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…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
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,…
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has declared that anyone who kills innocent people while shouting “Allahu Akbar” is destined for hell, stressing that no religion supports violence against humanity. Speaking during the 2026 First Triennial Meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, held in Abuja on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Sultan rejected the notion that religion could be used to justify bloodshed in the pursuit of divine reward. The Sultan said those who commit violent acts in the name of Islam are acting contrary to the teachings of the…
An international peacebuilding organisation, Search for Common Ground, has intensified efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict and violent extremism in Nigeria’s Northwest through a youth-focused initiative, The Hustle (Buge-Buge) reality TV project. The project coordinator for Sokoto state, Lantana Oderinde stated this at media coordination meeting with a select journalists in Sokoto on Friday. She explained that the initiative, which is funded by the European Union (EU), will be implemented across Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states, and designed to strengthen peace, social cohesion, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in communities affected by insecurity and social divisions. “The persistent conflict…
Tony Hansberry II was only 14 when he came up with a surgical technique that would draw attention far beyond his Florida school and internship program. During a summer placement at the University of Florida’s Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research in Jacksonville, he developed a new way to close the vaginal cuff after a hysterectomy, later called the “Hansberry Stitch”. His idea came from rethinking how an Endo Stitch laparoscopic suturing device could be used. Instead of the traditional horizontal stitching pattern, Hansberry tested a vertical suturing method that he believed could make the procedure safer and more…