The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc has commenced the second phase of its free prepaid meter distribution under “Tranche B” of the Meter Acquisition Fund metering programme.

The initiative, instituted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission aims to close the existing metering gap in the sector and eliminate estimated billing.

EEDC distributes electricity across the South-East, including Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states.

In a statement released on Tuesday, EEDC’s Group Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said the Tranche B programme targets unmetered customers on service band “A” feeders across the South-East.

Ezeh said, “These meters and their installation are free, and customers are cautioned against making any form of payment to the meter installers or succumbing to any form of inducement or extortion.

“This aligns with our organisation’s commitment to improving service transparency and customer satisfaction.

“This programme prioritises customers under Band ‘A’ feeders and urges customers to verify and update their contact information by visiting the Customer Service Unit at the distribution company’s office serving them.

“Our team will be reaching out to customers on this metering exercise using the information provided in their profile with the company.”

 Ezeh stated that 13,335 customers of EEDC, including those of its subsidiary companies, will benefit in this phase, which began on 2 November 2025 with the Know Your Customer validation exercise.

He recounted that earlier this year, EEDC had completed Tranche A of the MAF metering programme, metering 13,614 Band “A” customers.

He assured that once all Band “A” customers are metered, attention will shift to Band “B” customers, as part of a systematic effort to close the metering gap across the network.

“Customers who would not be captured in the current Tranche B MAF metering exercise should remain patient, as another initiative, the Distribution Sector Recovery Project—is underway.

“Customers should avoid engaging in meter bypass, energy theft, and all other illegal activities, and should report anyone engaging in such criminal activity,” Ezeh said.

He urged customers to contact the company via its call centre 02084700100 or WhatsApp lines 0707 461 0095 and 0707 461 0088 for further inquiries.

The Meter Acquisition Fund is a pool contributed by all distribution companies nationwide, used for the procurement of prepaid meters for free deployment to customers. The programme is overseen by a fund manager and NERC.

United Bank for Africa Plc has launched a special draw for its customers as it headline-sponsored the Lagos International Trade Fair for the seventh consecutive year.

In a statement, the bank said its sponsorship of the annual trade fair reiterated its commitment to supporting the growth of small and medium-scale businesses for global impact.

The Lagos International Trade Fair is organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year’s edition, which kicked off on Friday at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos, will be open to all until 17 November 2025 and is expected to attract thousands of exhibitors, investors, and visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

UBA said that the special draw was initiated in line with its customer-first philosophy.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the fair, UBA’s Head of SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, underscored the strategic importance of the longstanding partnership with the LCCI while reaffirming that this collaboration is a critical component of the bank’s core mission to mobilise capital as well as empower enterprises of all scales, with a focus on growing SMEs for global impact.

“Our consistent support for the LITF and our strategic, bank-wide initiatives around the AfCFTA are interconnected,” Ajayi stated. “They are two sides of the same coin, and it reflects a deep-seated commitment to building the robust financial architecture required to empower African businesses and enable them to trade seamlessly across borders.”

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, positioned the bank’s participation within the context of its vision for Africa’s economic transformation, as detailed in its recently published white paper on achieving a $4tn continental economy.

“The LITF represents one of several strategic platforms through which UBA is actively translating the ambitious goals of our white paper into tangible action,” Ladipo said. “Our comprehensive roadmap to a $4tn African economy is being built through practical, on-ground engagements such as this, which are focused on growing SMEs for global impact. These are platforms that directly connect businesses, facilitate commerce, and unequivocally demonstrate our resolve to turn a bold vision into a tangible reality for millions.”

Ladipo noted that deep partnerships, complemented by continuous digital innovations and cross-border trade solutions, will lay the groundwork for sustainable, inclusive economic growth that benefits corporations, SMEs, and individual entrepreneurs across Africa.

At the fair, UBA said that it has a dedicated, full-service branch within the grounds, and account holders who perform any transaction, such as deposits, withdrawals, or transfers, at this branch will be instantly eligible to participate in a special “Lucky Dip” draw, which offers them the chance to win a variety of premium prizes.

In spite of the decline in food inflation across Nigeria, many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried their inability to purchase staple food items.

The residents, who spoke on Sunday in Abuja attributed the development to low purchasing power and income.

“Although, some food items have slightly reduced in price, the difference is not yet significant enough due to limited income,’’ they said.

According to the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s annual food inflation rate dropped to 16.87 per cent in September 2025, down from 21.87 per cent in August.

The report said that the reduction was largely due to the seasonal harvest of grains such as maize and millet.

At the Apo market, a bag of local rice formerly sold at N75,000 is now N57,000, while a foreign brand which was sold between N90,000 and N100,000 is now N70,000.

A bag of iron beans goes for N108,000, while brown beans cost N118,000, slightly lower than the N135,000 and 145, 000 recorded earlier in the year.

A bag of white garri sold for N65,000, now sells for N60,000, while a 25-litre jerrycan of groundnut oil and red oil cost N75,000 and N77,000 respectively.

A dustbin basket of pepper is sold for between N2,000 and N2,300, while a similar basket of tomatoes ranged from N5,000 to N6,500 as against N7,500 sold in September.

Onions are presently being sold for N90,000 per bag, with a dustbin basket selling for N4,000 to N4,800.

A kilo of frozen chicken remained at N4,800, while beef and goat meat sold for N7,500 per kilogram.

In Orange Market, the survey revealed that prices of some food items increased while others dropped in the past two months.

A dustbin basket of big red Tomato is being sold at N6,000 as against between N5,000 to N7,500 as the price keeps fluctuating.

A dust bin basket of tatashe is being sold at N5,500 as against N3,500 while onions witnessed a slight increase as a dustbin basket is sold at N4,500 as against N3,500 and N4,000.

However, the price of pepper dropped significantly; a dustbin basket is being sold at N1,500 as against N3,000.

Also, the price of Irish Potato dropped significantly. A dustbin basket is sold at N3,700 as against N7,000 to N8,000.

In Wuse market, a dustbin basket of tomatoes sold for N9,000, while onions of the same measure cost N6,500. Beans sold for N2,500 per measure, and a plate of pepper (rodo) was sold at N2,000.

At Lugbe market, a 50kg bag of Big Bull rice that previously sold for N95,000 now costs N55,000, while Optimum rice dropped from N65,000 to N56,000.

Five tubers of yam that previously sold for N15,000 are now sold for about N8,000, while a mudu of beans dropped from N2,500 to N1,800.

In Nyanya market, a basket of onions sold between N3,500 and N4,500 as against N6,000 sold in August while tomatoes went for N3,500 to N5,000, depending on the type.

At Lugbe market, sweet potatoes sold for between N2,500 and N3,000, down from N3,500 to N4,000 last season.

The survey revealed that in spite of the reduction in food prices, many households are struggling to feed and make ends meet due to low per capital income.

John Okeke, a civil servant, said the price reduction had not translated into affordability for the average Nigerian.

“If food prices have dropped, are they affordable to the common man? Has transport been reduced? Has fuel reduced? We must consider all these before claiming that the economy is improving,” he said.

Agnes Edoh, a nurse and mother of three also decried the pressure she faced in maintaining her home due to limited funds.

Edoh, who acknowledged reduction in some staple food prices, appealed to the government to do more and increase workers’ salaries to boost their purchasing power.

“Even with this reduction many people are singing. The money is still not there to purchase these items.

“After paying rent, school fees, transportation and other miscellaneous, you will discover you have little or nothing left for household care.

“The government and other relevant bodies should please come to our rescue and improve the economy further for the good of Nigerians,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi, attributed the decline in prices to improved local production and government intervention programmes.

He said the administration’s National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) Agro-Pocket Programme injected more than 500,000 metric tonnes of wheat and similar volumes of maize, cassava, and other crops into the market, which helped moderate food prices.

Nigeria Sugar Coy, Group Partner Taraba Govt on Sugar Project

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), and Lee Group are partnering to establish a multi-million-dollar sugar production project in Taraba.

The gesture is part of Nigeria’s drive toward self-sufficiency in sugar production.

The Executive-Secretary of NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, said this in a statement on Sunday.

Bakrin, led a high-powered delegation comprising officials of the Council and representatives of the Lee Group to Jalingo to seek the support and collaboration of Gov. Agbu Kefas for the project’s take-off.

He said the project was part of the Council’s strategic efforts to expand sugar production across the country as well as strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.

The executive-secretary said that the NSDC was established to regulate and promote the development of the sugar industry.

According to him, the council plays a key role in supporting investors through technical guidance, feasibility studies, land access, and policy coordination.

Bakrin commended Lee Group, describing it as a credible partner with both the financial strength and technical expertise required to execute the project successfully through its subsidiary, GNAAL Sugar.

The Project Director of Lee Group, Lam Wilkins, expressed the group’s readiness to establish a world-class sugar production facility in the state.

Wilkins said that Lee Group had been operating in Nigeria for more than six decades, with notable investments in manufacturing, training, and agriculture.

He said that the Taraba sugar project would become a model of successful public–private collaboration for the country.

Responding, the Taraba governor commended the NSDC and Lee Group for choosing Taraba as an investment destination, assuring them of the state government’s full support for the project’s success.

Kefas described Taraba as “nature’s gift to the nation,” blessed with vast arable land and favourable climatic conditions for large-scale agricultural production.

Kefas identified Kurmi, Lau, and Ibi Local Government Areas as suitable for large-scale sugar cultivation and pledged to provide the necessary land and other logistics to facilitate the project’s take-off.

He also proposed the establishment of a tripartite committee comprising officials of the state government, NSDC, and Lee Group to fast-track implementation processes and monitor progress.

The governor expressed optimism that the collaboration would boost sugar production in the country.

He said it would also create jobs, stimulate industrial growth, and contribute to the Federal Government’s goal of achieving sugar self-sufficiency under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.