Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

AFP photo showing explosion in Iran The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be facing an unexpected detour as uncertainty surrounds Iran’s participation following escalating military tensions with the United States and renewed diplomatic strain tied to expanded travel restrictions. The President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, has acknowledged that the country’s appearance at the tournament is now in doubt. Speaking to Tehran public television, Taj suggested recent U.S. military action has cast serious uncertainty over Iran’s involvement. “With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can…

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso | Credit: CBN The Central Bank of Nigeria reduced the Monetary Policy Rate by 50 basis points to 26.5 per cent on 24 February 2026, after the Monetary Policy Committee’s 304th meeting. SAMI TUNJI examines the disinflation trends, foreign exchange stability and banking sector reforms supporting the decision, alongside the fiscal risks that could challenge the outlook. When the Monetary Policy Committee met for its 304th session in Abuja, it delivered what several analysts had expected by cutting the Monetary Policy Rate by 50 basis points to 26.5 per cent. However,…

Mr Taiwo Oyedele and President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House President Bola Tinubu has nominated the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, as the Minister of State for Finance. Oyedele replaces Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration. The President on Tuesday conveyed Oyedele’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on…

Official portrait of IGP Disu The Nigeria Police Force has presented the official portrait of its acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ahead of his swearing-in on Wednesday. The development was disclosed in a post on X by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Tuesday. In the portrait released by the Force, Disu was formally described as the Inspector-General of Police. President Bola Tinubu is expected to swear in Disu as the substantive IGP during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, following the unanimous endorsement of his appointment by the Nigeria Police Council on Monday. “The swearing-in…

File photo: FAAN The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has rolled out four digital payment options for access gates at airports nationwide as part of its ongoing “Operation Go Cashless” initiative. According to FAAN, the move, aimed at eliminating cash transactions and enhancing efficiency at key entry points, aligns with Nigeria’s broader push toward a cashless economy. The authority detailed the available payment channels in an announcement on its X handle on Tuesday. It wrote, “To ensure smooth and efficient access, the following payment options are available: • “FAAN Go Cashless Card – The fastest and most seamless payment option.…

FILE: Sachet alcoholic drinks The Federal Government on Tuesday formally flagged off a nationwide enforcement and public enlightenment campaign on the ban of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres. The joint press conference, held in Abuja, was organised by the National Orientation Agency in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The ban, which took effect on January 1, 2026, targets the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol in sachets and bottles smaller than 200ml. The measure is part…

Nigeria’s Value Added Tax revenue surged to N2.28 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 10.66% increase from N2.06 trillion in the previous quarter, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure was disclosed in the Sectorial Distribution of VAT Q3 2025 report published on the NBS website on Tuesday. The report shows that, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q3 2025 increased by 28.10% from Q3 2024. The breakdown shows local VAT payments dominating at N1.12 trillion, foreign VAT payments contributing N680.23 billion, and import VAT adding N479.79 billion. “Value Added…

Manny Ita  – King Charles III is reportedly preparing to hand over the British throne to his eldest son, Prince William, within the next 12 months, according to claims published on March 2 by journalist Rob Shuter in his Substack newsletter Naughty But Nice. Citing unnamed palace aides and courtiers, the report stated that discussions about a transition are underway as the 77-year-old monarch continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer diagnosed in 2024. “The institution is preparing emotionally, even if the paperwork hasn’t caught up,” a longtime aide was quoted as saying, adding that William is “already king…

BUA Cement announced the release of its full year 2025 audited financial statements, reporting a landmark revenue growth to N1.18 trillion, up by 34.6 per cent from N876.5 billion reported in 2024.  The company recorded a profit before tax of N465.3 billion in 2025, representing an increase of 367 per cent when compared to N99.6 billion in 2024, and a profit after tax of N356 billion, up by 381.7 per cent from N73.9 billion in 2024. The board of directors,however, recommended for shareholders’ approval, the declaration of a dividend of N10.00kobo dividend per one (1) ordinary share of 50 kobo…

Central Bank of Nigeria | Credit: CBN The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has said Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves rose sharply to $34.80bn at the end of 2025, signalling what he described as a significant strengthening in the country’s external buffers. In a press statement issued by the CBN on Monday, the apex bank said the improvement in both gross and net reserves reflected “stronger external sector fundamentals and sustained policy reforms.” Cardoso had earlier disclosed at the post-Monetary Policy Committee briefing on February 24, 2026, that Nigeria’s gross external reserves stood at $50.45bn as…