The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Residents to promote unity, culture with fiesta

    Residents to promote unity, culture with fiesta

    Residents of Idanre in Ondo State have said the annual Ode Mare Festival will serve as a platform to foster unity, peace, and promote the community’s rich cultural heritage.

    The festival  is a new cultural event aimed at celebrating uniqueness of the Idanre people and their history before their descent from Oke Idanre.

    The celebration featured cultural displays from various quarters in Idanre Kingdom, including Isalu, Idale, Irowo, Alade, and Atoshin.

    Speaking at the event, the Aare Onakakanfo of Otoja in Idanre, Chief Lawrence Akinboni, described the Ode Mare Festival as an avenue to promote traditional values, indigenous music and dance, while also attracting tourists and boosting local economic activities.

    According to him, the celebration goes beyond entertainment, stressing that it symbolises shared history, identity, and togetherness among Idanre people at home and in the diaspora.

    “The Ode Mare is a festival created to provide a platform for the Idanre Kingdom. It is our way of appreciating God for the economic growth of the community. We believe strongly in our culture and heritage.

    “Anything you do, just give thanks. This festival gives us the opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage and promote our values, letting people know that Idanre has good sons and daughters,” he said.

    Chief Akinboni added that the celebration would grow bigger in subsequent years, noting that future editions would be more elaborate.

    Community leader, Olaleye Osunmakinwa, said the festival would help reconnect Idanre people across the globe while strengthening bonds.

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    “The Ode Mare Festival is very important to us. Firstly, we are trying to connect our people all over the world. Everything we are doing here is being watched globally.

    “We are calling our people back home. We need unity in our midst and initiatives that will bring progress, not backwardness,” he said.

    Osunmakinwa added that beyond cultural promotion, the festival holds significant economic value for the town.

    “We do not want to rely solely on cocoa. We want our culture to generate income. There are many things around us in Idanre worth celebrating, and this festival will boost our economy,” he noted.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Akinwole Solomon, said the Ode Mare Festival would place Idanre on the global tourism map while promoting the town’s cultural heritage.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Afolabi Adesoji said the festival was designed to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Idanre people.

    Represented by the Director of Tourism in the ministry, Dr. Adeola Aderinola, the commissioner, assured that the state government would continue to promote culture and tourism to drive economic growth.

    “This festival is designed to promote culture and tourism in Ondo State. What we are witnessing today is part of the Mare Festival, a new innovation tagged Ode Mare,” he explained.

    “It is meant to promote the rich culture of the Idanre people, as evident in their traditional attire and cultural displays.”

  • Sanwo-Olu celebrates wife at 59, says she is dependable partner

    Sanwo-Olu celebrates wife at 59, says she is dependable partner

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has celebrated his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is 59 today.

    He described her as a courageous, kind-hearted and strong pillar of support.

    Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is a medical doctor and Chairman of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described the Lagos State First Lady as a caring partner, committed prayer warrior and loving wife and mother.

    He said his wife of over two decades has been a dependable and reliable partner in the delivery of the THEMES+ development agenda of his administration.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “On behalf of the government and the people of Lagos State, I celebrate my darling and loving wife, trusted and reliable partner, prayer warrior and the First Lady of Lagos, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on her 59th birthday.

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    “Ibijoke is a God-fearing woman, a good companion, and a caring and loving wife and mother. She is a passionate Christian and lover of children. She is my dependable partner, who has complemented the roles that God has given us with all sense of dignity.

    “She is a reliable partner who has used her good office as First Lady to support my role as Governor in ensuring that the dividends of democracy are delivered to millions of Lagos residents.

    “On this occasion of her 59th birthday, I thank God for her life and appreciate her for all the support, time, sacrifice and contributions to the growth and development of Lagos State.”

    “I also use this auspicious occasion to appreciate her remarkable contributions to our family, the medical profession, Lagos State, and humanity in general. I wish Ibijoke good health and more fruitful, prosperous and impactful years ahead.”

  • PwC: Nigeria’s GDP to grow by 4.3%

    PwC: Nigeria’s GDP to grow by 4.3%

    Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at about 4.3 per cent this year, supported by higher crude oil production and stronger performance in dominant sectors, PwC Nigeria has projected.

    Headline inflation is also projected to moderately ease, supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) tight monetary policy stance, rebasing effects, and improved stability in the foreign exchange market.

    PwC Nigeria, which gave these projections in its ‘Economic Outlook 2026’ released on Wednesday, also said the naira is expected to remain broadly stable through 2026, underpinned by ongoing CBN reforms and improved portfolio inflows.

    With regards to interest rate, the PwC report said with inflation trending down, the CBN may cautiously ease its monetary policy stance this year.

    The report, however, said fiscal sustainability risks are expected to persist, driven by low revenue to GDP, fiscal leakages, higher spending and elevated debt service obligations.

    PwC Nigeria said with fiscal constraints persisting, they reinforce the importance of capital efficiency and balance-sheet discipline.

    Against this backdrop, PwC Nigeria highlights practical imperatives for business leaders in 2026: making selective investment bets in attractive sectors and regions, and scenario-planning for macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks.

    Other imperatives for business leaders include adapting business models and cost structures for resilience, accelerating digital transformation and responsible AI adoption, and strengthening regulatory and tax compliance as reforms move from design to execution.

    PwC Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2026 examines how recent gains in macroeconomic stability are reshaping the operating environment for businesses, investors, and markets as Nigeria moves into 2026.

    The report, which was made available to The Nation, finds that Nigeria recorded improvements in macroeconomic stability in 2025 following key monetary and foreign-exchange reforms, with inflation easing, exchange-rate conditions stabilising, and external reserves strengthening.

    Read Also: Nigeria can earn $10bn yearly from cashew industry, says NCAN

    PwC’s Outlook highlights how this stability is influencing strategic business choices this year, particularly around investment, cost and funding decisions, and regulatory, tax, and digital priorities.

    Country Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria, Sam Abu, said: “PwC Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2026 provides forward-looking analysis of key macroeconomic indicators and what they signal for the economy and for business leaders.

    “Nigeria has achieved improved macroeconomic stability over the past year. The focus now is how that stability is translated into sustainable economic growth, and how businesses position for 2026. For companies, this stability provides a more predictable operating environment for planning, investment, and growth decisions.”

    The Outlook identifies seven key issues shaping Nigeria’s economic performance in the year ahead, spanning global and domestic forces.

    These include monetary policy effectiveness, fiscal sustainability and reform execution, global economic and geopolitical dynamics, domestic security and social pressures, uneven sectoral growth, consumer affordability constraints, and the expanding role of the digital economy and Artificial Intelligence.

    Also speaking on the outlook, Partner and Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria, Olusegun Zaccheaus, said: “The seven themes in the Outlook show how global and domestic forces will shape economic performance in 2026.

    “Globally, growth is projected at around 3.1 per cent, while merchandise trade growth slows to about 0.5 per cent, keeping oil prices, capital flows, and access to foreign inflows as key channels influencing Nigeria’s growth and FX liquidity.

    “Domestically, improved monetary effectiveness has reduced volatility and clarified pricing, cost, and funding signals, even as fiscal pressures, security challenges, and weak household purchasing power continue to shape sector outcomes.”

    According to Zaccheaus, “growth is more likely to remain concentrated in services and selected capital-intensive sectors, placing a premium on disciplined capital allocation and sector selection.”

  • ‘Tax-to-GDP ratio lower than Africa’s average’

    ‘Tax-to-GDP ratio lower than Africa’s average’

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said the country’s tax-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is below Africa’s average.

    This was contained in the Policy Brief the watchdog organization published titled: “Beyond Assent: Pathways for Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax and Revenue Framework.”

    The document, which was released to The Nation exclusively yesterday said, “Despite its economic potential and resource wealth, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio of just 9.4 – 10.86 per cent below the African average of 16.8 per cent and the minimum 15 per cent threshold recommended by the African Union for sustainable development.”

    According to NEITI, the result is a chronic revenue shortfall that has undermined public investment, widened the infrastructure gap, exacerbated inequality, and increased Nigeria’s exposure to debt and external vulnerabilities.

    The document further noted that at the same time, decades of extractive industry audits and analyses have consistently exposed systemic inefficiencies in revenue assessment, collection, and remittance.

    It added that the inefficiencies are compounded by data opacity, un-remitted revenues, arbitrary tax waivers, weak inter-agency coordination, all of which contribute to the loss of billions of Naira annually.

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    NEITI, however, stressed that the new tax reform offers an opportunity to correct these structural deficiencies, modernize Nigeria’s tax administration, and build a stronger foundation for domestic fiscal sustainability.

    On the other hand, the document said while the objectives of the reform are laudable, their realization hinges on how the framework is designed and implemented.

    The document also throws light on the features of the tax reform as it relates to designated revenue accounts.

    NEITI said in addition to the comprehensive classification of revenues, remittances are required to be into separate accounts designated for each revenue type/stream.

    It also said that alternatively payments are required to be separated in bank statements to show, for each payment, the name of the paying entity, the receiving entity, and the purpose of the payment for proper revenue tracing and reconciliation.

    On penalties, the document said non-compliance with tax remittances range from fines to revocation of licenses.

    It noted that the Petroleum Profit Tax Act (PPTA) requires entities to file and pay their tax within five months of the end of the accounting year.

    Failure to file and pay within the stipulated time, according to NEITI, is to attracts penalty of 10 per cent of the amount due, as well as interest at the prevailing commercial rate.

  • Economy resilient despite uncertainty, says FirstBank chief

    Economy resilient despite uncertainty, says FirstBank chief

    Despite macroeconomic pressures—currency adjustments, inflationary cycles, shifting trade dynamics and global uncertainty Nigeria economy continues to demonstrate resilience, CEO FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu has said.

    Speaking at the FirstBank Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 with theme: “The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth” in Lagos, he said the there is need to position Nigeria competitively in a recalibrating global economy, understand the sectors that will drive resilient growth and how businesses and institutions build durability amid volatility.

    He said: “At FirstBank, resilience is not a slogan, it is a legacy spanning over 131 years. We have navigated cycles, supported businesses through transitions, financed ambition and stood as a stable partner to individuals, enterprises and government alike. Today, we remain deeply committed to being the institution of choice—trusted, capital-strong, digitally enabled and positioned to partner Nigeria’s next phase of growth,” he said.

    He said that looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the opportunities before us are significant. Demographics, technology, climate imperatives, regional trade and capital flows are reshaping competitiveness. For Nigeria, success will depend on disciplined reforms, investment in human capital, scalable infrastructure and strong financial intermediation.

    “It will also depend on partnerships; between the public and private sectors, between capital and enterprise and between insight and execution. Today is therefore not about abstract diagnosis. It is about direction and decisions. The conversations here will shape strategies in boardrooms, influence investment flows and inform policy and business choices in the months ahead,” he said.

    Read Also: Nigeria can earn $10bn yearly from cashew industry, says NCAN

    Continuing, he said FirstBank, believes that informed decisions are the foundation of sustainable progress.

    “That belief underpins this platform and our broader role in the economy. We are proud to convene leading economists and researchers, industry leaders, digital and technology experts, as well as policy and strategic thinkers who will provide practical insight, challenge assumptions and illuminate the road ahead,” he said.

    Other speakers also gave insights on their expectations on the domestic economy. 

    The keynote speaker, Group Chief Economist & Managing Director of Research & Trade Intelligence, Afrexim Bank, Yemi Kale, said falling inflation numbers, gradual monetary easing, improved external reserves and managed FX flexibility are indicators of macroeconomic stabilization.

    He also listed infrastructure gaps, energy constraints, skills mismatch and security and governance risks as indicators of structural challenges in the economy.

    He advised economic managers to find ways to unlock long-term domestic capital, that would translate growth to jobs.

    He said that naira devaluation will not go away soon, adding that devaluation in naira happens every five to six years.

    He advised companies to hedge against naira devaluation through market diversification.

    Head, Treasury Sales & Derivatives Marketing, FirstBank, Ayokunle Ojo, spoke on the need for companies to build strong cash flows that will make their operations resilient.

    He also spoke on the need for compliance and also found ways to navigate the uncertainty in today’s energy world.

    Also speaking, Managing Partner, Verrak, Niyi Yusuf, said companies should focus on their core competent areas, and provide quality services to sustain their market control.

    Head, Equities and Alternative Solutions, First Asset Management, Laura Fisayo-Kolawole, said the domestic economy is currently benefiting from disinflation, which makes the investment climate profitable to investors.

  • ‘Nigeria can earn $10b yearly from cashew industry’

    ‘Nigeria can earn $10b yearly from cashew industry’

    the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has said that Nigeria stands to earn as much as $10 billion annually from the cashew industry if appropriate policies, strategic investments and effective value-addition measures are implemented,

    The National President of NCAN, Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria Cashew Day.

    He said Nigeria has the landmass, human resources and market access required to become a major global player in cashew production and processing, but is held back by weak policy frameworks, poor data management and inadequate local processing capacity.

    Ajanaku explained that the Nigeria Cashew Day initiative, launched in Benin in 2023, was designed to convene stakeholders across the entire value chain  from farmers and processors to marketers and service providers  to highlight the enormous but largely untapped potential of the sector.

    He said the event, which moved to Enugu in 2024 and Lagos in 2025, is scheduled to hold in Abuja in 2026 to allow direct engagement with the federal government at the highest level.

    “Our aim is to have a national cashew policy that is owned by Nigerians, not one imposed by external interests. We want a policy that protects the industry, promotes organic cashew, and allows us to fully own what we produce,” Ajanaku said.

    He noted that while Nigeria has about 92 million hectares of land  with over 34 million hectares of arable land currently unused, it still lags behind countries like Côte d’Ivoire, which has a far smaller landmass but records higher cocoa and cashew output.

    “With proper harnessing, the Nigerian cashew industry can create jobs for over 50 million Nigerians. There is nothing lacking, we have the land, the population and the financial capacity to be the number one cashew producer in the world,” he said.

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    Ajanaku emphasised the need for Nigeria to go beyond raw production and become a major processing hub, warning that exporting unprocessed cashew nuts results in huge losses in revenue, employment and foreign exchange.

    He expressed concern that many top cashew-producing states do not have processing plants, pointing to Kogi State as an example.

    “Kogi is one of the leading cashew-producing states in Nigeria, yet it has no single cashew factory. If factories are located in producing areas, our children will be employed, and rural economies will grow,” he said.

    The NCAN president urged state governments to provide incentives that would attract investors to establish processing facilities, while also encouraging local entrepreneurs to invest in their states of origin.

    He also decried the lack of reliable production data, noting that Nigeria currently depends on export figures to estimate its cashew output.

    “We don’t have the correct statistical structure to determine how much cashew we produce. Worse still, a large volume of cashew leaves the country without records, as exporters bypass official procedures to avoid repatriating proceeds,” he said.

    According to NCAN, officially documented exports from the last season exceeded 400,000 metric tonnes, valued at about $700 million, although the actual volume is believed to be significantly higher.

    Ajanaku said Nigeria could increase production to more than 2 million metric tonnes annually within five years, and possibly surpass 4 million tonnes in the long term.

    “At a conservative price of $1,500 per tonne, producing 2 million tonnes would generate $3 billion, excluding by-products,” he explained.

    He further highlighted the economic value of cashew by-products such as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and residue cake, which are often wasted locally but sell for about 95 cents per kilogram on the international market.

    “If we process what we produce locally and fully exploit the value chain, Nigeria can earn a minimum of $10 billion annually from the cashew industry,” he said.

    He however noted that the upcoming Nigeria Cashew Day would be used to demonstrate to global investors that Nigeria is ready to do business and capable of taking a leading role in the international cashew market, provided the right policy choices are made.

  • Marketers partnering Dangote may crash pump prices below N739

    Marketers partnering Dangote may crash pump prices below N739

    Some of the independent marketers partnering with Dangote Refinery may vend the pump prices of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) below N739 per litre very soon, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    It was also learnt that the refinery commenced the virtual training of the affiliate retail outlets staff on Tuesday.

    Soon after the training, the refinery will commence the free direct delivery of products to the filling stations that are affiliated to it.

    Some of the partnering companies are MRS, Ardova Petroleum (AP), Garima, Heyden, and Optimal.

    The Nation reported in December that the partners aside from MRS were yet to sell petrol at the refinery’s rate because they were yet to receive the product from the direct delivery.

    Read Also: Nigeria can earn $10bn yearly from cashew industry, says NCAN

    Speaking with The Nation on phone on Tuesday, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi revealed that owing to the profit margin between the N699 per litre gantry rate and the N739/l, it is possible for some of the independent partners of the refinery to sell the product below N739/ litre.

    His words: “Some of the independent marketers that will take the free delivery from Dangote may sell it lower than N739/l.

    “ If you check the gantry rate of N699/l, there is over N25/l profit that makes the adjustment easy in a competitive market.”

    The Nation observed that the petrol market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hovered around N739 to N930 per litre.

    While MRS vended the product at N739/l with relative queues, A.A. Rano sold it at N840/litre as Total maintained N920/litre and other independent marketers sold it for N930/ litre and so on.

    The product was accessible hitch-free from the other retail outlets in accordance with the market fundamentals.

  • Limited Time Offer: 25% discount on Starlink and more on Konga Jara

    Limited Time Offer: 25% discount on Starlink and more on Konga Jara

    As the nation embraces the possibilities of a fresh calendar year, Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has officially announced the launch of its inaugural shopping campaign of 2026, tagged Konga Jara. It is designed to help shoppers transform new year aspirations into tangible realities through exceptional deals, setting the tone for a year of value-driven shopping, customer-focused innovation, and accessible technology for Nigerians nationwide.

    Konga Jara brings a combination of mouthwatering deals across multiple product categories, with a standout offer of 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits, alongside free nationwide delivery.

    The campaign draws its name from the beloved Nigerian concept of “jara” — that delightful extra portion traders add to purchases. It reflects Konga’s philosophy of consistently delivering more value for every naira spent.

    To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers are required to meet specific activation and verification conditions. After purchase, customers must activate their kits at starlink.com/activate, ensuring the activation process is fully completed, although powering on the kit is not required at that stage. Customers must then submit their activation details via email to starlinkactivation@konga.com. The activation date and time must match Starlink’s system records, as the rebate is validated only after verification. All discounts and rebates are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

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    According to Konga, the decision to spotlight Starlink during the Konga Jara campaign reflects the growing importance of reliable internet access in today’s digital-first economy. Connectivity now underpins work, learning, entrepreneurship, and everyday communication. By making Starlink kits more affordable and easier to access, Konga is responding directly to a pressing need faced by households and businesses across Nigeria.

    “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing,” said Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga. “Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend. Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

    Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara empowers shoppers with access to genuine, high-quality products sourced directly from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Through strong partnerships with leading global brands, Konga ensures that discounted pricing never comes at the expense of quality or authenticity. Customers benefit from transparent pricing, trusted warranties, and the peace of mind that comes with buying from a reliable platform.

    As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments, and logistics into a seamless experience. From product discovery on Konga.com to secure payment options and efficient nationwide delivery, the platform is structured to save time, reduce friction, and simplify shopping for customers everywhere.

    Shoppers are also encouraged to follow Konga’s official social media channels for exclusive offers from other verticals within the Konga Group. These platforms will feature time-sensitive deals, bundle offers, and special incentives throughout the campaign period.

    As Nigerians settle into 2026 with renewed optimism, Konga Jara offers an opportunity to make smart purchases, invest in reliable technology, and enjoy meaningful savings without compromise. With its blend of generous discounts, free delivery, and trusted sourcing, Konga once again reaffirms its role as a dependable partner in the daily lives and ambitions of millions of Nigerians.

    Shoppers can explore the Konga Jara deals by visiting www.konga.com and following Konga’s official social media pages for ongoing updates and additional offers across the Konga Group ecosystem.

  • Apapa Customs earns N2.9 trillion

    Apapa Customs earns N2.9 trillion

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command  generated a total  N2,930,508,827,110.32 revenue in 2025.

    The amount is an impressive increase of N573,295,266,571.10  over the N2,357,213,560,539.22  collected in 2024, representing a 24.32 per cent growth.

    The figure reinforces Apapa Command’s position as the nation’s leading revenue hub

    The Customs Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the achievement to effective leadership, disciplined manpower and the strategic deployment of technology under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

     He also commended compliant stakeholders whose lawful trade practices contributed significantly to the revenue growth.

    A major contributor to the success, Oshoba said, was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency and accountability in cargo clearance processes. Regular performance reviews and timely revenue recovery measures further strengthened collections.

    Read Also: Nigeria can earn $10bn yearly from cashew industry, says NCAN

     According to him, “In the area of trade facilitation, the Command intensified stakeholder sensitisation following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative to ensure faster processing and release of compliant cargoes. Efforts are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour.”

    The Command, Oshoba said,  “also recorded enforcement successes, intercepting 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian Loud, tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12,632,239,303.00k. Some of the interceptions in the year 2025 were handed over to relevant agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    Looking ahead, Comptroller Oshoba expressed optimism that the Command would achieve more greater revenue milestone in 2026, driven by deeper implementation of B’Odogwu, AEO, and OSS, stronger intelligence-led enforcement, and expanded collaboration with sister agencies.

    Oshoba assured stakeholders of enhanced engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators and the media to promote transparency, compliance and seamless trade at the nation’s busiest port.

  • NIMC records over 123m enrolments

    NIMC records over 123m enrolments

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) currently stands at over 123.9 million unique records. The highest cumulative enrolment figure of over 13 million was recorded in Lagos State. Regional figures indicated an almost equal distribution across the North and South.

    Allegations of extortion have continued to drag the initiative backwards as some unscrupulous front end partners of NIMC continued to collect N5,000 for enrolling people for the National Identity Numbers (NINs).

    While NIMC has insisted that registration for NIN is free, Nigerians continued to be brazenly extorted raising concerns as to who is telling lies.

    Even officials at the various local government councils where Nigerians could enroll are allegedly charged N5000.

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    A widow, Mrs B Adeniran, lamented that she has not been able to retrieve her lost subscriber identity module (SIM) card because of the NIN requirement. “When I visited Igbogila, the headquarters of Ipaja/Ayobo Local Development Council Area (LCDA), I was charged N5000. I didn’t have that type of cash but because I needed it to get my telephone numbers back because they are linked to my bank accounts, I had to beg my children to help me out. I paid an unreciepted N500 before I was enrolled,” she lamented.

    A mother of four, Iya Elija, a resident of Ijagba community in Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, shared similar frustration in getting NIN. “I don’t have NIN and that is why I don’t have any bank account with the fintechs. They are asking me for N5000. I don’t have that type of money,” she said. An industrious housewife who supports her husband’s earnings by doing cleaning jobs around, she said instead of her clients paying directly into her account, she uses the bank accounts of Point of Sale (PoS) agents around her to collect her money. “The charges are usually not friendly each time I go and collect my salary through them,” she added.

    The experiences of Adeniran and Iya Elijah are fairly representative of what people, especially in the rural areas go through with NIN enrolment. 

    For gender distribution of the enrolment, according to NIMC data, a total of 69,700,164 representing 56.25 per cent of males were captured while 54,206,154 representing 43.75 per cent of female were enrolled during the period under review and were given their unique NINs.

    According to figures from the Commission, enrolment figures last reported was for October 31, 2025.

    Aside Lagos that led the other states posting 3,118,103 enrolment figures, NIMC also identified nine others as the top leading states in terms of registration. The others are Kano with 11,585,366, Kaduna with 7,326,730, Ogun- 5,126,323 and Oyo with 4,720,812.

    Others are Katsina with 4,219,535; FCT Abuja- 4,063,297; Rivers -3,672,851; Delta- 3,372,654; and Bauchi -3,228,900.

    NIMC also identified another set of states it described as Bottom 10 States for NIN Enrolment as at October 31 2025. The states are Kwara with 2,098,908; Imo- 2,098,133; Yobe- 2,091,201; Enugu- 2,016,733; and Kogi- 1,950,314.

    Others are Taraba- 1,863,322; Cross River- 1,426,932; Ekiti- 1,169,710; Ebonyi- 1,038,675; and Bayelsa- 803,874.