General
Remittances to Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa to Drop 23.1% in 2020
By Adedapo Adesanya
The World Bank has said remittances to Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African nations will decline sharply by about 23.1 percent this year, due to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown.
The Bretton Wood Institution said in a press statement that, globally, a reduction of 20 percent has been projected and this is set to be the sharpest decline in recent history.
This is largely due to a fall in the wages and employment of migrant workers, who tend to be more vulnerable to loss of employment and wages during an economic crisis in a host country.
Remittances alleviate poverty in lower- and middle-income countries, improve nutritional outcomes, are associated with higher spending on education, and reduce child labour in disadvantaged households.
So, as a result of the fall in remittances affect families’ ability to spend on these areas as more of their finances will be directed to solve food shortages and immediate livelihoods needs.
Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa registered a small decline of 0.5 percent to $48 billion in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, remittance flows to the region are expected to decline by 23.1 percent to $37 billion in 2020, while a recovery of 4 percent is expected in 2021.
The anticipated decline can be attributed to a combination of factors driven by the coronavirus outbreak in key destinations where African migrants reside including in the EU area, the United States, the Middle East, and China.
According to the World Bank Group President, Mr David Malpass, “Remittances are a vital source of income for developing countries. The ongoing economic recession caused by COVID-19 is taking a severe toll on the ability to send money home and makes it all the more vital that we shorten the time to recovery for advanced economies.”
“Remittances help families afford food, healthcare, and basic needs. As the World Bank Group implements fast, broad action to support countries, we are working to keep remittance channels open and safeguard the poorest communities’ access to these most basic needs,” he added.
According to the global lender, remittances to low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are projected to fall by 19.7 percent to $445 billion, representing a loss of a crucial financing lifeline for many vulnerable households.
With remittance flows expected to fall across all regions globally, Europe and Central Asia will equally experience the highest fall with 27.5 percent.
Sub-Saharan Africa will follow with 23.1 percent. Others include: South Asia (22.1 percent), the Middle East and North Africa (19.6 percent), Latin America and the Caribbean (19.3 percent), and East Asia and the Pacific (13 percent).
The large decline in remittances flows in 2020 comes after remittances to LMICs reached a record $554 billion in 2019.
Even with the decline, remittance flows are expected to become even more important as a source of external financing for LMICs as the fall in foreign direct investment is expected to be larger (more than 35 percent).
In 2019, remittance flows to LMICs became larger than FDI, an important milestone for monitoring resource flows to developing countries.
The World Bank then estimated that remittances to LMICs will recover next year and rise by 5.6 percent to $470 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned protest in the Federal Capital Territory and instructed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to their duties with immediate effect.
The directive followed an overnight engagement involving labour leaders, the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and members of the Senate Committee on the FCT.
The meeting, which began late on Monday, stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, culminating in an agreement that led to the unions’ decision to halt the protest action and restore normal activities across FCTA offices.
This comes after Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court issued an interim order restraining the NLC, TUC, and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest.
Ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT and the FCT Administration, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents and their privies or agents from embarking on strike pending the hearing of the motion on notice, also ordering the 5th-9th defendants who are security agencies to ensure no break down of law and order.
The ex-parte motion, which was filed by the counsel to Mr Wike and the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, submitted that the Chairman of the FCT council had sent a message of mobilization to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
This move, he noted, was in violation of the orders of court, adding that after the ruling of the court on January 27, the order of the court was served on the defendants, same day the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The statement jointly signed by both unions directed that the striking workers should resume the strike as the unions’ counsel, Mr Femi Falana, has filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling.
He further pointed out that With the statement, JUAC issued a circular directing all employees to continue the strike.
This position they say is aimed at causing break down of law and order in the Nations capital.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until February 10 for hearing.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, has confirmed the release and safe return of 151 of its members abducted from Iburu community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The abduction, which affected about 177 people, occurred on January 18, 2026. It was initially denied by the Nigeria Police Force and other government agencies, but was later confirmed.
In a statement issued by the Conference Secretary General of the church, Mr Anthony Olusesan Samaiye, it was disclosed that the release of the abducted persons was confirmed through reports from its liaison officers in Kaduna.
According to the statement, Mr Emmanuel Abiodun Adewale Alogbo (JP), described the release as a victory for faith, prayer and dialogue, noting that the breakthrough followed an emergency visit to Kaduna by its leadership and a series of high-level engagements aimed at securing the freedom of the abducted worshippers.
The Cherubim and Seraphim Church expressed gratitude to the Kaduna State government, particularly Governor Uba Sani, for what it described as his commitment to dialogue and the coordination of state resources that contributed to the successful outcome.
Special appreciation was also extended to the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr Sani Liman Kila, and the Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs (Christian Matters), Mr Ishaya Jangado, for facilitating engagement between the church and the state government.
The church noted that the incident demonstrated the importance of cooperation between religious leaders and government authorities in addressing security challenges and protecting citizens.
It also acknowledged prayers and support from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), the international community and Christians worldwide.
While celebrating the release, the church said it was mindful of the trauma experienced by the victims and disclosed that its welfare and medical teams had been mobilised to provide psychosocial support and care to the affected members and their families.
The church called for sustained peace in Kaduna State and across Nigeria, urging authorities to continue efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
As activities for the 2027 general elections begin to take shape, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential poll, Mr Peter Obi, has again ruled out the possibility of contesting as a vice presidential candidate next year, saying he is contesting to be on the ballot.
Speaking ahead of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election in the Federal Capital Territory, he said, “You see this coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you.”
Mr Obi vied for the 2023 presidency on the LP platform, emerging third overall behind Mr Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu.
In December 2025, he defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where his teeming supporters popularly known as Obidients have urged him to only pursue the presidential ticket.
Mr Abubakar, who chose Mr Obi as his vice presidential candidate in the 2019 polls, is also a member of the ADC. The men finished in second and third places, respectively in the last presidential election, which President Tinubu won with 37 per cent of the votes.
Speaking at the campaign venue, Mr Obi emphasised to his supporters the importance of backing the ADC candidate in the AMAC election, noting that their support at the grassroots would go a long way in bolstering his national political journey.
The ADC coalition includes many former allies of Mr Tinubu, including Mr Nasir El Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State; Mr David Mark, a former Senate President who is serving as the National Chairman of the party, and Mr Rauf Aregbesola, a former Osun Governor and currently the National Secretary of ADC.
The party will be hoping to emulate the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was formed by an alliance of opposition politicians (including Mr Abubakar) in 2013 and caused the ouster of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the first-ever defeat of an incumbent Nigerian president in 2015.
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