Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

• Implementation takes effect from July 1, 2026. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Friday restricted the operation of mobile banking applications (apps) to one device. This means that a customer cannot operate the same bank mobile application on two different devices simultaneously in Nigeria. This was contained in a circular to all banks and other financial institutions and payment service providers (PSP) announcing additional guidance for the operations of instant payments (IP) in Nigeria. The circular signed by the CBN’s Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa Jimoh, read: “The Central Bank of Nigeria, in line with its…

The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has called for greater inclusion of women and host communities in global conversations around the energy transition, stressing that those who bear the greatest environmental burden must have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of energy systems. The monarch made the call while speaking as a panellist at the convening titled “Powering Progress: Centring Gender in the Just Energy Transition,” held at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in New York City. The event brought together global leaders, policy experts, and advocates to examine how women can move from the…

Manny Ita  – UN Chief Guterres Commends Nigeria’s Reforms, Says Country Positioned to Lead AfricaSecretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has described Nigeria as “uniquely positioned” to lead Africa toward greater global influence, commending the country’s ongoing economic and security reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Guterres made the remarks while addressing discussions on Africa’s development prospects and the role of regional powers in driving economic transformation and security stability on the continent. He said Nigeria possesses the demographic strength, economic potential and strategic influence required to play a leading role in shaping Africa’s future on the…

Manny Ita – Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy, has been named among the honourees on the 2026 edition of the Billboard International Power Players list, a recognition widely regarded as one of the most influential acknowledgements in the global music industry. The annual list celebrates executives, producers and industry leaders who are shaping the international music landscape and driving the global expansion of music markets outside the United States. Industry observers say the inclusion of Don Jazzy on the list marks another major milestone for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding music industry, which has gained increasing global recognition in…

Manny Ita  – The Lagos State Government has set March 31 as the deadline for owners of buildings that are over 20 years old to conduct structural integrity tests on their properties, as part of renewed efforts to prevent building collapses and strengthen safety compliance across the state. Officials said the directive follows a number of incidents in which potential building failures were averted after emergency inspections revealed structural weaknesses in aging structures. Authorities explained that the integrity tests are intended to determine the safety condition of older buildings and ensure that necessary reinforcement or rehabilitation works are carried out…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s first National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health in Calabar, a move aimed at strengthening regulation of the country’s fast-growing cosmetics market and curbing the circulation of harmful and unlabeled beauty products. Officials said the policy is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that cosmetics sold in Nigeria meet established health and safety standards while protecting consumers from toxic substances and counterfeit products. The policy launch is expected to address long-standing concerns about the widespread availability of unregulated cosmetics in markets across the country, particularly products containing hazardous chemicals…

Manny Ita  – Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has inaugurated a 14-member advisory committee to begin the process of establishing a state police structure, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu encouraging states to initiate preparatory frameworks for decentralized policing. Officials in the state government said the committee has been mandated to develop a roadmap that will guide the legal, administrative and operational steps required for the creation of a state policing system. The initiative comes amid ongoing national conversations on security restructuring and the need to strengthen local capacity in addressing community-level security challenges across Nigeria. Speaking during…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Petroleum Reform and Value Optimisation Taskforce to design the next phase of structural reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, appointing banker and business leader Fola Adeola as chairman of the team. Officials said the taskforce has been mandated to review the current operational structure of the petroleum industry and recommend strategies to improve efficiency, maximise value from national hydrocarbon resources and strengthen investor confidence in the sector. The inauguration of the team forms part of broader reform efforts under President Bola Tinubu aimed at repositioning the oil and gas…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Tinubu has directed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) be moved from the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the Presidency in a move that effectively overrides the earlier position of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. Sources familiar with the directive said the decision is aimed at strengthening the independence of the accident investigation body and aligning its operations with global aviation safety standards which require such agencies to operate without direct control from aviation regulators or operators. Officials said the directive will place the bureau under the direct oversight…

 By Justin Varghese Dubai: Oil tankers stalled outside the Arabian Gulf, traders bidding up alternative crude supplies and defense contractors preparing new contracts — wars rarely leave markets unchanged. The escalation between Iran and the United Statesthis month has triggered sharp swings across energy, defense and financial markets, redistributing wealth toward countries and companies positioned to supply what the crisis has made scarce. The disruption has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow corridor linking the Arabian Gulf to global markets through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally flows. When shipments through that chokepoint become uncertain, the…