The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 milliliters, despite objections from industry stakeholders. NAFDAC clarified that no alcohol-producing company was shut down, stressing that the enforcement targets only the sale of alcohol in sachets and small containers, which it says pose serious public health risks. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the action was aimed at protecting children, adolescents, and young adults from the harmful use of alcohol. “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200 ml, in line with a resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the agency’s public health mandate,” the statement read. Adeyeye disclosed that reports from schools had revealed alarming trends, including a recent incident in which a teacher reported that a student claimed he could not sit for an examination without first consuming sachet alcohol. She recalled that in December 2018, NAFDAC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. According to her, the moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and adjust their production lines. “The current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” Adeyeye said. She emphasized that the enforcement was not intended to punish manufacturers but to safeguard public health. However, manufacturers and other stakeholders in the sector have continued to oppose the ban and its enforcement, citing concerns over its economic impact.

Anambra Governor Soludo has ordered the Onitsha market closure for one week following traders’ defiance of the government’s anti-sit-at-home directive The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials. Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order. The governor described the development as the latest—and perhaps most drastic—salvo in a protracted struggle over control of economic life in the South-East on Monday. Soludo said that despite repeated assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the iconic market once again chose to keep their stalls locked. According to him, their absence amounted to a quiet rebellion that nonetheless spoke volumes about the lingering climate of fear. Soludo said, “The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage. “We are not going to allow this. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.” He, however, issued a stern warning that if the market fails to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it will be sealed for one month. “You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” the governor added. The scene at the market on Monday was marked by tense enforcement, as a joint task force comprising police, army, and other security agencies was seen securing the perimeter. As the gates remain locked this week, the standoff in Onitsha highlights the broader struggle to abolish the Monday sit-at-home. When the market is scheduled to reopen next Monday, attention will be on the traders—whether they will return to their stalls following the state’s show of force, or whether empty aisles will deliver a different verdict. The outcome may determine not just the fate of the market, but the rhythm of economic life in Anambra State on Mondays. The state government had earlier directed traders and businesses to continue normal activities on Mondays as part of efforts to restore economic stability and end disruptions caused by recurring sit-at-home observances. Meanwhile, on Saturday the state government would begin pro-rata salary payments for workers across the state as part of efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home. The state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed this to journalists in Awka, noting that effective February 2026, civil servants’ salaries would be paid according to attendance on Mondays. Mefor said the decision was reached during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council held in Awka, which reviewed the administration’s activities over its concluding four-year tenure and outlined priorities for the new term beginning on March 17, 2026.

Banks have notified their customers of the N50 Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) on the New Tax Act (NTA) 2025 that will take effect on January 1, 2026. Specifically, United Bank for Africa (UBA) in a notice to customers noted that under this Act, the N50 EMTL on money transfers will now be referred to as Stamp Duty across all Financial Institutions. The stamp duty applies to transactions of N10,000 and above (or equivalent in other currencies). “Salary payments and Intra-bank self-transfers are exempt from stamp duty. The Sender now bears the Stamp Duty charge. Previously, this charge was deducted from the Beneficiary/ Receiver. We remain committed to transparency and to keeping you informed about changes that may affect your banking transactions,” UBA stated. Also, Fidelity Bank announced it will not restrict accounts not linked to a Tax Identification Number from January 1, 2026. The bank disclosed this in a notification sent to customers, citing provisions of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025. According to the message, the act mandates that bank accounts must be linked to a TIN, while customers without one must link their NIN.

American singer Beyoncé Knowles Carter has become a billionaire at the age of 44, according to Forbes magazine. The publication disclosed this on Monday, saying the global music star is now one of only five musicians to reach billionaire status. She joins an elite list that includes her husband, rapper Jay Z, as well as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna. Forbes said Beyoncé reached the milestone after several highly profitable years powered largely by global tours, music sales and ownership of her catalogue. In 2023, her Renaissance World Tour grossed nearly $600m, ranking among the highest-grossing tours in music history. She followed this with the release of her Grammy-winning country album, Cowboy Carter, in 2024, marking a major shift in her musical direction. In 2025, Beyoncé staged the world’s highest-grossing tour of the year, further boosting her earnings. Combining income from touring, music rights and other deals, Forbes estimated that she earned $148m in 2025 before taxes, making her the third highest-paid musician globally. While the publication did not give an exact figure for her net worth, it said most of her wealth comes from music, global tours and control of her back catalogue. Beyoncé also runs Parkwood Entertainment, the company that manages her career and creative productions. Although she has expanded into other businesses, including a hair care brand, a whiskey label and a clothing line, Forbes said music remains the backbone of her fortune. The billionaire announcement adds to a growing list of milestones for the singer. In December 2024, Beyoncé became the most certified female artist in the history of the Recording Industry Association of America. RIAA confirmed that she crossed 100 certified titles following a new round of certifications. Her Diamond-certified songs include Halo and Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), while albums such as Sasha Fierce and Dangerously in Love earned seven times Platinum, Lemonade four times Platinum and Renaissance double Platinum status. She has been announced as a co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala, scheduled for May 4 in New York, alongside tennis star Venus Williams and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman. The event will be chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, and will serve as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The 2026 edition will mark Beyoncé’s first Met Gala appearance in a decade, after previously serving as an honorary co-chair in 2013.