Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to $48.5 billion, the highest level since May 2013, underscoring a sustained rebuilding of the country’s external buffers. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows the current reserve position is the strongest since May 14, 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion. The latest figures signal a steady upward trajectory that began in the closing weeks of 2025 and has extended into early 2026, reinforcing expectations of improved macroeconomic stability. Nigeria ended 2025 with reserves of about $45.5 billion, up from roughly $40.8 billion at the start of the year —…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has signed into law a bill establishing Labe College of Nursing Sciences in Gboko Local Government Area. At the signing ceremony in Makurdi on Wednesday, Alia said the new institution underscores his commitment to accessible, quality education and healthcare. He described it as a strategic investment in the state’s future well-being and prosperity—not just an academic endeavor. The college, he added, will serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of households, bringing specialized medical training closer to local communities and addressing the urgent need for skilled healthcare professionals. “This college will significantly enhance the…
The Sultanate Council has announced that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan 1447AH in Nigeria following confirmation of the new crescent moon. In a statement issued in Sokoto on Tuesday, the council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, working in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee, said it received reports from sighting groups across the country confirming the appearance of the new moon on February 17, corresponding to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447AH. ALSO READ [BREAKING] Saudi authorities sites Ramadan crescent Acting on the verified reports, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar — the Sultan of…
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon marking the commencement of Ramadan, signalling the start of fasting for Muslims in the kingdom. The crescent was observed on Tuesday following official monitoring exercises conducted at designated observation points, including Hawtat Sudair and Tumair in Al-Majma’ah Governorate. The confirmation means Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will be observed as the first day of the holy month, with Ramadan 1447 beginning from Tuesday night. Observers had earlier indicated favourable atmospheric conditions for the exercise, noting that sunset timing and visibility supported crescent detection before the announcement formally confirmed entry…
A group of eminent Nigerians has raised strong objections to the presence of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil, warning that any such arrangement must strictly comply with constitutional provisions and uphold the country’s sovereignty. In a jointly signed statement titled “No to foreign forces in our land: Defend our sovereignty,” Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, political scientist Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Dr Dauda Garuba, Prof Massaud Omar, Prof Mohammed Kuna, Eng YZ Ya’u, and Dr Usman Bugaje, invoked Nigeria’s historical resistance to foreign military domination and cautioned against what they described as a troubling pattern of opaque…
The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has approved ₦140 billion as budgetary allocation for the Commission’s 2026 fiscal year. Chairman of the Committee, Titus Zam, disclosed this following the committee’s budget defence session at the National Assembly of Nigeria on Monday, saying the funding is aimed at accelerating development across the North Central region. He explained that the approved funds would be deployed to critical infrastructure, security interventions, agricultural development, and humanitarian support programmes targeted at addressing the challenges confronting states in the zone. Zam reiterated the committee’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the utilisation…
Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has welcomed the decision of the African Union to approve Nigeria’s permanent membership on the Board of the African Monetary Institute (AMI). The decision was reached at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa during the February 2026 Summit, following earlier adoption by the AU Executive Council at its 48th Ordinary Session. The AMI — established under the AU’s financial institutions agenda — serves as a precursor to the planned African Central Bank, which will be headquartered in Abuja. Cardoso said hosting the…
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter has called for the adoption of green chemistry and sustainable practices as strategic pathways to accelerate national development and innovation. The Society made the call during its 11th Annual Symposium held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Oyo State. The gathering, themed “Emerging Technologies in Chemistry for Sustainable Development,” brought together academics, industry experts, policymakers, and researchers from across the globe to examine the role of chemistry in advancing sustainable growth. According to the Society, participants collectively underscored the critical role of chemistry in…
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s push for a restructured global order, describing the country as well-placed to lead the continent toward greater global influence. Guterres commended the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s stabilisation efforts within the Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States, despite ongoing domestic security pressures. He made the remarks on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the margins of the 39th summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa. ALSO READ AU Summit 2026: Shettima departs Abuja…
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $200 million loan to scale up climate-smart and technology-driven farming in Nigeria. The financing, disclosed in a statement by the Bank, will support the second phase of the Federal Government’s National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), aimed at strengthening food security, raising productivity, and improving agricultural value chains. Structured as sector budget support, the loan will expand farmers’ access to quality inputs, modern technologies, and data-driven agricultural practices nationwide. It builds on earlier interventions under the African Emergency Food Production Facility and is expected to run for four years beginning March 2026. According…