Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – French automobile manufacturers are actively pursuing strategic partnerships with prominent Nigerian conglomerates to facilitate a return to the domestic market, according to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier. In an exclusive interview with Premium Times, the envoy detailed two primary collaborations intended to restore the presence of brands like Peugeot and Renault, which were once dominant in the Nigerian automotive landscape between the 1970s and 1990s. The first significant venture involves Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited (DPAN), a partnership between Dangote Industries Limited and the Stellantis Group. Operating a vehicle assembly plant in Kaduna State, the…

Manny Ita – In the glittering, high-octane world of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, the optics of success have rarely been more seductive. From the slick transition videos on TikTok to the curated luxury lifestyles displayed on Instagram, a new generation of Nigerians appears, at least on the surface, to have discovered a pathway to prosperity that bypasses the familiar constraints of a sluggish economy. Smartphones, ring lights and viral content now project an image of effortless wealth, suggesting that economic opportunity lies literally in the palm of one’s hand. Yet behind the choreography of viral dances and the glow of carefully…

Manny Ita  – The commencement of Batch B recruitment for the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP) has once again brought the issue of youth empowerment to the centre of Nigeria’s national discourse. Over the years, successive governments have introduced various programmes aimed at providing economic opportunities for young Nigerians. YEIDEP represents the latest effort in this long line of initiatives, and while its objectives may appear commendable, its structure and underlying assumptions raise several important questions about the country’s broader strategy for youth development. At first glance, the programme is presented as a financial intervention designed to support…

Manny Ita  – Reports that petrol loading has stalled at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have raised fresh concerns about fuel supply in Nigeria as global crude oil prices surge following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Fuel marketers said trucks were unable to lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the refinery over the weekend, leaving distributors uncertain about supply levels and possible adjustments to the refinery’s pricing structure. The development comes as international oil markets respond to growing geopolitical risks in the Gulf region. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, briefly climbed to…

Manny Ita  – A shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Nigeria has been diverted from its originally signalled destination in Europe to Asia after a sharp rise in Asian gas prices created a profitable arbitrage opportunity for traders, highlighting how rapidly shifting global energy markets are reshaping trade routes. Shipping data from analytics firm Kpler showed that the LNG tanker BW Brussels, which loaded cargo at the Nigeria LNG export terminal on Bonny Island on 27 February, initially signalled a westward voyage toward Europe before altering course and sailing south toward Asia through the Cape of Good Hope. The…

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…