🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Federal Government warns drug abuse threatens Nigeria's national development
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
The Federal Government has cautioned that drug abuse and illicit trafficking pose a direct threat to Nigeria's national development, emphasizing that combating this issue is a shared responsibility. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, delivered this warning at the National Drug Use Summit in Abuja. The summit, themed "Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action," highlighted that drug use and trafficking have become significant global threats to public health, national security, social cohesion, and economic development, with Nigeria experiencing rising cases of mental illness, broken families, interrupted education, unemployment, and crime. Akume identified young Nigerians as particularly vulnerable, stating that their exposure to addiction directly threatens the country's future. He also noted the growing links between drug trafficking and other organized crimes like violent extremism, banditry, kidnapping, and money laundering. Akume stressed that substance use disorders are complex health and social challenges requiring a "whole-of-government approach, a whole-of-society approach," involving families, communities, schools, healthcare providers, security agencies, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and civil society. He called for enhanced intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, improved research, and resilient communities. Br
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
FIFA has initiated an investigation into alleged racist insults directed at streamer IShowSpeed during last week's World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde. The global football body announced on Tuesday via X that it was made aware of an incident involving a supporter and IShowSpeed at Miami Stadium on July 3, 2026, and immediately launched a probe. IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is an African-American streamer with over 57 million YouTube subscribers and millions more on other video platforms. The 21-year-old has been attending and live-streaming from World Cup matches through a special agreement with FIFA, YouTube, and Fox Sports. FIFA stated, "FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society." IShowSpeed reportedly faced further racist abuse during Tuesday's match between Argentina and Egypt, where an Argentine fan allegedly imitated a monkey during an encounter with the streamer.
The Nigerian Communications Commission and various stakeholders have initiated efforts to stop the repeated excavation of roads for fiber-optic cable installation. This move involves developing a cost-based pricing framework for sharing underground telecom ducts, aligning with the Federal Government’s "Dig Once" policy. The initiative, announced at the Second Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, aims to reduce broadband deployment costs, encourage infrastructure sharing, and accelerate fiber rollout across Nigeria. The "Dig Once" policy mandates that telecommunications ducts be installed during road construction or rehabilitation, enabling multiple operators to use existing underground infrastructure instead of repeatedly digging up roads. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, stated that this initiative is crucial for deepening digital infrastructure and improving broadband access. He emphasized that a transparent, commercially viable, and equitable pricing framework is essential for the policy's success, promoting collaboration and efficient use of national resources. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, noted that consultants were engaged in 2023 to address the lack of a pricing mechanism for shared ducts, which was a significant gap in the draft "Dig Once" policy. He added that the study will provide a structured framework for equitable access and sustainable infr
Must ReadThe International Monetary Fund IMF has cautioned that despite recent improvements in Nigeria's macroeconomic stability, rising prices for essential goods could exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. The IMF's July 2026 World Economic Outlook Update projects Nigeria's economy to grow by 4.1 percent in 2026 and 4.3 percent in 2027. However, the report highlights that households remain vulnerable to increasing living costs, with higher prices for necessities expected to aggravate poverty and food insecurity. The IMF noted that global headline inflation is projected to increase, and renewed geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, pose the biggest downside risk to the global economy, potentially leading to commodity price volatility and higher energy and food costs. The Fund advised governments to avoid broad-based fuel subsidies, tax cuts, and price controls, recommending instead temporary and targeted support for vulnerable households while maintaining policies aimed at restoring price stability. It also urged countries to rebuild fiscal buffers, strengthen tax administration, and expand social protection programs. Nigeria's headline inflation rate recently rose to 15.93 percent in May 2026, marking the third consecutive monthly increase.