Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Lookman Returns As Atalanta Secure Champions League Spot With Thrilling Roma Win. Atalanta have confirmed their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after a nail-biting 2-1 victory over AS Roma. The win secures the Italian side’s third-place position in Serie A, ensuring their participation in the prestigious European competition. The victory was sweetened by the return of Ademola Lookman, who scored after overcoming an injury scare. Lookman’s contribution was crucial in Atalanta’s win, highlighting the team’s determination to secure a Champions League spot. His performance on the pitch was a testament to his skill and dedication, and…

Vandals Disrupt Warri-Itakpe Train Services In Delta State. Residents of Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, awoke on Tuesday to find extensive damage to the railway track passing through their community, caused by suspected vandals. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, disrupted the Warri-Itakpe train services, prompting swift action from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The NRC confirmed the vandalism in a post on X, sharing video footage that revealed several rail clips had been dismantled. The corporation announced that the stolen clips had been replaced, ensuring the track was safe for…

Nigeria’s Economy Records Fastest Growth In A Decade, Says World Bank. Nigeria’s economy achieved its strongest growth in a decade in 2024, expanding by 3.4%, according to a World Bank report released on Monday. The surge, driven by robust performances in the oil and gas, technology, and finance sectors, marks the highest growth rate since 2014, excluding the post-COVID rebound in 2021-2022. The World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU), published in Abuja, revealed that real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, propelling the full-year growth to 3.4%. However, the report…

Nigeria Launches Bold Plan To Revamp Underperforming Electricity DisCos. The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to overhaul Nigeria’s struggling electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), aiming to address chronic underperformance and improve power supply across the country. The announcement, made by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu in Abuja on Monday, comes amid a legal dispute over the controversial takeover of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). Adelabu revealed that the government is collaborating with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to develop a comprehensive reform blueprint. The initiative targets underperforming DisCos, with a pilot scheme set to begin between May…

PDP Elder Statesman Urges Tinubu To Steer Clear Of Osun 2026 Election Manipulation. A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Olu Alabi, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu against any attempts to manipulate the 2026 governorship election in Osun State to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on a radio programme in Osogbo on Monday, the elder statesman declared that Osun is not a state that can be easily controlled, contrasting it with recent events in Edo State. “Osun is not Edo State that the President could ‘pocket’,” Alabi…

Flying Eagles Soar To FIFA U-20 World Cup With Dramatic Penalty Shootout Victory Over Senegal. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have secured their place in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, triumphing over defending champions Senegal in a thrilling penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, 12 May 2025. The victory, sealed at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, not only guarantees Nigeria’s return to the global stage but also propels the seven-time African champions into the semi-finals of the U-20 AFCON. The match, a high-stakes encounter between two of…

OPay Secures CBN’s Financial Inclusion Innovation Award At 2024 IFIC. In a significant milestone, OPay has been honoured with the Financial Inclusion Innovation Award by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the 2024 International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC). The prestigious accolade recognises OPay’s unwavering commitment to providing secure, accessible, and innovative financial services to millions of Nigerians, driving the nation closer to its financial inclusion ambitions. The CBN’s award celebrates OPay’s standout performance among leading financial institutions, highlighting its robust platform, strict adherence to regulatory standards, and dedication to ensuring financial access for all. By breaking down barriers,…

NNPCL Chief Pledges Continued Oil Exploration In North And Completion Of AKK Project. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to oil exploration in northern Nigeria while vowing to see the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project through to completion. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Ojulari, who described himself as a “Northern boy” born and raised in Kaduna, called for unity and support to drive development across the region and the nation. Ojulari, who studied in Zaria and began learning Yoruba at age 15, urged…

US And China Agree To Slash Tariffs In Major Trade War De-escalation. In a significant step towards easing tensions in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, the United States has agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports from a staggering 145% to 30% for a 90-day period, effective from 14 May. In a reciprocal move, China will lower its tariffs on US goods from 125% to 10% over the same timeframe, following productive talks held in Geneva over the weekend. The breakthrough agreement, announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, marks the first major de-escalation…

NIMC Announces Significant Fee Increases For NIN Services Amid Inflation Concerns. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced a new pricing structure for its services, notably raising the costs of modifying data on the National Identification Number (NIN) database and other related services. The revised fees, effective from 2 May 2025, mark the first adjustment in over a decade, with the commission citing inflation, operational costs, and the need for self-sustainability as key drivers. Under the new regime, correcting a date of birth (DOB) on the NIN database now costs N28,574, a 75% increase from the previous…

PDP Governors Rally To Save Party Amid Defections, Wike Joins Crucial Abuja Meeting. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with a wave of defections and internal strife, prompting its governors to convene an urgent meeting in Abuja last night to avert the party’s potential collapse. Held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, the gathering focused on addressing the party’s deepening crises and curbing high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. The meeting, attended by current and former PDP governors and prominent party figures, saw the unexpected arrival of Federal…

NPA Refutes Multi-Billion Naira Corruption Claims, Defends Budget Oversight. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has firmly dismissed allegations of multi-billion naira corruption circulating in certain media reports, labelling them as baseless and lacking credibility. In a statement issued yesterday, the NPA, under the leadership of Abubakar Dantsoho, clarified that its budget and expenditure are rigorously monitored by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the National Assembly, rendering claims of financial misapplication implausible. The authority addressed specific accusations regarding the contract for dredging works at the Warri Escravos Channel, a critical hub…