Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Overview of the Latest Development Fuel market is facing another shock following a fresh price hike by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Unfolding late reports on March 20, 2026, shows that the refinery increased its ex-depot (gantry), price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), from ₦1,175 per litre to ₦1,245 per litre, representing a ₦70 increase per litre. The new price takes effect from March 21, 2026 Coastal supply prices were also increased significantly The adjustment applies to new product loadings, while some existing contracts may still be honored under prior terms This marks yet another upward review in what has become…

The Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD), has officially opened registration for its 2026 Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), a premier programme designed to strengthen Africa’s trade finance capacity. The programme welcomes banking professionals and other practitioners interested in advancing their skills in trade finance. World-Class Partnerships Power the Programme Developed in collaboration with Factors Chain International, the American University in Cairo (AUC), and Quarter Bank, COTFIA offers participants a deep dive into all aspects of international trade finance. The curriculum is continually updated to align with global best practices and integrates the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), framework, helping…

On March 18, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced a major expansion of its visa bond program, a policy designed to reduce the number of foreign nationals who overstay temporary visas. Effective April 2, 2026, the program will apply to 50 countries, requiring certain applicants for B1 (business), and B2 (tourism), visas to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000. This policy represents a continuation and escalation of U.S. immigration enforcement measures aimed at improving compliance with visa conditions and reducing unlawful stays. Overview of the Visa Bond Program The visa bond program requires selected foreign nationals to deposit…

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is at the center of growing political and policy debates as the 2027 general elections approach. Reports indicate that he may resign his ministerial position to pursue the Oyo State governorship. This anticipated exit is occurring amid concerns that his administration may fail to achieve its widely publicised electricity generation target of 6,000 megawatts (MW). This report examines the intersection of Adelabu’s political ambitions, his performance in the power sector, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s electricity crisis and electoral politics. Background: Adelabu’s Appointment and Policy Target Adebayo Adelabu was appointed Minister of Power in…

Playoff match outcome: In November 2025, the Super Eagles of Nigeria faced DR Congo in the decisive African World Cup qualifying play‑off final in Rabat, Morocco. After a 1‑1 draw in regulation time, DR Congo won the tie 4–3 in a sudden‑death penalty shootout, eliminating Nigeria from direct qualification. Eligibility concerns: Following the defeat, the NFF lodged an official petition with FIFA, arguing that several DR Congo players who featured in the match were ineligible under international eligibility regulations. The core of the complaint was that these players held dual nationalities — a potential breach given DR Congo’s laws and FIFA’s…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced a major decision overturning the result of the TotalEnergies 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final, originally played on January 18, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco. Initial Outcome: On the pitch, Senegal had been celebrated as the winners of the 2025 AFCON, defeating host nation Morocco in a dramatic final. Final Ruling: On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match, and consequently Morocco is now declared AFCON champions with the result recorded as a 3–0 win in their favour. This represents one of the most unprecedented reversals in…

President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has issued a directive mandating all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026. This directive, formally communicated through a press release by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represents a decisive step toward ensuring compliance with electoral laws and fostering transparency in Nigeria’s political process ahead of the next election cycle. Official Government Position (Press Release Integration) According to the official press release, President Tinubu’s directive is grounded in Section 88(1) of the Electoral…

Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has officially been sworn in for a second term as Governor of Anambra State, marking the continuation of his leadership and policy direction in the state. The inauguration signals both political stability and renewed expectations as his administration begins another four-year tenure set to end in 2030. The Swearing-In Ceremony The ceremony took place at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, drawing a large crowd of dignitaries, supporters, and observers from across Nigeria and beyond. Governor Soludo arrived at the venue at exactly 11:18 a.m., accompanied by high-profile political figures. At 11:50 a.m., he took the…

The world football governing body, FIFA, has imposed disciplinary sanctions on the football federations of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo following infractions that occurred during their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off match. The sanctions relate to crowd misconduct and security breaches during the match held in November 2025. The decision comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the play-off result and a separate complaint lodged by Nigeria over alleged ineligible players fielded by DR Congo. Background to the Match The incident stems from the African play-off stage of the qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s…

Energy supermajor, Chevron, has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as Director of Exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing one of the upstream industry’s most experienced exploration geophysicists into a strategic leadership role overseeing discovery efforts across two of the world’s most critical hydrocarbon regions. The African Energy Chamber (AEC), welcomed the appointment, describing it as a positive signal for exploration investment in Africa. By placing a seasoned executive with decades of regional experience at the helm of Chevron’s discovery strategy, the Chamber anticipates accelerated geological insights, stronger collaboration between operators and host governments, and increased investment in frontier basins. Expanding…

A passenger train operating along the busy Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed on Monday, leaving several passengers injured and causing panic among commuters. The incident occurred while the train was en route from Abuja to Kaduna, one of the most heavily used rail routes. Emergency response teams were deployed to the site to assist injured passengers and assess the damage. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists on Monday. According to him, the train encountered a problem near Asham along the route. He noted that no fatalities had been recorded at the…

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, will now play their scheduled international friendly matches against Iran national football team and Jordan national football team in Antalya, Turkey, instead of Amman, Jordan. The change was announced by the Jordan Football Association, which is organising the four-nation international friendly tournament. The mini-tournament, scheduled for the March international window in 2026, will feature four national teams: Nigeria, Iran, Jordan, and Costa Rica national football team. The event serves as a preparation platform for upcoming international competitions, especially the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Background of the Tournament The four-team invitational tournament was originally…