The United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, has embarked on a high-level diplomatic mission to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain and Italy from January 21 to 29, reinforcing Washington’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The multi-nation tour reflects a renewed US focus on advancing security cooperation, expanding economic engagement and promoting accountable multilateral governance at a time of shifting global dynamics. As the fourth-highest-ranking official in the US Department of State, Under Secretary Hooker plays a pivotal role in shaping regional and bilateral foreign policy, and her visit is expected…
Author: Adewale Ade
Nigeria’s post-1999 democratic era has coincided with one of the gravest crises of state authority in the country’s history, with the state appearing weak and incapable of defending its authority. Fundamentalist Islamist groups, ethnic militants, gangs, secessionist movements, cult groups, organised criminal groups, and political thugs, among others, have relentlessly challenged the state to a duel of superiority, forcing the state into either spasms of retroactive violence or face-saving settlements. While this crisis of governance has interconnecting structural and operational drivers, political actors, particularly at the subnational level, have increasingly framed the decentralization of the Nigeria Police Force as one…
Readers’ habits keep shifting as the world grows louder and faster. An open e-library that brings many voices together can feel like a quiet street where ideas wander at their own pace. This setting helps people move through many genres with ease and gives room for discovery without pressure. Curiosity drives fresh paths across the reading landscape. Those who like exploring new ideas often find Z-Library satisfying, as it gives a smooth path from one theme to another. This steady flow builds patterns that reveal how reading has become freer, more fluid, and more shaped by personal taste. Rising Demand For…
The EU–ECOWAS Scholarship Programme for Sustainable Energy is beginning to deliver tangible results, as research from its first cohort of scholars contributes directly to West Africa’s transition towards cleaner, more resilient energy systems. Launched in September 2022, the programme is funded by the European Union (EU), implemented in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and delivered by the British Council. Its core objective is to strengthen human-capital development in the West African electricity sector by supporting advanced postgraduate education, applied research, and institutional capacity building in sustainable energy and energy efficiency. Through the initiative, selected scholars…
YouTube TV is on course to upend the traditional US television hierarchy, with new industry forecasts indicating that the Google-owned platform will become the largest pay-TV operator in the United States by 2027. If realised, the shift would mark a historic milestone: the first time a virtual pay-TV service, rather than a cable or satellite provider, tops the American market. According to fresh projections from media research firm Omdia, YouTube TV is expected to overtake long-established cable heavyweights Charter Communications and Comcast, signalling a decisive turning point in how Americans consume television content. A Rapid Ascent in a Declining Market…
BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance, has noted the Federal Government’s decision, through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, to defer the implementation of 70% of capital projects initially appropriated in the 2025 fiscal year to 2026. From our analysis, while this development is not entirely surprising, we hold cautious reservations about the implications of this decision. The deferment suggests that the Federal Government intends to limit the number of capital projects under implementation, to use available funds more efficiently, prioritise critical projects, and reduce the long-standing problem of abandoned projects.…
The goal from day one for the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, has been to build a State that works for everyone, across all strata, from farmers to traders and artisans. In other words, that Oyebanji has been investing in the people, infrastructure, and in systems that promote fairness, innovation, sustainable growth and security has not come as a surprise. The progress the government has made so far is a reflection of what is possible when leadership meets genuine public interest. Since assuming office in 2022, BAO has initiated radical restructuring to improve the state’s economy.…
A Lagos Special Offences Court has rejected a renewed bail application from well-known businessman Fred Ajudua, who is on trial for allegedly defrauding Palestinian investor Zad Abu Zalaf of $1.043 million. Delivering her ruling on Thursday, 20 November 2025, Justice Mojisola Dada held that the defence failed to provide any fresh or compelling grounds to justify revisiting the earlier bail decision. She described the application as lacking merit and dismissed it outright. The court noted that medical reports from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) did not indicate that Ajudua’s condition could not be properly managed while in custody. Justice…
At the 2025 United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump delivered a wide-ranging speech that mixed humour, pointed criticism of the U.N., and sweeping claims about his administration’s achievements in the United States and abroad. Speaking initially without a teleprompter due to a technical glitch, Trump quipped that “whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble,” before pivoting into a fiery address that sought to project American strength and leadership. Domestic Achievements and Economic Strength Trump declared that the United States is now in a “golden age,” highlighting what he described…
An APC chieftain in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has condemned the owner of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, for using his platform to propagate deliberate lies, propaganda, and attempts to defame under the disguise of “activism.” Chief Okocha, in a statement titled “Sowore: The Unbridled Razzmatazz of a Notorious Crisis Merchant”, noted that, “this is exactly what Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, has perfected over the years.” Excerpt of the statement is below: In every democracy, criticism is welcome, but what Nigerians must reject are deliberate lies, propaganda, and attempts to defame under the disguise of “activism.” This is precisely…
Ibadan, the sprawling city of brown rooftops, red earth, and rolling hills, and the land of my ancestors, has always carried with it the echoes of greatness. Once the nerve centre of the old Oyo Empire’s warriors, it is today a city of paradoxes — modern yet traditional, chaotic yet ordered, humble yet proud. To be an Ibadan indigene is to inherit a history of resilience, to breathe in the air of ambition, and to be reminded of one’s place in history as a protector of Yorubaland from Fulani expansion before the arrival of the British colonialists. It was into…
In today’s fast-paced business environment, Nigerian entrepreneurs and SMEs are constantly seeking ways to operate more efficiently, build trust with their customers, and avoid the chaos of unorganised records. Recognising these challenges, NairaTrack.com is introducing an innovative digital solution designed to simplify how businesses create, send, and track receipts — officially launching on September 28, 2025. A Digital Solution Built for Nigerian Businesses Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria still rely heavily on handwritten receipts, memory, or even casual WhatsApp messages as proof of payment. These outdated methods often lead to misunderstandings, disputes, and even revenue loss. NairaTrack.com…
The role of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, in the aftermath of the annulment of the 1993 presidential election is widely considered less than noble. In Awujale, the recently released autobiography of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sijuade’s connivance with those who annulled the election is brought into sharp focus. His position as the most revered traditional ruler in Yorubaland did not inoculate Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife, from public scorn. Since 1993, much of the mystique around him has been eroded, largely through the controversy sparked by the annulment of the…
Truecaller, the global leader in verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communications, has announced a significant milestone in its journey – crossing 100 million monthly active users in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region as of August 2025. This achievement reflects a 19% year-on-year growth, underlining the company’s deepening impact in mobile-first markets. The milestone encompasses active users across both Android and iOS platforms, further cementing Truecaller’s position as a trusted tool for improving the quality and safety of mobile communications in one of the world’s most dynamic digital regions. Mobile-First Markets Driving Organic Growth In a statement celebrating the…
OpenAI officially launched GPT-5 today, 8th August 2025 – Its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date – as it accelerates efforts to outpace its Big Tech competitors and bring powerful AI capabilities to everyone. It is a quantum leap in performance and accessibility. GPT-5 sets a new benchmark in AI by enhancing speed, accuracy, and safety. Key improvements over its predecessors include: Safe Completions: A new system designed to manage sensitive queries better—limiting harmful or biased outputs more effectively than before. Superior Reasoning: It can switch between rapid responses for simple queries and deeper, more thoughtful analysis for complex…
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has been accused of not helping his media handlers one bit. He is leaving no room for “escape” when it comes to image management and public communication. From the Billions of dollars he bandied, to the dress code saga, to the Dreadlock ban, to the now-illegal closure of Badeggi FM Radio, to the Tractor figures and many more, in all, he miscommunicated because I believe he didn’t consult his aides well before making emotional outbursts on the issues. He didn’t give them room to spin because he emphatically made these statements in public…
The National Identity Number (NIN) is a critical requirement for official identification in Nigeria. However, errors or changes in personal details such as names can occur and may need to be rectified. If you wish to remove a middle name from your NIN, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has provided a straightforward procedure for making such modifications through its Self-Service Portal. This guide outlines the steps involved and key considerations for a smooth process. Step-by-Step Process to Remove a Middle Name from Your NIN 1. Verify Your NIN: Begin by logging into the NIMC Self-Service Portal at https://selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng using…
The Naira-for-Crude initiative has ignited a profound debate in Nigeria’s economic landscape, yielding tangible results, such as the consistent drop in petrol prices. It is a development warmly received by many citizens. Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s influence on petrol prices demonstrates its authority, even as it raises fundamental questions about the interplay between state power and economic dynamics. If successfully implemented, the initiative could foster economic stability, diminish foreign currency dependence, and redefine Nigeria’s economic trajectory. However, a pressing question lingers: Should these price drops translate to a reduced cost of living? The main thing about the Naira-for-Crude initiative is that…
The newly published MediaX Index Nigeria reveals that news platforms are steadily enhancing their presence on social media through consistent content delivery, active audience engagement, and strategic efforts to expand their digital communities. Compiled using Facebook engagement metrics for May 2025, the Index reflects a broader shift towards more interactive and participatory models of news dissemination. Several outlets foster engagement by prompting comments, encouraging shares, and facilitating real-time discussions. This trend marks a clear departure from traditional one-way broadcasting, signalling a move towards more collaborative digital spaces where audiences are actively involved in the conversation. According to Gerrit Davids, MD…