• NLC threaten nationwide protest due to hike in electricity tariffs
• EFCC officers allegedly storms school, forces out pupils
• The naira trades below ₦1,500/$ in the parallel market
• Peter Obi claims Nigerians face highest level of poverty under Tinubu’s administration
• CAN rebukes states banning of students from schools for Ramadan fasting

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

NLC threaten nationwide protest due to hike in electricity tariffs

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the federal government’s plan to raise electricity tariffs, labelling it as “unjustified extortion” of the populace. It has threatened a nationwide protest against the increase in electricity tariffs.

During its Executive Council meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the labour union pledged to organise a significant resistance against this unfair increase. The NLC also condemned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for reclassifying electricity consumers into higher tariff bands.

NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero criticised this banding system, describing it as another fraud (419). He contended that it has not improved power supply while only escalating costs for consumers.

EFCC officers allegedly storms school, forces out pupils

EFCC officers have scarred the students and staff of Goodwill Private School, Ikorodu, as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) broke into the school and disrupted all academic activities.

Witnesses confirmed that the school has been operational since 2004 and that the armed EFCC operatives allegedly prevented students and staff from retrieving their belongings, leaving young pupils, including those in primary grades, in distress.

The naira trades below ₦1,500/$ in the parallel market

Naira ended February 2025 with an 8.5% increase on the parallel market, reaching ₦1,490/$, while it experienced a 1.7% decrease on the official market, closing at ₦1,500/$. 

The Afrinvest Monthly Market Report reported that foreign reserves fell by 3.2% month-on-month, totalling $38.46 billion as of Thursday.

The decline of the naira was linked to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) measures to stabilise the currency, mainly through the resumption of payments for the verified portion of the outstanding $7.0 billion foreign exchange backlog.

Peter Obi claims Nigerians face highest level of poverty under Tinubu’s administration 

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra, has criticised the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, stating that Nigeria is “rapidly devolving into an embarrassing situation” as poverty and hunger worsen. 

He remarked, “Our nation is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of both actual and multidimensional poverty, rising infant mortality rates, millions of children out of school, and is among the most insecure and hunger-afflicted countries in the world, all while facing growing insecurity and numerous other challenges.”

CAN rebukes states banning of students from schools for Ramadan fasting 

The Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the decision made by certain northern state governments to close all schools during the Ramadan fasting period.

States like Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi have ordered that schools be closed throughout the Ramadan period, which has sparked significant outrage among Nigerians who view the move as unlawful.

According to CAN, such actions raise concerns about fairness, the continuity of education, and the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, stated, “The prolonged closure of schools, from nursery to tertiary levels, will disrupt academic schedules and put the educational progress of millions of students at risk.”