• Police officers tighten security ahead of October 1 #FearlessOctober protest
• FG announces October 1 (Independence Day) as a public holiday
• Ministry of Education strives to avoid ASUU Strike
• President’s panel informs that Naira-for-crude will begin on October 1
• Minister of Power claims 40% of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of electricity

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

Police officers tighten security ahead of October 1 #FearlessOctober protest

The Lagos State Government has announced that it will restrict October 1 protesters to two parks that police officers will now guard.

The government expressed that it would not watch while protesters and malicious thugs turn the state into an uproar and a centre of chaos.

In deterrence, police officers were stationed across the state ahead of the planned #FearlessOctober protest.

FG announces October 1 (Independence Day) as a public holiday

The Federal Government has announced that Tuesday, 1 October 2024, will be observed as a national public holiday for the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.

The information was passed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through the Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani, who raised Nigerians in and out of the country for their loyalty and patriotism towards the government.

Although it seems there will be no extravagant celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akuke, has claimed that the anniversary will be more low-key.

Ministry of Education strives to avoid ASUU Strike

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Education, is currently working to avoid the upcoming Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, as the latter gave a fourteen-day ultimatum warning to the FG before embarking on strike.

The Director of Press in the ministry, Folasade Biriowo, assured Nigerian students that the minister has teams working tirelessly to ensure no strike by ASUU.

“I can assure you that everything is being done to prevent the strike from happening. The minister has teams working already so I can give you that assurance,” the Director said.

President’s panel informs that Naira-for-crude will begin on October 1

President Bola Tinubu’s panel, the Technical Sub-committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency, has affirmed that the supply of crude in Naira by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.

On September 13, 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sale of crude oil to local refiners in Naira and the purchase of petroleum products in Nigeria’s currency.

“From October 1, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385 kbpd (385,000 barrels per day) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira,” the committee announced.

Minister of Power claims 40% of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of electricity 

The Minister of Powers, Adebayo Adelabu, has confirmed that Nigeria’s power sector is moving on to greater heights as at least 40% of Nigerians enjoy a 20-hour power supply.

He stressed that this achievement was made possible under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as part of his renewed hope initiative.

According to the minister, one of the new administration’s successful and recognisable achievements is Nigeria’s ability to generate over 5,500 megawatts, and that is not the end, as the power sector is working to improve its current position.