Collateral Damage: How the Middle East War Is Deepening Nigeria’s Transport and Food Crises
The escalation of the Middle East conflict has sent global crude prices soaring, pushing Nigeria’s pump price from roughly $1.85 per litre to about $3, a 60% increase. In Abuja, transport fares have more than doubled, with typical rides now costing $4‑$5, squeezing commuters’ budgets. Higher logistics costs are feeding into food markets, raising staple prices and deepening household inflation. The crisis highlights Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined fuel and its exposure to external shocks, prompting calls for local refining and policy buffers.
Nigeria Is Flaring the Answer to the World’s Biggest Tech Problem
Nigeria burns about 192 million standard cubic feet of natural gas each day, wasting roughly $720 million annually and forfeiting $56.75 billion in revenue since 2002. This flared gas could generate roughly 3,400 MW of electricity—enough to match the nation’s current grid output and...
Four-Award Sweep for PAC Capital at International Business Awards
PAC Capital Limited swept four continental awards at the 2026 International Business Magazine ceremony, including Excellence in Cross‑Border Transactions and Best Investment Banking Firm in Africa. The accolades build on its 2025 recognition as Nigeria’s Best Transaction Advisory Firm, underscoring...
‘We’re Ready to Address Core Infrastructure, Operational Challenges Across Global Markets’
CapitalSage Technology Group announced a new governance framework that introduces a group‑level holding board alongside subsidiary boards for payments, banking, credit, investments and international operations. The restructuring is designed to improve oversight, decision‑making and accountability as the fintech platform scales...
Best Apps to Trade Gift Cards in Nigeria
Gift card trading has surged in Nigeria, with users converting unused cards into naira or cryptocurrency. A new 2026 ranking evaluated dozens of platforms and identified Apex Network as the top overall app, citing its broad card support, instant wallet...
NBA-SLP Emphasizes Need to Restore Confidence in the Profession …. To Hold Annual Annual Conference in Lagos; Set to Unveil...
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA‑SLP) will host its 2026 annual conference in Lagos from April 7‑10, centering on restoring confidence in the legal profession. Chairman Folashade Alli announced the launch of Nigeria’s first digital law‑firm directory,...
Kaspersky Warns of New Phishing Technique Exploiting Trusted Platforms
Kaspersky has identified a new phishing method that hijacks trusted digital platforms such as task‑management and notification services to deliver seemingly authentic messages. The attacks mimic internal corporate communications, prompting users to click links that lead to counterfeit login portals...
Android Phone Prices Surge in April as Manufacturers Pass Costs to Consumers
Global Android manufacturers are raising prices on new and existing smartphones in April. The hikes, driven by soaring component costs for memory, displays and camera modules, stem from heightened AI data‑center demand. Estimates suggest average Android prices could climb up...
Ajaokuta’s Uncertain Future: Nigeria’s Steel Ambition Amid UK Deal
Nigeria’s government has signed a roughly $950 million export‑finance pact with the United Kingdom to upgrade Lagos’s main seaports, including a $89 million contract for British Steel to supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets. While the deal promises faster cargo handling and potential...
NNPC/Seplat JV Executes ‘Eye Can See’ CSI Programme in Imo
The NNPC/Seplat joint venture’s “Eye Can See” corporate social investment program in Imo State has delivered 23,447 free eye screenings, performed 797 cataract surgeries, and distributed over 13,525 glasses since its 2017 launch. The three‑day outreach in Owerri, held March...
What I Will Do with Petrol Subsidy if Elected in 2027 – Presidential Aspirant
Presidential aspirant Faduri Oluwadamilare Joseph of the National Rescue Movement announced he will reinstate Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected in 2027. He criticized the 2023 removal under President Bola Tinubu as poorly planned and favoring the wealthy, causing hardship for...
Africa’s AI Future to Be Defined by Data Governance Across the Continent— Gyekye
Microsoft’s Africa government affairs director Akua Gyekye says the continent’s AI future hinges on effective data governance rather than just technology adoption. While 76 % of African nations now have data‑protection laws, fragmented policies and restrictive localisation impede cross‑border data flows....
Afreximbank Pushes Industrialisation as Path to Economic Sovereignty
The African Export‑Import Bank will make industrialisation the centerpiece of its 33rd Annual Meetings in El Alamein, Egypt, from June 21‑24. The gathering will convene heads of state, policymakers, financiers and private‑sector leaders to design projects that shift Africa’s trade model from...
Tinubu Determined to Strengthen Power Sector, Shettima Vows at NELMCO Office Inauguration
Vice‑President Kashim Shettima used the inauguration of NELMCO’s new headquarters to reaffirm President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to overhaul Nigeria’s power sector. He highlighted a data‑driven, transparent approach and urged private and international investors to join the reform agenda. NELMCO, which recently generated...
NCC Unveils Framework to Curb Fraudulent SIM Activities
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has opened a stakeholder consultation on its new Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) aimed at blocking fraudulently registered SIM numbers. The framework proposes amendments requiring a 14‑day notice before a line is churned and...
Naira Gains Across FX Markets as Remittance Rule Boosts Liquidity
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) tightened remittance rules, directing all International Money Transfer Operators to route diaspora inflows through designated naira settlement accounts. The move helped the naira appreciate modestly, closing at ₦1,383.88 per dollar, a 0.2% gain, while...
Doctor Cleared, Nurses Detained as Injection Error Kills Two Sisters
A medical panel cleared the prescribing doctor after a fatal medication error killed two young sisters at Zuru General Hospital, while two nurses remain in police custody. The children, aged six and three, received the wrong injection on March 18,...
Nigerian Coast Guard Could Unlock N90trn Revenue Annually – PC-NCG
Provisional Committee leader Noah Ichaba says establishing a Nigerian Coast Guard could unlock up to N90 trillion (≈ $196 billion) in annual revenue from oil, gas, fisheries and other maritime activities. The agency would curb piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing while enforcing the...
Kenyan, South African Banks Make World’s 10 Strongest Banking Brands List
Four African banks—Kenya’s Equity Bank and KCB, and South Africa’s Capitec and First National Bank—ranked between sixth and ninth in Brand Finance’s 2026 Banking 500 strongest banking brands list. Equity Bank led Africa with a 93.9 Brand Strength Index, while...
Nigeria’s Stock Deals Skyrocket to N2.4trn in Two Months
Nigeria’s equity market posted a record‑breaking N2.4 trillion ($1.73 bn) of stock deals in the first two months of 2026, more than double the same period last year. Domestic investors drove 89% of the activity, while foreign participation rose to just over...
SEC, NOA Deepen Collaboration to Combat Illegal Schemes
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency (NOA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch nationwide enlightenment campaigns targeting Ponzi schemes. The partnership leverages NOA’s extensive outreach network to educate the public on the risks...
Katsina Targets 3m Children for Immunisation Against Polio
Katsina State announced a massive polio immunisation drive targeting three million children aged 0‑59 months across all 34 local government areas. The campaign will run from March 28 to April 2, 2026, with a two‑day mop‑up phase before completion. Over...
InDrive Bets on 30-Minute Grocery Delivery with Krave Mart Deal in Pakistan
Global ride‑hailing platform inDrive has completed an all‑stock acquisition of Pakistani quick‑commerce startup Krave Mart, gaining a dark‑store network that promises 30‑minute grocery deliveries in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The deal cleared the Competition Commission of Pakistan, though financial terms remain...
Alausa Announces Plan to Scrap Common Entrance for Learner ID Tracking
Nigeria’s Minister of Education Tunji Alausa announced the phase‑out of the National Common Entrance Examination, replacing it with a continuous assessment model and a centralised Learner Identification Number (LIN) system. The reform targets the stark transition gap—23 million primary pupils versus...
Inflation Relief Under Threat as Global Energy Shocks Loom
Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 15.06% year‑on‑year in February 2026, a modest drop from January’s 15.10% and far below last year’s 26.27%. However, month‑on‑month inflation accelerated to 2.01% and food prices jumped 4.69%, indicating persistent cost pressures. Rising global oil...
Rising Energy Costs Force Households, Businesses Into Survival Mode
Nigeria is experiencing a dramatic surge in energy costs, with petrol prices climbing nearly 40% in a month and ranking the second‑largest increase globally since the Iran war. A severe heatwave and chronic power outages have forced households and small...
Fuel to Gas Vehicles: How NDDC Made 500 Niger Delta Youths Ready for Action
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained 500 youths in CNG Autogas conversion through a six‑week hands‑on program at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, aiming to create a skilled hub for vehicle retrofitting. The initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s...
Africa’s Strategic Moment: Turning the Iran–USA–Israel Crisis Into Continental Opportunity
The recent Iran‑USA‑Israel escalation, highlighted by Operation Epic Fury and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has halted the flow of roughly 20 million barrels of oil daily, unsettling global energy markets. The disruption creates a strategic opening for Africa...
Egg Scarcity Looms as Day-Old Chick Prices Surge 67%
Nigeria’s day‑old chick prices have jumped 67% since January, reaching N3,000, tightening the supply of pullets needed for egg production. Hatcheries are unable to meet the renewed demand as many farmers re‑enter the market after feed costs fell, while a...
Explainer: How Cybercrime Outpaces Digital Revolution
Nigeria’s rapid shift to a digital‑first economy is being shadowed by a surge in cybercrime, with global losses projected at $10.5 trillion and Nigerian fraud losses climbing 196% to N52.26 billion over five years. Attackers are leveraging AI‑generated phishing, deep‑fakes and automated...
Nigeria Bets on High-End Fiagnostics as Siemens–AMCE Deal Targets Medical Tourism Drain
Siemens Healthineers has teamed up with the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) to bring advanced imaging, precision diagnostics and integrated cancer‑care solutions to Nigeria. The $300 million, Afreximbank‑backed hospital aims to become a regional hub for oncology, cardiology and haematology,...
TaxStreem Aims to Simplify Tax Compliance for Nigerian Businesses
TaxStreem has launched a digital platform that consolidates fragmented financial data—from bank accounts, email, WhatsApp Business and invoicing tools—into a single interface for Nigerian businesses. The system automatically applies relevant tax rules, calculates liabilities in real time, and files returns...
Amended Electoral Act Sparks Fresh Defections in Akwa Ibom
The 2026 amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act bars politicians from switching parties after primary elections, prompting a wave of defections in Akwa Ibom’s ruling APC. Aspirants uncertain of securing tickets for the 2027 polls are returning to former parties or joining...
Uber, Bolt Drivers Log Off Apps in Protest over Low Fares, 25% Commission
Thousands of Uber and Bolt drivers in Lagos have begun a three‑day strike, logging off the apps to protest low fares and steep platform commissions. The Amalgamated Union of App‑Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) says drivers are squeezed by rising...
Tinubu’s NIN Initiative Drives Rural Inclusion, Security – Amgbare
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a community‑driven rollout of National Identification Number (NIN) registration to reach Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, focusing on rural and underserved communities. The Niger Delta Basin Development Authority’s CEO, Ebitimi Amgbare, highlighted that the decentralized,...
Army Debunks ‘Fake IED’ Claims, Invites Media to Verify Recoveries in Imo, Anambra
On March 12, the Nigerian Army released images of recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Operation Eastern Sanity in Imo and Anambra states. The army refuted viral claims that the photos were fabricated, stating the images are authentic but geolocation...
ATLF Moves to Limpopo, as Polokwane Sets to Host Global Delegates in September
The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards will convene in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, in September 2026, marking the forum’s first event in the region. Organisers—including Africa Tourism Partners, UN Tourism and BDO—highlight the city’s cultural heritage and biodiversity as...
‘No Shortcuts in Aviation’: NAMA Explains Delay in Deploying Lagos Mobile Control Tower
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) confirmed that a mobile control tower will be deployed at Lagos' Murtala Mohammed International Airport, but installation is delayed until a 21‑day curing period for the foundation is completed. The delay follows a fire...
CBN Caps New Mobile Banking Transfers at N20,000 for 24 Hours
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will limit transactions on newly activated mobile banking apps to N20,000 during the first 24 hours, effective 1 July 2026. The regulator also mandates single‑device binding, multi‑factor authentication for new device logins, and real‑time fraud‑monitoring systems...
Can Nigeria’s Industrial Plan Deliver Real Factories?
Nigeria has unveiled the National Industrial Policy 2025‑2035 to revive manufacturing and capture its youthful labour force. The plan targets a rise in manufacturing’s share of GDP to 15% by 2030 and 25% by 2035, backed by up to 5%...
Inside GAMCO, Nigeria’s Plan to Revive Idle Power Plants Into Electricity
Nigeria is launching Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO) to revive idle power plants and upgrade transmission, aiming to add up to 1,600 MW of electricity within two years. The pilot focuses on the Benin‑Lagos corridor, targeting three gas‑fired plants with...
CRC Launches Upgraded Mobile App to Expand Access to Credit Data
CRC Credit Bureau launched an upgraded mobile app that streamlines access to credit data, financial services, and digital transactions for Nigerians. The new version adds biometric authentication, a built‑in wallet, and direct enrollment in CRC’s financial education programmes. The bureau...
Sunbeth Raises N165.7bn in Oversubscribed Commercial Paper Sale
Sunbeth Global Concepts Ltd. raised N165.73 billion through a commercial paper programme that was oversubscribed by 65 percent, far exceeding its original N100 billion target. The issuance comprised three series with tenors of 179, 270 and 364 days, priced at a 19.0‑19.3 percent discount...
9PSB Reinforces Commitment to Financial Inclusion with ‘Send to Ghana’
Nigeria’s first Payment Service Bank, 9PSB, has unveiled a new cross‑border feature called Send to Ghana on its Bank9ja app. The service, built on Onafriq’s technology and the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), is regulated by the Central Bank...
Policy Blindspots Threaten Nigeria’s .ng Domain Adoption, NiRA Flags
Nigeria’s digital strategy hinges on expanding the local .ng domain, but the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) warns that policy gaps are stalling adoption. Although the 2025 Nigeria First Policy obliges government bodies to migrate to .ng addresses and host...
Securities Dealers Call for Prudence as Nigerian Stocks Rally
The Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) warned investors to exercise prudence as the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) enjoys a sustained rally. While renewed confidence and stronger macro‑economic sentiment are fueling price gains, ASHON cautioned that many stocks...
Five Things to Know to Start Your Day
Nigeria's federal government ordered ministries to defer 70% of the 2025 capital budget to 2026, limiting new projects to prioritize existing ones amid weak revenues. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission raided former Kaduna governor Nasir El‑Rufai’s Abuja home as he remains...
Before the Ladder: Fixing Nigeria’s Broken Education Floor
Nigeria’s education system remains a fragile floor, with over 18 million children out of school and a majority of 10‑year‑olds unable to read basic texts. Public primary schools often lack essential infrastructure such as classrooms, furniture, sanitation, and reliable electricity, while...
PENGASSAN Warns Tinubu’s Order on NNPC Revenues Could Lead to Job Losses
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) warned that President Bola Tinubu’s February 18 executive order, which channels oil and gas revenues directly into the federation account, undermines the financial autonomy granted to NNPC Limited under the...
Building Roads While Travelling Nowhere
Nigeria’s states received a record N33.27 trillion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between January and November 2025, far exceeding the N25.46 trillion allocated in 2024. Despite the surge, per‑capita spending on health and education remains dismally low, with implementation rates of only...
