The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • FULL LIST: Top 10 African countries with highest minimum wage in 2026

    FULL LIST: Top 10 African countries with highest minimum wage in 2026

    Minimum wage represents the lowest legal remuneration that workers can receive, intended to ensure they can meet basic living needs.

    Across many parts of the world, including Africa, employees often earn far below what is necessary for a decent standard of living.

    Nevertheless, several African countries have developed robust policies that prioritise worker welfare, guaranteeing fair compensation and providing a framework for improved livelihoods.

    Below are the top 10 African countries with highest minimum wage in 2026

     1. Morocco – Minimum Wage: $374

    Morocco tops the list with a minimum wage of about $374 per month, supported by a diversified economy spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Strong trade links with Europe and the Middle East help sustain economic activity and worker incomes. GDP grew 4.4% in 2025.

    2. Mauritius – Minimum Wage: $371

    Mauritius offers one of Africa’s highest minimum wages at approximately $371.75 per month. The economy is underpinned by tourism, finance, and technology sectors, which support stable employment and higher wages. GDP grew 3.2% in 2025.

    3. Tunisia – Minimum Wage: $185

    Tunisia’s minimum wage stands at around $185.54 per month, with a mixed economy of agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Economic reforms and moderate growth help maintain this wage level. GDP growth was 2.5% in 2025.

    4. Algeria – Minimum Wage: $185

    Algeria’s minimum wage is about $185.25 per month, largely supported by oil and gas exports. Public sector wages and social programs also reinforce the minimum wage framework. The country recorded 3.4% GDP growth in 2025.

    5. Egypt – Minimum Wage: $149

    Egypt has a minimum wage of roughly $149.79 per month. The economy is supported by agriculture, industry, and services, with reforms aimed at boosting investment and employment. GDP grew 4.3% in 2025.

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    6. Botswana – Minimum Wage: $142

    Botswana’s minimum wage averages $142.62 per month, backed by diamond-driven revenues. However, the economy experienced a contraction due to weak global demand. GDP contracted by −0.9% in 2025.

    7. Cape Verde – Minimum Wage: $139

    Cape Verde offers a minimum wage of about $139.41 per month, with tourism, services, and remittances driving the economy. GDP grew 5.2% in 2025, among the highest in the top ten list.

    8. Lesotho – Minimum Wage: $139

    Lesotho’s minimum wage is around $139.40 per month. The economy relies on manufacturing, agriculture, and remittances from migrant workers. GDP growth was 1.4% in 2025.

    9. Kenya – Minimum Wage: $118

    Kenya’s minimum wage stands at approximately $118.20 per month. A diversified economy driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and services supports employment and wage floors. GDP grew 4.8% in 2025.

    10. Mozambique – Minimum Wage: $104

    Mozambique has a minimum wage of about $104.92 per month, reflecting its lower-income status. Investments in agriculture and energy are helping the economy gradually expand. GDP growth stood at 2.5% in 2025

  • Electoral Act: Real-time result transmission may endanger rural voting — CSO

    Electoral Act: Real-time result transmission may endanger rural voting — CSO

    A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), has warned that making real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory could disenfranchise millions of voters in rural and insecure parts of the country.

    The warning followed last week’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026 by the Senate after its third reading.

    In passing the bill, the Senate declined to approve a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3), which sought to mandate the real-time electronic transmission of election results by presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The rejected amendment would have required results from each polling unit to be electronically transmitted to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time after the prescribed result forms were signed, stamped, and countersigned by party agents.

    Instead, the Senate retained the existing provision of the 2022 Electoral Act, which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

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    Clarifying the Senate’s position, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the lawmakers did not reject electronic transmission of results but only removed the phrase “real time” from the provision.

    Speaking at a book launch on the burden of legislators in Nigeria, Akpabio explained that electronic transmission remains permissible under the law, but that insisting on real-time transmission could create legal and logistical challenges.

    “All we said during discussion was that we should remove the word ‘real-time’ because if you say real-time, then there is a network or grid failure and the network is not working. When you go to court, somebody will say it ought to have been real-time. That was all we said,” he stated.

    Reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, NIW described the push for mandatory real-time transmission as a looming “democratic emergency,” citing Nigeria’s weak digital and power infrastructure.

    The organisation’s spokesperson, Dr. John Samuel Nang, said large portions of rural Nigeria—particularly areas affected by insecurity—lack reliable telecommunications coverage, warning that a rigid digital-only system could invalidate votes in communities without stable 4G or 5G networks.

    “Even making ordinary phone calls has become difficult due to frequent network failures,” Nang said, questioning the feasibility of transmitting sensitive election data seamlessly in real time under such conditions.

    NIW also raised concerns over Nigeria’s unstable power supply, noting that frequent national grid collapses could disrupt elections mid-process if electronic transmission becomes compulsory.

    On sovereignty issues, the group argued that Nigeria does not have full control over its satellite infrastructure, warning that overreliance on external digital systems could expose the electoral process to manipulation.

    The organisation recalled that the Supreme Court has recognised electronic transmission of results as supplementary rather than a replacement for manual collation, which it described as a critical safeguard of the electoral process.

    NIW urged civil society groups and policymakers to focus on infrastructure readiness, calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecommunications operators to ensure nationwide internet coverage before pushing for mandatory real-time transmission of election results.

  • JUST IN: Tinubu receives AFRICOM Commander, U.S envoy at State House

    JUST IN: Tinubu receives AFRICOM Commander, U.S envoy at State House

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday hosted a high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), led by its Commander, General Dagvin Anderson, at the State House, Abuja.

    The meeting, which was attended by Nigeria’s top security leadership, was disclosed in a post on X by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.

    According to Olusegun, President Tinubu, alongside the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the service chiefs, received General Anderson, members of his team, and the Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Keith Heffern.

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    Those present on the U.S. side included the Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Keith Heffern; the Commander of AFRICOM, General Dagvin Anderson; the Command Sergeant Major, Garric M. Banfield, who is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of AFRICOM; and the Senior Foreign Policy Adviser, AFRICOM, Ambassador Peter Vrooman.

    On the Nigerian side, President Tinubu was joined by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Uandiandeye; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi.

  • Abia denies budget inflation, clarifies photocopier allocation

    Abia denies budget inflation, clarifies photocopier allocation

    The Abia State Government has dismissed claims that it inflated the 2026 budget, describing reports of irregularities as misleading.

    The clarification followed rumours that the state government increased certain allocations after the budget was signed into law.

    One of the claims centred on an alleged provision of ₦250 million for the purchase of a photocopier for the state’s liaison office in Lagos.

    However, the Abia State Ministry of Budget and Planning, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the figure was a technical error that occurred during the final compilation of the 2026 budget.

    The ministry explained that the actual amount earmarked for the photocopier and other office equipment for the Lagos liaison office was ₦12 million.

    It also stated that all procurement processes under the administration of Governor Alex Otti must comply with existing laws and financial regulations, and are subject to strict approval procedures.

    The ministry maintained that the government remains committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal plan.

    “The 2026 Budget was duly published on the Ministry’s official website on January 31, 2026, in the spirit of transparency and public access.

    “On Page 60 of the said document, the correct and intended provisions are clearly stated as follows: N210,831,142.00 was provided for the “rehabilitation/repair of residential building/staff quarters for Lagos liaison office.

    “N12,000,000.00 was provided for the procurement of 1 Sharp copier, etc., being every other sundry equipment for the liaison office.”

    “A technical error occurred during the final compilation of the voluminous document. On Page 289, a misalignment of text and values took place, which inadvertently flipped the descriptions against the figures. This presented an incorrect reading. The relevant Agency has since been notified of the correction.

    “The N250,000,000 figure that appeared beside the copier item on Page 289 is not the provision for a copier.

    “It is, in fact, the value for a different, larger capital project elsewhere in the budget, which was displaced by the formatting error. The budget for the copier and sundry office equipment remains N12,000,000 as correctly stated on Page 60.

    “We categorically state that there has been no inflation of the cost for the procurement of a copier. The error was purely clerical and presentational.

    “Most importantly, the Ministry wishes to educate the public on the budget process:

    “The published budget contains estimates and intentions. It is a planning document that authorizes spending up to specified limits. No funds can be disbursed for any procurement based solely on these estimates.

    “Every procurement in the Abia State Government must, by law and financial regulations, pass through rigorous approval processes. These mandatory guardrails include: Scrutiny and approval by the Departmental Tenders Board.

    “Further review and approval by the Ministerial Tenders Board. Final approval and due process certification by the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) and the State Executive Council

    “These layers of scrutiny are designed specifically to ensure fiscal responsibility, value-for-money, and the transparent use of taxpayers’ funds. Any procurement that does not justify its cost or follow due process will not be approved, regardless of the initial budgetary provision.

    “The Ministry regrets the confusion caused by the formatting misalignment and assures the public that our commitment to transparency remains unwavering.

    “We encourage citizens to always have confidence in the established financial control systems that govern all our expenditures.

    “This administration remains committed to transparent budgeting and prudent use of public funds and welcomes public scrutiny as part of its established accountability structure.

  • Nigeria calls for global economic reset

    Nigeria calls for global economic reset

    Nigeria has called for a reset of the global economic system as emerging market economies seek fairer treatment in international trade, finance and monetary policies.

    The call was made on Sunday in Saudi Arabia by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, during a panel session involving Finance Ministers from major emerging market countries.

    Edun spoke at the Al Ula Conference for Emerging Market Economies, where global finance leaders met to discuss changes in international trade, monetary systems and macroeconomic policies at a time of major shifts in the global economy.

    According to a statement shared by the Ministry of Finance on its official X handle, the minister told the gathering that emerging market economies must play a stronger role in shaping the new global economic order.

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    He said the current global economic structure no longer reflects the realities of today’s world and must be adjusted to give developing and emerging economies a fairer voice.

    Edun also drew attention to the increasing importance of Gulf countries in global trade and finance, noting that the region is becoming a key driver of investment and capital flows across emerging markets.

    He said Nigeria sees strong potential in working more closely with Gulf nations to unlock new opportunities in trade, infrastructure development and long-term investment.

    The minister stressed that Nigeria remains committed to building partnerships that promote fairness and balance in the global financial system.

    “Nigeria is committed to strengthening partnerships that will support a more equitable global financial architecture,” Edun said.

    He added that a restructured global economic system would help emerging markets grow faster, create jobs and improve living standards for their people.

    The conference brought together policymakers and financial experts from across the world to exchange ideas on how emerging economies can better navigate global economic changes and contribute more meaningfully to global growth.

    Nigeria’s participation, the ministry said, reflects the country’s determination to engage actively in global economic discussions and ensure that the interests of developing economies are fully represented.

  • Osun 2026: Basiru, ex-lawmakers begin consultations to boost APC chances

    Osun 2026: Basiru, ex-lawmakers begin consultations to boost APC chances

    …forum to finalise reconciliation of guber aspirants 

    As political activities ahead of the Osun State 2026 governorship election gather momentum, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Speakers and other ex-legislators have begun strategic consultations to secure victory for the party’s candidate.

    The meeting, held at Alubarika House, Alekuwodo, Osogbo on Sunday, attracted over 30 former lawmakers, including two ex-Speakers, Timothy Owoeye and Mojeed Alabi.

    Addressing reporters after the meeting, Basiru said the gathering was convened to establish a structure and steering committee that would drive the party’s campaign.

    “This meeting is to formally create a structure and the steering committee for that body to be able to ensure that we strategise and work for the victory of our party in the August 8, 2026 election for our candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and also to work for the success of our party in the 2027 election to President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

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    He added that the forum comprised politicians who had contested and won elections in their constituencies, expressing confidence in their grassroots influence.

    “This is a gathering of people who have contested elections in the various constituencies and have won. We believe they are the people who have control of the grassroots and will be able to work for the success of our party. By August 8, we will know who is popular,” he said.

    Leader of the forum and former Speaker, Mojeed Alabi, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the party’s political position in the state.

    “We met today to constitute ourselves into a formidable force for the purpose of uplifting the political situation of our state,” he said.

    Alabi said members resolved to remain united behind the party’s candidate and engage leaders across different groups.

    “We will meet governorship aspirants from the last primary election to ensure that all issues relating to the selection of the candidate are amicably resolved in a manner that will ensure victory for our party when the election is held on August 8, 2026,” he added.

  • Police arrest three suspected kidnappers over abduction of Edo doctor 

    Police arrest three suspected kidnappers over abduction of Edo doctor 

    Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of Dr. Ibrahim Tahir and his brother, Abu.

    Both brothers were kidnapped on January 2nd this year at their residence, near Igbira Camp, Auchi, Estako West local government area.

    Abu was killed by the kidnappers while Ibrahim was released after payment of N50m ransom.

    The three kidnappers were arrested separately.

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    Edo Police spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the arrests were due to sustained intelligence-led operations in Auchi and its environs.

    Ikoedem said a first breakthrough came when operatives of the Auchi Division, while conducting a routine bush-combing operation in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, at Warake forest intercepted one Saminu Kawujie.

    It was during an identification parade that he was identified as one of the abductors.

    Two other suspects were arrested at the Auchi Specialist Hospital where they had gone to treat a relative.

    It was Dr. Ibrahim that raised the alarm when he sighted them and police operatives led the Divisional Police Officer swooped in.

    The two suspects were identified as Idris Abubakar ‘M’ and Sani Abubakar ‘M’. 

    Ikoedem said both suspects have been identified as part of the gang that abducted the brothers.

    “Idris Abubakar was identified as the particular person who received ransom money for the release of Dr. Abu.

    “Effort have been intensified towards conducting a comprehensive and discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire notorious organized criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and its environs.”

  • Infrastructure key to real estate, economic growth — Sanwo-Olu

    Infrastructure key to real estate, economic growth — Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the importance of infrastructure development as a major driver of real estate expansion and long-term economic growth.

    Sanwo-Olu made the assertion during the 2026 Nigeria Construction and Real Estate Outlook Conference organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Nigeria Group, held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, described infrastructure as the backbone of sustainable development, noting that strategic investments in roads, rail and other public utilities have continued to boost investors’ confidence and unlock new opportunities in the real estate sector.

    He said Lagos, being Africa’s largest city, continues to witness rapid population growth, which presents both challenges and opportunities, adding that the state government has adopted infrastructure as a long-term investment strategy to stimulate private sector participation.

    According to him, “Infrastructure is not an accessory to growth; it is its architecture. It determines where value emerges, how cities expand and whether growth is inclusive or fragile.”

    Sanwo-Olu noted that professionalism, transparency and integrity in the built environment remain critical in attracting investment in a competitive global economy, commending the RICS for promoting global professional standards in the construction and real estate sector.

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    The governor cited key projects such as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit network, major road and bridge construction and integrated transport planning as initiatives reshaping land use patterns, reducing congestion and opening new real estate corridors across the state.

    He also emphasised the importance of strong institutions in making infrastructure projects viable, noting that reforms in land administration, planning approvals and public-private partnership frameworks have improved efficiency and accelerated project delivery.

    Sanwo-Olu said the progress recorded in infrastructure development reflects continuity in governance and a clear understanding that infrastructure remains a major indicator of government credibility and long-term planning.

    The governor expressed optimism about the outlook of Nigeria’s construction and real estate sector in 2026, identifying key opportunities in transit-oriented development, urban renewal, affordable housing, logistics and industrial parks, as well as climate-resilient infrastructure.

    He outlined Lagos State’s priorities to include sustained infrastructure expansion, strengthening institutional frameworks, promoting climate-friendly investments, improving data-driven planning and encouraging innovative construction methods through collaboration with the private sector and professional bodies.

    Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the role of chartered surveyors and other built-environment professionals in safeguarding investments and ensuring accountability in project delivery.

    “In a global investment environment where trust is currency, your role directly influences where capital flows and where cities thrive,” he said.

    He reaffirmed Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustainable urban development and commended the RICS Nigeria Group for its contribution to shaping the nation’s built environment.

  • Fed Govt reopens Tsamiya border in Kebbi to strengthen regional trade

    Fed Govt reopens Tsamiya border in Kebbi to strengthen regional trade

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to secure border governance and facilitate transit trade, following the Federal Government’s approval to reopen the Tsamiya border corridor in Kebbi State

    This was made known during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held at the Government House, Kebbi State.

    The engagement, which brought together security agencies, traditional leaders, economic operators, and international customs representatives, provided a strategic platform to examine practical measures to strengthen Nigeria’s northwest border architecture while ensuring that legitimate trade flows seamlessly under strict compliance protocols.

    The reopening of the corridor underscores the Service’s ongoing drive to balance national security priorities with trade facilitation objectives, particularly along critical land routes and the River Niger corridor that connects Nigeria with neighbouring countries.

    Speaking during the engagement, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of structured inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in addressing evolving transit trade and security challenges.

    According to the CGC, “Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources, and organised networks. This makes it imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats.”

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    He noted that the Service is actively engaging customs authorities from the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin, supported by the political will of President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to resolve longstanding transit trade issues through coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation.

    “Diversion of goods in transit is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is a cross-border challenge that requires coordinated enforcement, clear guidelines, and strict compliance to ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi stated.

    The CGC explained that the Tsamiya Corridor will operate under enhanced monitoring driven by ICT interconnectivity systems, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents, and close surveillance of goods in transit. He warned that any truck found outside the approved route will be seized, and offenders prosecuted in line with transit regulations, referencing recent prosecutions as evidence of the Service’s firm enforcement approach.

    He commended the Kebbi State Government for fostering a coordinated security environment. He acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to the development of the Service and national security.

    In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting Customs and other security agencies by providing logistics, infrastructure, and community engagement in border areas.

    “The Kebbi State Government remains committed to prioritising security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” the Governor said.

    The stakeholders’ engagement attracted immediate past governor of Kebbi State and the Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, former governor Usman Dakingari, Customs officials from the Republic of Benin, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and key economic operators, all expressing confidence that the renewed collaboration will enhance border security, strengthen regional trade, and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for lawful economic activities.

  • Music artiste, three crew members found dead in Lagos studio

    Music artiste, three crew members found dead in Lagos studio

    …police arrest one, commence probe

    A popular music artiste, Matthew Ogundele, and three of his crew members have been found dead inside a Lagos studio.

    The crew members were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, alias JoesTv.

    The deceased were said to have been discovered on February 4, around 11 am, in the studio located at HFP Shopping Complex, Abraham Adesanya in Ajah.

    It was gathered that the artists had gone to Ajah to perform in a three-day birthday party allegedly organized by the owner of the studio, Olanireti Akinbola.

    The deceased, it was learnt, performed on February 3 and decided to sleep in the studio when they finished around midnight.

    According to sources, they were given food by the owner’s husband that night, who is said to be the one who noticed something was amiss around 11 am the next day.

    Sources alleged that a possible suffocation from a generator placed directly opposite the studio door could be responsible for their death.

    They were allegedly found unresponsive with blood coming out of their nostrils, ears, and mouth, but no violent mark seen.

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     “The convener invited some gospel artistes to minister during her three-day birthday praise, which started on Monday.

    “Segun Praise was scheduled to minister on the second day, and he came with his crew. The session started in the evening and ran late, so they decided to stay overnight in the studio.

    “It was the following morning that we heard that their bodies were found in the studio.

    “Her husband was the one who raised the alarm after knocking the studio door several times with no response coming from inside.

    “A generator was on and placed directly opposite their sleeping locations. So, it is suspected that this probably caused their death, but nothing has been concluded yet,” said a police source.

    Contacted, the Lagos Police Spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, saying it was reported on Wednesday, February 4, at Ajah Division, adding that it was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.

    “One suspect identified as the organizer of the event is currently in custody. Investigation is ongoing while we await the autopsy report,” said Adebisi.