The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) to strengthen Nigeria’s research, science, technology and innovation ecosystem. In an announcement contained in a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Pauline Sule, on May 11, 2026, the approval marks a major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to promote research-driven development, technological advancement and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. Under the new arrangement, the NRIDF will be governed by…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced a data verification exercise across the Southeast as part of efforts to update key indices used in reviewing Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula. RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Shehu, disclosed this during a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. Represented by the commissioner representing Ekiti State on the commission, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola, Shehu said the exercise aligns with RMAFC’s constitutional mandate to periodically review the revenue allocation formula to reflect prevailing socio-economic realities across the country. He described the verification…
China has officially become the world’s largest car exporter, surpassing long-time leaders Japan and Germany in a dramatic rise that has reshaped the global automotive industry. Unprecedented growth in export volume The speed of China’s ascent is remarkable. In 2019, the country exported approximately 700,000 vehicles, ranking it as a relatively minor player in global car exports. By 2024, that figure had surged to roughly 5.5 million vehicles, representing nearly an eightfold increase in just five years. This growth propelled China past Japan, which exported 4.2 million vehicles in 2024, and Germany, which exported 3.4 million. Mexico ranks third with 3.5 million exports. Country2019…
The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has announced the conferment of a traditional title, Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniya, on a former member of the National Assembly (NASS), Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale Shuni, in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Muslim Ummah, the preservation of cultural heritage, and service to humanity. The announcement was contained in an official letter dated May 24, 2026, and signed by the Secretary of the Sultanate Council, Sa’idu Muhammadu Maccido, the Dan Buram Sokoto. According to the letter, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, approved the conferment in appreciation of the former member, who represented Bodinga,…
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the world is heading into another period of dangerous heat over the next five years. In a report released on Thursday, the WMO warned that the world would experience global temperatures over the next five years that would remain “at or near record levels” as climate change accelerates across land and sea. A report produced by the UK Met Office stated that there is an 86 per cent chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded. It also found that there is a…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended the enforcement deadline for its mandatory Point of Sale (PoS) terminal geo-fencing framework to August 1, 2026, while also expanding the approved geo-fence radius for operators. The development was disclosed in a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by the Director of the Payments System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya O. Yusuf. In the circular, the apex bank directed banks, mobile money operators, payment service providers, switching companies, and other licensed operators within the payments ecosystem to complete all compliance processes before the new enforcement date. The CBN said the approved geo-fence…
A Professor of Stored Products Entomology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Mercy Olayinka Oni, has advocated the replacement of synthetic insecticides with plant-based alternatives for the preservation of stored agricultural products such as grains, beans, and cereals. She described plant-derived insecticides as safer, affordable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly solutions capable of protecting stored products from destructive pests without the harmful effects associated with synthetic chemicals. Professor Oni made the call while delivering the 199th Inaugural Lecture of the university on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Speaking on the theme, “Eco-Friendly Innovations: Tapping into Plant-Derived Insecticides for Stored…
Djibouti and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their joint commitment to improving coordination along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor following a National Oversight Committee (NOC) meeting that reviewed progress, addressed operational constraints, and agreed on priorities for the next phase of the bilateral corridor programme. The Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor — a critical trade route for both countries — is designated as a pivotal trade route under the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative for the Horn of Africa, which aims to strengthen sustainable and reliable regional connectivity. The project, “Promoting Regional Economic Integration in the Horn of Africa through the Development of the Djibouti Corridor,” is…
Nigeria has cancelled $717.7 million in undisbursed funding under the World Bank-backed Power Sector Recovery Performance-Based Operation (PSRO), dealing a setback to ongoing efforts to reform the country’s struggling electricity sector. According to a World Bank restructuring paper, the cancellation followed a formal request by the Federal Government on March 26, 2026. Both parties agreed to discontinue the financing arrangement and explore alternative support mechanisms. The restructuring also brings forward the programme’s closing date from June 30, 2027, to May 31, 2026, effectively ending further disbursements under the facility. ALSO READ Nigeria seeks second-largest $1.25bn World Bank loan under Tinubu…
Mike Arnold’s claim that Nigeria is in the grip of a “Christian genocide” orchestrated by a “Sultan’s Master Plan” and driven by Muhammad’s end‑times prophecy is deeply inflammatory and not backed by credible evidence from mainstream human‑rights or conflict‑monitoring groups. Even researchers who document severe attacks on Christians in Nigeria stress that the violence follows a broader pattern of terrorism, banditry, and intercommunal conflict, not a centrally coordinated religious extermination campaign directed from the Sultanate of Sokoto. Only recently, Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah appealed to the United States for Nigeria not to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern…