Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to prioritize selling crude oil to Dangote Refinery in Naira, arguing the move would lower fuel prices and strengthen domestic refining. Lagos NLC Chairperson Funmi Sesi made the appeal during a tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertilizer Ltd. with Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) members on Tuesday. She warned that forcing Dangote to import crude or pay in dollars for local supply undermines the promise of cheaper fuel. “This country has crude in abundance, and why is Dangote still paying in hard currency for…
By Atoyebi Nike AI search startup Perplexity has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, in a move aimed at pre-empting potential US antitrust action that could force Google to sell the product. The San Francisco-based company confirmed it sent the offer to Google’s parent, Alphabet, on Tuesday, saying it has financial backing from major investment funds but declined to name them. Perplexity, valued at $18 billion after a recent funding round, has been positioning itself as an AI-driven challenger to Google Search. It says it would invest $3 billion over two years to grow Chrome…
By Atoyebi Nike At the 2025 South-West Labour Summit in Lagos, Trade Union Congress (TUC) President General Comrade Festus Osifo called on Nigeria to embrace agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation, warning against over-reliance on crude oil revenues. Osifo described political inaction in harnessing the country’s vast resources as “laziness” and urged structural reforms to boost productivity. He noted that while Nigeria’s national budget exceeds ₦50 trillion, its dollar value $13-35 billion over the past decade—remains low compared to global benchmarks. Citing the $120 billion needed to rebuild federal roads four times the annual budget, he stressed that…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote climate-resilient farming and strengthen Nigeria’s food systems against climate change impacts. The agreement, signed Monday at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, will focus on developing climate-smart weather tools, building farmers’ capacity, and advancing agricultural technologies. NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, said the collaboration would equip farmers with timely, reliable climate data essential for sustainable practices. “For agriculture to be truly climate-resilient, access to reliable weather and climate information is essential,” he noted. AATF Regional Director, Dr. Jean Tignegre,…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast heavy rainfall across several northern states from Wednesday to Friday, August 13-15, 2025. According to the agency, parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Taraba, Benue, and Kogi could experience heavy downpours, increasing the risk of flooding. NiMet also predicts moderate rainfall in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, and Nasarawa, while other areas are likely to see light rain.…
By Atoyebi Nike Chairman of Zinox Group and Founder of the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, has donated a multimillion-naira technology experience centre to the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUB) to strengthen the institution’s capacity for producing globally competitive graduates. Commissioned on Ekeh’s behalf by the President of the Nigeria Computer Society, Dr. Muhammad Aliyu, the facility comes with the latest Zinox computers, powered by the iPower renewable energy suite featuring high-performance solar panels and certified lithium batteries. It also offers uninterrupted satellite internet via Starlink, with the LSEF committing to cover subscription costs for the…
By Atoyebi Nike The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended its top leadership over allegations of misconduct, financial mismanagement, and poor governance. State Publicity Secretary Jamilu Muhammad announced the decision at a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, naming Chairman Sufiyanu Bala, Deputy Chairman Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and Secretary Hawwa’u Muhammed as those affected. Muhammad alleged that the officials diverted party funds for personal use, made unilateral decisions without the State Working Committee’s consent and failed to uphold transparency, accountability, and unity within the party. “They have failed to position the ADC for political…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed a growing mental health crisis in its custodial centres, revealing that 8,246 inmates are currently living with mental illness. The figure was presented on Tuesday in Abuja during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS. Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr. Glory Essien, told the panel that the sudden loss of freedom upon incarceration often triggers psychological distress. “That instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has dropped its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of unruly behavior aboard an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flying ban imposed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1). Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with aviation stakeholders. He said the review considered public appeals and the remorse shown by those involved. Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident, paving the way for her release from Kirikiri Prison this…
By Atoyebi Nike The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its drive to expand financial inclusion and spur economic growth by promoting alternative payment channels as key tools for development. Speaking at the 2025 CBN Fair in Lagos, themed Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development, the bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, said the Olayemi Cardoso-led management has prioritized reforms that connect communities, enhance productivity, and strengthen price stability. Ali highlighted recent policy measures, including the unification of exchange rates, clearance of $7 billion in foreign exchange backlogs, introduction…