Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

By Manny Ita Recent social media scrutiny of the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), following the circulation of videos showing a lavish lifestyle that included private jet travel, has reignited a familiar national debate about public office ethics in Nigeria. While no court has established wrongdoing, the episode underscores a deeper and more persistent problem: a widening gap between public power and public responsibility, and a culture of weak accountability that has turned the nation’s collective resources into what many citizens describe as a “national cake.” At the heart of the controversy is not merely the optics of…

Manny Ita The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its economic growth forecast for Nigeria in 2026 to 4.4 per cent, citing improving macroeconomic conditions and the impact of ongoing reforms, a move that reflects growing confidence in the country’s medium-term prospects. The revised projection, published in the IMF’s January 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update, marks an upward revision from the 4.2 per cent forecast issued in October 2025, and positions the economy on a steadier expansion path amid broader regional recovery trends. In its outlook, the IMF said Nigeria’s improved forecast is consistent with gradual but widespread economic…

Manny Ita Fine art is increasingly being repositioned as an alternative asset class, as financial institutions and investors move to integrate cultural assets into formal investment and financing frameworks. Once viewed largely as a store of cultural value, art is now being assessed alongside real estate, commodities and other non-traditional assets for its potential to diversify portfolios and preserve long-term value. Industry analysts note that art’s relatively low correlation with public markets has made it attractive to high-net-worth individuals, family offices and institutional investors seeking hedges against volatility. This shift has accelerated the development of structured art finance products, including…

Army repels Boko Haram drone attack in Borno Troops celebrate after the operation. Credit. Army Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a Boko Haram drone-coordinated attack and recovered terrorists’ flags, including emblems and other equipment, in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Northeast, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday. Sani explained that the troops were attacked while advancing after conducting deliberate, intelligence-led operations across several identified terrorist enclaves, including Chilaria, Garin Faruk, and Abirma on Sunday. The statement read: “Troops of the…

Abuja Disco announces HoldCo transition, names new subsidiaries Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc has announced its change of name to a Holding Company structure, a move aimed at strengthening its capacity to operate effectively within Nigeria’s evolving electricity market and the newly decentralised regulatory environment. The company said in a Sunday statement that the restructuring followed the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023, which empowers state governments to establish independent electricity markets and regulatory commissions. In response to the regulatory shift, AEDC said it had realigned its corporate structure to enhance operational agility, improve governance, and support efficient service delivery…

YouTube serves as relief to Nollywood from movie marketers Kanayo O Kanayo Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has said YouTube served as relief to the Nigerian film industry from what he described as a period of oppression and intimidation by powerful movie marketers. While speaking on a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, Kanayo recalled a troubling era in Nollywood when marketers, who had become extremely influential, allegedly used their power to control actors and silence dissent. According to him, there was a time when marketers, operating as a united front in the industry, suspended between 10 and…

AFCON 2025 award winners Senegal players celebrating after beating Morocco 1-0 to win the Africa Cup of Nations final match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat…on Sunday. Photo: AFP Senegal emerged as crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night after defeating hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in the final played in Rabat. The decisive goal was scored by Pape Gueye in the 94th minute after a tense contest that ended goalless in regulation time. The final was marked by prolonged stoppages following a late VAR-reviewed penalty awarded to Morocco, which was missed by…

Alake remains African minerals group chairman as newly elected Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman, Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Dr. Dele Alake (middle). On his immediate left is the Vice-Chairman, AMSG and Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), HE Louis Watum Kabamba; To his immediate right is Moses Engadu, Secretary- General, AMSG; Mr. Vincent Kedi, Commissioner for Licensing Administration representing the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of the Republic of Uganda (2nd right) and a cross-section of other African ministers of minerals/mining from Tanzania, Liberia, Mauritania, South Sudan, Eswatini, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Burundi, Ghana,…

AFCON 2025 match: Morocco, Nigeria semi-final, first time and challenging – Ghanaian Laryea Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea. Credit: Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo | Facebook Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has set aside claims of biased officiating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between hosts Morocco and Nigeria. Laryea, who spoke in a viral video showing him receiving flowers after landing at Accra airport in Ghana, described the encounter as the toughest match of the tournament due to the high stakes involved. Morocco defeated Nigeria 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw over 120 minutes in the semifinal played in Rabat,…

Europe counters Trump’s tariff move over Greenland US President Donald Trump European leaders on Sunday criticized US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, warning transatlantic ties were at risk. Many European countries — including Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory — emphasised they “stand united” against Trump’s vow on Saturday to hit them with tariffs of up to 25 per cent unless Greenland is ceded to the United States. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden…