Business
Cement: Minister of Works Plans To Speak With Manufacturers To Reduce Costs

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, is planning to dialogue with cement manufacturers over reducing the prices of their products.
A bag of cement is currently being sold for N5, 000 ; it rose from N4,000 last year.
He spoke while featuring on Sunrise Daily, a channel television programme.
The minister said contractors have complained over the high cost of cement in the country and made claims that importing the product would be cheaper.
His words: “I’m going to be running figures with them (cement manufacturers) to check the cost of cement if we import it and the cost they are giving us here.
“A lot of contractors have complained that it is cheaper to import, but we are not allowed to import cement because we have to help the cement industries, but they also have to be reasonable with us if we are going to be patronising them.
“There is a need to use concrete technology. It’s going to make our roads last for a minimum of 50 years.”
Umahi also said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is ready to provide funds for the construction of quality roads in the country.
“We are looking at all these things. How do we cut down costs? Because the primary issue is also the cost of construction.
“We are looking at the figures but it looks like a lot of contractors are not willing, but I will make them to make the change – we are all engineers.
“I am telling them your profit, I will protect whatever thing you want to make but, let’s help Nigeria, let’s build a road that will last and the funny thing is that the government – the President will give out the money.”
Business
Lagos State Enforcement Team Busts Illegal Abattoir in Agege, Arrests Operators

The Lagos State enforcement squad of the MOE&WR led by KAI operatives on Wednesday burst an illegal abbatoir which was being operated at a private residence at Succo road directly opposite the RRS Barracks and LASTMA Yard in Oko Oba, Agege, arresting some of those found slaughtering animals for public consumption in the location.
The operation followed a tip-off from a whistle blower.

“The enforcement team said, the contaminated meat from cows and goats have been confiscated to prevent it from entering the food chain”.
“This action of the operators of the abbatoir is in defiance of the closure of the Oko Oba Abbatoir and poses great health dangers and environmental risks to the law abiding residents of the area”.
“We need to make it clear that such disregard for public health and sanitation will not be tolerated in Lagos State” .
“Every Government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and properties and we will not shirk that responsbbility.”
“We will continue to ensure that only safe and approved public facilities are allowed to operate within our communities.”the statement reads.
Business
Nigeria, Brazil rejig strategic alliance to boost trade, clean energy, agric, others at business forum

VP Shettima: We’re Undergoing Quiet But Bold Transformation Under President Tinubu
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said Nigeria is currently witnessing a silent but resolute transformation under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is coming just as Nigeria and the Federative Republic of Brazil have tweaked their strategic alliance to advance economic development in key sectors, including agriculture, food security infrastructure, clean energy, trade and industry, among others.
In a press release signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, (Office of The Vice President), Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday during the Nigeria–Brazil Business Forum tagged, “Roots to Revenue: The Nigeria–Brazil Corridor”, on day three of the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), in Abuja.
He said: “the renewed strategic alliance with Brazil is grounded in intent, and rich in the potential for mutual growth”.
According to him, Brazil’s journey, especially the strides in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and industrial development, speaks to ongoing transformation in Nigeria, and reflects “what is possible when technical capacity is matched with national determination.
“These are the same areas where Nigeria is making bold moves. Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria is undergoing a quiet but resolute transformation.
Markets are being opened. Institutions are being rebuilt. Policies are being refocused.
“And what drives these changes is a seriousness of purpose that goes beyond reform for reform’s sake. What we seek are partners who see our direction, who respect our ambition, and who are prepared to walk the path with us,” he stated.
Underscoring the need for the strategic alliance with Brazil, VP Shettima noted that Nigeria is embarking on a journey similar to that of the South American country, particularly in agriculture, as well as the transformation through sustained investment in research, modernisation and support for farmers.
His words: “Our Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones are taking form. Our farmers are ready to operate at scale. But we know the difference between going alone and going far. Brazil can stand with us in this effort, not as a donor, but as a partner in innovation, in training and in investment.
“We are equally attentive to your leadership in clean energy. Nigeria’s energy transition is rooted in what we can control. We are harnessing our gas reserves to power our industries and transportation, while also advancing our renewable energy ambitions.
Brazil’s example provides guidance that is real and tested.
“We are eager to learn from your experience in building an energy economy that creates jobs, supports industries and expands access to rural communities.
Our teams are ready to engage on how to move from policy to practice, from ideas to infrastructure.
“The Nigerian Vice President further disclosed that Nigeria is encouraged by Brazil’s interest in skills development and human capital, saying it aligns perfectly with one of the most pressing national goals, which is to ensure that the youthful country is prepared for future demands.
“We welcome the opportunity for institutional partnerships that promote training, research and the exchange of knowledge in sectors where Brazil has built strength, and in areas where Nigeria is gaining ground,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice President of Brazil, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin, reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria through long-term cooperation, shared innovation, and mutual economic growth.VP Alckmin described the moment as “one of the most promising” in the history of Nigeria-Brazil diplomatic and commercial relations.
“This is a necessary complement to deepen our relationship. We want this moment to correspond to the production of sustainable partnerships for our people,” he declared.
Highlighting the potential in key sectors such as agriculture, defence, innovation, and energy, Alckmin acknowledged that despite the strong historic and cultural ties, trade volumes between both countries are still much lower than the potential.
“Our trade is growing, but it can increase tremendously. Brazil is ready to work with Nigeria to build a commercially successful South-South corridor,” he stated.
He also spoke on the Green Imperative Initiative (GPI), a $1.1 billion programme to transfer Brazilian agricultural technology to Nigeria, as a model of transformative South-South cooperation.
“Brazil does not just export products, but solutions and ideas,” Alckmin said, adding that under President Lula’s administration, Brazil has simplified its tax regime and is exploring a direct flight route to Nigeria to ease business travel and trade.
On Nigeria’s side, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, called for a reset in the bilateral trade dynamic, lamenting the current $2 billion trade volume, down from $9 billion a decade ago.
“The Nigeria-Brazil corridor is not a nostalgic idea; it is realistic and achievable. Let us walk the talk and ensure our deliberations yield results,” she urged.
Dr Oduwole outlined Nigeria’s priority sectors for investment, including agro-industrial value chains, digital trade, the creative economy, and pharmaceuticals.
She also revealed efforts by the Nigerian government to streamline investor engagement through a digital portal tracking live project pipelines.
“We are serious about institutional delivery. Our agencies—NEPC, NIPC, PEBEC, NASENI—are working as one team,” she noted.
Also speaking, Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zarah Mustapha, emphasised state-level reforms as critical to unlocking sub-national investments.
At the same time, NIPC’s representative, Mrs Victoria Aigbedion, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to creating a regulatory climate attractive to investors, especially in mining, infrastructure, creative industries, and logistics.
Members of the Brazilian business delegation who spoke at the forum expressed enthusiasm about Nigeria’s investment landscape and long-term investment possibilities.
Business
Governor Abiodun Welcomes Qatar’s Baladna multi-million dollar dairy factory in Ogun
“If you could meet 35% of Qatar’s milk demand in one month and achieve self-sufficiency in six, I have no doubt you can do the same in Nigeria. Your operations here will be a walk in the park—no deserts,”

Qatari dairy giant Baladna is set to establish a multi-million-dollar food production facility in Ogun State, Nigeria
The investment is expected to boost local dairy production and food security significantly.
Baladna, which supplies over 95% of Qatar’s fresh dairy products, disclosed its plans during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta.
The delegation was led by Baladna’s Head of Products and Solutions Architecture, Mr. Aidan Thomas Iynan, and accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi.
Mr. Iynan revealed that Baladna’s integrated dairy model, backed by Qatari government investment, now operates the world’s largest single-site dairy farm.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria—and Ogun State in particular—could replicate similar success, citing a partnership with Algeria that is expected to deliver 1.7 billion litres of milk annually, meeting 50% of Algerian dairy demand.
He highlighted the impact of climate change on global agriculture, stressing the urgency for Nigeria to attain dairy self-sufficiency.
“We can build farms that are highly efficient with world-class yields—not just in dairy and meat, but crop production too,” Iynan said.
Governor Abiodun welcomed the investment, describing Baladna as the type of partner needed to realise the Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture.
“If you could meet 35% of Qatar’s milk demand in one month and achieve self-sufficiency in six, I have no doubt you can do the same in Nigeria. Your operations here will be a walk in the park—no deserts,” he remarked.
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