their major concerns.
One of the affected Nigerians, who resides in Tampa, Florida, said he had stopped going to work to avoid being arrested by ICE operatives.
He said, “Ever since Trump came to power and acted on his threat of deportation, some of us have stopped going to work because ICE officers can raid workplaces to arrest illegal immigrants at any time.”
Aside from that, the distressed Nigerian said he had also stopped going to church and other public places, disclosing that the only safe place for him was his house.
“I work in a factory with many other Nigerians and Africans. Some other Africans who are also illegal immigrants have stopped going to work. The fear of Trump is the beginning of wisdom now.
“I don’t go to church anymore because it is possible to be arrested there. For now, the only safe place is your house—stay indoors.”
However, he expressed optimism that the deportation exercise would be relaxed after some months.
“We survived Obama’s deportation actions; we will survive this one as well. We hope that the various lawsuits against the immigration policies will slow things down and eventually restrain Trump from carrying them out.”
Asked why he had yet to regularise his documents, he said all efforts to validate his stay in the US had been futile.
According to him, all the systems he tried to obtain valid residency papers didn’t work for him, lamenting that he had lost close to $30,000 in the process.
He said, “I left Nigeria for the US in 2013, and I have been trying to get my papers since then. I was scammed through marriage and other means. In this regularisation process, I have lost close to $30,000. At a point, I wanted to file for asylum, but I was advised against it because I had spent over three years without valid papers. I decided to take under-the-table jobs instead.”
Another Nigerian illegal immigrant in Columbus, Ohio said he stopped going to work for the first week after Trump’s inauguration due to fear of being deported.
According to him, though Nigerians are not the primary targets of the mass deportation exercise, any foreign national staying in the US illegally can be arrested and deported by ICE operatives at any time.
He explained that the first set of illegal immigrants being deported were those with criminal records, noting that the process of deporting others without criminal offences had also begun.
“I cannot assume that Nigerians are not their target now and become exposed to them. No. The best self-defence is to stay out of trouble, and the best way to avoid being deported is to stay out of sight of ICE officers.
“The truth is, Trump’s war on illegal immigrants has restricted our movements. People are mindful of where they go now. The situation is like a rat monitoring the presence of a cat before stepping out. Personally, I stopped going to work the first week Trump was inaugurated, and I have not been going to work regularly since. May we not be unfortunate.
“Going back to Nigeria is not an option—not when millions of Nigerians are trying to japa because of hardship and insecurity. My difficult living conditions here are still better than what is considered ‘comfortable’ in Nigeria. However, we hope that this threat will subside in the next few months,” he said.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a Nigerian journalist in the US said many Africans in the country were anxious about Trump’s immigration policies.
“If they ask all of us to go back to our countries, we will have no choice but to leave. It is their country. If Nigeria were a better place, nobody would have left in the first place, and many of us would be ready to go back home. But unfortunately, our country has been plagued by bad leadership,” he stated.
According to him, the deportation exercise is more welcomed in Republican-controlled states than in Democrat states.
He confirmed that many Nigerians and other Africans had restricted their movements in various parts of the US to avoid being arrested and deported.
“It is true that Nigerians are avoiding public places, including their workplaces and churches, but it is not in every state,” he stated.
Also, a Nigerian Uber driver in New York, who identified himself only as Mathew, said some of his colleagues had been staying home and reducing their movements in the neighbourhoods.
“A lot of my Nigerian colleagues are not coming out for now. They can’t just risk it. They are all afraid of deportation,” he said.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a Nigerian lawyer in the US disclosed that many Nigerian churches had instructed their members who are illegal immigrants to join online services.
“Some people have gone underground. Nigerian churches are advising their congregations to worship online and not come to church if they are undocumented,” he said.
201 Nigerians in custody for deportation
The Federal Government has, however, said a total of 201 Nigerians are currently in the custody of the US authorities and are ready for deportation.
But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the date and time of their deportation had not been communicated to the Federal Government.
The acting spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that for Nigerians to be deported, the established diplomatic practice was to officially communicate such intentions to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
“The total number of 201 Nigerians are currently in their custody for deportation but the date and time for deportation have not been communicated. And there is no way they will be deported to Nigeria without communication with the embassy in Washington DC.
“Moreso, if Nigerians are to be deported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission will all work together on how best to receive and reintegrate them into Nigerian society,” Ebienfa stated.
“For instance, special flights will require necessary permits from Nigeria and we have to equally verify that the deportees are all Nigerians.
“However, since no formal communication has been received regarding the deportation schedule, the Federal Government is monitoring the situation with keen interest, and the right thing will be done to give our citizens a sense of belonging.”
Japa: Nigerians shun travel to US
Meanwhile, Trump’s immigration policies have discouraged many Nigerians from traveling to the United States.
Many people who were considering the US as a destination for higher education have reconsidered, leading to a reduction in the number of people applying for US visas.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH about the matter, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel consultancy firm, Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, Sulaimon Okewole, said Trump’s executive orders had negatively impacted travel activities to the US.
He noted that prospective international students from Nigeria were exploring alternative destinations due to uncertainty and fear about studying in the US.
Okewole stated, “Political stability is now a key consideration, alongside economic stability when choosing a study abroad destination.
“The US is going to experience a decline in international student enrollment, and addressing these concerns is crucial to regaining its position as a premier destination for international students.”
A representative of Renpha Consulting, another education consulting firm, Choice Ukpe, stated that obtaining a US visa was already difficult under normal circumstances.
Ukpe added that the executive orders would make it even harder for Nigerians seeking opportunities in the country.
She said, “It will be very difficult for Nigerians to study in the country now as they will tighten requirements and all. Schools in the US offer scholarships to encourage international students, but this still doesn’t guarantee a visa.
“What we’re doing here now is finding alternatives for our clients. Just like when the United Kingdom introduced a policy on dependents, we looked for other options.”
A student seeking admission to the US, Wale Dada, expressed sadness over the matter, stating that it was already affecting him.
He added that he had been planning to start a Master’s degree programme in the US this year.
Dada said, “With what I have heard about the orders, I do not think I will proceed with the preparations. I cannot afford to leave the country only to get there and be rejected or treated like a criminal. I believe this order will severely impact my plans and those of many people like me.”
Another prospective international student, Abdulateef Oriyomi, noted that Trump’s executive orders had deterred his plans to study in the US.
Oriyomi said, “I was already seeking admission and exploring various options, hoping to begin my academic journey at one of the prestigious institutions in the US. Unfortunately, with the recent policy, that aspiration now feels almost unattainable.”
Lineup of performers unveiled
The 67th Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and Nigeria’s music scene is buzzing with excitement as six of the country’s superstars, including Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, and Asake are battling for top honours at this year’s ceremony.
The awards show takes place this Sunday, at the prestigious Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
These talented artists have earned nominations in major categories, including Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Album, and Best R&B Song. Tems is leading the pack with three nominations, while Burna Boy is making history as the first African artist to receive Grammy nominations for six consecutive years.
The competition is fierce, but these Nigerian superstars are ready to shine on the global stage. Will they bring home the Grammys’ gold-plated trophies? Your guess is as good as mine. But whatever it is, it will be a good outing for Nigerian music stars.
Particularly, Burna Boy is not an unfamiliar face at the Grammys as well as Davido and Tems. With his profound sound and third Grammy nomination in a row, the self-styled African Giant is sure to bag his second Grammy award. His latest song, “Higher” from his album “I Told Them.” which was released in June last year, was nominated in the “Best African Music Performance” category.
This is Burna Boy’s second consecutive nomination in this category. He has the likes of queen of Afro-pop, Yemi Alade, Asake, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat in order to clinch the coveted trophy. Like Burna Boy, Tems is one of the top contenders in this year’s Grammys with nominations across three categories. Not only was she nominated for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me Jeje”, she’s also up for Best Global Music Album for her debut album “Born in the Wild.”. She would also be in the running for Best R&B Song for “Burning”, a track from the same album. Building on her Grammy win for contributing to Future’s “Wait for U,” Tems is expected to return home with one of the three Grammy trophies.
Yemi Alade, Asake and Rema are making their first Grammy outing, and one cannot rule out the possibility of one of them clinching at least a trophy. Alade’s nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her song “Tomorrow”, showcased her resilience, hard-work and dedication to her craft. This adds to her milestone as the first Nigerian female artist and second Nigerian Afro beats artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube for a single video after Davido. Many believe it would be a tough battle for Mama Africa, especially having the likes of Burna Boy, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat. Rema has done well for himself, and it’s believed that his nomination for Best Global Music Album for his song ‘HEIS’ was long overdue. But if the Edo boy wins the award, it will definitely open a new chapter in his career as a global superstar as well as Asake,whose nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for his song, “MMS” featuring Wizkid has elevated his status on the global stage.
Also, legendary Beninese-French singer,Angélique Kidjo may rewrite her story if she clinches ‘Best Global Music Performance award, for her collaboration with the Soweto Choir on the powerful track “Sunlight To My Soul”. She has Ghana’s reggae and Afro-Roots artiste, Rocky Dawuni to edge out in order to clinch the trophy.
Meanwhile, Trevor Noah, who is also nominated for Best Comedy Album, will serve as host for the fifth year in a row. He is not only stepping in as master of ceremonies, but he will also serve as a producer, per The Wrap.
Though organisers have cancelled several traditional Grammy Week events this year, transforming the awards night as a fund-raising event, to support major relief efforts following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The Recording Academy and MusiCares also have pledged over $3.2 million in emergency aid for music professionals affected by the recent wildfires. The show will air on CBS and stream live for Paramount subscribers with Showtime and be available on-demand for Paramount Essential subscribers the following day.
Lineup of performers
Like the previous editions, there has been a first round of confirmed performers, including current Grammy nominees Shakira, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, and Teddy Swims. Also, joining the lineup of performers at the show are 12 more singers better known as newcomers, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Lainey Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Jacob Collier.
Beyond that, before the show is the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which will be broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. PT via YouTube and live.grammy.com. Performing at that event are Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo, Taj Mahal, Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara, and Kevin Puts.
It was previously announced that this year’s ceremony “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
Beyoncé
Pop star Beyoncé will be the cynosure of all eyes, as she leads the pack with 11 nominations, including Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter. She is also breaking records as the most-nominated female artist in a single year. Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone received seven nominations, while Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift earned six each. Undoubtedly, this year’s Grammys will be the most contested awards of all time.
The Labour Party (LP) has advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to forget about participating in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the party has lost direction and focus.
Citing what it described as the intractable leadership crisis rocking the party and the allegation by the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that the opposition leaders were being paid N50 million each by the government at the centre to undermine democracy, the LP submitted that the PDP can no longer be expected to provide the much-needed leadership role in Nigeria.
The Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, who made the call in a statement he made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said if the PDP had not been able to put its house in order and work in unity since losing power in 2015 to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the embattled party to reclaim power in 2027.
Arabambi said given the precarious situation of the PDP today, it will be a deft move if the once-ruling political party in Nigeria heeds the wise counsel, recuses itself from the next presidential election, and joins forces with the Labour Party to make it formidable enough to wrest power from the APC in 2027.
Arabambi said, since the nation inches closer to the 2027 general elections, both the PDP and LP should work together to wrestle power from the APC.
He said, “To avert a repeat of what happened in 2023, when the PDP and LP went to the presidential election separately and lost to the APC, the two of them must join hands and work together as a single entity to upstage the ruling party in 2027.
He enjoined Nigerians to ignore Atiku’s allegation and stop blaming the APC or President Bola Tinubu for the implosion and crisis rocking the PDP, saying the crises are self-inflicted.
He expressed confidence that with the over six million votes garnered by the LP in 2023, there is an assurance that the party will pull winning votes in 2027 and more victory votes if the PDP aligns with LP ahead of the next presidential election.
“PDP is in a serious leadership crisis. They have not been able to put their house in order. With the current crisis, how can they manage the affairs of the country? PDP should recuse itself from participating in the 2027 presidential election and support the Labour Party and Mr Peter Obi to wrestle power from APC.
“We don’t want what happened in 2023 to repeat itself in 2027 when the PDP and LP went their separate ways to contest in that election and divided their votes. If they had worked together as one, their combined votes would have defeated the APC. We don’t want such to happen in 2027.”
Nigerians should not listen to Atiku Abubakar, who is blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ills of the PDP. The implosion is self-inflicted. Has Atiku been around to organise the party? He is not serious,” Arabambi stated.
The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed to resist the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which affirmed the proscription of IPOB and its designation as a terrorist organisation.
Naija News reports that on Thursday, the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal upheld an order by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, proscribing IPOB and designating it a terrorist organisation.
Reacting to the development, Kanu stated that the court’s ruling would be challenged within the ambit of the law, as the judgment did not pass the “muster of the Nigerian Constitution and the statutes pertinent to it.”
Kanu argued that the order of proscription by the Federal High Court was obtained through an ex parte application by the Federal Government, rather than through a hearing on notice by a judge-in-chambers, as prescribed by law.
He made this known during his routine meeting with his legal team, led by lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor, at the Department of State Services, DSS facility in Abuja.
A statement issued by Ejimakor after the meeting read in part, “Rising from our routine visitation to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today, he instructed the legal team to convey the following to members of the public: The ruling yesterday by the Court of Appeal affirming the proscription of IPOB as a terror group will live in infamy and shall be vigorously resisted within the parameters of the law—both municipal and international.
“Sooner rather than later, it shall be demonstrated that the judgment did not pass the muster of the Nigerian Constitution and the statutes pertinent to it.
“Members of the public should ponder this: One of the main issues we canvassed at the Court of Appeal was that the order of proscription by the Federal High Court was obtained through an ex parte application by the Federal Government, instead of through a hearing on notice by a judge-in-chambers, as prescribed by the pertinent law.
“We also argued that the proscription proceedings violated the hallowed doctrine of fair hearing enshrined in the Constitution, as IPOB was neither put on notice nor heard before the order of proscription was issued.
“In addition to these, we argued that the proscription directive issued to the Attorney-General was signed by the late Abba Kyari, and not by former President Buhari, as the relevant law required. The Court of Appeal acknowledged these irregularities but still went ahead to dismiss our appeal on the questionable premise that national security is an exception to the provisions of the Constitution.”
The Federal Government has announced plans to deliver 100,000 social housing units for vulnerable groups across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed this during his presentation at the 4th Edition of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 29, 2025.
Dangiwa called on global investors in Saudi Arabia to take advantage of the huge opportunities in Nigeria’s housing sector.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s huge housing deficit offers enormous business opportunities, adding that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme serves as a low-hanging fruit for investors in the Middle Eastern nation to take advantage of and get good returns.
The Forum themed, “Balance and Innovation in the Real Estate Landscape.” was held at the Four Points Hotel in Riyadh and featured esteemed panellists including HE Eng. Abdullah Al-Attiya, Minister of Municipality, Qatar, and HE Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, Minister of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure, Republic of Maldives.
Nigeria’s real estate sector contributed around 5.2% to the nation’s GDP in 2024, and will increase in market volume to $2.25 trillion by the end of 2025, Dangiwa noted, saying that despite this, there is still tremendous opportunity for investment, especially in the Residential Real Estate segment.
“Nigerians need homes now more than ever and you can partner with the Nigerian government to deliver these houses at scale,” he said.
Dangiwa noted that Nigeria faces an estimated housing deficit of 28 million units, a situation exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and migration.
“The government is tackling this by prioritizing large-scale housing delivery through public-private partnerships, innovative financing, and government-led interventions. Additionally, efforts are underway to engage state governments in unlocking land for affordable housing projects, as difficulties in land acquisition continue to hinder progress,” he added.
Speaking on the theme, Dangiwa set the context by emphasising that housing is a fundamental driver of economic growth, social stability, and national development.
He, however, said that achieving a balance in the real estate sector between affordability and profitability means that the challenges of sustainability and cost efficiency, as well as policy and private sector incentives, must be addressed.
“In Nigeria, rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic pressures necessitate a rethinking of housing delivery strategies. The Federal Government is committed to addressing these challenges through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, the National Social Housing Fund, and strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders,” he said.
Addressing the tension between affordable housing and profitability for developers, he acknowledged concerns that affordability often conflicts with commercial viability.
“To counter this in Nigeria, the government is using incentives such as bankable offtake guarantees, facilitated land access, and low-interest financing to encourage investment in affordable housing.
“The planned National Social Housing Fund aims to mobilize long-term concessional financing to ensure accessibility for lower and middle-income Nigerians. Furthermore, innovative models such as off-plan sales and bulk purchasing by cooperatives are being explored to reduce financial risks for developers while ensuring affordability for buyers,” he noted.
The Minister also touched on the subject of sustainability, stressing that energy-efficient buildings, the use of local materials, and smart construction techniques ultimately lower maintenance and operational costs.
On this note, he said the Ministry is working with international partners like IFC EDGE to integrate green building practices into Nigeria’s housing sector through capacity building, technology transfer, and financial incentives.
“Additionally, the establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones is expected to reduce reliance on imported materials, cut costs, create jobs, and support sustainable housing solutions,” he said.
He further assured the investors of the government’s commitment and actions towards enhancing the affordability of Nigerians to purchase homes through mortgages.
Dangiwa pointed out that high-interest mortgage rates, which can reach up to 30% per annum, have historically made homeownership difficult for many Nigerians.
To address this, he said the government is expanding the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria’s reach and recapitalising it with N500 billion to provide more accessible single-digit mortgage products.
“Additionally, collaborations with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated are in progress to leverage the Nigerian Capital Market and mobilize private sector funding for housing development. The Real Estate Investment Fund, targeting 12% mortgage interest rates instead of the market’s 28-30%, aims to provide bankable offtaker guarantees for developers. Meanwhile, rent-to-own schemes are being introduced to facilitate homeownership through flexible payment structures, including a rental assistance product that enables qualifying applicants to pay rent in monthly instalments rather than upfront lump sums,” he added.
He underscored the importance of PropTech in digitising property transactions and management, making them more efficient and secure.
He revealed that this was being done in collaboration with the World Bank, which is undertaking a National Land Registration and Documentation Programme to streamline land titling, enhance transparency, and improve formalisation in the sector.
“Localisation of housing production remains a priority, with the Ministry championing modular and prefabricated housing technologies to accelerate delivery and reduce costs. By promoting local production and reducing dependence on expensive imports, Nigeria aims to build more homes efficiently and affordably,” he stressed.
Declaring that Nigeria’s Real Estate sector is open for business, Dangiwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for real estate growth through strong policies, regulatory frameworks, and investment incentives.
“Collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is also ongoing to improve land access, streamline approval processes, and enhance urban planning policies. Furthermore, urban renewal and slum upgrading initiatives are being expanded to improve living conditions in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas,” he explained.
While he acknowledged the headache investors feel about achieving balance in the sector, he urged all not to treat balance and innovation in real estate as mutually exclusive, noting that they can be pursued simultaneously through smart policies, innovative financing, sustainable construction, and digital transformation.
He reiterated his commitment to advancing policies that make housing more accessible, affordable, and sustainable in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.
‘This Is Unforgivable’ – APC Chieftain, Akindele Reveals Why Amaechi Will Never Forgive Buhari
AFOLABI
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ayekooto Akindele, has alleged that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is bitter against his former principal, Muhammadu Buhari.
His statement followed Amaechi’s recent comment placing former President, Olusegun Obasanjo ahead of other previous Nigerian leaders.
Amaechi said Obasanjo was the last Nigerian leader to foster a thriving middle class, emphasizing that no administration since then has successfully maintained a stable economic bridge between the wealthy and the poor.
Amaechi made this statement during a two-day event in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity.”
Akindele, a core supporter of President Bola Tinubu, in a post via his official Facebook page on Friday, alleged that Amaechi may be bitter over Buhari’s failure to endorse him during the APC presidential primary election in 2022.
According to Ayekooto, despite Amaechi’s infrastructural efforts in Buhari’s home town, Daura, the immediate past president failed to impose the former Governor of Rivers State on the ruling party.
He wrote, “Two reasons Amaechi will never forgive Buhari; despite procuring a chieftaincy title in Daura and allocating a Transportation University there, Buhari didn’t impose him on the APC. Chai, this is unforgivable.
“Resiging to run a stadium marathon for APC ticket and lost shamelessly, despite begging Buhari to allow him return as minister, Buhari was just saying MININI as he didn’t understand what he was saying”.
PDP Crisis: We Must Be Bold Enough To Tell Atiku And Wike Enough Of This Nonsense – Bode George
AFOLABI
Elder statesman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Bode George has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, of committing what he called ‘Harakiri’.
Naija News reports that Harakiri is a form of ritualistic suicide that was historically practised by samurai warriors in Japan. The term “harakiri” is derived from the Japanese words “hara,” meaning “belly,” and “kiri,” meaning “cutting.”
Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV, George stated that it is time for all parties to come together and resolve the crisis plaguing the party.
He stated this while reacting to Atiku’s claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was behind the crisis in the party.
George insisted that, like the PDP, the APC also has its issues, stressing that Abdullahi Ganduje was imposed as National Chairman.
According to George: “If you want to be a winner in a political setting, your public image is very important. If people are looking at us and asking, ‘Can you trust this person?’ You mean they don’t have any crisis in APC? Of course, they do.
“They have never held any meeting, no National Executive Committee meeting. Ganduje, who is their chairman, has just been imposed.
“No meeting, no National Executive Committee meeting. So, it’s not only us, but for God’s sake, we can resolve our own.
“Throwing tantrums and pushing issues that it’s the APC that is doing this and that is just undermining the issue.
“We must sit down—all sides of the divide. Both Atiku and Wike have committed Harakiri. We must be bold enough to tell them that enough of this nonsense.
Nigerian R&B star Temilade Openiyi aka Tems is set to make history as first African artist to win two Grammys in one night.
According to Billboard, Tems who has been nominated in three categories at this year’s Grammys including Best African Music Performance for “Love Me Jeje”, Best Global Music Album for “Born In The Wild”, and Best R&B Song for “Burning" could take home to awards.
Billboard is predicting that the diva would win two of the categories when the stars gathered at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 2nd.
According to the prediction, Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” -a sample of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 song of the same title- will win the Best African Music Performance category ahead of “Tomorrow” (Yemi Alade); “MMS” (Asake & Wizkid); “Sensational” (Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay); “Higher” (Burna Boy).
However, “Sensational” by American singer Chris Brown, featuring Davido and Lojay, was designated a “Look Out For” by Billboard.
Billboard also noted that Burna Boy’s “Higher” is a strong contender in the category given the singer’s pedigree.
“Water” by South African youngster Tyla won the inaugural Best African Music Performance award last year.
Tems is also predicted to win the Best Global Music Album category with her debut album, “Born In The Wild.”
The other nominees in the category are “Alkebulan II” (Matt B featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra); “Paisajes” (Ciro Hurtado); “Heis” (Rema); “Historias De Un Flamenco” (Antonio Rey).
Interestingly, Tems is the only previous Grammy winner in the category this year.
Billboard, however, noted that “Historias De Un Flamenco” by Antonio Rey is a strong contender in the category.
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Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore has slammed ex-Governors of Kaduna and Rivers States, Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi.
He tagged them “emergency activists.”
Both El-Rufai and Amaechi, estranged members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and especially the former, had recently intensified their criticisms against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sowore’s claim is contained in a video clip he posted to his X handle on Friday, where he was addressing journalists after a judge granted his bail application in court on Thursday.
The human rights activist said that he’s very committed to ensuring that the welfare of the people of Nigeria is paramount.
“The judge has finally granted bail after the hearing yesterday, and the bail conditions are very mathematical, so I leave it for the lawyers. But just to inform the Nigerian people that we are very resolute to make sure that this country is extricated from the hands of mediocre people holding the country to ransom. We are very committed to ensuring that the welfare of the people of this country is paramount to us.
“We aren’t doing it because the elections are coming. We are not emergency activists, like the ones that started yesterday: El-Rufai, Amaechi, and the rest of them. We do this as a matter of conviction. It’s our body clock that reminds us about injustice, not election calendars. We know the police are interested in my passport, and the judge asked me to deposit my passport. You can take away my passport, but you can’t take away my right. You can’t shut me up; you can’t make me disappear; it’s not possible,” he said.
Recall that the Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday ordered Sowore to meet his bail conditions within 24 hours.
Sowore, who was arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on Cybercrime charges, was granted bail to the tune of N10 million with one surety in like sum.
Four suspects have been remanded at Yola correctional centre in Adamawa state on 4 count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and theft for stealing N5m and selling it for N800k.
Those remanded by the Chief Magistrate Court 2 sitting in Yola, include Yusuf Mohammed Isah, 25, Mohammed Gidado, 33, Babangida Jalo, 43 and Adamu Yahaya, 31 of different addresses. Others are Faisal Mahmud, 30 who could not be arraigned because of ill health, while Abubakar Manu is said to be at large at the time of arraignment.
Yusuf and 3 other defendants were arraigned before the court for the offences of "criminal conspiracy, theft, abetment and dishonesty, receiving of stolen property" contrary to sections 60, 276, 47 and 308 of the penal code law of Adamawa state, 2018.
Arraigning the defendants, ASP Iliya Akawu, informed the court that Yusuf Isah of Wura Hausa Ward Yola South LGA connived with Abubakar Manu (now at large) and Mohammed Gidado of Ibadan Street, Alkalawa Ward in Yola North LGA stole Toyota RAV 4 2007 model with Reg. Number RSH 548 BB Abj.
ASP Iliya narrated in the FIR that he had tendered that the defendants made away with the car on the 18th December 2024 valued at N5 million which belongs to Aliyu Umar of Wuro Hausa ward in Yola South LGA.
He said that Yusuf sneaked into the house of the owner of the vehicle, stole a broken key, manufactured it and used one of his accomplices, Abubakar Manu who drove the car to Babangida Jalo of Ganye Street in Yola North LGA.
According to him, Babangida who had a pre-knowledge of the crime, made an arrangement with a buyer, Faisal Mahmud of Kolere ward in Mubi North LGA to buy the stolen property.
He further narrated that Faisal Mahmud bought the car at the sum of N800,000 on his arrival to Yola from Mubi and paid the sum of N400,000 into the account of Abubakar Manu (now at large) as part payment.
He added that Faisal Mahmud gave Mohammed Gidado and Nabangida Jalo N100,000 for their respective roles in the crime and left for Mubi with the car where he was trailed and apprehended.
Nigerian actor, Jide Awobona has shared photos of his family to celebrate his 40th birthday and 10th wedding anniversary with his wife.
The photo features Jide, his wife, and their seven children, a surprise revelation that has sparked widespread reaction on social media.
Jide Awobona’s post was accompanied by a message, expressing his gratitude for the love and bond his family shares.
The actor also reflected on aging and the importance of maintaining a youthful spirit.
“GH2025 Despite our flaws, challenges, and trials, we cling to love and God. For in love, there is healing, and in faith, there is hope. Together, they light the way through even the darkest moments. ❤️????.”
“GH2025 Like fine wine, a youthful heart only gets better with time,aging in years but never in spirit.Forever young at heart, embracing life with curiosity, joy, and a sense of wonder. Just like a child, finding excitement in the little things, staying open to learning, and holding onto hope even in difficult times. No matter how old we grow, keeping that childlike spirit alive makes life more vibrant and meaningful. ????❤️.”
Religious Fanatics Masquerading As Muslims Should Stay Away From Acts That Could Set Yorubaland On Fire - Gani Adams
AFOLABI
Faults Sultan’s Backing For Sharia In S’West
Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland has issued a stern warning against the use of religion to cause a crisis that would destabilize Yorubaland.
This is coming after the Sultan of Sokoto-led Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, on Wednesday, January 29, expressed support for establishing Sharia courts in South-West states.
According to Gani, Sharia law is alien to Yoruba culture and beliefs.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 2025 Oodua Festival held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adams warned against exploiting Sharia enforcement to plunge South West into avoidable crises.
He said, “Some religious fundamentalists now see Yorubaland as their target for destruction. But I want to assure you all that we will not allow religious fanatics and fundamentalists to destabilise Yorubaland.
“Those religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims should stay away from acts that could set Yorubaland on fire.”
“Nigeria is a secular nation where the constitution allows every citizen to practice whatever religion they believe in freely without any intimidation.
“Unfortunately, the Sharia law, as practised in the North, has become a tool for politics and intimidation. Yorubaland is never a Sharia region. The Yoruba is also a multi-religious ethnic nationality.
“We have Muslims, Christians, and the traditional religion believers among us, and we have been living together peacefully without any religious crisis. We have also been practising our different religions as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution. Therefore, nobody would be allowed to use religion as tools to cause religious crisis and disharmony in Yorubaland. Sharia law is alien to our culture and religious beliefs in Yorubaland.
“When some religious bigots decided to enforce their religious beliefs on the people, it becomes a major crisis. Therefore, those religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims should stay away from acts that could set Yoruba land on fire.”