Category: Business

IMO STATE, NIGERIA (NPA): Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has commended the extensive construction and reconstruction works currently underway on the Orlu–Mgbe–Akokwa–Uga Road. Although classified as a federal road, the project is being undertaken by the Uzodimma-led administration.

For years, the corridor was cut off from much of Imo State due to severe ecological challenges that disrupted livelihoods, restricted movement, and slowed economic growth in the region.

In a statement on Tuesday, Uzodimma explained that the 22-kilometre highway connects Orlu to Akokwa, linking several communities and extending toward the Anambra State border, thereby reinforcing regional trade and mobility. He emphasized the durability of the asphalt, the reinforced bridge pillars, and the deliberate effort to address the Umuchima erosion site as evidence of the administration’s commitment to long-term solutions.

“The goal of my administration is not merely to reconstruct a road but to build resilient infrastructure that secures mobility, strengthens commerce, and guarantees long-term economic stability,” Uzodimma said, describing this as the “language” of his government.

Uzodimma first became governor on January 15, 2020, after the Supreme Court declared him winner of the 2019 governorship election, replacing Emeka Ihedioha. He was re-elected on November 11, 2023, and his victory was upheld by the Supreme Court on August 23, 2024.

NNEWI, NIGERIA (NPA): The Anambra State Government has temporarily closed the popular Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market (Nkwo Nnewi) following continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home order in the state. The directive, issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo through his Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, will take effect at midnight on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Uba announced that the market will remain closed for one week, reopening on March 2, 2026, unless traders comply with the state government’s order to resume business every Monday. He warned that further closures could follow if compliance remains low. The government emphasized that the measure is aimed at ending the disruption caused by the sit-at-home protests linked to the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Traders and customers were advised to avoid the market during the closure to prevent clashes with law enforcement.

For years, residents of southeastern Nigeria observed the weekly sit-at-home, which paralyzed economic activity across states including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo. Although IPOB announced the cancellation of the order in February 2026, compliance has been uneven, with many communities still hesitant to return to normal routines. Authorities say the closure of Nnewi’s major market is part of efforts to restore confidence, enforce government directives, and revive commercial activity in the region.

ENUGU, NIGERIA (NPA): The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has announced that political parties and candidates contesting the 2026 and 2027 elections must pay a mandatory advertising permit fee of ₦150 million.

The policy, unveiled on Monday by ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike, forms part of the agency’s Outdoor Promotion and Visual Campaign Guidelines for the 2026 and 2027 General Elections. He explained that the measure is designed to regulate campaign advertising across the state’s 17 local government areas, ensuring orderliness, environmental aesthetics, and compliance with statutory regulations.

The permit covers campaign activities including rallies, banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, caps, handbills, buntings, and street promotions. Aninwike warned that no party or candidate may deploy outdoor campaign materials without first obtaining the permit, stressing that violators risk removal of materials and possible legal sanctions.

He further noted that only practitioners licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are authorized to erect and manage billboards or campaign structures in the state. “No individual, political party, or support group is permitted to erect billboards or advertisement structures without going through licensed ARCON practitioners as permitted by ENSSAA,” he said.

Addressing concerns of selective enforcement, Aninwike insisted the guidelines would apply uniformly to all parties and candidates, including incumbents. He added that Governor Peter Mbah has consistently adhered to advertising regulations in his campaigns and official promotions. The ENSSAA chief concluded by wishing political parties success in their preparations and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining professionalism and order in outdoor advertising across Enugu State.

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced that the first section of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway will be commissioned in May 2026.

Umahi made the disclosure on Saturday, February 21, 2026, during an inspection of the project, which is designed to connect Lagos in the southwest to the South-South and South-East regions.

Engineering Challenges and Progress

According to a statement by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works (Media), Umahi highlighted the administration’s determination under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver transformative infrastructure despite difficult terrain and environmental challenges. He noted that deep soil conditions, with pits reaching over 20 metres, had tested engineering limits but were being successfully managed.

The minister praised HITECH Construction Company for its resilience, explaining that unexpected soil discoveries were being addressed at the contractor’s cost without any upward review of the project sum. “No other contractor can bear this kind of risk. You have proven that you are not working for money, but for the success of the country,” Umahi said.

Road Opening Timeline

Umahi disclosed that the 3-kilometre stretch currently under inspection is nearing completion, with sub-filling expected to be concluded within days. Once opened, motorists will be able to drive seamlessly from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki, with access extending toward the Dangote Refinery axis as work progresses on Section Two.

Security and Public Conduct

The minister condemned acts of vandalism along the corridor, including the cutting of metal fences and dumping of refuse into manholes, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and infrastructure. He commended security agencies for their vigilance and assured that offenders would be prosecuted.

Broader Reform Agenda

Umahi linked the project’s success to the broader reform agenda of the Tinubu administration, stressing that it represents national development rather than the efforts of a single institution. He pointed to recent macroeconomic indicators—including naira stability, foreign reserves at $49 billion, and inflation reduced to about 15%—as evidence of progress.

“These are not magical. They are evidence of the hand of God upon the president,” Umahi said, urging Nigerians to support ongoing reforms and infrastructure initiatives. He called for responsible public engagement, emphasizing that the project transcends personalities and institutions.

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report): The Federal Government says Nigeria accounts for 67 per cent of global yam production, producing 67.2 million metric tonnes annually.

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this at the National Yam Advocacy Summit on Thursday in Abuja.

The summit, themed “Catalysing a National Agenda for Yam Value Chain Transformation and Improved Seed Technologies”, aimed to promote modernisation and increased productivity in the sector.

Abdullahi noted that in spite of the impressive output, Nigeria meets only part of its estimated national demand of 120 million metric tonnes, leaving a shortfall of over 50 million metric tonnes.

“This shortfall underscores both the untapped potential of the sector and the urgent need to modernise the yam value chain, increase productivity and leverage Nigeria’s leadership to capture greater domestic and international market opportunities,” he said.

The minister commended IITA for strengthening the yam value chain, describing yam as a crop that embodies prosperity, rural enterprise and national resilience for millions of Nigerians.

He said agricultural transformation is a national priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that President Bola Tinubu in 2023 declared a State of Emergency on Food Security, calling for data-driven and coordinated interventions.

Abdullahi said a high-level technical team developed the programme “Ramping Up Staple Crops Production for Renewed Hope Food Security” in March 2025, leveraging mechanisation, cluster-based farming, post-harvest loss reduction, and market integration.

“This programme adopts global best practices, leveraging verified data, realistic projections, state-level comparative advantage, mechanisation, cluster-based farming, post-harvest loss reduction and market integration.

“A key innovation is the categorisation of staple crops into tiers based on national spread, consumption patterns, and strategic importance.

“Yam is officially classified as a Tier-1 crop, with nationwide demand and consumption, confirming its status as a priority crop central to food security and economic growth”.

He added that the ministry is committed to farmer training, extension services, access to finance, mechanisation, structured aggregation, and value-added processing, aiming to transform Nigeria into a major exporter of yam products.

“Government alone cannot transform the yam sector. Success requires collaboration among MDAs, research institutions, private investors, state governments, development partners, farmer cooperatives, and youth agripreneurs,” he said.

Abdoulaiye Tahirou, IITA Deputy Director General, said the summit seeks to utilise improved seed systems to promote development across the yam value chain, enhance livelihoods, food security, and preserve natural resources.

“Yam is our crop, and only we can defend it and ensure it is always available for our people,” he said, calling for the scaling up of seed technologies through last-mile seed entrepreneurs.