News
Mixed reactions trail Lagos food market
Following the announcement of the newly introduced Ounje-Eko Initiative by Lagos state state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos residents have received the much-announced initiative with mixed reactions.
While some locations concluded the exercise at 4pm, some, such as Satellite Town, extended till 5.30pm due to the late arrival of food items.
A resident of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs. Bianca Okafor, hailed the government for ‘coming to the aid of the masses in such a trying time’.
“I am really happy. Before this discount offer came to us, I have been thinking about how to feed my family of six. I am a single mother and taking care of kids in this hard time is suicidal. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. But, I am grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to our aid,” she said.
Elizabeth Hundeyin at Satellite Town also lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the initiative. She said the gesture would reduce poverty and enable families to have food on their tables.
“I got some food items at discounted prices, and I think it’s a really good one. Kudos to Lagos State for this poverty alleviation scheme; it is a good one and a commendable effort.”
Other beneficiaries also praised government but said other items such as noodles, groundnut oil and spaghetti should be added to the items.
But Basit Ahmed said the initiative was just a peanut to blindfold the masses.
“How could you give this kind of discount to your citizens? It’s not fair. They are to pay 75 per cent, while government pays 25 per cent. It’s as good as nothing. This is supposed to be a palliative. We are not supposed to pay a dime. The government is supposed to give free foodstuff to the citizens in this hard time,” he said.
At Igando Community Grammar School, Igando, about 1,000 residents turned out for the exercise. Abdulhakeem Akindele praised officials for ensuring order. He also lauded the system of having a limit to purchases, saying ‘it will give everyone the opportunity to benefit’.
Others however said more stalls and vendors are needed to ensure efficiency. They said this will make the queues move faster and especially reduce waiting time, especially for the elderly.
“We appreciate the government. However, they need to recruit more staff, traders and officials so that the programme would be organised such that old people would not stand for too long especially in the sun,” Elizabeth said.
The vendors welcomed the initiative and requested an expansion of the programme scope.
A Sales Representative of Country Fresh Bread, Active Foods Bakery, Ajidaun Oluwasegun, opiend that the initiative be made long term.
“I am impressed about it. Kudos to Governor Sanwo-Olu. I would love it to go on because it helps people buy at subsidised rates.”
Salisu Muhammad and Emilia Flay called for wider publicity and a broader variety of food items, including staples like yam, potatoes, semovita, among others.
In Badagry Local Government Area, activities did not start until 1pm because some officials came late.
Residents also registered their displeasure with the prices of commodities.
Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.
“I am not happy with this discount market; there is no difference between what we buy in the normal markets and what they brought here today. This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our everyday markets.
“Even the onions and pepper is expensive, compared to what we buy at the normal markets. This is not favourable at all; government should return to the table and do the needful,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs. Olabimpe Bamidele, expressed shock at the prices of produce at the market.
She said: “When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy and left Church early to buy tomatoes and onions. But, unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilos of tomatoes selling for N1,800 is too expensive, the same thing with onions.
“This is not what they promised us, people are just leaving the market without buying anything.”
Mrs. Bamidele also said the government officials in charge of the market were not coordinated. But Idowu Jimoh hailed the government for bringing the price of bread and eggs down.
“I came here to buy bread and eggs and I’m so happy because a crate of eggs we buy for N3,800 sells for N2,700. Also, bread is sold for N750 instead of N1,000 per a loaf, and one is permitted to buy two for N1500.
“The government has tried in this area and they should continue because I will come next week to buy again,” he said.
News
Presidential Condolences to Chimamanda Over the loss of her son
President Tinubu said , “As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consoled with Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family on the passing of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
President Tinubu said , “As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child.
I empathise with the family at this difficult time, and I mourn this sad loss with them.
Ms Adichie is a literary icon who has brought joy and light to many homes globally, and I pray she and her family find strength in the Almighty in this trying hour.My prayers are with the family.”
Business
President Tinubu Hails NGX for Crossing ₦100 Trillion Market Capitalisation Milestone
Urges Deeper Local Investments
President Bola Tinubu has commended corporate Nigeria, investors, and stakeholders in the capital market for propelling the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) beyond the historic ₦100 trillion market capitalisation threshold.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the achievement as a “new economic reality and rejuvenation,” signalling strong investor confidence in Nigeria’s reforming economy.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100 trillion mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality,” President Tinubu said. He highlighted the NGX All-Share Index’s impressive 51.19% return in 2025 — outperforming the previous year’s 37.65% and ranking among the world’s top performers — even as many global markets faced stagnation.
The President noted year-to-date gains surpassing benchmarks like the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, positioning Nigeria as an attractive investment destination rather than a overlooked frontier market.
He praised resilient performances across sectors, from industrial giants localising supply chains to innovative banks, and anticipated further growth with upcoming listings in energy, tech, telecoms, and infrastructure.
President Tinubu linked the stock market’s success to broader reforms yielding macroeconomic stability. Inflation has declined for eight consecutive months, dropping from a peak of 34.8% in December 2024 to 14.45% in November 2025, with forecasts suggesting 12% in 2026 and potentially single digits by year-end.
Nigeria recorded a $16 billion current account surplus in 2024, projected to rise to $18.81 billion in 2026, driven by surging non-oil exports (up 48% to ₦9.2 trillion in Q3 2025) and manufacturing growth. Foreign reserves have exceeded $45 billion, with the naira stabilising and projections to surpass $50 billion in early 2026.
Infrastructure advances, including rail expansions, major highways like Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry, and port revitalisation, were also highlighted, alongside improvements in healthcare, education loans via NELFUND, and research funding.
Urging Nigerians to invest more domestically, President Tinubu assured that “2026 will yield even greater returns” as reforms mature. He pledged continued efforts toward a transparent, egalitarian, high-growth economy, bolstered by tax and fiscal changes effective January 1, 2026.
“Nation-building is a process requiring hard work and focus. This ₦100 trillion milestone signals to the world that Nigeria’s economy is robust and productive,” he concluded.
News
JUST IN: Omi Eko Project Appoints Dr. Segun Alabi as Head of Communications and Media
The Omi Eko Project, a landmark €410 million sustainable water transport initiative aimed at easing road congestion and modernizing Lagos’ underutilized waterways, has named Dr. Segun Alabi as its new Head of Communications and Media.
The appointment was announced today, with Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Lagos State Governor and Project Coordinator, praising Dr. Alabi’s proven track record in corporate affairs and strategic communications.
“Dr. Alabi is a highly accomplished Corporate Affairs professional with diverse experience spanning Pay TV, financial services, real estate, business membership organisations, and the manufacturing sector,” Mr. Emmanuel stated.
In his new role, Dr. Alabi will oversee the development and implementation of communication strategies, media relations, and efforts to highlight the project’s goals of promoting efficient, eco-friendly urban mobility across the Lagos metropolis.
Most recently, Dr. Alabi served as Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where he managed corporate communications, public affairs, and events. His expertise extends to reputation management, government relations, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, public policy advocacy, and digital media strategies.
Described as a strategic communicator skilled in leveraging information for organizational impact, Dr. Alabi holds a PhD in English from the University of Lagos, specializing in Language Use and Communication.
Expressing enthusiasm for the role, Dr. Alabi said: “I am excited to join the Omi Eko Project team. This opportunity is truly a dream come true. While the task ahead is enormous, it is certainly achievable.
”Backed by the European Union, French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB), and private partners, the Omi Eko Project seeks to establish organized ferry routes, deploy electric vessels, and upgrade terminals to shift more commuters to waterways, reducing traffic and emissions while boosting sustainability.
About the Omi Eko Project:
The Omi Eko Project is a €410 million initiative to revolutionize waterway transportation in Lagos, unlocking the state’s vast inland waterways for safer, greener, and more efficient public mobility. Supported by international partners under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, it represents a pivotal advancement in environmentally responsible urban transport for Africa’s largest city.
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