Temi Ajibade, daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, has shared her thoughts on marriage, privacy, and her decision to take her husband’s surname after marrying singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi. In a recent interview with the BBC, Temi explained that taking her husband’s name was a personal choice and a natural step for her as a married woman. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative,” she said, discussing her preference for keeping certain aspects of her life private. “There’s something about moving in silence that allows you to have control over things. It allows you to build the…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 895 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across 21 states and 106 local government areas, resulting in 166 deaths between January and September 2025. This represents a case fatality rate of 18.5%, higher than the 16.9% reported during the same period in 2024. The majority of infections, about 90%, have come from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states. Ondo alone is responsible for a third of infections, underscoring the persistent burden of the disease in those regions. According to the NCDC, poor environmental sanitation, weak awareness in high-burden communities, and…
The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has seen its market capitalization grow by N1.811 trillion to N90.580 trillion from N88.769 trillion in August, driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary policy reforms. The CBN’s recent reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 27.5% to 27% has fueled investors’ appetite for equities, leading to a shift from fixed-income assets to stocks. The NGX All Share Index (ASI) rose by 1.7% to 142,710.48 points from 140,295.50 points. Analysts attribute the growth to renewed investor interest in key large-cap stocks, profit-taking from earlier dips, and fresh buying in fundamentally strong equities.…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to determine the validity of the presidential proclamation, citing that only the Supreme Court has exclusive and original jurisdiction over such matters. The plaintiffs, led by Belema Briggs, had sought a declaration that the president did not have the power to remove Fubara and others. However, the court held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to institute the suit, as they failed to demonstrate that they were members of…
The World Trade Organisation and the World Bank have warned that Nigeria’s weak infrastructure and regulatory gaps could prevent the country from unlocking its billion-dollar digital economy potential. Nigeria’s broadband penetration currently stands at approximately 48%, falling short of the 70% target set by the National Broadband Plan. Nigeria faces significant challenges in its quest for robust broadband infrastructure, including limited fiber optic coverage, weak last-mile connectivity, high costs, and regulatory bottlenecks. These challenges are particularly pronounced in rural areas, where infrastructure deficits hinder digital inclusion. According to Yinka Isioye, Chief Experience Officer of FibreOne, “Broadband is as important as…
Billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is nearly halfway to becoming the planet’s first trillionaire, according to Forbes magazine. Musk’s net worth briefly reached $500.1 billion before dipping back to $499.1 billion, as tracked by Forbes’ “Real-Time Billionaires” tracker. This significant milestone is attributed to the rebound of Tesla’s shares after a tumultuous period in politics, among other gains. Musk’s wealth surge is no surprise, given his influential ventures in electric cars and space exploration. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has been a pioneer in his field, driving innovation and growth. His journey to becoming one…
The Swedish government has announced a significant shift in its migration policy, offering immigrants up to $34,000 to voluntarily return to their home countries starting in 2026. This move aims to encourage migrants to leave Sweden, amid challenges integrating newcomers into the country’s society. According to Migration Minister Johan Forssell, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.” The grant amount will increase substantially from 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a maximum of 40,000 kronor per family, to up to 350,000 Swedish kronor per person. This new policy is expected…
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved $308.631 million to catalyze strategic investments in clean energy, industrial development, and sustainable growth across West Africa. This approval was made during the bank’s 93rd Ordinary Session in Lomé, Togo. According to Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of EBID’s Board of Directors, the newly approved financing will advance strategic public and private sector initiatives. The approved projects include a 50 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Taraba State, Nigeria, which will provide clean and reliable electricity to approximately 390,000 people and 200 public institutions. The project is expected…
The UK government plans to scrap the refugee family reunion scheme, a move aimed at curbing immigration levels amid pressure from the far-right. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will outline this plan at an EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen. According to the government, refugees will no longer have automatic settlement rights; instead, they’ll face a longer route to settlement requiring contribution. The UK government has suspended new family reunion applications since September to disincentivize Channel crossings. Almost 21,000 refugee family reunion visas were issued in the year to June 2025, mostly to women and children. “We’re making fundamental changes to what…
The US Embassy in Nigeria has reaffirmed that visa application fees are strictly non-refundable, a policy consistent with global practices. This clarification follows growing public debates about fairness and transparency in US immigration procedures. According to the embassy, the fees cover the cost of processing applications, regardless of visa approval. The embassy acknowledged Nigerian concerns but stressed that fees remain non-refundable and non-transferable once an application is filed. “We hear your concerns regarding US visa application fees. Like most countries, US visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome,” the statement read. Each application is…
Dr. Layi Fatona, Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has called on African nations to take full ownership of the continent’s vast hydrocarbon resources. Speaking at the Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, Fatona emphasized the need for Africa to lead its own energy revolution, leveraging advanced technologies to optimize current assets and drive sustainable development. “The opportunity is here. The time is now. Let us lead our own energy revolution,” he declared. Fatona lamented Africa’s longstanding inability to harness its abundant natural resources for meaningful development and the benefit of its people. “We are sitting on…
Scammers are exploiting Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, by running deepfake political ads that target seniors with fake government benefits. According to the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), 63 scam advertisers collectively spent $49 million on these platforms, often using deepfake videos of American politicians like President Donald Trump. The scam advertisers used deepfake videos to promote fake stimulus checks, government spending cards, and healthcare payments, reaching tens of thousands of users. Meta disabled 35 ad accounts after they ran dozens or hundreds of ads, with six accounts spending over $1 million before being disabled or deleted. One advertiser, “Relief…