Government
Nigeria Moves to Expand Agricultural Exports as Tinubu Signs Repeal Bill
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Export (Prohibition) Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2025 into law, a move expected to expand Nigeria’s export capacity and stimulate growth in the agricultural sector.
The presidential assent was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary at the National Assembly, where he confirmed that the president had approved the legislation recently passed by lawmakers.
The new law repeals the Export (Prohibition) Act of 1989, which previously restricted the export of several staple commodities including maize, rice, beans, yam tubers, cassava tubers and timber. The restrictions were originally introduced to prioritise domestic consumption and protect Nigeria’s food security.
However, stakeholders over the years argued that the decades-old law had become outdated and was limiting Nigeria’s ability to compete in international agricultural markets. They also maintained that the restrictions discouraged investment in the agricultural sector and constrained the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Supporters of the repeal say removing the export barriers will allow Nigeria to maximise its agricultural production capacity and strengthen its position in global commodity markets.
The legislation was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Francis Waive, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, alongside other lawmakers who argued that the reform would help diversify Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependence.
The president also assented to a second bill domesticating the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, commonly known as the Kampala Convention, aimed at strengthening legal protections for displaced persons in Nigeria.
Analysts say the repeal of the export prohibition law could open new opportunities for agricultural exporters and support the federal government’s broader efforts to increase non-oil revenue and expand Nigeria’s participation in global trade.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his decision to sign Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026 into law, describing the move as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
The president made the remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of political parties in Nigeria, at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu said the legislation was passed with overwhelming support in the National Assembly of Nigeria, noting that refusing assent could have plunged the country into unnecessary political tension and prolonged disputes over the law.
Describing himself as a “die-hard democrat,” the president stressed that Nigeria’s democratic process must always be guided by the rule of law.
He also emphasised that alliances among political parties should remain voluntary in a democratic system, insisting that no political actor should face intimidation or persecution for choosing which political platform or alliance to support.
Tinubu added that political pluralism and freedom of association remain key pillars of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has joined fellow foreign ministers from across the Commonwealth of Nations at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held at Lancaster House.
The meeting focused on reviewing pressing global challenges and strengthening coordination among member states ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, ministers used the platform to discuss strategies for promoting peace, strengthening economic resilience, and advancing democratic governance across Commonwealth member countries.
The meeting also helped align positions and priorities in preparation for CHOGM, the Commonwealth’s highest consultative gathering.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a biennial summit that brings together leaders from the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth to deliberate on global and regional issues, agree on collective policies, and strengthen cooperation among member states on development, security, trade, and governance.
Nigeria reiterated its commitment to active multilateral engagement and continued collaboration with other Commonwealth countries to promote shared growth and stability within the bloc.
Lecturers at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, have commenced an indefinite strike over what they described as “amputated” salaries paid to members for January and February 2026.
The decision followed an emergency congress of the union held on Tuesday, where members resolved to withdraw their services until the university management pays the outstanding balance of their salaries in full.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the branch Chairperson, Idou Kehinde, and Secretary, Adesina Arikawe, the union said the industrial action takes effect from Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
ASUU said the strike became necessary after what it described as “extensive and exhaustive deliberations” on the salary deductions implemented by the university administration over the past two months.
According to the union, lecturers across the institution received incomplete salaries in January, with members on the Akoka campus allegedly not paid Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), while those at the Idi-Araba campus were reportedly denied both EAA and the Clinical Academic Training Allowance (CATA).
The union further accused the university management of repeating the same action in February, describing the development as unfair and unacceptable.
“The university discriminately paid amputated salary in January 2026 to all members. At Akoka campus there was no EAA payment, while at Idi-Araba campus there was neither EAA nor CATA payment,” the communiqué stated.
ASUU condemned the deductions, describing them as a violation of acceptable labour practices and an indication of insensitivity by the university administration.
The union also referenced an earlier resolution of its National Executive Council, stating that members would withdraw their services whenever salaries were not paid in full.
ASUU therefore directed its members to stay away from academic activities beginning March 11 until the university authorities settle all outstanding salary payments for January and February.
The strike is expected to disrupt academic activities at the university if the dispute between the union and the management is not resolved quickly.