• FG raises ₦585 million for settlements of inmates across Nigeria
• COP28: Tinubu meets with the King of England
• Minister of Power hints at improvement of Nigeria’s power sector with FG’s support
• ₦300 billion needed to maintain federal roads, FERMA discloses
• FG set to introduce a new minimum wage in Nigeria in 2024

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

FG raises ₦585 million for settlements of inmates across Nigeria

The Federal government of Nigeria has raised ₦585 million to be used as fines for releasing inmates locked in correctional facilities across Nigeria.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by an Assistant Director, Dr Anayo Romanus-Nzekwe, revealed this information as 150 prisoners were released from Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Janguza, Kano State.

The Minister of Interior had once complained that there were over 4000 inmates locked in prison because they could not pay their fines.

Nigeria and other countries eye $261 billion climate fund

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the COP28 Climate Change Summit, taking to social media platform X to announce his experience thus far.

He narrated his meeting with King Charles III of England and praised him for being “a passionate climate advocate”.

Leaders from 198 countries were expected to be at this summit, which made it competitive as Nigeria announced its interest in receiving the $261 billion climate fund, which was donated by the countries present at COP28.

The United Arab Emirates donated $100 million, and so did Germany; Britain donated $51 million, the USA donated $17.5 million, and Japan donated $10 million for poor oil and gas countries whose climate has been marred with fossil fuel discovery.

Minister of Power hints at improvement Nigeria’s power sector with FG’s support

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed that the federal government’s participation in developing Nigeria’s power sector would go a long way as they would harness energy unique to the region of the country.

The Minister shared his views at the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN), where he also stated that the government would concentrate on solar energy in the North, mini hydro power plants for the Middle Belt and the Southwest.

“I want to put it on record that the 2023 Electricity Act is a significant part of our country’s energy roadmap as it signifies the present administration’s commitment to the transformation of the power sector as clearly stated in the agenda of Mr President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

₦300 billion needed to maintain federal roads, FERMA discloses

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) revealed that it would require ₦300 billion annually to maintain federal roads nationwide.

The agency’s Managing Director, Emeka Agbasi, hoped to source funding elsewhere beyond the budgetary allocations. He lamented about the 2023 allocation as he claimed it was less than required to sustain the roads.

FERMA shared its intent on receiving findings from Japan and the UK as external support for maintaining the nation’s infrastructure.

FG set to introduce a new minimum wage in Nigeria in 2024

The federal government has announced that the introduction of a new minimum wage in Nigeria will be made on April 1, 2024.

With the recent inflation in Nigeria every month and the inability of the people to cope with their income, the FG has stated that it has reviewed the current minimum wage, which would now come to an end in March 2024 as a new wage would be introduced in its stead.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, shared this information in an interview.