• Nigerians support NYSC corper who spoke out against the declining state of the economy
• The Governor of Anambra State prohibits secondary students from using phones
• Niger faces fuel scarcity as Nigeria removes fuel subsidy
• EKEDC claims soldiers abducted workers over power outages
• NCDC reveals deaths from diphtheria crosses over 1,300

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

Nigerians support NYSC corper who spoke out against the declining state of the economy

Nigerians have chosen to stand behind an NYSC corper who spoke out about the harsh living conditions of Nigerians in recent times.

A Nigerian TikToker and NYSC corper identified as Ushie Uguamaye took to TikTok to lament about the declining state of the economy, calling out the government for its ineptitude and ignorance of the people’s sufferings.

However, upon posting such a video, she was soon allegedly contacted by the LGI of her NYSC LG who demanded that she take down the video because she was painting the nation and its president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, badly.

Since the video circulated, Nigerians have begun calling out Tinubu’s administration on social media, clamouring for a change as things are no longer what they used to be.

The Governor of Anambra State prohibits secondary students from using phones

The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has announced that all secondary school students across the 21 local government areas are banned from using phones.

The law, passed by the Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu, has given authority to all school principals who have been instructed to seize all mobile devices seen at the hands of students who bring phones to school.

“I am authorising principals and teachers to seize phones from students who come to school with them so that we can ensure that students concentrate on their academic work without the interference of phones,” she said.

Niger faces fuel scarcity as Nigeria removes fuel subsidy 

Nearly two years after President Bola Tinubu removed Nigeria’s fuel subsidy, its effects are being strongly felt in the neighbouring Niger Republic.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic surged by 82% in 2024, despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

Meanwhile, oil dealers have raised concerns over the closure of filling stations in border towns, emphasising the significant revenue losses marketers face due to the situation.

According to industry experts, the country relied heavily on Nigeria for nearly 50% of its local fuel consumption for years. Much of this petrol was smuggled into Niger through illegal routes.

EKEDC claims soldiers abducted workers over power outages

The Eko Electric Distribution Company (EKEDC) has alleged that Nigerian soldiers invaded its substation and abducted two staff members in the early hours of Friday, 14 March.

Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Strategy at EKEDC, stated that the military personnel blamed their actions on a prolonged power outage.

He clarified that the outage resulted from an ongoing project upgrade at the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) Agbara facility and had already been communicated to the barracks’ commanding officer, Lt. Col. S.L. Lawn.

NCDC reveals deaths from diphtheria crosses over 1,300

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the country has resulted in approximately 1,319 deaths.

According to the agency, Kano State accounts for the majority of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of a total of 25,812. Other states with high case numbers include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408), and Katsina (1,501).

“The report, which covers Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025, highlights ongoing challenges in controlling the outbreak, such as low vaccination rates, limited laboratory capacity, and delays in confirming cases,” the NCDC stated.