Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Federal government has started rebuilding the collapsed Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State as part of a major infrastructure renewal programme approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Works Minister Dave Umahi expressed deep regret over the unfortunate bridge collapse that claimed three lives, noting that one side of the road has been closed for repairs and a financial settlement has been reached with the affected families. Serving as a crucial transit route connecting the Federal Capital Territory with several north-central states, the flyover reconstruction highlights the administration's commitment to safety and proactive engineering audits. Alongside this repair, the council approved numerous high-value road projects and different contract across all geopolitical zones to boost national trade and economic productivity. These massive investments include major works on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and various critical road networks in states like Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Ekiti. To ensure transparency, state engineering chambers will now help monitor these federal projects. Additionally, the government approved a new National Industrial Relations Policy, announced by Information Minister Mohammed Idris. This policy aims to align Nigeria's labour practices with international standards, foster peaceful relationships between employers and trade unions, and significantly reduce workplace disputes. Together, these infrastructure developments and labour reforms form a core part of the administration's wider agenda to rebuild the physical and institutional frameworks necessary to drive sustainable development across the country.

The National Economic Council, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has approved fresh funding to boost Nigeria’s flood preparedness and disaster response for the 2025 rainy season. Announced by Finance Minister Wale Edun, this financial intervention will support federal bodies like the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, and Budget. Crucially, the funding also extends to all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and their local emergency units to ensure a unified approach to preventing devastating floods. To manage this effort, the government is setting up local emergency committees across all local government areas and has already deployed critical response equipment to high-risk states. In tandem with these immediate actions, the National Emergency Management Agency has activated national and zonal operations centres and developed a long-term disaster relief strategy spanning 2024 to 2027 in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Furthermore, the National Emergency Management Agency has conducted hazard risk analyses with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and signed cooperation agreements with the Police, Civil Defence, the Red Cross, and six universities specializing in disaster management. Ultimately, officials emphasize that tackling the shared challenge of flooding requires total cooperation from every level of government, strict enforcement of building and planning laws, and properly equipped response teams to protect vulnerable communities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the new Minister of State for Finance, succeeding Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. Oyedele's nomination, communicated to the Senate by Tinubu, highlights his extensive experience as an economist and public policy expert, notably his leadership of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. With over two decades in both public and private sectors, and a strong educational background including qualifications from prestigious institutions, Oyedele aims to enhance the administration's fiscal reform efforts. Anite-Uzoka, previously involved in finance management, will continue to contribute to the government's reform agenda. Oyedele's confirmation awaits Senate approval.