Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

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…

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and local economic development. However, the current economic realities — including high inflation, currency depreciation, rising energy and transportation costs, reduced consumer purchasing power, and limited access to finance — have made doing business increasingly challenging. For many SMEs, the goal today is not rapid growth, but survival, stability, and gradual resilience. Hey, I am with you on this. In this article, I outlined practical, realistic strategies Nigerian SMEs can adopt to remain in business and be positioned for future growth despite economic headwinds.…

Perfetti Van Melle, the globally celebrated confectionery and chewing gum company, reinforces its commitment to delighting Nigerian consumers with a vibrant range of iconic brands and exciting product experiences across the nation. With a legacy of creativity, quality and freshness in over 150 countries, Perfetti Van Melle continues to bring irresistible taste sensations to the Nigerian market — from refreshing Mentos mints to timeless Chupa Chups lollipops, smooth Alpenliebe sweets, and more. Nigeria’s Sweetest Moments — Local Availability, Global Quality Perfetti Van Melle’s world-class portfolio is readily available through wholesalers and retailers across Nigeria, offering both classic favourites and contemporary treats that appeal to every age group:…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has assured Nigerians that the retail prices of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit), diesel (Automobile Gas Oil), and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), will continue to decline across the country. This outlook is anchored on improved supply dynamics, heightened competition in the downstream energy sector, and sustained private‑sector investment — factors that collectively signal more affordable energy costs for households and businesses. What NMDPRA Is Saying 1. Declining Prices Already Evident at the Pump NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, noted that increased supply and competition have already begun to influence retail prices.…

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), has announced a new enforcement strategy aimed at tackling persistent tax default and boosting revenue collection in Africa’s largest commercial hub. The agency said it will begin exercising its statutory powers to recover outstanding tax liabilities from defaulting taxpayers by directing third parties holding or owing money to those taxpayers to remit funds to the tax authority. This initiative, outlined in a public notice dated January 21, 2026, was officially published on the LIRS website and signed by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Subair. It marks a proactive use of legal authority under…

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has officially announced the termination of its credit rating relationship with Fitch Ratings, marking a significant development in the Bank’s engagement with international credit rating agencies. The decision follows an internal review of the relationship and reflects Afreximbank’s firm conviction that the credit rating process no longer adequately captures the Bank’s unique legal framework, mission, and institutional mandate. Afreximbank, a multilateral financial institution established to promote and finance intra- and extra-African trade, stated that the move was not a reflection of any weakening in its financial standing or business fundamentals. Rather, it underscores concerns that…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support the proposed Bonga South West deep-offshore oil project being developed by Shell and its partners, in a move aimed at unlocking new jobs, boosting foreign-exchange inflows, and strengthening Nigeria’s long-term energy revenues. The President also directed his Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, to facilitate the formal gazette of the incentives, ensuring full alignment with Nigeria’s existing legal, regulatory, and fiscal frameworks. Disciplined incentives to attract new capital Receiving a high-level Shell delegation led by the company’s Global Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wael Sawan, President…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally approved the posting of four high-profile ambassador-designates to key global capitals — a major step in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements for 2026. The decisions, announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026, come after the Senate confirmed a broad list of ambassadorial nominees late last year. 1. Ambassador Ayodele Oke — Nigeria’s Envoy to France Ambassador Ayodele Oke has been designated as Nigeria’s ambassador to the French Republic, taking charge of one of Nigeria’s most significant diplomatic missions in Europe. France remains a major political and economic partner for Nigeria within the European Union and on security…

The United Nations (UN), has been a central platform for global human rights advocacy, including the push for the universal abolition of the death penalty. Despite a long-term global decline in executions and growing international consensus against capital punishment, the UN continues to highlight the inherent human‑rights concerns associated with the practice and to encourage States to move toward complete abolition. Historical and Legal Foundations The UN’s opposition to the death penalty is rooted in the right to life and the principles of human dignity articulated in core international instruments. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) —…