News
JUST IN: Customs Increases Import Duty Rate By 43 Percent

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has approved an increase in the import duty rate by 43 percent.
Recall that the exchange rate for duty collection is usually determined by the CBN.
Importers and stakeholders in trading woke up on Friday to find the increase in the exchange rate, which before now was set at N951.842 per $1 as of December 2024, taken up to N1356.42.
Reacting to the development, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, expressed shock at the development, saying that the increase will further worsen the already bad economic situation.
READ ALSO: Edo To Partner Group From Europe To Explore Investment In Solid Minerals
Yusuf wondered if anybody was advising the Governor of the CBN on the implications of these actions.
He said, “I am shocked at the development, I mean with all these suffering, with all these costs, we have not recovered from the unification of the exchange rate they just did, now another increase in duty.
“This increase will definitely affect every area of our economic life, already; we recorded a drop in the volume of import last year, so you imagine what will happen with this increment.
“The sharp depreciation and the increment of import duty will no doubt affect the volume of trade because the cost of import is going to increase significantly and this will affect practically all the key components of cost.
READ ALSO: Google Doodle Celebrates Mexican Archaeologist On 128th Birthday
“That is the cost of transportation, the cost of shipment, the cost of clearing and this will slow down the velocity and the tempo of activities in the maritime sector. And that tempo has already reduced anyway and it further reduces.”
He warned against the upward review of the exchange rate for the computation of import duty, adding that it would be devastating for both the economy and the citizens.
Speaking in a similar vein, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, said that the velocity of the exchange rate is affecting every sector of the economy, adding that the country needs to export more than import.
He said, “As the Naira further depreciates against the Dollar, we will have less importation.”
News
Back To School: Lions Club Distributes Educational Materials In Edo Schools

The Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions of the International Association of Lions Club on Friday jointly distributed educational materials to two schools in Benin City as part of the association corporate services to humanity.
The two clubs in District 404-A4 Lions Nigeria, jointly carried out the distribution of notebooks, maths sets, school bags and sandals, pens and other writing materials to excited pupils in Ivbioba Primary School and Oghede-Ivioba Primary School, Ugbighoko, Egor Local Government Area, and Evbiyenava Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Themed, Back to School Project, pupils were also engaged in Reading Action Program (RAP) and Spelling Bee Competition, after which winners were presented with special prizes.
In their remarks, Lions Darlington Uyi and Franca Nikoro, presidents of Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions Clubs stated that the vision of the Lions International is to serve humanity.
READ ALSO:Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Building In Ibadan
They, therefore, tasked pupils on commitment to their studies in order to attain their fullest potentials in life.
“Emulate Lions in your visions for tomorrow. We have various professionals as members, and if you are committed to your studies, obedient to your parents and teachers, you will attain great heights,” Lion Uyi Darlinton Stated.
“Our vision is to serve, and we are here like we do every period to ensure Literacy is inculcated in pupils to enable them to attain their full potential. It is our earnest desire that you grow into well rounded personalities. Literacy is important in order to actualize that aspiration,” Franca Nikoro stated.
Earlier, in his address, Lion Sir Dede Henry Idemudia, Zone 6A Chairperson, tasked the pupils on good conduct, honour to parents and guardians and obedience to instructions of school authority.
News
NAFDAC Gives Nigerian Food Companies 18 Months To Cut Trans Fats

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has set an 18-month grace period, effectively giving food companies until early 2026 before facing full enforcement of regulations to eliminate industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).
The initiative, launched as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, moves Nigeria from simply having the policy to enforcing its world-class standard: a regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that the roadmap moves the country beyond policy creation to aggressive enforcement and implementation.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Artemetrin DS, Antibiotic Ciprofit 500 In Circulation
This was contained in the NAFDAC DG’s keynote speech posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Adeyeye stressed the moral imperative of the Agency’s mission.
“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.
“Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye stated, calling for national collaboration.
The moratorium period is designed to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock with outdated labels and reformulate their products to comply with the legal limit.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Seals Illegal Chemical, Water Firm In Abuja
NAFDAC’s action targets a dangerous dietary risk factor strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death globally.
Adeyeye emphasised the significance of the move beyond technical compliance, noting, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.”
This aggressive step builds upon Nigeria’s existing reputation; the country was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2023 for adopting best-practice TFA elimination policies.
The new roadmap is key to securing WHO validation of Nigeria’s full TFA elimination programme, establishing the nation as a regional leader in public health interventions.
News
Mohbad’s Father Urges Lagos AG To Prosecute Wife, Nurse, Others

Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer Mohbad, has urged the Lagos State government to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals named in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.
Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injection administered by auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe.
Despite being buried the next day, public outcry and ongoing investigations led to the exhumation of his body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy.
In a letter dated October 3 and addressed to the attorney general of Lagos State through his lawyers, Aloba demanded that criminal charges be filed against those indicted within 14 days.
READ ALSO:Mohbad: Naira Marley Speaks In New Video
“Specifically, we refer to persons indicted by the coroner’s verdict hereunder: Miss Ogedengbe Fisayo, indicted for unlawful medical practice and gross medical negligence; and Mrs. Omowunmi Aloba, indicted for negligence,” the letter reads.
“This includes Ibrahim Owodunni, a.k.a. Prime Boy, and others who either facilitated the invitation of the auxiliary nurse or refused to take him promptly to a recognised medical facility for treatment.”
Mohbad’s father said he was concerned that despite the coroner’s clear verdict, no prosecutorial steps had been taken against those indicted nearly three months after the judgment.
He asked the attorney general to exercise prosecutorial powers within the 14 days, or, in the alternative, grant him and his legal team a fiat to prosecute the matter on behalf of the state.
READ ALSO:Mohbad: What I Told Naira Marley Regarding Iyabo Ojo – VeryDarkMan
“Our Client, as a bereaved father desirous of ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done, is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict, no prosecutorial steps have been taken against the aforementioned persons since the delivery of the Verdict on 11th July, 2025,” the letter reads.
“The judicial observations amount to clear indictments warranting the prosecution of the said individuals in order to give full effect to the Coroner’s findings and recommendations, and to ensure that justice is manifestly and adequately served in this matter.
“We request that you exercise your prosecutorial power on the above subject matter within 14 Days Next, in view of the high sensitivity of this matter and the public attention and outrage it has generated.”
In October 2023, Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested over allegations linking them to Mohbad’s death, but were released on bail after five weeks in detention.
By February 2025, a magistrate court cleared them of any involvement in the singer’s demise.
- News5 days ago
JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues
- Metro4 days ago
ARISE News Broadcaster Killed In Abuja
- News4 days ago
UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam
- News3 days ago
Benin Monarch To Tinubu’s Daughter: Do You Know Role Of Iyeki In Benin Culture?
- Politics3 days ago
Edo Assembly Declines To Confirm Ex-lawmaker As commissioner Over DSS Petition
- Politics5 days ago
Edo: Chief Ben Bowei Sworn In As Vice Chairman, Ovia South-West
- Politics4 days ago
2027: Jonathan Will Contest Under PDP, Return To Aso Rock — Jerry Gana
- Business4 days ago
Confusion Over Euro-Africa CCI’s $250m Investment In Edo
- News4 days ago
Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’
- News4 days ago
Court Stops PENGASSAN, Others From Cutting Gas Supply To Dangote Refinery