Nigeria Roundup: Women empowerment, glitches delay visa interviews, $2.4bn cement plant
IOC Young Leader Grace Towobola empowers women through sports
Grace Towobola knew she wanted to be a football coach at 12, but in Africa—where fewer than one in 11 coaches are women—her path was challenging. With support from the IOC’s Young Leaders Programme, she’s now breaking barriers through her Women’s Football Development Initiative (WFDI), empowering Nigerian women to become football coaches. Inspired by her struggles, Towobola aims to create opportunities for others to pursue their coaching dreams and promote sport among girls and children, according to The News Market.
US embassy to reschedule visa interviews for Nigeria due to system glitches
The U.S. Department of State has said Nigerians affected by recent visa application glitches will have their interviews rescheduled. The delays were due to a partial system outage that disrupted consular operations, Premium Times reported. A spokesperson confirmed that the consulate would contact affected applicants. The glitches mainly impacted the new visa appointment system.
Nigerian conglomerate plans $2.4bn cement plant in Kebbi State
Kebbi State has signed a $2.4bn deal with Nigerian conglomerate MSM to build a cement plant producing 3 million tonnes annually—about 5% of Nigeria’s output. The factory, set to create up to 45,000 jobs, will be located in the northwest. According to Global Construction Review, Governor Nasir Idris called it a major economic boost, while MSM’s founder, Alhaji Mu’azzam Mairawani, said the plant would feature cutting-edge technology. Finance Minister Olawale Edun noted the project aligns with President Tinubu’s drive for private-sector-led industrialisation. Rising demand is opening space for new players in Nigeria’s cement industry, long dominated by Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge.
Nigerian manufacturers kick against FRCN’s new annual charges on private companies
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has opposed new financial charges introduced by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) under the amended FRCN Act. MAN's Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kabir, called the charges "astronomical," warning they threaten business survival and contradict the government's ease of doing business agenda. Non-listed firms, now classified as Public Interest Entities (PIEs), face annual fees up to 0.05% of turnover, with no cap. MAN criticised harsh penalties, including a 10% monthly fine and potential jail time for CEOs. The group urged FRCN to suspend the charges and review their impact on the industry, TV360 reported.
Minister says Nigeria’s N54.99trn budget supports economic expansion
Nigeria’s 2025 budget is bold, ambitious, and vital for economic growth, said Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. Speaking after KPMG’s Budget 2025 Day in Lagos, he noted the economy is on the right track. Dubbed the “Budget of Restoration,” the proposed budget—double 2024’s N27.5 trillion—aims to secure Nigeria’s future. GDP grew 3.84% in Q4 2024, the fastest since 2021, driven by services and food security initiatives, according to the NBS.
