By Ayobami Oyalowo In recent months, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has come under public scrutiny over its internal restructuring exercise, including the relocation of staff, an early exit programme, and the appointment of 16 new directors. However, Deputy Governor of the CBN in charge of Economic Policy, Mohammed Abdullahi, at the 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) offered a rare behind-the-scenes explanation that sheds light on the rationale behind these decisions. The Problem Inherited According to Abdullahi, when the current leadership assumed office, one of the first red flags was…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to redefine excellence in women’s football as she secures a nomination for the 2025 Yachine Trophy, the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best female goalkeeper. At just 24, Nnadozie has amassed a portfolio of achievements that reflect her unrelenting pursuit of greatness. Her recent transfer from Paris FC to Brighton Women FC comes on the heels of a season that saw her break barriers and deliver match-winning performances on some of the sport’s biggest stages. Her standout moment came in the Coupe de France Féminine final against PSG, where her composure and shot-stopping abilities…
Nigerian Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as K1 de Ultimate, is facing disciplinary action from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) following an alleged episode of unruly behavior at the Abuja airport. The NCAA has declared that the musician will be barred from flying domestically for six months as part of punitive action aimed at reinforcing compliance with airport rules and protocols. The disclosure came from NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu during a media interaction held on Thursday. “What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book,” he said.…
The Olakulehin dynasty has announced the forthcoming presentation of a book in memory of the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, turning what was planned as a celebration of life into a moment of remembrance. Titled “How Not to Be a King”, the book will be launched publicly on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, by 1:00 p.m. Originally meant to mark the monarch’s 90th birthday and first year on the throne, the event now serves as part of the post-funeral reception, following Oba Olakulehin’s death on July 7.…
Evan Okoro, the Nollywood actress famed for ‘Doctor Maria’ in Sexy Investment, has stepped forward with a harrowing account of the dangers she faces after her marriage fell apart. In a touching online video, she revealed she is living in fear following alleged death threats from her estranged husband. She relayed his ominous warning clearly: “If you leave me, I will kill you.” She lamented over the marriage’s failure: “This marriage is not working. The shoe I took home is not my size. They didn’t pay my bride price, and my family recently called them to come and do it…
Reacting to nationwide protests by pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate reforms through the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to improve pension payments and ensure healthcare for retirees. The President’s directive includes two major pillars: the implementation of increased pension benefits, including a minimum pension guarantee, and the swift rollout of free healthcare access for low-income retirees. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, noted that the healthcare program forms a “critical component of social protection and dignity in retirement.” He also explained that these reforms are aimed at…
In what is emerging as a quietly orchestrated yet powerful political wave, influential figures within and outside Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are rallying behind former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election. The momentum, insiders say, has been building over the last few months, driven by a cross-regional coalition of political leaders and elder statesmen who believe Jonathan offers a steady, experienced hand at a time when the country is grappling with economic turbulence, rising poverty, and social disillusionment. A trusted associate of the former president, who remains actively engaged within the PDP, disclosed that…
Foreign investors exited ₦576.09 bn from equities over Jan–Jun 2025, an 85% rise year‑on‑year, surpassing inflows of ₦559.25 bn for a net loss of ₦16.84 bn . Domestic investors, especially institutions, pushed total exchange transactions to ₦4.19 tn, a 61% jump from ₦2.60 tn in H1 2024; domestic share rose to 72.9% (₦3.06 tn) with institutional trades edging ahead of retail . From near-equal retail and institutional levels in January, institutional dominance broadened by June (₦364.71 bn vs. retail’s ₦274.63 bn), as retail participation peaked mid‑period then declined—amid rising inflation exceeding 22% and pressure on disposable incomes . March saw the highest volatility: total turnover surged to ₦1.29 tn, largely on…
In the wake of intensifying public discourse, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has publicly discredited a recent media report accusing him of influencing the resignation of NNPCL’s top executive, Bayo Ojulari. The contentious article accused Olukoyede and DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi of compelling Ojulari to relinquish his position during an unpublicized meeting in Abuja. The report also alleged that Ojulari was scrutinized for having links to Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil mogul of British-Nigerian descent believed to be highly influential in government circles. The report’s chain of claims included a subsequent summoning of Ojulari to the Presidential Villa, where First Lady…
United States President Donald Trump has intensified economic measures against India by slapping an additional 25 percent tariff on its goods. The move, unveiled through an executive order on Wednesday, directly responds to India’s ongoing oil imports from Russia — a stream of revenue Washington sees as sustaining Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Set to take effect in three weeks, the latest tariff builds on a prior 25 percent duty already scheduled to begin on Thursday. This layered approach underscores the U.S. administration’s impatience with countries that continue to engage with Russia commercially despite global calls for sanctions. Beyond India, the…