The Muslim 500, in its 2026 edition, has ranked Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar as 17th World’s Most Influential Muslims. The ranking was released by the Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in collaboration with the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. According to the publication, the Sultan moved one place up from his previous 16th position to emerge 17th in the global ranking of Muslim leaders, scholars, heads of state, intellectuals and influencers shaping the Muslim world in 2026. ALSO READ “Killing innocent people in the name of Islam leads to hell” — Sultan The…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a list of six countries with confirmed or probable cases involving nationals infected with hantavirus following the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Eight cases have been confirmed, while two are listed as “probable”, according to the UN health agency and national health authorities. Citizens of six countries have been affected. Three people have died — two with confirmed hantavirus infections and one classified as a probable case. Health authorities are also investigating other suspected cases and potential close contacts of infected persons. Netherlands Two Dutch nationals from the ship have died…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled the top scorers in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with a medicine and surgery applicant to the University of Lagos emerging as the overall best candidate. Speaking at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Monday, JAMB disclosed that Ekiti-born Owoeye Jesudunsin, who sat for the examination in Ogun State, scored 372 out of 400 marks to emerge as the highest scorer in the 2026 UTME. JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, said Jesudunsin selected the University of Lagos as her first-choice institution to study…
The Nigerian government is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion loan facility from the World Bank under a new reform programme designed to expand access to finance, digital services, and electricity, while advancing tax, trade, and agricultural reforms. The proposed facility, titled Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration, is structured as a Development Policy Financing (DPF) operation, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as borrower and the Federal Ministry of Finance serving as the implementing agency. According to the World Bank’s Programme Information Document, the proposed approval date for the loan is June 26, 2026. The Bank said the review…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Shariah governance, regulatory clarity, and risk management in the non-interest financial services industry as part of efforts to sustain public confidence, financial stability, and the orderly growth of the sub-sector. The commitment was restated at the 2nd Annual Interactive Session between the CBN Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts (FRACE) and the Advisory Committees of Experts (ACE) of Non-Interest Financial Institutions, held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the CBN Auditorium. In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Mr. Philip Ikeazor,…
The European Union-backed West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) has announced new financing and partnership moves at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi aimed at accelerating a sustainable blue economy in West Africa. The programme states that the initiatives are designed to support climate resilience, food security, and greener port and maritime systems across the region. Funding push WASOP, in a statement made available to ASHENEWS on Monday, said it is working within the EU’s Global Gateway framework, with support of up to € 59 million, to combine ocean governance, coastal ecosystem protection, and blue economy investment in West Africa.…
The President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has held a high-level meeting with Nicolai Tangen, Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund manager, overseeing assets valued at approximately $1.9 trillion. At the meeting, the Norwegian investment institution expressed strong interest in partnering with the Dangote Group to expand its footprint across the African continent, with a focus on strategic sectors including power, energy, renewables, agriculture, fertiliser, and cement. Also present at the meeting were Svein Tore Holsether, Chief Executive Officer of Yara International, one of the world’s leading fertiliser and agricultural companies,…
The World Economic Forum (WEF), in partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), has announced the 2026 cohort of the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Aliko Dangote Fellows, highlighting a new generation of African leaders committed to expanding opportunities and strengthening institutions across the continent. The fellowship serves as a critical bridge between Africa’s emerging changemakers and the global Young Global Leaders network, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development. The YGL Aliko Dangote Fellowship supports high-impact African leaders by enabling their full participation in the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) programme and broader WEF activities. WEF said the 2026…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed the critical role of State Governments in ensuring the successful transition to an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework, stressing that sustained price stability can only be achieved through coordinated fiscal discipline across all tiers of government. Speaking during an engagement with sub-national stakeholders facilitated through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, the Deputy Governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, described the shift to inflation targeting as a move toward a more rule-based, transparent and forward-looking monetary framework that requires close collaboration with state authorities. According to him, while the…
Sultan Muhammadu Saad Abubakar and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has paid glowing tribute to retired military officer and former Minister of Communications, Tajudeen Adeniyi Olanrewaju, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In a congratulatory message dated May 8, 2026, the Sultan described General Olanrewaju as a distinguished soldier, statesman, and patriot whose life has been marked by courage, discipline, and selfless service to Nigeria. The revered monarch praised the retired Army officer for his contributions to national unity, stability, and development through various military assignments within and outside the country. According to the Sultan,…