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Tag: Nigeria

  • The Osborne Towers haul: Not yet closure

    The Osborne Towers haul: Not yet closure

    By Olatunji Dare

    The case of the Osborne Towers Haul has got to be one of the most bizarre in Nigeria’s history.

    At its heart was the largest fortune any person or institution ever chanced upon in a single location in Nigeria, and it transformed one of the most exclusive addresses in one of the nation’s most opulent neighbourhoods into a sensational crime scene brimming with money and mystery.

    Footage of the unearthing of the haul, some $43.3 million stacked in packs of mint-fresh $10, 000 bills, in a fire-proof steel cabinet in Flat 7B at the Osborne Towers, in Lagos, not forgetting small change in hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling, made the headlines and front pages of the news media across the world.

    Early reports claimed that the haul was part of the “security” money former President Goodluck Jonathan had squirreled away for fighting the 2015 presidential election that he should have known he could not win.  He had been so crushed by his defeat, they said, that he forgot the money.

    Even if Dr Jonathan remembered, others said, how could he have come forward to claim the money, especially when his wife, the formerly excellent Dame Patience, was fighting desperately to re-possess some N54 million in bank deposits that the courts had ordered forfeited on the suspicion that it was the fruit of crime?

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    EFCC operatives who had swooped on Apartment 7B following, a tip-off from a whistle-blower were still toting up the haul when former Governor Nyesom Wike declared that it belonged unquestionably to the Rivers State Government, being proceeds of assets his predecessor and serving Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi had “fraudulently” sold.

    “We will follow due process of the law to get back the money found at the Ikoyi residence,” he told Channels Television. “This money belongs to the Rivers State people. We  have conducted our checks.

    “We will stun Nigeria with this matter. We will come out with our evidence at the appropriate time.”

    So much for Barrister Wike’s plan, which was at full throttle when the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a highly-regarded spook whom few outside the community of spooks had ever heard of, stepped forward to claim that the money belonged to the NIA.

    The funds, he said, were duly appropriated by the Federal Government at the time of Dr Jonathan for projects that could not be named, and that Oke had periodically reported on those projects, to the complete satisfaction of the authorities, among them National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, and by extension President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Terrorists now target crowds, not religions — MURIC warns

    Terrorists now target crowds, not religions — MURIC warns

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned that terrorists are no longer targeting specific religious groups but are instead focusing on attacking large crowds.

    The alert was issued in a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and made available to journalists on Saturday.

    Akintola explained that current findings show terrorists are not deliberately targeting Muslims and their mosques or Christians and their churches. Instead, he said, they have developed what he described as a “crowd mentality.”

    He noted that this crowd-driven approach stems from the belief that people often feel safer or more comfortable in crowded spaces—whether for worship, social activities, or entertainment—making such places easy targets.

    According to him, terrorists now strike locations with large gatherings to maximise casualties or orchestrate mass kidnappings for higher ransom payments.

    Akintola stressed that this pattern explains why schools, churches, and mosques are frequently attacked, emphasizing that the motive is primarily economic rather than religious.

    “In the midst of a prolonged and extensive national conversation on the controversial Christian genocide narrative, we find it apt to propound a theory of ‘crowd mentality’ to further enrich the national thought process.

    “Having engaged in debates severally on the subject matter and deliberated on the motivation for attacks on mosques, churches and schools, we have come to the conclusion that terrorists and bandits are not actually targeting Muslims and their mosques or going after Chriatians and their churches, they have only developed a ‘crowd mentality. 

    “Crowd mentality’ is a situation where people look for or feel more comfortable or safer in crowded places either for attacks or entertainment. For terrorists, targeting places where people assemble in large numbers is for the purpose of maximizing ransom or ensuring high death toll. This explains why they often attack mosques, churches and schools. It is not religion. It is the quest for wealth.*

    “Terrorists are not interested in religion. All they want is to maximise the amount they can collect as ransom when a large number of people are kidnapped and the best place where they can find people in large numbers are mosques, churches and schools. It is ‘crowd mentality’.

    “Entertainers and musicians will not show interest in performing where there is no crowd. They lose appetite for singing or dancing in quiet lanes and deserted streets but their spirits rise when the ovasion is loud from the crowded audience. It is ‘crowd mentality’.

    “Whereas the Christian genocide narrative is pregnant with emotions, offensive and lacks objectivity, the ‘crowd mentality’ theory is more liberal and less offensive to any group. It admits that Muslims, Christians and even schools are being attacked. Of course no rightful thinking person can deny this.

    *“Think about this: has any terrorist gone into an empty mosque in Nigeria to attack it? Have they entered an empty church to stage an attack? What of empty schools and classrooms? Have they attacked any school during the holidays or at a weekend? They won’t do that because the school will be empty! The church is not the target. The mosque is not the target. The Muslim is not the target and the Christian is not the target. What they want are human beings for ransom. Think about it.*

    *‎‎”Neither is there any truth behind what is referred to as ‘targeted killing of Christians’. What happens is that terrorists have a ‘crowd mentality’. They look for any place where they can get the largest number of people at a time. They want to attract maximum publicity in order to embarrass the government of the day.*

    “But at the same time they want to make as much money as they can. It is just natural that mosques, churches and schools come to their minds. These are the places where people must congregate daily and weekly. They want to score the highest casualty figure possible in order to strike terror into the hearts of the people.

    “If the theory of crowd mentality sits down well with Nigerians, we will understand what is going on and we will stop accusing one another of targeting each other. Terrorists seek to divide Nigerians along religious lines but we can defeat them by applying better and higher intellect.

    “It is a matter that requires the application of our reasoning faculty. We do not need America to do that for us. Let the Federal Government, the Muslims and the Christians sit down together and find a way to make churches, mosques and schools safer. We will run the terrorists out of business in no time at all. ‘Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it’ (Proverbs 13:10).”

  • Firm moves to revolutionalise real estate In Nigeria

    Firm moves to revolutionalise real estate In Nigeria

    Damon BlaQ Consulting Ltd has unveiled plans to transform Nigeria’s real estate investment environment through UK-level standards of transparency, feasibility analysis, and disciplined governance.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja at the office commissioning, the Managing Director of the advisory firm, Mr Ehinome Mandi-Aguele said the firm is positioned to attract global and diaspora capital into the sector, while also addressing the structural gaps that will encourage investors to cater for strong demand for residential and commercial development nationwide.

    He noted that many investors, especially those abroad struggle to navigate Nigeria’s fragmented information landscape and poorly coordinated regulatory environment.

    “Investors face fragmented information, inconsistent due-diligence standards, and poor visibility into regulatory processes. Damon BlaQ was created to bridge that gap,” he explained.

    “We offer investor-grade analysis, disciplined governance, and UK-level transparency applied to Nigerian opportunities.”

    Assessing the state of the real estate market in the country, he said the current “boom” is not uniform across the country. While demand is strong and driven by population growth and urbanisation, he warned that poorly structured projects, speculative developments and weak feasibility continue to pose risks.

    “Some markets are overheated, others underdeveloped, and many projects lack the feasibility and governance needed for long-term success. What the sector needs now is precision grounded research, transparent feasibility, and better-structured capital. That is the space Damon BlaQ is stepping into.”

    Speaking on housing deficit, Mandi-Aguele speaking described the situation as a multi-layered challenge, fuelled by rapid population expansion, high development costs, weak access to long-term financing and slow regulatory processes.

    He stressed that it is not simply a matter of increasing the number of developers or projects, but of ensuring that developments are aligned with the real needs of the market.

    “There is also a mismatch between what developers are building and what most Nigerians can afford,” he said.

    “Our role is to improve the quality of decisions in the value chain. We focus on feasibility, capital structuring and ESG-aligned planning to ensure projects are viable and bankable.”

    Responding to concerns of rising housing costs, he clarified that Damon BlaQ is not a mass-housing developer, but an advisory firm focused on efficiency and investor protection.

    “When projects are efficiently structured and financed, costs come down and affordability increases. Our long-term vision is to collaborate with credible partners on models that make housing both sustainable and accessible.”

    He called on government at all levels to prioritise systemic reforms, arguing that the real pathway to affordable housing lies in reducing structural barriers.

    He recommended faster and transparent land administration, access to long-term financing, improved infrastructure in growth corridors and clear governance frameworks for public-private partnerships.

    “Affordable housing becomes feasible when market friction is reduced. If the government focuses on lowering structural barriers, the private sector with the right incentives will step in with scale.”

    Introducing the company, he said Damon BlaQ Consulting Ltd is a boutique real estate advisory and investment support firm operating along the Nigeria–UK corridor.

    Its services include feasibility studies, financial modelling, development advisory, capital raising, market entry strategy, ESG integration, joint-venture structuring and transaction support.

    He revealed that the firm is already advising on a pipeline of opportunities including mid-market residential concepts, land-assembly strategies, mixed-use feasibility assessments and investment structures designed to mobilise diaspora capital.

    “Our focus is on de-risking early and ensuring every project we support is viable, bankable, and aligned with long-term value creation,” he concluded.

  • Dangote Refinery saves Nigeria ₦10bn annually — Esan

    Dangote Refinery saves Nigeria ₦10bn annually — Esan

    Mr Sunday Esan, Senior General Manager, Corporate Communications at Dangote Industries Ltd., says the Dangote Refinery has saved Nigeria more than ₦10 billion annually in foreign exchange by replacing fuel imports with locally refined products.

    Esan made the disclosure on Thursday in Lagos during the ongoing 2025 Media Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.

    The theme of the event is “Unlocking Opportunities for Businesses in a Challenging Economy: The Role of the Media / Roadmaps to Energy Security in Nigeria”.

    He noted that the refinery had significantly reduced the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

    “The refinery is more than a national landmark; it is reducing foreign exchange outflows, driving GDP growth, creating jobs, positioning Nigeria as a regional energy hub, and strengthening our national energy supply.”

    Esan said the Dangote Refinery, which began operations almost two years ago, has already made substantial contributions to the Nigerian economy.

    He said these include helping to curtail PMS and diesel importation, stabilising the Naira, creating thousands of jobs, and strengthening the country’s energy supply chain.

    He highlighted that fuel imports dropped by 1.54 per cent in the first quarter of 2025.

    “While Nigeria spent $2.6 billion on fuel imports in Q1 2024, the figure declined sharply to $1.2 billion in Q1 2025.

    “Dangote Refinery has saved Nigeria over ₦10 billion annually in foreign exchange by replacing imports with local production.

    “It has significantly curtailed oil imports and created measurable economic impact, ” he said.

    Speaking on production capacity, Esan revealed that the refinery was reviewing a scale-up from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

    He added that global interest in the refinery continues to grow, with Saudi Aramco — one of the world’s largest refiners — and U.S. buyers expressing interest in its jet fuel.

    He also described the massive size of the complex, noting that the refinery spans an area approximately seven times the size of Victoria Island, Lagos, requiring a minimum of five hours to tour by car.

    “This shows the magnitude of the investment that one man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has brought to life,” he said.

    Esan added that the acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks for product distribution has created no fewer than 24,000 jobs.

    On the role of the media in advancing energy security, Esan urged journalists, particularly NUJ members, to set the right agenda and report accurately on developments in the energy sector.

    “We want your members to visit the refinery so your reports will be accurate and well-informed.

    “When some people are bent on pulling it down, you will understand that this is a national asset we must protect,” he added.

    Also, Mr Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor at Vanguard Newspapers,stated that businesses could benefit significantly from strong media partnerships through access to credible information needed for informed daily decision-making.

    He challenged journalists to uphold credibility to strengthen trust with the business community.

    In his welcome address, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, NUJ Lagos Chairman, described the lecture as a valuable opportunity to highlight and examine the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s energy sector.

    Ajayi also acknowledged the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to harness the sector’s potential for national development.

    Responding to Esan’s remarks on agenda-setting, Ajayi affirmed that the union had consistently set national agendas at both state and federal levels.

    He stressed the need for Dangote Group and other stakeholders in the energy sector to remain open to collaboration with the media.

    Mr Wale Akodu, Chairman of the Press Week Committee, reflected on the hardships Nigerians faced in previous years — particularly fuel scarcity and panic buying during the Yuletide — which, he noted, have now largely become a thing of the past.

    (NAN)

  • CSO condemns ADC’s politicisation of Nigeria’s security challenges

    CSO condemns ADC’s politicisation of Nigeria’s security challenges

    A pro-citizens advocacy organisation has condemned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for what it described as an opportunistic and inflammatory commentary on Nigeria’s current security challenges. 

    The group said the opposition party was exploiting the grief of victims’ families and the anxieties of citizens to score cheap political points rather than contribute meaningfully to national security reforms.

    The Citizens for Secure Nation (CSN), a civil society coalition focused on public safety and democratic accountability, issued the rebuttal in Kaduna on Thursday. 

    Its president, Alhaji Musa Danladi Maikawa, said the ADC’s latest remarks were designed to undermine public confidence in ongoing security operations and to cast the federal government as complicit in the violence affecting communities in parts of the country.

    Maikawa said the ADC had crossed a troubling line by making sweeping allegations without evidence, adding that public discourse on security must be anchored on facts and national interest. 

    He noted that while Nigerians have legitimate frustrations about banditry, kidnapping and the protection of schools, no political actor should inflame tensions or erode trust in institutions at a time when security agencies are under intense pressure to stabilise affected regions.

    “We cannot allow a political party to weaponise the pain of grieving families for narrow advantage. Our country is going through a difficult period and what we need is constructive engagement, not reckless commentary that undermines the morale of security personnel risking their lives every day,” Maikawa said.

    He said the ADC’s portrayal of recent rescue operations was unfair to the military, police and intelligence services who have “intensified coordinated action across multiple theatres.”

    The coalition added that attempts to portray government efforts as clandestine or conspiratorial were unhelpful and capable of discouraging local cooperation with authorities.

    “There is no justification for painting security forces as collaborators with terrorists. Such rhetoric is dangerous. It casts suspicion on agencies that citizens rely on for protection and gives oxygen to extremist propaganda. Even more worrisome is that these claims are being made without a shred of verifiable proof,” Maikawa warned.

    He also faulted the ADC’s criticism of school closure decisions, saying the measures were temporary safety steps taken after assessments by security and education authorities on specific high-risk areas. 

    He added that federal and state governments were implementing a phased security reinforcement plan around vulnerable schools to enable safe reopening.

    “It is irresponsible to suggest that government is surrendering to terrorists simply because it has taken precautionary action to prevent children from being harmed. Countries across the world shut down facilities when credible threats arise. What matters is that the closures are temporary and that security is being scaled up so teaching can resume,” Maikawa declared.

    Maikawa urged opposition parties to exercise restraint and demonstrate patriotic responsibility when commenting on national security. 

    He said Nigeria’s fight against violent groups demands unity, intelligence sharing, and a public communication environment free of misinformation and alarmism.

    “The lives of citizens should never be used as political currency. We call on the ADC and others to channel their energy into supporting reforms, strengthening community-security collaboration, and advancing serious proposals that help protect our people,” he said. 

    Maikawa added that the coalition would continue to monitor public statements by political actors and challenge narratives that deepen fear or distort the complexity of security efforts.

  • Nigeria, Barbados sign MoU on local pharmaceutical production, regional health security

    Nigeria, Barbados sign MoU on local pharmaceutical production, regional health security

    Nigeria and Barbados have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost local production of pharmaceuticals and ensure regional health security.

    The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) signed on behalf of the Federal Government while and Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. (BPI) signed for its country.

    The signing ceremony, which held in Abuja yesterday, marks a major step in deepening health cooperation between both nations.

    The ministerial endorsement underscored the importance of the MoU.

    The MoU is expected to accelerate local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen regional market access across CARICOM–LATAM, ECOWAS and the AfCFTA.

    It provides a shared framework for the two countries to drive industrial growth, improve drug availability, and enhance regulatory collaboration. The agreement also initiates discussions toward a regulatory reliance arrangement between NAFDAC and Barbados’ emerging Medical Products Regulatory Authority.

    At its core, the MoU aims to establish joint activities that advance local production, strengthen policy reforms, and create financing channels that mirror PVAC’s successful deal-making model.

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    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, while endorsing the MoU, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full support for the partnership.

    He noted that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to industrialise the health sector, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen national and regional health security.

    He said: “This visit is beyond symbolism. It’s very substantive. It represents both our collective commitments, Barbados and Nigeria, to address a key gap that has emerged over the last few years in terms of our own national health securities. Not only Nigeria, but I will say shared across the sub-region, but also the continent”.

    He said the delegation’s visit, made possible through AMA’s facilitation, was a significant milestone and assured that Nigeria is fully committed to supporting the implementation of the partnership with AMA going forward.

    “I want to also confirm, when we met in September, Her Excellency Prime Minister Miamoteli really affirmed and conveyed that political will, which from our side also was reciprocated in terms of President Mbola Eme Tsunugu’s intent to ensure that we move steadily hand in hand with you. And the fact that you are here essentially takes us further since that meeting in September,” Pate stressed.

    He emphasised that Nigeria’s growing pharmaceutical market, improved regulatory environment, and expanding primary healthcare utilization create the right conditions for impactful collaboration with global partners like Barbados.

    Dr. Jerome Walcott, the Senior Minister of Health and Wellness, Barbados, described the partnership as a milestone for regional health security, saying: “As a strategic partner, one whose scale, capability and vision aligns with our own pursuit of health sovereignty and industrial transformation.

    “This is not just an agreement between two institutions, it is a commitment between two governments and two regions to shape our own health futures.

    “Both our heads of government, Prime Minister Mia Ammar Motley and the Honorable President, Amit Tenugbo, have spoken powerfully about the need for Global South to stand on its own feet to manufacture the medicines our people need and to reduce our dependency on external supply chains. Today’s MOU brings that vision to life.”

    The Barbados delegation will also engage with AMA Medical Manufacturer and visit existing biomedical facilities, setting the stage for a Barbados-based production hub and future bilateral trade in medical and diagnostic products.

    Speaking further about the MoU, PVAC National Coordinator, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, said: “This is basically a framework for collaboration between us, touching on a number of areas including technical capacity building and human capital development.

    “We are already talking and seeing how we can bring together the Empower Academy that we established to see how that can work, but also issues around regulations.

    “But it is in the process of establishing a national regulatory agency and in that regard they already in discussions with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), they’re going to hopefully sign another MOU with the agency”.

  • Nigeria, Russia seek to deepen 65 years diplomatic relations

    Nigeria, Russia seek to deepen 65 years diplomatic relations

    Nigeria and Russia have reaffirmed commitment to practical collaboration in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, in the interests of the peoples of both countries.

     This was contained in an exchange of congratulatory messages between the foreign ministers of the two countries on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in separate statements on the occasion of the long standing relationship, also look forward to deepen collaboration between both countries.

    Tuggar, in his statement, said Nigeria remains committed to the steady development and maintenance of an active and substantive political dialogue.

    “On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to convey warm congratulations to you and through you to the government and people of the Russian Federation, on this historic occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

    “As we celebrate this milestone, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strengthening partnership in a manner that advances the prosperity of our peoples and contributes to a more just and equitable international order.

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    “Since the establishment of ties on 25th November, 1960, Nigeria and Russia have maintained a relationship characterized by mutual respect, constructive dialogue and shared aspirations for global peace, stability and development. Over the decades, our cooperation has expanded across strategic sectors including Defence, Education, Energy, Science and Technology, Space Cooperation, Trade, and Cultural Exchange.”

    “I look forward to deepening collaboration in economy, security and increased people-to-people exchanges,” Tuggar said.

    On his part, Lavrov  expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between both countries.

    Lavrov said: “We note with satisfaction the high level of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is based on the principles of mutual respect, trust and the closeness of our positions across a broad range of regional and international issues.

    “We remain committed to the steady development and maintenance of an active and substantive political dialogue, as well as practical collaboration in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, in the interests of the peoples of our countries and in the support of sustainable peace and development on the African continent.

    “I wish you good health and every success, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – well-being and prosperity.”

  • Nigeria, Russia reaffirm commitment to strengthen trade, economic, humanitarian ties

    Nigeria, Russia reaffirm commitment to strengthen trade, economic, humanitarian ties

    Nigeria and Russia have reiterated their commitment to practical collaboration in trade, economic, and humanitarian sectors, aimed at benefiting the peoples of both countries. The pledge came in an exchange of congratulatory messages between their foreign ministers marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, expressed optimism about deepening cooperation across multiple areas.

    In his statement, Tuggar said Nigeria remains dedicated to maintaining an active and substantive political dialogue with Russia. He congratulated the Russian government and people, noting that since diplomatic ties were established on November 25, 1960, the relationship has been built on mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and shared goals for global peace, stability, and development.

    “Our cooperation has expanded across strategic sectors including Defence, Education, Energy, Science and Technology, Space, Trade, and Cultural Exchange. We look forward to further strengthening collaboration in the economy, security, and people-to-people exchanges,” Tuggar said.

    Lavrov, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation, describing it as rooted in mutual respect, trust, and alignment on regional and international issues.

    He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to sustaining political dialogue and practical collaboration in trade, economic, and humanitarian fields to support the prosperity of both nations and promote sustainable peace and development across Africa.

    “I wish you good health and success, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, well-being and prosperity,” Lavrov added.

  • FULL LIST: Nigeria, Australia, 8 other countries with most languages

    FULL LIST: Nigeria, Australia, 8 other countries with most languages

    If the world were mapped not by landmass or economic power but by the sheer density of spoken languages, the globe would appear dramatically different. While English, Mandarin, and Spanish often dominate global discourse, the true guardians of human expression are countries shaped by archipelagos, rainforests, and ancient tribal histories.

    Of the more than 7,000 languages spoken today, the majority are concentrated in a small number of nations. Here is a look at the countries where linguistic diversity thrives most:

    1. Papua New Guinea — 840 Languages | 8 Million People

    Papua New Guinea remains the undisputed leader in linguistic density. Its rugged terrain of rainforests, swamps, and mountains has allowed small communities to develop and preserve unique languages over thousands of years with minimal outside influence.

    2. Indonesia — About 710 Languages

    Spread across thousands of islands, Indonesia is a linguistic powerhouse. Although Bahasa Indonesia serves as a unifying national language, it is a second language for most citizens. The archipelago’s roughly 710 local tongues reflect its deep Austronesian and Papuan roots shaped by centuries of migration and trade.

    3. Nigeria — About 520 Languages

    Nigeria is both an economic force and a cultural mosaic. With more than 500 languages spoken across its regions, the country’s linguistic diversity mirrors ancient trade routes and pre-colonial boundaries. English remains the official language, but Nigeria’s true identity is carried in its hundreds of ethnic languages.

    4. India — About 450 Languages

    India’s linguistic landscape is as vast as its geography. While 22 official languages are recognised in the Constitution and Hindi is widely spoken, the census records more than 450 living languages. This extraordinary diversity reflects centuries of dynastic changes, migrations, and the interwoven influences of Aryan, Dravidian, and Austroasiatic cultures.

    5. United States — About 430 Languages

    The United States is home to a blend of Indigenous languages and those brought through waves of immigration. Its 430 languages coexist without a federally designated official language, making it a modern melting pot of global speech traditions.

    6. China — 301 Languages

    Despite the dominance of Standard Chinese (Mandarin), China is far from monolingual. The country hosts 301 living languages, with regional dialects and minority tongues flourishing alongside the national standard.

    7. Mexico — 290 Languages

    Mexico’s linguistic richness is rooted in its Indigenous heritage. While Spanish is widely used, the nation officially recognises 68 linguistic groups comprising 290 languages, many of which trace back to pre-Hispanic civilizations.

    8. Cameroon — 275 Languages

    Situated between West and Central Africa, Cameroon is a linguistic crossroads with roughly 275 languages. Citizens often navigate daily life using a local mother tongue alongside French and English, reflecting a layered colonial history.

    9. Australia — 120 Surviving Languages

    Before colonisation, Australia had more than 260 Aboriginal languages. Today, around 120 remain, though only 13 are considered strong. Despite this decline, efforts to document and revitalise Indigenous languages continue to gain momentum.

    10. Brazil — 228 Languages

    Beyond its Portuguese-speaking majority, Brazil holds a vast array of 228 languages, most thriving within Indigenous communities of the Amazon basin. These languages have endured through centuries of pressure from colonisation and modern development.

  • Nigeria’s accreditation system gets global recognition

    Nigeria’s accreditation system gets global recognition

    The federal government has finally achieved a trade milestone with the official recognition of the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NINAS) as a signatory to the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

    This achievement was made possible through strong United Kingdom support under the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme and aligns with opportunities created by the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).

    United Kingdom Director, Trade Policy and Market Access for Africa, Hannah Barbosa disclosed this at the launch of NINAS international recognition,  Strengthening Nigeria’s Quality Infrastructure for Global Trade, Global Accreditation, Global Recognition, driving trade and empowering Nigeria in Abuja.

    She said: “The UK is proud to have supported Nigeria’s journey to global accreditation through the UK-Nigeria Standards Partnership Programme. NINAS’ recognition under AFRAC is a powerful testament to Nigeria’s commitment to international standards and trade facilitation. This achievement opens doors for deeper UK-Nigeria collaboration across sectors such as healthcare, food safety, and industrial services”.

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    Director General, NINAS, Celestine Okanya noted that for any country to develop it must trade, this trading means you must have products and services that are in the market and these products must meet quality standard for the international market, what we just did is working on Nigeria quality system to ensure Nigerian products meet international standards.

    With NINAS, producers and  manufacturers  in Nigeria must go through  NINA’s accredited certification body or NINA’s accredited labs or NINA’s inspection bodies, any company that uses them will be receiving a certificate that can be accepted in over 140 countries put together. Nigerians should take advantage of what it has, with NINAS patronage barriers will be lifted off products in Europe, America and other countries.

    Nigerian products can only be rejected if they don’t go through NINA’S accreditation, by the  time they see NINAS logo, ILAC logo, the ones that have recognized NINA’S will know it is equivalent to world standards, and will let the product go, without retesting, the rejection of products  will depend on whether you use NINAS or not.