• Doctors demand a reversion of petrol price hike
• Massive flooding to hit seven Nigerian states soon

• Reps back ban on under-18 SSCE, UTME candidates
• Gov’t rolls out sale of 30,000mt of rice for ₦40,000
• Lagos, Chinese firm sign pact on 68km Green Rail Line

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

Doctors demand a reversion of the petrol price hike

The Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians by promptly reversing the recent petrol price hike.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) raised the pump price of petrol to ₦855 or ₦897 per litre (depending on the location), up from ₦568.

The price increase has sparked widespread reactions from various groups and individuals, many of whom demand an immediate return to the previous price.

In a statement released on Thursday, NMA Lagos, led by its Chairman, Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde, expressed concern. The unilateral price hike has inflicted further hardship on Nigerians, including medical and dental doctors, who are already struggling with economic challenges and insecurity.

Massive flooding to hit seven Nigerian states soon

The Federal Government has forecasted five days of rainfall that could result in flooding in 21 states and 123 locations. Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa are the seven states expected to be severely impacted.

The flood warning, obtained on Thursday from the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, also advised communities situated downstream of the River Benue to remain vigilant.

The government warned that the predicted heavy rainfall between September 4 and 8, 2024, could trigger significant flooding in the identified areas.

Reps back ban on under-18 SSCE, UTME candidates

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has indicated that the Federal Government’s recent decision to set a minimum age for candidates taking the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) will likely remain in place.

In July, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that from 2025, candidates below 18 will no longer be permitted to sit for the SSSCE, a requirement for admission into higher institutions.

This policy has sparked intense debate among parents and education stakeholders. Prof. Mamman noted that the policy is not unique to Nigeria, citing military and paramilitary institutions that have an entry age of 18 and the fact that the voting age in Nigeria is also set at 18.

Gov’t rolls out sale of 30,000mt of rice for ₦40,000

To mitigate the rising food prices, the Federal Government launched the sale of 30,000 metric tons of milled rice at a subsidized price of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag yesterday.

This initiative, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to support civil servants and other Nigerians.

The sale is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts, including the previous release of 42,000 metric tons of assorted food items to vulnerable groups. These actions are also intended to enhance food security nationwide.

Lagos, Chinese firm sign pact on 68km Green Rail Line

Yesterday in China, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to advance the development of a new rail project.

The upcoming Green Line is a 68-kilometre rail line that will run from the Lekki Free Trade Zone to the Marina and connect with the Blue Line.

Governor Sanwo-Olu shared the news of the MoU signing on his X handle.

He stated: “The Green Line is expected to transport over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, with the capacity to exceed a million as demand increases. With the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC overseeing its design, financing, and operation, this rail line will revolutionize public transportation in Lagos.”