Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

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…

Manny Ita  – The organisers of the annual NollywoodWeek have announced the first set of Nigerian film titles selected for the 2026 edition, highlighting a continued focus on international collaboration and cross-border storytelling. Among the early selections is The Child Will Carry You, a Nigeria–Kenya co-production, which stands out as one of the key examples of growing creative partnerships between West and East African filmmakers. Festival curators said the initial lineup reflects a deliberate push to showcase diverse narratives from Nigerian cinema while strengthening ties with other African film industries and international partners. The announcement marks the beginning of the…

Manny Ita  – Play Network has announced a partnership with MediaKing to deploy free public Wi-Fi services across major cities in Nigeria, beginning with pilot programmes in Lagos and Abuja. The initiative, according to both companies, is aimed at expanding digital access, improving internet connectivity in high-traffic public areas, and supporting small businesses, students, and commuters who rely on affordable internet services for daily activities. Under the pilot phase, selected locations in Lagos and Abuja will be equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots to assess user demand, network performance, and security compliance before a broader national rollout is considered. The companies stated…

Manny Ita  – At least 200 people are feared dead following a Nigerian military airstrike that reportedly struck a market in Yobe State, according to local officials and humanitarian sources. The incident occurred on Saturday night, with reports indicating that the strike hit a weekly market in Jilli, near the border area between Yobe and Borno State. The operation was said to be part of ongoing counterinsurgency efforts targeting Boko Haram fighters. Military authorities confirmed conducting an air operation in the Jilli axis but did not acknowledge that civilians were affected. However, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, military adviser to the…