Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita – The government of Senegal has announced plans to shut down 19 government agencies in a move aimed at reducing public spending and saving about 55 billion CFA francs, equivalent to roughly $97.95 million, over the next three years. The decision comes as the West African country grapples with mounting public debt, which the International Monetary Fund said reached 132% of gross domestic product by the end of 2024. The debt concerns intensified after the IMF uncovered misreported borrowing, prompting the institution to freeze its lending programme to the country. According to government figures, the affected agencies currently…

Manny Ita  – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced renewed momentum for a $34 billion high-speed rail project, a 500-kilometer bullet train network intended to be the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. Speaking during his State of the Nation Address on February 12, 2026, the President confirmed that the Department of Transport is progressing with preparations to link major metropolitan hubs, specifically targeting corridors between KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Limpopo. The proposed routes are expected to connect Johannesburg to Musina near the Zimbabwe border, and eThekwini to Johannesburg, as part of a broader Limpopo–Gauteng Speed Train Project. “Now…

Manny Ita  – A coalition of six major telecommunications operators has selected Nigeria, Rwanda, and four other African nations to pilot a new $40 smartphone designed to bridge the continent’s digital divide. The initiative, driven by the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, aims to make internet access significantly more affordable for millions of residents across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda, in addition to the initial launch markets. By targeting a price point far below current market averages, the group intends to lower the barrier to entry for mobile data services in regions where hardware costs remain a…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian government has formally intervened following the detention of 42 of its citizens in Mozambique, alleging that the arrests may be rooted in xenophobic targeting rather than criminal suspicion. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) reported that the individuals were apprehended at a spare parts market, yet no formal charges have been brought against them. NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa characterized the situation as a selective enforcement action, noting that the detainees are verified lawful residents of the Southern African nation. ​In a statement issued from Abuja on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa expressed significant concern over the nature of…

Manny Ita – The traditional approach to hair coloring undergoes a fundamental shift as women enter their 50s, moving away from the aggressive concealment of youth toward what industry experts call “editing” rather than erasing age. According to Ashley J. DiMella, a professional stylist and contributor to The Custom Studio, the psychological motivation behind salon visits in this demographic often transcends simple vanity. “I’ve spent decades watching women cross that subtle, shaking bridge between ‘young’ and ‘not-young-anymore,’ at least as the world insists on defining it,” DiMella notes, observing that for many, there is a quieter urgency focused on recognition…

Manny Ita – China has opened a 22.13-kilometre highway tunnel, setting a new record as the longest road tunnel in the world and marking another milestone in large-scale infrastructure engineering. The newly completed tunnel stretches more than 13.5 miles beneath mountainous terrain in western China, providing a direct route through regions long known for steep landscapes, harsh weather conditions and dangerous mountain passes. The project forms part of China’s broader effort to improve transportation links across difficult terrain, where travel has historically been slowed by winding cliff-side roads, seasonal snow and landslides. For decades, journeys across these areas often required…

Manny Ita – Nigeria’s startup ecosystem continues to rank among Africa’s most influential technology markets, alongside Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, collectively referred to as the continent’s “Big Four” startup hubs. These four markets accounted for more than 80 per cent of venture capital inflows across Africa in 2025, underscoring their central role in the continent’s growing innovation landscape. Despite Nigeria’s strong position within the African startup economy, the sector remains largely dominated by male founders and executives, with female entrepreneurs receiving a significantly smaller portion of venture capital funding. The disparity reflects a broader global trend in which women-led…

Manny Ita  – The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, has expressed admiration for Nigeria’s cultural diversity, describing it as a reflection of the country’s rich heritage and traditions. In an exclusive interview, Mr Fonbaustier said he is particularly drawn to Nigeria’s mix of cultures, artistic expressions, traditional attire and the hospitality of its people. The envoy recounted his visit to the Kaduna Museum, where he said he was impressed by the artworks displayed at the facility. “I visited the Kaduna Museum. I love the pieces of art that I saw. Some of them, for me, are really one of…

NSDC logo The National Sugar Development Council and the Bank of Industry have established the Sugar Project Acceleration Fund as part of efforts to support the emergence and advancement of greenfield projects across the country. The N10bn fund was introduced to provide financing and project development support to viable greenfield projects, with the aim of accelerating the development of a sustainable and competitive sugar industry in Nigeria. A statement from the NSDC on Sunday stated that the council hosted an interactive session during which NSDC and BOI educated greenfield promoters who are potential beneficiaries of the fund. Speaking at the…

Signature Bank Limited has raised its capital base to ₦52 billion, exceeding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) prescribed minimum capital requirement of ₦50 billion for regional commercial banks. The increase followed the successful completion of a rights issue, positioning the Bank in full alignment with the regulatory expectations under the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation exercise. The rights issue formed part of the Bank’s broader strategy to strengthen capital adequacy, reinforce financial resilience, and support its long-term growth ambitions across its regional banking operations. By reinforcing its balance sheet through shareholder participation, Signature Bank enhanced its capacity to finance enterprises,…