The World Health Organisation (WHO) says its new research shows up-to-date vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe COVID-19 illness.
WHO said while the pandemic has officially ended and COVID-19 no longer caused the widespread disruption seen during the global health emergency, studies led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe confirmed that people who received timely booster doses were far less likely to develop severe disease, require intensive care or die.
The findings were based on data from the European Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) network.
Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
It monitors respiratory infections in hospitals across parts of Europe, the Balkans, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Mark Katz, a Medical Epidemiologist at the WHO regional office, however, said the virus continued to hospitalise and kill people.
“The studies highlight that, while COVID-19 is not leading to the widespread disease we saw during the pandemic, it has still been causing a considerable number of hospitalisations and deaths.”
Between May 2023 and April 2024, nearly 4,000 patients were hospitalised with acute respiratory infections in countries covered by the network.
Almost 10 per cent of those cases were caused by COVID-19, in spite of the pandemic having been declared over.
Among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, just three per cent had received a vaccine dose within the previous 12 months.
The consequences were often severe as 13 per cent of COVID-19 patients required admission to intensive care units, and 11 per cent died.
Comparative research also showed that patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were more likely than those with influenza to need oxygen, intensive care or to succumb to the illness.
By contrast, vaccination offered strong protection.
One EuroSAVE study found that an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine received within the past six months was 72 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation.
The vaccine was also 67 per cent effective at preventing the most serious outcomes, including ICU admission and death.
In addition, separate multi-country analysis found vaccines reduced COVID-19 related hospitalisations by about 60 per cent.
The Nigerian Navy has dredged and cleared 11 kilometres of waterways to enhance navigability and increase accessibility to previously inaccessible routes, thereby facilitating the gradual revival of socio-economic activities in the Lake Chad basin.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The naval chief stated that the service has been conducting serious operations against terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin to restore normal economic activities in the region.
Nigerian Navy officers
“The Nigerian Navy Base, Lake Chad (NBLC) has significantly improved access to critical waterways through targeted engineering interventions.
“In particular, the NBLC has successfully dredged and cleared approximately 11km of waterways, enhancing navigability and reopening previously inaccessible routes.
“These efforts have facilitated the safe return of fishermen, farmers, traders and transport operators, thereby supporting the gradual revival of socio-economic activities across the region,” Abbas said.
The naval chief said the Nigerian Navy remained fully committed to denying terrorists the use of the Lake Chad waterways through sustained coordinated operations in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
He insisted that the Navy had played a key role in clearing terrorist elements from waterways, particularly during Operation Lake Sanity III, which focused on degrading insurgent logistics and ensuring freedom of movement to consolidate the gains achieved by the joint task force.
“Additionally, the Navy ensures persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage in close coordination with the Nigerian Air Force.
“This joint ISR effort enhances situational awareness, enables timely targeting of terrorist activities and supports effective maritime interdiction operations, thereby sustaining pressure on terrorist elements within the Lake Chad Basin,” Abbas said.
He, however, urged the troops at Baga Naval Base to focus more on the fight against the enemies of the state in Lake Chad Basin, the terrorists.
The naval chief also assured the troops of his commitment to their welfare and the deployment of manpower and more equipment to support their efforts.
The Kebbi State Government says it has recorded significant progress in efforts to revitalise the Birnin Kebbi waterworks to restore normal water supply to the state capital.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, made this known in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, while inspecting ongoing repair works at the facility.
Bala-Tafida said Gov. Nasir Idris had constituted a task force to ensure speedy resuscitation of the waterworks supplying Birnin Kebbi township.
Kebbi State Government officials inspecting ongoing repair works at the Birnin Kebbi waterworks
He added that the task force comprises the SSG, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, officials of the Ministry of Water Resources, security agencies and technical staff of the Kebbi State Water Board.
He said: “We have seen remarkable progress in the effort to resuscitate the waterworks.
“We will remain on ground until everything that needs to be done is completed.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Isah Arzika, explained that engineers had detected a major burst at the Dukki waterworks shortly after the lifting period on Wednesday.
He said that by the time the engineers arrived, the lifting machines had already been submerged, but swift action was taken to shut them down to minimise damage.
Arzika added that pumping machines had since been sourced and deployed to evacuate flooded areas.
He added that “fortunately, the evacuation was completed by about 11 p.m. yesterday.
“As you can see, the six intake machines are now visible and no longer submerged.”
The permanent secretary noted that a team of engineers was already on site to dismantle the machines and move them for proper drying and testing.
“We are confident that the machines will function properly after drying and testing. Whatever needs to be done will be done,” Arzika assured.
He appealed to the public for patience, assuring that the state government was doing everything humanly possible to restore normal water supply.
The General Manager of the state Water Board, Alhaji Zayyanu Shehu, also assured residents that water supply would be fully restored within one week.
The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Bichi, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, extolled the donation of 100 tree seedlings by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) to the authority.
He described the invaluable gesture as a major boost to the extant efforts aimed at tackling climate change, land degradation and soil erosion in the region.
Bichi stated this while receiving the seedlings donated by APWEN for onward distribution to farmers within the authority’s operational areas.
Managing Director of the Hadejia Jam’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Bichi
He commended the association for what he termed a timely and thoughtful intervention that aligned with the agency’s mandate of sustainable environmental and agricultural development.
According to the managing director, the authority would ensure that the seedlings are distributed to farmers across Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa states.
He stressed that the beneficiaries would be encouraged to plant and nurture the trees on their farms to achieve long-term environmental benefits.
Bichi stated that tree planting remained one of the most effective ways of curbing soil erosion, combating desertification and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change
According to him, this is particularly in river basin communities that are vulnerable to environmental degradation.
Bichi further assured that the HJRBDA would intensify its sensitisation programmes to educate farmers on the importance of tree planting, sustainable land use and environmental protection, adding that collective action is crucial to achieving lasting results.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the association, Safiyya Aliyu Mahmud, said the donation was part of its corporate social responsibility aimed at addressing climate change challenges in society.
She explained that APWEN provided 100 tree seedlings of different varieties, which would be planted across the areas covered by the river basin authority.
This is to help restore degraded land and reduce the menace of soil erosion and other environmental problems.
She said that professional bodies have a responsibility to support government efforts in promoting environmental sustainability, stressing that women engineers were committed to using their expertise and platforms to contribute to national development.
She expressed confidence that the collaboration with HJRBDA would yield positive results, especially with the authority’s wide reach among farmers and rural communities.
The APWEN chairperson called on farmers and community members to take ownership of the initiative by ensuring the seedlings are properly planted and protected
She added that tree planting was an investment in the future of coming generations.
Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), a civil society organisation (CSO), has condemned the planned ban on alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, describing it as misguided and unlikely to reduce alcohol abuse.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, IADI Executive Director, Christopher Ofomhi, said targeting packaging formats did not address the root causes of substance abuse.
He warned the ban could push consumers toward larger bottles, increase excessive drinking, threaten the livelihoods of small-scale traders, and fuel the circulation of unregulated and counterfeit alcohol, which posed greater public health risks.
Alcoholic drinks in sachets and small volume bottles
Ofomhi also criticised NAFDAC for allegedly using the ban to divert attention from its ongoing regulatory failures, particularly in combating fake and substandard drugs.
“NAFDAC must face its responsibilities and ensure product safety and authenticity, not restrict lawful adult consumption,” he said.
The CSO urged NAFDAC to reconsider the policy, focus on tackling counterfeit products, strengthen regulation, and restore public trust; actions it says would more effectively protect Nigerians.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N502 billion in November 2025.
The NNPC Limited made this known in its Monthly Report Summary for November 2025, released on Wednesday, December 31.
The report also highlighted key figures, including crude oil and condensate production, natural gas output, revenue, strategic initiatives during the period, and more.
Bayo Ojulari, GCEO, National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited
The report showed that the NNPC Ltd generated a total sum of N4,358 billion within the same period reported.
It also revealed that Crude Oil and Condensate Production was 1.60 million barrels per day (mbopd), while Natural Gas Production was 6,968 mscf/d in November 2025.
The report put NNPC’s statutory payments between January and August 2025 at N12.117 billion, while disclosing 61 per cent Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability in its retail filling stations across the country.
It said that November production performance was largely due to planned maintenance activities across key assets nearing completion, with production recovery expected at the end of December 2025 and continued delays with WAEP first oil.
It listed the key assets as Esso-Erha, Stardeep-Agbami and Renaissance-Estuary Area.
It announced that it has completed the 2025 scheduled facilities Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), and production initiatives from JV, PSC, and NEPL assets in readiness for delivering the 2026 production plan.
The report put the overall completion of Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project at 90 per cent, disclosing that sustained focus is being directed towards completion of the mainline welding works and pressure-testing.
According to the report, the project is to be completed in 2026.
The report also put the completion of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline project (River Niger Crossing) at 96 per cent, revealing that all required equipment, materials and personnel have been mobilised to site.
A new off-road electric vehicle manufactured in Europe was tested by nature conservationists in the European Serengeti large herbivore reserve near Prague. The Spartan EV 2.0 electric off-roader produced by the European company MW Motors had to handle the harshest of terrains during the tests.
“We tested the off-road electric vehicle in the roughest part of the reserve, which is nicknamed the ‘tank graveyard’. During the tests, the EV managed to traverse the most difficult of terrains and steep slopes. Of the off-roaders that we’ve used or tested at the reserve over the ten years of its existence, it definitely handles the terrain the best,” said Dalibor Dostal, director of the European Wildlife conservation organisation, which founded the large herbivore reserve in collaboration with scientists in 2015.
Spartan EV 2.0 off-road electric vehicle
The large herbivore reserve is striving to implement the changeover to zero-emission equipment as fast as possible. A Polaris Ranger electric utility vehicle with a flatbed has been used for everyday care of the reserve since last year. In the near future, the reserve also needs a multi-seat vehicle for visitors, school excursions, film-makers and other fairly large groups that the existing working machine cannot accommodate.
“A fast transition to electromobility in the reserve is important not just for limiting greenhouse emissions. Exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines also adversely impact biodiversity and human health. That’s why electric vehicles have several benefits. It’s in nature conservation and forest care in particular that the transition to electromobility should be faster than in other fields,” added Dostal.
The Spartan EV 2.0 electric off-roader was placed on the market by MW Motors last year. In terms of appearance, the vehicle resembles the German Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The sturdy off-roader with a range of 240 km can pull up to 3.5 tonnes and is intended for a segment that does not have a broad offer in the Czech market as yet.
The vehicle also manages to draw energy through fast charging; its V2L interface enables it to charge various electric tools or domestic appliances. The vehicle is manufactured in two sizes: in four-seat and six-seat versions. Both have a cargo variant available, in which the back seats are replaced by a storage space.
“The main advantage is its ease of off-road control. Even an unexperienced driver can handle a complicated section. The huge torque available in a wide range of speeds provides a sense of security. You can get up a steep hill just by lightly touching the accelerator. Thanks to precise power delivery, it is possible to move literally by centimetres, which is appreciated by anyone who must manoeuvre, for example, with a trailer in difficult terrain,” says Martin Vesely, technical director of MW Motors.
Thus, typical users of the off-road electric vehicle include nature reserves, farmers, foresters and people who need to utilise the advantages of an electric vehicle in harsh terrain. The UK is one of the main markets for the electric off-roader.
MW Motors was founded by Irish native Maurice Anthony Ward in 2017. In addition to the Spartan EV 2.0 electric off-roader, it is also developing the Luka EV retro electric sports car.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated that it harbours no plans to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute opposition figures. This clarification is in response to a supposedly fabricated document in circulation alleging the establishment of a multi-agency task force for a purported programme tagged “ADP4VIP” (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons).
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed in a statement that the document falsely claims that a task force comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, aims to aggressively target prominent opposition figures without due process.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
“The authors of this deliberate disinformation imprudently cite ‘multiple credible sources’ to allege a planned “systematic weakening and neutralisation of opposition political activity,” particularly within the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” submitted Idris.
The Federal Government, he added, wishes to state emphatically:
1. There is no such programme as “ADP4VIP.”
2. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is firmly and successfully focused on its core agenda: implementing measurable economic reforms, defeating insecurity, expanding trade opportunities, and restoring investor confidence.
3. The attempt by some opposition elements to frame lawful accountability as political targeting is a dangerous red herring designed to shield so-called VIPs from answering to our national laws and anti-corruption agencies.
He went further: “The Government underscores its foundational principles. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees every Nigerian the right to freely associate and assemble. President Tinubu swore an oath to uphold this Constitution and its protections, including the freedoms of association and religion. He is a democrat with considerable and positive footprints.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the independence of institutions. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy where law enforcement and judicial agencies are obligated to perform their duties professionally, without interference, and in the nation’s best interest.
“Politicians and citizens are therefore enjoined to desist from engaging in disinformation, misinformation, and fake news, especially in an era where credibility is intrinsically linked to informational fidelity.
“With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the public should anticipate an increase in fabricated narratives and political blackmail by actors who employ falsehood as a strategy for relevance. We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and to reject the politics of distortion and division.
“Every Nigerian retains the constitutional right to lawful association and political activity. Concurrently, our security and anti-corruption institutions retain the lawful mandate to operate in the nation’s interest.
“As we draw the curtain on 2025 and step into a new year, this government will not be distracted by those invested in perpetual politicking. Nigerians deserve continuity, progress, and tangible results – and that is what the Tinubu Administration remains dedicated to delivering.”
The launch of Nigeria’s e-Pharmacy Policy, according to industry experts, marks a decisive transition in the pharmaceutical service delivery because of its unifying and regulatory framework that governs both electronic and hybrid pharmacy practices across the country.
In a ceremony hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to unveil the plan, the stakeholders, while narrating the journey that led to the development of the document, said they were happy because for the first time, the nation now has a guideline that formally integrates digital pharmacy into Nigeria’s broader health-system architecture.
L-R: David Adeyemi, CEO/Founder, Pharmachain Technologies, and the Registrar/CEO of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, during the launch of the National e-Pharmacy Policy held in Abuja
They are further excited because the framework also positioned e-Pharmacy as a regulated complement to physical service delivery rather than an informal, parallel market.
“I will say that the policy is actually great because it protects indigenous innovators,” David Adeyemi, CEO/Founder, Pharmachain Technologies, stated while delivering his goodwill speech at the launch of the policy.
The pharmacist believes the unveiling of the guideline was significant because if properly implemented, he said it will help to address the various health challenges that are currently bedevilling the country, especially the issues around out-of-pocket expenditure, workforce shortages, and uneven availability of essential medicines and family planning services.
Disclosing the historical origin of his organisation and its pathway in the e-pharmacy sector, he hinted that it all started during COVID-19 when they were motivated and thought of how to penetrate the lockdown that the world experienced during that period to get essential medicines across to those in need.
He expressed optimism that the policy will be well executed as a matter of urgency, considering its long-awaited arrival and the fact that Nigeria is many steps behind other countries in having a framework for the deployment of e-Pharmacy to deliver effective healthcare services.
For a country like Nigeria, where you find all sorts of web platforms selling and advertising medicines, Adeyemi, whose establishment was among those selected to draft the policy, assured that with the release of the policy, innovators, software developers, and business owners will now know that there is a formal way of approaching the e-pharmacy practices in the nation.
In response to how those in rural communities will benefit from this new guideline, he said it will help address the issue of quack practices in those areas and increase access to certified e-pharmacy stores, which remained a very big hurdle.
“The government has to communicate to help people know that they are not trying to stifle innovations, because the spirit of this document was made to be fair and encourage innovators,” the Pharmachain Technologies chieftain said when asked what he would do differently if in the position to ensure that the policy is effectively implemented to redirect the nation on the path of medical prosperity.
He commended the Ministry for considering his organisation and others worthy of participation in the process, which he said made it more inclusive by capturing all voices and improving the final document.
The policy, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, would regulate the production and sale of pharmaceuticals and allow Nigerians access to quality-assured medicines.
Pate, who was represented at the meeting by the Director of Food and Drug Services, Olubumi Aribeana, said the policy was inspired to advance the healthcare delivery and allow Nigerians access to affordable medicine without the conventional barriers of location.
He went on to say that the framework’s implementation will also help to address the issue of fragmentation and lax oversight of online pharmaceutical sales, which had created dangerous gaps where poor and counterfeit medicines, unlicensed vendors, and disinformation flourish.
“Today marks a bold step forward in our collective mission to modernise healthcare delivery and ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable, and quality-assured medicines—no matter where they live,” Prof. Pate stated.
In the same line of thought, Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, the Registrar/CEO of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), acknowledged that the policy would provide strategic direction for regulation, especially for PCN, being the implementing agency.
“We have developed the regulation to guide this particular endeavour. The regulation was approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and endorsed by the Minister of Justice,” he noted.
He assured that PCN is positive that there will not be any difficulty in the implementation of the policy, urging Nigerians to embrace the document to ensure it successful execution.
In all honesty, the National e-Pharmacy Policy clearly signifies Nigeria’s shift from preparation to action based on the remarks made by the different speakers. Its impact, however, will depend on its deployment being disciplined and equitable, establishing e-pharmacy as a long-lasting foundation of the health system that increases access, fortifies regulation, and provides care with dignity.
Regulatory reform is emerging as a decisive factor in Africa’s push to raise oil and gas output and attract new investment, with leading producers such as Angola, Nigeria and the Republic of Congo demonstrating how clearer rules and targeted incentives can deliver tangible results.
Angola has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most proactive reformers, rolling out multi-year licensing rounds, establishing the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency and introducing measures such as the incremental production decree.
The reforms have revived exploration in frontier and mature basins, leading to discoveries including ExxonMobil’s Likember-01 and Azule Energy’s Block 1/14 gas find.
Oil
Integrated developments such as Kaminho, Agogo and the New Gas Consortium project are helping sustain production above 1 million barrels per day, with authorities citing a projected investment pipeline of about $70 billion over the coming years.
Nigeria has also underscored the impact of reform through the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, which streamlined licensing and reduced bureaucratic hurdles.
The changes are aimed at restoring investor confidence and lifting output toward a target of 2.5 million barrels per day.
Licensing rounds held in 2024 and 2025 have further boosted interest, with a November 2025 bid round offering 50 blocks and targeting $10 billion in new investment.
The Republic of Congo is pursuing similar measures as it targets production of 500,000 barrels per day and seeks to expand liquefied natural gas capacity to 3 million tons per year.
Planned reforms include a Gas Master Plan, a dedicated Gas Code and new licensing rounds, alongside ongoing projects such as TotalEnergies’ $600 million investment in Moho Nord and the second phase of Congo LNG, which began operations in November 2025.
The experiences of Africa’s largest producers are increasingly shaping policy choices in emerging markets.
Namibia, following major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin, is targeting first oil by 2029 through projects led by TotalEnergies and Galp, while a December 2025 onshore discovery by ReconAfrica has added to its prospects.
Analysts say stable fiscal regimes and predictable regulation will be key as the country moves from exploration to development.
Uganda, which expects first oil from the Kingfisher and Tilenga fields in 2026, is also drawing lessons from regional peers.
Its development strategy includes the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline linking Lake Albert to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga, highlighting the importance of aligning upstream, midstream and industrial policies.
As discoveries mature across the continent, experts say regulatory frameworks must evolve from exploration-focused policies toward comprehensive strategies covering development, commercialization and exports.
That shift is expected to feature prominently at African Energy Week 2026, where governments, regulators and investors will exchange best practices.
“Africa’s energy future will be built by countries that embrace reform, attract investment and move fast,” said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
“Policy clarity, stability and bold decision-making remain central to unlocking projects and expanding access to energy.”
