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Naira Plunge Wipes Out Gains Of New ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – U.S. Report

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The United States has raised concerns over the recent approval of Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage for federal workers, warning that the measure has been undermined by the naira’s steep depreciation against the dollar. In its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, released by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on August 12, the US noted that the new wage, equivalent to roughly $47.90 per month, has been eroded by an exchange rate exceeding ₦1,500 to $1.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The report highlighted significant gaps in the law, emphasizing that the minimum wage applies only to firms with 25 or more employees, excluding a large portion of the workforce. “The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 doubled the minimum wage to 70,000 naira ($47.90) per month. Despite the increase, currency devaluation meant the minimum wage was no longer higher than the poverty income level,” the report stated. It added that seasonal agricultural workers, part-time staff, and commission-based employees are also exempted, while enforcement remains weak in some states due to financial constraints.

The US further noted that minimum wage and overtime laws are rarely effectively enforced, with penalties remaining low and insufficient compared with other crimes such as fraud. With an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Nigeria’s workforce employed in the informal economy, wage regulations, work-hour rules, and occupational safety protections are largely unenforced, leaving millions vulnerable to exploitation.

Beyond labor concerns, the report flagged persistent child rights violations, particularly early marriage. While federal law sets the minimum marriage age at 18, many states, especially in northern Nigeria, fail to uphold it, allowing children as young as 11 to marry under customary or religious law. The federal government has reportedly engaged religious leaders, emirs, and sultans to address the associated health risks.

The report also scrutinized challenges within Nigeria’s justice and security sectors, citing enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and weak due process. Amnesty International documented that the whereabouts of dozens of young men detained at SARS Awkuzu in Anambra State remain unknown years after the disbandment of the controversial police unit in 2020. Although law mandates that suspects be presented before a magistrate within 48 hours, security forces have been known to hold individuals incommunicado for weeks or months, with some pretrial detentions exceeding the maximum sentence for the alleged crime. Judicial delays are further exacerbated by shortages of judges, lost case files, and inadequate transport for inmates.

The report concluded that while Nigeria has made some strides in democratic reforms, persistent corruption, poverty-level wages, and weak enforcement of human rights continue to erode citizens’ confidence in governance.

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Dele Momodu Denies 2027 Ambition, Rejects VP Campaign Poster With Atiku Abubakar.

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has dismissed a viral presidential campaign poster linking him as a running mate to Atiku Abubakar.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The poster, tagged “AtiDele 2027,” suggested Atiku as presidential candidate with Momodu as his deputy, but the media entrepreneur described it as a misleading creation aimed at distracting the ADC.

Reacting via his X handle, Momodu clarified that he is not interested in any electoral contest and urged supporters to disregard the circulating image.

He said when he first saw the poster, he assumed it was a joke, but later began receiving repeated messages about it, prompting him to publicly address the issue.

Momodu stressed that he is not contesting any political office, but remains committed to supporting a coalition of parties working to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of weakening Nigeria’s democracy.

He added that he believes the ADC has many capable leaders, stating that he is ready to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

According to him, his role will be to offer support rather than seek personal political ambition, especially as preparations toward future elections continue.

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Hard Times Return As Petrol Price Jumps To N1,440 Per Litre Across Nigeria

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Petrol prices have surged across Nigeria, with filling stations now selling fuel between N1,364 and N1,444 per litre, as rising global crude oil prices continue to pressure the domestic market.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Findings on Thursday evening showed that major marketers such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MRS, BOVAS, Ardova (AP), and Mobil have adjusted their pump prices to between N1,364 and N1,370 per litre.

Other outlets, including AA Rano, Emedab, Empire Energy, and Ranoil, are selling at even higher rates, ranging from N1,370 to N1,440 per litre.

This represents a sharp increase from about N900 per litre recorded in February 2026.

The latest hike comes just 24 hours after Dangote Refinery and depot operators raised their gantry and ex-depot prices to N1,275 and N1,320 per litre respectively, citing rising global crude oil costs.

Market data on Friday morning showed that Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose to $111 and $105 per barrel, driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel in the Middle East.

The situation has also been worsened by the recent withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), further increasing volatility in the global oil market.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the global oil price increase is directly affecting fuel costs in Nigeria.

He noted that while Dangote Refinery has helped cushion the impact, fluctuations in the international crude market are still influencing domestic pricing.

The continuous rise in petrol prices has sparked fresh calls for government intervention, as Nigerians struggle with worsening economic hardship.

The development comes at a sensitive time as workers mark May Day, with the national minimum wage at N70,000 and the cost of living rising alongside fuel prices edging close to N1,500 per litre.

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AGF Fagbemi Moves To Deregister ADC, Accord, AA And Other Political Parties

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has called for the deregistration of several political parties, including the Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Peoples Party (APP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fagbemi made the request before the Federal High Court, arguing that it is unconstitutional to allow political parties that have consistently failed to win electoral seats to remain registered.

His position was presented in an affidavit filed in response to a suit by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which is also seeking the deregistration of the affected parties.

The AGF urged strict enforcement of Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no discretionary power to retain parties that do not meet the required electoral performance threshold.

He further argued that the continued existence of non-performing political parties contributes to ballot paper overcrowding, increases the cost of elections, complicates electoral administration, and weakens the intent of the Constitution.

According to him, the constitutional amendment was introduced to address challenges such as ballot clutter and inefficiencies in the voting process.

Fagbemi also noted that, as the chief law officer of the federation, he is empowered to initiate or support actions aimed at ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.

Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to the NFFL, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), told the court that the case seeks judicial clarification on constitutional and legal provisions governing the registration and continued recognition of political parties in Nigeria.

He explained that the suit is strictly for constitutional interpretation, insisting that some political parties may have violated the law, and therefore require judicial guidance on their status.

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