Nigerian newspapers review: [NESG] We’re rewriting Nigeria’s story of underperformance – Tinubu

In today’s Nigerian newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard leads with President Bola Tinubu saying at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja that his administration is rewriting Nigeria’s decades-long story of economic underperformance through far-reaching reforms designed to dismantle structural barriers, unlock the nation’s enormous potential and deliver jobs, productivity and shared prosperity.

Another headline features the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, saying Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases following the medical evacuation of the patient and her husband to Switzerland. Vanguard also reports that an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Yakubu Ibrahim, on Monday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that both the University of Nigeria (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) disowned the degree and discharge certificates presented by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to the Senate for his ministerial screening in 2023.

Moving to another newspaper, The Guardian reports that despite 25 State Houses of Assembly endorsing the State Police Bill, persistent fears over political interference, human rights violations and weak accountability have raised questions about whether the proposed safeguards can protect citizens from abuse or remain largely theoretical. The Punch leads with organised labour looking forward to its next action after a crucial meeting with the Federal Government on Tuesday, with the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress demanding concrete proposals on petrol prices, wage negotiations and other unresolved workers’ welfare issues amid the threat of nationwide industrial action.

Lastly, Daily Trust reports that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said some Nigerians spend as much as 120 per cent of their income on food, forcing them to borrow money or rely on relatives to survive.