A teenager, Joy Ogah, symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima for a day, using the platform to advocate passionately for the rights and education of girls across Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President on Tuesday, the symbolic handover took place during a meeting on Monday between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from PLAN International, led by Helen Mfonobong Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality, and Innovation.
From the Vice President’s chair, Ogah highlighted the challenges facing girls in the country, noting that over 10.5 million children remain out of school, more than 60 per cent of whom are girls.
“We must invest in education that is safe and inclusive for every child in Nigeria,” she said, urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise interventions that protect and empower young girls.
Ogah also urged the government to provide free sanitary products in schools and ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and proper nutrition for all children. She stressed that every girl deserves a classroom, a choice, dignity, and not silence.
“When girls are protected, peace becomes possible. I may be the Vice President for a day, but the struggles I represent cannot end in a day. They must continue in our policies, our classrooms, our conversations, and our budgets,” she said.
Shettima also used the occasion to reaffirm President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and inclusive learning nationwide.
“We will continue the engagement with PLAN International and see where the force and strength of government can be brought to bear on your solid advice on girl-child education.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally you can believe in and invest your trust in,” Shettima said.
Recent reports from PUNCH Online indicate growing national momentum toward gender inclusivity in education. On October 20, 2025, advocacy groups urged all tiers of government to invest more in girl-child education, mentorship, and sensitisation programmes, calling for stronger efforts to eliminate gender bias in schools.
In September, the Federal Government launched the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774) targeting over 10 million women across all 774 local government areas through livelihood grants, digital inclusion, and clean energy initiatives.
Similarly, the Ministry of Education and the National Assembly have reinforced support for gender parity and access to learning.
The government’s recent workshop on inclusive education, coupled with the Student Loans Act and increased education funding, reflects ongoing institutional commitment to equity — a goal echoed in Joy Ogah’s symbolic “Vice President for a Day” advocacy.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the recent face-off between members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Dangote Refinery, which had disrupted petroleum product distribution nationwide.
The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Kano and Sokoto lawmakers, Alhassan Doguwa and Abdussamad Dasuki, respectively, at Tuesday’s plenary.
Titled: “Need to protect private investment from adversarial unionism,” the lawmakers drew the attention of their colleagues to the significance of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as the largest private petroleum refinery in Africa.
The face-off between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery led to an industrial action which commenced on September 29, 2025, disrupting the operations at the $20bn refinery.
It also led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over three days.
The disruption worsened the petroleum supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, resulting in severe hardship for millions of Nigerians.
Speaking on the motion, Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State, stressed the need to protect the Dangote Refinery given its strategic significance to the nation’s economy.
He said, “The House is aware that the Dangote Refinery is a strategic private investment of immense national importance, with the potential to guarantee energy security, reduce import dependency, generate employment, and conserve foreign exchange.
“We are aware that the Dangote Refinery operates within a Free Trade Zone, and therefore falls under the regulatory framework of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, particularly Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act which clearly states that ‘Employment in the free zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters.’
“The House is concerned that actions by labour unions that disregard the legal protections conferred on Free Zones under the NEPZA Act not only constitute a breach of law but also create a hostile investment environment that may deter future local and foreign investors;
“We are worried that if private investments of strategic national importance are continually subjected to unlawful disruptions by adversarial unionism, Nigeria risks not only the failure of key economic assets but also the erosion of investor confidence necessary for national growth and development.”
In his contribution, the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, Ahmad Jaha, urged the House to tread carefully, adding that the call for a probe as prayed by the motion was ill-timed.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged its leadership to broker peace between the two parties in the interest of the nation.
It also urged the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as Justice, to “Jointly develop and implement a national framework or set of policies to safeguard private investments of strategic national importance from adversarial and unlawful union actions.”
It further charged the Federal Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to ensure full enforcement and compliance with the provisions of Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act in all relevant Free Zone operations.
Security operatives on Monday fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had gathered in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to take off from the Transcorp Hilton area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was disrupted as police officers moved in early, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse participants and passersby.
The operatives, who had cordoned off the hotel and adjoining streets, began firing tear gas even before protesters arrived in large numbers.
Our correspondent had observed a visibly tightened atmosphere across the city on the way this morning.
Soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services were deployed to key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to Aso Rock.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, despite a court order restricting demonstrations around key government areas in Abuja.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Sowore called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protest.
“Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!” he wrote.
He had earlier shared a message on Sunday night welcoming participants to the protest tagged#FreeNnamdiKanuNow.
“We warmly welcome everyone who has travelled from far and wide to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest tomorrow. Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes. Together, we are writing history,” he wrote.
Sowore announced that protesters would converge in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, at 7 am, urging them to “come ready, come peaceful, come determined.”
He also shared a Facebook post that read, “We want to put one million people on the streets of Abuja tomorrow for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow — let’s make it happen.”
However, the planned march comes in defiance of an interim injunction issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained Sowore and other organisers from protesting in or around sensitive government areas, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Reacting to the reported order on Saturday, Sowore questioned its legitimacy and the perceived double standards of law enforcement.
“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” Sowore asked.
“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.
The activist disclosed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, would challenge the alleged court order once it is formally served on Monday.
He maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as a peaceful and lawful march, declaring, “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”
The demonstration also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, which culminated in the alleged Lekki Toll Gate massacre — a period now remembered for its call for police reform and justice for victims of brutality.
The Equipment Leasing Registration Authority and the Bureau of Public Procurement have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate leasing into Nigeria’s public procurement framework.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Head of Media and Corporate Communication of ELRA, Adebola Brookslyn, in Abuja on Sunday.
Brookslyn said the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of ELRA, Donald Wokoma, after the signing ceremony, noted that the agreement was a move aimed at promoting transparency, efficiency, and fiscal prudence across government operations.
According to Wokoma, through the MoU, ELRA and BPP will jointly develop clear policy guidelines and standard documents for lease-based procurement.
He added that it would also build the capacity of procurement officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and integrate ELRA’s registration system into the procurement workflow for improved accountability.
This, he also said, would pilot leasing projects in key sectors such as health, education, transport, agriculture, and ICT.
Wokoma expressed appreciation to the Director-General of BPP and his team for their foresight and cooperation, reaffirming ELRA’s commitment to ensuring that every lease transaction under the partnership delivers measurable value to national development.
He further explained that the collaboration would reduce fiscal pressure on government budgets, enhance service delivery, and improve asset management, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s drive toward economic diversification and sustainable growth.
In his remarks, the Director-General of BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, commended ELRA for initiating the collaboration and reaffirmed BPP’s commitment to developing a procurement system that reflects global best practices.
“This MoU is timely and strategic. Leasing provides a viable alternative financing mechanism that supports service delivery while safeguarding public resources.
“By working together with ELRA, we are ensuring that leasing transactions in the public sector are not only transparent but also deliver real value for money,” Adedokun said.
He further noted that the partnership would strengthen institutional capacity within MDAs and enhance accountability in public expenditure management, particularly in the area of compliance. Those who will go into the leasing sector must show clearly that they are registered with ELRA.
“BPP will ensure compliance without which a Certificate of No Objection will not be issued by the Bureau,” he added.
Under the Equipment Leasing Act, 2015, ELRA is empowered to regulate and register all leasing transactions in Nigeria, ensuring credibility, accountability, and investor confidence.
Similarly, the Public Procurement Act mandates BPP to guarantee value-for-money and competitiveness in government transactions.
The partnership harmonises these mandates, creating a unified process for all lease-related procurements to be duly registered, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward efficient and sustainable public procurement.
Fans of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, have expressed concern over her well-being following a disturbing video that surfaced online on Friday, showing her in tears and alleging domestic violence in her marriage to billionaire politician, Ned Nwoko.
In the viral clips, the visibly distraught actress was seen sitting outside in the dark, sobbing as she lamented her alleged ordeal. Amid tears, she said, “In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing. But in my house, I am a queen.”
Her young son could be heard trying to console her, but she replied emotionally, “Baby, what again? I cannot stand this violence. It’s too much.”
The tense scene appeared to escalate when some men, believed to be security aides, tried to pacify the actress and her siblings, but her brother, Sammy, confronted them.
Shortly after, Sammy took to Instagram to defend his actions, writing, “Makachi! E pain me say una wan finally laugh my sister. Let me repeat — anywhere wey man dey beat woman, whether na my sister or not, I go fight with my blood!”
The controversy deepened when fans resurfaced an old video of Nwoko jokingly saying, “She will tell me I’m not her father, and I’ll say, no, I’m your husband.” In the clip, Regina quickly knelt and replied, “You’re my everything,” in an attempt to diffuse the tension.
As the story gained traction, social media users began tagging actress, Angela Okorie, recalling her recent online spat with Daniels. Their feud began after Okorie made a controversial post about Mercy Johnson, which Daniels publicly condemned.
The disagreement quickly turned personal, with Okorie mocking Regina’s marriage to Nwoko, while Regina alleged that Okorie once showed interest in the billionaire.
Reacting to being dragged into the latest drama, Okorie wrote on Instagram, “Nigerians, na me dem beat for Ferrari and private jet house with 8 wives? Why una dey tag me kwanu? Oh chim, Angelaaaa.”
Meanwhile, several entertainers and fans have voiced support for Daniels.
Actor Stanley Ontop wrote, “Nothing should happen to my Gina ooo… make hand no touch her abeg.”
Fans also flooded social media with mixed reactions.
One user, @sawiitee, asked, “Hope say no be movie?”
Another fan, @yourmosttrustworthyattorney, lamented, “This is too sad. I was hoping it was a skit.”
User @vivibleez added, “Noooo, it’s for better or for worse. Who she wan leave am for?”
Another fan, @bigbillzbaby, criticised, “She chose this life forced on her by her mother, who doesn’t know any better.”
@victoriakelly wrote, “But why Ned go lay hand on her? Old man wey dem dey manage.”
Echoing similar sentiments, @callmeoche commented, “She really needs to stop talking. Why marry someone old enough to be your grandfather? He’ll always see you as a child. Honestly, this situation is partly her fault.”
As of press time, neither Regina Daniels nor Ned Nwoko has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The Forum of All Progressives Congress Local Government Party Chairmen of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, has declared its support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
During its Southwest quarterly meeting held on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the forum also vowed to embark on massive grassroots mobilisation, not only to ensure a landslide victory for Tinubu in 2027 but also to reclaim Oyo and Osun States, currently under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The Southwest APC LG chairmen said there was no disputing the fact that Tinubu had taken several decisive and courageous steps to return the country to the path of economic prosperity and stability, stressing that he should be allowed to continue his strategic leadership and deliberate reforms until 2031.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Forum, who also doubles as the Chairman of APC LG Chairmen in Ogun State and the party chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Mr Henry Fagbenro, commended Tinubu and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for prioritising projects that accelerate economic growth and prosperity.
Fagbenro said, “The Southwest is the home base of our hardworking President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has done fantastically well in redefining good governance since his election over two years ago.
“The Southwest is saying that President Tinubu deserves another term till 2031, and we are going to do everything within our ability, as permitted by law, to work with other Nigerians to make this a reality.
“Already, we have four Southwest states — Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and Ogun — under the APC. For the two remaining states, Oyo and Osun, we shall embark on massive grassroots mobilisation. We will go from door to door, house to house, community to community, and market to market to further strengthen the party in the Southwest and mobilise for its victory in both the presidential and governorship elections.”
Fagbenro also highlighted the remarkable progress recorded in Ogun State under Governor Abiodun and urged him to remain committed to improving the lives of residents.
In his address, the Southwest Coordinator of the group, Elder Rufus Awotidoye, said that returning President Tinubu for another four-year term in 2027 was “non-negotiable.”
He, however, called for unity within the party, stressing that all members must work together to achieve the shared vision.
“The 2027 Presidential Election is a defining moment for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As the political home of Mr President, the Southwest carries a special responsibility to stand united, committed, and focused in ensuring that the APC continues to lead Nigeria on the path of renewed hope, progress, and prosperity,” Awotidoye said.
He further urged APC members in the Southwest to put aside their differences and work as a formidable team to deliver a landslide victory for the party in the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
The National Secretary of the Forum and Chairman of APC LG Chairmen in Delta State, Mr Norbert Sochukudinma, charged Southwest APC members to remain steadfast and work hard for President Tinubu’s re-election, noting that all eyes were on the zone as the President’s home region.
He said the Southwest’s performance would significantly influence the direction of other geopolitical zones in 2027.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Daisi Elemide, who chaired the occasion, called for the restoration of party supremacy to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and promote good governance. He also threw his weight behind President Tinubu’s second-term bid, adding that the President had demonstrated a genuine commitment to national progress.
The immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola, also emphasised the need for unity and inclusivity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections, saying that only a united front could guarantee victory.
The guest speaker at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah, who was represented by Atiso Mofiren, charged the APC LG chairmen to intensify efforts at the grassroots to promote the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Akutah explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda focuses on returning the country to the path of economic prosperity, food sufficiency, improved infrastructure, enhanced security, protection of the vulnerable, and expanded access to quality education through student loans, among others.
He added that “all these laudable initiatives of President Tinubu must be allowed to continue until 2031.”
PUNCH Online reports that in May 2025, the APC formally endorsed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, signalling the party’s official support for his second term.
The Southwest zone of the APC, Tinubu’s home region, has repeatedly pledged to provide him support for the 2027 polls, emphasising massive grassroots mobilisation across the six states in the zone
The Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has decried the many lives lost on Lagos roads due to delays caused by onlookers taking videos instead of assisting first responders.
Represented by the Director of Medical Services, Lagos Health Service Commission, Dr Olawale Adegbite, Abayomi spoke in Lagos at a Symposium for stakeholders to mark the 2025 World Trauma Day with the theme: “Reducing Needless Deaths on Our Roads: Everybody’s Responsibility.”
He urged Lagosians to respect ambulances and prioritise saving lives first before taking videos at the scene of accidents, saying that saving lives on the road was not just the government’s responsibility, but a collective moral and civic duty of every Lagosian.
“Every time we block an ambulance or ignore an emergency call, someone’s parent, spouse, or child could be dying. Trauma care begins with public responsibility,” he said.
He reiterated resolution of the state government to strengthen emergency preparedness and trauma response mechanisms to reduce preventable deaths on Lagos roads.
He said that most trauma cases on Lagos roads were not accidents but preventable incidents caused by human errors.
He stressed that the state’s emergency systems, especially pre-hospital care and ambulance services, have been instrumental in saving lives but require continuous improvement and public cooperation.
Highlighting Lagos’ ongoing investments in emergency medicine, Abayomi noted that most trauma cases brought in by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) recorded higher survival rates compared to those transported by bystanders.
“Proper pre-hospital intervention makes the difference between life and death.
“Continuous staff training and retention were critical to sustaining success in trauma management,” he said.
Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described trauma as one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and disabilities globally, particularly from road traffic crashes.
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Ogunyemi noted that Lagos State has made significant progress under the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, citing improvements in ambulance coverage, response time, and coordination among first responders.
She said: “We recently launched ten emergency ambulance bikes to ensure faster access to victims in congested areas and also commissioned modular high-dependency units in Ifako and Mushin General Hospitals.
“These interventions are part of our drive to bring critical care closer to communities and reduce delays in life-saving interventions.”
She further emphasised that the theme of this year’s commemoration underscored the fact that reducing trauma-related deaths goes beyond government efforts.
“It requires everyone—drivers, pedestrians, health professionals, civil society, and the media—to play their roles in building a culture of prevention and prompt response,” she said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said the story of “Mr Andrew,” a trauma survivor treated at the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC), represented the essence of the symposium.
Ogboye recounted how coordinated emergency response and government-backed trauma care saved a man who was left comatose after a crash on the morning of his daughter’s wedding.
He stressed that pre-hospital care was a crucial but often neglected component of healthcare.
He revealed that the Lagos State Government was expanding trauma centers across the state, with new facilities being established in Epe, Eti-Osa, and Badagry corridors in partnership with private sector allies such as Custodian Allied Insurance and Access Bank.
He added that the state’s ambulance service had evolved into a world-class system with well-equipped vehicles serving as mobile intensive care units.
“There’s hardly any equipment you’ll find in advanced ambulance systems that our units don’t have – ventilators, defibrillators, and fully trained emergency technicians. Lagos has come a long way,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also called for attitudinal change among motorists and the general public, especially in giving ambulances the right of way.
“You move aside for convoys and security vehicles, yet block ambulances carrying lives. That behavior must change. It could be your loved one in that ambulance,” he warned.
In his presentation titled “The Traumatic Story Being Rewritten,” the Medical Director, LASAEC, Dr Adeolu Arogundade, told the true story of Mr Andrew, who was hit by a car and left unconscious for months but survived through state-funded care.
Arogundade said the case epitomised the 41,000 trauma cases successfully treated at LASAEC in the last 15 years, with a commendable mortality rate of just 1.4 per cent .
He lauded the Lagos State Government for sustaining a policy that guarantees free emergency care for all trauma victims within the first 24 hours, emphasising that the policy’s funding—though sometimes delayed—remains vital to saving lives.
“Behind every statistic is a human story. Each percentage represents someone’s father, mother, or friend who lived because a system worked.
“Our success is proof that trauma care is everyone’s business; from road users to rescuers and administrators,” he said.
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Kehinde Hamzat, underscored the grim reality that most crash-related deaths were avoidable.
Citing WHO data, Hamzat, also a Guest Speaker, said that Africa bore a disproportionate share of the 1.3 million global deaths from road traffic crashes yearly, with Lagos inclusive due to high vehicle density and weak road discipline.
Hamzat warned that unsafe behaviours such as speeding, drunk driving, and disregard for traffic laws remain major culprits, stressing that effective trauma management begins with prevention.
“No matter how advanced our hospitals become, if we don’t change road behaviour, we’ll keep losing lives needlessly.
“Our collective vigilance, compliance, and compassion are what will make our roads safer and our emergency systems more responsive,” he said.
As the symposium ended, participants resolved to deepen inter-agency collaboration, intensify public sensitization, and push for behavioural change campaigns across the state.
The ongoing controversy over the authenticity of the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria has taken a dramatic twist, after popular TikTok content creator GehGeh voiced deep regret over spending millions of naira on the device amid mounting confusion about which versions are genuine.
In a heartfelt video posted on TikTok on Saturday, the influencer opened up about his disappointment, saying he felt deceived by the conflicting narratives surrounding the phone’s originality.
“At this point in time, I don’t want to pretend again, I regret why I carry my millions go buy this phone. Every day I wake up, I cry, I weep deep inside me.”
GehGeh lamented that owners were now being forced to justify their purchases, as even experts could not clearly tell which iPhone 17s were authentic and which were rebranded older models.
“Now, you know the pain of buying something, you go come dey explain bro na the original be this one, because nobody knows the difference between the original one and the fake one.”
He explained that his decision to buy the phone had been driven by its perceived prestige.
“The reason why I buy this phone is because as you see am for my hand, you go know say bro — na millions dey him hand,” he said, adding that the name alone carried weight.
The influencer then compared his new purchase with his older device, admitting he preferred the comfort of his previous iPhone 16.
“But at this point, my brother, I regret buying the 17 Pro Max. The phone, it’s not even comfortable for hand,” he said, lifting his older iPhone 16. “See how it’s flexible for my hand, even with pouch. But see the television that I carry for hand.”
The iPhone 17 debate began trending on October 13, 2025, after businessman and tech investor Blord (Linus Williams Ifejika) shared a video unboxing what he described as a “modified iPhone 17 Pro” priced between ₦400,000 and ₦450,000.
The device, however, was later revealed to be a refurbished iPhone XR encased to look like Apple’s latest flagship, sparking confusion and outrage across social media.
Geh Geh went on to express his frustration that even after spending millions, there was still no concrete proof that his version was authentic.
“Because even this one, it’s not even enough evidence say okay, now the original one be this one,” he said. “I will carry millions of Naira go buy something. Now, I go dey explain to people, I go carry my money go buy material things.”
On X, users had a field day reacting to the saga, #edkel250 wrote, “You go buy iPhone 17 Pro Max for Nigeria and you go begin explain say nor be fake. Dem use that 17 Pro Max tire person.”
Another, #TheManAfricano, added, “Nigeria has to be the only country in the world selling these repackaged fake iPhone 17s. It really says a lot about us.”
The banter extended to Instagram, where users took turns to poke fun at the situation, #bestdeal_appliances joked, “This iPhone 17xr come be like Labubu everyday price dey reduce,” while #chef_ivyjones1 teased, “Before next week, the phone go be 2,500″
Another, #diamondjearny, quipped, “If I don’t walk into Apple Store, I don’t want.”
Others weighed in more seriously, calling it a lesson for Nigerian buyers chasing luxury trends. “People reject real prices because they want shortcuts,” one user wrote. “Then they complain online when the cheap version doesn’t match up.”
The official launch of the iPhone 17 series took place on September 9, 2025, when Apple unveiled the new lineup—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
However, prices differ depending on the vendor. According to Apple, the official prices for the iPhone 17 series are as follows: iPhone 17 (base model) — $799 (approximately ₦1,210,485), iPhone 17 Air — $999, iPhone 17 Pro — $1,099 (around ₦1,664,385), iPhone 17 Pro Max — $1,199 (around ₦1,815,285)
Despite the online uproar, Apple Inc. has not issued any statement on the alleged presence of fake or “modified” iPhone 17 models in Nigeria. For now, the debate rages on — and many, like Geh Geh, are left wondering whether their million-naira gadgets are truly what they seem.
As 2025 enters its final quarter, President Bola Tinubu’s administration faces mounting public expectations to deliver on major economic and social pledges that define its reform agenda.
From tackling inflation and boosting growth to driving infrastructure and food security, several commitments made over the past year have set clear benchmarks for performance.
Below are five of the most critical promises that Nigerians should be tracking closely in Q4 2025:
Reduce inflation to 15 per cent by the end of 2025
Tinubu first made this pledge on December 18, 2024, during the presentation of the ₦49.7 trillion 2025 Budget to the National Assembly.
He assured Nigerians that his administration would bring inflation down to around 15 per cent and stabilise the exchange rate.
The target, reaffirmed by the Finance Ministry in early 2025, aims to ease the cost-of-living crisis.
With inflation currently at 18 per cent, the administration has recorded modest progress, but the goal remains challenging. Tracking this promise requires close monitoring of monthly inflation figures from the National Bureau of Statistics and changes in the prices of essential goods such as food, transport, and fuel.
Achieve 7 per cent economic growth by 2027
On August 14, 2025, at a Federal Executive Meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu announced his administration’s goal of achieving at least 7 per cent annual economic growth by 2027. https://punchng.com/nigerias-economy-growing-consistently-due-to-tinubus-reforms-edun/ He said bold reforms, improved investment flows, and infrastructure expansion would drive the recovery.
The current GDP growth rate is 4.23 per cent. Tracking this will depend on quarterly GDP reports and foreign investment data over the next two years.
Boost local agricultural production for food security
The Federal Government declared a national emergency on food security on April 15, 2025, following renewed spikes in food prices.
According to the Federal Ministry of Information, there was a rollout of 2,000 tractors for mechanised farming, fertiliser distribution, and irrigation expansion in June. Tinubu said the move was aimed at reducing Nigeria’s heavy dependence on food imports and strengthening local production. The announcement followed an earlier declaration made in July 2023 when the administration first recognised food insecurity as a national crisis.
Accelerate major infrastructure projects nationwide
On June 6, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flagged off a series of major infrastructure projects across the country, including federal highways, bridges, and transport corridors. The initiative forms part of his administration’s broader plan to modernise Nigeria’s road network and enhance regional connectivity.
He reaffirmed this commitment on October 12, 2025, pledging equitable infrastructure development across all regions and promising that no part of the country would be left behind. According to The Guardian, the projects are aligned with the Federal Government’s drive to improve transportation links and stimulate economic growth.
Tracking this promise will involve monitoring the progress of key national projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road, and ongoing rail expansion programmes.
Implement Comprehensive Tax and Revenue Reforms
On June 26, 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed into law four major tax reform bills — the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.
The reforms, earlier passed by the National Assembly between March and May 2025, are expected to raise Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, enhance fiscal transparency, and curb revenue leakages.
The laws will take effect from January 1, 2026. Tracking progress will involve monitoring quarterly federal revenue reports, budget performance data, and improvements in tax collection efficiency.
These five promises, made between December 2024 and October 2025, define the Federal Government’s reform agenda heading into Q4. They cover inflation, growth, food production, infrastructure, and fiscal reforms. They are areas that directly impact Nigerians’ livelihoods and the overall economy.
As 2025 winds down, the delivery of these promises will shape public confidence in the Tinubu administration’s ability to translate policy goals into tangible progress.
