General News
Case Against Tobacco Ban by Analysts, Others
Policy analysts and industry groups have strongly canvassed against the outright banning of tobacco production in Nigeria.
Banning the legitimate production and distribution of tobacco products, the groups argue, will spark off a series of developments, including smuggling and criminal money laundering, whose consequences will portend far worse problems for Nigeria, they warned.
This counsel is coming in the wake of deliberations held on the proposed tobacco bill in the Senate on September 24, 2014.
The proposed bill seeks to regulate the production and consumption of tobacco products in Nigeria.
While Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Majority Leader of the Senate and other Senators canvassed balanced regulation of the tobacco industry, some members of the Upper Legislative Chamber canvassed for an outright ban of tobacco production in Nigeria.
“What we are saying is that the legislation should be such that is enforceable and its outcomes, realistic and predictable,” said Olusegun Sotola, head of Research and Advocacy at the Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA), an independent policy research organisation based in Lagos.
“Banning the production and consumption of cigarettes will affect legitimate producers in Nigeria and lead to a closure of factories and losses of thousands of jobs with serious economic backlash on many families.”
He continued: “This approach will defeat the goals of the stakeholders which is to seek a balanced regulation of the industry. Banning legitimate tobacco production will compound and render ineffective the bill when it becomes operational.
“Lawmakers should be mindful of the fact that industry players who have roles to play in addressing the concerns over tobacco consumption will no longer have a stake.
At the same time, the industry’s quest for safer alternatives to regular cigarettes will wane.
The key objective for lawmakers is to seek regulations that will protect non-smokers from the effect of cigarette consumption.
Incidentally he added, banning the production of cigarettes in Nigeria is not likely to curb the demand for cigarettes as those who smoke will continue to smoke. “Demand for cigarettes,” he said, “ given our porous borders will simply be met by smuggling of cigarettes into Nigeria, which could worsen the security challenges in the country.
Using examples from other countries that had in the past attempted to impose draconian regulations on tobacco production, Sotola explained that the rate of cigarette smuggling went up drastically in such countries as a consequence. “An outright ban will leave Nigeria’s borders wide open for smugglers to fill the vacuum because no legislation can stop or eliminate smokers’ demand for cigarettes,” he counselled.
“An important point the legislators should ponder is why any government hasn’t banned the sale of cigarettes,” posited Tony Ogbulafor of the Campaign for Social Justice, CSJ, a civil society group. “Demand for cigarettes cannot be legislated upon.
” Since laws cannot create demand, it is incumbent on the legislators to draft laws that will along with industry players help smokers to quit and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians as well as the society, rather than one that, while seeking to promote public health on one hand, undermines the very essence of what they seek to achieve.”
He added: “As long as smoking cannot be legislated out of existence, legislators should strive to protect smokers and non-smokers, the economy as well as the security of the country from the more damaging effects of cigarette smuggling.”
Similarly, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) had stated at the Public Hearing on the National Tobacco Control Bill, organised by the Committee on Health of the House of Representatives in July, that the legislators should be wary of any legislation that they seek to enact, so that such legislation does not lead to harm than the good it seeks to bring about.
MAN had argued at the hearing that it would be counter-productive to strangulate legitimate producers who have invested and contributed to the country’s achieving inclusive growth and then leave smokers to resort to smuggled cigarettes which are produced in other countries.
Max Air is set for resumption of service, two months after suspending flight operations due to a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
A statement by the airline’s management said that the carrier would resume flight services on March 21, 2025.
When the airline suspended operations in January, it said that it would close domestic operations for three months.
With this, the airline was expected to resume in April.
However, the airline in a statement on Monday, said that its resumption was due to a successful operational evaluation, adding that this strategic pause allowed it to reinforce its commitment to safety, compliance and operational excellence.
The statement added: ‘During this period, we worked closely with aviation authorities to ensure that all statutory requirements were met, while enhancing our service delivery standards.
“As we return to the skies, passengers can expect improved travel experiences, increased efficiency, and the unwavering hospitality that Max Air is known for. We sincerely appreciate the patience and support of our valued customers during the temporary suspension.”
Max Air, had in January, suspended its domestic flight operations, following a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano.
The affected Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst while landing at MAKIA at about 10:51 p.m. on 28 January 2025.
Although all 53 passengers on board were evacuated safely, the aircraft was temporarily grounded before the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), reopened the runway the next day.
During the suspension period, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said that it would conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline.
Mr. Michael Achimugu, director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, in a statement released to the media, also stated that the regulatory body would support the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau’s (NSIB) probe while also conducting its own assessment of the airline.
He noted that the NCAA was already carrying out an organisational risk assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, before the latest incident.
“However, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for three months, effective from midnight on 31 January 2025, to allow for an internal review of its operations.
“The safety audit will involve a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, as specified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” Achimugu had said.
He added that the economic audit would assess the airline’s financial health to ensure it can sustain safe flight operations.
Africa’s gaming industry generated $1 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the 2025 Africa Games Industry report, published by KPMG in collaboration with Maliyo Games, highlighting efforts to digitize African culture through gaming.
The collaboration aims to improve the gaming industry in Nigeria by incorporating African culture into digital games.
Nigeria is Africa’s fastest-growing gaming market with revenue reaching $185 million in 2022. The country is positioned to play a central role in the continent’s gaming industry, and the report provides insights into the market’s evolution over the last 12 to 18 months.
Lawrence Amadi, partner, Tech Assurance, KPMG West Africa, speaking during the launch at the KPMG Tower in Lagos, recently, captured key developments in the industry and how gaming could be tailored to reflect African culture.
“Some of us may be familiar with Nintendo and Xbox, but what we are doing with this report is different. We are seeing the emergence of games that are custom-built for our culture. Games like WatKing and Downpour Drivers feature elements that people on the continent can relate to. This makes gaming more meaningful, and that is why this partnership is important,” he said.
Also emphasising the significance of the partnership, Amadi added, “The collaboration you see here brings KPMG and Maliyo Games together. Maliyo is a leading game development company in Africa, and we’ve chosen to partner with them because it is important to work with an industry front-runner.”
Hugo Obi, founder and CEO of Maliyo Games, highlighted the importance of developing games that resonate with African audiences.
“We are a mobile game development company based in Lagos, focused on creating African-inspired games. We take the games we play traditionally and digitize them. This is important because the games industry generates more revenue than the music and film industries combined,” Obi said.
He added that Africa generated $1 billion in gaming revenue in 2024. “That is how much money people are spending on games. And when I say games, I am not talking about gambling but the kind of games people play casually. The ability to create and develop games locally is important for economic growth,” he noted.
Obi also spoke about Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney to develop Watch Rising Chef, a cooking game centered around African cuisine. “Your family members abroad can now prepare jollof rice, fried chicken, and plantain on their mobile phones or tablets,” he said
He stressed the importance of building a gaming industry that is recognised and understood. “This industry is not mainstream yet. Many people play games, but very few understand how they are made or their economic impact. By partnering with KPMG, we aim to mainstream this knowledge and make it accessible,” he noted.
Beyond economic benefits, gaming also has positive social impacts. Obi pointed out that games enhance cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and social connections.
“Gaming is a form of entertainment that brings joy to players. In a world where people are constantly working and dealing with stress, gaming offers a form of escapism,” he added.
He also addressed misconceptions about gaming demographics. “Many assume that gaming is for children, but the data suggests otherwise. The average gamer is 18 years and 37 years old, male and female.
“This is because gaming devices are often registered under parents’ names. People of all ages engage in gaming, and there are different games for different age groups,” Obi said.
Jumia, pan-African e-commerce platform, has launched its highly anticipated annual ‘Tech Week’ campaign, bringing consumers amazing deals on the latest gadgets and smart devices.
Under the theme “Future is in Your Hands,” this year’s campaign is designed to inspire Nigerians to embrace cutting-edge technology and innovation. Running from March 17th to March 30th, 2025, the campaign offers millions of customers access to unbeatable discounts on a wide range of tech essentials, including smartphones, laptops, home appliances, and entertainment systems.
In partnership with leading global and local brands such as Xiaomi, Oraimo, Binatone, Itel, SilverCrest, Ecoflow, Tecno, Realme, Skyrun, Century Appliances, Hisense, PZ Cussons, Unilever and Nivea, Jumia is committed to ensuring a seamless shopping experience with the best deals on high-quality tech products.
“We’re excited to present Jumia Tech Week 2025, a platform to enable Nigerians to have access to high-quality devices. With the rapid growth in digital adoption across the country, this campaign is designed to put the latest innovations within reach, helping customers stay connected, productive, and entertained. Our strategic partnerships with top brands allow us to deliver premium products at the best prices, making tech upgrades accessible to all,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.
Commenting on the partnership with Jumia for Tech Week, Sylvie Zeng, Head of E-Commerce, Xiaomi, said “Xiaomi is focused on bringing cutting-edge technology to everyone, and Jumia Tech Week 2025 is the ultimate opportunity to experience our diverse range of innovative products at unbeatable prices.
“From the high-performance Poco series to the reliable and stylish Redmi smartphones, and a wide selection of AIoT devices designed to enhance your smart home, Xiaomi offers powerful, beautifully crafted technology for every need. This Tech Week, don’t miss out on the best deals to upgrade your lifestyle with Xiaomi, exclusively on Jumia!”
With over 142 million active internet subscribers reported in January 2025, Nigeria continues to witness an accelerated digital transformation. Jumia Tech Week caters to this dynamic shift, offering consumers a trusted platform to explore and acquire the latest tech essentials conveniently.
Beyond amazing discounts, Jumia Tech Week 2025 features exclusive flash sales, brand days, exciting giveaways, and interactive games throughout the campaign. Consumers can enjoy a seamless online shopping experience with secure payment options and pay-on-delivery services, ensuring accessibility for all.
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