Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Yields on Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) edged lower across all maturities on Monday, October 20, 2025, as sustained demand for short-term government instruments persisted despite tight system liquidity. According to market data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, average NTB yields declined by about three basis points across maturities. The 6-November 2025 bill closed at 16.60%, down from 16.63%, while the 4-December 2025 paper eased to 17.54% from 17.57%. Similarly, yields on the 5-February 2026 and 9-July 2026 notes slipped to 16.88% and 17.71%, respectively. The 8-October 2026 tenor  the longest on the curve also fell slightly to…

By Atoyebi Nike The World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have officially endorsed Nigeria’s Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) model as a global benchmark for sustainable health reform. The endorsement came during a high-level dialogue on “Scaling Health Reforms” at the 2025 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., where global leaders discussed strategies to strengthen healthcare financing, promote local pharmaceutical production, and improve primary health service delivery in developing economies. Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, presented the country’s achievements under the SWAp framework, explaining that it aligns government and donor investments…

By Atoyebi Nike The Propcom+ project, a UK-Aid funded agricultural initiative, has renewed its pledge to break the cycle of hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria through climate-smart and nutrition-focused farming innovations. The reaffirmation came during the Nutritious Food Fair held in Kano on Monday to commemorate World Food Day 2025, bringing together stakeholders in agriculture, nutrition, and food systems. Speaking at the event, Dr. Adiya Ode, Country Representative and Political Director of Propcom+, said the project is driving agricultural transformation through sustainable, market-led solutions that empower smallholder farmers. “We are driving transformation through market-driven and climate-smart solutions that empower smallholder…

By Atoyebi Nike Katsina State will unveil major agricultural and infrastructure projects on Tuesday during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit. Highlights include the launch of a dedicated farmers’ radio station and the commissioning of several development projects executed under Governor Dikko Radda. Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Ahmed Bakori, said the radio station will provide farmers with real-time guidance on pest control, marketing, and production management, enhancing communication with experts and complementing extension services. Shettima will also inaugurate a 3.3-kilometer road from the Katsina Central Mosque to the WTC roundabout, completed at a cost of N1.9 billion. Additionally, the Vice President…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s judiciary to develop expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency laws to effectively handle modern financial crimes. Speaking at an EFCC NJI workshop in Abuja, Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima said justice delivery must evolve with the digital age. “Learning and relearning is now essential for relevance in this era,” he said. The President warned that judicial integrity remains central to national morality and pledged continued support for judicial reforms and improved welfare. He also criticised delays in corruption cases, urging courts to embrace digital literacy for quicker and fairer…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Senate has called for the integration of mental health education into the national academic curriculum to address the growing psychological and emotional challenges facing students and teachers across the country. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, made the call on Monday at a mental health programme organised by the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) in Abuja. Delivering the keynote address, Senator Banigo, who also serves as Grand Patron of MHEI and the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa, said mental health plays a crucial role in shaping discipline, productivity,…

By Atoyebi NikeLecturers at the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, have called off their three-week strike after the state government agreed to meet key demands on salaries and retirement age. Union chairman Dr Christopher Yerima said the suspension followed a meeting with Governor Uba Sani, where the government pledged to implement 70 percent of the CONPCASS and CONTEDISS salary structures starting this month and to enforce the 65-year retirement age for non-academic staff. The strike, which began on September 30, was part of a wider action by the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions (JUTI) over the government’s delay…

By Atoyebi Nike Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. The 70-year-old ex-leader left his Paris home with his wife, Carla Bruni, on Tuesday and was escorted by police to La Santé Prison, where he will be held in solitary confinement. Supporters gathered outside chanting “Free Nicolas!” as he departed. Sarkozy, who governed from 2007 to 2012, is the first former president of France and of any EU country  to serve jail time. He has denounced the verdict…

The National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Comrade Balarebe Rufa’i, has described poverty among Nigerian youths as a “national emergency” that threatens the country’s democracy, security, and development. Rufa’i made the remarks in Abuja on Friday in an official statement marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a global event observed annually to mobilize action against poverty. He warned that widespread economic hardship continues to rob young Nigerians of opportunities, dignity, and hope. “Across the 36 states and the FCT, poverty continues to rob young Nigerians of opportunity, dignity, and hope. It has stifled…

By Atoyebi Nike New data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank show that rising food prices, inflation and weak social protection systems are pushing millions of Nigerians further into poverty. Ekiti recorded the highest food inflation at 28.6 percent, followed by Rivers at 24.18 percent and Nasarawa at 22.74 percent. Bauchi had the lowest rate at 2.81 percent, with Niger at 8.38 percent and Anambra at 8.41 percent. The World Bank said 27 percent of Nigerians can no longer afford healthy meals even if they spend all their income on food. Average consumption levels fell by…