Author: Adekunle

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have agreed to establish a Joint Consultative Forum as part of renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen collaboration across key sectors. This decision was announced in a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of an official working visit to Niamey by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON). He was hosted by his Nigerien counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigerians Abroad, in an atmosphere described as reflecting the “spirit of brotherhood that characterizes the warm and…

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation following a high-level diplomatic engagement in Niamey between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), and his Nigerien counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigerians Abroad. The visit, held on April 16, 2025, was undertaken at the joint initiative of both countries and culminated in a joint communiqué outlining key areas of collaboration aimed at enhancing peace, development, and economic integration across the region. The communiqué noted that Ambassador…

Minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that President Bola Tinubu remains an asset to Northern Nigeria and the country at large. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his special assistant on political affairs, Ibrahim Goga, the former Zamfara governor described such claims as “baseless and politically motivated.” He said: “President Tinubu has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to addressing the challenges facing our region. “Those attacking him with propaganda are only seeking relevance after failing to secure their political future.” Matawalle accused unnamed members of the political elite of sponsoring misinformation…

By Chinedu Obilom Nigeria’s recent decline in petrol prices, framed as a triumph of market competition, has been met with cautious optimism. While consumers celebrate short-term relief, a deeper interrogation of the forces driving this trend reveals a more complex narrative—one rooted in strategic market consolidation rather than genuine competition. The Dangote Group’s entry into Nigeria’s petroleum sector, through its colossal 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, has been heralded as a game-changer. However, historical precedents, structural market dynamics, and global economic patterns suggest that this price reduction may be less about fostering competition and more about positioning for long-term monopolistic dominance. This…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria have reaffirmed their joint commitment to advancing democratic governance across West Africa through the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—a strategic initiative aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems across the sub-region. During a high-level engagement held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), hosted the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, for a progress review and strategic dialogue on the RPD initiative. The engagement took place against the backdrop of growing democratic…

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to commence the process for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which could see indigenous ship owners accessing more than $400 million in strategic funding. NIMASA, in alignment with the minister’s directive, has immediately issued a Marine Notice inviting eligible Nigerian shipping companies to apply. Qualified applicants can access up to $25 million each at competitive interest rates to acquire vessels that meet international safety and performance standards. The fund will be administered in partnership with approved…

Nigeria’s upgrade by Fitch from negative, to stable is a mark of confidence by the global economic community on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu far-reaching policy reforms, as well as his economic team. This was contained in a statement by the Global Economic Policy Initiative (GEPIn), on Sunday and signed by its President Mr. Bernard Okri, where the group commended the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun for successfully implementing an overhaul of the country’s economy, which is already bringing results such as increased investments into the country. Fitch Ratings is a global credit…

Contrary to media reports suggesting that a vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was recently stolen in Abuja, sources familiar with the matter have clarified that the vehicle in question was no longer in the custody of the office at the time of the incident. According to reliable government sources, the Hilux truck cited in the reports had been decommissioned and sold more than two years ago through a routine internal auction process. The disposal of the vehicle, they explained, was in line with standard procedures for phasing out aging or non-functional government…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) College of Nursing Sciences’ (NAFCONS) has achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate in national nursing license examination, showcasing the institution’s commitment to excellence in nursing education. Commandant of NAFCONS, Squadron Leader Boyi Elisha, announced this during the matriculation ceremony for National Diploma I (Set 6) students of NAFCONS, in Kaduna yesterday. He said the outstanding performance reflects the college’s dedication to producing highly skilled and competent nursing professionals. A statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the Commandant of NAFCONS, thanked the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and…

As part of its continued efforts to drive Nigeria’s industrial development through local innovation, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has taken its Made-in-Nigeria campaign to Kebbi State. The agency held a Stakeholder Focus Group Meeting with critical stakeholders to explore practical pathways for enhancing the adoption of Nigerian-made products in households and businesses across the state. The engagement, which aligns with NASENI’s mandate to nurture and grow the nation’s engineering and manufacturing capacity, brought together a diverse range of participants including business leaders, academics, government officials, civil society groups, and industrialists. Discussions at the forum centred…