• SERAP sues Tinubu over unfulfilled projects worth ₦167 billion
• Atiku warns ahead possible disappearance of $1 billion health funds
• Cars and properties ablaze as Niger gas station explodes
• Court approves of FCCPC’s intervention in telecoms regulation
• Chinese cement companies rival Dangote, BUA, as they expand their brands in Africa

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

SERAP sues Tinubu over unfulfilled projects worth ₦167 billion

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu regarding the alleged failure of the federal government to prosecute contractors who did not fulfil their obligations on projects valued at ₦167 billion.

According to the auditor-general of the federation’s 2021 report, released in November 2024, 31 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) disbursed over ₦167 billion to contractors for never-completed projects.

SERAP’s lawsuit urges the court to compel Tinubu to instruct Mr Olawale Edun to disclose the names of the companies and contractors that received more than ₦167 billion from the 31 MDAs without delivering any projects, as outlined in the 2021 Audited Report by the Auditor General of the Federation.

Atiku warns ahead possible disappearance of $1 billion health funds

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a new warning to the Federal Government regarding the proposed budget allocation for the health sector. 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed that the anticipated $1.07 billion budget for the health sector in the 2025 fiscal year must be managed effectively. 

Atiku insisted that Nigerians should not endure another instance of public funds mysteriously vanishing due to bizarre claims. He remarked that the funds should not be “consumed by snakes, termites, gorillas, and monkeys.”

He highlighted that previous allegations of public funds being lost to various animals went uninvestigated and unpunished, failing to act as a deterrent. Atiku pointed out that, given the declining resources and reduced support from donor agencies for some areas of the country’s healthcare services, every naira allocated to the sector must be used wisely.

Cars and properties ablaze as Niger gas station explodes

Gas was being transloaded from a tanker to a surface tank at the Tasiu Gas Plant in the Sabon Wuse area of Tafa Local Government, Niger State, when an explosion occurred, leading to extensive damage. 

The incident happened around 11 PM on Saturday, setting fire to the gas station, several nearby vehicles, and grains worth millions of naira at a processing plant. 

According to Abdullahi Baba Arah, the Director-General of NSEMA, no fatalities or injuries were reported during the incident.

Court approves of FCCPC’s intervention in telecoms regulation

The court has confirmed that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) holds regulatory authority over the telecommunications sector.

The case was brought forth by Emeka Nnubia, a lawyer and MTN shareholder, who aimed to stop the FCCPC from investigating MTN Nigeria.

Acting on his behalf, Nnubia contended that the FCCPC’s probe could infringe upon data protection laws and argued that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), not the FCCPC, should have regulatory authority over MTN.

In the end, the court determined that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018, being the more recent legislation, takes precedence over any conflicting provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, particularly concerning the FCCPC’s regulatory role in the telecommunications sector.

Chinese cement companies rival Dangote, BUA, as they expand their brands in Africa 

China Cement and Huaxin, two Chinese cement companies, have acquired shares in established African firms to gain a foothold in the market. 

Facing declining demands in their country, these companies are pursuing aggressive expansion strategies by investing in existing local businesses and constructing new plants throughout the continent. 

As reported, these Chinese manufacturers are increasing competition with major players like Dangote and BUA to reshape the former cement sector and foster economic opportunities.