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The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), has officially sealed a residential estate located at No. 96 Ladipo Omotesho Street, Lekki Phase 1. The enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, follows a history of persistent environmental nuisance and the obstruction of state officials in the discharge of their duties.

According to the General Manager of LSWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, the decision to shut down the facility was not sudden. The estate had reportedly been served multiple notices regarding the indiscriminate discharge of untreated wastewater and poor sewage management, both of which pose significant health risks to the Lekki community.

The Federal Government has commended Dangote Cement Plc for the successful delivery of multi-million-naira social interventions in its Gboko host communities in Benue State. Speaking at the inauguration of the projects on January 8, 2026, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, confirmed that the company is meeting its statutory obligations under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) framework. These interventions, which include water infrastructure, expanded scholarship schemes, and skill acquisition programmes, are part of a broader federal policy requiring mining companies to reinvest a portion of their profits into host communities to ensure sustainable economic development.

Bilateral trade between China and Nigeria exceeded $22.3 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, marking a 30.2% year-on-year increase. This growth was disclosed by the Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, during the Lagos Forum New Year Media Symposium on 7 January 2026. The surge reflects a deepening comprehensive strategic partnership, with Nigeria solidifying its position as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa and a primary destination for Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI).

The Federal Government’s comprehensive tax reform officially commenced on January 1, 2026, introducing a sophisticated fiscal framework that demands heightened precision from corporate Nigeria. Kenneth Erikume, Partner and Tax Expert at PwC Nigeria, has issued a strategic call to action for finance teams to automate their compliance processes immediately. Speaking at FirstBank’s Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, Erikume warned that the transition from manual to digital systems is no longer optional, as the new laws impose severe penalties in some cases up to 40% for errors that were previously overlooked.

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has formally criticised the Federal Government’s decision to approve a debt write-off for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) totalling approximately ₦8 trillion. In a statement released on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Obi described the move as a sign of "financial recklessness," arguing that such a significant cancellation of public funds requires a higher level of transparency and accountability, particularly given the current economic climate.

_{^{Produced by: Amarachi Okeke}}