Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

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…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s capital city is preparing to host the 2026 edition of the AfriCulture Fashion Show and Awards, scheduled to take place on March 13 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, in what organisers describe as a major cultural gathering aimed at promoting African heritage, fashion innovation and youth-focused social advocacy. The event, organised by the Global Awareness for Development Initiatives, is expected to bring together policymakers, designers, cultural practitioners and development advocates from across Africa under the theme, “Empowering the African Boy Child Towards a Balanced Future.” Organisers said the initiative goes beyond fashion exhibition, positioning culture and…

Manny Ita  – The opening sessions of the Enugu Tech Festival 2026 concluded on Monday with stakeholders highlighting the rapid transformation of Enugu from its historic coal-mining identity into an emerging centre for technology, innovation and experiential tourism in Nigeria’s South-East region. Held under the theme “Coal to Code,” the festival brought together technology entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and creatives who examined how digital innovation is reshaping economic opportunities while preserving the cultural heritage long associated with the city popularly known as the Coal City. Organisers said the theme reflects Enugu’s evolving economic narrative, moving from extractive industries toward knowledge-based development…

Manny Ita  – A new industry report released on Monday has identified the rapid global expansion of Afrobeats as a major driver behind Lagos’ transformation from a traditional corporate and commercial hub into what analysts now describe as a leading lifestyle and entertainment destination on the African continent. The report, unveiled in Lagos by stakeholders within Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors, noted that the international success of Afrobeats artists, festivals and nightlife culture has significantly reshaped global perceptions of the city, attracting increased interest from leisure travellers, music enthusiasts and cultural investors. Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism,…