The National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), an arm of Organised Labour in Nigeria, has formally demanded a new minimum wage of 154,000 naira for public service workers.  This demand, presented in a letter dated March 12, 2026, seeks a 120% upward review of current salaries and allowances to address the worsening economic hardship in the country. Essential Aspects of the Demand:  The Figure: A proposed monthly minimum wage of 154,000 naira for a Grade Level 01 Step 1 officer.  Unions cite "galloping inflation," soaring food prices, and increased transportation costs as reasons the current 70,000 naira benchmark is no longer sustainable.  The demand was contained in a letter (Ref: JNPSNC/Gen/Cor/Vol 1/163) addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.  The proposal is intended to apply across all federal ministries, departments, and agencies, with a call for state governments to follow suit.  The national minimum wa...

  Uber Technologies has expressed a commitment to dialogue after a three-day strike by app-based drivers disrupted ride-hailing services in Lagos and parts of Ogun State between March 16 and March 18, 2026. Organized by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), the industrial action saw thousands of drivers log off platforms like Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride to protest unsustainable earnings and harsh working conditions. The union cited a disconnect between stagnant ride fares and the rapidly rising cost of living in Nigeria. They want  Immediate adjustment of fares to reflect skyrocketing fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and high inflation. The union demand for Reducition of the platform commission from the current 20% to 10% to ensure sustainable driver income. They also ask for improved rider verification, functional emergency panic buttons, and comprehensive insurance coverage for health, accidents, and life. A regulated minimum base f...

  A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, delivered a landmark ruling on March 17, 2026, declaring that Nigerians have a constitutional right to record police officers performing their duties in public . Presided over by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa in suit FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, the judgment established several critical protections for citizens and requirements for law enforcement. Nigerians can freely record (video or photograph) police officers during operations, such as stop-and-search, in public spaces without fear of arrest or reprisal. The court ruled that police officers must wear visible name tags and display their force numbers while on duty. Officers are strictly prohibited from harassing, intimidating, or arresting citizens for recording, and they cannot confiscate or seize devices used for documentation. The court awarded ₦7 million to the applicant, lawyer Maxwell Nosakhare Uwaifo (₦5 million for rights violations and ₦2 million for litigation costs), after he was harassed ...

  In a notable operational achievement, forces of the Nigerian Army, as part of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), eliminated at least 61 ISWAP terrorists during the early hours of Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The encounter took place in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, specifically at the 68 Battalion location.  The insurgents launched an infiltration attempt from the Duguri general area, advancing on foot and deploying armed drones in an effort to breach military defenses. Ground forces from Bravo Company met the attack with overwhelming firepower, while the NAF provided precision air strikes to fix and target the terrorists in large numbers.  At least 61 terrorists were killed, and multiple weapons, including AK-47 rifles, machine guns, and RPG tubes, were recovered. This operation follows a period of intensified military activity in the North-East theatre, where security forces have been conducting s...

Kiki Shepard, the legendary co-host of Showtime at the Apollo, passed away at the age of 74 on Monday, March 16, 2026. Her representative, LaShirl Smith, confirmed to TMZ that she died in Los Angeles after suffering a "completely unexpected" massive heart attack. Known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion," Shepard was a fixture on the iconic variety show from its debut in 1987 until 2002. She was celebrated for her elegance, signature stage walk, and her role in introducing the world to rising stars alongside hosts like Steve Harvey and Sinbad. Beyond her tenure at the Apollo, Shepard had an extensive career across multiple entertainment mediums: Television & Film: She appeared in popular series such as A Different World, Baywatch, NYPD Blue, Everybody Hates Chris, and Grey's Anatomy. Her film credits included a role in The Wiz (1978) and A Rage in Harlem. Broadway: A classically trained dancer and actress, she performed in several Broadway productions, includin...

  The Federal Government of Nigeria is currently finalising arrangements and securing funds for the emergency evacuation of Nigerians stranded in the Middle East following a significant escalation in regional conflict.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on March 16–17, 2026, that it is working out administrative procedures to assist citizens in high-risk zones, including Iran, Israel, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. Since March 11, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has been coordinating the safe passage of willing Nigerians from Iran, escorting them across the Armenian border due to unsafe regional airspace. Official mass airlifts are currently deemed "not feasible" by some ministry spokespersons because of regional airspace closures and missile activity. NiDCOM has stated that repatriation flights will only begin once the sky clears and safety can be guaranteed. Safety Protocol: Strictly abide by local security protocols and avoid strategic, military, or gove...