Reporting by Daily Post indicates that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government for modern firefighting equipment, including air support, following a second devastating fire at the Singer Market. The Governor, who visited the scene while the fire was still active, stressed that the state’s current fire service capacity is insufficient to protect its vast commercial hubs.
The latest inferno, which razed the Gidan Gilas section of the market, occurred less than two weeks after a similar incident in the same area. The Governor commended the courage of the local fire service but noted that without specialized tools like firefighting helicopters, containing blazes in densely packed markets remains nearly impossible.
Governor Yusuf also called for a thorough investigation into the recurring nature of the fires to determine if they are accidental or the result of sabotage. The state government has pledged to support affected traders, though the scale of the losses is estimated to be in the billions of Naira.
Channels TV verified the Governor’s visit, reporting that the fire caused significant panic in the Kano metropolis. A trader quoted in The Punch lamented, “I have lost everything for the second time this month; we need more than just sympathy from the government.” Premium Times also covered the story, quoting an emergency responder: “The narrow access roads made it extremely difficult for our trucks to reach the heart of the fire.”
Echotitbits take: The recurring fires in Kano’s markets are a major threat to Northern Nigeria’s largest economy. Beyond equipment, the state needs a radical redesign of market layouts to allow for emergency access. Watch for a possible federal intervention involving the Air Force’s disaster response unit.
Source: Vanguard- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/gov-yusuf-seeks-fgs-intervention-in-singer-market-fire/amp/, and February 15, 2026
Photo credit: Vanguard
Tag: Nigeria trade
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Kano Governor Seeks Federal Air Support Following Massive Market Inferno
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Tin Can Customs surpasses 2025 target, hits ₦1.576tr in collections
Photo Credit: The Nation
2025-12-24 07:22:00In an update published by The Nation, the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it exceeded its 2025 revenue target, citing stronger enforcement and improved processes.
The command reported collections of about ₦1.576 trillion—roughly ₦51.8 billion above its assigned target—pointing to key import categories as revenue drivers.
Officials say fewer multiple alerts helped speed up turnaround time without weakening controls, while enforcement activities continued alongside revenue collection.
The Guardian backed the same development, quoting the controller: “Let me state unequivocally that the attainment of our annual revenue target does not in any way signify a relaxation of operational standards.” DMarketForces also reported the milestone and quoted him saying: “The command was given a revenue target of N1.524 trillion for 2025 and exceeded it…”
Echotitbits take: Customs revenue growth is positive, but Nigeria also needs predictable, transparent port processes. Watch for whether clearance time improves and whether other commands replicate the efficiency gains without raising trade costs.
Source: The Nation — December 23, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/tin-can-island-port-customs-surpasses-2025-revenue-target-by-n51-8bn/)
The Nation 2025-12-23 -
Lekki Deep Sea Port Says It Has Reached 50% Operating Capacity as Cargo Volumes Rise
Photo Credit: Punch
2025-12-17
In a report carried by *The Punch*, operators of the Lekki Deep Sea Port say the facility has hit about 50% operational capacity, citing improving cargo throughput and expanding shipping activity.
The update suggests the port is steadily moving from ramp-up to maturity, a key milestone given expectations that Lekki will reduce congestion pressure on older Lagos ports and support Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
Industry watchers also see the capacity marker as a signal for faster connectivity upgrades—road/rail evacuation, truck call-up efficiency, and customs processing speed will determine whether the port translates into lower logistics costs.
Other reporting on the same development includes:
– S&P Global: “Port utilisation is improving as West Africa trade routes adjust and operators expand calls.”
– Lloyd’s List: “Terminal productivity gains are beginning to show in cargo-handling metrics.”Analysis/Echotitbits take: 50% capacity is progress, not victory. The real test is evacuation and cost-to-clear. Watch for rail-link milestones, customs digitisation improvements, and whether shipping lines increase direct calls that reduce transshipment delays.
Source: The Punch — December 17, 2025 (https://punchng.com/lekki-deep-seaport-hits-50-operational-capacity/)