Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Amid mounting controversy, the Federal Government has ordered NAFDAC to halt enforcement of the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, a decision that has intensified nationwide debate over health policy and economic consequences. The directive, which includes an immediate halt to the sealing of factories and warehouses, was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Terrence Kuanum. Government’s Directive According to Kuanum, the order followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government…

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), capped a pivotal week marked by historic milestones reinforcing its role as a frontline economic tool to protect American manufacturers from supply shocks, strengthen domestic production and processing of critical raw materials, and enhance the resilience of the U.S. industrial base. At the center of these efforts is the launch of Project Vault, an unprecedented, uniquely American initiative to fortify U.S. critical minerals supply chains through a decentralised, market-driven model. Launch of Project Vault and the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve On Monday, February 2, EXIM, in coordination with the White House,…

Nigeria recorded a major fiscal milestone in 2025 as inflows into the Federation Account rose to over ₦35 trillion, representing a significant improvement in our national revenue performance and public finance management. The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, disclosed this during the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Post-Mortem Sub-Committee Retreat held in Enugu, where key stakeholders reviewed revenue trends and fiscal policies affecting the federation account. Ogunjimi, who was represented at the event by Rita Okolie, Director of Federation Account, said the 2025 inflow marked an increase of ₦8 trillion or 29.63 per cent compared with the ₦27…

Trends of this subject matter strikes a chord within me to beam my lens into the weight of the assertion that sexualisation has become the easiest route for women to secure money, attention, or influence is not entirely false, but it is dangerously incomplete. It describes a symptom while avoiding the harder question underneath it: even if society rewards sexualising women, does that make it morally defensible to align oneself with it for revenue? This question unsettles me, and maybe you align with me because it forces us to confront not only social structures, but personal responsibility within them. The…

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.…