Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Elegbede Abiodun They assured CAF of their capabilities considering ample stadiums and other training amenities available within their reaches. Morocco and South Africa have officially informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of their readiness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), should the current planned hosts – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – encounter difficulties in completing preparations on schedule. Both North and Southern African nations have assured CAF of their capabilities, highlighting ample stadiums, training facilities, and logistical infrastructure to accommodate the tournament. CAF is reportedly closely monitoring the progress of the East African trio, with contingency…

Elegbede Abiodun Latin American and Caribbean carriers reported the weakest performance.  Records have shown that African airlines had the strongest growth in global air cargo demand in February 2026, posting a 21 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data from the International Air Transport Association. Following the data released on Monday, the association said the capacity for African carriers also rose significantly, increasing by 17.3 per cent compared with February 2025. Globally, air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, grew by 11.2 per cent year-on-year in February, while international operations recorded a slightly higher increase of 11.6 per cent. Capacity,…

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture says Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually. The Director-General of NACCIMA, Mr. Sola Obadimu, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a project-specific interactive session with the organised private sector and other stakeholders. The Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production project organised the event. Obadimu, represented by Senior Manager of Administration, Mr. Kunle Fadare, said the intervention was both timely and strategic. He said Nigeria’s industrial sector accounts for over 30 per cent of national…

Senator Ibrahim Ida Elegbede Abiodun The presidency trusts in the capacity of the new appointees to contribute meaningfully to the administration’s agenda. President Bola Tinubu has appointed former senator, Ibrahim Ida, as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission. The appointments were announced in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Ida brings extensive experience in public administration and finance to his new role. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Sen. Dr Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission and nominated seven people to fill vacant…

Manny Ita  – The 11th edition of the international Agrofood Exhibition 2026 has concluded in Lagos, drawing attention from global stakeholders across agriculture, food processing, packaging, and agribusiness technology, as Nigeria continues to position itself as a key player in the drive toward sustainable food systems. The exhibition brought together 137 exhibitors from 17 countries, showcasing innovations spanning smart farming equipment, food preservation technologies, irrigation systems, agro-processing machinery, and supply chain logistics solutions. Participants included manufacturers, startups, policymakers, and investors seeking to explore opportunities within Africa’s expanding agricultural value chain. This year’s central theme, “Achieving World-Class Food Security,” set the…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s beauty and personal care industry continues to attract renewed investor attention as local brands expand their footprint in the fast-growing haircare segment, with a strong focus on innovation tailored to African consumers. The Nigerian beauty firm Imperio Cosmetics has announced the launch of Hair Harmony, a new haircare line designed specifically for African hair textures. The company says the product range was developed after extensive research into hair density, curl patterns, scalp sensitivity, and environmental stress factors common across West and sub-Saharan Africa. According to the company, Hair Harmony introduces what it describes as “nano scent…

Manny Ita  – Diaspora-led community associations are gaining growing recognition in Nigeria for their increasing role in grassroots development and informal security support systems, particularly in rural areas where government infrastructure and policing capacity remain limited. One of such groups, the Ado Diaspora Union, has become a reference point for how organised citizens living abroad are contributing to local stability through structured funding and coordinated development initiatives targeted at their home communities. Across several regions, diaspora unions are financing small-scale but strategic interventions that indirectly strengthen community security. These include the installation of solar-powered street lighting along isolated roads, rehabilitation…

Manny Ita  – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €7.5 million investment into the Breega Africa Seed I Fund, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening early-stage financing for startups across Nigeria, with a strong focus on fintech and agritech sectors. The funding is expected to support the expansion of innovative Nigerian startups that are often constrained by limited access to early-stage capital. By channeling funds through the Breega Africa Seed I Fund, the initiative seeks to bridge the persistent private-sector financing gap that has slowed the growth of high-potential technology-driven enterprises in the country. According to the…

Manny Ita  – The 2026 cycle of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), reaches its submission deadline today, with poets across Nigeria and the diaspora submitting entries for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize. The competition, regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary awards, is currently focused on the poetry genre as part of its rotational cycle covering prose fiction, drama, and children’s literature. It was established in 2004 to honour excellence in Nigerian writing and has since become a major platform for literary recognition on the continent. Organisers have confirmed that…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria and the United Kingdom have announced a new Cultural and Creative Economy Partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration between both countries and expanding the global reach of Nigerian creative talent under the “Season of Culture 2028” framework. The initiative is designed to deepen cultural exchange and unlock new economic opportunities across music, film, fashion, literature, and digital arts. Officials from both countries described the partnership as a long-term strategy to position Nigeria’s creative industry more strongly within global markets while fostering mutual cultural understanding. The programme is anchored on the broader Season of Culture 2028, a bilateral…