The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says preliminary findings from its investigation into Nigeria’s cement industry suggest possible price manipulation.   The commission said its findings were contained in a 40-page field report produced after a three-month cross-border study by its anticompetitive practices department (ACP). According to TheCable, the investigation followed widespread complaints over the high cost of cement, a key material in Nigeria’s construction industry. Ondaje Ijagwu, director of corporate affairs at the FCCPC, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday. The commission said the preliminary findings point to possible manipulation of cement prices in the market. The investigation is part of the FCCPC’s efforts to examine competition and pricing practices within the cement industry. The commission is yet to disclose further details of the report or identify companies that may have been involved. TheCable reports that more findings are expected as the FCCPC continues its investigation.

The Kebbi State Government has released N172.15 million to settle outstanding staff allowances at Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, following an ultimatum by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).   Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, saying Governor Nasir Idris approved the release on August 14, 2026. The money will cover the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowances (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowances (CONTTA) for members of ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT at the university. Tunga said the governor had also approved the incorporation of the CATA/CONTTA salary structure into the university’s monthly subvention. The arrangement will cost the state government N2.06 billion annually. The commissioner added that N151.52 million had been approved and released to pay identified annual increment arrears owed to university staff. The move follows an ultimatum issued by ASUU at the university over outstanding demands, with the union threatening industrial action. N1.75bn for buses to tertiary institutions The Kebbi Government has also approved N1.75 billion for seven 32-seater, fully air-conditioned Coaster buses for state-owned tertiary institutions. The beneficiaries are Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Adamu Augie College of Education, Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences, Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kebbi State Polytechnic and the College of Advanced and Legal Studies, Yauri. Tunga said approvals made by Governor Idris for the Ministry of Higher Education in August amounted to N2.07 billion. The governor also approved the appointment of Dr Zayyanu Umar as Provost of Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu.

More than 20 people, including women and children, are feared dead following an attack on Amper community in the BWI district of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.   The attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, according to Channels Television, and is the third attack reported in Mangu within a week. Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident and said the initial casualty figure received by the command was 18. He added that the number was believed to have risen above 20 as more information emerged from the affected community. The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Faniyan Ayodeji, and his team were reportedly heading to the scene to assess the situation. Local sources said several residents were still missing following the attack. The latest violence has heightened concerns among residents, who are calling on the government to strengthen security and prevent further attacks on communities in the area. Authorities are expected to provide further details as security personnel assess the scene and establish the full extent of the casualties.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second five-year term after winning the country’s presidential election with about 60 per cent of the vote, according to results released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on Tuesday.   Hichilema, 64, defeated his main challenger, former government minister Brian Mundubile of the NRPUP, who received about 38 per cent of the vote. The election, held on Thursday, was largely peaceful but was overshadowed by opposition allegations of intimidation, restrictions on campaigning and irregularities in the electoral process. Mundubile’s party alleged that its campaign was disrupted by the arrest of several opposition figures. It also claimed that results documents had been tampered with, although it did not provide evidence to support the allegation. International observers raised concerns about an uneven playing field, including what they described as favourable coverage of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) by state-owned media. The observers also criticised the suspension of vote counting for about six hours on Friday following reports of violence against polling staff and alleged theft of ballot papers. Despite the controversy, Hichilema’s supporters took to the streets of Lusaka following the announcement, singing and dancing in celebration. In a statement, Hichilema thanked Zambians for their support and pledged to work for citizens who voted for opposition parties. “We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands,” he said. Hichilema entered the election as the favourite after his first term was marked by efforts to restructure Zambia’s debt, strengthen relations with international lenders and attract investment, particularly into the country’s copper industry. However, more than 70 per cent of Zambia’s population still lives on less than $3 a day, according to World Bank data, despite easing inflation and improvements in some economic indicators. The official results are expected to be published by August 24. Hichilema is due to be sworn in seven days after the publication of the official results, provided they are not successfully challenged. The result means Hichilema will continue to lead Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, where political power has changed hands through elections since the return to multiparty democracy in 1991.