The Nigerian naira strengthened against the euro during the week’s fourth trading session, closing at N1,606/€1 on Thursday, according to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data — an improvement from N1,644/€1 recorded on Wednesday. Market activity reflected sustained buying pressure for the local currency, easing the EUR/NGN rate. The naira’s recent resilience against major currencies, including the U.S. dollar and the euro, has been linked to improved foreign exchange inflows, fiscal reforms, trade surpluses, and stronger external reserve buffers. Following years of steep depreciation, the local currency has shown firmer momentum in 2026. Nigeria’s external reserves — estimated at $46.7…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board has agreed to table proposals at the World Health Assembly in May to expand the definition of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to include cirrhotic liver disease and inherited bleeding disorders such as haemophilia. Egypt, which sponsored the resolution on cirrhotic liver disease, told the board the condition affects more than 1.7 billion people globally, driven by metabolic risks, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. The proposal seeks formal recognition and integration of liver disease into the global NCD response — including surveillance, prevention strategies, primary healthcare management and national NCD plans. Armenia, introducing the resolution…
The naira recorded a modest appreciation at the official foreign exchange market in mid-week trading, even as it slipped slightly in the parallel market, reflecting mixed but stabilising exchange-rate dynamics. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the local currency closed at N1,359/$ on Wednesday, improving from N1,367/$ on Tuesday and N1,384.5/$ on Monday. In the parallel market, however, the naira traded at N1,453.13/$ on Wednesday, compared with N1,445/$ on Tuesday. ALSO READ Naira opens February stronger at N1,384.5/$, narrows gap with parallel market The spread between official and parallel market rates narrowed to N94, down from N96…
Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS), and the University of Lahore, Pakistan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in medical education and professional training. The MoU was signed on behalf of NWUS by its Founder and Pro-Chancellor, His Excellency, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and on behalf of the University of Lahore, by the Chairman and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Awais Raoof. Sen. Wamakko and Prof. Raoof with the signed MoU Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate to advance medical studies through academic exchange programmes, capacity building initiatives, joint research, and the training of healthcare professionals. The partnership forms…
The United States has deployed a small special forces team to Nigeria as part of a deepened military partnership aimed at countering terrorism, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has said. AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, disclosed this during a digital news conference on Tuesday, noting that the deployment followed high-level engagements with President Bola Tinubu. According to Anderson, discussions he held earlier with President Tinubu in Rome culminated in closer operational coordination, including the approval of U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria on Christmas Day. He said both countries agreed on the need for decisive, coordinated action…
Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS), was established on May 12, 2022, with Prof. Ahmed Maigari as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor. Following the appointment of Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza as Vice-Chancellor on January 1, 2025, change has moved beyond promise to visible reality across the campus. One year into his first tenure, the University is charting a new course—defined by renewed purpose, measurable institutional progress, and growing confidence in its future. This first year has been marked less by grand declarations and more by deliberate action—strengthening academic systems, expanding infrastructure, improving learning environments and restoring confidence in the institution’s direction. These efforts are…
Nigeria’s banking industry is entering the final stretch of a sweeping recapitalisation exercise as lenders race to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deadline of March 31, 2026. The CBN revised minimum capital thresholds in March 2024, requiring commercial banks with international licences to raise at least ₦500 billion, national banks ₦200 billion, and regional banks ₦50 billion. The policy is intended to strengthen financial system resilience, expand lending capacity and position banks to support economic growth. Winners take early lead Several tier-one lenders have already crossed the new benchmarks, signalling strong investor backing and strategic positioning. Access Bank…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj in Makkah and Madinah, ahead of the deadline set by Saudi authorities. NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by his Technical Assistant on Media, Ahmad Muazu, and addressed to stakeholders, prospective pilgrims, and the general public. He said the accommodation details had been duly uploaded and approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Usman explained that the early completion followed a directive by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who instructed the commission to…
The Federal Government says greenhouse gas emissions are driving respiratory and cardiovascular diseases nationwide, as it activates a national emergency response framework to address growing environmental public health risks. The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, raised the concern on Monday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Emergency Response to Environment-Related Diseases Arising from Greenhouse Gas Emissions, organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON). Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, said evidence from environmental surveillance, health statistics and peer-reviewed assessments shows a disturbing increase in diseases linked to poor…
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared ₦1.969 trillion as federation account revenue for December 2025 among the Federal Government, states and Local Government Councils (LGs). The allocation was made at the January FAAC meeting, according to a communiqué issued by Mr Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The communiqué said the distributable revenue comprised ₦1.084 trillion statutory revenue, ₦846.507 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT) and ₦38.110 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). It said total gross revenue of ₦2.585 trillion was available in December 2025, with…