Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

OPay, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been awarded The Most Trusted Quality Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services Company of the Year at the 2026 ISO World Corporate Brand of the Year Award. This recognition reaffirms OPay’s strong reputation and the trust tens of millions of Nigerians have in its services. The award ceremony, held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together leading companies making a positive impact across different industries. The organisers, ISO World Consult, noted that the selection was based on an outstanding 4.6 from online referrer rating and also…

Manny Ita  – Donald Trump has defended controversial remarks in which he warned that “a whole civilisation” could be destroyed in Iran, insisting he stands by the statement despite widespread criticism. The comments stem from a post on his Truth Social platform, where Trump suggested that escalating tensions involving Iran could lead to catastrophic consequences. The message, which quickly drew global attention, was interpreted by critics as an alarming escalation in rhetoric regarding potential conflict in the region. Speaking during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump was asked directly about the backlash surrounding his…

Manny Ita  – Reports indicate heightened police activity across parts of Lagos following the killing of a suspected cult figure and the arrest of individuals linked to related criminal networks, as authorities intensify operations against cultism and violent crime. According to the police, a suspected leader of the Buccaneers cult group, identified as Adedipe Adeyinkan, was shot dead in the Iponri area of Surulere on April 11 after gunfire was reported near the National Stadium Bridge. Police operatives responding to the incident found the victim with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and rushed him to hospital, where he was confirmed…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s rising debt profile has come under renewed scrutiny following the approval of a fresh $6 billion external loan by the National Assembly, a move projected to significantly increase the country’s total public debt. The Senate approved the loan request submitted by President Bola Tinubu to finance budget deficits, support infrastructure development and refinance existing obligations, underscoring the government’s continued reliance on borrowing to fund fiscal operations. Available data indicates that Nigeria’s total debt stock, which stood at about ₦146.69 trillion at the end of 2025, is expected to rise to approximately ₦155 trillion after the new…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, is set to deliver a keynote address at Harvard University, where he will outline Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope” strategy and ongoing institutional reform efforts. The address is scheduled for June 4, 2026, as part of the 10th anniversary conference of the Ife Institute of Advanced Studies, an academic gathering expected to attract scholars, policymakers and development experts focused on governance and institutional development across Africa. According to details released ahead of the event, Ibrahim’s lecture, titled “The Nigerian Project Revisited: Crisis, Continuity, and Possibility,” will examine the country’s reform…

Manny Ita  – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on political parties in Nigeria’s South-West region to present Muslim candidates for governorship positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to do so could affect their chances of securing Muslim votes. The group made the demand in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, where it argued that political representation in the region has not reflected what it described as demographic and religious balance in recent years. MURIC specifically urged that Muslim candidates be fielded for governorship positions in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun…

Manny Ita  – Flutterwave, a leading African fintech company, has announced plans to position Anambra State as its primary technology and operational hub in Nigeria’s South-East region, in a strategic move aimed at expanding digital financial services and supporting small businesses. The announcement was made by Flutterwave Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Agboola, during an engagement with tech ecosystem stakeholders in Awka, Anambra State. Agboola said the initiative is part of the company’s broader expansion strategy following recent regulatory approvals that strengthened its capacity to deliver expanded financial services, including payment processing and banking-enabled solutions. He explained that the planned hub…

Manny Ita  – Zenith Bank Plc has recorded its first trading loss in more than ten years, marking a significant shift in performance that has unsettled investor sentiment on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). According to the bank’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, trading income fell sharply from previous strong gains to a loss position, reversing a long-standing trend of strong performance in asset trading activities. The development comes after years in which trading gains had contributed significantly to the bank’s earnings, with the institution previously benefiting from strong market-driven income streams. The latest figures, however,…

Manny Ita  – The 2026 edition of the African Heritage Awards has recognised several prominent Nigerians, including African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and senior civil servant Didi Walson-Jack, for their contributions to Africa’s development. The awards ceremony, held in Ghana on April 11, 2026, brought together policymakers, development experts, and public figures from across the continent to celebrate leadership and impact in governance, economics, and public service. Adesina was among the top honourees, receiving recognition for his decades-long work in agricultural reform, infrastructure development, and economic transformation across Africa. Organisers of the awards described him as a visionary…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has officially launched a new ePharmacy platform aimed at regulating digital pharmaceutical services and improving the safety of online medication distribution across the country. The initiative is designed to help Nigerians verify the authenticity of drugs purchased through online pharmacies, in response to growing concerns over counterfeit medicines and unregulated digital drug markets. According to officials, the platform will serve as a central verification system that allows users to confirm whether registered pharmacies are licensed and whether specific medications meet approved safety standards before purchase or delivery. The system is also expected to strengthen…