1. Burial and Tributes for Former President Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari passed away on July 13, 2025, in a London clinic at approximately 4:30 p.m. (15:30 UTC), aged 82, after a prolonged illness. His remains were flown back on July 15, arriving at Katsina Airport in a Nigerian presidential aircraft, and then transported to Daura, his hometown, for an Islamic state burial. The burial took place in his private residence backyard, with military honors, a 21-gun salute and full parade where his casket draped in the Nigerian flag.
Dignitaries in attendance are President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and former leaders including Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo. African leaders such as Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Niger’s PM Ali Lamine Zeine were also present. Also in attendance: business leaders like Aliko Dangote, military, traditional rulers, national assembly members, and international attendees from Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu declared a seven-day national mourning, including a public holiday on the funeral day. Northern clerics and citizens held prayers across Nigeria, with supporters chanting “Sai Baba” and flooding trees in Daura for a final viewing.
Key Tributes:
Afe Babalola described Buhari as “a rare patriot,” applauding his integrity.
Archbishop Martins urged that Buhari’s death should inspire Nigeria to enhance domestic healthcare, so leaders wouldn’t need to seek overseas medical treatment.
Tinubu lauded Buhari’s leadership as rooted in integrity, accountability, prudence, and patriotism, pledging to continue the infrastructural and anti-corruption legacy.
Thousands acknowledged Buhari’s austere lifestyle and consistent anti-corruption stance, even as critics noted challenges during his presidency like economic recession, oil production decline, foreign-currency shortages, and insecurity.
2. Ogun Workers Strike Over Pensions Row: Indefinite Strike Begins (July 15, 2025)
On July 15, civil and public service workers in Ogun State commenced an indefinite strike after withdrawing services from midnight, following a statewide congress held on July 14 at Arcade Ground, Oke‑Mosan, Abeokuta. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and affiliated organized labour bodies announced the action, citing chronic failure to remit pension deductions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), established by the Ogun State Pension Reform Law (2008, amended 2013).
Workers accuse the state government, including successive administrations of failing to remit pension deductions totaling about ₦82 billion over 14 years. Only 34 out of 204 months of contributions have allegedly been forwarded to Pension Fund Administrators. Ogun labour leaders also emphasized the breach of legal obligations and said previous committees’ reports (like the 2022 Adekunle Hassan panel) were never acted upon and findings not disclosed.
Demand for Direct Talks with Governor Abiodun: Organised labour comprising the NLC, TUC, and the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) insists on negotiating directly with Governor Dapo Abiodun. They rejected any middlemen, stating they would not attend talks unless the governor led them.
NLC state chair Hameed-Benco Ademola criticized CPS as “failed from day one,” accusing Abiodun and past governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun of defaulting on remittances. The strike encompasses teachers, judiciary and legislative staff, as well as other public service workers. The State NUT also ordered primary and secondary school teachers to stay home, due to unresolved issues around minimum wage, promotions, and leave allowances.
3. Lagos Launches ₦500 Billion MSME Fund for Women Traders
On July 15, 2025, The Punch Nigeria reported that the Lagos State Government unveiled a ₦500 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) fund aimed specifically at empowering women traders in the informal sector, including market women and street vendors.
Designed to boost small businesses and support female entrepreneurship across the informal economy. The fund complements broader efforts to improve financial and digital access to business tools, training, and infrastructure for women entrepreneurs.
Context & Strategic Partnerships comes on the heels of prior initiatives by Lagos, including the “Access to Finance for SMEs through Cooperatives (LASMECO)”, a partnership involving Sterling Bank, Lagos State Government, and Bank of Industry targeting SME loans up to ₦10 million.
Lagos officials emphasize the need for inclusive growth by addressing barriers like lack of capital, digital exclusion, and limited training for female-led MSMEs. While financial specifics (interest rates, disbursement channels, eligibility criteria) are still forthcoming, the move aligns with calls for gender-tailored financial empowerment and broader economic development goals.
What We Still Don’t Know
Detailed mechanics: interest rates, repayment schedules, collateral requirements – this info has not yet been released.
Timeline: exact rollout date remains unannounced, though further clarity is likely in coming days or through official Lagos State channels.
4. Joint Security Operation Against Bandits in North‑Central
Coordinated Regional Security Push by the Governors of Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa States have launched a joint security operation to tackle escalating banditry and violent attacks in the North–Central region. The effort stems from growing concern over an uptick in deadly incidents, especially in border areas like the Wamba–Bokkos axis and the Sardauna Forest in Nasarawa, which are known hideouts and transit routes for fleeing armed groups.
During an expanded State Security Council session in Lafia on April 29, 2025, Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule also chairing the North Central Governors’ Forum stated that regional and federal leaders, including the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, resolved to launch proactive joint operations covering key hotspots across the three states.
Triggered by recent attacks, this surge in action follows several violent incidents, including a June 13 massacre in Yelewata, Guma LGA of Benue, where over 100 people were killed. According to Reuters, mass attacks across North–Central Nigeria have contributed heavily to a substantial rise in bandit and insurgent-related deaths of 2,266 killed in the first half of 2025, surpassing the entire 2024 total of 2,194.
Governor Sule urged law enforcement to ensure detained suspects are thoroughly investigated, prosecuted, and not released as a deterrent. Efforts involve local traditional rulers, youth groups, and community leaders to reinforce peace as evidenced by the successful return of the Bassa people to Toto LGA.
Human Cost & Regional Impact: Reuters reports a sharp escalation in fatalities tied to banditry and insurgent violence in North–Central and neighboring zones. The conflict has seen hundreds killed monthly, with at least 606 lives lost in June alone, prompting the authorities to intensify military and police interventions. AP News also highlighted similar military responses in the northwest where joint police and army operations neutralized around 30 gunmen, although with security personnel casualties, underscoring the risks involved.
5. Kwara and Oyo Postpone BECE Over Buhari’s Death
In Kwara State, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, was rescheduled to Thursday, July 17, 2025. This change was made by the Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development amidst the national seven-day mourning declared in honor of Buhari. Commissioner Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe issued a statement on Monday, July 14, 2025, noting that the rescheduling followed the federal declaration of a public holiday. He apologized for any inconvenience and assured stakeholders of the necessity of the move
Also In Oyo State, all BECE papers slated for July 15 specifically Mathematics and Pre-Vocational Studies were postponed “until further notice” to respect the public holiday and mourning period. Commissioner Mr. Olusegun Olayiwola stated the postponement was “in line with the public holiday declared by the Federal Government to honour the late former President,” and confirmed that the July 16 exams would proceed as usual.
The Naija Lowdown Writer 