Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Hundreds of Nigerian Muslims preparing to perform the Umrah pilgrimage have been left stranded after the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupted major aviation routes across the Middle East, forcing airlines to suspend or cancel several international flights. The disruption has affected both pilgrims scheduled to depart Nigeria and others already in Saudi Arabia for the lesser pilgrimage, with travel agencies reporting widespread cancellations and delays as airlines adjust routes and halt operations through affected airspace. The crisis follows the intensification of hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which triggered missile…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors and high commissioners to Nigerian diplomatic missions across the world, a move the Presidency says is aimed at strengthening the country’s international representation and advancing the country’s foreign policy priorities. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the list includes 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors assigned to various countries and multilateral organisations. Among the notable postings are former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who has been assigned as Nigeria’s ambassador…

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…