Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria Ends Bilateral Scholarships To Boost Local Education. The Federal Government of Nigeria has terminated the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, which funded overseas studies for Nigerian students, to prioritise investment in domestic universities and polytechnics. Education Minister Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa announced the decision, citing the need to realign the nation’s educational priorities. During a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that a comprehensive policy review found that courses offered through the BEA are now available, often at higher quality, in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. “It is no longer justifiable to spend public funds on overseas studies…

Former NNPC Refinery Directors Demand ₦50bn In Damages Over Defamatory Report Three former managing directors of NNPC refineries have launched a ₦50 billion legal claim against a national newspaper, alleging defamation over a report linking them to an ₦80 billion fraud scandal. The trio—Ibrahim Onoja of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Efifia Chu of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Dr Mustafa Sugnugun of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company—have issued a five-day ultimatum through their lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN. They are demanding a full retraction, a public apology, and compensation for reputational damage caused by the article.…

ALGON Chairman Kolade Alabi Hospitalised After Collapsing At APC Meeting. Kolade Alabi, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Bariga Local Government Area, was rushed to hospital after collapsing during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos today. The incident occurred around 12 pm at the APC secretariat on Acme Road, where Alabi was addressing attendees, according to reports from The Guardian. The sudden collapse sparked panic among those present at the gathering. Sources confirmed that Alabi was promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. His condition…

Nigerian CEOs Bullish On Economic Growth And Transformation, PwC Survey Reveals. Nigerian business leaders are displaying remarkable optimism about economic prospects and are actively reshaping their organisations to thrive in a dynamic landscape, according to PwC Nigeria’s findings from its 28th Annual Global CEO Survey. The report, released today, reveals that 61% of Nigerian CEOs anticipate an improvement in global economic growth over the next 12 months, aligning closely with 63% across Sub-Saharan Africa and 58% globally. Confidence in Nigeria’s own economy is even stronger, with 64% expecting positive shifts in 2025. This marks a significant upswing from last year’s…

Acropolis Of Athens: A Timeless Beacon Of History And Culture Perched majestically atop a boat-shaped rock, the Parthenon crowns the Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and architectural grandeur. Rising 157 metres above sea level and 70 metres above the city, this rocky hill, measuring 300 metres long and 150 metres wide, has stood as a symbol of ancient Greek civilisation for millennia. The term “Acropolis” derives from the Greek words akron (highest point) and polis (city), a fitting name for this elevated stronghold, accessible only via a fortified…

Atiku Urges Tinubu To Ditch Foreign Luxury For Local Products In ‘Nigeria First’ Policy. Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to back his administration’s “Nigeria First” policy with tangible actions by swapping foreign-made vehicles for locally manufactured ones. The call comes days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the policy, which prioritises local goods and services in government procurement. In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the policy as “another tired PR stunt” unless accompanied by…

NEMA Launches Plan To Tackle Rising Mass Fatalities And Disappearances In Nigeria. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has unveiled a National Mass Fatality Response Plan aimed at addressing the alarming increase in fatalities and disappearances across Nigeria. The initiative, launched yesterday in Abuja, seeks to provide a coordinated and compassionate response to emergencies such as floods, explosions, building collapses, and epidemics. NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the urgent need for the plan, citing the absence of an effective framework to manage such crises. Speaking at the launch, she noted that the rising number of deaths and…

Social Media Activist VeryDarkMan Granted Bail By EFCC. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Martins Innocent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following his arrest over allegations of financial crimes. The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development in Abuja yesterday, stating that Otse will be released once he meets all bail conditions. Otse, a prominent social media activist, was detained after the EFCC obtained a remand order, prompted by petitions accusing him of serious financial malfeasance. Oyewale emphasised that the commission acted within its legal mandate to investigate such claims, urging the…

Davido Shares Hilarious Tale Of Football Heartbreak With Cristiano Ronaldo. Afrobeats sensation Davido has revealed the emotional rollercoaster that football fandom can be, sharing a side-splitting story involving none other than football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. The Nigerian superstar took to social media platform X on 6 May 2025, following Barcelona’s defeat to Inter Milan, to recount a memorable yet frustrating experience at Manchester United’s Old Trafford. In his post, Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, described how football can push fans to the brink, tweeting, “Football ehn fit give person BP,” a nod to the stress and heartbreak…

Nigerian Banks Slash CBN Borrowings By 97% As Liquidity Improves. Nigeria’s financial sector is experiencing a change in their borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Its Standing Lending Facility (SLF) plummeted by 97.6% month-on-month to N380 billion in April 2025, down from a staggering N16.5 trillion in March 2025. This sharp decline signals a marked improvement in liquidity within the banking system, according to financial data released by the CBN. The SLF, one of the CBN’s two short-term lending windows for commercial banks, alongside Repurchase (Repo) lending, allows banks to borrow at an interest rate of 500…

US Investigation Attributes Helicopter Crash To Pilot Error And Company Oversight. The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of prominent Nigerian businessman Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with two crew members, on 9 February 2024. The report concludes that the accident was primarily caused by pilot error compounded by inadequate oversight from the operating company, Orbic Air, LLC. The Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, registered as N130CZ, crashed near Halloran Springs, California, close to the Nevada border, during…

Lagos’ Food Security Woes: Over 75% Of Supplies Still Imported Despite Farmer Training. Despite training over 100,000 farmers and fishermen in modern agricultural practices, Lagos State remains alarmingly dependent on other states for more than 75 per cent of its food supply. This troubling revelation, announced by Abiola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, casts a shadow over the state’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. Speaking at a media briefing marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Olusanya attempted to paint a rosy picture of the state’s agricultural progress. She claimed that training programmes…