Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has officially validated the Just Transition Guidelines and Action Plan (JT-GAP), marking a historic step toward building an inclusive, low-carbon, and climate-resilient future. The validation ceremony, held from October 6 to 7 at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja, was organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The framework, developed by the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, with support from the ILO, UNDP, and UNIDO, provides a clear roadmap for a fair energy transition. Technical sessions reviewed the draft document, featuring experts from…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has officially commenced full orthopaedic services, marking a major boost to healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s North Central zone. Medical Director, Dr. Icha Inalegwu Onche, made this known during a press briefing on Wednesday in Jos. He outlined the hospital’s journey, noting the establishment law signed in 2021, his appointment in 2023, and confirmation as substantive Medical Director in 2024. Onche revealed that the hospital currently has 736 registered patients, with 150 awaiting surgery. He said the facility is fully staffed and equipped to offer trauma care, joint replacement, spine surgery, prosthetics, paediatric…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has pledged to accompany Governor Bala Mohammed anywhere in the world to attract investments for Bauchi State. Obasanjo made the pledge while commissioning the newly built Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC) during the Bauchi Investment Summit on Wednesday. He described the centre as a world-class facility capable of turning Bauchi into a major hub for tourism, conferences, and economic activities. “With what we have, we can show the world that we are part and parcel of global development,” Obasanjo said, adding that the state must leverage the facility to…

By Atoyebi Nike Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged political, traditional, and religious leaders from the South-East to take concrete action towards securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sowore, in a social media post on Wednesday, said he was ready to lead a peaceful march to Aso Rock Villa and challenged leaders including Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Peter Obi to join the demonstration. He said the march would be conducted legally and peacefully to demand justice and end…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has commenced the final phase of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions to resolve outstanding issues and prevent further strikes. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this in Abuja during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service. He said the group was finalising a counteroffer that would be submitted to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee. Alausa noted that the negotiations align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to keep students in school and avoid…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to October 16 to allow the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) present its medical examination report. Justice James Omotosho postponed the hearing after the NMA informed the court it had not completed its assessment of Kanu’s health status. The court had earlier directed the NMA to form a committee of medical experts to conduct an independent examination and determine whether Kanu should remain in Department of State Services (DSS) custody or be moved to the…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to combat climate change and environmental degradation, with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project recording significant progress in restoring degraded lands and improving livelihoods. This commitment was restated during the Federal Technical Committee (FTC) meeting of the ACReSAL Project held at the Ministry of Environment in Abuja. The meeting brought together permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Food Security, and Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside key stakeholders to review the project’s performance and annual work plan. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam…

By Atoyebi Nike The World Bank has warned that Nigeria risks losing the gains from its recent economic reforms if they fail to translate into improved living standards, revealing that 139 million citizens now live in poverty. World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of the October 2025 Nigeria Development Update (NDU), themed “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home.” Verghis praised Nigeria’s bold reforms on foreign exchange and fuel subsidy removal, calling them “foundational” steps similar to major economic shifts in India in the 1990s. He…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Naira has appreciated against the Euro, settling at ₦1,715/€ at the official market from ₦1,729/€ at the end of September. The parallel market mirrored this bullish trend. The Euro’s weakness follows deepening political turmoil in France. Budget disputes, mass protests, and the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on October 6 triggered market anxiety, causing French borrowing costs to spike and the CAC 40 to fall by over 1.3%. France’s political crisis, rooted in the 2024 snap elections, has led to a divided parliament and persistent fiscal uncertainty. Over 195,000 people joined nationwide strikes…

By Atoyebi Nike Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators in Nigeria will soon be required to work exclusively with one principal under new agent banking rules released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on October 6, 2025. From April 1, 2026, operators using Moniepoint, OPay, PalmPay, or similar platforms must align with one bank, fintech, microfinance bank, or licenced super agent. This is part of the CBN’s regulatory overhaul of the agent banking sector, the most comprehensive since its inception in 2013. The guidelines aim to raise operational standards, improve service quality, and enhance financial inclusion. Principals must publish updated agent lists…