Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Vatican has announced the appointment of Matthew Hassan Kukah to a senior role within its central governing structure, marking another significant international recognition for the Nigerian cleric. The appointment, approved by Pope Francis, places Bishop Kukah as a member of the Council of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, one of the key departments of the Holy See. According to an official statement from the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, the appointment was conveyed in a formal letter signed by Pietro Parolin. By this elevation, Bishop Kukah joins a select group of cardinals, archbishops, and bishops…

CP Tijani Fatai. Credit: X | LagosPoliceNG • To promote professionalism, accountability, and clarity. The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, from all traffic control and traffic contravention enforcement duties across the state. The directive, issued by the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, is part of ongoing efforts to tidy up Lagos’ often-chaotic traffic management structure and ensure that only the appropriate agencies handle road-related enforcement. In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the move…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has unveiled a special Easter train schedule, increasing trips on key routes and introducing a free service to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic during the holiday period. In a statement on Tuesday, the corporation said the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) would operate three trips to ease congestion, with departures from Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, at 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m, while trains from Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya, Ibadan, will depart at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. Beyond the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, the NRC announced a special narrow-gauge train service…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly of Nigeria to approve an upward review of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, proposing an additional ₦9 trillion to the initial budget estimate. The request raises the total proposed spending plan from about ₦58.4 trillion to approximately ₦67.4 trillion. The proposal was communicated in a letter read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marking a significant fiscal adjustment just months after the original budget framework was presented. According to the presidency, the increase is largely aimed at addressing outstanding financial commitments and legacy capital projects carried over…

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commences his landmark state visit to the United Kingdom the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, the inclusion of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal in the presidential entourage is not a fluke; rather, it signals a strategic opportunity for the northwest state to transform its economic fortunes. Beyond the ceremonial pageantry, this high-level diplomatic engagement holds concrete prospects for Zamfara, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals development, sectors where the state possesses a comparative advantage but has struggled to attract meaningful investment. With Governor Lawal working assiduously to generate more IGR for the…

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of individual annual tax returns by two weeks, from April 1 to April 14, 2026. In a statement issued on Monday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of individual annual tax returns is March 31 every year. He noted that the extension is intended to provide individuals with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns. Dr. Subair stated that individuals must give priority to the timely filing of their annual income tax returns, noting that compliance…

Manny Ita  – A new pan-African tourism initiative known as TOICE 2026 (Tourism & Open International Connectivity for Africa) has been launched with the aim of making travel across the continent easier, more connected, and more attractive to international visitors. The platform brings together eight African countries—Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Tunisia—in a joint effort to promote multi-destination tourism under a single, simplified travel framework. The initiative is designed to remove long-standing barriers that have made it difficult for tourists to move seamlessly between African countries. With TOICE 2026, travellers will be able to plan and…

Manny Ita  – International interest in Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports has been rising steadily as global energy markets continue to adjust to shifting supply routes, growing demand, and the push for cleaner-burning fuels. Nigeria, through the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island, remains one of Africa’s most important gas exporters. The country’s LNG is increasingly attracting attention from buyers in Europe and Asia who are seeking more stable and diversified energy sources outside traditional suppliers. In recent years, global gas demand has remained strong due to Europe’s effort to reduce reliance on pipeline gas from Russia,…

Manny Ita  – ​The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially entered the execution phase of its next-generation satellite program following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the acquisition of two new communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B. The announcement was made by Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), during the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja. The event, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” highlights a strategic shift toward utilizing space assets as a primary driver for national development and sovereignty. ​According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital…

Zenith Bank Zenith Bank Plc has introduced the Visa Signature Card in collaboration with Visa, as part of a shift in Nigeria’s premium banking segment toward access-driven financial services for affluent, globally mobile customers. The Visa Signature Card, which is dollar-denominated and has a higher limit than the normal card, is designed to enable seamless local and international transactions while providing cardholders with access to a range of travel, lifestyle and security benefits. These include access to global airport lounge programmes, travel insurance and assistance services, concierge support, and exclusive offers across leading international travel and hospitality platforms. The offering…