News

FG Issues New Policy To Standardise Drug Procurement

Published

4 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has rolled out a new policy framework aimed at standardising the procurement of medicines and health products across the country.

Also, it declared a renewed commitment to combat rabies, aiming to eliminate the disease by 2030, in accordance with global health targets.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called for urgent support to countries battling cholera, monkey pox (mpox) and Ebola.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu, disclosed the new policy, yesterday, at the Celebration of Success ceremony for graduates of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Qualification Programme in Abuja.

The CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply equips procurement professionals with globally recognised skills and ethical standards, preparing them to deliver transparent, efficient and impactful procurement services.

The BPP boss said the move was designed to guarantee quality, affordability and value for money in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He said the reform was part of the strategy to professionalise procurement and close long-standing loopholes that enable waste, fake drugs and inflated contracts.

Ahmadu urged the newly certified professionals to register on the National Procurement Officers Management System, a database designed to strengthen oversight, promote transparency and enhance accountability.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stated, at a Joint Ministerial Press Briefing held on World Rabies Day 2025, themed ‘Act Now: You, Me, Community’, yesterday in Abuja, emphasised the urgency of addressing rabies, which, he said, remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases affecting Nigerians.” He assured of government’s determination to eradicate it through a ‘One Health Approach’.

The minister pointed out: “Government alone cannot win this battle. It requires you, me, and our communities working hand-in-hand. Together, we can make Nigeria rabies-free.”

He further highlighted ongoing nationwide vaccination campaigns for dogs and cats and reiterated efforts to strengthen veterinary services in underserved communities.

“Our approach is deliberate: to ensure that no family suffers the needless pain of losing a loved one to rabies,” he added. In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate, pledged continued support to efforts at eliminating the disease.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, represented by Stephen Ohaeri, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, noted that “rabies is nearly 100 per cent fatal once symptoms appear” but is completely preventable through vaccination and responsible pet ownership.

In another forum, Africa CDC said climate change-driven flooding is worsening outbreaks and limiting humanitarian access. Deputy Incident Manager for the Incident Management Support Team, Africa CDC, Yap Boum, said this during a virtual press briefing yesterday.

During a regional update, Mr Boum said while some countries were reporting declines in cholera cases, others remain of “critical concern,” particularly Chad, where the epidemic that began in a refugee camp in mid-July has now spread to additional health zones. He said present hotspots include Wadai and Sila districts.

Boum highlighted the need to scale up surveillance, cholera treatment centres and rehabilitation efforts, warning that climate change is intensifying health risks across the continent.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Africa CDC teams are deploying additional support in affected areas. Meanwhile, Mr Boum said Ebola remains a concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting progress in contact tracing, targeted vaccination and preparedness in neighbouring Angola.

He welcomed fresh commitments made on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where Gavi pledged to support 10 million doses of vaccine for mpox, and UNICEF promised to back key pillars of the continental response plan.

News

FAAN Launches Cashless Payment System Across Airports

Published

1 minute ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched the cashless system of payment across all airports.

“FAAN in partnership with Paystack, is proud to announce the roll out of OPERATION GO CASHLESS, a cashless contactless payment solution across all airports beginning with Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” the agency said in a communique on Thursday.

Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN’s revenue points, including airport Access Gates, Car Parks, FAAN VIP and Protocol Lounges will go cashless which means the agency will be phasing out the collection of cash at these points.

FAAN added that travelers and airport users will now enjoy fast and seamless services by using a secure contactless payment option.

This initiative, it stated, is a response to the growing demand for safe, modern, and transparent payment systems while ensuring Nigeria’s airports remain aligned with global digital trends.

By reducing reliance on cash, FAAN said it aims to enhance efficiency, improve revenue assurance, and deliver a better customer experience at our airports.

To ease the transition, trained brand ambassadors have been deployed at access gates and around the terminals to guide users, assist with onboarding, provide demonstrations, and answer questions they may have.

In addition, passengers have been directed to obtain a FAAN Go Cashless Card at any airport access gate in Lagos and Abuja.

After collection, users are encouraged to activate and fund their cards immediately by visiting www.gocashless. faan.gov.ng.

FAAN added that it remains committed to continuous improvement and will expand this cashless policy to other airports nationwide in phases.

For inquiries, airport users have also been advised to contact FAAN’s support line at 0700 CBS FAAN (0700 227 3226) or email the agency at gocashlesssupport@faan.gov.ng.

News

Full List: Top 10 Manufacturing Nations

Published

11 minutes ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

Industrial production remains a cornerstone of the global economy and it serves as a key indicator of a nation’s economic capacity and technological advancement.

The following list presents the top ten manufacturing nations ranked by the latest available data for Manufacturing Value Added (MVA), a metric that reflects the net output of the sector after accounting for intermediate inputs.

1. China

According to the World Bank, China tops the list when it comes to manufacturing.

The country makes up about 18% of the total global manufacturing output, which adds a total value of nearly $4.66 trillion to the world economy.

The main exports from China comprise consumer goods like textiles, electronics, and garments.

2. United States

The U.S. used to have the world’s largest manufacturing sector until it was overtaken by China in 2010.

Today, the U.S. is still significantly behind China, which leads the world by a wide margin.

The country accounts for roughly 9.5% of global manufacturing, and its output is valued at almost $2.5 trillion.

American production includes automobiles, chemical products, food products, military equipment, and aircraft.

3. Japan

Japan comes in third and provides approximately 4.0% of the world’s total manufacturing output.

Japan produced a little over $1.05 trillion from manufacturing in 2023.

The country is famous for manufactured exports, including vehicles, computer parts, electronics, and chemicals.

4. Germany

Germany is among the leading European manufacturing nations, with about $839 billion coming from this sector.

Well known for motor vehicle exports, electrical machinery, and manufactured metals, the country accounts for approximately 3.2% of global manufacturing.

5. India

Although it may be better known for the I.T. workforce or customer service centers, India also has a major share of manufacturing output, accounting for around 1.8% of global manufacturing output.

The country gives an output value of roughly $461 billion. It’s mostly known for agricultural products, textiles, engineering goods, leather products, and chemicals.

6. South Korea

South Korea accounts for about 1.6% of global manufacturing, and its output value is around $416 billion.

Manufacturing represents approximately 24% of the entire country’s national output. Significant exports from South Korea include technological products, automobiles, petroleum, and machinery.

7. Mexico

Mexico accounts for around 1.4% of global manufacturing output, enough to generate a value of $359 billion. Mexican exports are mineral fuels, lubricants, food, transport equipment, and machinery.

8. Italy

Italy ranks 8th on the list of manufacturing countries, and its economic structure relies heavily on manufacturing and industrialization.

The output value of Italy’s manufacturing industry amounts to approximately $354 billion, and the country’s primary exports include metal products, clothing and footwear, vehicles, and chemicals.

9. France

France contributes approximately $297 billion in manufacturing output to the global economy, accounting for 1.1% of the total global manufacturing output.

Its leading exports include agricultural products, machinery, aircraft, and hydrocarbon products.

10. Brazil

Brazil ranks 10th among the world’s top manufacturing countries, contributing approximately $290 billion to global manufacturing.

This accounts for about 1.1% of the global total. Brazil’s manufacturing sector is diverse, with major exports including food products, automobiles, aircraft, machinery, and petroleum-based goods.

Meanwhile the highest-ranked African nations by manufacturing output, such as Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco and South Africa, are positioned outside the global top 25.

According to UNIDO, Africa’s combined Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) constitutes a small single-digit percentage of the world total, with recent figures showing it at 2% of global MVA

News

NUC Begins Nationwide Recruitment, Opens Application Portal

Published

22 minutes ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide recruitment exercise to fill several vacancies at its headquarters in Abuja.

In a public notice issued on Friday, the Commission invited qualified Nigerians to apply for openings across officer, confidential secretary, and clerical or auxiliary staff cadres.

“The recruitment exercise is open to all eligible Nigerians who meet the advertised requirements. Applications are free of charge and must be submitted through the official careers portal,” the notice read.

Applicants have been directed to visit careers.nuc.edu.ng or nuc.edu.ng for detailed guidelines. The Commission stressed that applications must be submitted within six weeks of the announcement, adding that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further screening.

For the officer cadre, positions include Senior Officer (CONTISS 9), Trainee/Officer I (CONTISS 8), and Trainee Officer II (CONTISS 7).

According to the NUC, candidates for the Senior Officer post are expected to hold a PhD in a relevant discipline or a Master’s degree with at least six years of post-qualification experience. Additional professional certifications will be an advantage.

The Commission further outlined requirements for other roles.
“Applicants for Trainee/Officer I must possess a master’s degree or a first degree with a minimum of three years of relevant experience, while Trainee Officer II candidates are required to have at least a first degree in a related field,” it added.

Recruitment also covers Confidential Secretary I (CONTISS 7) positions, requiring a Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Studies and three years’ post-qualification experience.

Clerical and auxiliary roles include Assistant Cameraman, Data Processing Assistant, Artisan/Craftsman (such as carpenter, plumber, electrician, and air-conditioning mechanic), Lift Operator, and Motor Driver/Mechanic. Minimum qualifications range from a First School Leaving Certificate to an ‘O’ Level certificate with trade test credentials, supported by relevant technical training or experience.

Established in 1962 and given statutory powers in 1974, the NUC oversees accreditation, the licensing of new universities, and the enforcement of quality standards across Nigeria’s 283 recognised universities—comprising 72 federal, 67 state, and 168 private institutions.