🇳🇬Week of September 28

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission recorded 10.7 million new voter registrations during the last continuous voter registration exercise. The commission announced that collection of permanent voter cards will begin on October 9.123

INEC warned its officials against partisanship ahead of the 2027 general election. In Kano, the state commissioner of police also warned police officers against partisanship.45

The non-release of N371 billion to INEC threatens the conduct of the polls, Vanguard reported. The funding shortfall is flagged as a risk to election preparations.6

A Nigerian court has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, and A.Y.M. Shafa. The ruling backs fuel imports amid a dispute involving Dangote Refinery. The court directive requires the regulator to continually issue the licences to the three marketers.12345

The NMDPRA has approved 830,000 tonnes of petrol imports amid the legal battle with Dangote. The approval covers the import volume sought by the marketers. The court order and the import approval together allow the three companies to bring in fuel from abroad.6

Attributed claim: The Abuja court ruling opens a fresh battle over fuel imports, pitting the three marketers against Dangote Refinery. Punch reports the decision as a new front in the dispute, while Sahara Reporters frames it as the court backing fuel imports against Dangote's interests. The ruling orders the NMDPRA to keep issuing licences to Matrix, AA Rano, and A.Y.M. Shafa.71

The court order requires the NMDPRA to continually grant fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, and A.Y.M. Shafa. This means the three marketers can continue importing petrol while the dispute with Dangote Refinery proceeds. The regulator had previously been involved in a dispute over its licensing role.234

Police in Abia State dismantled suspected criminal camps in forests and recovered 28 human skulls along with bones and vehicles. The remains are believed to be those of dozens of suspected kidnap victims. Cultism suspects were also arrested during the operation.12345

The discovery was reported as police raided the forest camps, with suspects fleeing the scene. The operation led to the recovery of the skulls and bones, which were taken into evidence. The camps were described as criminal hideouts.678

In a separate incident, more than 80 people were reported abducted in attacks on villages in Nigeria, according to police. The abductions occurred around the same period as the discovery of the remains in Abia. Police have not linked the two events.910

In a joint operation between Lagos and Ogun states, police rescued five kidnap victims and arrested suspects. The operation was conducted by police teams from both states. The victims were freed from their captors.11

The Cardiac Society of Nigeria warned that sedentary lifestyles are exposing more young Nigerians to heart disease, as the country marked World Heart Day. Experts also identified junk food, alcohol, tobacco and drugs as factors killing Nigerians. The warnings were carried by multiple Nigerian outlets on the same day.123

Cardiac care in Nigeria is worsened by high costs, a shortage of specialists and weak infrastructure, according to The Guardian Nigeria. The Cardiac Society called for stronger action against heart diseases. Experts advocated cardiovascular screening at the primary healthcare level.456

The National Orientation Agency urged residents of Osun State to prioritise heart health. The appeal was made as part of World Heart Day activities.7

The presidency says the Federal Government aims to lift 5 million Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition platforms and entrepreneurship programmes. The plan is presented as a skills-and-entrepreneurship route out of poverty rather than direct cash transfers.12

As part of the same push, the Federal Government is targeting 300,000 youths for a Digital Skills-to-Jobs Programme. The government also plans to distribute 400,000 digital devices under the entrepreneurship component.34

The Federal Government has separately equipped digital media managers for grassroots outreach, extending the skills drive to communications work at the community level.5