• NLC announces February 4 for nationwide protest over telecoms tariff hike
• Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger all exit ECOWAS
• Max Air refunds passengers as it suspends operations
• General Hydrocarbons Limited gains victory in court against First Bank
• Governor of Oyo State instructs civil servants to Aso-Oke on Thursdays

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

NLC announces February 4 for nationwide protest over telecoms tariff hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that its members will hold nationwide protests on February 4 against the 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.

On January 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved this significant hike for telecom companies.

Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, condemned the federal government for its approval of the tariff increase, calling it a “clear assault” on the welfare of Nigerian workers. He indicated that the protests would act as “a warning regarding the dangers of enforcing such an unjust rise on a struggling population.”

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger all exit ECOWAS

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, led by military juntas, have officially departed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

Following over a year of diplomatic conflicts, their exit from the leading political and trade organisation in West Africa was confirmed on Wednesday. 

These three countries, founding members of ECOWAS, had announced their intention to withdraw in January 2024, but the group’s rules required a one-year notice for the departure to be finalised.

Max Air refunds passengers as it suspends operations

Max Air, Nigeria’s domestic airline, is set to start processing refunds for passengers with booked flights following the suspension of its operations, which takes effect tomorrow. 

This decision comes after an incident on Tuesday night when one of its planes, a Boeing with the registration number 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst upon landing at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano. 

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the country’s leading regulatory body for aviation, has announced a 90-day suspension of Max Air’s operations to conduct a thorough audit of the airline’s practices. The airline has faced multiple incidents that have raised concerns about the safety of its flights.

General Hydrocarbons Limited gains victory in court against First Bank

The Federal High Court in Lagos has overturned a Mareva injunction that froze the assets of General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) and its directors. The court determined that the injunction conflicted with an existing order from a court of concurrent jurisdiction.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu ruled that the Mareva injunction should be set aside, as it was incompatible with an earlier order issued by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa in Suit No. 1953.

The court concluded that First Bank of Nigeria and FBNQuest LTD, who sought the order, failed to adequately disclose Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s prior ruling, which rendered the Mareva injunction invalid.

Governor of Oyo State instructs civil servants to Aso-Oke on Thursdays

The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has instructed that all civil servants in the state wear Aso-Oke on Thursdays along with the nationwide rule of wearing natives on Fridays.

The new dress code was announced in a circular from the Office of the Head of Service sent to ministry and agency heads on January 27, 2025.

“On Thursdays and Fridays, our employees will serve as advocates of tradition and drivers of economic development,” the directive mentioned.

The circular further explained that this policy “is not merely about attire; it’s a strategic initiative aimed at affirming our cultural identity while supporting local economies.”