Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The inaugural season of MasterChef Nigeria has officially commenced, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s culinary entertainment landscape as contestants from across the country begin competing for a record-breaking ₦73 million grand prize. Organizers described the prize package — which includes cash, professional training opportunities, and business support — as the largest ever offered in a Nigerian cooking competition, underscoring the show’s ambition to elevate local cuisine onto a global stage. At the launch event, producers said the program aims to “discover exceptional culinary talent and showcase the richness and diversity of Nigerian food culture to the…

Manny Ita  – Petrol Imports Plunge as Local Refining Output SurgesNigeria’s daily petrol imports have dropped by 42.2 percent as expanding domestic refining capacity — driven largely by the Dangote Refinery and rehabilitated state-owned facilities — continues to displace foreign supply, marking a significant shift in the country’s downstream petroleum landscape. Industry data reviewed by regulators indicate that the sharp decline reflects increased output from local refineries, reducing dependence on costly imports that have long strained foreign exchange reserves. Officials say the trend is expected to deepen as production stabilizes and distribution networks adjust to the new supply structure. Authorities…

Manny Ita  – The National Assembly of Nigeria is set to reconvene on Tuesday for an emergency plenary session centered on urgent deliberations over the Electoral Act, amid mounting political pressure and legal uncertainties ahead of upcoming electoral activities. Lawmakers from both chambers were formally notified to cut short the ongoing recess and return to Abuja, with parliamentary leadership indicating that proposed amendments to the Electoral Act require immediate consideration to address what officials described as “gaps, ambiguities, and emerging challenges” observed during recent elections. A senior legislative aide said the session would prioritize provisions relating to technology deployment, dispute…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria stands on edge as world football’s governing body prepares to deliver a decisive ruling today on a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against DR Congo, accused of fielding six ineligible players in the 2026 World Cup playoff final. The petition, submitted shortly after the controversial fixture, alleges violations of FIFA eligibility regulations that could fundamentally alter the outcome of the tie. According to officials familiar with the filing, the NFF contends that the players in question did not meet registration or qualification requirements stipulated under international competition rules. The federation argued that…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally called for the immediate release of detained First Vice President Riek Machar, warning that his continued confinement could deepen instability in South Sudan and threaten fragile peace efforts in the region. The appeal was conveyed through diplomatic channels and reinforced in a statement by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stressed the urgent need for dialogue among South Sudan’s political actors. According to the statement, Nigeria expressed “grave concern” over reports surrounding Machar’s detention, noting that his role as a principal signatory to the peace agreement makes his participation indispensable…

Stanbic IBTC Bank Strengthens Industry Collaboration With Housing Finance Expertise At The 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Summit Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has successfully concluded its strategic participation at the 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Outlook Conference, which attracted over 1,800 participants to explore the theme ‘Unlocking land and infrastructure for inclusive housing’. The conference served as a vital platform for policy dialogue, partnership development and generation of actionable insights aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s real estate landscape. Industry leaders and key stakeholders engaged in robust discussions pertaining to innovative strategies for affordable housing delivery; advancing infrastructure…

UBA Presents Diaspora Platform To Connect Global Africans With Investment, Wealth Opportunities Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has inaugurated a diaspora banking and investment platform designed to serve Africans living and working across the world and within the continent.  L-R: Head, Strategy, Research & Investor Relations, Africa Prudential, Joshua Omewah; Group Head, Sales, Retention and Growth, AVON, Ajibola Bakare; Managing Director, UBA Pension, Blessing Ogwu; Head, Diaspora Banking, Anant Rao; Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, Ifesinachi Okpagu; Business Development Manager, United Capital, Onyinye Osunwoke and Executive Director, Afriland Properties, Olukayode Odebiyi, during the UBA’s Panel…

Possibility of C’River returning as oil-producing state — FG report Elegbede Abiodun The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission has formally received the final report of the Federal Government’s Inter-Agency Committee on Nigeria’s oil-producing states, with Cross River State projected to be re-listed as an oil-producing state. Members of the Federal Government Inter-Agency Technical Committee during the Geophysical Survey The report was submitted on Friday, February 13, 2026, to RMAFC Chairman Mr Mohammed Shehu by 10 members of the 14-man committee. According to a statement, the submission follows a rigorous six-month verification exercise conducted from August 2025 to February…

UAE reinforces ties with Nigeria, Africa at AU summit Elegbede Abiodun UAE flag • UAE will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal from December 2–4. The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its partnerships with African nations, highlighting investments, renewable energy initiatives, and strategic cooperation during the 2026 summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The UAE outlined its engagements at the summit in a statement on Sunday, noting that the Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, attended alongside heads of state and senior officials to discuss continental priorities such as peace, security, economic…

Manny Ita  – Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has officially launched a new political campaign tagged “Operation Rescue Nigeria,” signaling a definitive shift from his former platform to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking at a high-profile declaration event in Enugu, Obi confirmed that the “Obidient” movement—the youth-led demographic that powered his previous campaign—has now been formally aligned with the ADC as part of a grand coalition of opposition forces. ​The move comes after months of speculation and internal friction within the Labour Party, which Obi’s camp recently described as having “collapsed structures.” During his…