In a renewed clampdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with donkey genitals and hides allegedly being smuggled out of the country through the Apapa port in Lagos. The interception, which Customs officials described as a significant success in curbing wildlife trafficking, was made during a routine inspection at the export terminal. According to the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babajide Jaiyeoba, the seized container was falsely declared as carrying animal hides, but upon examination, officers discovered a large quantity of dried donkey genitals concealed alongside the hides. He explained that…
Author: Temitope N.
Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have formally commenced the renegotiation of their long-standing Double Taxation Agreement, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing push to modernise its tax regime and strengthen international cooperation on tax matters. The talks, which began at the Revenue House in Abuja, bring together senior officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and representatives of the Dutch government to review and update the treaty which has been in place since 1992. The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, who hosted the Dutch delegation, described the renegotiation as timely and necessary,…
Nigeria’s equities market kicked off the week on a strongly positive note, as investor sentiment buoyed market capitalisation by approximately ₦193 billion. The bullish move reflects growing optimism across key economic sectors and upcoming corporate earnings reports. On Monday, the All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 305.67 points—a gain of about 0.25%—closing at 121,295.33. Market capitalisation climbed from around ₦76.339 trillion at Friday’s close to an estimated ₦76.532 trillion, marking a solid start to the week . The strength came amid a resurgence in demand for large-cap and medium-cap stocks, with investors actively picking positions ahead of the half-year financial…
The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) is gearing up to host its highly anticipated 52nd Annual General Meeting and Congress, with this year’s edition expected to focus squarely on driving innovation in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry. Scheduled to hold from July 17 to 19, 2025, at the JAGZ Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, the summit will gather top industry leaders, creative professionals, government officials, and regulators to chart a fresh path for the future of advertising in the country. The summit’s theme, “Charting Bold Paths Forward,” highlights AAAN’s renewed commitment to encourage agencies to embrace…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern that while Nigeria’s current wave of economic reforms has begun to steady macroeconomic indicators and attract new investor confidence, the positive impacts are yet to be felt by millions of ordinary Nigerians who still struggle daily with high living costs and worsening poverty. In its latest assessment of the country’s economic performance, the IMF acknowledged that Nigeria has taken bold policy steps in recent months, including removing costly fuel subsidies, liberalising its foreign exchange market, and halting ways in which the central bank previously financed government deficits. These decisions, the Fund…
Keystone Bank has reinforced its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across Nigeria by organizing a nationwide SME Business Clinic, an initiative aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and practical tools they need to grow and sustain their businesses. The Business Clinic, which took place in June, covered ten major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, Aba, Asaba, Onitsha, Maiduguri, and Kaduna, bringing together hundreds of business owners eager to learn how to better navigate the challenges of running a business in Nigeria’s tough economic climate. Speaking on the purpose of the clinic, Olayemi…
The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious new plan, Mission 300, aimed at tackling Nigeria’s long-standing problem of energy poverty and expanding electricity access to millions of citizens who still live without reliable power. The initiative, which was announced at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, is part of a broader African strategy to connect 300 million people across the continent to electricity by 2030. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, plays a critical role in this drive and has set out clear targets and partnerships to make this goal a reality. At the heart of Mission 300 is the…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the Nigerian government has redirected about N4 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidies to critical infrastructure and social welfare programmes aimed at easing the burden on ordinary Nigerians and stimulating the economy. Speaking at the opening of the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance in Abuja, Tinubu explained that the decision to remove the subsidy was difficult but necessary to free up funds that could be invested in projects that benefit the majority of the people rather than a privileged few. He said that for years, the fuel…
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has denied reports suggesting it confirmed that courier services have been used to traffic drugs since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office, describing the claim as misleading and unfounded. The agency, through its management, clarified that it never linked any illegal courier activities to the current administration and warned against twisting its statements for sensational headlines. The controversy arose following reports that quoted Oludotun Sounde, General Manager of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department of NIPOST in Ondo State, allegedly stating that courier companies have become conduits for transporting hard drugs and other illegal…
Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to global peace and nuclear disarmament, ruling out any ambitions to develop or acquire nuclear weapons as it prioritises the urgent task of lifting millions of its citizens out of poverty and tackling the mounting challenges of climate change. This assurance came during a recent meeting in Abuja between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO). The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s decades-long position as a staunch supporter of nuclear non-proliferation, even as the country works to harness nuclear energy strictly for peaceful and developmental…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abel Sokari, Nkiruka Chukwuma, and a company, International Cargo Services and Logistics Limited, before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged attempt to defraud a foreign investor of €49 million. The commission brought the defendants before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretence. According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to forge documents and misrepresent themselves to facilitate the massive fraud against a European investor who was seeking to invest in Nigeria’s…
As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming Nigerian Economic Summit (NES), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is ramping up public engagement efforts to ensure broader citizen participation, policy relevance, and collective ownership of national development goals. The NESG, a private-sector-led think tank renowned for influencing economic reform and promoting public-private dialogue, is introducing a range of initiatives designed to deepen engagement ahead of the summit. This year’s summit comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with pressing economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, youth restiveness, and declining foreign investment. In response, the NESG is expanding its approach beyond traditional policy…
In a profession long dominated by men, one Nigerian pilot is taking bold steps to inspire young girls to take to the skies. Helicopter pilot Okechukwu Onuchukwu is leading a passionate campaign to woo Nigerian girls into aviation careers, challenging outdated stereotypes and igniting a new wave of ambition in classrooms and communities across the country. Speaking at a recent aviation awareness seminar in Lagos, Onuchukwu emphasized the urgent need for more women in the cockpit, not just for the sake of gender equality but for the growth and innovation of the aviation industry itself. He highlighted how early exposure,…
In a powerful demonstration of corporate social responsibility and humanitarian commitment, Arik Air has announced a strategic partnership with the United States-based non-governmental organization Hospitals for Humanity (HfH) to provide free open-heart surgeries for at least 150 Nigerian children each year. This initiative is aimed at tackling the alarming rise in untreated congenital heart diseases among children in Nigeria, many of whom face slim chances of survival without timely medical intervention. According to the World Health Organization, congenital heart defects are among the most common birth abnormalities, and in Nigeria, access to pediatric cardiac care remains severely limited. A combination…
In a landmark move to drive technological innovation and development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch a $7.5 million Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub. The initiative, announced this week, is aimed at accelerating the deployment of AI solutions in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. The Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub is a central component of the country’s broader ambition to become a leader in AI-driven development across Africa. With the Gates Foundation providing financial support over the next three years, the project is expected to serve as…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of selfless service as a guiding principle for national development. Speaking at a public event held in Ogun State, the elder statesman emphasized that true progress can only be achieved when citizens, especially leaders, prioritize collective good over personal gain. Obasanjo, who has remained a vocal figure in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse since leaving office, called on both public office holders and private individuals to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth by placing service above self-interest. According to him, the current challenges facing the country — ranging from insecurity and…
The recent hike in internet tariffs has led to a significant decline in the number of internet subscribers across the country, triggering a sharp drop in overall internet usage. This development has raised alarm among industry watchers, policymakers, and everyday consumers who rely on affordable internet access for everything from education and work to social interaction and business. Since the announcement and subsequent implementation of higher data prices by major internet service providers, many subscribers have either reduced their data consumption drastically or canceled their subscriptions altogether. This rapid shift is reflected in data from telecom regulators and independent market…
Standard Insurance Consultants Limited (SICL), one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance and reinsurance brokerage firms, recently celebrated a remarkable milestone—its 45th anniversary. Founded in 1980 in Ibadan, Oyo State, SICL has grown over four and a half decades into a powerhouse within Nigeria’s insurance sector. The anniversary event, held on May 24, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), insurance companies, international partners, and valued clients. This grand celebration marked not only SICL’s longevity but also its enduring commitment to professionalism, integrity, and service excellence. SICL’s journey is a…
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has restated the federal government’s commitment to securing the country’s airspace, emphasizing that improved aviation safety and security are key to boosting tourism and expanding the national economy. Speaking during a ministerial meeting in Abuja, Keyamo explained that safer skies would encourage greater international and domestic travel, leading to increased revenue across several sectors. According to the minister, a secure and efficient aviation system does more than just protect passengers and airline infrastructure—it acts as a catalyst for national growth. “When people feel safe traveling to and within Nigeria, tourism will…
Investors on the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a massive gain of N1.9 trillion in the final week of May 2025, marking one of the most bullish weeks for the alternative exchange platform in recent months. The impressive gain was driven largely by strong performance in the oil and gas sector, supported by growing investor confidence and improving macroeconomic indicators. The NASD All-Share Index (NSI), which tracks the overall market performance of the OTC exchange, rose by 1.86%, closing the week at 3,248.00 points from 3,188.76 points recorded the previous week. This sharp upward movement translated to an increase…