Electricity workers strike warning, solid minerals probe — business stories to track this week
Electricity workers strike warning, solid minerals probe — business stories to track this week
Here are the seven top business stories you need to track this week — November 24 to November 28.
ELECTRICITY WORKERS THREATEN STRIKE
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to withdraw services if the alleged attack on the staff of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Imo state is not promptly addressed by relevant stakeholders.
In a statement on November 16 by Dominic Igwebike, NUEE’s acting general secretary, the union said the action became necessary after workers on duty at the Egbu 132/33kV transmission substation were allegedly beaten, held at gunpoint, and some were abducted.
FG SEEKS DATA FROM NIGERIAN AI STARTUPS
Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has called on Nigerian artificial intelligence (AI) startups to share data that will help deepen understanding of the landscape and strengthen support for innovation.
In a post on X on November 18, Tijani described Nigeria’s AI ecosystem as “young but full of promise,” noting that each emerging startup carries the potential to reshape how people live, work and solve uniquely Nigerian problems.
NCAA FINES QATAR AIRWAYS N5M FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION INFRACTIONS
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined Qatar Airways N5 million for consumer protection-related infractions.
On November 19, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumers protection, said the penalty brings the number of airlines sanctioned in 2025 to seven.
In September, the NCAA accused Qatar Airways of violating consumer protection regulations and treating Nigerian passengers with contempt.
REPS PANEL SUMMONS DELE ALAKE OVER ILLEGAL SOLID MINERALS EXPLOITATION
The house of representatives committee on mineral exploitation, security and anti-money laundering has summoned Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, to appear before its probe panel.
The green chamber also summoned Obadiah Nkom, the director-general of the Nigeria mining cadastre office.
Sanni Abdulraheem, chairman of the committee, issued the directive on November 20 at the resumed interactive session with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Abuja.
The lawmaker said the panel is mandated to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the scale, actors and patterns of illegal mineral exploitation nationwide.
He said the probe would also identify the causes, consequences, and extent of associated revenue losses.
NIGERIA UNVEILS CARBON MARKET ASSOCIATION
The federal government has launched the carbon market association of Nigeria (CMAN) to accelerate efforts to build a transparent and credible carbon trading system.
Speaking on November 17, Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, said the association will coordinate actors across the carbon market value chain and support implementation of the Nigeria carbon market framework.
President Bola Tinubu, on November 21, announced Nigeria’s plan to establish 1,000 active businesses in every ward across the country as part of a broader strategy to stimulate the local economy.
Speaking at the G20 summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tinubu emphasised the need for reform in the current multilateral financial framework, which he described as inadequate in reflecting today’s global realities.
TINUBU ASKS SENATE TO STEP DOWN BILL ESTABLISHING COCOA BOARD
Tinubu has asked the senate to suspend legislative work on the Cocoa Management Board Establishment Bill 2025.
The president made the request in a letter dated November 12 and read by Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, during plenary on November 18.
Tinubu said the bill should be stepped down to allow for more consultations.
