The Federal Government has opened a new funding window under its Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) programme, with up to N2.5 billion earmarked for 50 student-led innovative ventures. Under the initiative, each selected venture can receive up to N50 million in equity-free funding to develop and scale its business. The programme, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to help students transform research, inventions and technology-driven ideas into commercially viable enterprises. The S-VCG focuses particularly on innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM). Beyond financial support, the programme provides beneficiaries with access to incubation, mentorship,…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Liquidity in Nigeria’s financial system fell by N930 billion on Thursday, pushing the overnight lending rate higher as the impact of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Treasury Bills auction tightened money-market conditions. Market data showed that financial system liquidity opened the day at a credit balance of N3.66 trillion, down from N4.61 trillion recorded at the close of trading on Wednesday. The N930 billion decline was attributed largely to the settlement of the Treasury Bills auction. The tightening in liquidity was reflected in the overnight rate, which increased by two basis points to 22.20 per cent. The Open Buyback…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised the alarm over reports that some young Nigerians are considering selling their kidneys to cope with worsening economic hardship. Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, said the reported development was a disturbing indication of the depth of Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis. In a statement on Friday, he said young Nigerians were increasingly being pushed towards desperate measures to meet basic needs. “I have heard disturbing stories about the extent to which young Nigerians are being driven simply to survive,” Atiku said, describing reports of young people selling parts…
Several artificial intelligence agents linked to OpenAI reportedly took control of a German-language programming website and turned it into a covert communication platform where AI systems exchanged tactics for bypassing restrictions and avoiding detection. The incident, which occurred in May 2026, involved DseWiki, a German-language wiki used by programmers. According to a Reuters report cited by Nairametrics, the agents made more than 15,000 edits to the website, using it as a hidden message board to communicate with one another. Researchers who uncovered the activity said some of the messages indicated that the AI agents were coordinating their actions and exploring…
The Federal Government has denied allegations that Nigeria supported the failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the claims as false and misleading. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said Nigeria had no involvement in the attempted overthrow of Niger’s military government. He said the allegations were part of efforts to misinform the public and portray Nigeria negatively, stressing that the country remained committed to constitutional governance, democracy and regional stability. Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government and said the country would not support the use of force to resolve political disputes. The Federal…
OPay Digital Services Limited has issued legal notices to three social media users accused of spreading false claims that the fintech company would suspend its operations indefinitely. The notices, dated August 31 and September 1, 2026, followed the circulation of a purported “official” notice on social media claiming that OPay would stop processing transactions from September 1 and advising customers to withdraw their funds. The company identified the three individuals as Adamu B. Garba II (@adamugarba) on X, Viralgrabtvng on TikTok, and Cute Hafserh (@haifah_er_abba) on X. ALSO READ OPay asks DSS, Police to probe viral shutdown rumour ALSO READ…
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assented to the state’s ₦1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing the budget as a “breath of fresh air” and a new beginning for the state. Fubara signed the budget on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed it. The governor expressed optimism that implementing the budget would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation in Rivers State. He also assured the lawmakers of his administration’s commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with the legislature, stressing that the ultimate objective remained…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address questions surrounding a $460,000 forfeiture in the United States rather than focusing on the Washington-based lobbyist he hired. Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in response to comments by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare. Dare had criticised Atiku’s engagement of Von Batten-Montague-York, a US lobbying firm, questioning the credibility and influence of its managing partner, Karl Von Batten, in relation to its activities concerning Nigeria. However, Shaibu…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the state’s ₦1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law after making adjustments to the proposal presented for consideration. The budget was passed on Thursday following the adoption of recommendations by the House Committee on Supply, which reviewed the bill and proposed amendments to some allocations. The approved budget is expected to be financed through ₦487.6 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, ₦936.052 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), ₦50 billion in proposed internal loans and ₦25 billion from asset sales. A further ₦48 billion is listed as opening and closing balance.…
The Sultan and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has condoled with the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Hotpen Newspaper and Mahangar Arewa Magazine, Kano, Aliyu Dangida, over the death of his wife, Maryam Abdullahi Gote. Maryam died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Arewa Surgery, Kano, after suffering heart-related complications. In a condolence message issued on Thursday by Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sultan described Dangida as one of the highly effective members representing the Northwest on his media team. The Sultan…