As the world marks World Water Day on March 22, agricultural experts are shifting the conversation beyond water conservation to a broader focus on efficiency and optimisation in farming systems. With growing climate variability and increasing pressure on water resources, stakeholders say the challenge is no longer limited to access, but how effectively water is utilised in agricultural production. ALSO READ Youth agripreneurs, policymakers discuss Africa’s food future Speaking on the issue, Venessa Moodley, Biostimulants Lead at Omnia Nutriology, said biostimulants are emerging as a practical solution to enhance both water and nutrient use efficiency in crops. “Biostimulants support the…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Leaders of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are set to hold a high-level meeting aimed at easing growing tensions along their shared borders following a series of recent security incidents. The talks, expected to take place in Conakry, come after weeks of escalating disputes and military incidents in border communities linking the three Mano River Union countries. Regional leaders are seeking diplomatic solutions to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Tensions between Guinea and Sierra Leone intensified in late February after Guinean forces detained 16 Sierra Leonean security personnel accused of crossing into Guinean territory without authorization. Guinean authorities said…
FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation and the Congolese Football Association following incidents involving supporters during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff match played in November. In a disciplinary report released by the global football governing body, both countries were found to have breached provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code over the conduct of their fans during the African qualifying playoff final, which DR Congo won on penalties. The Nigeria Football Federation was fined 1,000 Swiss francs after Nigerian supporters were reported to have thrown objects onto the pitch during the match. FIFA ruled that the incident violated…
A Somos Company and provider of numbering intelligence and mobile identity solutions, XConnect, has partnered with SONIO, an identity orchestration solutions provider, to enhance fraud prevention and compliance for banks, fintech firms and other regulated sectors. The partnership integrates XConnect’s network APIs into SONIO’s Identity Orchestration Platform, enabling enterprises to strengthen digital onboarding and identity verification through a single integration. According to the companies, the collaboration will benefit regulated sectors such as fintech, banking, online sports betting, gambling and other enterprises that require secure identity verification and compliance processes. ALSO READ New CBN measures to boost trust, curb fraud —…
Walk into any marketplace in Nigeria today, and you’ll hear the same exhausted refrain: “Politics is for them, not for us.” As we hit the mid-point of 2026, that sentiment has never felt more grounded in reality. With nearly every Governor’s Lodge now flying the APC flag, the map of Nigeria has turned a monolithic blue. On paper, the ruling party calls this “national integration.” But to the average Nigerian, it feels like the walls are closing in on our right to choose. The “joining the win” syndrome In Nigeria, we have a saying: “If you can’t beat them, join…
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, visited the access gates at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday to assess the performance of the newly introduced hybrid payment system for vehicles entering the airport. The visit followed the ministry’s directive restoring the hybrid arrangement—allowing both cash and electronic payments—after the earlier suspension of the fully cashless access gate system, in line with instructions from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During the inspection, the minister monitored traffic flow at the gates and interacted with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) overseeing the implementation. He expressed satisfaction with…
The Council of Legal Education has released an updated list of 114 universities across the country that have been given approval to admit students into the Law programmes, including the Northwest University Sokoto (NWUS). The approval was contained in a public notice issued by the Secretary of the council through the Nigerian Law School and dated March 12, 2026. According to the notice, only universities accredited by the council are authorised to admit students into law programmes in Nigeria. “The Council of Legal Education hereby informs the general public, prospective students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders that only universities accredited…
Nigeria cements its status as Africa’s powerhouse, ranking as the continent’s largest producer of crude oil, palm oil, and rice, according to fresh data from Alpha Index. These rankings spotlight Africa’s dominance in global resources, from energy to agriculture. Ghana leads gold production, powering its export economy. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) dominates copper and cobalt, critical for batteries and electronics. Botswana rules diamonds, Ethiopia coffee, and South Africa boasts platinum, iron ore, manganese, sugar, maize, and timber. ALSO READ FG grants N250bn facility to BOA for smallholder farmers ALSO READ Nigerian needs 25m tonnes of maize yearly for…
Nigeria awoke once again to the grim reality of a war that refuses to end. Reports that more than 40 Nigerian soldiers were killed by terrorists in Borno State have sent shockwaves across the country. Whether the final number is slightly higher or lower, the tragedy remains the same: dozens of brave men in uniform paid the ultimate price while defending their nation. Each fallen soldier represents far more than a statistic. Behind every casualty is a grieving family, a shattered home, and a community that has lost a protector. For a country that has battled insurgency for well over…
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has performed the Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, where he offered prayers for peace, security and unity in Nigeria. The revered monarch, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), undertook the lesser pilgrimage on Thursday, March 5, 2026, corresponding with the 16th day of Ramadan 1447 AH. A photograph released by the Sultan’s media team after the spiritual exercise showed the leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria alongside his two sons, Amir and Walid. During the pilgrimage, the Sultan prayed for Nigeria, the Muslim community…