Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

The upcoming event marks a major step in cultural diplomacy and cinematic collaboration between Nigeria and Germany.  The inaugural Germany-Nigeria Film Week 2026 has been slated for October 1–10, 2026 across Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen and Hannover. In a press release by the Directors Guild of Nigeria public relations officer, Emmanuel Eyaba, the 10-day event is being organised by Germany’s SONNENKIND Film e.V. and Nigeria’s Pan-African Film Development Foundation. It aims to deepen ties between both film industries, unlock investment opportunities, encourage co-productions and showcase Nigerian cinema alongside Germany’s renowned production infrastructure. Eyaba said the festival will gather filmmakers, directors, producers,…

Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre has signed a new two-year contract with Saudi Women’s Premier League outfit Al-Ittihad Ladies.  The new contract will see the former Notts County star remain at the club until 2028. Plumptre joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer in September 2023 following the expiration of her contract with Leicester City. The 28-year-old has scored 15 goals, and registered 19 assists in 41 appearances for the Tigers. The versatile defender is currently recuperating from the foot injury which has sidelined her since March. Plumptre was omitted from Nigeria’s squad to the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of…

The federal government (FG) has launched the Youth Credit for Entrepreneurs Programme, a new financing initiative designed to improve access to affordable credit for up to 500,000 young business owners and support enterprise-driven economic growth. Under the programme, eligible Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 will be able to access financing ranging from N200,000 to N2 million through participating regulated financial institutions. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the programme is intended to bridge the gap between the government’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms and the everyday realities…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African leaders to develop a new financing architecture that enables the continent to mobilise its own resources, attract investment and drive sustainable development, saying Africa can no longer rely primarily on foreign aid. Obasanjo made the call while receiving the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) 20th Anniversary Special Recognition Award at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Receiving the honour, the former president expressed appreciation to ARDA for the recognition and reaffirmed his confidence in Africa’s ability to shape its own future. “The future of Africa lies in Africa itself. We must…

The United States has slammed Nigerian imports with 12.5 per cent tariff over failure to ban goods produced with forced labour. The Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR, made this announcement on Thursday. According to the USTR, the sanction targets countries that have not imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour. The USTR disclosed the affected countries as Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. While Nigeria faces 12.5 percent, others face 10 per cent lower rate. The measures are the newest use of US trade law to…

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reinforced its position as one of the continent’s leading financial institutions after emerging as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Retail and Sustainability Leadership (ESG) at the prestigious 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence. The awards, presented on Thursday, July 17, 2026, at The Peninsula London in the United Kingdom, celebrates banking institutions that demonstrate outstanding financial performance, innovation, customer impact and sustainable business practices. The double recognition underscores UBA’s leadership in driving sustainable finance while expanding access to innovative banking solutions for millions of customers across Africa. According to Euromoney, UBA distinguished…

• The Nigerian Army will now operate twelve divisions with approval of additional 28,000 recruitment. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army. This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further. The expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West region, has rejected the proposed ban on preaching inside commercial vehicles, warning that the provision could restrict citizens’ constitutional rights. The position followed the passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by the Senate, which proposed a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial vehicles. The bill, if assented to, would also impose a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both on motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. In a statement yesterday by the South-West…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has successfully completed a landmark US$2.5 billion private equity placement, in what is believed to be Africa’s largest publicly disclosed primary equity private placement by value. This marks a major milestone in the company’s long-term expansion strategy. In a statement issued on Thursday, the company said the offering was 3.7 times oversubscribed relative to its initial offer size, reflecting strong investor confidence in the refinery’s growth prospects and resulting in the issuance and allotment of approximately US$2.5 billion in new equity. The fundraising follows the recent equity capital raise in which existing investors expanded their…

• Gold medallists will earn up to 8,000 US dollars in combined rewards and bonuses. Team Nigeria has declared itself ready for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the country’s athletes poised to begin their medal quest as the multi-sport event gets underway in less than 24 hours. After months of meticulous planning and weeks of high-performance training in Aberdeen, Scotland, the Nigerian contingent has now settled into the Games Village. The arrival of the national 3×3 basketball team from Amsterdam completed Team Nigeria’s delegation ahead of the opening day of competition. Nigeria’s campaign begins on Friday with its formidable…