The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stated that there is no evidence of widespread COVID-19 transmission in Cross River State, despite the recent detection of a single case.

The Cross River State Government had earlier announced the discovery of a new COVID-19 case in the state.

According to the State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, the index case is a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

The individual arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and subsequently developed symptoms.The NCDC’s clarification aims to calm public concerns and confirm that the case appears isolated and imported, with no indication of community spread in the state.

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The Lagos state government has unveiled a set of cybersecurity guidelines aimed at strengthening digital safety for businesses, public institutions, and residents.

In a statement on Monday, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the framework is part of the state’s efforts to position Lagos as a smart, secure, and globally competitive digital hub.

Some of the guidelines are self-assess, such as identifying your current vulnerabilities across devices, accounts and data; apply controls, which is implementation of foundational security controls (MFA, backups, and patching); train your team by building awareness through quarterly phishing simulations and sessions; and stay compliant by reporting incidents, protecting data and collaborating with state initiatives.

The full guidelines are available at
lagosstate.gov.ng/cybersecguide.

According to the statement, the guidelines are aligned with key national frameworks, including the Cybercrime Act (2024), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023), and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy
(2021).

“As Africa’s fastest growing technology ecosystem—home to thousands of enterprises—Lagos faces increasing exposure to cyber risks,” the
statement said.

“The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) estimates that Nigeria loses over $500 million (approximately ₦250 billion) annually to cybercrime, underscoring the urgency for stronger, coordinated security measures.

“The guidelines note that while Lagos is rapidly evolving into a SMART City, this progress brings heightened vulnerability to cyber threats.

“The newly issued guidelines, available at lagosstate.gov.ng/cybersecguide, outline clear, practical, and scalable
cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, medium and large enterprises, and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).”

Speaking on the development, the government reiterated its commitment to building a secure digital environment that supports innovation, attracts investment, and strengthens public trust.

The government also commended the Lagos State Cybersecurity
Advisory Council, chaired by Fene Osakwe, for its role in developing the
framework.

The Lagos state government further acknowledged Tubosun Alake, commissioner for innovation, science and technology, for driving the
initiative.

According to the government, the guidelines further strengthen Lagos state’s leadership in advancing digital trust and building a resilient, future-ready digital economy.

“The release of these guidelines underscores Lagos State’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding digital assets, enhancing publicprivate collaboration, and ensuring that every organisation—from sole proprietorships to multinational corporations—can operate confidently in a secure digital environment,” the statement added.

“As the document highlights, A cybersecure Lagos is essential for sustaining its position as one of the most dynamic and globally competitive tech hubs of the 21st century.”

The state government said it will continue to update the guidelines to address emerging threats and evolving technologies, ensuring cybersecurity remains central to its digital transformation agenda.

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The Nigerian government has imposed a ban on 17 goods imported into the country, including bagged cement, frozen poultry, sugar drinks, detergents, soaps, and others.

This was contained in a circular signed by Wale Edun, dated April 1, 2026.

The affected goods, mainly from non-ECOWAS countries, are part of 17 items listed on a revised import prohibition list.

The decision is part of Nigeria’s 2026 fiscal measures and tariff amendments affecting 127 items.

See the full list of 17 prohibited items:

1. Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry
2. Pork and beef, including tongues, livers, and shoulders of
   bovine animals
3. Bird eggs (excluding hatching eggs for breeding and
   research)
4. Refined vegetable oil (excluding linseed, castor, olive oil,
   and hydrogenated fats) and crude vegetable oil.
5. Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose in solid form
   with added flavoring or coloring.
6. Cocoa butter, powder, cakes, and cocoa fat and oil.
7. Tomatoes—whole, in pieces, as paste, or as concentrates.
8. Sugared or flavored water, mineral water, and non-alcoholic
   beverages.
9. Bagged cement.
10. Medicaments (medicines).
11. Waste pharmaceuticals.
12. NPK mineral or chemical fertilizers.
13. Soaps and detergents.
14. Corrugated paper, cartons, boxes, and cases.
15. Hollow glass bottles exceeding 150 ml capacity.
16. Flat-rolled iron or steel products, 600mm or wider, clad or
    coated—corrugated.
17. Ballpoint pens and refills

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President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, citing a memo signed by SGF George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, while Dr. Muttaqha Darma is the Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

The outgoing ministers have been directed to complete handover processes to their successors on or before April 23, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes are aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery in key sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy
in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to
Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The President also appreciated the outgoing ministers for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours.

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By Ejike Agbata 

All is set for the 16th convocation ceremony of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, with a total of 3,355 students expected to receive first degrees.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kate Omenugha, disclosed this during a press conference held at the Vice Chancellor’s conference room, outlining activities lined up for the ceremony scheduled to commence on April 22.

She revealed that the convocation will feature a Founder’s Day Lecture titled “Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future: Beyond Rhetorics,” to be delivered by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, at the ETF Auditorium.

According to her, the convocation lecture, themed “Building Innovative Minds and Bridges for Shared Prosperity,” will be delivered by the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria.

Other activities include an interdenominational service and interactive sessions with students aimed at engaging them and assessing their welfare.

Prof. Omenugha described this year’s convocation as a “diplomatic edition,” noting that the university is strengthening partnerships with institutions within and outside Nigeria to boost its global relevance and visibility.

She commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his support to the institution, particularly in infrastructure development and the renovation of the university’s substation.

The Vice Chancellor expressed optimism about the future of the institution, stating her goal to position COOU among the top 10 universities in Nigeria by 2027.

Karex Berhad, the world’s top c0nd0m producer, says it plans to raise its prices by 20 percent to 30 percent due to supply chain disruptions as a result of the Iran war.

The company, based in Malaysia, produces over five billion c0nd0ms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan.

The company also supplies to state health systems such as Britain’s NHS and global aid programmes run by the United Nations.

Goh Miah, the company’s CEO, told Reuters that since the conflict began in late February, the cost for everything from synthetic rubber and nitrile ‌used ⁠in manufacturing c0nd0ms to packaging materials and lubricants such as aluminium foils and silicone oil,
have increased.

Kiat said Karex is also seeing a surge in c0nd0m demand due to rising freight costs and shipping delays which have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual.

“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive. We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to ⁠the
customers,” he said.

The CEO said Karex’s shipments to destinations such as Europe ⁠and the United states are now almost two months to arrive, compared to a month previously.

“We’re seeing a lot more c0nd0ms actually sitting on vessels that have not ⁠arrived at their destination but are highly required,” he said.

He added that many developing countries do not have enough stock because it takes time for the products to reach them.

He said Karex has enough supplies for the next few months and is looking to boost output to meet growing demand.

The company joins a growing list of companies, including medical glove makers, facing supply chain bottlenecks as the Iran war disrupts procurement of raw materials.

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Three members of the House of Representatives have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa federal constituency, Lagos), Usman Zubairu (Birnin Gwari/Giwa federal constituency, Kaduna), and Sani Noma (Argungu/Augie federal constituency, Kebbi) left the Labour Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC,
respectively.

In Niger state, Abubakar Buba (Chanchaga federal constituency) and Ibrahim Mohammed (Bunza/Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo federal constituency, Kebbi) moved from the PDP to the APC.

Mudashiru Alani, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa federal
constituency of Osun, and Adetunji Olusoji, who represent Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe federal constituency, both defected from the PDP to the Accord.

Meanwhile, in Taraba state, David Fuoh, who represents Sarduana/Kurmi/Gashaka federal constituency, switched from the APC to the PDP.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, read the defection notices during Tuesday’s plenary.

The lawmakers attributed their defections to the internal crisis in their former parties.

Subsequently, the house adjourned plenary to Wednesday over the death of Muhammad Hassan.

Hassan, who represented Dawakin Kudu/Warawa federal constituency of Kano state, died on April 10 after a period of illness.

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The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against alleged plotters of a coup against President Bola Tinubu.

Among the suspects are a retired Major-General, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector and three others.

Recall that Nigerian security agencies concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

There were reportedly 40 suspects identified in connection with the alleged conspiracy.

Sixteen military officers were arrested for direct participation, two civilians for reconnaissance, two for being recruited to incite civil disobedience to justify the coup, and five others in connection
with funding channels.

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The All Progressive Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued on Monday night and signed by Sulaiman Argungun, APC’s national organising secretary, the ruling party pegged the cost of its nomination and expression presidential aspirants at N70 million and N30 million respectively.

For the governorship ticket, the party fixed the expression of interest form at N10 million and the nomination form at N40 million.

Senate aspirants are to pay N3 million for the expression of interest form and N17 million for the nomination form, while those seeking seats in the house of representatives will pay N1 million and N9 million, respectively.

For the state house of assembly, the expression of interest form is pegged at N1 million, while the nomination form costs N5 million.

The party said female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities would only be required to pay the full expression of interest fee and 50 percent of the nomination fee.

More to follow…

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