• CBN waives 2025 licence renewal fee for all BDCs
• Atiku predicts that Nigeria may lose its democracy
• IFC collaborates with five renewable energy firms to build mini-grid projects in Nigeria
• EFCC and NEITI partner to recover $6 billion and ₦66 billion crude proceeds
• Shehu Dikko pledges to revive the National Stadium

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

CBN waives 2025 licence renewal fee for all BDCs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced it will waive the 2025 licence renewal fee for all Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

Jonah Onojah, the Financial Policy and Regulation Department director, stated that the waiver takes effect immediately. 

“This is to inform all existing bureaux de change that, by the Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for Bureau De Change Operations in Nigeria, 2024, and the ongoing transition to the new BDC regulatory structure, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the waiver of the 2025 license renewal fee, effective immediately,” the statement reads.

Atiku predicts that Nigeria may lose its democracy 

2023 Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku has predicted that Nigeria may be on the verge of losing its democracy.

The politician made his revelation at a national conference in Abuja on January 27, saying, “We really are at a crossroads in this democratic experiment. We either decide we want to be democratic or we decide to abandon it,”

He stressed that election winners are now chosen by courts and no longer by the people and he is only after the greatness of this country despite learning that the government pays some of the politicians ₦50 million to keep their heads low.

IFC collaborates with five renewable energy firms to build mini-grid projects in Nigeria

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed agreements with five Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) companies to promote implementing mini-grid projects across Nigeria. 

The companies involved are Havenhill Synergy Ltd., Prado Power Ltd., PriVida Power Ltd., Sosai Renewable Energies Ltd., and Virtuitis Solaris Ltd. 

These companies are participating in the World Bank-funded Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up Program (Nigeria DARES), implemented by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the new agreements aim to help Nigeria close its electricity access gap and accelerate the country’s transition to a sustainable, efficient, and affirdable electricity supply.

EFCC and NEITI partner to recover $6 billion and ₦66 billion crude proceeds

The Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has partnered with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to recover $6 billion and ₦66 billion from industry giants in the oil and gas sector.

On Monday, NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Ogbonnaya Orji, presented the agency’s 2025 budget proposal to the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

However, committee members challenged him, arguing that his proposed budget of ₦32 million seemed excessive given the current economic climate and inflation rates.

“We will support you as long as your proposals are reasonable and aligned with your mandate,” a committee member said.

Shehu Dikko pledges to revive the National Stadium

Shehu Dikko, the head of the National Sports Commission, has committed to revitalizing the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, as well as other sporting facilities across the country, through public-private partnerships.

Dikko expressed this intention following an unexpected visit to the National Stadium in Lagos. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to concession the facility to the private sector for its rehabilitation and transformation into a multi-purpose venue for sports, entertainment, and commercial activities.

“It’s quite sad that such an iconic national structure has been left unattended for decades to deteriorate, given its rich history and potential to become a major hub for sports, entertainment, and commerce, in line with the best international practices,” Dikko lamented on his social media page.