Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso. Photo: CBN / X The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has reduced the benchmark interest rate to 26.5% per cent. This was the second time the MPC would be cutting rates under the current leadership of the apex bank. The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 304th meeting in Abuja. Cardoso said, “The Committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.5%.” The move followed a 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025 and a hold at the previous…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has identified Artificial Intelligence as a central pillar for accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026, stressing that emerging technologies will reshape the country’s creative and cultural industries. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the government is prioritising policies and programmes that integrate AI into film, music, publishing, fashion, gaming, and digital content production to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. She noted that technology-driven creativity would open new revenue streams, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a major exporter…

File photo: New acting Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police, after the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun. Disu has acquired decades of experience and a strong operational background to the nation’s top police position. 1. Long‑Serving Career Police Officer Tunji Disu is a veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, having joined the service on May 18, 1992, with more than three decades of experience in policing and leadership. 2. Educational Background Disu is well‑educated, holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and two master’s…

Manny Ita  – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized substandard and falsified medicines valued at more than ₦3 billion during a series of enforcement operations across Lagos, intensifying its nationwide campaign against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Officials of the agency said the raids targeted major drug distribution hubs, warehouses, and retail outlets suspected of dealing in fake, expired, or improperly stored medicines capable of endangering public health. According to NAFDAC, several truckloads of illicit pharmaceuticals were confiscated during the operations, while a number of suspects were arrested for further investigation and possible prosecution. The…

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has released the revised fare structure for Bus Rapid Transit and standard route services following the approval of a 13 per cent increase across services under the Bus Reform Initiative. The new fares, announced on Tuesday, will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026. The Lagos State Government approved the fare adjustment after regulated public transport operators raised concerns over rising operational costs driven by economic pressures. In a statement issued by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the agency said the review became necessary to ensure sustainability of transport operations across the…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned opposition parties against relying on social media popularity as a pathway to electoral success, stating that elections are won through direct engagement with voters at the grassroots. He made the remarks while addressing political stakeholders on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground mobilisation ahead of future polls. Tinubu said that political legitimacy cannot be built solely through online discourse, stressing that meaningful contact with citizens remains the foundation of democratic victory. “Elections are not conducted on social media,” the President said, urging political leaders to channel their energy into community outreach,…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum | AFP Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, on Tuesday gave “full guarantees” for the safety of football fans at World Cup games in the violence-plagued city of Guadalajara. Sheinbaum clarified that there was “no risk” to fans visiting the city in June for four matches, in remarks coming after a wave of violence sparked by the military’s killing of drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most wanted men in Mexico and the United States, was killed in a military operation some 130 kilometres (80 miles) from…

Manny Ita   – The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Naanlong Daniel, has reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to initiatives that promote development and positively project Plateau State. He made the remarks while receiving the National President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP), Queen Blessing Ebigieson, during a courtesy visit to the Assembly Complex in Jos. Daniel said the Assembly remains open to partnerships and programmes capable of stimulating economic growth and improving the state’s image through the creative industry, noting that the film sector holds significant potential for youth empowerment, innovation, and enterprise development. He…

L-R: Olusola Faleru, Chief of Staff to the Executive Director, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CIB), Lagos and South West, The Alternative Bank (AltBank); High Chief Fulani Folorunsho; Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director, CIB (Lagos and South West), AltBank; Prince Olusegun Omojuwa, Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Government; Funmilayo Aberuagba, Funmi Aberuagba, Business Head, Institutional Banking, South West, AltBank, and Adelana Ogunjirin, Head, Structured Trade Finance, AltBank, at the launch of The Alternative Bank presence in Akure, Ondo… recently. The Alternative Bank (AltBank) has continued its national expansion drive with the official launch of a new branch in Ondo State,…

CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso  By Elegbede Abiodun The exercise started on April 1, 2024, and the deadline for full compliance is March 31, 2026 ~ CBN The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso on Tuesday said 20 banks have already met the new minimum capital requirement in the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise of the apex bank. Cardoso revealed this while presenting the communiqué from the 304th meeting of the apex bank’s Monetary Policy (MPC) in Abuja. According to Cardoso, with regards to the ongoing recapitalisation programme, of the 33 banks that have raised additional capital, 20…