National News
FG Announces Plans To Formalize 1m Businesses At Discounted Rate

FG Announces Plans To Formalize 1m Businesses At Discounted Rate
- As national MSME awards holds June 27
- Tinubu bent on eliminating bottlenecks affecting the MSME space, Says VP Shettima
By: Our Reporter
The federal government has announced plans to formalize one million businesses across Nigeria at a discounted rate.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday when he launched the Expanded National MSME Clinic in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, marking the first stop on a nationwide journey to empower small and medium-sized businesses.
MSME Clinic, the first of its kind under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, aims to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by breaking down barriers and providing crucial resources.
Benue’s pioneership of the MSME Clinic sets the stage for a nationwide rollout scheduled to traverse Ebonyi, Ogun, Delta, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a meticulously planned itinerary for the first half of 2024.
This will culminate in the National MSME Awards, a fitting celebration of entrepreneurial spirit coinciding with World MSME Day, on June 27, 2024 in Abuja.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of entrepreneurs and stakeholders at the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) square in Makurdi, VP Shettima emphasised the federal government’s commitment to creating a thriving MSME ecosystem.
He acknowledged the crucial role MSMEs play in job creation and economic development, even as he pledged government’s unwavering support to empower them.
“We have everything to guide your ambition,” Senator Shettima assured while delivering his speech titled, “Benue State: Nurturing Enterprises, Embracing Prosperity.”
Stating that his principal, President Tinubu, is committed to resolving the bottlenecks affecting the MSME space in Nigeria and will persist until these issues are resolved, the VP noted that the N75 billion loan scheme from Bank of Industry (BOI) and Access Bank’s discounted N50 billion fund offer is already in place as crucial financial support for entrepreneurs.
He said, “We currently have in place a N75 billion 9% single-digit loan from BOI. Additionally, Access Bank has made N50 billion of their fund available to MSMEs at a discounted rate of 15%, which could significantly increase based on loan performance. Mr. President is committed to resolving the bottlenecks affecting the MSME space in Nigeria and will persist until these issues are resolved.”
The Vice President hailed the state’s industrious spirit and entrepreneurial drive, describing it as a “beacon of inspiration” for the entire country.
“This clinic isn’t just about fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise,” declared Shettima, adding that “it’s a tribute to Benue’s unmatched work ethic and entrepreneurial drive.”
Lauding the state’s dedication to agriculture, art and commerce, he pointed out that “these stand as a testament to the remarkable productivity ingrained within the core of Benue State.
“Every business owner in Benue, whether in Makurdi or Otukpo, Gboko or Katsina-Ala, is a priority,” he added.
Senator Shettima also announced plans by President Tinubu for a world-class fashion hub in Makurdi, dedicated to the state’s thriving tailoring cluster which, according to him, is set to be operational within 90 days.
“Now, hear another piece of good news from Mr. President: His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed, has unveiled the plan to establish a world-class fashion hub in Makurdi for use by small businesses in the tailoring cluster in the state. This hub will be ready in 90 days,” the Vice President stated.
Earlier in his address, the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, declared that Benue State is open for business, just as he emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting and empowering small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) as a key driver of economic growth.
The Governor highlighted the diverse range of MSMEs thriving in Benue, from organic food producers like Andor Global Foods to innovative motorcycle builders and traditional attire weavers.
He also celebrated Aorkwagh Farms’ work in regenerative farming and the “Made in Benue” brand’s creativity as examples of the state’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Governor Alia who lauded their contributions to local agriculture, healthy living and cultural heritage however acknowledged the challenges faced by MSMEs, including insecurity, regulatory hurdles, and access to finance.
He assured participants that his administration was actively tackling these issues by streamlining processes, removing bottlenecks and enacting laws against extortion, including “matching ground.”
Also, Benue State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Orpin Alumo, noted that the MSMEs Clinic will mark the turning around of Benue State, moving it from a civil service state to an industrial state.
Other dignitaries at the MSME Clinic Launch included Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Aondona Dajoh; Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese; members of the National and State Assemblies, and members of the State Executive and Security Council, among others.
The Vice President was joined at the event by heads of key agencies, including Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
The clinic also promises immediate access to working capital, formalization assistance through the CAC, and export guidance from NEPC. Agencies like NAFDAC and SON were present at the launch to facilitate product certification, while FIRS offers tax advisory services.
VP Visits IDP Camp, Promises More Humanitarian Aid, Skills Development
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima took time in the state and visited the Ichwa IDP camp in Makurdi, offering solace and support to those displaced by conflict.
He met with families, listened to their stories of loss and displacement and assured them of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to their well-being.
The VP promised continued humanitarian aid, explored avenues for skills development and livelihood opportunities within the camp, pledging to expedite the process of safe resettlement.
FG Announces Plans To Formalize 1m Businesses At Discounted Rate
National News
Tuggar Promotes Dr. Elias’s Candidacy for ICJ Position

Tuggar Promotes Dr. Elias’s Candidacy for ICJ Position
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has solicited the support of the international community for the candidacy of Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) job.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
While formally presenting the candidate to the foreign diplomats in Abuja ahead of the ICJ elections scheduled for November 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said on Thursday, that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has not had a representative on the Court for over three decades.
The last time somebody from the ECOWAS sub-region served on the court was 2011, when Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone completed his second term.
Tuggar stated that Dr. Elias’ nomination reflects Nigeria’s belief in the enduring relevance of international law as the foundation for peace, justice, and mutual respect among the international community.
He said: “The occasion is more than a formal introduction. It is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s enduring commitment to international law, to multilateralism, and to ensuring the legal voices and traditions of Africa, especially our ECOWAS sub-region, continues to play its rightful role in the world. Since the Court’s establishment in 1945, Africa has consistently contributed jurists of great distinction, yet no candidate from the ECOWAS region has served on the ICJ since 2011, when Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone concluded his second term.
“Even more striking, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has not had a national on the Court for over 30 years. This long absence is not a matter of pride, but of perspective. It underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for voices from West Africa to again be heard within the world’s highest judicial body.
“It is in this spirit that Nigeria proudly presents Dr. Elias, an eminent jurist whose personal merit and professional breadth fully justify this candidacy. Dr. Elias embodies the qualities envisaged in Article 2 of the Statute of the Court, a person of high moral character possessing the qualifications for the highest judicial office and recognised competence in international law. He is a Nigerian national and a member of the Nigerian Bar, but his reputation extends far beyond our borders.
“He is a distinguished scholar, a seasoned international civil servant, and a respected judge. His career demonstrates a rare and balanced combination of academic excellence, multilateral service, and judicial experience. As a widely published scholar, Dr. Elias has taught in leading universities and contributed to many of the most relevant debates in contemporary international law.
“He is a full member of the Institut des Droits Internationaux, an honour reserve for jurists of outstanding distinction. But, Your Excellencies, he is not merely an academic who comments on international law. He is a practitioner who has lived and shaped its evolution.
“His practical experience finds more than two decades of work within the United Nations system. Recall, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, that under the United Nations Charter, the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. At the UN, he began as a junior legal officer and rose to the rank of UN Assistant Secretary General.
“Along that path, he held senior positions in multiple international organisations, serving at the intersection of law, diplomacy, and administration. This exposure has given him a deep understanding of how international law functions in practise, how it underpins peacekeeping, humanitarian action, disarmament, and sustainable development. With these elections, I do not believe that other candidates bring to the court such a thorough and real grasp of the UN’s legal architecture and its operational realities.
“Equally impressive is his judicial experience. Dr. Elias has served as a judge and president of several international administrative tribunals, presiding with fairness, clarity, and respect for due process. He presently serves as a judge ad hoc of the International Court of Justice, where he participates in the court’s deliberations and contributes to its jurisprudence with independence and restraint.
“This blend of scholarly reflection, institutional experience, and judicial temperament is unique and is precisely what the court requires at this moment in history, when international disputes are increasingly complex and the demand for legal clarity is greater than ever. Your Excellencies, this candidacy is not about Nigeria alone. It is about ensuring that Africa, and West Africa in particular, retains its rightful presence in shaping the global rule of law.
“Electing Dr. Elias would restore that balance and reaffirm the principle that all regions must share in the custodianship of international justice. It is also about upholding multilateralism in an era when global challenges, from climate change to maritime security, test our collective will. The ICJ stands as a beacon of peaceful dispute settlement.
“Nigeria has always believed that international law must remain the cornerstone of international order. Our record speaks clearly. When Nigeria has appeared before the court, we have respected its judgments and implemented them in full.
“That fidelity to the rule of law informs our decision to present a candidate of the highest calibre. Dr. Elias’ candidacy reflects the very ideals that unite us as members of the diplomatic community, that is integrity, competence, and commitment to justice. He is not a regional candidate.
“He is a candidate for the international community. We all know how complex the global judicial system can be. That is why we require people with the requisite expertise.
“If you look at the differences between francophone, anglophone, for instance, talking about the judicial systems, it is quite complex. That is why we need competent hands. In supporting him, you will be helping to strengthen not only the court but the principle that law, not power, should guide relations among nations.
“Nigeria therefore respectfully seeks your government’s kind support for the election in November 2025, both in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council. Your endorsement will affirm a shared belief that the ICJ must continue to embody diversity, excellence, and independence. Your Excellencies, Nigeria is proud to present Judge Tauhid Orufemi Elias, a jurist of learning, experience, and vision.
“He represents continuity with Africa’s distinguished contribution to the ICJ and renewal for our collective faith in the rule of law. As we look ahead to the elections, I am confident that his presence on the bench will strengthen the court’s credibility and advance our common pursuit of peace through law.”
End
National News
ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard

ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has expressed concerns that the country’s macroeconomic growth has failed to translate into better living standards for the majority of citizens.
ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said since 1960 when Nigeria got her independence, the Federal budget has climbed increasingly. Between 1999 and 2025 the Nigerian budget has climbed from approximately $3.1billion (excahange rate source: Oanda ₦299billion) to $36billion (exchange rate source Oanda ₦54.9trillion in 2025) yet, poverty rates in the same period have also increased proportionately in Nigeria from 42.7% of a population of 123 million people in 1999 to 52.5% of 230 million people today.
Mamedu noted that: “The latest World Bank report reinforces the lived realities of Nigerians, confirming that poverty remains widespread and persistent. Although macroeconomic indicators suggest that Nigeria may be on a path toward recovery with GDP growth rates of between 3.13% and 3.9% in subsequent quarters of 2025, the benefits of such growth have not translated into real improvements in citizens’ livelihoods. Inflation may have eased marginally to 20.12% in August 2025 from 21.88% in July, while food and core inflation have also improved moderately; prices remain painfully high for the average Nigerian.”
ActionAid Nigeria also noted that unemployment dropped from its 2020 peak of 10.85% to 5.05% in 2024, however, this statistical progress has not been felt by ordinary Nigerians. Historical analysis of the minimum wage reveals the dramatic erosion of economic value for the Nigerian worker. The first official, unified National Minimum Wage was established in 1981 at ₦125 per month, which was equivalent to approximately £100 GBP at the prevailing exchange rate (source: OANDA, £1≈₦1.25 in 1981). By contrast, the current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 (officially adopted in 2024/2025) is worth approximately £35.63 GBP today (using the interbank exchange rate of £1≈₦1964.51 NGN). This comparison shows that the official minimum wage has lost nearly two thirds of its value in GBP terms since 1981. This stark disparity shows the failure of current wages to keep pace with cost of living and historical value.
“Nigeria’s federal government set an ambitious target to raise the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 18% within three years, from the current 10%. The new tax reforms exempt individuals earning below One million naira annually and small businesses with turnovers under fifty million naira from income tax, an important but insufficient step given the scale of fiscal waste and inefficiency in government spending.
Amidst these reforms, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on borrowing. The World Bank is expected to approve $750million in loans to Nigeria for strengthening healthcare, security and building resilient digital infrastructure.
“Although the World Bank projects that Nigeria’s public debt-to-GDP ratio will decline for the first time in a decade from 42.9% to 39.8%, the sustainability of such debt amid poor fiscal accountability remains questionable.”
Mamedu added that: “Despite these borrowings, Nigeria continues to score low on budget transparency and citizen engagement. Weak accountability mechanisms and disproportionate spending on salaries and debt servicing have constrained the effectiveness of public expenditures. The U.S. Fiscal Transparency Report 2025 indicted Nigeria’s procurement system, citing the country’s failure to disclose key public procurement information. Past reports by the Auditor-General revealed contract fraud and procurement violations amounting to millions of dollars, while illicit financial flows continue to drain an estimated $18billion annually twice the country’s 2025 budget deficit.
He also reiterated that, “Nigeria’s economic indicators may suggest growth, but our people are not feeling it. When over half the population lives below the poverty line despite trillions spent in the name of development, it means something is fundamentally broken. Fiscal growth without human progress is failure.” This is why we must have a National Poverty Summit to confront our economic contradictions head-on and begin a national conversation on what truly works for the Nigerian people.”
The Country Director also called out civil society organisations, international NGOs, and local NGOs working on poverty eradication and alleviation, noting that it is an indictment on the sector if poverty continues to rise despite decades of interventions. “If after years of collective effort poverty has deepened, then we must admit that the strategies and approaches we are using are not sufficiently efficient or effective to provide the specific change Nigerians desperately want to see. This is a moment for honest reflection and renewed commitment.”
ActionAid Nigeria therefore recommended that: “The Nigerian government must urgently convene a National Poverty Summit to move beyond fragmented policies and establish a unified, binding National Action Plan for poverty eradication. This essential emergency response requires immediate, non-negotiable action on Transparency, Accountability, and Data Integrity. This includes: strengthening anti-corruption agencies and overhauling the legal system to guarantee swift asset recovery; granting autonomy to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for independent data; and making the National Social Register publicly accessible for citizen verification. Furthermore, to address the poor at their level, all state governors must be mandated to hold public town halls and declare concrete, localised action plans with clear timelines for the transparent deployment of subventions and relief funds.
“Citizens including Citizens groups like MOT!On must actively hold leaders accountable for public spending and policy outcomes, they must take advantage of FOI Act to track government expenditures, question contracts and mobiise public pressure when government action deviate from public interest. Citizens must reject the notion that their votes or efforts are pointless and instead adopt an aggressive, year-round stance of demanding transparency and accountability from all levels of government.
“International Non-Governmental Organisations should fundamentally review their strategy in addressing poverty issues in Nigeria. Civil society, INGOs, and NGOs must re-examine their approaches to ensure that their interventions include a shift in their approach to aggressively working with the citizenry to hold government accountable and to challenge government impunity and demand concrete results for the poor and excluded.”
ActionAid Nigeria Says Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Growth Has Shown No Impact in Citizens Living Standard
National News
Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop

Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop
By: Michael Mike
In a bid to strengthen coordination between human and animal health sectors, Lesotho’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Food Security, and Environment in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), convened a three-day National Bridging Workshop in Maseru District.
The workshop aimed to enhance the country’s One Health approach, recognizing the close link between human, animal, and environmental health. Many emerging and endemic diseases affecting humans originate from animals, transmitted directly, through food, or via the environment.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Ms. Matsoanelo Monyobi, emphasized the importance of dismantling sectoral silos to build a more resilient and responsive health system.
“Capacity must be comprehensive. If we want to build, we must first break down the silos that keep systems fragmented,” Ms. Monyobi said, highlighting the need for a unified approach to public health, animal health, and environmental challenges.
Representing WHO, Public Health Officer Dr. Sirak Hailu stressed the urgent need for integrated health approaches in the face of rising zoonotic threats.
“A majority of emerging, re-emerging, and endemic human diseases originate from animals,” he noted, citing recent outbreaks of Ebola, novel coronaviruses, and pandemic influenza as stark reminders of the interconnectedness of human and animal health.
Dr. Hailu also pointed out that the Ebola crisis revealed critical gaps in preparedness and underscored the need for a more solidary, multisectoral approach to health security.
Speaking on behalf of the FAO Representative, Mohlophehi Maope stressed the urgency of adopting the One Health approach. “This is no longer a choice, but it is a necessity,” he said. “Through this workshop, we have made tangible progress in building a shared understanding and developing a joint roadmap to enhance collaboration across the animal-human-environment interface. The joint planning, consensus-building, and prioritization efforts demonstrated here mark a significant step forward in putting the One Health Strategy into action.”
Dr. Mookho Ntiea, Director, Veterinary Field Operations, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing health challenges. She added that this initiative will help us build stronger systems and partnerships to safeguard the well-being of our communities.
Sello Mabatla, District Environment Officer, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the One Health workshop, highlighting its potential to foster a more integrated approach to tackling health issues in Lesotho.
“I’m pleased to be part of this One Health workshop. It presents a valuable opportunity to promote an integrated approach to addressing health issues in our country. By bringing together different ministries, this initiative will help bridge gaps and foster collaboration among key stakeholders. Together, we can develop a joint action plan to tackle health challenges more effectively.”
The One Health workshop concluded with a shared commitment to advancing multisectoral collaboration in Lesotho. Participants endorsed a consensus-driven roadmap aimed at improving coordination between the animal health, human health, and environmental sectors for the prevention, detection, and response to health threats. With clear ownership from all stakeholders and prioritization of the top five activities, the workshop laid a solid foundation for actionable progress. By aligning the WHO’s International Health Regulations Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (IHR MEF) and WOAH’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, Lesotho is poised to strengthen its national health systems and build a more integrated, proactive approach to safeguarding public health.
This activity was made possible through funding from the Pandemic Fund.
Lesotho strengthens one health collaboration through national bridging workshop
-
News2 years ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months ago
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria