Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has extended its Student Loan Application Portal following a surge in nationwide interest generated by its ongoing awareness campaign. The extension comes after a reminder last week that the portal was set to close on February 27, 2026. In response to strong feedback from students and stakeholders, NELFUND announced additional days to allow eligible students sufficient time to complete their applications. The extension was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Strategic Communications, NELFUND, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, on Monday. The statement read in part, “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has approved an extension of…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has officially commenced the sale of application documents for the 2026 Direct Entry programme. In an announcement posted on its official X account, JAMB stated that the registration “commenced today, Monday, 2nd March 2026 and will end by Saturday, 25th April 2026.” The board emphasised that the entire process, including the purchase of e-PINs and application document sales, is restricted exclusively to its accredited state and zonal offices across the country. Direct Entry allows candidates with relevant qualifications, such as National Diploma, National Certificate in Education, Interim Joint Matriculation Board, A-level certificates, or other…

Nigeria reports that the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, alongside other distinguished leaders across Nigeria’s financial and corporate landscape, at an investiture ceremony held at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Also honoured at the ceremony was the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank, Yetunde Oni, in recognition of her contributions to institutional governance and financial sector advancement. Similarly, Mrs. Olushola Momoh, Vice Chairman of Channels Television, was conferred with the Professional Fellowship in recognition of her leadership contributions and professional impact. In addition, the Founder…

Photo illustration Elegbede Abiodun HIV prevention drug expected in Nigeria by March. Nigeria is preparing to introduce a new, long-acting HIV prevention drug, with the first shipments expected to arrive later this month. In a statement released on Monday, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) said it is finalising plans for the rollout of Lenacapavir, also known as LEN, as part of the country’s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme. The agency noted that supplies of the drug are due in March 2026. Lenacapavir is an injectable HIV prevention treatment administered just twice a year. Clinical trials have shown…

File photo: Oluremi Tinubu Elegbede Abiodun Finally completing a 19-year old project of past administrations. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday unveiled the newly completed National Assembly Chapel, fulfilling a vision first conceived almost two decades ago by Christian lawmakers. This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday by Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom. The ceremony marks the culmination of a 19-year journey that began in the Sixth Assembly with the idea of a Christian Legislators Fellowship, which, according to the Senate President, operated for years…

Elegbede Abiodun Megastarmagazine reports that the involvement of smart technology has improved safety in Lagos. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has disclosed that the incorporation of smart technologies such as drones, TMC cameras, and GPS-enabled patrol vehicles has helped to drive safety on roads across the state. The LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to Taofiq, the technological integration has helped the agency to accelerate intervention and rescue efforts during emergencies, leading to the preservation of lives during road accidents. Quoting the agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Taofiq…

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given Nigerians assurance that the technical glitches experienced during the 2023 presidential election would not reoccur in 2027. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave his words yesterday in Abuja at the Citizens’ Townhall on the Electoral Act 2026. Amupitan boasted that next year’s general election would be the best in the history of the country. The electoral body had on Friday announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly Elections would now hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027. The…

Elegbede Abiodun • A deal which will transform the mining sector and increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the federal government through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly fund three projects: a $1.3 billion alumina project, a comprehensive geoscience mapping exercise, and an investment vehicle to realise the goals. Alumina is a white solid that is a major constituent of many rocks, especially clays, and is found crystallised as corundum, sapphire, and other minerals. The MoU, a statement from the ministry said, is the climax…

Manny Ita  – Companies that transitioned to local raw material sourcing in 2025 are reporting significantly stronger financial performance, with new industry data indicating that firms relying on domestic inputs recorded nearly double profit after tax compared to businesses still dependent on imported materials. The report, compiled by manufacturing and business analysts monitoring Nigeria’s industrial performance, attributes the improved profitability to reduced exposure to foreign exchange volatility, lower logistics costs and shorter production cycles. Analysts noted that the sustained depreciation of the naira and rising global shipping expenses have continued to erode margins for import-dependent manufacturers. According to stakeholders within…

Considering ongoing reforms, the financial services sector contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) closed 2025 at N6.58 trillion, about 15 per cent increase over N5.74 trillion reported in 2024. This is according to the latest fourth quarter (Q4) 2025 GDP report by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The recapitalisation exercise directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) dominated the sector in 2025. Specifically, the objective of the CBN recapitalisation program is to strengthen the financial system, enabling banks to support long-term projects and economic growth. The exercise attracted foreign investors and inflows…