News
ECOWAS finalises framework for $75m renewable energy facility
The Economic Community of West African States has finalised the framework for a $75m Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility.
The announcement was made by the President of the ECOWAS, Dr. Omar Touray, during the 93rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja, on Thursday.
According to Touray, the facility aims to provide grants, loans, and guarantees through competitive calls for proposals, focusing on clean energy solutions across the region.
“A Framework Document for the Establishment of an ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility has been finalised by the Ministers.
“This is a new blended finance facility with an initial amount of USD75m, whose objective is to provide grants, loans and guarantees through regular demand-driven competitive calls for proposals providing clean energy solutions for the ECOWAS region,” the president said.
Addressing food security, he highlighted the progress of the “Rice Offensive” project, which aims to achieve regional self-sufficiency in rice production by 2035.
This initiative targets the production of 33 million tonnes of milled rice and requires $15–$19 billion in investments to improve storage, milling, and mechanisation.
“Towards regional self sufficiency in rice production, the “Rice Offensive” project launched by the Commission in 2014, under the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy has now reached a second cycle with the development of a Second Regional Action Plan (2025-2035) to replace the 2020-2025 plan, which is expiring next year.
“To attain regional self-sufficiency in rice, it would require the local production of 33 million tonnes of milled rice to meet a planned consumption target by 2035.
“This will also require a financial investment of US15 to $19 billion dollars of capital expenditures towards improving storage facilities, milling initiatives, and enhancing mechanisation in paddy production,” he noted.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project also took center stage, with Touray noting its importance for regional integration.
The 6,800 km pipeline, including 5,100 km offshore, is expected to transport 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually, connecting Nigeria to Morocco and extending to ECOWAS member states, Mauritania, and Europe.
He noted, “This regional integrative project aims to build a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco, feeding ECOWAS member states and Mauritania with future extension to Europe.
“It is an infrastructure of 6,800 km long, including 5,100 km offshore, with a transport capacity of 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.”
Touray also emphasised ongoing progress in regional integration projects. These include the phased implementation of affordable roaming tariffs, now live in six member states, and a proposed strategy to harmonize aviation charges, with plans to reduce passenger and security fees by 25 per cent.
Additionally, efforts to manage shared water resources and develop infrastructure in the water sector have been revived, aiming to reduce poverty and protect the environment.
However, challenges persist. Touray lamented that only 40 per cent of the Community Levy approved for 2024 had been received by October, hindering the implementation of ECOWAS programmes.
He called on member states to fulfill their commitments and support regional private sector actors in driving economic growth.
Security concerns, including terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime, remain a significant focus.
Touray reiterated ECOWAS’s commitment to addressing these challenges and expressed hope that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger would reconsider their withdrawal from the organisation.
The president concluded by emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving ECOWAS’s objectives, underscoring that the region’s strength lies in its collective efforts.
News
Lagos increases BRT fares by 13%
In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 percent increase in fares across all services under the Bus Reform Initiative, which includes the Bus Rapid Transit system and standard bus routes throughout the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval after receiving a passionate appeal from regulated public transport operators.
He highlighted the mounting challenges facing the long-term viability of their operations in Nigeria’s current economic climate.
In a statement by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
“The adjustment is designed to help offset the severe impact of ongoing economic pressures on public transport providers.
It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.
The statement added that bus operating companies have been contending with sharply rising expenses in several key areas, including vehicle maintenance and repairs, imported spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the rollout of the new national minimum wage.“
In addition, operators are committing significant resources to fleet renewal, procuring newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to boost passenger comfort, maintain high service standards, and advance environmental sustainability goals in Lagos.
It also aligns with the state’s previously established annual fare review mechanism. The urgency of the measure is driven by persistent inflationary trends.
News
Fire Engulfs MMIA Terminal One, but no casualties
Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.
Photo credit: Lagos State Fire Service
A fire has broken out on parts of the fourth and fifth floors of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, triggering an emergency response and temporary disruption of flight operations.
Eyewitnesses said that the blaze started on one of the affected floors before spreading to adjoining sections of the terminal.
The impacted areas have since been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Air Traffic Controllers stationed in the control tower were alerted to the incident and are reported to be safe, though closely monitoring the situation as emergency teams work to bring the fire under control.
As a result of the development, inbound flights to Lagos from other airports have been instructed to delay departure until the situation stabilises.
Aircraft already approaching Lagos may be required to remain airborne until clearance is given to land.
Fire and rescue officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are currently battling the blaze and intensifying efforts to contain it.
FAAN has confirmed that no casualties have been recorded at this time. Authorities say further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
News
El-Rufai takes ICPC to court, demands N1bn compensation over ‘unlawful invasion of residence’
El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court Abuja , against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Enforcement Commissions (ICPC) over alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
El-Rufai, through his team of lawyers led by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, prayed the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT (2nd respondent), authorising the search and seizure at his residence was invalid, null and void.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor had, in the originating motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, sued ICPC as 1st respondent
.El-Rufai named the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; I-G and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the 2nd to 4th respondents respectively
El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.”
He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.
El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.“
An order directing the Ist and 3rd respondents (ICPC and I-G) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.
“An order awarding the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for the violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights, including trespass, unlawful seizure, and the resultant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, infringement of privacy, and reputational harm.”
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