Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Government Policy

  • Nigeria steps up push to remove terror-linked social media accounts

    Nigeria steps up push to remove terror-linked social media accounts

    Photo Credit: The  Punch
    2025-12-24 06:36:00

    Speaking in an end-of-year security briefing cited by Punch, Nigeria’s counter-terror coordination officials say they are working with major social media platforms to identify and take down accounts tied to terrorist recruitment, propaganda, and coordination.

    Authorities argue that extremist networks have shifted tactics—from purely physical coordination to digital messaging, financing cues, and disinformation aimed at confusing communities and pressuring authorities.

    The government’s focus is on disruption: removing visibility, breaking distribution networks, and reducing the “viral” spread of extremist content while investigations continue offline.

    Officials also signalled the effort requires speed: platform cooperation and rapid verification are key, because terror-linked accounts can reappear under new names within hours.

    TVC News reported Nigeria is “collaborating with major social media companies” to remove terror-linked accounts, while The Point similarly referenced the push to “identify and remove accounts linked to terrorist activities.”

    Echotitbits take: Content takedowns are useful but not sufficient—terror networks will migrate. Watch for whether Nigeria pairs takedowns with digital evidence preservation (for prosecutions) and community-based counter-messaging to reduce recruitment pull.

    Source: The  Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-orders-takedown-of-terrorists-social-media-accounts/)
    The  Punch 2025-12-24

  • Nigeria and World Bank roll out $500m HOPE-GOV programme for schools and PHC

    Nigeria and World Bank roll out $500m HOPE-GOV programme for schools and PHC

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-24 06:48:00

    Figures cited by Punch show Nigeria and the World Bank are implementing a $500 million programme—HOPE-Governance—targeting system improvements in basic education and primary healthcare, with emphasis on financing, transparency, and workforce management.

    Officials say the design aims to strengthen budgeting and accountability in the two sectors, while also addressing staffing and performance management problems that keep outcomes weak even when funds are budgeted.

    The broader pitch is that “inputs” (money, staff) must translate into measurable outcomes: better teaching coverage and stronger primary health services—especially at the state level where delivery performance varies sharply.

    Government sources describe the programme as a structured, multi-year reform push rather than a one-off cash injection.

    A federal ministry statement noted the facility would “increase the availability and effectiveness for financing for basic education and primary health care,” while describing the World Bank support as a “Five Hundred Million Dollar loan facility” for HOPE.

    Echotitbits take: The money is the easy part; execution is the fight. Watch for state-level transparency rules, public reporting of results, and whether teacher/PHC staffing reforms survive local politics. If outcomes are tied to disbursement, states may finally take performance management seriously.

    Source: The Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-wbank-partner-on-500m-human-capital-reforms/#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Government%2C%20in%20partnership,primary%20healthcare%20across%20the%20country.)
    The Punch 2025-12-24

  • US denies visas to former EU commissioner, activists in tech-regulation clash

    US denies visas to former EU commissioner, activists in tech-regulation clash

    Photo Credit: Vanguard
    2025-12-24 07:36:00

    A statement reported by Vanguard says the United States has denied visas to a former EU commissioner and several activists, accusing them of trying to pressure US tech companies into censoring American viewpoints under Europe’s platform rules.

    The move deepens a growing transatlantic clash: Europe wants tougher content governance and platform accountability; Washington is increasingly framing some foreign regulation as an attack on US free speech and US companies.

    The immediate consequence is diplomatic: targeted individuals lose travel access, allies protest, and the tech policy dispute becomes a migration/visa enforcement issue rather than purely a regulatory debate.

    Longer-term, the action signals that tech regulation is now a geopolitical battlefield—where immigration tools are being used to punish perceived “extraterritorial” influence.

    AP reported Rubio labelled the targets “radical” activists, while The Guardian described the bans as an “attack on European tech regulators.”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria should pay attention because global platform rules often “spill” into African moderation outcomes. Watch whether Nigeria’s digital regulation strategy aligns more with EU-style compliance or US-style free-speech framing—and how that affects local civic space.

    Source: Vanguard — December 24, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/us-denies-visas-to-eu-ex-commissioner-four-others-over-tech-rules/)
    Vanguard 2025-12-24

  • Demas Nwoko at 90: Nigerian creative icon marks milestone with tributes and thanksgiving

    Demas Nwoko at 90: Nigerian creative icon marks milestone with tributes and thanksgiving

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-24 07:48:00

    Writing in Punch, the report says renowned Nigerian artist, architect, and writer Demas Nwoko has marked his 90th birthday with thanksgiving activities and tributes focused on faith, mentorship, and cultural legacy.

    The celebration was framed not just as a personal milestone but as recognition of influence—how his work and guidance shaped younger professionals in art, architecture, and cultural thought.

    Part of the programme reportedly included a dedication tied to his late mother, highlighting family memory and community symbolism rather than a purely social party atmosphere.

    The event also drew attention to the broader cultural value of “living legends”—figures whose work bridges post-independence creativity and contemporary design identity.

    ThisDay reported the anniversary featured “a thanksgiving and the inauguration of church Belfry in honour of his late mother,” while The Guardian described him as “a patriarch of African modern design.”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s culture economy needs better documentation and monetisation of legacy—archives, museums, design foundations, and structured mentorship. Watch for whether institutions turn these milestones into lasting cultural infrastructure, not just ceremonies.

    Source: The Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/renowned-artist-demas-nwoko-marks-90th-birthday/)
    The Punch 2025-12-24

  • Holiday Dates Confirmed as Police Roll Out Nationwide Yuletide Security Plan

    Holiday Dates Confirmed as Police Roll Out Nationwide Yuletide Security Plan

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-22

    Reporting by Punch indicates Nigeria is moving into the Christmas/New Year stretch with an expanded policing posture and officially gazetted public holidays.

    Security agencies say the goal is to deter robbery, kidnapping, and crowd-control flashpoints around worship centres, markets, event venues, and major transport corridors. Officials also urged residents to be vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity.

    On the government side, the Interior Ministry announced December 25, December 26, 2025, and January 1, 2026 as public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.

    Channels Television also carried the Interior Ministry statement, quoting: “The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 25th December 2025; Friday, 26th December 2025; and Thursday, 1st January 2026 as public holidays…”. The Guardian similarly reported on the police festive-season operational posture and quoted the directive for nationwide deployment.

    Echotitbits take: This is the annual stress-test period for highway safety, inter-state travel, and crowd management. Watch for whether visibility policing actually reduces road kidnappings, and whether emergency lines work reliably in the busiest corridors.

    Source: The Punch— December 22, 2025 (https://punchng.com/yuletide-police-tighten-security-fg-declares-holidays/)
    The Punch 2025-12-22

  • NNPCL Imports Lift Petrol Supply to 71.5m Litres/Day as Demand Softens in November

    NNPCL Imports Lift Petrol Supply to 71.5m Litres/Day as Demand Softens in November

    Photo Credit: The Nation
    2025-12-10

    Figures cited by The Nation show average petrol supply rose to 71.5 million litres per day in November 2025, up from 46.0 million litres per day in October.

    The report, citing the NMDPRA downstream fact sheet, also suggested consumption eased, with average daily use falling to about 52.9 million litres/day from 56.7 million litres/day the month before.

    Regulators linked the stock build to meeting peak festive demand and covering prior months’ shortfalls, describing NNPCL as the supplier of last resort.

    The Nation quoted the regulator: “The significant increase in PMS supply in November 2025 was on account of…” inventory and import reasons. The same report stated: “Imports by the NNPC, the supplier of last resort… to build inventory and supply further guarantee supply…”.

    Echotitbits take: Higher supply doesn’t automatically mean stable pump prices—distribution, FX and smuggling dynamics still matter. Watch whether queues truly disappear beyond major cities and whether local refining materially cuts imports in early 2026.

    Source: The Nation — December 10, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/nnpcl-imports-boost-national-petrol-stock-to-71-5ml-d-in-november/)
    The Nation 2025-12-10

  • Presidency, Lawmakers Trade Claims Over “Different” Gazetted Tax Text

    Presidency, Lawmakers Trade Claims Over “Different” Gazetted Tax Text

    Photo Credit: Vanguard
    2025-12-23 09:00:00

    According to Vanguard, the Federal Government says it did not tamper with Nigeria’s newly passed tax reform laws, even as lawmakers raise questions about what was eventually gazetted for public consumption.

    Officials argue that the executive transmitted a single set of harmonised documents to the National Assembly, and that what came out of the legislative process should be treated as the authoritative reference pending any verified comparison.

    On the other side, legislators pushing the controversy say the version in circulation needs scrutiny to confirm it matches what both chambers passed and forwarded for presidential assent.

    The dispute has now shifted toward formal verification, with expectations that the legislature’s internal certification process and “final harmonised copy” will settle the matter.

    Validation: TheCable quoted Information Minister Mohammed Idris saying, “there is only one version of that tax document.” Separately, TheCable also quoted Taiwo Oyedele urging caution: “Let’s wait for the findings of the lawmakers. If, indeed, there were alterations,” he said.

    Echotitbits take: This is less about politics and more about process integrity. Watch the committee’s findings, but also watch for how Nigeria upgrades legislative “quality assurance” so gazetted laws can’t be disputed after passage.

    Source: Vanguard — December 23, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/gazette-furore-we-didnt-alter-tax-laws-fg/)
    Vanguard 2025-12-23

  • Local Councils Press Tinubu for Direct Allocations as States Hold Trillions

    Local Councils Press Tinubu for Direct Allocations as States Hold Trillions

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-23 09:00:00

    Reporting by The Punch indicates local government stakeholders are intensifying calls for direct disbursement of council allocations, arguing that state-level handling of the funds weakens grassroots service delivery.

    The push is framed as a continuation of the post–Supreme Court autonomy debate—demanding that councils receive money straight from the federation account rather than through state intermediaries.

    Supporters say direct access will improve accountability and ensure funds go to primary healthcare, rural roads, sanitation, and local economic activity instead of being diluted by state politics.

    State governments, however, have historically resisted reforms that reduce their control over local funding structures, meaning enforcement mechanisms—not just court rulings—remain the key battleground.

    Validation: Daily Times recalls the Supreme Court position, stating it is “unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils.” Meanwhile, ABN TV repeats the core claim: “state governments received control over at least N7.43tn meant for local government councils…”

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s local governance problem isn’t only “how much money,” but “who controls it.” Watch for enforcement: executive orders, FAAC remittance redesign, and whether states respond with political workarounds.

    Source: The Punch — December 23, 2025 (https://punchng.com/autonomy-battle-lgs-demand-direct-funds-as-states-receive-n7-43tn/)
    The Punch 2025-12-23

  • Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 18:00:00

    According to Punch, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays after official visits to Borno and Bauchi.

    The report says the President was received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state officials, marking the start of his end-of-year engagements in the state.

    Beyond the holiday optics, the visit doubles as a political homecoming for a former Lagos governor and a chance to hold quiet consultations as 2025 wraps up.

    The Punch account also notes that Tinubu is expected to attend select social and cultural events during the period, including the Eyo Festival later in the week.

    Channels Television wrote, “President Bola Tinubu is in Lagos for the Yuletide,” while TheCable noted the President would “begin a three-state visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Lagos trips at year-end are rarely “just holidays.” Watch for who gets seen, who gets meetings, and whether any policy or political signals drop quietly—especially as blocs position for 2026.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-arrives-lagos-for-end-of-year-holidays/?amp=)
    Punch 2025-12-20

  • ADC asks Tinubu to halt tax reforms amid claims final law was altered

    ADC asks Tinubu to halt tax reforms amid claims final law was altered

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-20 09:00:00

    Reporting by Punch indicates the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is demanding a suspension of Nigeria’s newly introduced tax laws, alleging that key sections were changed after National Assembly passage and presidential assent.

    The party frames the claim as a constitutional issue—arguing that post-assent changes would undermine legislative process and separation of powers.

    ADC says it wants a full investigation to determine who handled the alleged edits and whether prosecution should follow if wrongdoing is established.

    Daily Post said the ADC urged suspension over “alleged forged provisions,” while TheCable’s coverage captured ADC’s warning that “It is time to rethink our tax laws.”

    Echotitbits take:
    Whether proven or not, legitimacy is everything for compliance. Watch for certified “as-passed” copies, side-by-side comparisons with gazetted versions, and clear implementation guidance before take-off.

    Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/adc-demands-suspension-of-tax-laws-over-modification-allegations/)
    Punch 2025-12-20