IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The World Bank has flagged Nigeria’s N54.99tn 2025 budget as overly ambitious, warning of likely shortfalls and a possible return to CBN’s Ways and Means financing. It questioned oil output and revenue assumptions, urging deeper reforms, removal of electricity subsidies, and fiscal discipline.

Budget Minister Abubakar Bagudu disagreed, calling the projections modest and aligned with Nigeria’s capacity. He argued that budgets should reflect national potential, not present limitations.

Despite the warnings, officials highlighted revenue growth, rising investor interest, and reforms aimed at hitting Nigeria’s $1tn economy target by 2030. 

 In a landmark move set to boost air travel within the Niger Delta and beyond, Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest-serving domestic airline has announced its much-anticipated return to Warri, with the launch of direct daily flights from Lagos and Abuja to the Osubi Airport beginning Friday, May 16, 2025.

The return of Overland Airways marks a homecoming for the airline, which had previously established strong operational ties with Warri. Now, with over 60 scheduled weekly flight frequencies, the carrier is poised to reinforce critical connectivity between Nigeria’s economic and administrative capitals—Lagos and Abuja—and the oil-rich city of Warri.

This strategic resumption not only addresses the increasing passenger demand along the Lagos-Warri-Abuja corridor but also signals a renewed commitment to regional development and accessible air travel.

Speaking on the development, Osubi Airport Manager, Mr. Winston Egwuatu, expressed delight at Overland’s return, describing it as a significant and timely comeback that aligns with the airport’s mission of delivering safe, reliable, and customer-centric air services.

“This is not just a route resumption—it’s a homecoming for Overland Airways. Their return strengthens our operational portfolio and gives travelers, especially those in the oil and business sectors, more flexibility and convenience,” he said.

Osubi Airport, a vital aviation hub in Delta State, has recently undergone key operational upgrades to improve passenger experience and flight efficiency. The reintegration of Overland Airways into its schedule is widely seen as a testament to growing confidence in the region’s aviation infrastructure.

With renewed connectivity now in place, travelers from Lagos and Abuja can look forward to smoother, faster access to Warri for business, family engagements, and tourism. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged the receipt of a letter officially introducing the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates of PDP for the forthcoming Anambra state Governorship election as signed by both the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun and Senator Samuel Anyanwu respectively.

This is at the heels of fake news and misleading reports on the social media claiming that the Deputy National Secretary had taken over the functions of the National Secretary on acting capacity.

This move puts ongoing internal party wranglings into clearer perspective that Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu signed the official submission of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the 2025 Anambra election contrary to speculations. This confirms his position as the party’s National Secretary.

The letter, dated May 7, 2025, and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was co-signed by Senator Anyanwu and the PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. It formally submitted Ezenwafor Jude C as the party’s candidate and Hon Okeke Francis Chukwudi as his running mate for the November 8 governorship poll.

Despite recent reports that some PDP governors had named a new acting secretary, this submission, endorsed by both the chairman and Senator Anyanwu, signals that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) still recognises Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary.

Observers say this action may be the party’s calculated attempt to avoid internal legal disputes or disqualification issues ahead of the critical Anambra election. 

NDLEA Ends 25-Year Wait, Launches Forensic Labs in Abuja, Enugu — Upgrades Lagos Facility

 — US-INL Donates Advanced Equipment to Boost Drug War

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has inaugurated two new forensic laboratories in Abuja and Enugu, breaking a 25-year stretch of operating solely from Lagos. The Lagos lab has also been upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility, enhancing NDLEA’s capacity in drug detection and analysis.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the development as a “major milestone” in the agency’s anti-narcotics efforts. The project, supported by the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by UNODC, also included training and certification of 20 forensic analysts.

In Lagos, the US-INL donated advanced spectroscopy equipment to strengthen substance detection capabilities, with INL Director Candace Spradley affirming continued support for NDLEA’s mission. 

The UK has reduced its Graduate Route visa from two years to 18 months, affecting many Nigerian students, as part of a crackdown on immigration “abuse” and “mission drift.”

The Home Office said the route had become a loophole for unsponsored work. Stricter rules on dependants and work visas will apply, with sanctions for non-compliant universities. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the commitment, compassion and courage of nurses across Africa and the world. The World Health body noted that nurses who represents nearly 70% of the health workforce are the foundation of the health systems – essential every day, and indispensable in times of crisis.

WHO’s Acting Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this in his message ahead of the 2025 International Nurses Day. International Nursing Day is celebrated around the world every May 12th, the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, considered the pioneer of modern nursing. "Today, on International Nurses Day, we honour the commitment, compassion and courage of nurses across Africa and the world. Representing nearly 70% of the health workforce, nurses are the foundation of our health systems – essential every day, and indispensable in times of crisis.

"This year’s theme, Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies, reminds us that supporting nurses is key to building resilient, equitable and thriving health systems. "The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2025 offers a clear and urgent call to action. While the global nursing workforce has grown to 29.8 million, up from about 28 million in 2018, this progress conceals dangerous inequities. Nearly 80% of nurses serve only 49% of the world’s population. 

"In the African Region, recent investments in nursing education and training are yielding results. The number of nurses has nearly doubled, from 900 000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, increasing the nurse-to-population ratio from 8.7 to 14.1 per 1000 000 people. Yet this remains one of the lowest ratios globally, and more than tenfold lower than in high-income countries. "Nurses account for 66% of the region’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030. This shortage limits access to essential services, from maternal and child health to chronic disease care, and slows progress towards universal health coverage.

"At the same time, while 43% of our nursing workforce is under the age of 35, many lack access to mentorship or clear career pathways. High-income countries continue to recruit nurses from lower-income settings, with foreign-born nurses comprising nearly a quarter of their nursing workforce. "In our region, 42% of nurses also report an intention to emigrate, an alarming trend that risks draining critical talent and undermining our most fragile systems.

"Constrained budgets add a further layer of complexity. On average, African countries face a 43% shortfall in health workforce financing. As a result, nearly one in three health workers, mostly nurses and midwives, is unemployed or underemployed. "In May 2024, African leaders endorsed the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, setting the stage for long-term progress. Several countries are now generating data, building consensus through national dialogues, and developing Investment Compacts that align with their specific needs.

"Zimbabwe’s new Investment Compact, for example, is expected to mobilize an additional US$166 million annually over the next three years to strengthen its health workforce.

"Still, more is needed.

The 2025 report outlines a clear path forward:

• Expand nursing education, including digital and clinical training.

• Strengthen regulation and introduce advanced practice roles.

• Improve working conditions, including mental health support and fair pay.

• Close the gender pay gap: still at 7%, despite women comprising 85% of nurses.

• Invest in nursing leadership, including empowered Government Chief Nursing Officers.

"Nurses are more than caregivers. They are educators, innovators and frontline responders, often working in the most remote, under-resourced or crisis-affected areas.

As we mark this day, let us move beyond words to action.

Let us commit to building a future in which nurses are trained, protected, respected and empowered to lead".