The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, on Tuesday, received the Global CEO of MasterCard, Michael Miebach. Though details have not been made available as of the time of filing this report, ASHENEWS understands that Miebach’s visit underscores MasterCard’s interest in deepening its engagement with Nigeria’s financial sector and digital economy. According to reports, Mastercard told Nigerian officials that it currently facilitates about $2 billion in foreign exchange inflows into Nigeria annually through its various payment and remittance platforms. The company also highlighted its anti-fraud capabilities, noting that its technologies help prevent nearly $200 billion worth…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria (CFPN) has urged Fulani pastoralists across the South-West to sustain their cooperation with security agencies and local authorities by exposing criminal elements operating within their host communities. The call was made by the group’s convener, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado, in a statement issued on Tuesday, following recent remarks by Yoruba nation activist, , popularly known as Sunday Igboho, concerning security challenges in parts of Oyo State. According to the group, Fulani pastoralists engaged in cattle rearing and other livestock-related activities should continue collaborating with government authorities and security agencies to promote peace and ensure the…
Etoro Bassey on Saturday emerged champion of the women’s singles event at the 2026 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open National Tennis Championship after defeating Success Ogunjobi 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the final. The grand finale of the 47th edition of the championship was held at the tennis courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. Bassey began her title campaign in the Round of 32 with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Khadijat Salami before defeating Mary Azi 6-3, 6-4 in the Round of 16. She continued her impressive run in the quarter-finals, overcoming Nenrot Suwa 6-1, 6-0 to reach…
Success Ogunjobi will continue her quest for another major title when she takes on Khadijat Mohammed in the women’s singles semi-final of the ongoing 2026 CBN National Open Championship in Abuja on Friday. Ogunjobi has been in impressive form throughout the championship, dropping only five games on her way to the last four. The youngster began her campaign in the round of 32 with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory over Bunmi Are before defeating Gloria Samuel 6-0, 6-3 in the round of 16. She maintained her dominance in the quarter-finals, dispatching Mary Udofa 6-2, 6-0 to secure her place in…
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Machika and Danko camps in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State have received dignity kits through a humanitarian intervention supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Kebbi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA). The intervention targeted vulnerable households affected by insecurity and displacement, with 100 beneficiaries reached in each of the two camps. The dignity kits, designed to improve hygiene, well-being, and living conditions in emergency settings, contain sanitary pads, soap, detergent, panties, towels, buckets with…
Iran’s spiritual leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has endorsed the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, while emphasizing that Tehran will closely monitor the implementation of the agreement and resist any excessive demands from Washington. In a statement addressed to the Iranian people, Khamenei said the agreement was reached after extensive efforts by Iranian officials, whom he commended for acting with concern for national interests and good intentions. The spiritual leader revealed that he had initially held reservations about the deal but ultimately granted approval based on assurances provided by Iran’s president and members of the Supreme…
The Nigerian naira strengthened against the British pound on Friday, appreciating to about ₦1,825 per pound in the official foreign exchange market as growing political uncertainty in the United Kingdom continued to weaken the British currency. Market data indicated that the naira has recorded a notable improvement against the pound in 2026, rising by roughly 7 per cent from its opening level of around ₦1,949/£1 at the beginning of the year. The latest appreciation reflects a combination of stronger foreign exchange inflows into Nigeria and renewed pressure on the pound in global currency markets. At the parallel market, the pound…
Nigerian banks and their customers have lost a combined N134.48 billion to fraud between 2020 and 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 document. The apex bank revealed that attempted fraud across the banking and payments ecosystem totaled N187.79 billion during the six-year period, with actual losses standing at N134.48bn. Steady rise, then dramatic spike An analysis of the CBN data shows fraud losses increased steadily from N11.61bn in 2020 to N12.77bn in 2021 and N14.32bn in 2022. The figure rose further to N17.67bn in 2023 before surging dramatically to N52.26bn in 2024—the highest annual loss recorded. The 2024 figure alone accounted for…
Nigeria recorded a significant improvement in its external sector performance in the first quarter of 2026, with the country’s current account surplus rising by 256 per cent to $4.98 billion, driven largely by stronger trade earnings and improved inflows from remittances and investment income. The development reflects a sharp increase from the surplus recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 and underscores the resilience of Nigeria’s external accounts amid ongoing economic reforms and improved foreign exchange market stability. According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the current account position was bolstered by a robust trade surplus, supported…
The Federal Government has officially launched FreeTV, a national digital television platform granting all Nigerian households access to over 100 channels without any monthly subscription fees, marking a historic milestone in the country’s migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. The Presidency disclosed the launch on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, ahead of the official commissioning scheduled for June 17. The platform delivers clearer picture quality, expanded local content, and free digital television as Nigeria accelerates its Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme. Key features of FreeTV AttributeDetailsTotal ChannelsOver 100 national, regional, and state channels Subscription FeeNone — completely free-to-air, no encryption Content CategoriesNews, sports, movies,…