The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for serving as a haven for certificate forgers, alleging that the party continues to protect individuals with questionable academic records.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to merely accept the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, instead of ordering a thorough investigation, reflected tolerance for misconduct.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday after a Premium Times investigation alleged that he submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The report indicated that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC disowned the certificates.
“The APC has normalised deceit, turning it into a defining trait while providing refuge for individuals with dubious integrity and forged credentials,” the ADC declared.
“We are equally appalled that the minister was allowed to quietly resign after publicly admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions. This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that dishonesty carries no consequence in public life,” the statement continued.
The party called on law enforcement agencies to carry out an independent probe, emphasizing that resignation does not absolve one of criminal responsibility. “Forgery is a crime,” it said. “If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted. Anything less will amount to a cover-up.”
The ADC further questioned President Tinubu’s commitment to fighting corruption, warning that his failure to act decisively in such a clear case undermines public trust in his administration’s integrity drive.
However, in a separate statement on Wednesday, Nnaji insisted that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
In a press release personally signed on Tuesday and made available to journalists on Wednesday, Nnaji said he resigned due to a “sustained campaign of falsehood” against him and his office.
“After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have tendered my resignation as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Nnaji described the allegations as “politically motivated and malicious,” explaining that he stepped aside to allow due process to prevail.
“My decision to step aside is not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he stated.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his support for the administration’s goals.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear,” he said. “I remain committed to supporting his administration and its transformative agenda.”
Meanwhile, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) criticised the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate for what it called “gross dereliction of duty” in approving and confirming Nnaji’s appointment despite glaring warning signs.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA described the development as a “shameful institutional failure” that exposed the decay within Nigeria’s governance and vetting systems.
“It is disheartening that President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the DSS all ignored clear red flags and public outcry over Mr. Nnaji’s forged credentials,” Suraju said. “This incident not only erodes public trust but reinforces the perception that corruption and impunity remain the operating principles within Nigeria’s political leadership.”
The group recalled that it had written to both the President and the Senate as far back as June 2024, calling for an investigation into the forgery allegations and Nnaji’s suspension pending inquiry, but its petitions were ignored.
HEDA also accused the DSS of negligence, alleging that the agency failed to verify Nnaji’s documents or intentionally withheld evidence during the security screening process. “From Kemi Adeosun to Stella Oduah, and now Geoffrey Nnaji, this pattern of negligence has become too consistent to ignore,” it said.
While describing Nnaji’s resignation as “necessary but belated,” the organisation maintained that accountability must extend beyond resignation. “Resignation does not erase the crime of forgery. Those who enabled this fraud within the Presidency, DSS, and Senate must also be held accountable,” Suraju said.
HEDA urged President Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a full investigation and commended Premium Times for its investigative work in uncovering the scandal.
ADC Slams APC Over Forgery Scandal,Demand Nnaji’s Trail
Police Arrest 12 Suspects Connected With ARISE News Anchor Somtochukwu Death
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the killing of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery in Abuja.
According to ARISE News, the arrests followed a coordinated operation led by the Scorpion Squad under the FCT Command, based on intelligence from forensic experts at Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC. The Commissioner of Police had ordered a manhunt after the September 29, 2025, attack at Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, which occurred around 3:30 a.m.
The statement noted that “shortly after the robbery incident that took place 29/09/2025 at about 0330hrs at Unique Apartment, Katampe District, Mabushi, which tragically led to the deaths of Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and Barnabas Danlami, four (4) of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stolen from the apartment during the robbery.”
The suspects arrested include Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), Mashkur Jamilu, Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan-Sule), Abdul Salam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad, Musa Adamu, Sumayya Mohammed, Isah Abdulrahman, and Musa Umar.
During interrogation, Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard while attempting to gain entry, while Sirajo claimed he tried to stop Maduagwu from falling from the building during the attack. Recovered items include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights.
Police said the remaining gang members were intercepted on Wednesday while heading to Maitama for another planned robbery. The suspects have confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing.
Maduagwu, fondly known as Sommie, was an anchor and producer with ARISE News. She died during the robbery at her Gishiri residence in Katampe District, contrary to earlier reports that she was shot. Police confirmed she fell from the third floor of her building while trying to escape the attackers.
Key US And Regional Mediators Join Talks In Push To End Gaza War
Efforts to end the two-year Gaza war gained fresh momentum on Wednesday as top United States envoys and regional mediators gathered in Egypt for a new round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas under President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Trump’s senior advisers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, arrived in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani and Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin. The talks, now in their third day, are being viewed as a critical step toward achieving a long-term ceasefire.
A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the group had shown “necessary positivity” in the negotiations and had submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in exchange for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli officials, meanwhile, told local media they were “cautiously optimistic” about the discussions.
President Trump also struck an upbeat tone, saying, “There’s a real chance that we could do something.”
Focus On Ceasefire And Withdrawal
Negotiations so far have centered on mechanisms for ending hostilities, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Mediators hope the presence of high-level negotiators from Washington, Doha, Ankara, and Cairo will push both sides toward an agreement.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described the US delegation’s arrival as “very encouraging,” noting that they came with “a strong message and mandate from President Trump to end the war in this round of talks.”
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is leading the Israeli delegation, while representatives of Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) are participating alongside Hamas. Their involvement is seen as an effort by Hamas to align all Palestinian factions behind any deal.
Hostage-Prisoner Exchange Proposal
According to a senior Hamas official, the group’s proposed list of prisoners includes prominent figures such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat. Barghouti, often regarded as a potential successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, is serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating attacks during the Second Intifada. Saadat, the PFLP leader, is serving 30 years for leading an outlawed group and involvement in the 2001 assassination of an Israeli minister.
While Hamas insists it has approached the talks responsibly, sources close to the negotiations say significant differences persist. Chief among them are disagreements over the scope and timing of Israeli troop withdrawals, and how hostage releases should align with the ceasefire phases.
Trump’s 20-Point Peace Framework
A Palestinian official familiar with the talksp said disputes had emerged over several of the 20 points in Trump’s plan. Hamas reportedly wants Israel to withdraw from major Gazan cities first, while Israel prefers to follow a map provided by the White House that leaves about 55% of Gaza under Israeli control in the initial phase.
The Trump proposal calls for all hostages to be freed within 72 hours and for further Israeli withdrawals to be tied to the disarmament of Hamas.
Regional Involvement And Reactions
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revealed that Trump had asked him to help persuade Hamas to accept the peace plan. Speaking to members of his ruling AK Party, Erdoğan stressed that pressure must also be applied to Israel, calling its military actions in Gaza “the greatest obstacle to peace.”
On the ground, reports suggest Israel has scaled back its bombardment of Gaza City in recent days following Trump’s appeal last week to “stop the bombing.”
Humanitarian Toll
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed more than 67,000 people since the war began on 7 October 2023, including over 20,000 children. The United Nations considers the ministry’s figures generally reliable, though Israel disputes them. The ministry also reports that at least 460 people have died from malnutrition, with conditions worsening since the UN declared a famine in Gaza City in August.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a statement marking the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack that triggered the conflict, reaffirmed Israel’s war objectives: “We will continue to act to achieve all our goals, the return of all hostages, the destruction of Hamas’s regime, and ensuring Gaza can no longer threaten Israel.”
Despite deep divisions, mediators expressed hope that this week’s talks could yield the first real breakthrough toward ending one of the region’s most devastating conflicts in decades.
Nigeria@65: Education Sector-Between Promises And Reality
Sixty-five years after independence, Nigeria’s education sector still struggles to live up to its promise as the foundation of national development. Despite numerous reforms and policies, classrooms remain underfunded, teachers underpaid, and students caught in a recurring cycle of strikes and poor learning conditions.
The gulf between government promises and actual delivery continues to widen, reflecting deep-rooted fiscal disparities, decaying infrastructure, and a lack of consistent leadership.
Education stakeholders believe that the nation’s education crisis is not merely a matter of resources, but of willpower and accountability. While leaders continue to make lofty pledges, the real task lies in restoring teacher morale, modernizing learning systems, and ensuring policies translate into tangible progress.
The future of Nigeria’s education depends on fulfilling old commitments, not creating new ones, bridging the long-standing gap between rhetoric and reality.
U.S. Flight Delays Surge Amid Ongoing Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Flight travel disruptions continued for a second consecutive day across the United States as air traffic control staffing shortages worsened during the ongoing government shutdown, now in its seventh day, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Tuesday.
More than 3,000 flights have been delayed nationwide, according to flight-tracking data, with major hubs including Houston, Nashville, Dallas, Chicago O’Hare, and Newark among the hardest hit.
At Chicago O’Hare, the FAA has reduced the number of arriving flights per hour due to staffing constraints, resulting in average delays of about 41 minutes. Newark airport also reported delays of up to 30 minutes for arriving flights, while Atlanta’s Air Route Traffic Control Center and Nashville’s control tower are struggling with critical manpower shortages. The FAA added that Nashville operations would be scaled down later in the day, with approach control duties temporarily transferred to Memphis Center.
Officials warned that Washington Reagan National Airport could experience new slowdowns as staffing levels remain low.
As frustrations mount, political leaders have exchanged blame over the disruption. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of being responsible for the situation, while California Governor Gavin Newsom argued that President Donald Trump’s administration should be held accountable.
The aviation sector is also contending with severe weather conditions that have compounded the delays.
Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are still required to report to work during the shutdown but have not been paid. They are expected to receive partial compensation on October 14 for work completed before the shutdown began.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy disclosed that absenteeism among controllers has slightly increased, with staffing levels cut by as much as 50% in some areas since the shutdown’s onset.
“If we don’t have controllers, we’re going to make sure the airspace is safe. So what we do is we’ll slow traffic,” Duffy said on Fox News’ Fox and Friends.
Data from FlightAware showed that over 3,000 U.S. flights had been delayed as of Tuesday, including 225 in Nashville—representing 20% of its scheduled departures—and more than 570 at Chicago O’Hare, exceeding 20% of its operations. Southwest Airlines reportedly delayed over 500 flights, while American Airlines experienced around 400 delays.
The U.S. has grappled with chronic air traffic control shortages for more than a decade, and even before the current shutdown, many controllers were working six-day weeks and mandatory overtime. The FAA remains short by roughly 3,500 controllers compared to its staffing targets.
During the last major shutdown in 2019, unpaid controllers and TSA staff began calling in sick as missed paychecks piled up, forcing flight slowdowns and long security lines at major airports. The growing disruption then helped push Congress to end the standoff, an outcome aviation observers warn could repeat if the current shutdown drags on.
Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu, Nigeria’s First Female Acting INEC Chairman
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has entered a new chapter as May Agbamuche-Mbu becomes the first female Acting Chairman in the history of the electoral body. Her appointment follows the temporary handover of duties by Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The transition took place during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, where Professor Yakubu urged the commission’s leadership and staff to extend their full cooperation to Agbamuche-Mbu as she assumes responsibility pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
INEC, which has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic process since its establishment in 1998, has now recorded a milestone moment with this appointment, one that reflects both continuity and progress in gender representation within public institutions.
Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu?
May Agbamuche-Mbu is a distinguished legal practitioner and public administrator with over three decades of professional experience spanning law, dispute resolution, and governance. Prior to her new role, she served as the longest-serving National Commissioner in INEC, where she contributed significantly to the commission’s legal, administrative, and policy frameworks.
Born in Kano State to parents from Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu’s upbringing reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity, a trait often noted in her balanced approach to leadership and decision-making.
Academically, she holds an LLB degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), obtained in 1984, and later qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Her academic pursuits include an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law, alongside postgraduate qualifications in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.
Beyond her academic and professional background, Agbamuche-Mbu has been widely recognized for her integrity, dedication, and commitment to institutional reforms within INEC. Her work has focused on improving electoral transparency, legal compliance, and voter confidence, areas that remain central to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
As she takes on the leadership mantle, Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment is seen as both a historic and symbolic step for women in public service, highlighting the growing representation of women in key governance positions across the country.
Her leadership period, though in an acting capacity, is expected to sustain INEC’s operational stability and uphold the commission’s credibility as preparations for future electoral exercises continue.
2027 Elections: Who Will Control the Future of Nigeria?
As Nigeria edges toward the 2027 general elections, the contest for the presidency has become more than a political showdown; it is a struggle over policies, lived realities, and the direction of the nation’s future.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is determined to defend its record, while an energized opposition coalition is rallying around promises of relief and reform.
For millions of Nigerians, this election is less about personalities and more about who can best address the economic hardship and security challenges defining daily life.
Tinubu’s Reform
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has pinned its legacy on sweeping economic reforms. The removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates were hailed as bold steps toward stability, increasing revenue flows to states and local governments.
Yet, the immediate fallout has been harsh: inflation has soared, food prices have climbed, and ordinary citizens are grappling with a shrinking purchasing power.
Measures like cash transfers and tax relief have been dismissed by critics as poorly executed, offering little protection to struggling households.
The APC insists the pain is temporary and that the foundation for long-term growth is being laid, but voters will ultimately judge whether the sacrifices are worth it.
The Opposition’s Unified Alliance
Sensing opportunity, opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have forged an alliance designed to avoid the vote-splitting that weakened them in 2023.
Their message is clear: Tinubu’s policies may have boosted government coffers, but they have failed the people. The coalition is promising a shift toward citizen-focused policies — job creation, stronger social welfare systems, and immediate interventions to ease the cost of living.
Their challenge is convincing Nigerians that their unity is rooted in genuine reform, not just political convenience.
Next steps
While economic policies dominate the discourse, the issue of security remains a critical concern for voters across the nation.
Nigeria continues to face a multifaceted security crisis, from the enduring Boko Haram insurgency and ISWAP activities in the North-East to persistent banditry, kidnappings for ransom in the North-West, and separatist agitations in the South-East.
The effectiveness of the current administration’s approach, which has included military operations and the acquisition of new defense hardware, is a central point of contention.
The opposition argues that a purely kinetic response is not enough. They propose a multi-pronged strategy that includes strengthening community policing, addressing the root causes of unrest like poverty and unemployment, and engaging in more comprehensive dialogue with stakeholders.
The public’s perception of who can best restore peace and stability will be a defining factor in determining the outcome of the election.
NNPCL Raises Petrol Price To ₦905 Amid Fuel Shortages
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has adjusted the pump price of petrol in Abuja from ₦890 to ₦905 per litre, following recent disruptions in supply caused by a short-lived strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The price change, which took effect on October 7, coincided with fuel shortages at several filling stations, prompting the return of long queues across the Federal Capital Territory.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, described the increase as a temporary situation triggered by a two-to-three-day delay in product loading during the labour action.
“The disruption created a brief imbalance in supply, but normal operations have resumed. We expect prices to stabilize and revert soon as distribution normalizes,” Ojulari said during a briefing on October 8.
A survey of major NNPCL outlets in areas including Wuse, Lugbe, and Gwagwalada confirmed the new price, with attendants dispensing petrol at ₦905 per litre under tight supervision to manage anxious motorists. Meanwhile, some independent marketers raised their prices to as high as ₦945 per litre, citing limited supply.
This development marks yet another adjustment in 2025, continuing a pattern of incremental price shifts since Nigeria’s downstream deregulation began in 2023.
The recent PENGASSAN strike, which demanded better welfare and safety standards, temporarily halted operations at key depots and refineries, including the Dangote Refinery.
The shutdown worsened existing supply constraints, particularly in the north-central region. Though the strike has ended, NNPCL acknowledged residual shortages but assured that emergency import volumes are being mobilized to restore adequate stock levels.
The situation unfolds amid fluctuating international oil prices, with Brent crude trading around $79 per barrel on October 8. Earlier in the year, NNPCL and the Dangote Refinery had engaged in brief price competition before market forces aligned their rates.
The current episode underscores the ongoing struggle to achieve supply independence despite increased domestic refining capacity.
Public transport operators in Abuja have already begun adjusting fares upward by 10–15 percent to cushion the impact of higher fuel costs. NNPCL has appealed to motorists to avoid panic buying, emphasizing that fuel availability will improve within days.
Officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) are monitoring compliance across stations to ensure fair distribution and pricing.
As of midday on October 8, queues persisted at select fuel outlets, though NNPCL projected full normalization by the weekend. The episode once again highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s fuel supply system, burdened by labour unrest, import reliance, and delayed domestic integration reinforces the need to strengthen local refining capacity to prevent future disruptions.
Trump Urges Jail For Chicago Democratic Leaders As Troops Prepare Deployment
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the imprisonment of Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, both Democrats, as his administration finalized plans to send military troops into Chicago, America’s third-largest city.
Neither official has been accused of any crime, but both have been outspoken critics of Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement and his decision to deploy National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities.
The president’s call comes just as another of his long-standing political rivals, former FBI Director James Comey, was set to appear in court on criminal charges that many legal analysts have described as weak. While Trump has repeatedly called for the jailing of opponents since 2015, Comey is the first to face prosecution.
On his social media platform, Trump wrote, “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” accusing both leaders of obstructing federal immigration efforts.
Earlier in the week, Mayor Johnson signed an executive order establishing an “ICE Free Zone,” which restricts federal immigration officers from operating on city property. Requests for comment from Johnson and Pritzker were not immediately answered.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Texas National Guard members have gathered at a military base near Chicago in preparation for deployment, despite objections from state and local officials. Trump has hinted at plans to send troops to additional cities, saying last week that the deployments could serve as “training grounds” for the armed forces.
The president has already ordered troop deployments to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, following earlier operations in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In each instance, he has defied strong pushback from Democratic governors and mayors, who argue that claims of widespread crime and chaos are overstated.
“My goal is very simple. STOP CRIME IN AMERICA!” Trump posted on his platform.
Data from law enforcement agencies show that violent crime has been declining in most U.S. cities since its spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. National Guard troops have so far been primarily used to secure federal facilities rather than engage in street-level law enforcement.
Officials in Chicago and Portland reported that protests against Trump’s immigration policies have remained mostly peaceful and small in scale, contrary to depictions from federal officials.
“What we have going on right now is literally domestic terrorism in Chicago,” said Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, during an appearance on Fox News.
Governor Pritzker has accused Trump of intentionally provoking unrest to justify greater militarization. The Illinois state government has filed a lawsuit to block the deployment, though a federal judge on Monday allowed it to move forward for now. A separate court has halted the planned deployment to Portland.
Trump has also threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used law that allows a president to bypass state and court restrictions on military deployment, a measure last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.
Rising Gas Prices: Cheaper And Safer Cooking Alternatives For Nigerians
The recent hike in cooking gas prices across major Nigerian cities is putting many households under pressure. In Lagos, a 12.5-kg cylinder now costs between ₦21,600 and ₦26,000, while a kilogram sells for as much as ₦2,500 to ₦3,000.
Gas supply has been unstable due to industrial action by PENGASSAN and several supply chain issues, leaving many Nigerians struggling to cope and forcing them to make difficult choices about how to cook.
This challenge, however, is inspiring creativity. Families in both cities and rural areas are turning back to older, more affordable cooking methods that have been updated to suit modern needs.
With the cost of gas rising fast, many people can no longer afford to refill their cylinders. Heavy reliance on gas also leaves households vulnerable to unpredictable price changes. Going forward, energy and household policies must acknowledge that not everyone has steady access to gas or electricity and that cooking is a basic necessity, not a luxury.
Cheaper Cooking Alternatives For Nigerians
Charcoal Stove (Coal Pot)
The traditional charcoal stove remains one of the most affordable cooking options. Modern versions, such as the Save80and Envirofit stoves, are designed to use less charcoal and emit less smoke, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Electric Hot Plates And Induction Cookers
With electricity supply improving in some areas, many urban dwellers are turning to electric hot plates and induction cookers.
When connected to solar panels or power inverters, they can reduce long-term costs and provide a stable cooking option during gas shortages.
Firewood Stoves
For families in rural and semi-urban areas, firewood remains a practical choice. Modern eco-stoves are replacing traditional setups, using less wood, producing less smoke, and cooking faster which helps protect both health and the environment.
Kerosene Stove (Blue Flame & Wick Models)
Although kerosene prices fluctuate, it still serves as a backup option for many households. Compact and easy to maintain, stoves like the Abacha Blue Flame are reliable for those who cook occasionally or need an alternative during fuel scarcity.
Energy-Saving Electric Pots And Multi-Cookers
Small but powerful, these electric pots and multi-cookers consume little power while preparing meals quickly. They are ideal for students, singles, and busy professionals who need fast, efficient cooking solutions on a budget.
Solar Cookers
Solar cookers are gaining popularity in Nigeria’s sunnier regions. By harnessing sunlight through reflective panels, they eliminate the need for fuel entirely, an eco-friendly option perfect for slow-cooked meals or outdoor use.
As gas prices continue to rise, these options remind us that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise. Whether powered by sunlight, electricity, or charcoal, what matters is keeping the kitchen running and meals on the table.
Downsides/ Safer Alternatives For Nigerians
While cheaper cooking alternatives offer relief from rising gas prices, they come with certain drawbacks. Using charcoal, kerosene, or firewood can expose families to harmful smoke and pollutants, leading to respiratory problems and environmental damage if not properly managed.
However, there are safer and more efficient ways to use these alternatives. Modern clean cookstoves with better ventilation, energy-efficient electric pots powered by inverters or solar panels, and adherence to clean cooking practices can greatly reduce health risks.
Ultimately, Nigerians deserve more than a difficult choice between costly gas and unsafe fuels.
A balanced approach, one that supports affordable, accessible, and healthy cooking solutions is key to ensuring that households can keep their kitchens running without compromising their well-being.
