Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. The Nation: Federal Government: N712 Billion Upgrade will Turn MMIA into World Class
The Federal Government has said the N712.3 billion upgrade of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, will transform it into a world-class facility.
On completion in two years, the Lagos airport will become a hub of air travel in West Africa, it said. The project is expected to be funded entirely from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
Our Take: Instead of spending billions fixing fancy buildings and airports, the federal government should face the real issue: millions of Nigerians can’t even afford daily meals. It is time to stop decorating the house while the roof is leaking and instead use that money to fully fund the Social Investment Programme and actually help the 133 million Nigerians living in poverty.
2. Daily Trust: IPI, NGE, Others Slam Niger Governor over Order on Radio Station
The directive of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State for the shutdown of Badeggi FM Radio in Minna, the state capital, is generating a storm.
Bago had directed the State Commissioner of Police and Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (Rtd), to shut down the media outfit.
Our Take: We call on Governor Bago to immediately reverse the illegal shutdown order on Badeggi FM and follow due process as outlined in the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the press under Section 39. If there are concerns about the station’s content, the appropriate step is to lodge a formal complaint with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the legally mandated regulatory body under the Nigeria Broadcast Code. Resorting to force and executive overreach undermines democratic principles. Let the law, not power, do the talking.
3. The Guardian: Tension Deepens at NNPCL as Reforms, Power Struggle Split Stakeholders
Four months after a major leadership shake-up at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), internal divisions have deepened as reforms introduced by the new administration trigger sharp disagreements among top executives amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Our Take: The Presidency, National Assembly, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should investigate the deepening crisis and corruption allegations within NNPCL, including the reported $21 million scandal and misuse of corporate privileges. Transparent reforms, independent audits, and swift legal action where necessary are critical to restoring accountability, public trust, and sanity in Nigeria’s oil sector.
