Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Elegbede Abiodun  According to Dr. Tunji Alausa, candidates who possess at least four credit passes in relevant subjects can now gain admission into Colleges of Education without writing the UTME. The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education across Nigeria will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the new policy on Monday during the 2026 UTME admission policy meeting held in Abuja. According to the minister, candidates who possess at least four credit passes in relevant subjects can now gain admission…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is reportedly inviting young Nigerians to apply for a programme that offers a monthly stipend of ₦22,500 alongside free skills training, as part of broader social intervention measures tied to ongoing economic reforms. The initiative, which is being linked to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is presented as a youth empowerment and economic cushioning scheme designed to support citizens affected by recent policy changes, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments. Since 2023, the government has implemented a series of reforms that have significantly reshaped the economy. While these measures have increased…

Manny Ita  – PalmPay has announced that it has reached a milestone of 35 million users, marking a significant expansion of its presence within Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital financial services sector. The company said the achievement reflects increased adoption of its mobile payment platform, which offers services such as money transfers, bill payments, merchant transactions, savings tools, and other financial services designed to support everyday financial activities. PalmPay’s growth is also tied to its deeper integration with Nigeria’s national payment infrastructure, enabling smoother interoperability with banks, financial institutions, and other digital payment platforms across the country. Industry analysts note that…

Manny Ita  – LG Electronics has entered a new partnership with AXA Mansard Health to provide free comprehensive health insurance to customers purchasing selected air conditioning units, in a move aimed at expanding consumer wellness benefits tied to household products. The initiative builds on a previous collaboration between both companies that focused on malaria-related health support, but this latest phase broadens coverage to include more general healthcare services for eligible customers. According to the announcement, buyers of specific LG air conditioner models in Nigeria will receive complimentary health insurance coverage for a defined period, offering access to medical consultations, treatment…

Manny Ita  – A new report from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has revealed that more than 3,700 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory are currently non-operational, raising fresh concerns over access to basic healthcare services in rural communities. The report highlights widespread challenges affecting primary healthcare delivery, including infrastructure decay, staffing shortages, inadequate funding, and poor maintenance of facilities, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas across Nigeria. According to the findings, many of the affected PHCs are either partially functional or completely abandoned, leaving millions of residents without reliable access…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian startup ecosystem continued to attract investor interest despite a broader global funding slowdown, securing a total of $4 million in new deals last month. The largest transaction was a $3.1 million funding round raised by credit management fintech company Bfree, which focuses on helping lenders improve debt recovery and customer repayment systems through digital tools. According to industry data, the remaining funding was distributed across several early-stage startups operating in sectors such as financial technology, logistics, and digital services within Nigeria. Investors reportedly remain cautiously optimistic about Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, noting that while global venture capital…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has been announced as one of the honorees for the 2026 Atlanta Black Music Walk of Fame, in recognition of his global influence and contributions to contemporary music and African entertainment. Organisers of the prestigious cultural initiative confirmed that Davido will be celebrated alongside other influential music figures whose work has significantly shaped global music culture and expanded the reach of Black artistry across generations. The Atlanta Black Music Walk of Fame was established to honour artists, entertainers, and industry pioneers who have made lasting impacts on music, culture, and creative expression. Davido’s…

Manny Ita  – The Eko Africa Legacy Summit is set to take place from May 15 to 16 at the Eko Convention Centre, bringing together cultural leaders, tourism experts, hospitality executives, creatives, investors, and policymakers to discuss the future of African identity within the global travel industry. Organisers said the summit aims to reimagine the role of African culture in tourism and hospitality by promoting authentic storytelling, heritage preservation, cultural innovation, and sustainable destination development across the continent. The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions, cultural showcases, and networking sessions focused on how African traditions, arts, cuisine, fashion,…

Manny Ita- The International Hospitality, Tourism & Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF 9.0) is scheduled to take place from May 22 to 23 at Abuja Continental Hotel, bringing together hospitality leaders, investors, tourism stakeholders, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. Organisers said the forum will focus on advancing sustainable tourism, eco-friendly hospitality practices, and investment opportunities capable of driving long-term growth within Africa’s tourism industry. The event is expected to attract representatives from global hotel brands, tourism development agencies, environmental experts, and impact investors who will discuss strategies for building resilient and environmentally responsible hospitality ecosystems across the continent. Panel sessions…

Manny Ita  – The RegTech Africa 2026 conference and expo is set to begin on May 20 in Abuja, bringing together policymakers, technology experts, financial institutions, regulators, and innovators to discuss the future of regulatory technology across Africa. Organisers said this year’s edition will focus on the theme of “regulatory technology for the common good,” with discussions expected to explore how digital innovation can improve governance, compliance, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and public sector efficiency. The multi-day event will feature keynote sessions, exhibitions, panel discussions, startup showcases, and policy dialogues aimed at strengthening collaboration between government agencies, fintech companies, investors, and…