President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a total expenditure of N68.32 trillion, while also extending the implementation of the 2025 capital budget to June 30, 2026. The extension, contained in a separate amendment bill assented to by the President, shifts the deadline for the 2025 capital component from March 31 to June 30, 2026. According to a State House statement issued on Friday, the move is designed to ensure the full utilisation of funds allocated to ongoing infrastructure and development projects across the country. A breakdown of the 2026 budget shows N4.799 trillion allocated…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his status as one of the most impactful business leaders of his generation. Dangote joins a distinguished group of global figures across politics, business, and culture. These include U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church. Also featured are leading figures in technology, including Sundar Pichai and Neal Mohan. The annual TIME100 list, published on April 15,…
Nigeria’s economic management team strengthened high-level engagements with global financial institutions on Tuesday, as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, met with the President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, in Washington, D.C. The meeting, held on April 14, 2026, took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, where policymakers, central bankers, and development partners are deliberating on global economic challenges and financing priorities. The Nigerian delegation’s engagement with the World Bank…
Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N159.28 trillion as of December 31, 2025, according to fresh data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), underscoring a continued upward trend driven largely by domestic borrowing. The figure reflects a quarter-on-quarter increase of N5.98 trillion (3.9%), up from N153.29 trillion recorded in September 2025. In dollar terms, the debt stock climbed from $103.94 billion to $110.97 billion within the same period. On a year-on-year basis, public debt grew by N14.61 trillion (10.1%), rising from N144.67 trillion in December 2024. In dollar terms, this represents an increase of $16.75 billion, from $94.23 billion to…
Fahari Aviation Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with aak-GROW / CropLife Kenya to accelerate the adoption of drone-enabled precision agriculture in Kenya. The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at improving farming efficiency, enhancing safety, and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices across the country. Under the collaboration, Fahari Aviation will leverage its expertise in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and drone-based agricultural services, while aak-GROW/CropLife Kenya will contribute its strengths in pesticide stewardship, regulatory compliance, and farmer training. Speaking on the partnership, Fahari Aviation General Manager, Hawkins Musili, said the initiative underscores the company’s commitment…
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has disclosed that 226 local government areas (LGAs) across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been identified as high flood risk zones for 2026. Utsev made this known on Wednesday during the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, held at the State Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He, however, provided a broader breakdown, noting that 14,118 communities in 266 LGAs across the same 33 states and the FCT fall within the high flood risk category. The affected…
The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria. The list was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) as part of ongoing efforts to curb terrorism-related activities. The disclosure highlights intensified measures by authorities to identify and track persons and organisations suspected of supporting terrorist operations. The publication includes individuals and groups reportedly connected to various extremist organisations operating within and outside Nigeria. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee noted that the list comprises persons and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism financing activities. The list includes individuals allegedly…
Grow Further has announced a Phase II grant to scale an artificial intelligence-driven crop disease detection project in Tanzania, targeting improved productivity among smallholder farmers. The initiative supports the continued development and expansion of kilimoAI, a smartphone application designed to help farmers identify and manage crop pests and diseases in real time. The tool was developed by researchers from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, under the leadership of Neema Mduma. The application allows farmers to take photos of affected crops, such as maize and beans and receive rapid diagnoses powered…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will begin enforcing a new set of BVN rules from May 1, introducing stricter controls on mobile banking access, device changes, and identity verification. The policy is aimed at reducing fraud, limiting unauthorized account access, and tightening security across Nigeria’s banking system. Under the new rules, customers will only be able to link one device to their mobile banking app at a time. If a user logs in on a new device, the previous device will be automatically logged out. The CBN also said switching to a new device will require additional verification before…
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has opened applications for its 2026 Young Leaders Programme, offering early-career agricultural journalists a global platform to sharpen leadership skills and expand professional networks. The programme, organised in partnership with Alltech, is designed for journalists aged 35 and below who are members of IFAJ-affiliated guilds. It combines leadership training, mentorship, and international exposure, positioning participants for future roles in agricultural communication. Selected candidates will participate in a three-day Young Leaders Boot Camp scheduled for September 13–15, 2026, followed by full participation in the IFAJ Congress to be held in Osijek from September 16–20,…