Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances, Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mothers, Newborns Across Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday launched the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), deploying 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, and emergency dispatch equipment to tackle Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality crisis—where, according to UNICEF, one woman dies every seven minutes from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. The launch, conducted virtually as part of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s third-anniversary projects, signals the administration’s most ambitious attempt yet to bridge the emergency healthcare gap in rural, riverine, and hard-to-reach communities across Nigeria.

Nigeria records an estimated 75,000 maternal deaths annually—one of the highest figures globally. Additionally, about 280,000 newborns die each year, many from preventable causes. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has consistently attributed these deaths to weak healthcare infrastructure, shortage of trained health workers, poverty, poor emergency response systems, and critically, lack of transportation to access quality maternal care. Speaking during the virtual presidential launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziak Adekunle Salako, described the NEMSAS initiative as a direct response to this crisis. He said the investments reflected “a bold national vision where no Nigerian should lose their life because structured medical help could not reach them in time.”

Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances and Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mother

According to the minister, the NEMSAS assets include 145 tricycle ambulances (commonly known as “keke ambulances”) designed to navigate narrow roads and rough terrain in rural communities, six boat ambulances specifically deployed to riverine and coastal areas where road access is impossible, and emergency communication and dispatch equipment to coordinate rapid response. “This landmark occasion features the official launch of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System assets including 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, emergency communication and dispatch equipment to strengthen pre-hospital care across the nation,” Salako said.

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Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, explained the deployment strategy. “These ambulances are going down to the rural areas, and they will be stationed at the primary healthcare centres where there are trained drivers, while nurses will accompany the ambulances anytime they need to be moved,” she said. She added that emergency contact numbers would be made available at primary healthcare centres to support emergency referrals and rapid response. The six boat ambulances have been deployed specifically to riverine communities, while the vehicle ambulances powered by compressed natural gas will serve federal tertiary facilities. Kachallom expressed optimism that Nigerians would witness better health outcomes before the end of 2027, noting that the health sector had “greatly improved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Demuren Doubra, revealed that the tricycle ambulances were specifically designed to transport pregnant women and newborns during emergencies in hard-to-reach communities. Doubra disclosed that even before the official launch, more than 58,000 women and over 2,000 newborns had already benefited from emergency transport interventions under the programme. He cited a powerful example: a pregnant woman transported over 180 kilometres from Dukku Local Government Area in Gombe State, who later delivered triplets safely. “This is a woman that would have died because of a gap in transportation,” he said. “As NEMSAS, with these facilities and equipment, we are trying to address the delay in reaching care for women and newborns,” Doubra added. He confirmed that the ambulances are being deployed across 15 states under a World Bank-supported IMPACT project, serving local government areas with the highest maternal and child mortality rates.

Beyond the ambulance launch, Minister Salako announced the commissioning of several major health infrastructure projects across the country, including Emergency Operations Centres in Kano, Sokoto, and Katsina states; the Lagos Vaccine Hub; primary healthcare infrastructure in Delta State; the Trauma Centre at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; the Mental Health Complex at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; the Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre in Bauchi; the Laboratory Complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja. Salako disclosed that the ministry had lined up more than 100 projects to mark the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, with selected projects across the six geopolitical zones chosen for presidential commissioning. He said the projects represented strategic investments in emergency preparedness, maternal and child healthcare, trauma care, mental health, and diagnostic services.

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Highlighting the administration’s track record, Salako said the Federal Government had expanded health insurance coverage by over 33 per cent, revitalised more than 4,000 primary healthcare centres, established 15 new federal tertiary health institutions, and provided over 500 specialist health infrastructure projects, including cancer centres and diagnostic facilities, to reduce medical tourism. President Tinubu had earlier announced that his administration injected over N98 billion into Nigeria’s primary healthcare sector via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) , disbursed to over 8,300 primary healthcare centres nationwide—marking one of the largest single-year investments in grassroots health services.

National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Nnena Ogbulafor, linked the emergency transport system to ongoing efforts to reduce malaria prevalence in Nigeria. She said the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey showed malaria prevalence had declined to 15 per cent from 21 per cent recorded in 2021. “Between three years of Mr President’s agenda, especially as regards the health sector, we’ve been able to reduce the burden of malaria significantly,” she said. The Federal Government’s Strategic Adviser on Malaria Elimination, Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu, confirmed that no state in Nigeria is currently classified under high transmission, with Lagos recording just 2.6 per cent prevalence and Plateau 2.8 per cent. Ogbulafor disclosed that 428 health workers had been trained across the 15 participating states, while awareness campaigns and emergency health communication strategies had also been developed.

World Bank Task Team Leader, Onoride Ezire, described the launch as a major milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage. Ezire explained that the specially equipped tricycle ambulances are fitted with communication gadgets and emergency medical support systems to monitor patients during transportation. “They are not just vehicles, they are not just ambulances; they are life-saving machines,” he said. He noted that poor terrain and lack of transportation often turn basic emergencies into life-threatening situations in rural communities. According to him, the ambulances would help reduce maternal and newborn mortality by ensuring quicker access to healthcare facilities. Ezire urged states benefiting from the initiative to ensure proper maintenance and sustainable management of the ambulances to guarantee long-term impact.

Director of Community Health Services at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nana Abubakar, said the initiative would improve emergency transportation, referral systems, and rapid access to lifesaving care. “It will help reduce preventable deaths, especially amongst mothers, newborn children and other vulnerable groups,” she said. Abubakar stated that emergency response begins within communities, adding that the initiative aligned with the agency’s mandate to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation for universal health coverage.

Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances, Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mothers, Newborns Across Nigeria

Lagos Tenancy Reform 2026: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State government has officially unveiled plans to introduce a new tenancy law aimed at curbing arbitrary rent increases, illegal charges, and exploitative practices by estate agents across the state. The proposed legislation, currently before the State House of Assembly, is expected to bring major reforms to the real estate sector, including a cap on agency fees, mandatory registration for agents, and faster dispute resolution. Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed the details during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja. He described the bill as a direct response to growing complaints from tenants over excessive rent hikes, fraudulent fees, and unethical conduct by unregistered operators. Once passed, the law will apply to all parts of Lagos State without exception.

One of the most significant provisions of the bill is the regulation of estate agency fees. According to the commissioner, the Lagos State government has consistently maintained that agency fees should not exceed 10% of the total annual rent payable by tenants. However, earlier legislative discussions from August 2025 indicated that the Assembly was considering an even stricter cap of 5%. The final figure remains under debate at the committee stage. Currently, it is common practice for agents in Lagos to charge 10% agency fee plus 10% legal or agreement fee, a model the new bill seeks to eliminate.

Under the proposed law, all estate agents operating in Lagos will be required to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) . Operating without registration will become a criminal offense once the bill is passed. The move targets unregistered agents accused of charging excessive fees, fraudulent sales of properties (such as selling one property to multiple buyers), and withholding tenant rents. Penalties for violations could include fines of up to ₦1 million and two years imprisonment.

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The bill also seeks to curb arbitrary rent increases, which have become a major pain point for tenants in Lagos. While the full details on rent hike limits are still being finalized, early drafts of the bill also proposed banning landlords from demanding more than one year’s rent in advance from new tenants. This would replace the common practice of demanding two or more years upfront.

To address the slow pace of justice in housing matters, the proposed law introduces special court sittings for tenancy-related disputes. Courts will now sit on weekends and public holidays specifically to fast-track landlord-tenant cases. This is designed to prevent prolonged evictions or unfair lockouts. However, the commissioner added one important condition: tenants who wish to take legal action against their landlords must first provide proof of rent payment and updated utility bills before initiating court proceedings.

Even before the bill becomes law, Akinderu-Fatai revealed that LASRERA has intensified enforcement against fraudulent estate agents. Between 2025 and 2026, the agency recovered over ₦270 million from fraudulent operators. This demonstrates the government’s readiness to enforce transparency in the sector. “The Sanwo-Olu administration is determined to restore sanity, transparency, and accountability in the real estate sector while protecting residents from exploitation,” the commissioner said.

It is important to note that the proposed tenancy bill is not yet law. The current stage is the committee stage at the Lagos State House of Assembly. The next steps require the bill to pass committee review, then be passed by the Assembly, and finally receive the governor’s assent. Until then, the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2011 remains the legally binding framework. Residents, landlords, and agents are advised to follow updates from LASRERA and the Ministry of Housing for official announcements.

Lagos Tenancy Reform 2026: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know

Tinubu Marks Third Anniversary, Says Nigeria’s Economy Recovering

President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that Nigeria’s economy is gradually recovering, insisting that his administration’s bold reforms are beginning to deliver visible results in infrastructure development, investment inflows, job creation and improved national security.

In his third anniversary message to Nigerians, Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardship caused by major policy decisions since assuming office on May 29, 2023, but maintained that the difficult choices were necessary to rescue the country from deeper fiscal and structural crisis.

The President said his administration inherited an economy weighed down by unsustainable fuel subsidy payments, multiple exchange-rate distortions, mounting debt-servicing costs, declining revenues and worsening insecurity.

According to him, Nigeria was spending as much as ₦18.4 billion daily on petrol subsidy, amounting to over ₦4 trillion in 2022 alone, while the country also lost more than ₦8 trillion over three years to foreign exchange arbitrage and speculative distortions.

Tinubu said his government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy and unify the foreign exchange market was painful but unavoidable.

“The situation demanded urgent and courageous action. Difficult but necessary decisions had to be taken to stabilise the economy and prevent a deeper national crisis,” he said.

He noted that while the reforms triggered an increase in the cost of living and placed enormous pressure on households and businesses, they have laid the foundation for sustainable recovery.

Economic recovery and investment confidence

The President said Nigeria’s economy is now more competitive and better positioned for long-term growth than it was in 2023.

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He pointed to improving public finances, increased allocations to state and local governments, and renewed investor confidence as signs of economic recovery.

Tinubu highlighted the strong performance of the Nigerian stock market, revealing that the All Share Index rose from 53,000 in 2023 to 250,000 in 2026, while market capitalisation climbed from ₦30 trillion to ₦160 trillion.

He added that companies are now posting record profits and dividend payouts.

Infrastructure expansion across Nigeria

Tinubu disclosed that over 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are currently under construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation nationwide.

Key projects listed include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, East-West Road, and multiple rural access roads.

He said rail modernisation projects are also progressing to improve national connectivity, logistics and economic integration.

Oil, gas and power sector reforms

The President said reforms in the oil and gas sector have attracted billions of dollars in fresh investment from international oil companies.

He disclosed that the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project is nearing completion and will significantly boost Nigeria’s LNG export capacity.

Tinubu also said expanded domestic refining capacity and operational modular refineries are reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and conserving foreign exchange.

On electricity, he said the administration is addressing long-standing structural challenges by clearing legacy debts, expanding transmission infrastructure, investing in renewable energy and strengthening the national grid.

Education, housing and agriculture interventions

The President said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided access to higher education for more than 1.5 million students, with over ₦282 billion disbursed.

He also said the Renewed Hope Housing Programme is delivering over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT, creating more than 300,000 jobs.

Tinubu added that agricultural interventions are supporting millions of farmers through improved seedlings, fertilisers, mechanisation and expanded access to finance.

Security improvements

On security, Tinubu said his administration has intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and criminal networks.

He stated that many communities and highways are becoming safer as a result of improved intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and stronger inter-agency coordination.

“I want to assure you that this government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel and dream in safety,” he said.

Call for patience and unity

While admitting that the country is not yet where it wants to be, Tinubu said the foundation for national recovery has been firmly laid.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient, united and hopeful.

“We must choose hope over despair, unity over division, and nation-building over narrow interests,” the President said.

Tinubu assured citizens that the benefits of the reforms would become more visible in daily life through lower food prices, reduced transport costs, increased job opportunities and improved living standards.

He concluded by expressing confidence that Nigeria would emerge stronger, more united and more prosperous.

Tinubu Marks Third Anniversary, Says Nigeria’s Economy Recovering