The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State chapter has called on the state government to approve a new minimum wage of N150,000 for workers.

This demand comes shortly after Imo State announced a new minimum wage of ₦104,000, and Ebonyi State increased its workers’ pay to ₦90,000 earlier this week.

Rising Cost of Living in Lagos

Speaking on Thursday, the Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, said the current minimum wage of ₦85,000 no longer reflects the economic realities in the state. She stressed that Lagos workers face higher costs of accommodation, transportation, feeding, and utilities compared to most parts of the country.

“The time has come for an upward review of minimum wage in Lagos. At least someone has taken the bull by the horns and opened the space,” Sesi said.

She noted that no one could fault Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu if he decides to implement a higher wage, given the precedent set by Imo and Ebonyi.

Sesi emphasized that Lagos workers deserve decent working conditions and better pay that match the rising cost of living in Nigeria’s commercial capital. She expressed optimism that other states would follow the examples of Imo and Ebonyi, ensuring that workers across the federation are adequately compensated.

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a new increment in the cost of acquiring Nigerian international passports, effective from September 1, 2025.

According to a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, AS Akinlabi, the new rates are as follows:

N100,000 for a 32-page passport with 5-year validity

N200,000 for a 64-page passport with 10-year validity

However, passport application fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page (5-year validity) and $230 for the 64-page (10-year validity).

The Immigration Service explained that the increment was necessary to maintain service quality and ensure sustainable operations, while stressing its commitment to making passport services accessible to all Nigerians.

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The Abia State Government has graduated the second batch of trainees from the Abia Leadership Academy, a flagship initiative designed to build a new generation of transformational leaders in the state and across Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, emphasized that the programme was conceived to redirect young people toward positive citizenship and charged participants to embrace continuous learning, mentorship, and influence.

“Leadership is the ability to influence and drive outcomes. What we set out to do is to redirect our people—redirect our young ones, their vision, and their thinking. Gone are the days when youths are left to become thugs or indulge in drugs, cultism, and other vices,” Otti stated.

The Governor explained that the Leadership Academy is tied to his administration’s social reorientation agenda, adding that every graduate will be required to mentor at least one person monthly for the next 12 months. He further disclosed that a digital platform has been created to sustain networking and dialogue among alumni.

Chairman of the Abia Leadership Academy and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, described the vision as one of raising leaders who can create meaningful impact. Also speaking, Pastor Mrs. Eno Jerry-Eze, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, noted that the academy is becoming a youth-driven movement aligned with the Governor’s “New Mind Economy” initiative.

Earlier, Lead Consultant and Programme Director, Mr. Johnson Abali, outlined the training methodology, which included group-based learning and practical sessions. Participants testified to the life-changing nature of the programme, describing it as a blueprint for Abia’s transformation.

The graduation ceremony was attended by parents, senior government officials, and well-wishers.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is back in Abuja after a nearly two-week foreign trip that took him to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai.

The presidential jet touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 1:20 am local time on Thursday.

During his visit to Brazil, President Tinubu held bilateral talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and witnessed the signing of agreements covering aviation, agriculture, foreign affairs, science, and technology. The presidency described the deals as aligned with Nigeria’s development priorities.

Before heading to Brazil, the President participated in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Japan, where African leaders and Japan deliberated on economic transformation, partnerships, and continental stability.

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 15 for the diplomatic engagements.

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Barely 11 days after the successful conduct of bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the re-training of its Electoral Officers, Heads of Department, and Assistant Electoral Officers in Anambra State, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Strengthening Election Preparedness

Speaking on the objectives of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) workshop, the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Bolade Eyinla, described the EMSC as a critical planning, monitoring, implementation, and Electoral Early Warning System.

According to him, the tool allows INEC to plan, implement, and monitor electoral activities in real time through a proactive and coordinated approach. Since its first deployment during the Ekiti State off-cycle governorship election in July 2018, the EMSC has been instrumental in managing the 2019 and 2023 General Elections, as well as various off-cycle and bye-elections.

Commitment to Free and Credible Polls

INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, urged participants to absorb key aspects of the training to ensure the delivery of a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election in Anambra come November.

In her remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agu, commended the staff for their performance during the bye-elections held in the state just 11 days ago. She urged them to redouble their efforts as the crucial governorship election draws nearer.

Looking Ahead

With less than three months to the polls, the re-training exercise signals INEC’s commitment to strengthening electoral management capacity and ensuring that the #AnambraDecides2025 governorship election is transparent and credible.

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