Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Elegbede Abiodun • United Capital Infrastructure Fund is set to mobilise long-term capital for high-impact projects. United Capital Infrastructure Fund (UCIF), a SEC-licensed infrastructure debt fund operated by leading Pan-African financial services group United Capital Plc, has announced a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, delivering a gross return of 24.62% and consistently outperforming comparable market instruments. The Fund recorded a total income of ₦3.06 billion in FY 2025, representing a 54.5% year-on-year increase, driven by the strong performance of its diversified infrastructure loan portfolio. This significant growth in fund performance underscores the growing role of…

The Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has reached Lyon, France, gearing up for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The reigning African champions got to the French city on Monday, ready to compete in the high-stakes qualification event scheduled from March 11 to March 15. Facing a rigorous round-robin format, the team is set to clash with Colombia, South Korea, the Philippines, and tournament hosts France. These matches are part of FIBA’s global qualification pathway, where nations vie for a coveted spot in the next Women’s World Cup. Having established dominance in African women’s basketball over…

FCMB FCMB Group said it has attained the required capital for international banking license as required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following the completion of its capital raising initiative through which it raised N242.8 billion. With the additional capital raised from the public offer as well as divestment from its pension business, the banking group said its capital base now exceeds the N500 billion minimum capital which banks with international license must have before March 31, 2026. According to the group chief executive of FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, the 2025 Public Offer, had raised approximately N231.8 billion in…

Manny Ita  – Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney has defended the playing style of Arsenal F.C. and urged manager Mikel Arteta to disregard what he described as unfair criticism directed at the club’s tactical approach. Arsenal, who currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, remain in contention for multiple trophies this season after advancing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town F.C.. Despite their strong run of form, the North London club’s style of play has recently attracted criticism from several figures within football. Former West…

Manny Ita  – Rising volatility in global oil markets has sharply increased operational costs for the Dangote Refinery, with tanker freight rates surging amid fluctuations in crude oil prices. An executive of the refinery said global crude markets had experienced sharp swings within a short period, creating cost pressures across the petroleum supply chain. “Global oil markets are experiencing extreme volatility, with crude prices rising from the mid-$60 range to nearly $120 per barrel within a week,” said Devakumar Edwin. He said the refinery’s operations remain fully exposed to international commodity market dynamics, including fluctuations in crude oil prices, freight…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian Breweries Plc has called for stronger government and industry support to scale up local barley production in Nigeria, saying collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem is essential to reduce the country’s dependence on imported malted barley. The company made the call during its Maltina Barley Field Day held in Ringim, Jigawa State, where it showcased the results of its pilot barley cultivation programme aimed at developing a domestic supply chain for the brewing industry. Nigeria’s brewing sector currently imports about 200,000 tonnes of malted barley annually, a dependency that costs the country more than $150 million in…

Manny Ita  – Starlink has announced plans to launch a new generation of satellites capable of delivering full cellular connectivity, including 5G services, directly to smartphones without the need for traditional ground-based infrastructure. The satellite internet company, operated by SpaceX and founded by Elon Musk, said its upcoming Starlink Mobile V2 satellites are designed to power what it described as the highest-performing satellite-to-mobile network developed so far. According to the company, the system will allow smartphones to connect seamlessly to mobile networks from virtually any location, complementing terrestrial telecom infrastructure and helping to expand connectivity in underserved regions, including rural…

Manny Ita  – Suspected terrorists linked to Islamic State West Africa Province have attacked two Nigerian military bases in Borno State, reportedly killing a commanding officer and several soldiers. Security sources said the attacks targeted military formations in Goniri and Kukawa and were launched overnight on Monday. The exact number of casualties had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report. According to the sources, the insurgents also destroyed several military operational vehicles during the assault. However, troops were said to have killed a number of the attackers during the clash at the Kukawa base. A…

After seven years of her breaking into the league of ivy-universities by winning the prestigious World Bank-African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious, Redeemer’s University roared again and showcased some of its finest academic qualities and credentials to emerge as second Overall Best University in Nigeria.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force. Placid replaces the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin. This was made public in a statement issued on Sunday by Hundeyin, who signed as the outgoing spokesperson at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. According to the statement, Placid is a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping. Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in…