Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of widespread thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across the country from Monday, September 8, to Wednesday, September 10, 2025. According to the forecast issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office, northern states such as Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara and Borno will experience repeated thunderstorms and rainfall over the three-day period. The central region, including the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau, is expected to see light rains in the mornings, followed by thunderstorms later in the day. In the south, cloudy…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government on Monday rescheduled a crucial tripartite conciliation meeting aimed at averting a nationwide strike by oil workers over Dangote Refinery’s alleged anti-union practices. Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammadu Dingyadi had moved the meeting forward from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m., but union leaders and stakeholders were still in Lagos trying to catch flights to Abuja at the revised time. An official of the ministry confirmed the session could not begin until their arrival. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Dangote Group of “crude and dangerous anti-union practices,…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has opened talks with petroleum marketers and labour unions to avert a planned strike over Dangote Refinery’s alleged monopolistic control of the sector. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had threatened to suspend lifting and dispensing of fuel for three days starting September 9, 2025, citing Dangote’s dominance across refining, storage, logistics, and retail. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry, speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, said stakeholders and regulators were already in consultations. He stressed the need for a…
By Atoyebi Nike Private healthcare providers in Lagos have raised alarm over soaring electricity and fuel bills, warning that energy costs now account for about 40 per cent of their operating expenses. The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Lagos chapter, said the rising bills were crippling hospitals and threatening patient care. “Our energy cost alone takes about 40 per cent of our health costs, not salaries, not taxes,” Chairman Jonathan Esegine said on Monday while announcing the association’s Annual General and Scientific Conference. He recounted running a generator overnight to save a pregnant woman with…
By Atoyebi Nike The naira rose to a six-month high of N1,514.86 per dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Thursday, its strongest level since March 6, 2025, when it traded at N1,512.30 per dollar. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the currency appreciated by N6.59 or 0.4 per cent from Wednesday’s close of N1,521.45. Trading was cut short by a federal holiday, making Thursday the final session of the week. In the parallel market, the naira held steady at N1,535 per dollar, while GTBank quoted N1,533 for international transactions. Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $41.30…
By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned that Nigeria’s financial system could be exposed to widespread abuse if cryptocurrency activities remain unregulated. Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, issued the warning in Abuja on Wednesday through his Chief of Staff, Michael Nzekwe, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), led by President Obinna Iwuno. Olukoyede described cryptocurrency as both a driver of global innovation and wealth creation, but also a potential enabler of money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud if left unchecked. “Crypto is…
By Atoyebi Nike With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, qualification campaigns across continents are entering critical stages. In Asia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia remain in contention for the last two slots. Africa sees Morocco leading the race, with Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa chasing, while Nigeria face setbacks. Across North America, hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada are joined by Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Honduras as frontrunners. South America has Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia already through, leaving Venezuela eyeing a historic first-ever qualification. In Oceania, New Zealand are confirmed, with New Caledonia heading to playoffs. Europe’s qualifiers…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has restated its dedication to the welfare of frontline personnel while charging them to remain vigilant in protecting civilians against insurgents and bandits. The message was delivered on 3 September 2025 during the commissioning of new facilities at the 4135 Force Protection Wing in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. The projects include worship centres for Christian and Muslim personnel, a mini-mart, and a quarter guard stand. The initiatives were carried out under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, whose philosophy emphasises that personnel welfare is…
By Atoyebi Nike Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State and abducted a Chinese expatriate. The attack occurred late Friday at the entrance of the BUA Cement Factory in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, where NSCDC officers were escorting five Chinese nationals after a routine patrol. Four of the expatriates were rescued, while one was taken away by the assailants. A senior NSCDC officer confirmed the development on Saturday, noting that four other victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched a new investment platform, Investopolia, in Algeria to boost the flow of capital into Nigerian states and position them as credible investment destinations. Speaking at the unveiling, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the initiative reflects the governors’ shared commitment to unlocking economic opportunities across subnational economies. He described Investopolia as “a living platform” that will evolve to channel investment into impactful and sustainable projects. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, currently attracts about $2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) annually less than 0.5 per cent of GDP. Most inflows have…