Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Second African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT2025) has wrapped up in Kigali, reigniting continental optimism that Africa’s smallholder farmers can anchor a food-secure future if empowered with the right technologies, partnerships, and policy support. Hosted by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the Rwandan Government, the four-day summit (June 9–12) gathered over 800 delegates from across Africa and the globe, including policy leaders, research institutions, startups, financial institutions, and youth entrepreneurs. The theme was: “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmer.” The conference spotlighted emerging agricultural technologies tailored for smallholder farmers from AI-powered agronomic…

By Atoyebi Nike The Ghanaian cedi has emerged as the top-performing currency globally so far in 2025, appreciating by more than 25 percent against the U.S. dollar. But despite the headline-grabbing surge, financial analysts are warning that the rally reflects a post-crisis recovery, not a sign of long-term economic strength. According to Bloomberg data, the cedi’s impressive rebound stands in stark contrast to its 2022 collapse, when it lost over 55 percent of its value during a period of inflationary pressure, rising public debt, and concerns over fiscal governance. The rally has since prompted Fitch Ratings to upgrade Ghana’s foreign-currency…

By Atoyebi Nike Oando Plc has posted a remarkable profit after tax (PAT) of N113 billion for the first quarter of 2025, marking a 90.5% increase from the N59.3 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. The profit figure is striking given the company recorded a loss before tax of N52.5 billion, a sharp contrast to the N70.3 billion pre-tax profit in Q1 2024. The turnaround in net earnings was driven primarily by a significant tax credit of N165.6 billion, which helped the company overcome its operational losses. Quarterly revenue stood at N932.5 billion, reflecting a modest year-on-year growth…

By Atoyebi Nike The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian students to harness the power of the internet for innovation and national development rather than criminal activities. Olukoyede delivered the message during a one-day symposium themed “Safe Campus for Students: Combating Physical and Digital Threats”, organized by the Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ambrose Alli University chapter, on Friday. Represented by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Williams Oseghale, who heads the Public Affairs Unit at the Benin Zonal Directorate, Olukoyede warned that cybercrime,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged support for the South East Development Commission (SEDC), urging the agency to drive economic growth and development across the region. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, gave the assurance while receiving the SEDC management team led by its Executive Director, Mark Okoye, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Olukoyede commended the creation of regional commissions by President Bola Tinubu and promised to assist the SEDC with the EFCC’s Fraud Risk Assessment template to guide operations and ensure transparency. He said the Commission is ready to collaborate on asset support once…

By Atoyebi Nike Israel has reportedly eliminated at least 14 top Iranian nuclear scientists in a series of targeted airstrikes, in what officials say is a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran that began in earnest on June 13, 2025. According to Israeli intelligence sources, the scientists killed include physicists, engineers, explosives experts, and materials specialists, many of whom were allegedly directly involved in nuclear weapons development. “These individuals weren’t just academics,” said Zarka, a senior Israeli official. “They were actively working to build a nuclear weapon. This operation…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigerian soldiers and armed bandits were killed on Tuesday during coordinated attacks on military forward operating bases in Kaduna and Niger States, the Nigerian Army has confirmed. The attacks occurred simultaneously in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka (Niger State), and Aungwan Turai in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Army described the incident as a three-pronged assault by armed bandits on the affected bases. In response, land and air components of the military launched counter-offensives, killing multiple bandits. However, the Army also reported that some of its personnel were killed, while four soldiers sustained gunshot…

By Atoyebi Nike The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has recorded a dramatic tenfold growth in its total assets over the past decade from $4 billion to $40 billion  under the leadership of its outgoing President, Prof. Benedict Oramah. The milestone was disclosed by the bank’s Director of Communications and Events, Anne Ezeh, during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of Afreximbank’s Annual Meetings (AAM2025) scheduled to run from June 25 to 28, 2025. Ezeh highlighted that the bank has not only expanded financially but also extended vital credit support to several African countries in sectors including energy, oil…

By Atoyebi Nike Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been stripped of his revered traditional title of Waziri Adamawa, following a new directive by the Adamawa State Government restricting traditional council roles to indigenes of specific chiefdoms and emirates. The title, which Atiku held since February 2023, was conferred on him by the current Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo. His son, Alhaji Aliyu Atiku, also lost his position as Turaki Adamawa under the new ruling. In a circular issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs directed that all kingmakers and traditional council members across the state must now be natives…

By Atoyebi Nike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) notification for its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing procedural non-compliance and an unresolved internal leadership conflict. According to the electoral commission, the PDP’s notice did not meet the legal and procedural requirements outlined in existing regulations. INEC specifically referenced the ongoing dispute over the party’s national secretary position as a key factor influencing its decision. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, reinforced this position during a meeting with PDP leaders on Tuesday, pointing to the inconsistencies stemming from the secretaryship crisis. Present at…