Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Property demand is rising sharply along the Blue and Red Line rail corridors in Lagos, as improved connectivity reshapes residential and commercial real estate dynamics across Nigeria’s commercial capital. Developers, estate agents, and urban planners report increased land acquisition, faster off-plan sales, and upward price adjustments in neighborhoods situated within walking or short driving distance of the rail stations. The surge follows the rollout and phased expansion of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line and the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line, projects designed to ease traffic congestion and shorten commute times across the metropolis. Real…

Manny Ita  – Major fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distributors across Nigeria are accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for last-mile delivery as soaring diesel prices continue to erode profit margins and disrupt supply chains. What began as limited pilot programs framed around environmental sustainability is rapidly evolving into a hard-nosed cost-optimization strategy, with companies seeking relief from volatile fuel expenses and generator-dependent logistics operations. Industry executives say transportation has become one of the most expensive components of product distribution, particularly for companies moving goods daily between warehouses, wholesalers, and neighborhood retailers. “Diesel costs have fundamentally changed the economics of…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s consumer goods landscape is poised for a significant shake-up following the announcement of a major joint venture between TGI Group and Reliance Consumer Products, a subsidiary of India’s Reliance Industries. The partnership, unveiled over the weekend, aims to manufacture and distribute a wide range of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) across Nigeria at what both companies describe as “global-quality standards delivered at locally affordable prices.” Executives from both firms said the collaboration will combine TGI Group’s deep distribution networks and long-standing presence in Nigeria with Reliance’s manufacturing expertise, brand portfolio, and supply-chain scale. The companies plan to…

Manny Ita  – Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has reportedly stepped in to mediate the ongoing custody dispute between music star Davido and socialite Sophia Momodu, in what sources describe as a behind-the-scenes effort to de-escalate tensions and reach an amicable resolution. Sources close to the families said the intervention comes amid escalating public attention surrounding the welfare and custody of the pair’s daughter, with both sides allegedly holding firm positions. Momodu, who is related to Sophia Momodu, is said to be leveraging his influence and family ties to broker dialogue and prevent further public fallout. In a message…

Manny Ita  – Dozens of people are feared dead following a deadly bandit assault on fasting Muslim worshippers in parts of Kebbi State, as security forces launched operations to repel further incursions along the state’s volatile border corridors. Local sources said the attackers struck at dawn while residents were observing Ramadan fast-related activities, targeting communities near remote border areas known for repeated cross-border movements of armed groups. Survivors reported that gunmen arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze, triggering panic and mass displacement. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as villagers fled into surrounding bush…

Manny Ita  – A major payroll fraud allegation involving approximately ₦13.7 billion has emerged in Osun State, prompting authorities to order an immediate and comprehensive audit of the state’s civil service payroll system. Senior government officials disclosed that preliminary findings indicate the presence of thousands of questionable salary entries, including suspected ghost workers, duplicated records, and irregular allowances embedded within the payroll structure. The anomalies were reportedly uncovered during an internal review of personnel expenditures, which had shown a steady and unexplained rise despite limited recruitment into the public service. According to officials familiar with the probe, the suspected fraud…

Manny Ita  – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun announcing results of the 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, declaring winners in key councils including Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Gwagwalada, and Bwari, amid widespread reports of low voter turnout across the territory. In AMAC, the incumbent chairman, Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was returned elected after polling more than 40,000 votes, according to figures announced by the electoral body. INEC officials said the result reflected a clear margin over rival candidates, consolidating the APC’s hold on the council widely regarded as…

Manny Ita  – A severe funding shortage is delaying the deployment of dozens of newly confirmed Nigerian ambassadors, leaving many foreign missions understaffed and operating in deteriorating conditions despite the formal approval of envoys by the federal government, diplomatic sources have disclosed. While high-profile postings to major capitals — including the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — have been filled, numerous other embassies and consulates across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America remain without substantive heads of mission, forcing senior career diplomats to serve in acting capacities for extended periods. Officials familiar with the situation say the…

Manny Ita  – Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to offer Nigerians the opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Refinery beginning in July 2026, in what could become one of the largest public offerings in the country’s history and a landmark moment for domestic participation in the oil and gas sector. Dangote disclosed that the move is intended to broaden ownership of the multi-billion-dollar facility and allow ordinary citizens to benefit directly from the refinery’s operations, which are expected to transform Nigeria from a major fuel importer into a net exporter of refined petroleum products. He said…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, NNPC Ltd, and the Dangote Group have announced a sweeping strategic alliance designed to strengthen the nation’s energy security, stabilize fuel supply, and reduce dependence on imports, in what officials describe as a major step toward self-sufficiency in petroleum products. The agreement, unveiled after high-level talks between executives of both organizations, focuses on coordinated crude supply arrangements, infrastructure collaboration, and joint investments across refining, distribution, and gas development. The partnership is expected to leverage the capacity of the Dangote Refinery alongside NNPC’s upstream assets and nationwide distribution network to ensure consistent availability of…