Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The global cryptocurrency market has entered a sharp downturn, with total market capitalisation collapsing to around $2.2 trillion — a level last seen during past major selloffs — and investor sentiment sinking into “Extreme Fear.” This seismic shift reflects a convergence of macroeconomic pressure, institutional re-evaluation, forced liquidations, and dwindling liquidity across the digital asset landscape. In this turbulent environment, even leading assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading significantly lower than recent highs. What Has Happened? Market Breakdown Market Capitalisation Collapse The total cryptocurrency market cap has fallen sharply, breaking below key support levels and dipping to around…

The World Economic Forum (WEF), best known for its annual Davos meetings and global multi-stakeholder initiatives, has played an increasingly visible and strategic role in shaping discourse, partnerships, and economic positioning for Nigeria. Its influence spans digital transformation, climate and environmental action, trade and integration, investment engagement, and global economic positioning. Below is an in-depth look at how WEF’s involvement has impacted Nigeria’s economy and strategic economic direction. 1. Elevating Nigeria’s Global Economic Engagement Nigeria House at Davos: New Platform for Investment and Dialogue In January 2026, Nigeria debuted “Nigeria House” at the World Economic Forum annual meeting — the…

MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, is in advanced negotiations to acquire the remaining 75% stake in IHS Towers, a major telecommunications infrastructure company. The proposed transaction — valued at approximately $2.76 billion — marks a significant strategic shift for MTN and could reshape the telecom infrastructure landscape across Africa and other emerging markets. What’s Happening? MTN currently owns roughly 25 % of IHS Towers, having sold most of its tower assets to the company in a landmark infrastructure deal back in 2014. The latest talks are focused on purchasing the remaining 75% of IHS that it does not…

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG), has officially invited qualified professionals to apply for leadership positions within the United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC), Talent Pipeline — a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening global humanitarian leadership capacity and diversifying the pool of eligible candidates. What Is the RC/HC Talent Pipeline? The Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator Talent Pipeline is a joint initiative managed by the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It seeks to identify, groom, and prepare high-calibre professionals for senior leadership roles in the UN humanitarian system. Prospective…

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the United States Congress convened a fresh session to examine allegations of genocide and religious persecution in Nigeria — particularly claims that violence against Christian communities has reached levels that necessitate urgent international scrutiny. The hearing, titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” is jointly held by the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. This session comes amid growing debate within the US legislature and broader international community over how to classify and respond to Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, which has seen thousands of civilians killed, displaced, or…

The global Christian community is in mourning with the passing of Ron Kenoly, the iconic American gospel singer, worship leader, songwriter, and pastor, who died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the age of 81. The announcement came through a heartfelt statement on Kenoly’s official Instagram account by his longtime music director and close associate, Bruno Miranda, who confirmed that Kenoly passed away on the morning of February 3. No specific cause of death has been publicly disclosed by his family or representatives. A Pioneer of Contemporary Worship Music Born on December 6, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas, USA, Ron Kenoly’s…

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, celebrating the best in recorded music from August 2024 through August 2025. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the sixth and final time, the show honoured a dazzling array of international talent — from rap icons and pop superstars to rising global voices. The Grammys showcased the evolution of music across genres. This year’s ceremony underscored music’s growing global reach — and while Davido’s name lit up the nominations and stage presence, he did not win in his category. Still, his visibility…

In a major reminder to taxpayers across Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has emphasized that every individual taxpayer is legally obliged to file their annual tax returns on or before March 31, 2026. Oyedele made this appeal during a webinar organized for human resources managers, payroll officers, tax managers, and other stakeholders in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board. Why the Reminder Matters Oyedele’s statement comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve tax compliance in Nigeria, where non-filing of self-assessment tax returns remains a significant challenge.…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has extended the application deadline for its 2025/2026 academic session student loan programme from January 31, 2026 to February 27, 2026. The announcement was made in a statement issued in Abuja and reflects a deliberate policy choice to increase access to the loan scheme for eligible students nationwide. Background: What NELFUND Is NELFUND is a federal government initiative established to implement the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme—a programme aimed at providing interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition fees and living expenses. The scheme seeks to reduce financial barriers to higher…

Understanding how divorce rates vary across religious groups requires careful analysis of statistics from different countries and surveys. While no single religion worldwide uniformly has the highest divorce rate, patterns emerge when we examine available data closely — especially from the United States and broader country-level statistics. Dive with me into one of the most sensitive—and misunderstood—global questions of our time. Marriage, divorce, and religion sit at the crossroads of belief, culture, law, and personal freedom. They shape how societies define commitment, morality, and family, yet discussions around them are often driven more by assumptions than evidence. In this critique,…

Earlier this week of January 2026, global digital payments giant PayPal formally returned to Nigeria through a strategic partnership with Nigerian fintech pioneer Paga — marking a significant milestone in country’s financial technology landscape. After nearly two decades during which Nigerians were largely unable to receive international payments via PayPal, this new collaboration unlocks powerful opportunities for individuals, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and businesses across the nation. Why This Partnership Matters For more than 20 years, PayPal’s presence in Nigeria was limited by restrictions that prevented local users from receiving inbound payments from the global platform. While Nigerians could make outbound payments,…

As the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections continues to thicken, I have taken a critical look at the potential upsets that could redefine Nigeria’s political leadership between 2027 and 2031. This analysis focuses on Atiku Abubakar and the emerging ADC coalition, examining whether this alignment can realistically alter the balance of power. What follows is a clear, evidence-based assessment of Atiku Abubakar’s chances in the 2027 presidential race under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), highlighting the key political dynamics, strengths, weaknesses, and structural factors likely to shape his prospects. Current Position: Atiku with the ADC As of…