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Ogun State Launches Mosquito Net Factory to Combat Malaria

Ogun State Launches Mosquito Net Factory to Combat Malaria

A new mosquito net manufacturing facility has been inaugurated in Ogun State, Nigeria, through a collaboration between Vestergaard Sàrl and Harvestfield Industries Limited. The joint venture, named SNG Health, will produce the PermaNet Dual, a mosquito net with dual active ingredients designed to address the growing issue of insecticide resistance. The facility is expected to begin full production by April next year, with an annual capacity of 10 million nets and the creation of 600 skilled jobs. The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the President’s Value Chain Initiative, and Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health. The project is part of Nigeria's broader strategy to industrialize its health sector and enhance malaria control efforts.
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France-Nigeria Tax Data Agreement Raises Sovereignty Concerns Amid Security Cooperation

France-Nigeria Tax Data Agreement Raises Sovereignty Concerns Amid Security Cooperation

Nigeria has entered into a tax data sharing agreement with France, which has sparked concerns over national sovereignty and data security. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) allows Nigeria to access advanced auditing and compliance tools powered by artificial intelligence, as well as real-time economic analytics and cybersecurity resources. However, the agreement has raised questions about the potential exposure of sensitive economic data and the impact on Nigeria's fiscal independence. Critics argue that even though the data shared will be aggregated and anonymized, it could still reveal significant financial patterns, giving France insight into Nigeria's economy. This development follows a recent coup attempt in Benin, where France provided intelligence and logistical support, and Nigeria deployed military resources at Benin's request. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to enhance security and counter-terrorism cooperation with Nigeria, reflecting a strategic shift in France's engagement in ...
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Benin's Failed Coup Attempt Highlights Regional Instability and Nigeria's Strategic Role

Benin's Failed Coup Attempt Highlights Regional Instability and Nigeria's Strategic Role

In Benin, a recent coup attempt was thwarted by loyalist troops with critical support from Nigeria's air force. The coup began when soldiers seized the national television station and announced the deposition of President Patrice Talon. However, the rebellion was quickly suppressed as Nigerian military jets targeted the mutineers, forcing them to retreat. The swift response by Nigeria, a regional power, was instrumental in quelling the coup, which had the potential to destabilize the region further. The failed coup comes amid a backdrop of political instability in West Africa, with several countries experiencing military takeovers in recent years.
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Nigeria Approves 28 Firms for Gas Flare Capture, Targets $2 Billion Investment

Nigeria Approves 28 Firms for Gas Flare Capture, Targets $2 Billion Investment

Nigeria has granted permits to 28 companies to capture gas that is currently being flared by the oil industry. This initiative is part of Nigeria's efforts to reduce emissions and generate revenue from gas that would otherwise be wasted. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported that there were 42 bids to capture gas flared at 49 sites in the Niger Delta region, with 14 candidates still needing to meet permit requirements. The initiative aims to capture and commercialize between 250 and 300 million standard cubic feet of gas, potentially attracting up to $2 billion in investment and creating over 100,000 jobs. The NUPRC estimates that this will eliminate approximately six million tons of carbon dioxide annually and support nearly three gigawatts of potential electricity generation capacity.
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UK Health Authorities Warn of Rising Tuberculosis Cases Amid Public Health Concerns

UK Health Authorities Warn of Rising Tuberculosis Cases Amid Public Health Concerns

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a significant increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases in England, with 5,490 notifications in 2024, marking a 13% rise from the previous year. This resurgence of a disease historically known as 'consumption' has prompted local councils to issue warnings about the symptoms and encourage early diagnosis and treatment. TB primarily affects the lungs but can impact other parts of the body, including bones and the brain. The disease is spread through airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Health officials emphasize that TB is curable with timely medical intervention, and they are working to improve access to testing and treatment, especially for those who have moved to the UK from countries where TB is more prevalent.
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Nigeria's Digital Workforce Initiative Aims to Drive Economic Growth

Nigeria's Digital Workforce Initiative Aims to Drive Economic Growth

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has announced a strategic initiative to build a digital workforce as part of the country's economic growth plan. Speaking at the 3MTT National Impact Summit, Tinubu emphasized the importance of digital skills in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and finance. The Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program aims to train and place three million Nigerians in tech roles, transforming Nigeria from a technology consumer to a creator. The initiative is supported by private sector partners and aims to expand opportunities beyond major cities.
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Digital Workforce to Power Nigeria’s Next Chapter, Says President Tinubu

Digital Workforce to Power Nigeria’s Next Chapter, Says President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigeria is building a digital workforce to drive the country's next phase of growth. Speaking at the 3MTT National Impact Summit, Tinubu highlighted the Three Million Technical Talent programme as a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative aims to train and place three million Nigerians in tech roles, transforming Nigeria from a technology consumer to a creator. The program has already seen significant engagement, with over 1.8 million applications and numerous start-ups formed. Tinubu emphasized the importance of digital skills in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and finance.
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Joint Venture in Nigeria to Produce 10 Million Mosquito Nets Annually for Malaria Prevention

Joint Venture in Nigeria to Produce 10 Million Mosquito Nets Annually for Malaria Prevention

Vestergaard Sàrl and Harvestfield Industries Limited have formed a joint venture named SNG Health to produce 10 million mosquito nets annually in Nigeria. This initiative aims to bolster malaria prevention efforts in the country, which bears the world's highest malaria burden. The production facility, set to begin operations in April 2026, will manufacture PermaNet® Dual, a mosquito net designed to combat insecticide resistance. The project is expected to create 600 skilled jobs and is part of Nigeria's broader strategy to industrialize its health sector and enhance local production of critical health products.
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Nigeria Launches Insecticide Net Manufacturing Facility to Combat Malaria

Nigeria Launches Insecticide Net Manufacturing Facility to Combat Malaria

Nigeria has initiated the construction of its first dual active ingredient Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) manufacturing facility in Ogun state. This project is a collaboration between Swiss-based Vestergaard Sàrl and Nigeria’s Harvestfield Industrial, facilitated by the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). The facility is expected to begin production in April 2026, aiming to produce around 10 million nets annually, which will meet approximately 30% of Nigeria's LLIN demand. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance local production of essential health commodities, reduce import reliance, and create about 600 skilled jobs. The project is supported by various partners, including the World Bank and the Gates Foundation, and is seen as a significant step towards eradicating malaria in Nigeria, a country that accounts for a quarter of global malaria cases and deaths.
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Nigerian Military Intervention in Benin Thwarts Coup Attempt, Stabilizes Region

Nigerian Military Intervention in Benin Thwarts Coup Attempt, Stabilizes Region

Nigerian military forces intervened in Benin to thwart a coup attempt, stabilizing the region and reaffirming Nigeria's role as a regional power. The intervention was ordered by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu after receiving requests from the Beninese government for immediate air and ground support. The coup attempt in Benin was led by mutinous soldiers in the economic capital of Cotonou. Nigerian fighter jets and ground forces played a decisive role in regaining control of key military positions. The intervention was part of a broader effort by Nigeria to prevent instability in the region, especially following the 2023 coup in Niger, which had significant regional implications.
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ECOWAS Engages Aliko Dangote to Boost Intra-Regional Investment

ECOWAS Engages Aliko Dangote to Boost Intra-Regional Investment

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, to lead efforts in driving intra-regional investment. This decision was announced by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray during a council meeting in Abuja. The initiative aims to enhance subregional trade and mobilize West African capital for development. Dangote's role will involve bridging businesses, governments, and ECOWAS institutions to foster economic integration. The move reflects a growing interest in homegrown investment, with recent initiatives highlighting the potential for regional collaboration in trade and infrastructure development.
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Sedna Africa's Technological Innovations Enhance Industrial Connectivity Across the Continent

Sedna Africa's Technological Innovations Enhance Industrial Connectivity Across the Continent

Sedna Africa is spearheading a technological transformation across the African continent, focusing on digital and industrial advancements in sectors such as mining, ports, energy, and infrastructure. The company has developed a world-first automated solution in Zimbabwe, enabling machines to operate autonomously underground using advanced mobile private networks and an autonomous edge compute layer. This innovation is part of a broader strategy to export African technological excellence globally. Sedna has also expanded into maritime networks, deploying the first private mobile network at the Port of Beira in Mozambique, transforming it into a connected, data-driven environment. Additionally, Sedna is enhancing energy and infrastructure monitoring through distributed fibre sensing, which detects disturbances like excavation and vandalism, thereby preventing potential outages.