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Chatham House, a UK-based international policy think tank, has advised the Nigerian government against artificially strengthening the naira, arguing that its depreciation has enhanced the country’s economic competitiveness.

In a report titled Nigeria’s Economy Needs the Naira to Stay Competitive, the think tank stressed that for sustainable long-term growth, authorities should resist the urge to fight inflation by propping up the naira against the dollar.

According to the report, while inflation has risen under President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, his reforms remain the most viable path to lasting economic progress.

“A key aspect of these reforms has been Tinubu’s decision to allow the naira to undergo a significant devaluation, dropping from N460 per dollar around the 2023 elections to nearly N1,500 today,” the report stated.

It described the naira’s devaluation as one of the most substantial currency adjustments globally in recent years, second only to Ethiopia’s birr.

“With the naira’s decline, Nigeria is arguably at its most competitive level in the past 25 years,” the report noted.

Chatham House warned that making the dollar artificially cheap would drive up imports, worsening the trade deficit and increasing financial vulnerability. It pointed out that global investors can quickly lose interest in riskier economies, making it harder to finance deficits and leading to financial instability.

“Keeping the dollar undervalued encourages businesses and individuals to move their money abroad, seeking safer investment destinations at a low cost. When capital flows out of a country, it becomes difficult to establish a foundation for economic growth,” the think tank stated.

Tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo State government commenced an indefinite strike on Monday over the non-payment of staff minimum wage and other outstanding arrears.

Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State Tertiary Institutions, Dr. Kola Lawal, confirmed the development in Ibadan, stating that the unions were also demanding the implementation of the approved 25 and 35 per cent salary increments.

JAC, which comprises 15 unions across five state-owned tertiary institutions, has been in discussions with management to resolve the issues, Lawal said.

“Since January 2024, our counterparts in other institutions have been benefiting from the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments.

“However, despite several meetings, notices, and ultimatums, our management has been unable to implement these increases and the new minimum wage.

“Notably, institutions such as Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education promptly implemented the increment,” he stated.

Lawal recalled that the unions had embarked on a two-day warning strike on February 6 and 7, 2025, to press for their demands, after which a final three-day ultimatum was issued, taking into account ongoing accreditation exercises.

“Regrettably, as of March 5, 2025, no substantial progress has been made,” he added.

As a result, JAC said it was left with no option but to declare an indefinite strike, demanding that all outstanding concerns be addressed.

“We are also demanding an increase in the subvention released to the institutions to enable them to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of the approved wage structure.

“We urge all members to stand united and participate fully in this strike action.

“We also appeal to His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, to intervene and ensure that the welfare of workers in our state-owned tertiary institutions is prioritised,” Lawal said.

A devastating accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Sunday evening, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving nine others injured.

According to Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, the accident happened around 8:30 pm and involved a vehicle carrying 13 passengers.¹

Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver’s excessive speed and a tyre burst contributed to the tragic incident. The victims comprised five men and eight women, with two men and two women sadly losing their lives.

Three men and six women sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

The FRSC has urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines while driving. Akinwumi Fasakin, FRSC sector commander, emphasized the importance of regular vehicle checks, maintaining speed limits, and installing speed limit devices. Fasakin also called on fleet operators to prioritize safety above all else.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna.

The meeting comes days after President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, also paid a visit to Buhari.

Buhari, who handed over power to President Tinubu on May 29, 2023, initially returned to his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, after leaving office. However, in February 2025, he relocated permanently to Kaduna.

The visit was disclosed by an associate of El-Rufai, identified as @IU_Wakili, who shared details on social media.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his home in Kaduna today,” Wakili wrote.

“The outcome of this meeting will decide if we are playing polo or not,” he added.

The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has verified and registered 249,523 vulnerable children, including out-of-school adolescent girls.

A breakdown of the figures shows that 113,208 are Almajiri children, while 136,315 are adolescent girls.

The disclosure was made during a two-day media dialogue and field trip aimed at addressing the situation of Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls in Nigeria. The event, held in Sokoto, was organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF and attended by education reporters from Sokoto State and the Federal Capital Territory.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Sokoto and Child Protection Specialist, Godwin Odo, stated that the data was obtained through a household survey and site visits to locations where many Almajiri children reside with their Mallams.

Odo further revealed that over 60,000 Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls have received training at Child Protection Centres across the five North West states of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, and Sokoto.

He noted that UNICEF is working with state governments, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to protect children from exploitation and harm. The initiative aims to reduce child vulnerability and ensure their safety and well-being.

Additionally, child-friendly spaces are being implemented to provide safe environments for education, recreation, and skill development, particularly for out-of-school children and adolescent girls.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hajia Imaan Suleiman, has described the sexual harassment allegations in the Senate as “unfortunate,” emphasizing that such incidents should not occur in the National Assembly.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ahead of International Women’s Day, Suleiman expressed concern over the declining representation of women in the legislature.

Her remarks followed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged violations of Senate rules. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, was sanctioned by the upper chamber, reducing the number of female senators to three out of 109.

Suleiman pledged to engage with the Senate to mediate and seek an amicable resolution. She stressed the importance of increasing women’s participation in governance and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making.

“It’s an unfortunate incident that should not happen. In the last assembly, we had nine female senators; in this assembly, we have four. We don’t want to lose any more women in the Senate or the House of Assembly,” she said.

The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s representation in politics and called for greater collaboration between female politicians and their male counterparts.

“We want to increase the numbers. We will engage all stakeholders to ensure justice is tempered with mercy. The Senate President has expressed openness to brokering peace, and we will act as intermediaries to ensure a resolution is reached,” she added.

Suleiman also underscored the need to sensitize women in politics, highlighting the urgency of fostering a more inclusive legislative environment.