As Nigerian families prepare for the Sallah celebrations, home appliance retailer Jamara Home, has unveiled a nationwide promotional campaign offering discounts on household electronics and appliances.

The “Sallah Feast Specials” campaign, which runs from May 26 to June 15, targets consumers looking to upgrade or replace essential home appliances ahead of the festive season.

The company said the initiative covers products such as smart TVs, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, cooking appliances, and power solutions available both online and across its physical stores nationwide.

Why the campaign matters

Sallah celebrations in Nigeria often bring increased household activity as families host relatives and friends, prepare large meals, and spend more time indoors during the holiday period.

That seasonal demand can put pressure on household appliances, particularly amid rising temperatures and persistent electricity challenges in many parts of the country.

Industry analysts say demand for cooling systems, refrigeration, and backup power products typically rises during festive seasons as households seek comfort and convenience.

For many consumers, festive promotions also provide an opportunity to invest in long-term household equipment despite ongoing economic pressures and inflation affecting purchasing power.

Focus on practical household needs

According to Jamara Home, the campaign was designed around the realities many Nigerian households face during festive periods.

Speaking on the initiative, Oluwatomi Faniran said the company wanted the campaign to focus on improving comfort and convenience for families during the celebrations.

“Sallah is one of the biggest family moments of the year. Naturally, the home becomes busier and more active during this time. We want this campaign to go beyond regular discounts by focusing on products that truly improve comfort, convenience, and the overall home experience for Nigerians celebrating with their loved ones,” she said.

She added that the company also aimed to make quality appliances more accessible without placing additional financial pressure on families.

“The campaign also reflects the company’s broader goal of making quality home appliances more accessible to customers without placing unnecessary financial pressure on families during important celebrations.”

Growing demand for home appliances in Nigeria

Nigeria’s consumer electronics and home appliance market has continued to evolve as more households seek energy-efficient and durable products.

Retailers have increasingly focused on installment payment options, warranty-backed products, and after-sales support as consumers become more cautious about spending.

Jamara Home said its product lineup includes items from more than 30 international brands, with manufacturer warranties and customer support services attached.

The company’s inventory includes televisions, audio systems, gas cookers, kitchen appliances, washing machines, refrigerators, and alternative power products.

Consumer spending and festive retail trends

Retail experts say festive campaigns remain important for businesses operating in Nigeria’s retail sector, particularly as companies compete for customers during peak spending periods.

Economic observers also note that promotions tied to religious and cultural celebrations often help retailers drive both online and in-store traffic.

For consumers, however, affordability remains a major consideration as inflation continues to affect the prices of imported goods and electronics.

Despite those challenges, demand for household essentials and convenience-focused appliances remains relatively strong during holiday seasons.

What’s next?

The Sallah Feast Specials campaign will continue until June 15, with products available through Jamara Home’s stores and official website.

Customers can browse available products and promotional offers through the company’s online platform.

For more information, visit Jamara Home Official Website; https://jamarahome.com

A legal battle involving Union Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria is moving to Nigeria’s appellate courts after both parties challenged a Federal High Court ruling linked to the bank’s ownership and financial condition.

At the centre of the dispute is the 2022 acquisition of Union Bank by Titan Trust Bank through entities linked to the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group.

The transaction, reportedly valued at about $300 million, was financed largely through a facility from African Export-Import Bank.

The controversy now focuses on whether borrowed funds were improperly used to finance the acquisition and whether the CBN acted lawfully when it intervened in Union Bank’s management structure.

Why the Case Matters

The case goes beyond a corporate dispute.

Union Bank is one of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions, serving nearly 7.8 million depositors through more than 280 branches nationwide. Any instability involving the bank carries wider implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

According to the article authored by Kano-based commentator Bala Rabiu, a forensic audit allegedly found that the acquisition financing later appeared on Union Bank’s own balance sheet without sufficient protection against naira depreciation.

The report argued that as the naira weakened, the bank faced rising revaluation losses, pressure on capital adequacy, and growing exposure to non-performing loans.

The commentary also stated that the bank’s former management and board were informed of the findings during a special examination.

“The claim that the CBN acted without evidence before dissolving the board is, on the record, simply not accurate,” the article stated.

Legal Questions Now Before the Court

The CBN said its actions were taken under the powers granted by the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the CBN Act 2007.

However, the Federal High Court reportedly questioned whether those powers should be treated as quasi-judicial and therefore subject to stricter procedural safeguards.

Union Bank has also filed an appeal challenging aspects of the judgment.

According to the commentary, the bank’s legal team argued that:

the original applicants may not have had legal standing to sue;

the action was filed outside the permitted time limit; and

the CBN-led recapitalisation process should not be interpreted as evidence of bad faith.

Legal analysts say the Court of Appeal’s decision could shape how far Nigerian regulators can go when intervening in troubled financial institutions.

Investor Confidence Debate

Some critics of the intervention argue the dispute could damage investor confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector.

But supporters of the CBN’s actions say the broader market suggests otherwise.

The article cited banking sector data showing that by April 2026, Nigerian banks had collectively raised about N4.65 trillion under the CBN recapitalisation programme.

It also pointed to gains in the Nigerian stock market during the first quarter of 2026 as evidence that investors still view the regulatory environment as stable.

Union Bank Says Operations Remain Stable

Despite the legal dispute, Union Bank’s operations continue nationwide.

The commentary stressed that the institution “is not being dismantled” but instead remains under active regulatory supervision aimed at protecting depositors and maintaining stability.

That reassurance is likely to be significant for customers and businesses that rely on the bank for daily transactions and credit facilities.

What Happens Next?

The case is now expected to proceed to the Court of Appeal, where judges will determine whether the CBN acted within its statutory authority.

The outcome could become a landmark ruling for Nigeria’s financial sector, especially as the country pushes forward with a broader banking recapitalisation agenda.

For investors, regulators, and ordinary bank customers, the decision may help define the balance between financial stability and corporate governance oversight in Africa’s largest economy.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has seized suspected cannabis, codeine-based syrups and other smuggled goods worth more than N500m during a renewed anti-smuggling operation at the Seme border corridor.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, the Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, said the seizures were made through intelligence-led surveillance operations conducted within the past two months.

The controller, who assumed office on 18 March 2026, said the command also generated nearly N9.8bn in revenue during the period, a sharp increase compared with the same period last year.

According to Customs figures presented at the briefing, the command generated N9.79bn between March and May 2026, compared with N2.18bn during the corresponding period in 2025.

Officials said the increase represented a 448% growth rate.

Cannabis and pharmaceutical products intercepted

Among the major seizures announced were 800 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa, which Customs said were smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana through the Seme border corridor.

The controller said the drugs were intercepted following intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance operations.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, although Customs said they were later released on administrative bail pending further investigations.

The seized cannabis is expected to be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.

Customs also announced the interception of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including codeine-based cough syrups and sexual enhancement drugs allegedly brought into the country without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The products seized included:

55 bottles of Ultimate Plus Maker Syrup

88 packs of 99 Bullet herbal medicine

10 cartons of Ultimate Plus Maker Sedal

14 cartons each of Super Sexy, Machine Man and Citrate 200mg

100 packs each of Tramartine and Campendol

Officials said the pharmaceutical products would also be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action.

Rice, spaghetti and used shoes seized

The command further disclosed that officers intercepted:

2,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice

993 cartons of foreign spaghetti

250 bags of used clothing

Vegetable oil and premium motor spirit products

Customs placed the total duty-paid value of all seized items at more than N500m.

The controller described the operations as part of the agency’s “zero-tolerance stance against smuggling”.

“These seizures underscore the command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and reaffirm determination to protect the nation’s economy, support local industry, preserve public safety, and enforce compliance,” he said.

Why the seizures matter

The Seme border is one of Nigeria’s busiest trade corridors, linking the country to neighbouring West African states under the Economic Community of West African States trade framework and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Security experts say the corridor remains strategically important because it serves both legitimate trade and illegal cross-border trafficking routes.

The latest seizures also highlight growing concerns over the smuggling of narcotics and unregulated pharmaceutical products into Nigeria.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of unregistered medicines, particularly codeine-based products, which authorities say are frequently abused.

Customs highlights trade facilitation efforts

Despite the enforcement operations, the controller said the command remained committed to facilitating lawful trade.

He said Customs had intensified engagement with freight forwarders, transport unions, importers, exporters and other stakeholders to reduce bottlenecks and improve compliance.

“Compliance remains the safest, fastest and most cost-effective pathway for conducting international trade,” he said.

The command also said it was working closely with sister security agencies and the Western Marine Command to strengthen surveillance along land and maritime routes.

Revenue growth linked to reforms

Customs attributed the increase in revenue collection to tighter compliance mechanisms, anti-revenue leakage measures and the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

The agency said improved collaboration with stakeholders and enhanced operational efficiency also contributed to the growth.

Analysts say stronger border enforcement and digital customs systems could improve government revenue generation, especially as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.

What’s next?

The seized cannabis and pharmaceutical products are expected to be formally transferred to the NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation.

Customs officials also signalled that anti-smuggling patrols along the Seme-Badagry corridor would intensify in the coming months.

Authorities say enforcement operations will continue alongside efforts to improve legitimate regional trade under AfCFTA and ECOWAS trade agreements.