Nigerian Research Institute to Spend N1.1B on Grinding & Welding Equipment to Empower Youths and Women in 2026

The National Cereals Research Institute has revealed plans to spend ₦1.1 billion on grinding machines, welding equipment, mobile carts, and vulcanising machines in 2026. The initiative aims to empower youths and women in the Niger Delta States to start small businesses.

In addition, the institute allocated ₦4.1 billion to supply grains to rural farmers in selected South-South communities, and another ₦4.9 billion to purchase grains for farmers nationwide. A further ₦350 million is earmarked for capacity building for grain producers in South-West Nigeria.

The announcement comes amid concerns raised by civic watchdog MonITng, which previously criticized empowerment projects in Aguata Federal Constituency, Anambra State, as mismanaged and outdated, arguing that providing wheelbarrows, hoes, and cutlasses does not adequately equip youths for today’s economy.

MonITng stressed that true empowerment should combine skills training (like welding, ICT, tailoring, or agro-processing) with meaningful tools, rather than handing out obsolete implements.

At a time when nations invest in technology-driven agriculture and digital empowerment, spending millions on cutlasses and wheelbarrows is a waste of public funds,” the group said.



The 2026 plan by the Cereals Research Institute reflects a shift towards more practical and business-oriented empowerment programs, aimed at giving Nigerians the tools to create sustainable livelihoods.

MURIC Demands Sharia Courts, Friday Public Holiday in Southwest.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for constitutional amendments to establish Sharia courts in all South West states and declare Fridays public holidays for Muslim worship.

The group’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, represented by Dr. Jamiu Busari, made the submission at the South West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional review. He told the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution that the absence of Sharia courts in the Southwest contradicts the region’s pre-colonial Islamic heritage.

“No Sharia court currently exists in Southwestern Nigeria, where Muslims arguably form the majority,” Akintola said. He demanded the creation of Sharia Courts of Appeal across the zone, including in Edo State, noting that such courts would serve only Muslims and not infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.

Akintola also proposed that Fridays be declared public holidays, arguing that the current weekend system—Saturday and Sunday—favours Christians and marginalises Muslims.

“Thursdays and Fridays were traditional Muslim weekends before colonialism. Saturday was later made a full day to benefit Seventh-Day Adventists under Gen. Gowon,” he said.

He claimed that five of Nigeria’s eight national holidays favour Christians, listing Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. Muslim holidays—Eid-Kabir, Eid Fitr, and Maulud—are fewer, he added, while urging recognition of the Islamic New Year as a national holiday.

Akintola also called for official recognition of Islamic (Nikkah) marriage certificates, saying current practices that exclude them are discriminatory. Echoing MURIC’s position, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) backed the call for Sharia courts and proposed Islamic finance courts to support Muslim economic practices.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Deputy Senate President Sen. Jubrin Barau, assured that all submissions would be reviewed and considered by the National Assembly.