Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines with advocacy calls.

1. ‘FCCPC tackles rising cost of drugs, begins inquiry’ – The Guardian 

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an inquiry into the rising cost of drugs in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.

Our Take: Launching an inquiry is a fine start, but Nigerians need more than just well-documented outrage. The FCCPC must move beyond investigation mode and start wielding its regulatory powers to rein in exploitative pricing in the pharmaceutical sector. If unchecked, we might soon need a loan to buy paracetamol!

2. ‘Nigeria’s foreign reserves drop by $2.2 billion dollars as federal government defends naira’ – Daily Trust

Nigeria’s foreign reserves have dropped by $2. 2 billion amid concerns of the central bank’s support for the Naira and the settlement of over $2 billion foreign exchange backlog.

Our Take: The Nigerian government must prioritise sustainable economic policies that bolster foreign reserves while ensuring transparency in forex management. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should provide clear communication on its strategies for defending the Naira and clearing forex backlogs to restore investor confidence.

3. ‘Importers fret as Dangote lowers petrol price again’ – Punch

Importers of petroleum products have lamented the repeated reduction of petrol prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Our Take: While Dangote slashes prices, will NMDPRA do more than take notes? Nigerians need lasting relief, not seasonal discounts. It’s time for policies that cut fuel costs sustainably and ensures less import reliance.