Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed her statement of defence in response to a ₦1 billion defamation suit instituted against her by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, firmly denying all allegations of defamation. The defence, dated April 20, 2026, was submitted by her counsel, Joshua Usman (SAN), countering claims brought forward by Bello through his lawyer, Chief R.O. Balogun (SAN). Bello is seeking ₦1 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, along with a perpetual injunction to restrain the senator from making further alleged defamatory statements. In her filing, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that the statements cited in the suit were…

Manny Ita  – A Washington D.C.–based lobbying firm, Van Batten Montague, has claimed that members of the U.S. Republican Party in Congress are seeking updates over alleged election integrity concerns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. According to the firm, lawmakers within the U.S. House GOP want to be kept informed about accusations linking top Nigerian officials to potential political violence. The development follows a viral video involving Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which he was seen publicly appealing to lawmaker Leke Abejide to “scatter” the opposition African Democratic Congress. The video, which also…

Elegbede Abiodun • APC’s amended electoral guidelines make no provision for endorsements and recognise only consensus or direct primaries as valid pathways to candidacy. • Party’s guidelines require all aspirants vying for a position to individually sign a consensus form, formally agreeing to the consensus arrangement before it can be considered binding on any party. Prominent leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun East Senatorial District have declared that the April 20 endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the party’s consensus senatorial candidate for the 2027 elections is legally void and politically illegitimate, arguing that the APC’s…

Elegbede Abiodun In line with its commitment to accelerating the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has rolled out a series of high impact masterclasses designed to equip business owners with practical skills, improve operational efficiency and expand market access throughout the month of April 2026. The first in the series, titled “Pricing That Works: How to Charge Right and Earn More,” held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. The session focused on helping entrepreneurs set profitable, sustainable prices without losing customers, an essential…

Elegbede Abiodun • Cost of ATM transactions on Merchants’ PoS will be borne by the Merchant and not the customers. The entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has increased the fee for issuance and replacement of Automated Terminal Machine (ATM) debit/ credit cards by 50 per cent to N1,500 from N1,000. The apex bank also scrapped the N50 monthly charges for Naira Debit/ Credit Card maintenance, which usually includes 7.5 percent Value Added Tax, but said customers with foreign currency-denominated debit/credit cards will continue to pay a maintenance fee of $10 per annum. CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of…

Elegbede Abiodun Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.” Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances. The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building…

Elegbede Abiodun What was sold to Nigerians in May 2022 as a clean and powerful takeover is now looking like something far more troubling. When Titan Trust Bank announced it had acquired Union Bank of Nigeria, a 100+ year-old institution, the story was simple: a young bank buying a legacy giant. But fresh documents are now pointing to a shocking twist that raises serious questions about how the deal was actually done. According to findings, Titan Trust Bank allegedly secured a $300 million loan from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to fund the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria. On paper,…

Elegbede Abiodun Providus Bank Plc has commissioned a new branch in Ado-Ekiti, marking another step in its steady expansion across key growth markets in Nigeria. Having met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalisation requirement since January 2025, Providus Bank is now focused on expanding its footprint to support local enterprise, deepen financial inclusion, and bring banking services closer to individuals and businesses. Speaking at the commissioning, the Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Deoye Ojuroye, noted that the expansion is part of a broader plan to strengthen the Bank’s presence nationwide over the next 12 months. “Our approach is deliberate—we are…

Elegbede Abiodun Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million. Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive. FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100…

Manny Ita – ​President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday today, April 24, 2026. In a statement released through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President described the Governor as a “diligent apostle of people-focused leadership.” ​President Tinubu specifically lauded Governor Eno for his commitment to maintaining peace, security, and inclusive governance within Akwa Ibom State. He noted that the Governor’s ability to bridge political and social divides has been instrumental in aligning the state with…