Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition has announced a last-minute change of venue for the official unveiling of its political platform, now set to take place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. The decision followed a sudden cancellation by the Wells Carlton Hotel, which was initially billed to host the high-stakes political event. In a statement signed by ADC’s Deputy National Secretary, Nkem Ukandu, the party said all key members of the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders are expected at the new venue.…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s internet service providers (ISPs) are facing steep subscriber losses as rising costs, economic pressure, and competition from mobile networks drive users to more affordable options. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), active subscriptions across 127 ISPs dropped to 289,369 in Q1 2025, down from 307,946 in Q3 2024. This marks a significant shift in the country’s broadband landscape. Starlink, which had surged to become Nigeria’s second-largest ISP in 2024, experienced its first major setback losing over 6,000 customers, with active users falling from 65,564 to 59,509. Market leader Spectranet also saw a dip, shedding 2,189…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s economy grew by an estimated 3.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, buoyed by a rebound in oil output and stronger performance in the manufacturing and services sectors, according to new insights from Stanbic IBTC’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report. Drawing from monthly PMI trends and oil production data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the report points to sustained economic recovery across key sectors, despite continued setbacks in agriculture. “The recovery is driven by higher crude production and improvements across Manufacturing and Services,” the report noted. However, it highlighted that agriculture remains…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has issued a tough ultimatum to oil companies holding undeveloped oil fields, warning that the government will no longer allow critical assets to sit idle. Speaking at the opening of the 24th Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja, Lokpobiri said firms without the technical or financial capacity to optimize assets should either perform or step aside. “The era of using oil field licenses as collateral while doing nothing with them is over,” the minister said, addressing stakeholders from across the global energy sector.…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to Afrocentric partnerships and deeper ties with the Caribbean, announcing new educational and cultural initiatives during a visit to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries on the fourth day of his State Visit to Saint Lucia. Speaking to students and faculty, Tinubu emphasized the historical and cultural unity between Africa and the Caribbean and offered a fully-funded cultural exchange visit to Nigeria for the college’s performing arts group following their performance of The Drum Maker, a play by Saint Lucian playwright Kendel Hippolyte. “At your convenience, I invite…

By Atoyebi Nike An attempted robbery took an unusual turn when a man was discovered hiding inside the ceiling of a commercial bank after allegedly staying behind unnoticed during business hours. The suspect is believed to have entered the FCMB branch earlier in the day and quietly remained behind by locking himself inside the restroom. After hours, he reportedly climbed into the ceiling with hopes of executing an overnight heist. His plan, however, unraveled at daybreak. Bank staff arriving to open the branch found the entrance oddly secured from within. Growing suspicious, they broke in and were startled by strange…

By Atoyebi Nike Former Senate President David Mark has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), blaming unresolved leadership crises and internal divisions. In a resignation letter to his local party ward in Benue State, Mark said the PDP had become “a shadow of its former self” due to deepening rifts and public ridicule. “I remained the last man standing after 2015, committed to rebuilding the party,” he wrote. “But the crisis has made it unworkable.” After consulting with allies and family, Mark announced his switch to the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — now…

By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen The first five days of the Iran-Israel war released more than 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to emissions from 8,300 cars driven for a year, according to a new estimate by two researchers. A senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Benjamin Neimark, and a lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana, Dr. Frederick Otu-Larbi, used a methodology previously applied in their study of the Gaza war. Their findings suggest that emissions from jet fuel, rocket fire, and ballistic missiles during the early stages of the conflict mirror the…

By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen As preparations intensify for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, global parliamentarians are urging world leaders to deliver bold and enforceable commitments to phase out fossil fuels — the primary cause of the global climate crisis. At a recent webinar hosted by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) as part of the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice, policymakers warned that the increasing influence of pro-fossil fuel governments could stall progress at the COP30 negotiations. They raised concerns about the disproportionate power of fossil fuel lobbyists at international climate talks, saying their presence often…

By Atoyebi Nike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a detailed schedule of elections for 2025 and 2026, including five major polls and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, unveiled the new timetable on Tuesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja. According to Yakubu, bye-elections across 12 states will hold on August 16, 2025, while the Anambra Governorship Election is scheduled for November 8, 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, INEC fixed the FCT Area Council elections for February 21, the Ekiti Governorship…