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Osun state launches free public Wi-Fi for residents and students

The Osun State Government has launched Imole Wi-Fi, a free public internet service aimed at expanding digital access for residents, students, businesses, and communities across the state.

The initiative, announced on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information and Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, is designed to increase opportunities across education, health, agriculture, commerce, and other sectors.

Initially, Imole Wi-Fi will be available at key government buildings and public spaces, including the Osun State Library, Alphastart Hub, Osun Mall, Salvation Army Middle School, Osogbo Grammar School, and sites within the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy.

Governor Ademola Adeleke described the service as “a gateway to opportunity,” adding that it will help cut barriers, connect people, and stimulate growth across the state’s economy.

The Special Adviser overseeing the project, Azeez Badmus, said the launch is the first phase of the initiative. He added that as the program expands, more government services and sector-specific digital tools will be made available, ensuring all residents benefit from Osun’s digital future.

Imole Wi-Fi is expected to be rolled out to additional locations over time, positioning Osun State as a pioneer in digital inclusion in Nigeria.

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Nigerian Nursing Council Abolishes Exam Failure Policy

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN has announced the abolishment of a controversial long-standing policy in a circular dated September 1, 2025, and signed by the Registrar/CEO, Ndagi Alhassan.

Thge long-standing policy had barred student nurses from continuing their training after three failed attempts at the Council’s professional examinations.

The Council announced that candidates who fail any part of the professional exam will now be allowed to retake only that section until they secure a pass.

The new policy takes effect from September 2025.

The circular, titled ‘Nursing Education Reforms: Elimination of Students After Three Professional Examination Attempts’, was addressed to state commissioners of health, teaching hospital directors, university vice chancellors, heads of nursing schools, and professional associations.

According to the Council, the reform reflects its commitment to align nursing education with global best practices by shifting from an elimination-focused policy to a more supportive, student-centered approach.

“Our mission to promote and maintain excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice calls for a more inclusive academic environment devoted to building resilience and lifelong learning,” the statement read.

The NMCN urged institutions to implement measures that would support struggling students, while stressing that candidates must maintain at least 80% lecture and clinical attendance to qualify for re-sits. It also directed that each failed attempt at a re-sit would count against the training institution.

The Council said the change was necessary to ensure fairness, enhance professional competence, and address concerns raised about the previous policy.

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DSS Summons Sowore Over Post on Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly summoned activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
According to TheNation, DSS summoned him over what it described as a “false and malicious” social media post directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Sowore took to X to few days ago to slam President Tinubu, describing him as a “criminal.”
The Nation reported that in a letter dated September 7, 2025, signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General, the DSS demanded that Sowore retract his statement on X (formerly Twitter) and issue a public apology within one week.
The Service accused Sowore of calling the President a “criminal” in an August 26 post, where he allegedly ridiculed Tinubu’s anti-corruption remarks during his visit to Brazil. According to the DSS, the comment was “repugnant, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance.”
The letter outlined conditions for compliance, requiring Sowore to post an unequivocal retraction on X, publish apologies in at least two national newspapers and two television stations, and submit a representation to the DSS headquarters in Abuja or by email. The agency also copied the United States Embassy in Abuja on the matter.
The DSS warned that Sowore’s comments had the potential to diminish the President’s standing domestically and internationally, and could provoke disunity, insurrection, or a breakdown of law and order.
 
“Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech,” the Service stated, adding that failure to comply would invite lawful action.
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FG Summons Dangote And NUPENG Officials to Avert Nationwide Strike

The Federal Government has intervened in the ongoing face-off between the Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
FG has now summoned a meeting of both parties in Abuja today.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, called the meeting in a last-minute effort to halt a nationwide strike set to begin today, already endorsed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
NUPENG accuses Dangote of anti-union practices, monopolistic tendencies, and indecent labour conditions, alleging that the refinery pays some of the lowest wages in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The union further condemned a new policy barring drivers from joining oil and gas unions, describing it as a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and international labour conventions.
 
“This marks a dangerous road to fascism in industrial relations, where workers are treated as slaves without voice or dignity,” the union warned.
Despite the minister’s intervention, NUPENG leaders have directed members nationwide to commence the strike pending resolution of all grievances.
An official said: “Though we will attend the meeting to show readiness for dialogue, the strike goes on until all the issues are resolved.”
The crisis deepened over the creation of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), which NUPENG dismissed as a “management-inspired fraud” designed to weaken and divide workers. The union insists that Dangote and his associates are behind the association, linking its operations to MRS Energy Limited.
Amid mounting tension, the NLC has rallied its 54 affiliates and 36 state councils to prepare for solidarity action. President Joe Ajaero warned that Dangote’s actions represent a direct attack on the entire Nigerian labour movement.
“An attack on one union is an attack on all. If we allow the Dangote Group to succeed, no industry or worker in Nigeria will be safe. It will set a perilous precedent that capital is above the law,” Ajaero said.
The NLC has ordered immediate mobilisation and sensitisation of workers nationwide, cautioning that the strike will first hit fuel supply chains, with filling stations already experiencing queues and rising black-market prices. Economists warn that prolonged disruption could cripple transport, power, and manufacturing, worsening inflation and economic hardship.
In Edo State, the NLC has declared full support for the strike, urging residents to stock up on fuel ahead of the action.
 
“The Edo council will mobilise all affiliates in solidarity. We advise workers and the public to get petroleum products that will last the duration of this industrial action, as filling stations will be closed,” the statement read.
The outcome of today’s Abuja meeting will determine whether the strike is called off or escalates into a nationwide shutdown.
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Femi Otedola Becomes Amazon No.1 Best Selling Author in the Business Best-Seller Category

Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist, Femi Otedola has achieved a new milestone after becoming Amazon’s No. 1 best-selling author in the Business category.
This followed the release of his memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business.
The book, released on August 18, 2025, has surged to the top of Amazon’s “Starting a Business” category and is also ranked among the leading titles in “Business Biographies & Memoirs.”
Making It Big has overtaken works by global entrepreneurs, including Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO, Simon Squibb’s What’s Your Dream?, and Blake Masters’ Zero to One. It also shares the charts with other influential titles like Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity, Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog, and Alex Hormozi’s $100M Offers.
Otedola’s early success reflects a growing appetite for stories from African business leaders that blend personal experience with practical insights. His memoir details lessons learned from decades of building ventures across energy, finance, and infrastructure, while offering guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Just 48 hours after release, the book had already climbed to No. 3 on Amazon’s business memoir rankings, according to Nairametrics, signaling strong early sales momentum.
Available in paperback for £14.99 and in digital formats, Making It Big underscores the rising global demand for African entrepreneurial stories. Otedola’s achievement places him alongside some of the world’s most influential business authors and highlights the increasing prominence of African voices in global business literature.
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Dangote Refinery: Nigerian Govt Working to Stop Strike – PETROAN

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN has assured that the Federal Government is working to avert the looming nationwide strike.
This is according to PETROAN National President of the Association, Billy Gillis-Harry in a statement on Monday while responding to questions on ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme on Channels Television.
Gilly-Harris listed the issues that led to the strike declaration as primarily the alleged monopoly on the part of the Dangote Refinery.
He however stated that stakeholders in the downstream sector were being engaged by the government to resolve the lingering issues.
“The issue at hand is that we want the industry to operate in a way that all players are efficiently serving Nigerians.
 
“We have advocated that there be a clearly defined role for all the players. Over 50 years ago, industry players set up retail outlets, so you have several stakeholders in the industry. We have the major markets, we have the depot, the independent marketers, PETROAN, NUPENG, and NARTO.
 
“We have had a situation in the last few months. From June, we started getting fillers of the Dangote Refinery wanting to involve itself in all the tiers of the business- from refining, to storage, to logistics, and then possibly finally the retail outlets,” Gillis-Harry said.
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US Visa Policy Now Requires Interviews In Country Of Residence

The US Department of State has introduced a major policy change for non-immigrant visa applicants.

The new policy now requires them to schedule their interviews “at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.”

The new guidance, effective immediately, was published on September 6, 2025, on the State Department’s official visa portal.

The update supersedes all previous instructions on designated visa processing locations.

The Department noted: “Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.”

The list of designated locations covers nationals from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted states such as Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).

Applicants are also warned of three critical changes:

Residence Requirement: “Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency.”

Fees: “Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa. Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.”

Appointment Availability: “Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.” 

Existing appointments, however, “will generally not be cancelled,” and the Department emphasised that the new rules do not apply to diplomatic, NATO, or UN-related visas.

According to the Saturday release, exceptions may still be granted for “humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”

The Department urged applicants to check their local embassy or consulate websites for details on requirements and wait times.

This sweeping adjustment, officials noted, is part of efforts to streamline nonimmigrant visa adjudications while managing global backlogs and security considerations.

626BLAZE reports that the US State Department’s new directive extends explicitly to non-immigrant visas, ending a long-standing practice among nationals of travelling to neighbouring countries to secure interview appointments.

In Nigeria, for example, for years, when slots in Abuja or Lagos were unavailable, applicants often turned to consulates in Cameroon, Namibia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Canada, or even the Dominican Republic to fast-track their chances.

Under the updated policy, Nigerians—and all other nationals—must apply strictly in their country of residence or nationality.

This shift will significantly alter how applicants navigate the already challenging process, especially given long wait times in Nigeria.

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NDLEA Smashes International Drug Cartel, Nabs 3 Kingpins

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted an international organized criminal group (IOCG) with networks across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three kingpins and seizing a cocaine consignment valued at ₦5.3 billion.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the operation, conducted over two weeks across Lagos, began on August 26, 2025, when officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney, Australia.

A search revealed 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in lace fabrics alongside local charms, allegedly meant to provide “spiritual cover” against detection.

A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was the first to be arrested. Further investigations led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, described as the group’s Nigerian coordinator, and Shola Adegoke, another leader.

Ogunbiyi was picked up at an Ikeja GRA hotel, where a search of his Lekki residence uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.9kg) and a pump-action rifle. Adegoke was arrested during a raid on the syndicate’s packaging house at Ikeja GRA, where 9.6kg of Loud was seized from a Range Rover SUV.

Babafemi disclosed that the cartel’s ringleader, identified as Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), currently resides in Dubai. Investigations revealed that Adegoke had previously served a UK jail term for methamphetamine trafficking, while Ogunbiyi had served 14 years in Britain for murder before returning to Nigeria.

In related operations, NDLEA seized 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup worth ₦1.1bn from a 40ft container at Onne Port, Rivers State, and recovered 653kg of cannabis derivatives during raids in Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Niger, Kaduna, and Taraba.

Highlights include:

Arrest of a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, at Lagos Airport with 24,480 tramadol pills.

Interception of a dispatch rider in Abuja with 3.1kg of Colorado.

Recovery of 625kg of Loud and Colorado from a distribution hub in Surulere, Lagos.

Arrest of a couple in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.

Destruction of 18.7 tonnes of cannabis farms in Taraba State.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved, urging them to intensify the agency’s “balanced approach” combining enforcement with advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

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Lunar Eclipse Set To Hit Nigeria, Moon To Turn ‘Blood Red’ On Sunday

A rare lunar eclipse will be visible across Nigeria and several other African countries on Sunday, September 7, starting at about 8:00 PM West Africa Time.

The event, which will last for about 83 minutes, will give the Moon a reddish glow known as a “blood moon.”

According to NTA, people across Nigeria will be able to watch the spectacle, though some western parts of the continent may miss the early stages since the Moon will rise during totality.

Countries expected to witness the eclipse include Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

In Nigeria, areas with less light pollution such as Yobe and Borno are likely to provide clearer views of the sky.

Scientists described a lunar eclipse as the result of the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligning in a straight line, with Earth’s shadow covering the lunar surface.

Unlike solar eclipses, this event does not pose any danger to the eyes and can be viewed safely without protective glasses.

NASA confirmed that the total eclipse will also be seen in parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The red appearance of the Moon is caused by sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere, a natural process that also influences the Moon’s temperature during the eclipse.

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N70,000 Is No Longer Sustainable – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers have called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that the current N70,000 is no longer sustainable.

They made the demand following the bold steps taken by several states across the country to increase the minimum wage of their workers above the N70,000 benchmark, in response to the prevailing economic realities.

The labour unions and workers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews, contended that in the face of galloping inflation, rising costs of food, transportation, housing, and other essential services, the N70,000 minimum wage could no longer sustain them.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

The amended law applies to the entire country, including the federal government, states, local governments, and the private sector.

However, on August 27, 2025, Imo increased the minimum wage from N70,000 to N104,000, along with corresponding increases in the entire salary structure for the state’s civil servants.

The state Governor, Hope Uzodinma, had said that the salary review, arrived at during a meeting with organised labour, was part of efforts to improve the welfare of workers.

Before the bold and applauded step by Uzodinma, some other states had implemented higher minimum wages for their workers.

On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced a minimum wage increase to N85,000, with a promise to further raise it to N100,000 in 2025.

Rivers State equally approved N85,000 minimum wage on October 18, 2024, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom states approved N80,000 for their workers. Ogun and Delta states are implementing N77,000 minimum wage, Benue and Osun states raised the wage to N75,000, while Ondo State pegged its own at N73,000.

Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that inflation has eroded the value of the N70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs.

“The truth is that N70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation.

“Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen.

“We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and fora,” he said.

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