SON To Hold 2025 World Standard Day to support Sustainable Development Goals

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, would join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2025 World Standards day with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals,SDG.

Announcing SON’s participation in a statement, the organisation’s Director, Corporate Affairs –Mrs Talatu Ethan –stated that the event would be commemorated as usual with a “Walk For Standards” on Saturday, 11th October.

The day is celebrated globally to commemorate the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who developed voluntary technical agreements known as international standards.

Last year’s edition was a huge success with the day used to draw necessary attention to Artificial Intelligence.

The Worlds Standards Day has therefore become a veritable platform which stakeholders in different sectors of the economy look forward to for enlightenment, not only on updates on standardization issues, but also on key global issues that are impacting businesses and living.

Giving details of the event, Ethan stated; “The Theme of the 2025 Worlds Standards Day is: Shared Vision For a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 17: Partnership For the Goals. The great occasion will be marked with a “Walk For Standards” to raise awareness on the critical role of Standards in everyday life and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This will be on Saturday, 11th October, 2025, at 8.00am and participants would converge at SON’s Ogba office, from where we will be walking through Adeniyi Jones to Aromire street and then to Allen Avenue Junction, and from there to Ikeja bridge by Awolowo House Roundabout, to the popular Computer village, to Oba Akran avenue, back to SON’s Ogba office.”

The Director said the Director General of SON –Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke – would be delighted to have as many Nigerians as possible, plus foreigners living in the country, to participate in the programme.

“Indeed, everyone is invited. Participation is free and we will be pleased to have people trooping in for the walk as a demonstration of their commitment to Standards and Sustainability, just as the event can be maximized for exercise, networking and possible business opportunities”, Ethan also stated.

Seplat Energy Ties Africa’s Prosperity To Domestic Gas Development

Seplat Energy Plc, leading Nigerian independent energy company, says that domestic gas remains the engine of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa in general – from powering homes, to fuelling industry and providing a cleaner alternative for cooking and transportation. This informed the company’s heavy investment in gas processing capacity devoted to the domestic market, including the ANOH gas plant which is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

 

The Director, New Energy at Seplat, Mr. Okechukwu Mba, said this at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) held in Cape Town, South Africa. Mba, who spoke during a panel discussion titled “Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets”, said stakeholders need to ensure that the challenges in the gas to power value chain from molecules at the wellhead to electrons in homes are addressed for Nigeria to realize the goal of increased power supply to Nigerians. He also emphasized the importance of a commercially viable power sector which is critical to achieving growth in the domestic gas market. 

 

He said: “Bankable anchor customers are needed to underpin the development of new gas projects whilst identifying infrastructural challenges in power transmission and distribution as well as the liquidity crises in the power sector as two areas that require urgent attention in order to unlock new gas projects.   Mba highlighted that Seplat Energy currently supplies gas to five (5) power stations in Nigeria which underscores its commitment to the power sector, noting that gas is well positioned to provide reliable and affordable base load energy to drive to economic growth.

 

According to Mba, Seplat Energy adopts a comprehensive approach to growing the domestic gas market.  “Beside investments in pipeline gas projects, Seplat is also investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities,” he added.

 

In addition to the significant volumes of butane now supplied to the domestic market from its NGL plant in Bonny River Terminal, Seplat Energy also intends to commence delivery of LPG from its Sapele and ANOH gas plants before the end of the year. This, Mba said, will make Seplat Energy one of the leading suppliers of LPG, displacing biomass and providing a cleaner cooking fuel that will improve the health and living conditions of Nigerians.   He added that Seplat Energy’s investment into CNG was to make gas available to customers not currently connected to the domestic gas pipeline network.

 

The New Energy boss at Seplat stated that the company plans to take its operated gas production to over 1 Bcf/d by 2030, while noting that the recent incentives granted by government to the gas sector will aid the achievement of this goal. 

 

In a related development, the Director External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, who featured in a panel discussed dubbed “Bureaucracy or Bridge? Tailoring Global ESG Approaches for African Realities”, said in all the company’s moves in driving to drive access to reliable and affordable energy for Nigerians, ESG fundamentals are strongly upheld and practicalised.  

 

According to her, the peculiarities of the Nigerian people and Africa at large remain very germane in implementing Seplat Energy’s ESG framework and affirming its commitments.

 

She said: “For a truly successful and impactful ESG implementation, it is highly imperative to move from a “one size fits all” mindset, to a co-created framework and implementation that is focused on value creation and empowers African nations to define their own sustainable growth plan. One that ensures ESG principles become a bridge across industries and countries driving growth and not a bureaucratic exercise.” 

 

“Adapting ESG to local needs is key. Therefore, we should explore customizing global ESG frameworks to address the unique socio-economic conditions, developmental challenges, including infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as vulnerabilities to climate change and economic empowerment, across the continent.”

 

Speaking to the company’s model, she noted that: “At Seplat Energy, our approach has been a regular and systematic process of identifying and analyzing the development ‘gaps’ in our areas of operation and partnering with our communities to define project goals, prioritize resources and develop effective strategies to achieve them.”

SEC Committed To promoting Transparency, Investor Trust, Fair Value Reporting – Agama

> The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has stressed the Commission’s commitment to promoting transparency, investor confidence, and adherence to international best practices in financial reporting.
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> Agama emphasized that the transition to market valuation is crucial for ensuring that asset values accurately reflect real-time market conditions, thereby strengthening fair value reporting and investor trust.
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> Speaking in an interview weekend, Dr. Agama outlined key modalities guiding Nigeria’s transition to the market-to-market (MTM) valuation of assets in the fixed income space of the capital market adding that the policy was a result of engagements with market participants.
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>  “Timelines have been carefully considered, you know, especially with the concerns being raised by market participants. For us at the SEC, it is important that while we try to introduce new rules and regulations, we also listen to the market and say, okay, how do we meet, how do we meet at the junction where we can all agree to move forward?
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> He noted that the October 2, 2025, deadline for the submission of implementation plans would enable the Commission to assess each institution’s preparedness and capacity, while the September 2027 deadline remains the target for full transition to IFRS 9.
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> “Requesting for implementation plans is not a bureaucratic exercise—it’s to gauge capacity, identify challenges, and meet operators at the point where we can all achieve compliance with one purpose and one goal,” Agama said.
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> “Equity funds are already reported at fair value. The aspect of the Fund Management that was not aligned with international best practice was in the Fixed Income Funds space and that is what this policy alignment covers.
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> “Nigeria has come of age, and we must be seen to be doing things according to global standards. IFRS 9 requires market-to-market valuation of assets, and we cannot be left behind among the committee of nations. ”
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> He added that the reform would ensure that Nigerian assets are comparable globally, allowing investors to assess market performance more accurately.
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> “Our goal is to create a market that is internationally competitive,” he stated, adding, “Adopting IFRS 9 enables ease and compatibility among assets from different nations, clearly positioning Nigeria within the global market space.”
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> Responding to criticisms that the shift to market valuation could expose investors to short-term volatility, Dr. Agama said the move is intended to strengthen, not destabilize, the market.
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> “Some have expressed concerns about volatility, but our intention is not to disadvantage Nigerian investors,” he clarified. “It is to expose them to global standards and transparency. Over time, as the market adjusts, these concerns will ease off and everyone will benefit from a more transparent and credible system.”
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> Beyond IFRS 9, the SEC is also leading Africa in adopting the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework. Dr. Agama revealed that Nigeria was among the first countries to accept and begin implementing the ISSB standards, emphasizing their importance for climate and sustainability disclosures.
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> “We pride ourselves as performers—first among nations to accept and adopt the ISSB standards. But we are not oblivious of our contextual issues. We are taking a gradual approach so that our companies are not unduly burdened.”
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> He added that the Commission’s objective is to implement standards that attract rather than restrict capital.
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> “We will not implement standards that will shut companies out of capital. Instead, we are implementing those that will help bring in capital and promote sustainable growth,” he affirmed.
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> Looking ahead, Dr. Agama expressed optimism about the Nigerian capital market’s performance in the final quarter of the year, citing the government’s macroeconomic reforms and the enactment of key laws such as the NIIRA 2025 and ISA 2025 as catalysts for stability and investor confidence.
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> He noted that “markets do not operate in a vacuum, they thrive on stability. With the micro- and macro-economic stability being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the market is positioned for significant growth. The NIIRA 2025 is a game changer that provides the framework for sustainable expansion.”
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> The SEC Boss concluded that the SEC’s ongoing reforms, particularly the IFRS 9 transition and the adoption of sustainability standards, are part of a broader agenda to globalize Nigeria’s capital market, enhance transparency, and ensure wealth redistribution through a more resilient financial system.
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> “We are on a path of progress and growth. The President’s reform agenda is already taking shape, ensuring that Nigeria’s capital market becomes a global reference point for transparency, regulation, and investor confidence.”
Sterling Holdco’s Public Offer Gains Momentum… …as New Investors Rally

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc. (‘Sterling Holdco’),
the parent company of The Alternative Bank, Sterling Bank, SterlingFI, and a
number of other novel business solutions, has witnessed a very positive response
to its public offer, as investors rally for a stake in the company’s future.
The public offer, launched on September 17, 2025, has quickly become one of the
most talked-about opportunities in the Nigerian financial market, with analysts
predicting that the offer will prove to be amongst the most lucrative in the
sector’s investment landscape.
The Sterling Public Offer has sparked widespread interest, with market experts
noting that the price, which is about 6% below its current trading price, presents
an attractive entry point for both institutional and retail investors. The offer is set
to close soon, but the rapid pace of interest has led many to speculate that
the full subscription has already been reached or even exceeded much earlier
than expected.
According to leading financial analysts, Sterling Holdco’s strategic expansion
plans, solid market position, and innovative financial products have positioned
it as a major contender in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The public offer is widely
regarded as an exciting proposition for investors looking to capitalise on a company with strong fundamentals and an ambitious growth trajectory.
With a price point set at a discount to current trading prices, the offer is seen as a compelling opportunity for both long-term and short-term investors.
Sterling Holdco has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation
and sustainable growth.
One of the most compelling indicators of the company’s underlying strength is the impressive growth of its share price. In the
past year, the Holding company’s share price has grown steadily from ₦4.00 to
nearly ₦8.00 per share.
This increase in the company’s stock price speaks volumes about the underlying value and confidence in its business model,
leadership, and growth trajectory.
Sterling Holdco, known for its strategic ownership of two banks, a wealth
management company, and a number of innovative consumer businesses, is
seeking to raise additional capital through the issuance of 12.58 billion ordinary
shares at ₦7.00 per share.
The proceeds from the public offer will be
strategically deployed to further strengthen the Holdco’s capital base and fund its growth initiatives over the next 36 months.
About Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc.
Sterling Financial Holdings Company PLC (Sterling HoldCo) is a leading Nigerian financial services group committed to enriching lives through innovation and impact with a
diversified portfolio that includes Sterling Bank Limited, The Alternative Bank Limited,
SterlingFI Wealth Management among others.
As a HoldCo, Sterling provides strategic direction, governance, and resources across its subsidiaries, enabling each to focus on its core mandate while benefiting from group-wide expertise, technology, and oversight.
With a heritage of trust built over six decades, Sterling HoldCo is committed to financial innovation, advancing inclusion, and shaping sustainable growth in Nigeria’s economy.
The group champions customer-focused solutions and socially responsible initiatives while creating value for shareholders, employees, and the communities it serves, and continues to pioneer offerings across its core businesses in banking, payments, and technologydriven financial services.
Aba Reborn: Otti says city ready to roar again as Tinubu commissions Port Harcourt Road, seven others

 

By Foster Obi

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, yesterday declared that Aba, the commercial heartbeat of the South-East, has risen from years of neglect to reclaim its place as Nigeria’s foremost industrial and entrepreneurial hub.
Speaking at a grand reception in Aba Township Stadium to mark the commissioning of Port Harcourt Road and seven other road clusters by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor said the event symbolised not just the opening of roads but the rebuilding of destiny.
“Aba, once in ruins, is now back and ready to roar again,” Otti declared to thunderous applause, describing the ceremony as a celebration of the city’s resilient spirit and its rebirth as the engine of regional commerce.
Otti praised President Tinubu for his administration’s support in restoring Aba’s commercial advantage through massive road rehabilitation and federal backing in the fight against insecurity, noting that Abia remains one of Nigeria’s safest states.
“The partnership between Abia and Abuja has brought a new season of joy and warmth to Enyimba City,” he said. “The miracle of Aba’s restoration points to the power of collaboration across political divides.”

He recalled that the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road fulfilled a major campaign promise, with Julius Berger Plc completing the project ahead of schedule. Built in the early 1980s under the administration of Dee Sam Mbakwn, the road had collapsed after decades of neglect, becoming a symbol of decay before its recent revival. Otti also highlighted the commissioning of seven additional roads — Ohanku, Ndoki, Ajiwe, Umuatako, Gabriel Nwosu, Nkoro, and Peoples Road — describing them as critical economic arteries that would expand trade, create jobs, and catalyse growth.
“These roads are more than infrastructure; they are instruments of destiny,” he said. “Over the next 12 months, the volume of trade between Aba and other business capitals will double.”
The governor disclosed that Abia had launched an export-growth lab to help Made-in-Aba products penetrate international markets and had partnered with Radisson Blu to transform the Enyimba Hotel into a five-star hospitality and convention centre. He added that Aba, once notorious for filth, had now emerged as one of Nigeria’s cleanest cities, thanks to aggressive urban renewal, waste management reforms, and a streamlined land administration system anchored on the C-of-O-in-30-Days policy.
Looking beyond state borders, Otti urged the Federal Government to invest in a Calabar–Enugu rail corridor and optimise seaports in the South-East and South-South to boost exports, cut logistics costs, and expand Nigeria’s non-oil revenue.
He also appealed for federal partnership in developing the region’s vast natural gas reserves, saying the South-East was ready to support national energy security efforts.
“Natural gas has become critical in the new global energy order,” Otti said. “It would be to our national advantage to develop these reserves in ways that protect the ecosystem.”
Governor Otti thanked President Tinubu for honouring Abia with his presence, saying the commissioning marked not just an infrastructural milestone but a symbolic moment of rebirth for the Enyimba spirit.
“Today, we celebrate the rebuilding of destiny,” he concluded. “May God bless Abia State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

President Tinubu was represented at the event by Works Minister, Dave Umahi.

Pictures: At the commissioning. Works Minister, Dave Umahi represented President Tinubu. Abia-born deputy speaker, House of Reps, Benjamin Kalu was also present.

NDIC covers 99% commercial banks’ deposits – MD

Thompson Sunday

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) currently provides full insurance cover for 98.98 percent of Deposit Money Banks’ total deposits.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Thompson Sunday, revealed this at the NDIC Special Day of the ongoing 20th Abuja International Trade Fair, with the theme, “Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation”.

He restated NDIC’s commitment to ensuring financial sector stability, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a message read on his behalf by the Director of Performance Management, Mrs. Bimpe Akande, the MD said, “Currently, the NDIC insures depositors of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Mobile Money Operators and Non-Interest Banks, up to a coverage limit of five million naira. Depositors of Payment Service Banks (PSBs), Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) are insured up to two million naira.

“This enhanced coverage ensures that approximately 98.98% of total depositors in Deposit Money Banks, 99.27% in Microfinance Banks, 99.34% in Primary Mortgage Banks, and 99.99% in Payment Service Banks are protected, reflecting NDIC’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its mandate.”

Mr. Sunday added, “We are dedicated to protecting Nigerians’ bank.  In collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we strive to maintain stability in the banking sector, enforce compliance with banking regulations, and exercise effective oversight over insured deposit-taking institutions.

“Our mission, embodied in the tagline ‘Protecting your bank deposits,’ is to promote financial inclusion and stability by reassuring Nigerians of the security of their savings.

“Significant progress has been made in protecting depositors’ funds, notably through the increase in the maximum deposit insurance coverage, which has broadened protection across various licensed banks.”

He added that the corporation had, over three decades, played a vital role in safeguarding depositors’ funds, particularly the most vulnerable, and fortifying the financial system.

The NDIC boss assured that banks’ depositors had no reason to worry about the safety of their funds, as all their claims in excess of the insured deposits.

He said, “In the event that a bank fails, depositors with account balances exceeding the insured coverage limit receive an initial payment up to the maximum insured amount.

“Their remaining balances are then paid through liquidation dividends. Liquidation dividends refer to payouts made to depositors and creditors from the proceeds generated from the sale of a failed bank’s assets and recovered debts during the liquidation process.

“These dividends are usually paid on a pro-rata basis, meaning depositors receive a proportionate share of the recovered funds relative to their outstanding balances beyond the insured limit.”

Ponzi schemes 

Mr. Sunday warned members of the public against patronising Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent investment platforms.

His words, “I would like to emphasise the importance of Nigerians to remain vigilant against Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent investment platforms.

“Always ensure your funds are placed only in Central Bank of Nigeria licensed banks, all of which are covered by deposit insurance provided by the NDIC. This vigilance is crucial to protecting your hard-earned savings.”

Earlier, the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu (SAN) commended the corporation for providing comfort to Nigerian depositors.

He pledged the chamber’s collaboration with the NDIC with a view to providing public awareness on the safe deposit of savings in the country.

“We are pleased to note the alignment between this theme and the mandate of the NDIC, which provides a safety net for depositors, contributes to financial system stability, and supports confidence in our banking sector,” the president said.

Chief Obegolu, who was represented by the Director-General of the ACCI, Sir Agabaidu Jidani, said the NDIC was more than a regulator, describing it as “a strategic partner in advocacy and economic development.”

He added, “By working together, we can build stronger linkages between financial safety, enterprise growth, and national development.

“This synergy is vital in advancing Nigeria’s competitiveness, reducing business risks, and ensuring that our financial system supports innovation, job creation, and sustainable investment.”

He urged the public to engage with the corporation, learn more about the Deposit Insurance Scheme, and take full advantage of the protection and services it provides.

Reinstated Osun APC chairmen vow to recall workers, pay monarchs

Reinstated local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State have pledged to recall over 1,500 dismissed workers and clear outstanding salary arrears owed to traditional rulers, following the release of withheld federal allocations to councils.

The federal government had withheld the allocations since February 2025 due to a leadership dispute between APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The funds were eventually released in September into accounts operated by the APC chairmen.

Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in the APC faction, Abiodun Idowu, announced the development during a press briefing in Osogbo on Friday.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the APC-led executives to restoring effective grassroots governance across the state.

Idowu maintained that the reinstated chairmen remained the legitimate administrators of the 30 local government councils and the area office, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025.

“Our mandate, freely given by the people of Osun State during the October 2022 local government elections, was temporarily interrupted but now restored by the court. We are back to serve and deliver dividends of democracy at the grassroots,” Idowu said.

He disclosed that the APC chairmen had concluded plans to re-engage the 1,500 workers disengaged by the present administration, including teachers, health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors employed under the former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration.

“Plans are ongoing to recall and re-engage the 1,500 teachers employed by the last APC government but sacked by the current administration. We will also recall the dismissed health workers, O’YES cadets, and O’Meal vendors. Beyond recalling them, we will offset part of their salaries and emoluments. This is a policy statement, not politics,” Idowu stated.

He added that arrangements had also been made to clear arrears owed to traditional rulers, noting that the chairmen considered the welfare of monarchs critical to local administration and community peace.

“The traditional rulers will also benefit from the new development as we have concluded plans to clear their outstanding allowances and entitlements,” he assured.

The ALGON chairman, however, accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly using the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and other affiliated groups to obstruct the release of the federal allocations meant for councils.

He argued that the funds could have alleviated financial pressures affecting the councils, traditional rulers, teachers, and health workers if released earlier.

“Those funds were meant to drive local development, but political interference delayed their release,” Idowu alleged.

Idowu further dismissed claims that the APC-led council executives were attempting to divert local government funds through unauthorised deductions, describing such reports as baseless fabrications aimed at discrediting their return to office.

He urged residents of the state to remain calm and supportive, promising that the restored local government leadership would focus on community development, job creation, and restoring public confidence in local governance.

Peter Obi couldn’t rescue Anambra, let alone Nigeria – SGF Akume

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume has blasted former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, Akume said Obi could not rescue Anambra state as a governor let alone talking about rescuing 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

“Like I have already said, it’s like differences without division, rivalry. We love this country and we have to borrow from the example of President Bola Tinubu.

“He’s a Muslim but at peace with all of us: Christians, Muslims and traditionalists. Nigeria is a huge country in the move, and under his direction, we know that we are going to reach the promised land.

“I know he inherited a very bad economy but we are out of it. Today, our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, has grown by 4.4%.

“What are people hanging around talking about? Coming to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria? If Peter Obi could not rescue Anambra, he’s talking of rescuing the 36 states and Abuja.

“For other people I don’t want to mention their names. They came, they saw, they didn’t conquer even in their states,” he said.

Double jeopardy: UK racism scandal, harsh visa laws hunt immigrants

UK and Nigerian flagNigerians and other immigrants in the United Kingdom are increasingly living in fear as the country, once considered a haven of opportunity, faces a surge in racism and sweeping immigration crackdowns.

Saturday PUNCH findings revealed that Nigerians, now the second-largest non-European immigrant group in Britain, are confronting a double bind: the rise of hate behaviour, including racism within British institutions, and new restrictive visa rules that may upend thousands of lives.

According to the UK Office for National Statistics, about 120,000 Nigerians were living in the UK as of June 2024, second only to Indians.

Of these, more than 52,000 migrated for work and education opportunities in 2024 alone.

Yet, with tightening laws and increasing hostility, many now fear the “British dream” is slipping away.

BBC Panorama exposé: Racism in the Met

The sense of insecurity deepened last week after a BBC Panorama investigation uncovered racist and misogynistic conduct among officers of the London Metropolitan Police.

Undercover reporter Rory Bibb, who worked for seven months in Charing Cross Police Station in Central London, secretly filmed officers sharing racist views about immigrants and Muslims, making sexualised comments, joking about rape in private chats, and even suggesting shooting migrants.

The exposé, which follows years of criticism of the Met’s culture after scandals such as the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, prompted an apology from Commissioner Mark Rowley.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also demanded a “robust response” from police leadership, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the footage as “sickening.”

He vowed zero tolerance for racism, misogyny, and abuse of power.

Khan, in a public letter, said, “It was sickening to watch police officers — those who are tasked with keeping our communities safe — display such blatant racism, misogyny, anti-Muslim hatred and excessive use of force. There must be no hiding place for officers who abuse their position of trust.”

Nigerians speak of ‘dangerous streets’

For many Nigerians, the revelations simply confirmed what they already felt on the streets.

A UK-based Nigerian legal practitioner, Dele Olawanle, expressed dismay over what he called a sharp decline in Britain’s tolerance.

He urged “true Brits” to resist the rise of racist tendencies.

“The streets are now dangerous. We are afraid to go out at night, walking with trepidation during the day, and beginning to distrust each other. Every white man is now a suspect. We don’t know who to trust. We are at war,” Olawanle wrote in a public statement.

He also warned that racism was seeping into institutions as he recalled losing six consecutive cases before one judge, only to later win them on appeal.

“If racism enters the courts, justice will no longer be based on law but on the colour of our skin,” he said.

Another Nigerian, Victor Emmanuel, said racisim was not peculiar to the Charing Cross Police Station.

He added, “This is what happens at all police stations all around the country and black & ethnic minorities in the country are not surprised by what was discovered. It’s what they experience when they encounter the police.”

Labour’s immigration clampdown

Alongside racism, new immigration policies are heightening anxiety.

At the ruling Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood announced that migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain — the gateway to permanent residency — must meet stricter conditions.

The conditions include having a job, making social security contributions, claiming no benefits, maintaining a clean record, and undertaking community volunteer work.

Currently, migrants who have lived in the UK legally for five or 10 years, depending on visa type, qualify for indefinite leave.

But Labour is tightening rules as it seeks to counter the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Party, which has surged ahead in national opinion polls on a strongly anti-immigrant platform.

Reform has proposed abolishing permanent residency altogether, forcing migrants to reapply for visas every five years.

Mahmood told party delegates that the changes were designed to reassure voters that the government could “control borders” without conceding ground to the far right.

Critics, however, argue that the rules target hard-working migrants while fuelling division.

The policy shift follows earlier changes introduced in July 2025 that raised the salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas to £41,700 for most roles, and £25,600 for health and care positions.

The government also increased the minimum skill level for foreign workers to degree-level jobs, cutting out lower-skilled but essential roles such as entry-level IT, admin, technical support, and care supervisors.

These positions were previously eligible under the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) route but now face stricter restrictions unless listed as “shortage occupations.”

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the changes have left many Nigerians stranded, with some losing jobs or sponsorships overnight.

Others are resorting to the “self-sponsorship” route, which requires salaries well above the £41,700 threshold — an unrealistic option for most.

Several Nigerians shared harrowing experiences of navigating the new reality.

Margaret, who has lived and worked in the UK for four years, said she was told her Certificate of Sponsorship was invalid despite having the proper documents.

“Even if they are targeting us immigrants, they should do so appropriately and not use every means to send us away. It is painful that there is no one to fight for us in this situation,” she said, adding that she had taken her case to court.

Another migrant, Avoseh Pesu, said the new thresholds had turned life into a “war of stay.”

“Companies do not even want to recruit foreigners again because of the £41,700 salary plan. People are considering returning home, while some have been forced to go home. I am so tired. If it persists this way, I could return home,” he said.

Wusi Fola, another Nigerian, said the proposed residency requirements would worsen the situation.

He said, “The new rules are too much for us immigrants. I know many Nigerians will panic. But I will advise that people wait to see how things unfold.”

Experts warn that the clampdown could trigger a reverse migration of Nigerians from Britain.

A Nigerian-UK dual citizen, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the crackdown as politically motivated.

“It is not easy again in this country. No one is safe in the books of the government at this point,” he said.

A travel consultant and education services executive, Sulaimon Okewole, told Saturday PUNCH that thousands of Nigerians might be forced to leave.

He said, “The significant increase in salary thresholds is a setback for many Nigerians. There’s no doubt thousands could be affected, many of whom may be forced to return home or seek opportunities elsewhere.”

Figures from the UK Home Office show the scale of Nigerian migration: 10,245 Skilled Worker visas were issued to Nigerians in 2021, dropping slightly to 8,491 in 2022, before rising to 26,715 in 2023.

But early 2024 data shows a sharp decline, particularly in the Health and Care Worker category, reflecting the impact of tougher rules.

Tinted glass permit: Police seize 210 vehicles in six states

police VANThe Nigeria Police Force has impounded no fewer than 210 vehicles nationwide during the enforcement of the ban on unauthorised use of tinted glass, despite a Federal High Court order temporarily suspending the enforcement.

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the police and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to suspend the enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation for vehicle owners across the country.

The court asked the police and the IGP to maintain the status quo and “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.”

The court issued the interim order as the hearing opened in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, instituted by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins against the Inspector-General of Police and the police.

Aikpokpo-Martins approached the court to challenge the legality of the new tinted permit enforcement.

In the interim order, the Court directed the police authorities to “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.”

Senior Advocate Kunle Edun, SAN, who led the legal team for the petitioner, confirmed the development to journalists and noted that “the directive is a major step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.”

In April, the police announced it had resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, after suspending the scheme in 2022.

The move reignited public criticism, with motorists raising concerns about harassment, extortion at checkpoints, and the fairness of demanding permits for factory-fitted tinted windows.

Egbetokun initially set an August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain the permits, but later extended it to October 2.

The Police defended the policy as lawful, citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and national security concerns.

However, in the course of enforcing the tinted glass permit regulation across some states, the police impounded 210 vehicles for alleged violations.

In Borno State, the police impounded no fewer than 30 vehicles.

The command spokesperson, Nahum Daso, confirmed the development to Saturday PUNCH, noting that the command was awaiting further directives from the force headquarters on suspending the enforcement of the tinted glass regulation.

Daso said, “We are yet to get further directives from the headquarters regarding the court ruling. However, so far, we have impounded around 30 vehicles or so”.

The Akwa Ibom police command impounded 88 cars without tinted glass permit.

The command Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, who disclosed this while speaking with one of our correspondents in Uyo, said the vehicles had been taken to the command, pending the presentation of permits by their owners before release.

She said that the command inspected a total of 283 vehicles, with 195 having been released and 88 vehicles undergoing investigation.

‘’The command has inspected 283 vehicles so far, 195 out of the number have been released while 88 vehicles are undergoing investigation,’’ the PPRO said.

In Gombe, the police impounded 20 vehicles.

A police officer who spoke under anonymity disclosed this to our correspondent on Friday.

He added, “Some officers on stop and search have impounded no fewer than 20 vehicles. Since the operation started.”

He noted that, following the court’s pronouncement, the command would await further directives from the police authorities before taking additional steps on the matter.

The police in Jigawa State impounded 20 private and commercial vehicles on the first day of the enforcement.

The command spokesman, Shi’isu Adam confirmed this to our correspondent on Friday.

He advised vehicle owners in the state to comply with the permit regulations to avoid penalties.

Asked about the Court’s order to halt enforcement, the PPRO said he was unaware of the ruling.

In Kano, when contacted to provide updates on the number of vehicles impounded and whether the enforcement would be suspended in line with the court ruling, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the matter was not for the state command to decide.