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Sunday, October 18, 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Nigeria · Country watch

Lagos Halts Wetland Reclamation, Phone Traders Protest Fees

Lagos suspends wetland reclamation to combat flooding, while phone traders demand a suspension of import fees, citing job threats.

· · 9 sources

The picture Deteriorating

Business conditions in Nigeria are deteriorating due to regulatory changes in Lagos affecting construction and trade pressures from new import fees impacting phone retailers.

In this briefing Babajide Sanwo-Olu · Lagos State · Department of State Services · National Youth Service Corps · Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria

Regulation

  • Construction
  • Public sector

Lagos State halts wetland reclamation to curb flooding

a group of people riding bikes down a street
Francis Tokede / Unsplash

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced a suspension of unauthorized wetland reclamation activities in the state, citing increased flood risks. According to Vanguard Nigeria, the government aims to prevent further flooding and coastal erosion by halting reclamation on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon fronts. Sanwo-Olu warned residents and developers against building on these areas, emphasizing the environmental and safety concerns. The state government is taking these measures to protect Lagos from worsening flood conditions.

Impact Construction firms and property developers in Lagos face restrictions, impacting project timelines and costs.

Sources: Vanguard Nigeria ↗, Punch ↗

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

  • Public sector

Five arrested over NYSC members' kidnap in Imo State

Security forces in Nigeria have arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, reports Vanguard Nigeria. The arrests were made by operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and the police. The abduction occurred on Nigeria's 66th Independence Day, raising concerns about the safety of NYSC members in the region.

Impact NYSC members and employers in Imo State face heightened security concerns following the arrests.

Sources: Vanguard Nigeria ↗, Punch ↗

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

  • Retail
  • Technology

Phone traders demand suspension of ₦4,000 import fees

The Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPAT) has called for a 90-day suspension of new import fees on mobile phones, according to Daily Trust. The traders argue that the ₦4,000 fee per phone threatens millions of jobs and could force shops to close. AMPAT has urged the government to reconsider the policy, warning of its potential impact on the retail sector and the broader economy.

Impact Mobile phone retailers face increased costs, threatening job security and business viability.

Sources: Daily Trust ↗

Politics

Nothing significant reported today.

Also today in Nigeria

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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