The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has launched a 10-day workshop in Abuja to train agricultural extension officers in climate risk management. Held in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute, the program aims to equip trainers with the skills to translate complex climate data into practical, actionable advice for farmers. By improving the communication of weather information, NiMet seeks to help smallholder farmers better navigate climate-related shocks such as irregular rainfall, flooding, and heat stress to enhance food security across Nigeria.

The Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) has announced the 2026 Abuja Business and Investment Summit (ABIS 3.0), scheduled for August 5–7 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. Aimed at attracting fresh capital and fostering public-private partnerships, the summit is part of a broader push to position Abuja as Nigeria’s premier investment destination. AICL Group Managing Director Maureen P. Tamuno stated that the event will feature investment exhibitions, policy dialogues, and the signing of several strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to support SME development, digital payment expansion, and revenue generation. The summit will cover diverse topics including youth entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the creative economy.

Global news headlines include:

* **Ukraine:** President Zelensky is calling for urgent international air defense support as Ukraine faces a severe shortage of Patriot missiles following a deadly Russian strike that killed 23 people.
* **Business:** Microsoft is laying off 4,800 employees, including 1,600 in its Xbox division, as part of a major restructuring.
* **Legal:** In Utah, the murder trial is underway for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk in 2025.
* **International:** Iran is using the funeral of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to project national unity, while the death toll from Venezuela’s recent earthquakes has climbed to over 3,500.
* **Security:** Moroccan authorities have arrested 10 suspects linked to an Islamic State cell, preventing planned terror attacks, and the UN has ordered an investigation into violence in Sudan.
* **Africa:** Senegal’s President Faye is launching a new political party amid tensions with his former ally, while Zimbabwe suffered a nationwide blackout due to a technical fault and DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,500 cases.

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) is working to clear a backlog of approximately 1,800 export containers currently trapped at the APM Terminals in Apapa. The congestion, which has resulted in significant delays for agricultural and industrial exporters, stems from global shipping disruptions linked to Middle East tensions, which have limited vessel availability and caused repeated rescheduling. Following intervention from the NSC, Maersk Nigeria has committed to sending a vessel next week to help evacuate the containers. The Council has warned shipping lines that they will be held liable for cargo damage or losses resulting from these delays. In the interim, some exporters are opting for more expensive, alternative routes through ports like Lekki or Onne to avoid the gridlock.

The Federal Government has launched the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) in the South-East, distributing 80,640 bags of fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers across Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi states. Implemented by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the initiative aims to boost food production, reduce costs for farmers, and strengthen regional food security ahead of the 2026 wet farming season. Officials emphasized that the program uses a transparent beneficiary selection process and supports indigenous fertiliser manufacturers to drive rural economic growth.

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has announced that 16 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have achieved full compliance with its business reform requirements for 2026. Among the top performers are the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Pension Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency.

PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu stated that the assessment, which followed a 90-day accelerator program, focused on providing technical support to agencies rather than just ranking them. Currently, 98 percent of business-facing MDAs are now actively responding to investor inquiries. Moving forward, PEBEC intends to address fragmented digital systems by developing an integrated platform to reduce redundant data submissions and will continue its “mystery shopping” initiative to verify service standards independently.

NIPCO Plc reported a turnover of N1.979 trillion for the 2025 financial year, with a profit after tax of N12.227 billion. During its 22nd Annual General Meeting, the company announced a dividend payout of N8.00 per share, reflecting its strategy to diversify operations amidst Nigeria’s evolving downstream petroleum market.

Key highlights of NIPCO’s growth strategy include:
* **CNG Expansion:** Through its subsidiary, NIPCO Gas Limited, the company has converted over 8,000 vehicles to compressed natural gas and secured 25-year exclusive gas distribution rights for Ibadan, Benin City, and the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
* **Upstream Investment:** The firm has increased its stake in Savannah Energy Plc to approximately 25 percent, marking its entry into upstream and midstream gas production to offset thinner downstream margins.
* **Diversification:** Beyond energy, the company continues to renovate the Abuja Continental Hotel under its hospitality arm, 22 Hospitality Ltd.

Management cited a need for full sector liberalization while emphasizing plans to grow its retail network, which currently exceeds 400 stations nationwide.

Academy Press Plc has reported a 64.6 percent drop in annual profit for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, citing lower revenue and a significant decline in operating income. Profit after tax fell to N253.3 million from N716.5 million the previous year. Despite the downturn, the company will pay a dividend of 10 kobo per share, down from 15 kobo previously, subject to shareholder approval. During the year, the company saw a leadership change with Oluwakemi Ogunnubi taking over as CEO and completed a one-for-five bonus share issue.

Former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff has accused presidential candidate Peter Obi of harboring a secret agenda to divide Nigeria. Appearing on Channels Television, Sheriff claimed that Obi’s failure to openly condemn the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) makes him unfit to lead. Sheriff challenged Obi to publicly denounce any secessionist ideologies and reaffirm his commitment to national unity. These remarks follow Obi’s recent calls for President Bola Tinubu to resign, citing economic and security failures. Obi has yet to formally respond to the allegations.

Nigeria is facing a severe housing crisis as macroeconomic instability and low income levels make home ownership and renting increasingly unaffordable for the average citizen. Skyrocketing construction costs, driven by high inflation and volatile exchange rates, have forced developers to raise prices, while rental costs in cities like Lagos have surged by up to 200 percent over the last two years. Experts note that current income-to-rent ratios now exceed 70 percent, far beyond the UN-recommended 30 percent. Furthermore, limited access to affordable mortgage financing—due to high commercial interest rates and inadequate income—leaves most Nigerians, including those earning below 500,000 Naira monthly, unable to purchase homes. Industry leaders are calling for innovative financing solutions to address the ballooning housing deficit.

A new television program, “Real Estate Today,” has launched in Nigeria to combat misinformation and fraud within the property sector. A joint initiative by Qshelter Limited and M.I. Okoro and Associates, the weekly show aims to educate the public on property investment, legal documentation, and housing development. The program will air on major networks, including NTA, Arise Television, Channels Television, and TVC. Featuring industry experts, the show will provide practical guidance on issues such as land title verification and government policies, with the goal of fostering a more transparent and confident real estate market.

Commercial real estate investors are cautioned against focusing solely on purchase price, as true value is driven by factors such as location demand, rental income, and long-term capital appreciation. Market trends in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, indicate that well-positioned properties in high-demand corridors like Lekki-Ajah offer significant returns through both consistent rent and annual property value growth. Industry reports highlight that areas like Lekki Phase 1 and parts of Abuja continue to dominate supply due to strong demand from startups and SMEs, reinforcing the importance of strategic location over initial cost.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja has marked its first year by treating over 5,000 patients from 20 countries. Developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, the facility aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on overseas medical travel by providing advanced procedures, including West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and complex cardiac surgeries. During a recent visit, Afreximbank officials praised the center’s progress, noting that it has already performed 10 open-heart surgeries and processed over 40,000 diagnostic tests. The institution currently employs over 600 professionals from 12 nationalities and plans to further expand its diagnostic capabilities, including the launch of PET/CT imaging later this year.

Gbenga Alade, Managing Director and CEO of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has been awarded the African Business Leadership Special Commendation at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards in London. The ceremony, held at the House of Lords on July 3, 2026, also saw Alade inducted into the African Leadership Council. He received the recognition for his contributions to the African financial management landscape, as well as a special commendation from the U.S. State of South Carolina.

The Nigeria Police Force has remained silent following reports that officers arrested the father of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the promoter of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), at his home in Ogbomoso. Adeyemi is currently facing trial for alleged conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation regarding a N1.3 billion scandal. Human rights groups and legal experts, including Femi Falana (SAN), have condemned the reported arrest, citing it as an unconstitutional practice of holding relatives as “substitute” suspects to force a primary suspect to surrender. Advocates are calling for the immediate release of the elderly man or for police to provide a lawful basis for his detention through a court charge.

Nigeria’s wealthy families are entering a critical era of succession as the first generation of post-1999 private wealth reaches retirement age. These estates are increasingly complex, spanning multiple asset classes across domestic and international borders.

In Nigeria, estates are often subject to three simultaneous, overlapping legal frameworks: statutory law, customary law, and Islamic law. Because assets like ancestral land, corporate shares, and foreign property can each fall under different jurisdictions, failing to plan often results in frozen assets, business instability, and prolonged legal disputes among heirs. Wealth advisors warn that families must proactively use tools like wills, trusts, and shareholder agreements to define how these legal regimes interact, rather than leaving the apportionment of their assets to courts or conflicting authorities.

Nigeria and the Holy See have marked the golden jubilee of their formal diplomatic relations, originally established in 1976. During a commemorative ceremony, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Vatican. Both parties pledged to increase collaboration in key areas including peacebuilding, humanitarian efforts, education, healthcare, and youth development, citing shared values of justice and human dignity. The event also celebrated the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV, whom the Minister praised for his global leadership in promoting reconciliation and compassion.

Despite its significant agricultural and mineral wealth, Nasarawa State is struggling to maintain its status as a top investment hub due to rising insecurity. Persistent threats from armed groups and kidnappers have forced farmers to abandon their land, disrupting food production and driving up prices. Furthermore, instability in mining areas and fear of travel have slowed commercial activity, increased operational costs for businesses, and discouraged potential investors. Experts warn that unless security is restored, the state’s ambitions for industrial and economic growth will remain stalled, as funds are increasingly diverted from development projects to emergency responses and peace maintenance.

Ali Modu Sheriff, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly opposed Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid for 2027. During an interview with Channels Television, the former Borno State governor asserted that it is the turn of the South to hold the presidency, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari recently completed an eight-year term for the North. Sheriff stated that Atiku, now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is on his own in pursuing the presidency, as he believes it would be unjust for a Northern candidate to challenge the South’s current turn.