Economic reforms are never painless. Across Nigeria today, the story is the same — families cutting meals, businesses shrinking operations, and workers watching their wages lose value faster than they earn them. Yet, on paper, the figures tell a different story. Government reports and international lenders point to “positive macroeconomic momentum,” boasting of improved revenue collection, renewed investor confidence, and fiscal discipline. But behind those neat graphs and upbeat briefings lies a harder truth: the reforms, while necessary, are not yet touching lives. The Nigerian economy may be turning a statistical corner, but the average Nigerian is still standing in…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
From the end of the Cold War to the challenges of the 21st century, the Nobel Peace Prize has celebrated individuals and organizations that have shaped humanity’s pursuit of peace, freedom, and dignity. Since 1990, laureates have ranged from reformers who dismantled authoritarian systems to campaigners who fought for human rights, disarmament, and climate justice. In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was honored for his pivotal role in ending the Cold War through reforms in the Soviet Union. A year later, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar received the award for her non-violent struggle for democracy. The 1990s saw a series of…
Despite the series of economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, poverty levels in Nigeria remain alarmingly high, according to the World Bank. In its latest Nigeria Development Update released in Abuja, the Bank revealed that about 139 million Nigerians are still living in poverty, indicating that the reforms have not yet translated into improved living conditions for most citizens. Presenting the report, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, acknowledged that the reforms—particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification—have contributed to macroeconomic stability and increased government revenue. He, however, cautioned that these…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following allegations leveled against him. Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation on Tuesday in a letter expressing gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation. ALSO READ Enugu gov deepens minister Nnaji’s certificate forgery controversy In his resignation letter, the Minister alleged that he had been the target of political blackmail by opponents, describing the situation as a distraction to his duties as minister. President Tinubu, while acknowledging the resignation, commended Nnaji for his contributions…
The new Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Bello Bawa Bwari, has pledged to strengthen Nigeria’s biosafety framework, promote innovation, and deepen transparency in the regulation of modern biotechnology. Bwari officially assumed duty on Monday at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, where he was warmly received by management and staff. In his inaugural address, he commended the dedication and professionalism of NBMA personnel, acknowledging the Agency’s achievements in ensuring the safe application of biotechnology in Nigeria. ALSO READ Biotechnology: Between misinformation and disinformation, By Veronica Mwaba “I am here to build on what…
Seplat Energy Plc has reaffirmed that domestic gas development holds the key to Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic prosperity — powering homes, industries, and transportation while driving cleaner energy adoption. Speaking at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town, Mr. Okechukwu Mba, Seplat’s Director of New Energy, said the company is making bold investments in domestic gas infrastructure, including pipelines, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities. He stressed that resolving challenges in the gas-to-power value chain — from production to electricity delivery — is vital for Nigeria’s quest for stable power. “Bankable anchor customers are…
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allied producers (OPEC+) have announced they will increase crude oil output by 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) in November. The move is intended to enhance their share of the market amid signs of a stable global economy. According to a statement released following an online meeting, the decision was made “in view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories.” The increase involves eight major member countries: Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Oman, and Algeria. This rise…
The simple answer is that ducks and chicks generally need different vaccines because they are susceptible to different primary diseases. While both fall under the category of poultry, their distinct physiologies and common pathogens dictate separate health programs. Here is a detailed explanation of the differences Ducks need special vaccinesDucks are prone to specific diseases that are less common or less severe in chickens. Therefore, their vaccination programs are tailored to protect against waterfowl-specific threats. The most critical vaccines for ducks focus on ✓ Duck Viral Hepatitis (DVH): This is a highly fatal and contagious virus, particularly for very young…
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced a remarkable surge in the nation’s rig count, which has climbed from just eight in 2021 to 69 rigs in 2025. The development, according to the NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, reflects renewed investor confidence and robust activity in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector. Akinkuotu noted that despite inheriting major challenges from the pre-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) era, the commission has exceeded revenue targets, attracted $39.98 billion in new investments, and boosted both rig count and crude oil production. “The latest rig count of 69 comprises 40 active…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a major resurgence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease in 2025, with over 445,000 suspected and confirmed cases and 155 deaths recorded across 40 countries between January and September. The global total includes both locally transmitted and travel-imported cases, with some WHO regions recording significant increases compared to 2024. However, others are reporting fewer cases, making the overall global trend uneven. Despite this, WHO warns that the potential for further spread remains high, given the scale of ongoing outbreaks worldwide. Health experts attribute the resurgence to infected travellers introducing the virus into new areas,…