The Nigerian government has commenced a three-day citizens’ engagement tour of Enugu and Ebonyi states in the South East, aimed at showcasing ongoing projects and directly interacting with residents.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a parley with media executives and influencers in Enugu on Wednesday night.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo, Idris said: “The purpose of this evening’s gathering is to meet and greet with members of the Fourth Estate in Enugu State, and to explain our mission. Our team, consisting of officials from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and its agencies, members of the National Communications Team, the executives of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), is on a three-day tour of two states in the South East – Enugu and Ebonyi.”

According to him, the team will host a Citizens’ Engagement Forum at the Enugu State Government House on Thursday at 6 pm to exchange ideas and receive feedback from stakeholders.

“This pattern will be repeated in Ebonyi State, where His Excellency Governor Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru will be receiving us on Friday, August 15, 2025. The two Citizens’ Engagement events will be broadcast live on national news networks,” he added.

Idris commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for the warm reception and support given to the delegation at short notice, while conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the South East.

“Your Excellency, distinguished guests, we bring you warm greetings and felicitations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria’s most committed reformer. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real and is working,” he said.

The tour will continue on Thursday with visits to ongoing and completed projects of both the federal and Enugu state governments.

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Nigeria says it is deepening collaborative partnership, among stakeholders and policy makers, to underscored that revitalising local steel production would reduce Nigeria’s $4 billion annual import bill.

Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, who made the statement during the Maiden Edition of the National Stakeholders Summit on Steel Development in Abuja’s capital.

The summit, themed “Rebuilding and Consolidating Nigeria’s Steel Industry: Collaborative Action for Sustainable Growth and Global Competitiveness,” was convened to chart a roadmap for revitalizing the nation’s steel sector, which remains heavily reliant on imports despite Nigeria’s abundant iron ore, limestone, and coal deposits.

Prince Audu who also said that “detailed incentives to attract investors, including capital allowances, import duty exemptions, tax holidays, and policies ensuring 30% of steel inputs for government projects are sourced locally.”

Audu also highlighted public-private partnerships, industrial parks, mini-LNG plants, and collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to manufacture military hardware, stressing that these measures would stimulate local raw material consumption, generate jobs, and establish Nigeria as a regional steel hub.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu also said Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious plan to produce 10 million tonnes of liquid steel annually by 2030 and generate over 500,000 jobs, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced at the inaugural National Stakeholders Summit on Steel Development in Abuja on Wednesday.

Pivotal to industrialisation

The President who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasised that the steel industry is pivotal to industrialisation, economic diversification, and national security.

He said that “The steel industry will not be revitalized by the government alone. We need private investors, the innovation of our universities, the skills of our workforce, and the patronage of our people,” he said.

The administration’s plans include operationalising the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), conducting technical and financial audits, and engaging international investors to complete and commission the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

Additional initiatives include five mini-LNG plants at Ajaokuta, an industrial park with a free trade zone, and partnerships with the Ministry of Defence and DICON to manufacture military hardware.

Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, pledged the Senate’s unwavering support for the sector, urging stakeholders to turn ideas into actionable outcomes.

Operate independently

Highlighting the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, he noted that over 20 of its 38 completed factories can operate independently if central utilities are restored.

He called for unbundling and concessioning these factories to capable Nigerians or verified foreign firms, criticizing past wholesale concessions that undermined the sector.

“This summit must be a turning point,” Ndubueze said, “a defining moment to harness the full potential of our steel industry and position Nigeria as a hub for industrial excellence in Africa.”

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, revealed a new industrial trajectory for Nigeria’s minerals, with a $600 million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border and a $200 million refinery near Abuja set for imminent commissioning.

Two additional plants in Nasarawa will be operational by the end of 2025. Dr. Alake stressed strict enforcement in the sector, reporting over 2,350 mining marshals deployed, more than 300 illegal operators arrested, and over 20 convictions secured.

Processing, and manufacturing

He highlighted Nigeria’s continental leadership through the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company and chairmanship of the African Mineral Strategy Group, calling on stakeholders to adopt a cluster-based approach integrating mining, processing, and manufacturing to ensure competitiveness, job creation, and export readiness.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, highlighted steel’s critical role in shipbuilding, port infrastructure, offshore platforms, and fishing vessels.

A reliable domestic steel supply, he noted, would reduce import dependence, cut costs, improve project timelines, and support maritime infrastructure development, fostering innovation and employment across multiple value chains. Similarly, Minister of Transportation, Sai’du Ahmed Alkali, described the summit as a vital forum to implement the 10-year national steel roadmap, optimize private steel rolling mills, and harness Nigeria’s natural resources within a strong regulatory framework.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Olajumoke Oduwole, emphasized the untapped potential across the steel value chain, from mining to rolling, fabrication, and production of critical inputs for construction, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

She noted that domestic value addition, international partnerships, technology transfer, and targeted reforms will reduce import dependence, create jobs, and help achieve Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target by 2030.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the summit as a pivotal platform to chart a new course for Nigeria’s steel industry.

Highlighting the sector’s strategic importance, he stressed that steel underpins railways, bridges, manufacturing, energy, and defense.

Dr. Isokpunwu called on all stakeholders to engage actively, share innovative ideas, and forge strategic partnerships, noting that outcomes from the summit would inform the National Strategic Plan of Action for the Steel and Metallurgical Sector, ensuring Nigeria’s steel sector is globally competitive, sustainable, and a driver of national growth.

With strategic partnerships, regulatory reforms, and multi-stakeholder engagement now in motion, Nigeria is poised to transform its steel industry into a cornerstone of industrialization, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Nigeria has expressed its commitment to scale up efforts towards improving land titling, documentation and registration across the country up to 50 percent in the next 10 years.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, stated this in Lagos during the Nigeria Land Titling, Registration and Documentation Programme (NLTRDP) organised by the Lagos State Office of Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) and Urban Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

He said the plan was part of efforts put in place by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to unlock the economic potentials of land in Nigeria.

The Minister mentioned that the initiative is aimed at modernising land administration and making land a viable asset for wealth creation, house delivery and inclusive growth, noting that states will retain full control over land administration.

“Over 97 per cent of land in Nigeria is not formally titled, limiting its use as collateral for loans and its value in property transactions.
With this initiative, all other states can now commence digitisation of land registries, integrate geographic information systems and adopt global best practices which have already been implemented in Lagos State,” Minister said

Renewed Hope
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the Federal Government for the Renewed Hope Agenda initiative to unlock the enormous economic opportunities of land.

The Governor stressed that electronic land documentation is the only way forward to reduce physical interference and build a future where land rights are secured.

According to him “Clear land ownership goes far beyond documentation. It is also about security, opportunity, and ultimately, peace of mind. Every Lagosian should have that assurance.
Real progress comes when we work together and follow through, and today is a testament to that.”

House numbering
Governor Sanwo-Olu also mentioned the new initiative by his administration which is the digital house numbering system.

He said the project is aimed at providing a unique digital identity to every property, enhancing navigation, service delivery, and overall urban management.

“Lagos digital house numbering system is a novel idea. It is about technology, and that is one of the things that we are trying to achieve: using technology as a strong enabler to be able to resolve all our land issues, where from the comfort of your house you can access and resolve land title issues.”

He assured the Federal government an the residents of more intuitive ideas than will improve land administration in Lagos State.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the youth to promote peace, stability, and national development, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, gave the assurance when a delegation from the Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation, led by its President, Chief Diplomat Adam Ogomugo Marbo, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Overseeing the General Services Office, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma said that the Tinubu-led administration is ready to engage the youth in promoting peace and unity in the country, underscoring that true development requires peace to thrive.

He said that the Office would collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the private sector to empower the youths through access to opportunities and a suitable environment, which will allow them opportunities to play their part in the economic development of the country.

The National President of the Foundation, Chief Ogomugo Marbo stated that the Foundation is committed to mobilising Nigerian youths across the six geo-political zones in promoting unity, peace-building, leadership development and youth empowerment for sustainable development.

Lateefah Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renewal of the appointment of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, N-HYPPADEC, for a second and final tenure of four (4) years.

The appointment is in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Electricity Act, 2023.

The President urges him to consolidate on the gains recorded by the Commission and bring greater innovation and dedication to the discharge of his mandate.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has partnered with Tikera Africa to drive economic empowerment for Nigerian women through the “Inspiring Woman-Led Artisanship Initiative.”

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the partnership as a bold step towards institutionalising dignity in skilled work, preserving heritage crafts, and unlocking new markets for women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The initiative aims to empower women artisans with tools, funding, and technology; creating opportunities to showcase their craft locally and globally; building networks that open markets; and shaping policies that protect their rights and expand access to finance.

She emphasised that the initiative builds on the successes of Nigeria for Women Project and the Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE) programme, which have connected millions of women to value chains, export markets, and professional certifications.

The Minister said that with tools such as the “Happy Woman App“, women can access skills training, mentorship, funding, and market opportunities from their mobile devices.

“This is not just the beginning of a conversation but the advancement of a revolution.Your creativity is currency, your skill is power, and your potential is limitless. The time is here. The moment is ours. Let us rise together and make this the century of the African woman,” the Minister declared.

Spotlighting “Women O’clock” in Nigeria’s artisanal diversity, from leather crafts in Kano to adire fashion in the South West, shea butter processing in the North Central, solar food drying in the North East, cassava processing in the South East, and aquaculture in the South South; she urged government, private sector, and development partners to invest in women “not as a charity but as a smart economic strategy.”

Artisanal heritage

Tikera Africa’s team, led by Bayo Omoboriowo, said their mission to preserve Nigeria’s artisanal heritage while transforming women’s lives strongly aligns with the Ministry’s vision.

The organisation pledged to provide women artisans with tools, funding, and technology; create opportunities to showcase their crafts locally and globally; build market-opening networks; and influence policies that protect women’s rights and expand access to finance.

The unveiling of the ” inspiring Women-Led Artisanship Initiative” is a landmark moment for women’s economic empowerment and cultural preservation, weaving the Future of Nigerian women stitching cultural heritage into National Development.

The partnership will also to scale women’s artisanal work from local production to global markets, ensuring they remain both custodians of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and architects of their own economic future through sustained livelihood activities.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide enlightenment campaign on government policies, national values, security awareness, disaster preparedness and national identity.

The two-week civic engagement initiative will run across the 36 states and 774 local government areas of Nigeria.

The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, announced the campaign at a press conference in Abuja, explaining that it will cover government programmes, values reorientation for students, and the promotion of respect for national symbols.

“This is not just a campaign; it is a coordinated national awakening that touches the heart of our identity, safety, values and development. NOA personnel would engage students, teachers and administrators on value-based citizenship, while also promoting respect for national symbols such as the flag, anthem, currency and constitution,” Issa-Onilu said.

He said the initiative is designed to close awareness gaps, address harmful practices, and counter misinformation that undermines unity, safety, and development.

On disaster preparedness, Issa-Onilu noted that the campaign will provide communities with timely weather information to help farmers and residents in flood-prone areas.

He added that NOA will collaborate with security agencies to promote vigilance, encourage timely intelligence sharing and build trust between citizens and law enforcement.

The campaign will involve partnerships with over 200 broadcast stations, dissemination of information in more than 70 local languages, and the distribution of educational materials in English and major Nigerian languages.

Issa-Onilu outlined five thematic areas for the campaign:

“Government Policies Awareness – Providing accessible information on key programmes, including the Students Loan Scheme, infrastructure projects, social investment, and job creation.

Flood Mitigation and Disaster Preparedness – Mobilising communities, especially in 27 states at high flood risk, to clear drains, relocate when necessary, and heed early warnings.

National Security Awareness – Encouraging vigilance, timely reporting, and stronger citizen-security agency co-operation.

Values Reorientation for Students – Promoting safe, discipline-focused graduation practices to replace dangerous celebrations.

National Identity and Symbols – Reviving respect for the national flag, anthem, and pledge, while integrating civic education into schools.”

He urged Nigerians to participate actively by seeking credible information, preparing for emergencies, cooperating with security agencies and upholding national values.

“We call on the media, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, student bodies, and community stakeholders to join hands with NOA in this historic mobilisation,” he added.

The Director-General said over 4,000 NOA staff will be deployed nationwide to educate Nigerians on the thematic areas, with activities including press briefings in all states, market and school sensitisation, religious and community outreach, and mass media campaigns in multiple languages.

PIAK