Tinubu travels President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. King Charles will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19. The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle. Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history…
Author: Lilian Azuh
Sowore A federal high court in Abuja has threatened to commit Marshall Abubakar, counsel to Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, to prison over alleged contempt. According to NAN, Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge, issued the threat after Abubakar raised his voice during court proceedings on Monday. Sowore is standing trial on a two-count charge preferred against him by the Department of State Services (DSS). The charge follows Sowore’s August 25 post on X, in which he described Tinubu as a “criminal” while reacting to the president’s remarks on corruption during a trip to Brazil. At the resumed court sitting…
Igbinedion education centre Protesters under the aegis of Concerned Citizens on Monday stormed Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City to express outrage over a bullying incident involving some students of the school. The protest followed viral videos showing a student being beaten, flogged and kicked by some supposed senior students within the school premises. However, security was beefed up around the school to prevent the protesters from gaining entry into the premises. When our correspondent visited the school, personnel of the Department of State Services were stationed at the gate, screening visitors before allowing them into the compound. The protesters…
Idris The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has underscored the vital role of strategic communication in showcasing the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging media stakeholders to utilise the forthcoming 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress as a platform to project the party’s progress and accomplishments. The Minister made this remark on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Media and Publicity Subcommittee of the 2026 APC National Convention, held at the Minister’s Conference Room, Radio House, Abuja. Idris, who serves as Co-Chairman of the subcommittee, described…
Burna Boy Nigerian artists generated more than N60 billion in revenue from music streaming on Spotify in 2025, according to new data released by the global streaming platform in its annual Loud & Clear report. The report, which provides insight into the economics of music streaming, revealed that earnings by Nigerian artists on Spotify alone grew by more than 140 per cent over the past two years, reflecting the expanding global reach and commercial strength of the country’s music industry. According to the data released yesterday, Nigerian artists recorded 30.3 billion streams and 1.6 billion listening hours on the platform…
FairMoney Microfinance Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading technology-driven financial institutions, today announced the appointment of seasoned banking professionals, Gbenga Shobo as Chairman of the Board, and Debo Aderoju as Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer. The appointments are part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its corporate governance structure and executive leadership capacity respectively, as it expands its footprint in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital financial services sector. These strategic appointments mark a significant milestone in FairMoney’s institutional evolution, underscoring a deepened commitment to world-class corporate governance, regulatory excellence, and sustainable growth. As the organization transitions from a high-growth fintech to…
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has instituted a N50bn lawsuit against The Punch and columnist Sonala Olumhense over what he described as the alleged misrepresentation of court judgments involving him. Ibrahim, through his counsel, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), said legal proceedings against the newspaper and the journalist would commence on Monday, March 16, 2026. The senator accused Olumhense of distorting the facts in a recent article published by The Punch concerning several legal disputes involving him, including matters that reached the Supreme Court of Nigeria. According to Ibrahim, the article falsely portrayed the outcomes of the cases, insisting that the judgments referenced were…
How FirstBank is quietly Rewriting Nigeria’s Homeownership Story The dream by Nigerians of homeownership is taking a bold new turn and those who move early will gain the most. Through a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), First Bank of Nigeria Limited is unlocking access to one of the most affordable mortgage windows currently available in the country. Backed by a N1 trillion MREIF fund designed to bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit, the initiative empowers Nigerians with long-term, low-cost credit to own their homes, not just dream about them. Eligible customers can access up…
Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and GCL Group, China’s leading private energy conglomerate, have formalized a landmark US$4.2 billion, 25‑year natural gas supply agreement to power Dangote Group’s major expansion projects in Ethiopia. The agreement, signed in Lagos, reinforces one of the most significant China–Africa industrial partnerships to date. Under the long‑term arrangement, GCL Group will supply stable natural gas to Dangote Group’s upcoming 3‑million‑tonne‑per‑year urea fertilizer production complex in Ethiopia. The plant, valued at US$2.5 billion, is being developed under a 60:40 equity structure between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), respectively, and is scheduled to begin operations in…
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of a new branch in Manchester, United Kingdom, marking another significant milestone in the bank’s international growth and its commitment to strengthening financial connections between Africa and global markets. The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, is expected to attract government officials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, regulators, investors, customers, and business leaders from both countries, underscoring the growing economic ties and investmentopportunities between the two markets. The new Manchester branch will complement Zenith Bank’s existing operations in the United Kingdom and serve as a strategic hub…