THE House of Representatives on Wednesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow $2.35 billion to finance part of Nigeria’s 2025 budget deficit.
At its plenary, the lawmakers also authorised the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign sukuk in the international capital market to support infrastructure projects and diversify the country’s funding sources.
The approvals followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management during plenary in Abuja.
The new borrowing plan includes ₦1.84 trillion (about $1.23 billion) at the approved 2025 budget exchange rate of ₦1,500 per dollar, to partly cover the government’s ₦9.27 trillion budget shortfall.
Tinubu had, in a letter to the National Assembly earlier on October 7, requested approval to raise $2.3 billion from Eurobonds, syndicated loans, bridge financing, and credits from international financial institutions.
The president also sought approval to issue a $500 million sovereign sukuk, with or without credit guarantees from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), an arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
In his letter, Tinubu explained that $1.2 billion of the planned borrowing would fund the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act, while $1.1 billion would refinance Nigeria’s maturing Eurobonds.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria had made progress in raising funds domestically through the Sukuk bond programme, which generated over ₦1.39 trillion between 2017 and May 2025 for key road projects, adding that, “domestic borrowing alone could not close the existing infrastructure and financing gaps, hence the need to turn to external sources.”
Tinubu also said 25 per cent of the sukuk proceeds would be used to repay high-interest debts, while the remainder would fund pre-selected infrastructure projects nationwide.
The request came a day after the Senate approved $21 billion borrowing framework for the same fiscal period.
The ICIR reports that this development adds to a series of foreign loan requests made since Tinubu assumed office in 2023. Earlier in July 2025, the Senate had approved a $21 billion borrowing plan to finance key sectors, including health, education, agriculture, and housing. The same framework also covered a €4 billion facility, ¥15 billion from Japan, a $65 million grant, and $2 billion in local dollar-denominated loans.
Also in July, The ICIR reported that Tinubu formally requested approval from the National Assembly to borrow $347 million under the Federal Government’s 2025–2026 external borrowing plan.
The president cited urgent infrastructure and telecommunications needs for the decision.
The country’s public debt has, however, continued to rise. Data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) show that Nigeria’s total debt stock exceeded $108 billion by mid-2025, reflecting a growing dependence on loans to sustain fiscal operations amid revenue shortfalls.
Earlier in May, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Tinubu’s addiction to loans would mortgage Nigeria’s future.
He expressed his concern in a statement shared on his X handle on Thursday, May 29.
According to the former vice president, the announcement by the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government to pursue fresh external and domestic loans was a reckless and dangerous move that threatened the future of Nigeria and generations yet unborn.
“Despite national outrage, this administration is pushing ahead with plans to borrow $21.54 billion, €2.19 billion, and ¥15 billion — an equivalent of over $24 billion, which is more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s total foreign exchange reserves.
“This borrowing spree will raise our total public debt from ₦144.7 trillion to a crushing ₦183 trillion,” he stated.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered the return of several convicted persons earlier granted state pardon, including Maryam Sanda and over 140 others, to prison following widespread criticisms that greeted the decision.
In a statement from the Presidency on Tuesday, October 29, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president formally signed a revised instrument of clemency and pardon after reviewing the earlier approved list with input from the Council of State and feedback from the public.
The October 11 pardon had drawn outrage nationwide after it emerged that the list included persons convicted of murder, drug and human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Among those pardoned at the time were former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Mamman Vatsa (a major general), and Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband.
However, the latest Presidency’s statement said the president had directed a further review of the list to exclude individuals convicted of serious crimes. Those deleted from the list were persons found guilty of kidnapping, murder, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and arms dealing. The president reduced the initial list, containing 175 beneficiaries, to 34.
According to the statement, the president’s decision was guided by national security concerns, the feelings of victims and the general public, and the need to uphold justice and maintain confidence in law enforcement.
“The action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations,” the statement said.
The Presidency also explained that the review was informed by the concept of justice as a “three-way traffic” involving the accused, the victim, and society.
While some convicts had their sentences commuted, others were ordered back to prison after the review. The final approved list of eligible beneficiaries has now been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the newly signed instruments of release.
To ensure greater accountability in future exercises, Tinubu directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice. He also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to issue new operational guidelines for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
The guidelines, according to the statement, will make it mandatory for the committee to consult relevant prosecuting agencies before recommending any convict for clemency. This, the president said, would ensure that only deserving individuals who meet established legal and procedural requirements benefit from future pardons.
Tinubu also thanked Nigerians for their feedback on the matter, describing it as essential to improving governance and strengthening public trust in the justice system.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and transparency in the exercise of constitutional powers, saying the objective was to “improve the administration of justice in Nigeria and uphold the principles of fairness, accountability, and public confidence.”
In the new list, Tinubu granted clemency to 15 convicts, namely Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, and Ibrahim Yusuf.
Others are Saad Ahmed Madaki, Ex-corporal Michael Bawa, Richard Ayuba, Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley, and Johnny Ntheru Udor.
The president also granted pardons to another 15 convicts. They are: Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar (a lawyer), Ayinla Saadu Alanumu, Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Mamman Jiya Vatsa (a late major general), Ken Saro Wiwa, and Saturday Dobee.
The list includes Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kobel, and John Kpuine.
In addition, he commuted the death sentence of four convicts to life sentences. The beneficiaries are Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar
The controversy surrounding the initial pardon had triggered widespread public criticism, with rights activists and civil society groups questioning the rationale for freeing convicted murderers and drug traffickers.
Many Nigerians argued that the decision undermined the country’s anti-corruption and anti-narcotics efforts and sent the wrong message to law-abiding citizens.
THE Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on Tuesday, October 28, said its $5 million Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project reached over 31 million Nigerians through local and collaborative journalism.
The three-year project, supported by the MacArthur Foundation and run from 2022 to 2024, supported 26 media organisations across Nigeria to produce investigative reports, strengthen newsroom capacity, and promote inclusivity and accountability at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the project’s sustainability meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, WSCIJ Executive Director, Motunrayo Alaka, said the initiative changed the face of accountability journalism at the subnational level.
She urged media partners to embrace the “Report Until Something Happens (RUSH)” strategy to deepen impact through collaborative efforts.
A statement by the centre on Wednesday, said, “CMEDIA trained 3,790 journalists (including 1,880 women) and 1,105 student journalists, resulting in over 844 grassroots stories published through local media outlets. Within its three-year cycle (2022–2024), it empowered local journalists, media support organisations and newsrooms to produce impactful, accountability-driven stories, strengthening Nigeria’s media ecosystem.”
It further stated that the CMEDIA project boosted the growth of local media, inspired investigative journalism, and fostered a stronger culture of transparency and inclusivity across Nigeria’s newsrooms.
The statement, highlighting the fund’s impact on beneficiary organisations, said Ikenga Online, Albaraka FM, and Clear View noted that the project boosted their governance reporting and deepened engagement between the media and local communities.
It added that Daily Nigerian and Safer Media reported that their collaborative investigations led to Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) interventions and the prosecution of corrupt officials.
“In the North-East, Wikki Times produced 59 investigative reports, 14 of which led to tangible outcomes, while launching Wikki Data, a budget-tracking platform. Exchange Hama empowered communities in Bauchi and Gombe States to demand accountability through grassroots reporting, and Kanem Press expanded inclusive reporting by publishing content in five languages.
“Keeping it Real with Adeola, KIRWA, carried out a project to improve public awareness and the ecosystem for transparency and accountability at the sub-national level and Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAI, strengthened female journalists’ investigative capacity. Other partners, such as Yerwa Express, Stallion Times, and AD4TV, reported increased organisational sustainability, strengthened collaboration, and diversification beyond traditional media operations,” the statement added.
CAMEROON’S opposition parties have rejected the results of the recent presidential election that handed President Paul Biya another seven-year term, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities in a nation already grappling with a separatist crisis.
The ICIR reported that the central African nation’s constitutional council declared Biya the winner of the disputed poll with over 53 per cent of the ballots on Monday, with the court ruling its decision was final and not subject to appeal.
Biya’s victory has sparked violent protests in several cities across the oil and cocoa-producing nation as opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who had earlier declared himself the winner, dismissed the outcome, vowing not to recognise the results. His supporters clashed with riot police in the commercial hub of Douala, blocking major roads with burning tyres and debris.
While Biya’s supporters celebrated in his strongholds, government ministers held victory gatherings. In contrast, Douala’s usually busy streets were largely deserted on Tuesday as heavy rain and armed security forces kept protesters away.
The protests led to the death of at least four people over the weekend and two others on Monday, according to the opposition.
The European Union voiced “deep concern” over the violent suppression of demonstrations and urged the Cameroonian government to curb the excessive use of force and be open dialogue to maintain national stability.
Prominent opposition figures also denounced the election as fraudulent, as Akere Muna, a lawyer and former presidential candidate, accused the Constitutional Council of acting as “”nothing more than the rubber stamp of a tyranny.”
Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the only female candidate who finished fifth, said in a statement on Monday that the election was “not worthy of a Republic.”
“It was a confiscation of the people’s choice by interests that reject transparency in the democratic process. I solemnly reject these results,” she said, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Cabral Libii, who placed third, congratulated Biya on his victory.
According to reports, Douala residents braced for more unrest on Tuesday, but a combination of bad weather and a heavy police presence dispersed most demonstrators.
The ICIRreported in 2018, that Biya won the election by a landslide to rule for seven years. He was 85 at the time.
The latest victory gives him another seven years in office and bolsters his place as one of Africa’s longest serving rulers after President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea who is in his thirty-ninth year in office.
Biya, who at 92 is the world’s oldest sitting president, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. Another seven-year term would extend his rule until he nears 100.
NIGERIANS have reacted sharply to the revelation by the House of Representatives that the National Assembly complex in Abuja is under threat of a terrorist attack.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, disclosed during a public hearing on Tuesday, October 28, that intelligence reports had revealed plans by terrorists to bomb the legislative complex.
The hearing was on a proposed bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, an internal security agency that will coordinate protection within the parliament.
Muhammad explained that the complex had become vulnerable due to the daily influx of visitors, lobbyists and demonstrators, which had made it a soft target for criminals and terrorist groups. He listed recent security lapses such as car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered persons.
According to him, “The National Assembly is going through a lot of security challenges. We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly. Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who have gained easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.”
He warned that without adequate security reinforcement, legislative activities could be disrupted, which could in turn destabilise the country’s democracy.
Following the lawmakers’ revelation, Nigerians took to social media, especially X, to express anger, disbelief, and in some cases, indifference to the security alert.
One user, Akhenoba Ishehoshime, said the lawmakers should not be alarmed since they had often ignored the cries of communities under attack. “They shouldn’t be alarmed yet. When it was towns and communities, they shouted with their voice votes in glee. So, they can be alarmed now,” he wrote.
Another user, Emerald Bliss, questioned the relevance of the legislature to citizens’ welfare, saying, “What exactly is the usefulness of the so-called rubber stamp National Assembly on the lives of the Nigerian people they claim to represent?
Ugo Ihejirika described the threat as a sign that insecurity in the country now affects everyone. “Insecurity will get to everybody. It’s turn by turn. Bulletproof cars and flying first class cannot shield you when you come down.”
Similarly, Ukachi Godwin noted that the country’s growing insecurity shows that years of legislative activities had not translated into safety or stability. “That means your legislations over the years which have cost the nation trillions of naira into the legislators’ pockets could not stop terrorism. Too bad for the country. It means the legislators are irrelevant. Only God help Nigerians,” he wrote.
Iykogueri, another user, accused the lawmakers of being selective in raising alarms, saying they only react when affected directly. “When the negativity is against them, they raise alarm but look the other way when it concerns the economic crises in the land.”
Some users, like Baresy Tunde, dismissedthe alert as a ploy to distract citizens. He wrote, “It’s all gimmicks to distract Nigerians. I can’t trust anything from this government, not even their propaganda.”
Another user, Ebony Pullah, argued that the lawmakers only take issues seriously when their own safety is threatened. “These are the only issues that concern the members of the National Assembly. Now, they will look out for themselves, but when it comes to the well-being of the masses, they will turn their backs on us.”
The proposed Legislative Security Directorate Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for protecting lawmakers, staff, visitors and government property through a dedicated internal security structure.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that the rising number of threats against state institutions in Abuja reflects the growing boldness of armed groups and the need for coordinated intelligence operations.
Viewer discretion is advised in this report as some of the images used may be disturbing
THE explosion of a petrol tanker on the Lambata–Lapai-Bida highway in Niger State on Tuesday, October 21, exposes the deadly cost of government neglect of critical infrastructure and residents’ desperate risks to survive. The blast, which engulfed scores of villagers who rushed to scoop fuel, left at least 42 people dead and 53 injured, The ICIR reports.
Abdullahi Alhaji, 25, was still in shock and disbelief as he sat on the edge of a hospital bed in the Federal Medical Centre, Bida. His legs bandaged and arms wrapped in gauze, his face and upper part of his back bore the scars of fresh burns.
Each time he tried to speak or gesture, his body trembled from the pain he suffered from the explosion. His agony is compounded by the loss of his loved ones during the incident.
Abdullahi, 25, lies on a hospital bed at the FMC Bida emergency unit two days after the tanker explosion. He sustained burns on different parts of his body. Photo: Mustapha Usman/ICIR
At noon on Tuesday, October. 21, 2025, Abdullahi was supposed to be heading to his family farm when he heard that a petrol tanker had overturned along the Bida–Lambata road. Tempted by the thought of making some money from the spillage, he grabbed a bucket and dashed toward the scene. He was soon joined by relatives, friends and other residents, mostly men and women in Essa town. Some of them The ICIR learnt were visitors who had come for a wedding ceremony in the community.
At first, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as people scooped petrol into small containers. In the viral videos seen, some passersby watched from a distance, while passersby warned them to move away from the tanker. Minutes later, the tanker exploded, and a fiery wave of fire tore through them.
Abdullahi said he had just stepped aside with his small bucket when the explosion erupted but was still thrown to the ground with his entire body covered in flames.
“I was at home preparing to go to the farm to harvest groundnuts when I heard the crashing of a tanker. I then rushed to fetch,” he recalls, adding: “I succeeded in fetching but all of a sudden I saw fire engulfing people.”
By the time the fire subsided, about 29 people were dead at the scene, most of them burned beyond recognition. Over 60 others who suffered varying degrees of injuries were instantly moved to the community PHC and other private clinics in the area. Lack the capacity to handle such situations led to them being transferred to the General Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Bida.
Charred motorcycles, melted jerrycans, burnt containers and sandals littered the roadside to the site. The remains of the tanker still smouldered a day later.
The local coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Hussaini, confirmed the explosion.
Two days after the incident Aisha Idris is still reeling from the loss of three family members. She bears visible burns across her body, but that is the least of her pain.
Aisha was preparing food for her family when she heard that a tanker had fallen nearby. At that moment, she couldn’t find her two children around the house. She immediately thought they might have gone to the scene to scoop petrol. Without thinking twice, she abandoned the half-cooked meal and ran toward the site.
Aisha Idris, one of the survivors receiving treatment at public health centre in Essa
But as she got closer, the tanker exploded and the blast threw her to the ground. Her body burned and bruised. It was only later that she realised her children had never gone there.
“I heard that a tanker had fallen and couldn’t find my two children. I ran to the scene to check on them, and that was when I got burnt. But the children were safe. Still, I lost three of my husband’s family members. They had followed others to the place and became victims of the fire.”
Death toll
Independent findings by The ICIR revealed that 42 people have been confirmed dead, while 53 others sustained varying degrees of burns in the explosion.
Essa village head, Muhammad Daudu
Speaking with The ICIR, the Essa village head, Muhammad Daudu, who also lost a family member in the incident, said 42 deaths had been confirmed as of October 23, two days after the explosion.
According to him, some of the injured victims had been transferred to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further treatment.
At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, 13 patients remained hospitalised in the trauma and emergency units, it was gathered during a visit to the clinic. The hospital’s spokesperson, Philip Arokoyo, confirmed that 12 of the victims were moved to FMC Jabi, Abuja, while 13 others were being treated after referral from Bida General Hospital.
Survivors receiving treatment at the Trauma centre of the FMC Bida
The casualty figure was further corroborated by the official figure from the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Authority, Abdullahi Baba Arah, who confirmed that the death toll rose to 42 on October 22.
How tanker exploded
There are different accounts of how the tanker exploded and left dozens of people dead.
While the DG of NEMA in the state said the high temperature ignited the fire, accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses claimed someone in an attempt to scare people from scooping the tanker lit the scene.
Some of the survivors claimed it was the driver of the lorry who was said to have been subsequently thrown into the flame by angry survivors.
The community vigilante officer, Salihu Aliyu, told The ICIR he arrived moments after the explosion.
The mass burial site located only a few steps from the scene of the tanker explosion, where more than 20 people were buried. Photo: Mustapha Usman/The ICIR
“We saw people burnt beyond recognition, some half burnt,” he said, adding: “We counted over 20 dead. The fire started after one man brought out a lighter, threatening he would set the place on fire if people didn’t stop scooping. Before anyone could stop him, the fuel caught fire.”
Other residents, however, blamed the tragedy on the poor condition of the road and the lack of swift emergency response. They said no emergency services arrived until long after the explosion had consumed everything.
A deadly recurring decimal
This is not the first time a fuel tanker explosion has claimed dozens of lives in Nigeria, including Niger State. In the past years, at least 70 similar incidents have occurred across 22 states and the FCT since 2023, leaving at least 740 dead and several others injured. Weak regulations, bad roads, and poverty continue to drive desperate residents toward such perilous scenes, where free petrol often ends in fire and death.
Analysis shows that there were at least 25 incidents in 2023, 22 in 2024, and 23 so far in 2025, with two months remaining before the end of the year.
Infographic showing the tanker explosion timeline by state since 2023. Data not exhaustive.
Niger State has been one of the hotspots. Our analysis shows four recorded tanker incidents in the state between 2023 and 2025. No fewer than 204 people have been killed, according to media reports. The Lambata–Lapai–Bida highway, where the latest explosion occurred, has featured prominently in past incidents due to its deplorable condition and the heavy volume of fuel-laden trucks that ply the route daily. In September of the same year, another 59 people were reportedly killed in Niger State after a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle.
Similarly, in January 2025, another incident along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Areas left about 98 people dead.
The ICIR reports that this pattern in Niger only mirrors a wider national trend of death fuelled by tanker explosion. Data from the period under review shows that Lagos recorded the highest number of petrol or gas tanker incidents 11, followed by Oyo (9), Kwara (7), and Ogun (6). Jigawa recorded five tanker explosion incidents, with the most deadly being in 2024, claiming 209 lives. Both FCT and Niger recorded four incidents of tanker explosion.
Mourning loved ones
Yahya Babayadi sat among his kinsmen, head bowed, eyes fixed on the mat spread before him in his sitting room.
When he finally lifted his face, he raised a towel to dab the sweat from his brow. The men beside him took turns fanning him gently with a wooden hand fan. Babayadi remained silent, even when The ICIR reporter offered words of condolence. He had been in this state since the tragedy occurred two days earlier.
Yahya Babayadi sitting among his kinsmen. He lost his wife and a son to the tanker explosion
Like many others in the village, he lost both a son and his wife. His kinsmen said the boy was his next of kin and a child he had waited years to have. His wife, they add, was the closest and most cherished among his three.
Both mother and son were among the more than 30 women and children who died in the explosion. In its aftermath, at least 11 children between the ages of 7 and 18 were confirmed dead, while about 25 women were said to have died.
The official list (compiled by the village head) of casualties from the explosion.
A few compounds away, Zubairu Kolo nurses a similar pain. His wife and two sons Gambo and Mohammed were among the victims both known for helping their father in the farm.
Kolo, who also sat on a mat made from old sacks, said the situation was terrifying for his family, adding that it was a great loss that they never prayed for their enemy.
“I was in the house when I heard the neighbour running towards the scene,” Kolo recalls, his voice barely audible. “I never expected my wife or two sons to be among the casualty because they had gone to the farm.”
The remains of the motorcycle that carried Zubairu Kolo’s wife and two sons.
‘I lost my wife, son, two nephews’
When the petrol tanker overturned on the Bida–Agaie highway, Ndaluchi Muhammad was far away from work. The 50-year-old social welfare officer was in Badeggi, Katcha Local Government, when he received a call about the incident.
“I heard that a tanker had fallen,” he told The ICIR. “I rushed home, but when I got there, I didn’t see my wife or my daughter. People said they went to fetch petrol. By the time I reached the scene, they were already gone.”
Ndaluchi Muhammad narrating his loss to The ICIR
His wife had been his only partner. “She was all I had,” he says. “I had warned her several times about scooping petrol. I told her it was wrong, that people had died from it in neighbouring villages.”
The ICIR gathered that across compounds in Essa, residents are aware of the dangers posed by fallen tankers, having witnessed similar incidents in neighbouring towns.
Pregnant women affected
At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bida, Aminat Yakubu, about seven months pregnant, lies on a hospital bed with her body wrapped in a blue bedsheet. Dressed in white gauze, both arms and two legs are badly burned.
One of the affected pregnant women, Aminat Yakubu, lies on a bed at FMC Bida after being attended to by a nurse. Photo: Mustapha Usman/The ICIR
“She inhaled too much smoke and sustained second-degree burns,” said a nurse who spoke to The ICIR on condition of anonymity because she was not authorised to speak publicly. “She was brought in alongside others. Although, she is feeling pains, her pregnancy is still safe.”
Yakubu was among those who rushed to the scene of the fallen tanker after hearing that fuel was spilling.
“I heard of the falling tanker then rushed to fetch petrol and got burned. I am feeling heat all over my body.”
While Aminat continues to battle for recovery in Bida, thirty-five-year-old Fatimah Umar, another pregnant woman, is being treated at the Essa Primary Healthcare Centre. Umar, who is also seven months pregnant, said she was lucky to have survived because she had only gone there to look for his brother.
Another pregnant woman, Fatimah Umar, being attended to by an on-duty nurse at Essa PHC. Photo: Mustapha Usman/The ICIR
“I came for a wedding ceremony at Essa when we heard a tanker fall,” she says. “I was looking for my brother when the tanker exploded. He had gone there along with residents of the community. He died in the flames.”
The head of the health workers at the Essa PHC Usman Yakubu said Fatimah was among those being treated at the facility since the incident. Yakubu explained that Umar suffered a minor injury compared to others and her pregnancy was being closely monitored.
A death trap
Residents, including the village head blamed the accident on the Lambata–Lapai–Bida road, which they said has been a death trap for over 15 years.
The busy Lambata–Lapai-Bida highway. Photo: Mustapha Usman/ The ICIR
They noted that road accidents were common occurrences in the area and that the deplorable state of the road had caused several tragedies. Some pregnant women, they said, lost their pregnancies while travelling on the road, while others requiring emergency medical attention either died on the way or had their conditions worsen before reaching the FMC or the General Hospital in Bida.
Residents said small vehicles rarely use the road anymore after repeated accidents involving fallen containers crushing cars and passengers. “Many people stopped driving small cars here,” said Nasiru Begede, adding: “Containers have fallen on them several times, killing or seriously injuring the occupants. Now, most of those with small cars take longer alternative routes to avoid this road.”
Fallen container along the Lambata–Lapai-Bida highway. There were nine more of this observed by The ICIR.
Along the 124-kilometre stretch from Bida to Agaie, The ICIR counted more than ten fallen containers and two overturned tankers. The road is largely untarred, dusty, and riddled with potholes. Only a few short portions around Agaie are tarred, while from Katcha LGA to Bida, the entire route remains bare. During the harmattan and dry seasons, dust clouds often rise thickly, blocking visibility and worsening the risks for motorists.
Overtunned tanker along the same axis.
Another incident averted
Barely five days after a deadly explosion claimed several lives in Essa community, another potential tragedy was averted in Niger State on Sunday, October 26. A fuel tanker traveling from Lagos to Kano reportedly overturned in Takalafiya, along the Lapai–Lambata road in Lapai Local Government Area, around 8 a.m.
According to reports, the swift intervention of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the Fire Service, the Nigeria Security, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) prevented what could have become another devastating fire outbreak.
Weak regulation, enforcement
Beyond the poor road, locals, truck drivers and safety experts blame weak regulation and enforcement for the recurring disasters. They blamed the frequency of these crashes also on a lack of enforcement of road safety measures, including speed and load limits. lack of enforcement of road safety measures, including speed and load limits.
Speaking with The ICIR, a public affairs analyst, Ambali Abdulkabeer, explained that fuel tanker accidents stem from both human and infrastructural factors, adding that many tanker drivers are reckless, lack proper training, and are often ignorant of traffic regulations.
He pointed out that fuel tankers are not regularly maintained to ensure roadworthiness.
“Beyond these human factors, Nigerian roads are in poor condition and unfit for fuel tankers. The absence of designated routes for these vehicles worsens the situation, increasing the risk of accidents,” he said.
Abdulkabeer stressed the importance of government enforcement of stricter safety regulations for fuel tanker operators. He urged regular vehicle inspections and sustained public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of tanker explosions.
“Drivers must be educated on the risks involved, and stringent traffic laws must be enforced to reduce recklessness on the roads,” he added.
On fuel scooping incidents, Abdulkabeer linked them to economic hardship, stating that while desperation may push people into risky behaviours, it does not justify endangering lives. “Nigerians have to take responsibility, too. Carelessness contributes to these avoidable deaths,” he noted.
He urged the government to address economic hardship, invest in road infrastructure, and create specific routes for fuel tankers to ensure safer movement. “It is unwise to allow fuel tankers to ply roads close to cities without restrictions,” he said.
Nigeria’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketers have announced plans to raise the nation’s annual LPG supply to six million metric tonnes in the coming years, a move expected to enhance access to clean energy and ease the rising cost of cooking gas.
The outgoing President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Oladapo Olatunbosun, disclosed this on Tuesday at the association’s 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja. He reviewed the progress made under his tenure and outlined strategies to sustain industry growth.
The president noted that Nigeria’s LPG consumption had expanded remarkably from about 900,000 metric tonnes four years ago to more than two million metric tonnes in 2024, attributing the increase to improved investment, effective collaboration with government agencies, and growing public confidence in gas as a cleaner domestic energy option.
“Through our collaboration with the Federal Government under the Decade of Gas initiative, we have been able to deepen the future of LPG in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that with continued policy support and private-sector investment, the target of six million metric tonnes annually was achievable.
“By that, we will be able to rub shoulders with other countries like Morocco and Egypt, which currently lead LPG supply in Africa,” Olatunbosun said.
According to reports, Nigeria’s LPG industry has witnessed steady growth since the launch of the National Gas Expansion Programme and the Decade of Gas Initiative in 2021, aimed at driving industrialisation and cleaner energy adoption.
With a population exceeding 200 million and abundant natural gas reserves of over 200 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is among Africa’s largest gas producers but still struggles with low domestic LPG penetration, particularly in rural areas.
According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria consumes about 1.9 to two million metric tonnes of LPG annually, far below its potential market size of five to six million tonnes.
Despite the progress, Olatunbosun noted that the rising cost of LPG and uneven supply remained key concerns, expressing optimism that the lingering complaints over the high cost of cooking gas would soon be a thing of the past, citing ongoing efforts to boost domestic supply.
He added that the anticipated entry of Seplat Energy’s gas into the market, along with increased output from the Dangote Refinery and other ongoing gas infrastructure projects, would help ease supply pressures and stabilise prices across the country.
Reflecting on his four-year tenure, Olatunbosun expressed appreciation to members of NALPGAM for their cooperation and unity, describing his leadership as a period marked by growth, transformation, and resilience.
He urged the incoming executives to place greater emphasis on affordability and rural access, stressing that many communities were yet to benefit from Nigeria’s gas expansion efforts.
Olatunbosun lamented that while urban residents grappled with high prices, rural dwellers still faced limited access due to poor infrastructure and weak distribution networks.
He acknowledged that recent supply disruptions caused by plant maintenance and refinery logistics temporarily pushed prices higher but noted that the situation was improving as local production ramps up.
The outgoing president also stressed that Nigeria’s growing population and industrial expansion would continue to fuel gas demand, underscoring the need for sustained investments in processing capacity and infrastructure to reduce dependence on imports.
Calling for greater innovation in the industry, Olatunbosun urged operators to embrace artificial intelligence and digital monitoring systems to enhance plant safety, curb theft, and improve operational efficiency.
He also encouraged young Nigerians to explore and develop technology-driven solutions to strengthen LPG logistics, handling, and safety standards across the value chain.
Concluding his address, Olatunbosun expressed pride in the association’s accomplishments under his leadership and called on members to sustain the momentum.
THE Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has launched the Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award to recognise journalists and digital influencers whose work demonstrates accuracy, balance, and public impact in reporting Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reforms.
The announcement was made on Tuesday via X by the committee’s chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, who said the initiative aimed at promoting informed public discourse, counter misinformation, and encourage journalism that deepens citizens’ understanding and trust in government reforms.
“The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has unveiled the Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award to recognise and reward journalists and online influencers who provide balanced, accurate, and impactful reporting on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms,” Oyedele said.
The competition is open to Nigerian journalists in print, broadcast, and online media, as well as digital influencers, bloggers, and podcasters. Eligible entries must be published between July 1 and December 31, 2025, in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba.
‘Award structure: 1st Prize: ₦10m | 2nd Prize: ₦5m | 3rd Prize: ₦3m | Consolation prize of ₦1m for top 20 finalists,” he added.
He noted that entries would be evaluated on accuracy, balance, clarity, public engagement, and creativity.
Applications will open via the official portal at fiscalreforms.ng by 31 December 2025.
Oyedele noted the initiative aligned with the committee’s broader mission to simplify Nigeria’s tax system by harmonising multiple taxes and levies into a more transparent and efficient structure.
THE Health Anti-Corruption Project Advisory Committee (HAPAC) recognises and endorses the ‘Red Letter’ issued by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate, which highlights corruption and its detrimental effects on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
In this article, HAPAC shares its findings from an investigation into the BHCPF in some states in Nigeria, along with proposed anti-corruption strategies. We start by explaining the BHCPF to the public, helping them understand what it is and how corruption hinders access to healthcare at primary health centres (PHCs).
Facts about the BHCPF every citizen should know
Under the National Health Act of 2014, Nigeria’s law mandates that 1 per cent of the country’s annual revenue be allocated to the BHCPF, aimed at supporting PHCs in providing quality health services. Parliament is currently debating a possible increase to 2 per cent. Besides these government funds, donors such as the World Bank and private corporations can also invest in and contribute to the BHCPF.
Once funds are collected for BHCPF, they are allocated to improve health services through four main channels, called gateways. These are:
(a) through the primary healthcare agency, which ensures health facilities are well-equipped, staffed, and stocked with essential drugs;
(b) through the health insurance agency, to extend healthcare insurance to the poor and vulnerable;
(c) via the disease prevention to support disease outbreak response, and
(d) the emergency gateway, which should support ambulance services and patient referrals from PHCs to general and teaching hospitals.
Since 2018, when the government officially flagged the programme, over 110 billion naira [$US 68.3 million], including 32.9 billion naira [$US 22 million] just recently disbursed, have reportedly been invested in the BHCPF. Therefore, we would expect that health services and outcomes in Nigeria should at least reflect this amount of money spent on primary healthcare.
Unfortunately, this has not been the case, despite some progress, such as increased primary healthcare utilisation and a decline in the mortality of children under five years old. This is why concerns are now being raised about corruption and its impact on the BHCPF.
List of corruption issues in the BHCPF
In most facilities visited by HAPAC, we observe clear gaps between the yearly investment, around 1.2 million naira [$800], and the actual tangible results in equipment, infrastructure, and the availability of consumables such as medicines. We have identified eight primary corruption issues impacting the success of the BHCPF, listed here for clarity:
Facility managers agree on sums payable to the community monitors to overlook inappropriate practices.
Facilities submit similar receipts for the purchase of medicines to the Primary Healthcare Agency and Health Insurance gateways. So, they get twice the amount spent on such purchase.
Falsification of signatures of community co-signatories to obtain funds without the knowledge of the community monitors.
The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) has appropriated to itself the sole authority over funds allocated to health facilities. It directs facility managers on when to authorise transfers, typically made to a bank account they (the SPHCDA) specify.
SPHCDA takes on drug procurement duties without consulting health facilities and does not follow approved bidding processes under Nigeria’s procurement regulations.
SPHCDA procures and distributes drugs to health facilities based on its own discretion, not following the requisition orders that detail facilities’ drug shortages and requirements.
SPHCDA supplies unsuitable drugs to primary health facilities and disregards feedback from facility managers.
SPHCDA brazenly supplies health facilities with drugs that are nearing expiration. The eight issues listed above show that the SPHCDA, health workers who manage facilities, and the supposed community monitors are implicated.
We present some salient quotes from our interviewees:
“How can the agency supply to us drugs for diabetes and some of these ailments that we are not even trained to handle … I cannot touch the fund, until the agency authorises. It was not this way when the programme started …” – Officer in Charge (OIC) of a health facility funded by the BHCPF.
“They said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) will be driven by the health facilities so that we can provide effective health services to our communities. But today, they tell us not to touch the money and even decide how we spend it” – Officer in Charge (OIC) of a health facility funded by the BHCPF.
“A facility received over 2 million naira ($1300) across 8 quarters, but when you walk in, you won’t see any proof of utilisation of such amount. No delivery bed, no power generator, etc., just because they had 100 per cent autonomy. We had to clamp on that and they are now uncomfortable. I don’t want to talk about the OIC who forged the signature of the Ward Development Committee Chairperson … Sadly, nothing has been done about it yet,” a Policymaker at a State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Our anti-corruption strategy to ensure BHCPF delivers commensurate value
Our proposed strategies include updating the BHCPF operational guidelines in the future with an anti-corruption focus. The specific anti-corruption measures should encompass scapegoating, decentralised anti-corruption initiatives, anonymous feedback channels, sanctions and enforcement, training and retraining programmes, and centralised procurement.
Scapegoating: Health workers and their managers frequently behave without fear of consequences, leading to visible acts of corruption. To encourage a culture of compliance with rules, it is essential to implement lawful scapegoating strategies guided by anti-corruption agencies to ensure accountability.
Decentralised anticorruption measures: Partnerships between the health sector and anticorruption agencies exist, but they have not yet influenced frontline operations. It is essential to create and implement a system that connects health facilities directly with anticorruption authorities, such as the anti-corruption unit at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. While the 774 Performance and Financial Management Officers (PFMOs) offer some assistance and serve as a buffer, they should not replace real-time communication between facilities and anticorruption officials.
Anonymous feedback channels: A key insight from our investigation is that health personnel and managers are willing to report malpractices and corruption that undermine the BHCPF. However, gathering this sensitive information can put their identities at risk. We recommend adding an anonymous feedback mechanism for health staff, managers, and service users in each state’s BHCPF performance review. Moreover, such feedback should be addressed quickly and effectively.
Sanctions & enforcement: Anticorruption agencies should have the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of BHCPF guidelines. Their roles must be clearly defined in BHCPF operational policies, and they should enforce relevant legal actions to ensure accountability.
Training/retraining: Many involved in these corrupt practices either lack awareness of the consequences or are unfamiliar with proper procedures. The BHCPF secretariat should increase the frequency of training and retraining sessions for frontline health workers and their managers on ethics, national and global health priorities, procurement, and the BHCPF guidelines.
Central Medical Stores: This should be an opportunity to rethink revitalising the central medical stores (CMS) or drug management agencies at the state level. The CMS is vital for controlling medicine prices in primary healthcare facilities and provides an accountability layer to fight corruption. A single, traceable source for purchases enhances regulation and oversight. Purchasing medicines from the open market risks obtaining substandard or counterfeit drugs and increases the chances of record falsification. Central procurement at the state level, with sufficient plans for sales logistics covering interiors, would naturally help resolve issues related to the falsification of purchase receipts for medicines.
Conclusion
As watchdogs and allies in Nigeria’s health sector, we have noted that ad hoc accountability measures are ineffective and may even enable more corruption. Therefore, anti-corruption strategies must be institutionalised and continuously adapted to counter the evolving tactics of those seeking to exploit the system.
Our investigation has identified various corruption scenarios related to the BHCPF, along with potential sustainable solutions based on available evidence.
The BHCPF is a significant public health investment for Nigeria. Yet, without robust, systemic accountability, this fund could become another missed opportunity.
About HAPAC: This is a coalition challenging health sector corruption based on evidence, composed of members from academia, civil society, media, anticorruption agencies, and health practitioners.
THE United States government has revoked the visa of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, a professor.
The renowned writer disclosed this on Tuesday, October 28, during a briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery inside Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he explained that he had been notified of the visa cancellation by the US Consulate.
“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he was quoted to have said.
The nonagenarian said he was unaware of any offence or misconduct that could have led to the action.
“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.
“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere? he queried.
This incident comes amid a broader shift in US. immigration policy under the Trump administration. In June 2025, Trump issued a sweeping travel ban that suspended visa issuance and legal entry from 12 primarily African and Middle Eastern countries, while placing heightened restrictions on seven others.
While Nigeria is not among the affected countries, the administration also expanded a “Catch-and-Revoke” programme targeting thousands of student and researcher visas, citing national security concerns and social-media activity as grounds.
The travel ban originated from an executive order signed by Trump on January 20, directing the Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to prepare a report identifying countries or groups displaying “hostile attitudes” toward the United States.
In September, Soyinka reportedly told TheNEWS that he would not honour an invitation from the US Consulate in Nigeria to appear for a visa re-interview scheduled for Thursday, September 11.
The Nobel laureate was reacting to recent notices sent by the US Consulate to holders of B1/B2 visas, directing them to appear for what it described as a “re-interview exercise.”
Soyinka, who was among those invited, expressed surprise at the development, describing the letter as “strange and bizarre.” He said he initially dismissed it as a possible scam by fraudsters or an AI-generated fake document designed to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians.
