Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

NLC President Joe Ajaero. Photo: File … says these moves are all very questionable. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has alleged a plan by some officials operating a cabal within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to spend nearly N20 billion for grid expansion. The NLC alleged that the plan to spend nearly N20 billion from TCN coffers under the guise of “emergency refurbishment” looked more like a contrivance to fleece a company that was already saddled with fiscal challenges. In a letter to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajearo, the Congress…

Sterling Bank Sterling Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) to accelerate access to affordable housing finance and deepen homeownership opportunities across Nigeria. Vice President of Consumer Banking at Sterling Bank, David Adebayo, signed on behalf of the bank at a ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, while Executive Director of ARM Investment Managers, Mounir Bouba, signed on behalf of ARM, the fund manager of MREIF. Under the partnership, eligible Nigerians will be able to access mortgage loans at a fixed interest rate of approximately 9.75…

Elegbede Abiodun Airtel Africa Foundation has inducted the first Nigerian cohort of the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship that offers fully paid scholarships for students pursuing undergraduate courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the continent. During a ceremony held at Airtel Nigeria headquarters in Lagos, Airtel Africa Foundation’s Chairman, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, alongside Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, presented the full-ride scholarship awards to 70 students from universities across Nigeria. The undergraduates studying technology courses, were drawn from the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Benin, Tai Solarin University of Education, the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu…

• Says all these efforts, on the budge, helped improve broadband penetration and key network quality indicators. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended its proposed ₦472 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year before the joint communications committees of the Senate of Nigeria and the House of Representatives of Nigeria in Abuja, outlining its spending plans, revenue projections, and key priorities for the telecommunications sector. Leading the presentation was the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, who explained that the proposed budget aligns with the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and covers recurrent expenditure, capital…

Speakers at the incoming UBA event This will feature women who have succeeded in various sectors thereby building resilient careers and redefining success in the modern workplace. United Bank for Africa, UBA, is set to host a special edition of its quarterly Business Series aimed at celebrating and empowering Africa’s evolving generation of female leaders as part of activities marking Women’s Month. The event, themed “Gen W – The Evolved Woman,” will hold on March 12, 2026, at UBA House in Lagos and will feature prominent female entrepreneurs and professionals who will share insights on leadership, innovation and personal growth…

Manny Ita  – Trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited ended the first week of March on a positive note, with the market recording a steady advance driven largely by strong gains in oil and gas stocks. Data from the exchange shows that the All-Share Index rose by 4,141.37 points during the week ended March 6, closing at 196,968.15 points. The increase represents a 2.15 per cent gain compared with the previous week, despite a slowdown in overall trading activity. Market capitalization moved in tandem with the upward price movement, rising by 2.16 per cent to N126.4 trillion. However, trading volume…

Manny Ita  – Members of the Iran women’s national football team have reportedly been placed under house arrest after refusing to sing the national anthem associated with the ruling government, according to claims made by a commentator during a broadcast discussion. The allegations were highlighted by James Macpherson, a host on Sky News Australia, who said the players were facing restrictions after their protest during a football event drew criticism from state media figures in Iran. Speaking during a televised segment, Macpherson said the team’s decision not to sing the anthem had been interpreted by pro-government commentators as an act…

Manny Ita  – Manager José Mourinho was sent off following a heated confrontation with opposition staff as SL Benfica fought back from two goals down to secure a dramatic 2–2 draw against league leaders FC Porto in a tense edition of “O Clássico” in the Primeira Liga. Porto made a strong start to the encounter, taking the lead in the 10th minute through Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt. The visitors extended their advantage shortly before halftime when Polish player Oskar Pietuszewski doubled the lead, putting Porto in firm control as they headed into the break. Benfica responded strongly in the second…

Manny Ita  – All eyes are on the Court of Appeal (Nigeria) today as it prepares to deliver a decisive ruling in the protracted leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a development that could significantly shape the internal structure and future direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party. The judgment is expected to address legal challenges arising from the long-running struggle between rival factions within the party, a crisis that has fueled tensions among party stakeholders and supporters across the country. The dispute, which has lingered for months, centers on competing claims to key leadership positions and disagreements over…

Manny Ita  – Several state governors, political organizations and civil society groups across Nigeria have pledged to increase female representation in governance following activities marking International Women’s Day, with some political groups announcing plans to reserve up to 40 per cent of leadership positions for women. The commitments came in the aftermath of nationwide celebrations and advocacy events held on March 8, where leaders and stakeholders renewed calls for greater gender inclusion in political leadership, public administration and decision-making processes. Officials from several political parties said the new commitments are part of broader efforts to close Nigeria’s gender representation gap,…