Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Shoprite Holdings has formally completed the closure and exit of several of its operations in Nigeria, marking a major shift in the country’s retail landscape and dealing a significant blow to the nation’s mall economy. The development follows years of gradual divestment and operational restructuring by the South African retail giant, which once dominated Nigeria’s formal supermarket sector and served as a major anchor tenant in many shopping malls across the country. Industry analysts estimate the scale of the exit and related transactions at roughly ₦2.5 trillion, a figure that reflects the economic footprint of the brand’s…

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar Nigeria has congratulated Ghana on the occasion of its 69th Independence Anniversary, reaffirming the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between the two countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed the message in a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Friday, to his Ghanaian counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, marking Ghana’s independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957. Tuggar described Ghana’s independence as a historic milestone and a defining moment in Africa’s liberation movement, noting that it inspired many countries across the continent, including Nigeria, to pursue sovereignty and…

For many Nigerians, home ownership has always felt like a long dream parked somewhere between someday and maybe. However, the MREIF Mortgage Loan by FirstBank of Nigeria is quietly changing that narrative. Here are five things you should know: 1. Designed for Real People. This is not a luxury only scheme. It is structured to help middle income earners move from rent payments to ownership with a manageable repayments plan. 2. Single-Digit Interest Is Real (Yes, Really) At 9.75% per annum, this isn’t your typical Nigerian mortgage with rates that make your eyes water. In a market where double-digit interest…

Says Obasanjo played a significant role in supporting liberation movements across the continent. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as an enduring study in leadership, public service, and national responsibility for younger generations as he celebrates his 89th birthday. Governor Abiodun made the remark during the 89th birthday lecture in honour of the elder statesman, themed “The Global Africa Enlightenment: From Chains to Renaissance,” held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on Thursday in Abeokuta. According to the governor, national development depends on strong institutions and leaders who are willing to think beyond…

LNG Global Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) shipping market has gone high in recent days with the sustained Middle East crises. According to reports, the charter rates for modern LNG carriers has moved from roughly $40,000 last week to around $300,000 per day as traders scramble to secure vessels amid escalating disruption in the Middle East. Shipbroker Fearnleys’ latest weekly LNG report, cited by Riviera Maritime Media, daily spot charter rates for 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carriers along the U.S. Gulf-Europe route have climbed to approximately $300,000 per day, up about $260,000 compared with last week. Rates on the key U.S. Gulf-Asia route…

Stanbic IBTC has concluded its 2026 Regional Economic Outlook Series, a regional investor summit designed to provide high net worth individuals, investors, business leaders, and senior executives with clarity in a rapidly evolving economic environment. Hosted in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, the series served as a strategic platform for translating Nigeria’s reform momentum into practical investment and business decisions. The series featured a keynote address by Professor Adedipe, whose insights set a strong analytical foundation for the conversations that followed. His presentation unpacked structural reforms, fiscal recalibration, and the direction of monetary policy, offering attendees a comprehensive perspective on…

Manny Ita  – The Zamfara State Government, under the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal, has officially authorized the full sponsorship of registration fees for 25 indigene students admitted to the Nigerian Law School for the 2024/2025 academic session. This intervention, facilitated by the Zamfara State Scholarship Board, is designed to ensure that aspiring legal professionals from the state are not hindered by financial constraints as they transition into professional practice. ​The initiative is a central component of the current administration’s broader strategy to democratize access to high-quality education and invest in human capital as a driver for sustainable development. By…

Google says it has expanded language support for its Artificial Intelligence-powered search features to include Yorùbá and Hausa Languages in Nigeria. Communications and Public Affairs Manager, West Africa, Google, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said this in a statement on Thursday. He said the update allowed speakers of the two Nigerian languages to access AI-powered search experiences in their mother tongue for quick summaries and conversational exploration. The manager noted that the expansion formed part of Google’s broader effort to make AI more inclusive across Africa. He explained that the development brought the number of supported African languages in the company’s AI Search…

Nigeria will need an estimated $23 billion to bridge electricity gaps in underserved and unserved communities nationwide, a revelation that underscores both the scale of the country’s energy deficit and the urgency of accelerating its clean energy transition. The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed the figure in Abuja during the switch-on ceremony of Phase 1 of the Greening of the UN House solar project. Aliyu said a comprehensive nationwide mapping exercise by the agency identified approximately 143,000 communities at varying levels of electricity access. While some are fully electrified, many remain underserved, and a…

Donald Trump photo The United States President, Donald Trump, has said he must be involved in choosing of Iran’s next leader following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Trump made the remarks in an interview with Axios on Thursday, dismissing the possibility of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding his father. “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela,” he said. The US president was referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power in Venezuela after US forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro earlier…