Welcome to NowNowNaija — where Nigeria’s youth get new opportunities, airfares face Senate heat, and homegrown AI hits a global wall. Here’s the news shaping your day.

TOP STORY

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, officially opened several upgraded facilities at the TA Lagbaja Cantonment in Ikeja, including a refurbished basketball court and a remodeled headquarters. These improvements aim to enhance the welfare of soldiers and the army's readiness.

This means better living and working conditions for Nigerian Army personnel, which can improve morale and effectiveness. The involvement of corporate partners like First Bank and Airpeace Airlines shows growing support for the military's welfare. With the new headquarters complex completed, the army's operational capabilities in Lagos are expected to strengthen, benefiting security in your community.

Source: Blueprint Newspapers
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Rates shown are as of 6:00 AM Lagos time.

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President Bola Tinubu has restated his call for withdrawing police officers from VIP security duties across Nigeria. He directed that these officers be redeployed to protect citizens in conflict-prone areas. The Senate is investigating uneven enforcement, while the President also pushed for reforms in livestock management to reduce farmer-herder conflicts.

This move could shift security focus from protecting influential figures to enhancing safety for ordinary Nigerians in areas vulnerable to violence. You might notice increased police presence in local communities where conflicts are common. The government’s push for livestock reform and ranch development aims to create jobs and reduce clashes that affect farming communities. However, disparities in how the withdrawal order is applied, especially around lawmakers and public figures, could impact perceptions of fairness and security.

Source: The Guardian
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What else is happening:

Over 300 Nigerian AI startups train their large language models overseas due to a lack of local AI-ready data centres. Nigeria’s existing data infrastructure supports cloud services but cannot handle the power demands of advanced AI workloads, forcing startups to rely on costly foreign facilities with high latency and fees.

This gap directly affects Nigerian startups and tech entrepreneurs by increasing costs and slowing down AI development within the country. Using data centres thousands of miles away raises data sovereignty and compliance issues under local laws, limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully benefit from its own data and AI innovations. While investments like MTN’s Dabengwa Data Centre help expand local cloud capacity, full-scale AI data centres ready for high-density computing are still years away, meaning you may face delays and higher costs when engaging with AI-based services or startups locally.

Source: Business News Nigeria
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The Dangote Refinery increased its daily petrol supply within Nigeria from 18 million litres in October to 23.5 million litres in November. Despite this boost, the country still faces an 11.48 million litre daily shortfall compared to consumption of 52.9 million litres. The refinery aims to supply 50 million litres per day starting December to support fuel availability during the festive season.

For you and your family, this means a gradual easing of petrol shortages and more stable fuel availability as the peak demand period approaches. However, the nationwide petrol reserve covers only 17 days, signaling vulnerability if imports or refinery operations falter. The increase in domestic supply could help moderate prices and reduce reliance on imports, but continual government planning and import management remain crucial to avoid disruptions. Transport and industrial activity is also driving higher diesel demand, reflecting busy commercial seasons ahead.

Source: This Day Live
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What else is happening:

CKay’s hit song "Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)" has officially joined Spotify’s billion-stream club, making it one of the most streamed African tracks ever. Originally released in 2019, the song gained massive global popularity through TikTok and remixes, solidifying CKay’s place among Africa’s top artists.

This milestone highlights how Nigerian music continues to influence global audiences and boost the Afrobeats genre worldwide. For fans and aspiring musicians, CKay’s success demonstrates the power of social media and streaming platforms in creating international hits. The song’s platinum certifications across the US, India, UK, and other countries underscore growing opportunities for African artists on the global stage. It also inspires pride in Nigerian culture and opens doors for more homegrown talents to reach new heights.

Source: Prima News
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The Social Feed:

More than 2800 athletes from nine Niger Delta states will compete in the second Niger Delta Games set for February. Each state must field 270 athletes as part of this regional sports development effort. The Games aim to discover and nurture local talent using Port Harcourt's High Performance Centre as a training base.

This tournament aims to boost regional sports by giving athletes from the Niger Delta a dedicated platform to showcase their skills. For local communities, it means more opportunities for youth engagement and pride in regional achievements. The provision of accommodations and allowances reduces barriers for athletes, encouraging wider participation. Over time, this focus on local talent could improve Nigeria’s competitive edge nationally and beyond.

Source: Punch
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Quote of the Day

“A nation grows when its young refuse to shrink their dreams.” — Adebayo Williams