luchiinter blog

In a bold and hopeful declaration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the nation has moved past its most challenging phase. Speaking during a recent public address in Imo State , Tinubu declared, “By the grace of God, the worst is behind us. The real impact of our governance objectives is beginning to take hold. The future is bright.” His words have sparked a mix of optimism, skepticism, and debate across the country. The president’s statement came at a time when Nigeria is navigating the aftershocks of sweeping economic reforms— subsidy removal , foreign exchange unification , fiscal tightening, and efforts to stabilize inflation . Tinubu used the occasion to highlight what he sees as signs of progress and the gradual stabilization of Africa’s largest economy. Economic Reforms at the Core One of the key pillars of Tinubu’s administration has been economic reform. Upon taking office in 2023, his government removed the decades-long fuel subsidy that had cost t...

In a development that has sparked widespread debate about freedom of expression in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force has detained popular TikTok content creator, Ishaq Abubakar Major , in Abuja. His arrest is reportedly connected to allegations of defamation against Senator Shehu Umar Buba , a prominent lawmaker representing Bauchi South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence . The Arrest According to reports from SaharaReporters , Major was arrested at Maraba-Nyanya junction in Abuja by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) . He was subsequently taken to the FCID Headquarters, where he is currently being detained. Major’s detention stems from videos he posted on TikTok in which he accused Senator Shehu Buba of having links with bandit groups operating in parts of Nigeria. In one of his videos, he referenced reports by SaharaReporters that had earlier made similar claims, questioning why the Sen...

In a bold move aimed at defending freedom of expression in Nigeria, two major human rights groups — Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria — have jointly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately withdraw the criminal charges filed against activist Omoyele Sowore , X (formerly Twitter) , and Facebook . The groups made their appeal in a letter dated September 20, 2025 , addressed to President Tinubu. The letter urged him to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to drop the charges and end what they described as the “misuse of judicial processes to intimidate critics and journalists.” Background to the Charges The Federal Government had, on September 16, 2025 , filed multiple charges against Sowore and the social media companies at the Federal High Court, Abuja . The charges, which stem from Sowore’s refusal to delete posts critical of President Tinubu, include al...

A storm is brewing in Kwara State’s education sector as the Provost of the Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences, Oke-Ode , Mr. Abdulquadri Olanrewaju, faces serious allegations of exam manipulation , bribery , and abuse of office . Multiple students, staff, and insiders have come forward with claims that paint a disturbing picture of corruption and intimidation within one of the state’s most important health training institutions. 📌 Allegations of Result Manipulation According to reports by Sahara Reporters , several students and staff have accused the Provost of altering examination results to favor certain students and punish others who refuse to “play along.” Insiders allege that some students who performed well were deliberately marked down, while those who paid bribes or had personal connections received inflated scores. Students claim that after writing exams, their results are often tampered with before being released. Some have even alleged that results are sometimes wi...

The Nigerian naira has once again made headlines for all the wrong reasons. According to data published through Forbes currency converter and aggregated by Business Insider Africa and CediRates , the naira is now ranked as the 9th weakest currency in Africa as of mid-2025. This ranking reflects the severe pressure Nigeria’s local currency has faced in recent months amid economic challenges, policy shifts, and foreign exchange shortages . 📉 A Worrying Position for Africa’s Largest Economy Nigeria holds the position of Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, heavily driven by oil exports , imports, and a vibrant informal sector. However, its currency has not reflected the strength of its economic potential. In the latest currency ranking, countries like Sierra Leone , Democratic Republic of Congo , and Guinea topped the list of the weakest currencies, with Nigeria sitting in the 9th position. This ranking is based on the exchange rate between the local c...

To be In a dramatic escalation of tensions within Nigeria’s energy sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered a shutdown of crude oil and gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery . The decision, announced on September 26, 2025, follows what the union describes as the “unjust dismissal” of Nigerian workers and the alleged replacement of unionized staff with foreign nationals. The refinery, located in Lagos State , is Africa’s largest and one of the world’s most ambitious oil refining projects. With an estimated processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, it was expected to drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel. However, the ongoing labor dispute is threatening to disrupt its operations and send shockwaves through the nation’s already fragile fuel market. Union Orders Supply Cut to Refinery In a letter signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa , PENGASSAN directed all its branche...

In a significant development for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has approved the sale of TotalEnergies ’ 12.5 % non-operated interest in the Bonga oilfield (OML 118) to Shell and Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE). The transaction, valued at $510 million , represents a major shift in ownership structure within one of Nigeria’s most productive offshore oil fields. The Bonga field , located 120 kilometers off the Nigerian coast in water depths of over 1,000 meters, is a critical part of Nigeria’s deep-water oil production. First brought online in 2005, Bonga was Nigeria’s first deepwater development and remains a key asset in the nation’s oil output. 💰 Breakdown of the Transaction Under the approved deal, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) will acquire 10 % of TotalEnergies’ stake for about $408 million , while Nigerian Agip Exploration , a subsidiary of Italy’s Eni , will take 2.5 % for approximate...

As Nigeria edges closer to another political transition cycle, conversations are already building around the future of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) . The tenure of its current chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu , is gradually winding down, and speculations are rife about who will succeed him. In what is being described as an “exclusive insight,” legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Joash Amupitan , has reportedly emerged as a strong contender for the role. Although no official confirmation has been made by the Presidency or the Commission, the news of Amupitan’s potential nomination has already stirred discussions across political and academic circles. Many see him as a credible choice, given his deep academic background, legal expertise, and decades-long commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Others, however, caution against premature celebrations, stressing that the process of appointing an INEC Chairman is ri...

In Nigeria , controversies around government spending are not new, but the recent decision by the Akwa Ibom State Government has sparked widespread outrage. Reports claim that Governor Umo Eno has approved the distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to all former deputy governors of the state, even as the administration allocates a staggering ₦6 billion for the purchase and maintenance of official vehicles. This move has triggered heated debates across the state and the nation, with many questioning the governor’s priorities at a time when ordinary citizens are grappling with poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. A Lavish Gesture Amidst Hardship According to the reports, the governor’s office facilitated the procurement of brand-new SUVs for all surviving former deputy governors as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of their past service. While some political supporters describe the move as a noble act that demonstrates respect for those who have contrib...

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has once again been thrown into the spotlight as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery , Africa’s largest single-train refinery, confirmed that it has dismissed a number of its employees . The news broke after a letter from the company, sighted by Reuters on September 25, revealed that several workers had been laid off, while the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) also confirmed the move. Although the exact number of workers affected has not yet been disclosed, the development has sparked conversations about the state of the refinery, its long-term operations, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s struggling energy sector. The Refinery at a Glance Commissioned in January 2024 after years of anticipation, the Dangote Refinery is located in the Lekki Free Zone of Lagos . With a massive capacity of 650,000 barrels per day , it was celebrated as a potential game-changer for Nigeria — a country that ironically imports th...

On September 16, 2025 , Lagos State was shaken by two separate but devastating fire incidents that claimed lives, disrupted businesses, and raised fresh questions about urban safety in Nigeria’s commercial capital. The twin tragedies — at Afriland Towers on Broad Street and Emab Plaza on Taiwo Street — have become defining moments for conversations around fire safety, corporate preparedness, and the role of insurance in protecting lives and livelihoods. The Afriland Towers Inferno Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial hub on Lagos Island, is home to major businesses, including a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA) , United Capital Plc , and offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) . At around 1:38 p.m. , fire alarms were triggered after thick smoke began billowing from the basement. Early reports revealed that the blaze originated in the inverter room , where backup batteries were stored. Within minutes, smoke spread across floors, aided by air-conditioning ...