- Sultan announces start of Ramadan as moon is sighted
- President Tinubu approves ₦54.99 trillion 2025 budget
- Fuel scarcity looms as ban on 60,000 litre trucks takes effect
- Senator Akpabio’s wife sues Natasha, demands ₦251 billion
- Schools in Bauchi shut down for five weeks of Ramadan fasting
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Sultan announces start of Ramadan as moon is sighted
The Sultan, also the president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), declared that Saturday marks the commencement of Ramadan fasting for Muslims in the nation.
“On Friday, February 28, 2025, which corresponds to the 29th of Shaaban, 1446 in the Hijrah calendar, we received reports regarding the positive sighting of the new crescent for Ramadan from across the country,” the Sultan mentioned.
“We have verified, authenticated, and accepted these reports. As a result, March 1 will be recognized as the first day of Ramadan in the year 1446 Hijrah.”
President Tinubu approves ₦54.99 trillion 2025 budget
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the ₦54.99 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill into law during a small ceremony at the State House in Abuja.
He acknowledged the joint efforts of his administration and the citizens, noting the positive results achieved despite the difficult beginning of his presidency in 2023.
The bill was approved by both chambers of the National Assembly on February 13, following Tinubu’s request to raise the initial proposal from ₦49.7 trillion made a few months prior.
Fuel scarcity looms as ban on 60,000 litre trucks takes effect
As of today, the ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers is in effect, prompting motorists and vehicle owners to flock to fuel stations to refill their petrol tanks.
Last month, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) prohibited the use of these large fuel tankers on Nigerian roads, with the ban taking effect on March 1, 2025.
The leadership of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has voiced their concerns over this ruling, claiming it could result in more than ₦300 billion in losses related to investments in 60,000-litre trucks.
Senator Akpabio’s wife sues Natasha, demands ₦251 billion
Mrs Unoma Godswill Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has filed legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking ₦251 billion in damages due to allegations made by the Kogi lawmaker.
The lawsuits were submitted to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of defamation and violating fundamental human rights.
The situation escalated after Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central for the PDP, alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her, claiming that the dispute began when she rejected his sexual advances.
Schools in Bauchi shut down for five weeks of Ramadan fasting
The Bauchi state government has shut down all schools (public and private primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary) across the state for five weeks in anticipation of the 2025 Ramadan fast.
According to the state’s education ministry, this decision is aimed at implementing the academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year that was previously drafted for institutions in the state.
Jalaludeen Maina, the information officer at the Ministry of Education, informed that this break had already been included in the calendar well in advance.
