Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

FIRS Partners With 16 Tech Firms To Drive E-Invoicing Adoption In Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a significant step forward in modernising Nigeria’s tax system by unveiling 16 technology companies tasked with assisting taxpayers in adopting its e-invoicing platform before the 1 November 2025 deadline. The initiative, part of the FIRS’s broader digital transformation strategy, aims to enhance tax compliance, streamline processes, and boost transparency across business transactions. The announcement was made during a two-day workshop in Lagos, where Mike Adoga, Acting Director of Tax Automation at FIRS, introduced the certified service providers. These…

Northern White Rhino Functionally Extinct, Two Females Remain. The northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) was declared functionally extinct following the death of the last male, Sudan, on March 19, 2018, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Only two females, Najin, 35, and her daughter Fatu, 24, survive, both unable to reproduce naturally due to health issues, making population recovery through natural means impossible. Once widespread across Uganda, Chad, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the subspecies numbered over 2,000 in the 1960s. Poaching for their horns, fueled by demand for unproven medicinal…

Trump And Putin Meet In Alaska To Discuss Ukraine Conflict, No Ceasefire Agreement Reached. Anchorage, Alaska – On Friday, August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-stakes summit aimed at addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting, which lasted over two and a half hours, marked the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since 2019 and was described as a “listening exercise” by the White House, with discussions focused on achieving a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite claims of progress, no ceasefire or formal…

Nigeria Set For $60 Billion High-Speed Rail And Gas Revolution. De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, in partnership with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited, has secured $60 billion in funding to launch a transformative high-speed rail and gas development project in Nigeria. The companies presented proof of funds to Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja on 12 August 2025, marking a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s transport and energy sectors. Samuel Uko, Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, announced that the financing, sourced from the Asian Development Investment Bank, will support the first…

Fresh FM Ibadan Rallies Community Support After Devastating Fire. Fresh FM, the popular radio station owned by renowned gospel musician Yinka Ayefele, was struck by a severe fire at its headquarters in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on the evening of 15 August 2025. Despite the significant damage, the station’s management and community response highlight a story of resilience and solidarity, with no loss of life reported, offering hope for recovery. The blaze, which began around 7:30 pm, ravaged critical facilities, including the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM, the newsroom, transmitter, and server…

Ghana Government Fines MultiChoice GH¢10,000 Daily In Push For Affordable DStv Subscriptions. The Ghanaian government has taken a bold step to ensure transparency and affordability in the pay-TV sector, imposing a daily fine of GH¢10,000 on MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, for failing to provide critical pricing information as required under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). The penalty, effective from 15 August 2025, was announced by Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, during a meeting with DStv representatives, signalling a commitment to protect Ghanaian consumers. The National Communications Authority (NCA) initially requested detailed data on 4 August…

NNPCL Targets $4.5 Billion Savings In Oil Production Costs By Year-End. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has launched a bold initiative to cut oil production costs by $3 billion this year, with a goal of reaching $4.5 billion by December 2025. Partnering with international oil companies (IOCs) and local producers, NNPCL aims to streamline operations and boost the competitiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos on 14 August 2025, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, represented by Executive Vice President for…

Gateway International Airport Secures NCAA Approval For Commercial Flights. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted approval for the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilisan-Iperu, Ogun State, to commence commercial flight operations, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector. The announcement, made on Friday, 15 August 2025, follows a rigorous process of technical inspections, on-site verifications, and facility audits, positioning the airport as a new hub for trade, investment, and tourism in the region. The approval, issued under Part 12.15.17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), grants the airport an Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit, certified…

FIFA Bans Three Nations, Including One African Country, From 2026 World Cup. Three countries, including one from Africa, have been barred from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to political sanctions. The nations—Russia, South Africa, and Yugoslavia—faced exclusions stemming from United Nations sanctions, marking significant moments in the tournament’s history. Russia’s suspension, ongoing since May 2022, was triggered by its invasion of Ukraine. FIFA and UEFA imposed the ban after several European nations, including England, Poland, and Sweden, refused to compete against Russian teams. The decision, upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, extends to all…

Nigerian Diaspora Reaches 2.1 Million, Remits $21 Billion In 2024, Says IOM. The Nigerian diaspora has grown to an estimated 2.1 million people, with remittances reaching a remarkable $21 billion in 2024, according to the latest annual report from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nigeria. This substantial contribution highlights the critical role Nigerians abroad play in supporting the nation’s economy. The report emphasises the growing impact of the diaspora, with the $21 billion in remittances serving as a vital economic lifeline for Nigeria. These funds, sent by Nigerians living worldwide, support households, education, healthcare, and various sectors, helping…

D’Tigers Stun Defending Champions Tunisia With Emphatic 87-66 Victory At AfroBasket 2025. Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, delivered a commanding performance on Friday, 15 August 2025, defeating defending champions Tunisia 87-66 in their second Group B match at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Luanda, Angola. The victory, held at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, marks Nigeria’s second consecutive win, solidifying their position at the top of the group and boosting their prospects for a deep tournament run. From the opening tip-off, D’Tigers set an electrifying pace, racing to a 10-0 lead within the first three minutes, driven by…

Liverpool Launch Title Defence With Thrilling 4-2 Victory Over Bournemouth At Anfield. Premier League champions Liverpool kicked off their 2025/26 title defence with a dramatic 4-2 win against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, 15 August 2025, in a match that blended breathtaking football with emotional tributes and a troubling off-field incident. The pulsating encounter, marking the opening fixture of the new season, saw the Reds overcome a spirited Bournemouth comeback to secure three points, with late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah sealing the victory. The match began with Liverpool asserting early dominance, as new signing Hugo Ekitike…