Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have officially finalized a landmark agreement, effectively ending over 16 years of recurrent industrial actions and replacing the long-disputed 2009 pact. The new agreement, signed on December 23, 2025, and implemented on January 1, 2026, introduces a comprehensive welfare and funding framework designed to stabilize the nation’s tertiary education sector. Central to the resolution is a 40% salary increase for all academic staff, a move intended to address wage stagnation and mitigate the “brain drain” of Nigerian scholars. Furthermore, the pact secures earned academic allowances…

Manny Ita The Federal Government has officially commenced the full implementation of a reformed national curriculum as of January 2026, marking the most significant overhaul of the country’s education system since 2011. Designed to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-driven economy, the new framework focuses on digital competency and practical skills. Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa stated that the primary goal is to reduce “subject overload” and prioritize practical skills, resulting in a streamlined academic structure. Under the new guidelines, subjects for Primary 1–3 have been reduced from 15 to 9 or 10, while Junior Secondary…

Manny Ita Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her family have announced the passing of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the twin boys whose birth the writer announced in 2025. According to a statement released by Adichie’s spokesperson, Omawumi Ogbe, the infant died on Wednesday, January 7, “after a brief illness.” The statement further noted that “the family is devastated by this monumental loss, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.” ​The award-winning author had surprised the public in February 2025 when she revealed during an interview with a UK-based journalist that…

Oxford Dictionary increases content with Nigerian words ‘Amala, Nyash, biko’ File Photo: Oxford English Dictionary … ‘abeg’ is described as an interjection which  expresses contextual range of emotions like exasperation. The Oxford English Dictionary has added several Nigerian-origin words in its latest update, reflecting the growing global influence of the nation’s language, culture and cuisine. The December 2025 update, released on the OED website on Wednesday, features more than 500 new words, phrases and senses, including internet slang such as “DM”, “brainfart” and “chug”. Over 1,000 existing entries were also revised, while editors explored the histories of words such as…

BVN enrolments reach 67.8m, active bank accounts 325m at December According to data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has put Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments in Nigeria as of December at 67.8 million. The new figure, released yesterday, showed a growth of 4.3 million from 63.5 million recorded in 2024, which showed significant progress in the uptake of biometric identification in the financial sector. Specifically, NIBSS data put the figure in the last five years as follows: 2021 (51.9 million), 2022 (56 million), 2023 (60.1 million), 2024 (63.5 million) and 2025 (67.8 million). The growth trajectory showed…

Adron CEO Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Rich Culture, Traditional Rulers The Founder and Chairman of Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King, has reiterated the company’s strong commitment to the preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and the continued relevance of traditional institutions in national development. Aare Emmanuel-King made this known following a landmark courtesy visit to the House of Oduduwa on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, where he was received by His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, the Oonirisa of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II. He emphasised that Adron Homes’ engagement with royal…

Datti Baba-Ahmed dismisses 2027 presidential contest rumours He says he only made his stand clear about Labour Party. The former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed reports suggesting that he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency. Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Baba-Ahmed clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted, stressing that no such declaration was made. “I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” he said. According to him, his recent public remarks were limited to reaffirming his membership of the Labour Party, amid growing political discussions about the future direction…

Manny Ita The global fashion community has turned its gaze toward Berlin this week, where Nigerian design powerhouses Orange Culture and Kenneth Ize are making their highly anticipated debuts for the Autumn/Winter 2026 season. Under the visionary direction of Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Orange Culture stole the spotlight with its “In the Shadows” collection, a profound exploration of mental health and vulnerability. The showcase masterfully blended traditional handwoven Aso-Oke with innovative Regenesis sustainable fabrics, featuring deconstructed blazers reimagined as skirts and fluid, androgynous silhouettes. Critics have hailed the collection as a “heartfelt homage to resilience,” noting its use of vibrant ruby reds—specifically…

Manny Ita The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) achieved a historic milestone on January 5, 2026, as its market capitalization surpassed the ₦100 trillion benchmark, settling at approximately ₦101.8 trillion. President Bola Tinubu, in an official statement released on January 8, characterized the achievement as a “powerful signal of renewed investor confidence and economic rejuvenation.” He noted that the All-Share Index’s 51.19% return in 2025 outperformed many global peers, asserting that “Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.” This surge aligns with a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria,…

Manny Ita The Imo State Police Command is currently at the center of a national firestorm following a shocking case of alleged institutional extortion. The scandal erupted after the arrest of 24-year-old Wisdom Onyeaju for the suspected defilement of a 15-year-old girl. While the initial arrest was expected to bring relief, it instead exposed a darker reality within the force. The victim’s family released a viral video claiming that officers stationed near the Government House in Owerri demanded a ₦100,000 bribe simply to perform their duty of recording a formal statement—effectively putting a price tag on justice for a minor.…