Nigeria Archives | Page 33 of 51

SERAP drags FG, Telecos to court over tariff hike

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago011 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu over “the arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable 50 percent telecom tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).” Joined in the suit as Defendant is the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC had recently approved a 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs. By the increase, the average price of calls will rise to N16.5 per minute from N11; the cost of 1GB of data will rise to N431.25 from N287.5/GB; and SMS prices to N6 from N4. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariffs by 50 percent is not arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information.” SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent and incompatible with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information, and therefore unconstitutional and unlawful.” SERAP is seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining the NCC, its officers, agents, privies, assigns, or any other person or persons acting on its instructions from further implementing, enforcing and doing any act to give effect to the decision of the NCC authorizing telecom tariff hike by 50 percent.” In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “The legal and constitutional provisions as well as international standards on freedom of expression and access to information constitute the repository of legality. The requirements of legality constrain the exercise of statutory powers by the NCC to authorise any increase in telecom tariffs.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: “The demands of legality impose clear duties of fairness and reasonableness on the NCC in the exercise of its powers to authorize the telecom tariff hike by 50 percent, which is the subject-matter of this suit. “The NCC is required under the legal provisions on consumers’ rights and constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression and access to information to base its decision on reasonable interpretations of its enabling statutes and guidelines and other relevant legal frameworks, and to follow due process. “The exercise of the statutory powers of the NCC in approving the telecom tariff hike is a grave violation of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. “These legal and constitutional provisions and international human rights standards recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination. “The constitutional and democratic anomalies complained of by SERAP is more apparent when the said unilateral decision of the NCC approving a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs is juxtaposed with the apparent procedural breaches of the condition-precedent for any approval of increase. “The NCC is the statutory agency charged with the responsibility of promoting and implementing the national communications or telecommunications policy in Nigeria. “The latest patently unconstitutional and unlawful increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming on the heels of a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that some 133 million Nigerians are poor. “The NBS report also shows that over half of the population of Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy. “The increase in telecommunication tariffs is a fundamental breach of due process of law, as the purported approval by the NCC failed to meet the high threshold of consultation with key stakeholders, especially the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which is the primary consumer protection agency in Nigeria. “The increase in telecommunication tariffs is coming at a time when Nigerians are deeply burdened by the cost of living crisis. The cost of living crisis has resulted in low quality of life, unemployment and deaths, as many socially and economically vulnerable people scramble for free food in public and religious gatherings. “The present-day economic realities in Nigeria include chronic poverty amongst a high percentage of citizens and the growing inability of several state governments to pay salary and pensions of workers, especially as the country still suffers from the removal of fuel subsidy, electricity tariff hike and inflated cost of food in the market.” SERAP is therefore asking the court for the following reliefs: A DECLARATION that the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable, and a deliberate attempt to stifle the constitutional and international human rights of citizens to freely express themselves and share information, and breach of sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended] and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. AN ORDER setting aside the unilateral decision of the NCC approving the increase of telecommunications tariff by 50 percent contained in a press statement published by the NCC on 20th January 2025 for being arbitrary, unfair, extortive, unreasonable, unconstitutional and a breach of the provisions of Sections 104 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended], Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. AN ORDER restraining the NCC, its agents, assigns, privies and…

35th AFCON: Super Eagles may draw Cameroon, Tunisia, South Africa

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago05 mins

The Draw Ceremony for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Casablanca on Monday evening. Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal. The Nigerian side may however be drawn in same group with other top African football countries which include; Cameroon, Tunisia, South Africa and Mali. Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle and Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, alongside the Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa will attend the colourful ceremony in the heart of Morocco’s administrative capital. The final tournament that begins on 21st December and ends on 18th January is unique in some ways, including being the first ever to start in a particular year and run into another year. Morocco will play host to Africa again since hosting the 1988 tournament that was won by Cameroon. The North African country was handed the hosting right for the 2015 finals, but ducked at the eleventh hour in the midst of the ebola scare across some nations in the continent. Since then, the country has hosted a plethora of football championships, including the African Nations Championship in 2018 (which she won), the Women Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 (in which she finished as runner-up) and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023. Morocco will also co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup finals alongside neighbours Spain and Portugal. Nigeria’s Super Eagles hold the record for the most medals from the 68-year-old championship: 16 in 20 previous participations. They are three-time winners (1980, 1994, 2013), finished as runners-up on five occasions (1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023), and took the bronze eight times (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019). The Eagles lost out in the quarter-finals in 2008 and were eliminated in the second round in 2021. Only in their debut in 1963, and as Cup holders in 1982, have the Eagles failed to proceed beyond the tournament group phase. While Nigeria will be taking part in her 21st tournament (same as DR Congo and Algeria), Botswana and Comoros will be taking part in only their second respective championships. Egypt will be appearing in their 27th tournament; Cote d’Ivoire 26th and; Cameroon and Tunisia 22nd. Hosts Morocco are appearing in their 20th finals and 2012 champions Zambia in their 19th. 2021 winners Senegal are appearing in their 18th final tournament. Nigeria have also played a total of 104 matches at the final tournament, 4th overall behind Egypt (111), Cote d’Ivoire (106) and Ghana (105). While Cameroonian Rigobert Song (who coached the Indomitable Lions at the last finals in Cote d’Ivoire), Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, Ghanaian Andrew Ayew and Tunisian Youssef Msakni have played in eight tournaments each, Ayew and Song have played the most matches – 36 each. Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o (currently President of FECAFOOT) has scored the most goals in the final tournament – 18 in the 29 matches he played across eight tournaments. Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) scored 13 goals across four final tournaments between 1988 and 1994. Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

COAS pledges to elevate training standards for Nigerian Army personnel

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has committed to advancing the training of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to new heights, aiming to enhance professionalism across the force. Lieutenant General Oluyede made the pledge during his visit to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria on Monday, 20 January 2025, where he addressed personnel at the prestigious military institution. In his address, the COAS emphasized the critical importance of robust training at this pivotal time for Nigeria’s national security. He noted that enhanced training will strengthen military operations and security efforts by equipping personnel with the necessary skills and professionalism to carry out their duties effectively. Oluyede reaffirmed his commitment to creating an environment that fosters excellence in training and assured personnel of his full support in ensuring they have the resources to perform at their best. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of professionalism and expressed his determination to prioritize personnel welfare and well-being. During the briefing, the Commandant of the Depot Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, highlighted the institution’s recent centenary celebration, marking a century of producing skilled manpower for the Nigerian Army. He also shared key achievements and challenges faced by the institution, expressing gratitude to the COAS for his steadfast support.

Shettima arrives Davos for 2025 World Economic Forum meeting

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Davos, Switzerland, where he is representing Nigeria at the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The World Economic Forum meeting brings together global leaders, business executives, and development partners to address pressing global and national economic challenges and identify strategies for sustainable growth. During his time in Davos, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings and discussions aimed at advancing the nation’s economic opportunities and addressing global risks. A notable event on the Vice President’s schedule is a workshop titled “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets”, organized by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the WEF. This session will focus on driving capital flows into Africa to support inclusive development and resilience across the continent. One of the major highlights of the Vice President’s engagements is the launch of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, a collaborative effort between the AfDB and other partners. The initiative aims to foster public-private partnerships and attract investments into Africa’s emerging markets. In addition, the Vice President will co-chair a forum on “Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa” at the Pischa Congress Centre. The forum will provide insights into leveraging the private sector to accelerate the implementation of the @AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, a framework adopted by African Union leaders in January 2024. Vice President Shettima is also scheduled to attend the Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awards dinner for heads of state, government officials, and international organizations at Kurpark Village, Eiger. Another key engagement is his participation as a panelist in a session titled “Global Risks 2025”, which will take place at the Aspen 2 Congress Centre. This dialogue will explore critical geopolitical, technological, and environmental risks shaping the global landscape. Accompanying the Vice President to Davos are senior government officials, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi. The Vice President is expected to return to Abuja after concluding his engagements in Davos.

Polytechnic senior staff begin strike Wednesday

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago04 mins

Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP is set to embark on a three-day warning strike from Wednesday, January 22, over what it calls marginalisation of non-teaching staff members and denial of their deserved career progression. In a letter dated January 14, 2025, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the union’s secretary Nura Gaya said the warning strike has become imperative to emphasise the union’s position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive Non-Teaching Staff of Polytechnics and Similar Institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers under consolidsted technical education distinct salary structure, CONTEDISS 15 and in the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service. The letter further said, “SSANIP has consistently championed the cause of equity and justice within the polytechnic system and has repeatedly called for the implementation of career progression policies that accommodate both Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff, noting that regrettably, previous engagements with relevant authorities have yielded little to no tangible results, adding that the current machinations against Non-Teaching Staff represents a direct affront to these efforts. In a similar development, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP has rejected what it calls plans to change the bill on the establishment of National Commission for polytechnic education to Nigerian commission for technical education. ASUP, in a statement signed by its president Shammah Kpanja says currently, the regulation of technical and vocational education is within the purview of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE,established since 1977, and serves as an umbrella for all Nigerian polytechnics and monotechnics, representing the tertiary education institutions under its regulation. ASUP noted that the recent efforts of the National Assembly to establish a National Polytechnics Commission through a bill in the House of Representatives is commendable, as it comes after several failed legislative efforts on the same subject in the past. However, the union says it is surprising that as the bill awaits final reading in the House of Representatives, plans have emerged to establish a commission for technicaleducation. ASUP said the name change move is a distraction and it remains committed to the unbundling of the current mixture of over 700 institutions under the NBTE and the extraction of tertiary institutions from the mix to a dedicated commission for effective regulation. ASUP used the statement to call on Federal Ministry of Education to maintain a consistent position on the issue, noting that polytechnics need to have its own commission like the universities and the colleges of education, instead of remaining mixed up with vocational and technical education institutions and centres.

NFF concretize plans for CAF B-License Coaching Course

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion concrete plans to organize a four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges. The programme is for both men and women coaches. NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. To be eligible to participate in the course that will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course. “We are targeting a maximum number of 25 participants. Applicants will be provided with a CAF CMS registration link upon successful completion of the pre-course assessment, and will pay the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on or before 31st March 2025,” Eguavoen added. It can be recalled that last year, the NFF organized a CAF C-License programme exclusively for women – the first-ever – which drew 30 women coaches from across the country, including a good number of former Nigeria international players. The three-module course took place between July and September 2024.

Tinubu commends Governors for supporting tax reform

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his appreciation for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly. President Tinubu lauded the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development. Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments. He extended special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria’s investment climate. He also commended the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible. President Tinubu underscored that the primary aim of the Tax Reform Bills, which is pro-poor, is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy, and attract both local and foreign investments. He said updating the country’s outdated tax laws is essential to this endeavour. The President noted that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlights the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences. President Tinubu regarded the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirms his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace, and stability. He also encouraged other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly. Finally, President Tinubu urged the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for these crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.

UAE President to visit Nigeria this year

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year. The Nigerian leader invited him Wednesday night during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week, a forum for exchanging ideas to support sustainable development worldwide and encourage collective action to address global challenges, such as climate change, water and energy crises. He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event. During the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the Nigerian leader for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country. The two leaders also explored attracting investment into Nigeria. President Tinubu said his government’s economic reforms are yielding fruits and called on the UAE to partner with Nigeria to develop the economy. He said the reforms had stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation. President Tinubu thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm reception he and his aides received since their arrival over the weekend. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu accompanied President Tinubu to the meeting at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan accompanied the UAE President. Other UAE officials at the meeting were: Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.