Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigerian Education Loan Fund Disburses ₦54 Billion, Reaffirms Commitment To Transparency. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has reiterated its dedication to transparent and accountable disbursement of student loans, ensuring funds are used exclusively to support Nigerian students. This assurance was given by NELFund’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, during an oversight meeting with the House Committee on NELFund on Wednesday in Abuja. Sawyerr emphasised that 90 per cent of all funds received by NELFund are allocated strictly for student loans, as mandated by law. “These funds must go towards paying students’ fees and cannot be diverted or used for any…

Nigeria Partners With Propcom+ To Boost Agriculture And Economic Growth. The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to collaborate with Propcom+, a UK Aid-funded programme, to enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods across the country. This commitment was announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, during a meeting with a Propcom+ delegation in Abuja on Wednesday. Edun emphasised the government’s dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth through strategic investments in agriculture, a key driver of Nigeria’s economy. He outlined ongoing efforts, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the African Development…

Nigeria’s Health Ministry Urges Public To Embrace Safe Salt Consumption. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has issued a clarion call to Nigerians to adopt healthier salt consumption habits, addressing widespread misinformation and rising health concerns. The appeal follows a viral video in which a prominent religious leader discouraged adherence to medical advice on salt intake, prompting the Ministry to set the record straight in a press release dated 7 May 2025. In a statement signed by Deputy Director of Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the Ministry reaffirmed that salt is not inherently harmful. “Salt contains…

PSG Triumph Over Arsenal To Reach UEFA Champions League Final. Paris Saint-Germain have booked their ticket to the UEFA Champions League final, overcoming Arsenal with a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their semi-final clash at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. The result sealed a commanding 3-1 aggregate triumph, sending the French champions through to their second-ever Champions League final, where they will face Inter Milan in Munich. The night began with PSG holding a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, courtesy of Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts wasted no…

Defence Minister Reassures Nigerians: Military Firepower Surpasses Terrorists. Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has firmly dismissed claims that terrorist groups possess superior firepower compared to the nation’s armed forces. Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Badaru underscored the Nigerian military’s advanced weaponry and technological edge over any terrorist organisation. The Minister’s remarks came in response to concerns raised by members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, following a recent attack on a military base in Giwa, Borno. Lawmakers had expressed alarm over the perceived growing strength of terrorist groups, prompting Badaru to clarify…

Senate Committee Recommends Retaining 7.5% VAT In Tax Reform Bills. In a significant development for Nigeria’s fiscal policy, the Senate Committee on Finance has recommended retaining the current 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate as part of ongoing deliberations on the Tax Reform Bills. The decision, announced on Tuesday, is seen as a balanced approach to maintaining economic stability while addressing revenue distribution concerns. The committee also outlined a new VAT sharing formula to ensure equitable distribution across the federation. According to the proposed structure, 50% of VAT revenue will be distributed equally among all states, 20% will be…

Nigeria Ends Bilateral Scholarships To Boost Local Education. The Federal Government of Nigeria has terminated the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme, which funded overseas studies for Nigerian students, to prioritise investment in domestic universities and polytechnics. Education Minister Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa announced the decision, citing the need to realign the nation’s educational priorities. During a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that a comprehensive policy review found that courses offered through the BEA are now available, often at higher quality, in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. “It is no longer justifiable to spend public funds on overseas studies…

Former NNPC Refinery Directors Demand ₦50bn In Damages Over Defamatory Report Three former managing directors of NNPC refineries have launched a ₦50 billion legal claim against a national newspaper, alleging defamation over a report linking them to an ₦80 billion fraud scandal. The trio—Ibrahim Onoja of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Efifia Chu of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Dr Mustafa Sugnugun of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company—have issued a five-day ultimatum through their lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN. They are demanding a full retraction, a public apology, and compensation for reputational damage caused by the article.…

ALGON Chairman Kolade Alabi Hospitalised After Collapsing At APC Meeting. Kolade Alabi, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Bariga Local Government Area, was rushed to hospital after collapsing during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos today. The incident occurred around 12 pm at the APC secretariat on Acme Road, where Alabi was addressing attendees, according to reports from The Guardian. The sudden collapse sparked panic among those present at the gathering. Sources confirmed that Alabi was promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention. His condition…

Nigerian CEOs Bullish On Economic Growth And Transformation, PwC Survey Reveals. Nigerian business leaders are displaying remarkable optimism about economic prospects and are actively reshaping their organisations to thrive in a dynamic landscape, according to PwC Nigeria’s findings from its 28th Annual Global CEO Survey. The report, released today, reveals that 61% of Nigerian CEOs anticipate an improvement in global economic growth over the next 12 months, aligning closely with 63% across Sub-Saharan Africa and 58% globally. Confidence in Nigeria’s own economy is even stronger, with 64% expecting positive shifts in 2025. This marks a significant upswing from last year’s…

Acropolis Of Athens: A Timeless Beacon Of History And Culture Perched majestically atop a boat-shaped rock, the Parthenon crowns the Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and architectural grandeur. Rising 157 metres above sea level and 70 metres above the city, this rocky hill, measuring 300 metres long and 150 metres wide, has stood as a symbol of ancient Greek civilisation for millennia. The term “Acropolis” derives from the Greek words akron (highest point) and polis (city), a fitting name for this elevated stronghold, accessible only via a fortified…

Atiku Urges Tinubu To Ditch Foreign Luxury For Local Products In ‘Nigeria First’ Policy. Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to back his administration’s “Nigeria First” policy with tangible actions by swapping foreign-made vehicles for locally manufactured ones. The call comes days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the policy, which prioritises local goods and services in government procurement. In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the policy as “another tired PR stunt” unless accompanied by…