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CAPPA Raises Alarm Over Surge of Vapes, Nicotine Products in Nigeria

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CAPPA Raises Alarm Over Surge of Vapes, Nicotine Products in Nigeria

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has warned that Nigeria is experiencing a rapid rise in new and emerging nicotine and tobacco products, raising concerns about youth exposure and regulatory loopholes.

Speaking in Lagos at the launch of a report titled “New Smoke Trap: New and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products, Youth Exposure and Policy Gaps in Nigeria,” CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said products such as e-cigarettes (vapes), nicotine pouches and heated tobacco devices are becoming increasingly visible in supermarkets, nightlife venues and digital platforms frequented by young people.

Oluwafemi noted that although Nigeria made progress with the National Tobacco Control Act of 2015 and its 2019 regulations, existing laws were primarily designed to regulate combustible cigarettes and may not adequately address modern nicotine delivery systems, many of which are marketed as “tobacco-free.”

According to the report, a surveillance study conducted between October and December 2025 in Lagos, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory identified 781 nicotine and tobacco-related products. Of these, 573 were classified as new and emerging nicotine products, with e-cigarettes accounting for 522 variants.

Reeling out findings, Assistant Director of CAPPA, Zikora Ibeh and Associate Director, CAPPA, Martins Ogunlade said many of the products are flavoured, attractively packaged and promoted through influencer marketing and online marketplaces, often with weak or non-existent age verification systems.

The duo noted that some nicotine pouches were discovered to contain strengths of up to 100 milligrams per sachet, heightening concerns about addiction risks among adolescents and young adults.

The report warned that portraying these products as “reduced harm” alternatives could reverse Nigeria’s tobacco control gains, especially as evidence suggests many users are young people who had never previously smoked.

It called for comprehensive regulatory reforms to ensure all nicotine products fall under public health oversight, are integrated into excise tax frameworks and subjected to strict advertising and digital marketing restrictions.

On his part Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf of the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research urged policymakers to regulate nicotine itself rather than focusing solely on tobacco content, warning that delayed action could entrench a new generation of addiction.

Also speaking, President and CEO of Vital Strategies Mary-Ann Etiebet, linked the expansion of the nicotine market to Nigeria’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases. She said such diseases account for nearly 29 percent of deaths in the country and could exceed 50 percent by 2030 if current trends persist.

”But I want to ask all of you, for Africa and for Nigeria in particular. The question is this: if these products are intended to support stopping tobacco use among long-term adult smokers, why is the industry investing so aggressively in markets, including digital online platforms, with the world’s youngest populations, where so many are users who have never smoked and have never consumed nicotine at all?”.

Etiebet added that preventable illnesses associated with harmful products contribute to an estimated ₦200 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Other stakeholders present also urged the Federal Government to harmonise regulations, close advertising loopholes, strengthen online age verification systems and intensify public education on nicotine addiction, stressing that Nigeria has a critical window to prevent a new cycle of youth dependence.

56 Grassroots Teams Set for 10th Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament in Lagos

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56 Grassroots Teams Set for 10th Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament in Lagos

No fewer than 56 grassroots football teams will compete in the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament, scheduled to kick off on February 14, 2026, in Lagos.

The competition, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association, LSGSA and sponsored by SIFAX Group, will feature 32 male and 24 female teams, making it one of the largest youth football tournaments in Lagos’ grassroots calendar.

Preliminary matches will take place at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre, Ebute Metta, and the Anthony Mini Stadium, Gbagada, while the grand finale is billed for May 2, 2026, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.

Speaking at a press conference, LSGSA Assistant Secretary, Afuka Abu, described the tournament as a vital platform for talent discovery and development.

“This tournament has consistently provided young players with the structure, exposure and discipline needed to progress to higher levels. Many participants have advanced to national teams and professional clubs,” Abu said.

SIFAX Group has sponsored the competition for a decade as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility focused on youth empowerment and sports development.

According to Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations at SIFAX Group, the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to creating long-term value beyond business.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. This tournament serves as a platform for discovery, development and hope,” he stated.

Over the years, the Taiwo Afolabi Cup has produced notable players, including Samson Tijani, former Golden Eaglets captain now with Dukla Prague; Soliu Afolabi of Slovan Liberec; Chijioke Light, who featured in the WAFU Championship and Africa Women Cup of Nations; and Ebenezer Ojo, currently playing in Norway.

Football stakeholders, scouts and administrators are expected to attend the matches as the 10th anniversary edition seeks to further raise the standard of grassroots football development in Lagos.

The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association is a non-profit body committed to nurturing young football talents, while SIFAX Group is a diversified conglomerate with interests in maritime, aviation, oil and gas, hospitality, and community development.

CP Ogunlowo Hosts FIBAN Executives in Ogun

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CP Ogunlowo Hosts FIBAN Executives in Ogun

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Ph.D, on Wednesday received members of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, FIBAN, Ogun State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the association, Mr. Olalekan Shoyinka, who formally introduced the newly elected executives of the chapter to the Commissioner.

Shoyinka assured the Police Command of FIBAN’s continued support, particularly in the responsible dissemination of verified and credible security information to the public.

In his remarks, CP Ogunlowo commended the association for its cooperation with the Command and emphasised the importance of professionalism in broadcasting, especially on security-related matters. He reaffirmed the Command’s openness to constructive criticism and collaboration with media stakeholders in the interest of public safety.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to introduce the Ogun State Police Command’s digital security platform, Gateway Shield. The platform is accessible via the toll-free line 0800009111, the website www.thegatewayshield.com, and a mobile application available for download on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Lagos Waste Crisis, One Year Later: When Government Failure Turns Citizens Into Culprits

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Lagos Waste Crisis, One Year Later: When Government Failure Turns Citizens Into Culprits

By Kehinde Balikis Kenku

Last year, I wrote an article on what I described as the Lagos waste war, a crisis where both the government and residents shared responsibility for the failure of waste management in the state.

At the time, my position was balanced: citizens needed to do better, and the Lagos State Government needed to improve access, communication, and consistency through LAWMA and its operators.

It is now 2026, and sadly, I am writing the same article again, only this time, with far less patience and far more disappointment. Because one year later, the situation has not improved. In fact, in many communities, it has become worse.

And this time, the bulk of the blame no longer lies with residents. It lies squarely with the Lagos State Government Last year, one of my major complaints was that LAWMA operators were not accessible in many communities.

In response, officials argued that trucks were deployed, announcements were made, and that residents simply did not cooperate or take waste management seriously.

That argument no longer holds water in 2026. In my community and surrounding areas, LAWMA has not picked up waste in almost six months. Six months.

Not weeks. Not days. I personally placed calls, twice, to ask why waste collection had stopped. The response was shocking but revealing:thereis nowheretodumpthewaste.

The landfill close to us, around Alimosho, near the General Hospital in Igando, is completely filled. The alternative dumping site is reportedly in Badagry, which operators say is too far and economically unrealistic for them to service regularly.

So what happens next? Nothing.

SystemThatForcesLaw-AbidingCitizenstoBreaktheRules

Waste continues to pile up in homes. Flies multiply. Health risks grow.

The same environmental dangers we are warned against, cholera, malaria, respiratory diseases, stare us in the face daily. Naturally, residents begin to do the very thing the government warns against: dumping refuse at bus stops, on road medians, and by the roadside. Not because they arecareless, but because there is no alternative.

Even as a climate change advocate, I am now part of the problem. Not by choice, but by force. I pay people, informal waste collectors, “abokis”, to take my refuse away. Where they dumpit, I honestly do not know. And that is the tragedy of it all.

A system failure has turned environmentally conscious citizens into unwilling contributors to environmental degradation. So I ask: can we still blame the residents?

SelectiveSanitationIsNotPolicy

The government only seems to act when waste becomes a public embarrassment. When videos go viral, when refuse blocks major roads, or when complaints become too loud to ignore. But inside the communities? Silence.

This is not governance. This is reactionary sanitation. Yes, places like Obalende bridge and its environment recently received attention. The area was cleared, and expected to be redeveloped into a modern, well structured transport hub to be called “Y’ELLO Bus Park.

That is commendable. But what about the waste that piles up daily on inner streets, in residential areas, and across communities that never make the headlines? Cleaning one spot while neglecting ten others is not a solution, it is cosmetic governance.

Climate Talk Without Environmental Action

What makes this failure even more painful is the hypocrisy around climate change conversations.

Government officials speak passionately about climate action, sustainability, and environmental responsibility, yet the most basic environmental duty, waste disposal, remains unresolved. How can we fight climate change while drowning in refuse?

How can residents be environmentally responsible when the system designed to support them has collapsed?

The 2026 Question Lagos Must Answer

This is no longer about blaming the Residents. Many of us are willing to pay. Many of us want to comply. But compliance is impossible when there is no functioning system.

So the question for 2026 is simple and urgent: What is the Lagos State Government doing about waste disposal? Where are the new dumping sites? What long-term infrastructure is being built to support a growing population? Whenwill this cycle finally end?

Because until these questions are answered with action, not press statements, the Lagos waste crisis will continue, year after year, article after article. And unfortunately, the government will remain the biggest obstacle to the solution it claims to seek.

World Emergency Number Day: Inside Lagos’ Command and Control Centre Where Every Second Counts

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blacktalker
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World Emergency Number Day: Inside Lagos’ Command and Control Centre Where Every Second Counts

BY BLACKTALKER

Every emergency begins with a moment, a crash on a busy expressway, a fire in a crowded neighbourhood, a medical crisis in the middle of the night. In Lagos, that moment is often followed by three digits: 112 or 767.

As the world marks World Emergency Number Day, attention turns to the critical role of emergency lines in saving lives. In Lagos, the observance shines a spotlight on the Lagos State Command and Control Centre the nerve centre where distress calls are received, processed and dispatched into coordinated action.

For the General Manager of the Centre, Mr. Femi Kennedy Giwa, the day is more than symbolic. It is a reminder that the “thin line between life and death” can sometimes be the speed at which a resident dials the emergency number.

World Emergency Number Day is set aside globally to promote awareness of toll-free emergency numbers and to encourage citizens to use them responsibly and effectively. In a megacity like Lagos, Africa’s most populous urban hub, the relevance cannot be overstated.

Located within a high-tech operations hub, the Lagos Command and Control Centre functions as a coordination platform linking multiple emergency response agencies. From LASEMA to the Fire Service, LASTMA and other first responders, the Centre ensures that once a call is received, help is mobilised without delay.

Behind every answered call is a trained call agent who gathers critical information, location, nature of the emergency, scale of risk, before dispatchers relay instructions to the appropriate response unit. The process is designed to be swift, structured and life-saving.

Yet, according to Mr. Giwa, a major challenge remains public awareness.

“It will surprise you that many residents still do not know Lagos’ emergency numbers,” he noted, stressing that 112 and 767 should be as familiar as any personal contact on a mobile phone.

World Emergency Number Day therefore doubles as a public education campaign in Lagos, a call for residents to memorise the numbers and use them promptly when crises occur.

One of the recurring misconceptions addressed by the Command and Control Centre is the belief that the emergency lines require airtime or are restricted by network providers. The Centre insists this is not the case.

The numbers are toll-free and accessible across telecommunications networks, meaning residents can call regardless of airtime balance. However, system congestion can occur, particularly during peak periods or when prank and non-emergency calls flood the lines.

Emergency communication systems operate within defined technological capacities, a limited number of calls can be processed within seconds. When lines are tied up by false alarms or “test calls,” genuine emergencies may face slight delays.

For this reason, World Emergency Number Day is also a reminder of shared responsibility. The effectiveness of emergency services depends not only on government infrastructure but also on citizens’ discipline and cooperation.

As Lagos continues to expand in population and complexity, so too must its emergency response architecture. The Command and Control Centre is undergoing technological upgrades aimed at increasing call-handling capacity and improving response coordination.

New ICT infrastructure, enhanced video matrix systems and expanded communication channels, including digital and social media integration ,are part of ongoing reforms designed to broaden access points for residents in distress.

These upgrades align with the state government’s broader safety and security objectives under its development agenda, which prioritises the protection of lives and property.

For emergency managers, World Emergency Number Day is also a moment of reflection, a time to celebrate call agents, dispatchers and first responders who work around the clock, often behind the scenes.

They are the unseen voices that answer in calm tones amid chaos. The steady hands coordinating fire trucks, ambulances and rescue teams. The professionals who translate panic into action.

In many emergencies, the difference between containment and catastrophe is early reporting. A “small” fire reported promptly can be extinguished before it engulfs an entire building. A swift call after a road crash can accelerate medical intervention and improve survival chances.

The Lagos Command and Control Centre is therefore using the global observance to reinforce a simple message: do not delay. Do not assume someone else has called. Do not dismiss a minor incident.

Dial 112. Dial 767.

World Emergency Number Day, from the perspective of Lagos, is ultimately about preparedness, ensuring that in a city that never sleeps, help is always within reach.

Because when seconds matter most, three digits can save a life.

Dangote Refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit, Motor Spirit Block Hit 650,000 Barrels Per Day Capacity

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blacktalker
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Dangote Refinery Recalls Redeployed Engineers After Disciplinary Review

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has achieved a major operational milestone with the full restoration and optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block, both of which are now operating at full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

The development positions the facility as the first refinery in the world to attain this operational feat at such scale.

According to the company, the milestone follows a scheduled maintenance exercise on the CDU and MS Block, after which the refinery commenced an intensive 72-hour series of performance test runs in collaboration with its licensor, UOP.

The tests are designed to validate operational efficiency and confirm that all critical parameters meet global standards, further strengthening steady-state operations at Africa’s largest oil refining facility.

Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, described the development as a demonstration of advanced engineering and strong operational capacity.

“Our teams have demonstrated exceptional precision and expertise in stabilising both the CDU and MS Block, and we are pleased to see them functioning at optimal efficiency. This performance testing phase enables us to validate the entire plant under real operating conditions. We are confident that the refinery remains firmly on track to deliver consistent, world-class output,” Bird said.

He noted that the milestone underscores the strength and reliability of the refinery’s engineering design.

“This milestone underscores the strength, reliability, and engineering quality that define our operations. We remain committed to producing high-quality refined products that will transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, eliminate import dependence, and position the nation as a net exporter of petroleum products,” he stated.

Bird explained that the CDU and MS Block comprise key processing units including the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit, all of which are now operating steadily at full capacity.

He further disclosed that all remaining processing units will commence their respective performance test runs in Phase Two, scheduled to begin next week.

The refinery also revealed that during the recent festive period, it supplied between 45 and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With the CDU and MS Block now fully restored, the facility is positioned to deliver up to 75 million litres of PMS to the domestic market as required.

Expressing appreciation to customers and Nigerians nationwide, Bird reaffirmed the refinery’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s energy security while supporting industrial development, job creation and economic diversification.

NYCN Inaugurates Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champions

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NYCN Inaugurates Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champions

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Lagos State Chapter, has inaugurated the Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champions, LYSEC, an initiative aimed at complementing the activities of safety and emergency-response agencies across the state.

The inauguration took place during the Lagos Youth Talk Series 2.0 organised by NYCN Lagos on Wednesday at the Sam Shonibare Youth Centre, Surulere with the theme: “Street-Smart Safety: How Lagos Youth Can Strengthen Community Emergency Response.”

Stakeholders at the event charged young people across Lagos to make proper use of the state’s emergency toll-free numbers, 767 and 112, during crises instead of calling public officials directly.

Speaking at the programme, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, commended the initiative, noting that safety is a shared responsibility and that government and citizens must work together to maintain a secure environment across the state.

Ogunlende stated that the state government’s steady support for the activities of the youth umbrella body demonstrates its commitment to the THEMES Plus agenda, in which youth inclusiveness is an integral component. He stressed that safety and security remain everyone’s concern.

He said his presence at the event reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, noting that young people make up about sixty percent of Lagos’ population and must be actively engaged in governance.

The Commissioner encouraged youths to participate from the grassroots level, beginning at their wards and local governments, and to see themselves as leaders starting today.

Delivering a keynote address, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Olugbenga Oyerinde, highlighted the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s efforts under the THEMES Plus agenda to strengthen emergency response in Lagos.

Oyerinde, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Tobi Oladepo, referenced the state’s technology-driven Command and Control Centre, as well as key agencies such as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

He noted that the government has repositioned Local Emergency Management Committees across local governments to ensure quicker grassroots response. Youths were encouraged to support advocacy efforts, avoid obstructing emergency responders, and adopt the slogan, “If you see something, say something.”

In his welcome address, NYCN Lagos State Chairman, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim, described the engagement as timely, particularly for a fast-growing megacity like Lagos with a large youthful population. He stated that young people, when properly trained and coordinated, can serve as first responders and early warning systems within their communities.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, encouraged youths to remain resilient and not to fear failure, describing it as part of the journey to success.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, ICT at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Muyiwa Yusuf, advised youths to embrace continuous learning and re-learning.

He used the opportunity to inform participants about INEC’s ongoing voter registration exercise, urging them to avoid double registration and to make use of the commission’s mobile registration machines deployed across local governments.

The event was attended by government security and emergency agencies including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), among others, who pledged continued collaboration.

NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE ASSURES ONION FARMERS, EXPORTERS OF SUPPORT

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NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE ASSURES ONION FARMERS, EXPORTERS OF SUPPORT

The Nigeria Customs Service has assured onion farmers and export stakeholders of its commitment to removing non-tariff barriers and creating a more enabling environment for export trade.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the Service would work with relevant government agencies to address operational bottlenecks and strengthen Nigeria’s export corridor.

The Comptroller-General described the engagement as timely, noting that in recent months, the Service had faced pressure from neighbouring countries over the use of Nigeria’s transit corridors, particularly routes in the North-East and the Kamba axis.

He explained that while transit discussions often focus on imports, the engagement with onion exporters presents an opportunity to boost Nigeria’s export profile.

According to him, exports promote economic prosperity, generate employment, support a favourable balance of trade and contribute to Gross Domestic Product growth.

He also disclosed that the Service has directed the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation to establish a structured engagement framework following earlier representations by stakeholders.

Speaking earlier, President of the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa, Aliyu Maitasamu, commended Customs for its prompt intervention in resolving recent disruptions along the corridor.

He called for sustained collaboration to ensure smoother export operations and proposed improved coordination mechanisms for onion transit.

Maitasamu highlighted the sector’s economic importance, noting that Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest onion producer after Egypt, with an annual output of about 2.1 million metric tonnes.

He added that Nigeria and the Niger Republic remain key players in onion production and trade within the ECOWAS and Sahel regions.

Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, said the engagement aligns with efforts to balance economic growth with security considerations.

He explained that a proposed token system for corridor operations would focus on data management and infrastructure sustainability, including recovery of road maintenance costs.

The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening export trade and enhancing regional economic integration.

BUA CHAIRMAN URGES SHIFT FROM RAW MATERIAL EXPORT TO VALUE ADDITION AT MINING INDABA 2026

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BUA CHAIRMAN URGES SHIFT FROM RAW MATERIAL EXPORT TO VALUE ADDITION AT MINING INDABA 2026

Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has called for a decisive shift in Africa’s development strategy, urging governments and investors to move the continent from raw material extraction to large-scale industrial processing and value addition.

Rabiu made the call in Cape Town, South Africa, while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at an Africa Finance Corporation, AFC, forum during Mining Indaba 2026.

The event brought together African leaders, policymakers, financiers and industry executives to discuss the future of mining, industrialisation and real sector development across the continent.

Commending the Africa Finance Corporation for mobilising long-term capital for Africa’s industrial sectors, Rabiu noted that strong development finance institutions are critical to shaping the continent’s growth trajectory.

Drawing from BUA Group’s experience, he recalled the company’s decision sixteen years ago to shift from cement importation to local production in Nigeria, despite the heavy capital requirements and long gestation periods involved.

He stated that Nigeria was previously importing cement despite having abundant limestone deposits, stressing that the real challenge was not the availability of resources, but the resolve to produce locally.

According to him, BUA now mines and processes about forty thousand tonnes of limestone daily, producing approximately one million tonnes of cement monthly, a shift that has helped Nigeria transition from cement importer to net exporter, saving billions of dollars in foreign exchange annually.

Rabiu disclosed that the Africa Finance Corporation has provided over four hundred million dollars in financing to support BUA’s cement and industrial operations, adding that a significant portion has already been repaid, demonstrating the commercial viability of well-structured African industrial projects.

He described Africa’s continued export of raw minerals and agricultural produce as a structural paradox, noting that although the continent is resource-rich, it captures only a fraction of the value created downstream.

Rabiu also extended the argument to agriculture, pointing out that Africa holds a majority of the world’s arable land, yet imports billions of dollars’ worth of food each year.

He called for coordinated action among governments, development finance institutions and the private sector to scale up long-term financing, incentivise local processing and invest in power, transport and industrial infrastructure.

Rabiu concluded that Africa’s industrialisation must be intentional and policy-driven, stressing that the continent’s future lies in moving from extraction to transformation and shared prosperity.

NIMC TO BEGIN NATIONWIDE WARD-LEVEL NIN ENROLMENT FEBRUARY 16

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NIMC Pushes Digital Public Infrastructure to Improve Service Delivery, National Security

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has announced that nationwide ward-level enrollment for the National Identification Number, NIN, will commence on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The Commission says the move follows a presidential directive mandating it to take NIN registration to the grassroots across all wards in the country.

According to NIMC, the exercise is aimed at ensuring the comprehensive registration of every Nigerian citizen and legal resident, including children and adults, into the National Identity Database.

The Commission emphasized that enrollment will be conducted free of charge as part of the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on inclusive governance, national development, and improved access to identity services.

NIMC described the ward-level initiative as a strategic effort to deepen identity inclusion, decentralize services, reduce travel burdens, and improve access to registration at the community level.

The Commission disclosed that it has begun engagement with stakeholders at national, state, and local government levels to ensure smooth implementation. These include state governments, local government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations, and faith-based organizations.

Members of the public are encouraged to take advantage of the exercise by enrolling themselves and their family members.

NIMC says enrollment schedules detailing the movement of licensed front-end partners and its staff across wards are available on its official website.

For inquiries or complaints, the public is advised to call the Commission’s toll-free line on 08000616462.

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