Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Tony Elumelu Commends FX Overhaul, Supports Tinubu Administration’s Reforms Witnessing a significant moment at Nigeria’s State House on Friday, February 13, 2026, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted billionaire investor Tony Elumelu for a closed-door meeting centered on economic growth and the future of small businesses. L: Elumelu, R: Tinubu Elumelu Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa, and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation—emerged from the meeting expressing strong optimism about the administration’s direction. He described himself as honored to meet with the President and encouraged by what he called a firm commitment to strengthening Small…

Land, buildings, rent exempted from VAT— Oyedele The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said that land, buildings and rent are now fully exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT) under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. Oyedele explained that the new law, which has already commenced, was designed to reduce the cost of housing, encourage investment in real estate and provide relief for tenants and small businesses across the country. According to him, land and buildings are specifically exempt from VAT under the new tax regime. This means that individuals buying land or…

Sanwo-Olu commends Flutterwave for transacting over $50b across 36 nations Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended Flutterwave and its founders, emphasising critical role of opportunity and resilience in driving Nigeria’s growth. Speaking at the 10th-anniversary inaugural gala night of the fintech compan at the luxury ‘The Delborough Lagos’ during the week, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of empowering young Nigerians to achieve global excellence. Sanwo-Olu recalled the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, noting the challenges of earlier decades when making international calls was cumbersome and costly. He praised the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Sierra Leone President…

Manny Ita  – Artists, music executives, cultural policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa are converging in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from February 14 to 16, 2026, for the 10th anniversary parley of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), marking a key milestone as preparations intensify for the 2026 awards season. Organizers said the three-day gathering is designed to review progress in the African music industry, strengthen continental collaboration, and outline plans for the forthcoming awards ceremony scheduled for later in the year. Participants are engaging in panel discussions, policy dialogues, and networking sessions aimed at expanding the global reach of…

Manny Ita  – Dozens of residents are feared killed following coordinated attacks by heavily armed bandits on several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, in one of the deadliest incidents reported in the area in recent months. Local sources said the assailants stormed the affected villages at dawn, shooting indiscriminately, burning homes, and abducting an unspecified number of people, including women and children. Survivors described scenes of panic as residents fled into nearby forests and waterways to escape the attackers. “They came very early in the morning when people were still asleep. Anyone they saw, they shot,”…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong warning to citizens over what it described as a growing trend of illegal recruitment of Nigerians to participate in armed conflicts abroad, cautioning that such actions violate both national and international laws. In a statement released through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities said criminal networks and unauthorized agents are increasingly targeting vulnerable Nigerians with promises of lucrative pay, foreign residency benefits, or security jobs, only to deploy them into active war zones. The government stressed that participation in foreign wars without official authorization is unlawful and exposes…

Manny Ita  – The governments of Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral agreement granting visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries, in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the African Union summit, where leaders and senior officials gathered to discuss continental security, trade, and integration. Officials said the deal would facilitate easier travel for government representatives, diplomats, and other authorized public officials engaged in official duties between the two nations. According to a joint statement, the waiver allows eligible passport holders…

Manny Ita  – The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that its offices at the U.S. Embassy Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of the U.S. federal holiday, Presidents’ Day. In a public notice issued to citizens and visa applicants, the mission stated that all routine consular services, including visa interviews, passport processing, and notarial services, will be suspended for the day. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the statement said, adding…

Technology 2025: Lagos rated fastest on the globe Elegbede Abiodun The governor called the growth a fundamental shift in the global geography of innovation. Lagos State has been declared the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem in 2025, overtaking cities like Istanbul, Mumbai, and São Paulo, according to the newly released 2025 Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index. The index evaluates 288 technology hubs spanning 69 countries worldwide. Lagos topped the report’s “Rising Stars” category, outperforming other emerging markets including Istanbul, Pune, Mumbai, and Belo Horizonte. The city continues to expand rapidly, adding approximately 2,000 new residents each day, with its metropolitan…

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering Shines as Winner of Lagos City Marathon Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering has surfaced as winner of the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, 14 February. According to a statement by Access Bank, Kering “delivered a masterclass in focus and endurance,” though he was unable to break the fastest officially recorded marathon time of 2:00:35, set by “Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The race started at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finished at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m.…