• Nollywood filmmaker imprisoned for five years over drug trafficking
• NLC, TUC and transporters refuse highway tolling
• Tinubu orders for safety in schools as fire kills 17 students in Islamic school
• FG reveals there are over 6 million refugees living in Northern states
• Naira depreciates in foreign market but appreciates in black market

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

Nollywood filmmaker imprisoned for five years over drug trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 40-year-old filmmaker Mbadiwe Emeka to five years in prison for trafficking 17.30 kg of Canada Loud, a type of Cannabis Sativa that is classified as a narcotic similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa delivered the sentence after Emeka pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful importation of the substance brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

While the court initially imposed a five-year prison sentence for drugs trafficking, Justice Lewis-Allagoa allowed Emeka to pay a fine of ₦3 million instead of serving time and ordered the drugs and his iPhone 12 Pro-Max be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

NLC, TUC and transporters refuse highway tolling

The government has recently relocated highway trolleys, starting with the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Expressway. This move has raised alarms among the National Association of Road Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the local branches of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, who believe this policy will lead to higher transportation and food prices.

This 227.2-kilometer road is part of a list of nine expressways designated for tolling by the Federal Government. Other roads included in this plan are the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano Road, and the Makurdi-9th Mile Road.

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has outlined the toll charges for various vehicle types: saloon cars will be charged ₦500; sports utility vehicles/jeeps will pay ₦800; minibuses will cost ₦1,000; and multi-axle (articulated) vehicles will incur a fee of ₦1,600.

Tinubu orders for safety in schools as fire kills 17 students in Islamic school

President Bola Tinubu extended his condolences to the parents, guardians, and families affected by the tragic fire at an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.

The fire that broke out at the Tsangaya school (Almajiri school) resulted in the loss of 17 young lives and injured 15 other students.

The President’s sentiments were shared through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy statement, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns Zamfara Islamic School pupils, urges school owners to prioritise safety.’

FG reveals there are over 6 million refugees living in Northern states

The Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijjani Aliyu, announced that over 6.1 million refugees are currently sheltered in Nigeria’s northern states.

He made this comment while confirming that Nigeria is prepared to receive all deported Nigerian immigrants from the United States.

“The refugee commission has established eight resettlement cities in certain northern states to provide accommodation for refugees from abroad, as more than 6.1 million internally displaced individuals are living in 136 camps at the moment. Each city is intended to hold 40 households, with approximately 200 individuals expected in each camp,” he stated.

Naira depreciates in foreign market but appreciates in black market

The Naira has decreased against the USD in value in the official foreign exchange market window for the fourth day in a row, despite its incredible gain in January 2025.

The naira has lost 0.07% of its value and now trades at ₦1,499/$, while the parallel market section of the foreign exchange trades at ₦1,599/$ compared to its previous rate of ₦1,601/$.