Following the successful hosting of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, preparations for the symbolic 10th edition have gathered momentum, with the International Committee of AFRIMA — in partnership with the African Union Commission — taking its engagement campaign across key African cities. The outreach train stopped in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last month for a similar Media and Stakeholders’ Parley, where artistes, including award winners Juma Jux and Folex, alongside industry executives and government officials, met to assess the awards’ impact and promote stronger continental collaboration. The focus now shifts to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Saturday emerged overall winner at the Argungu International Fishing Festival, landing the biggest catch of 59kg. Usman went home with two brand new vehicles from Toyota, donated by the Sokoto State Government, alongside a N1 million cash prize. Abdullahi Garba from Argungu Local Government Area finished second with a 40kg catch, earning a Toyota saloon car donated by WACOTT Rice Mills Limited and N1 million. Third place went jointly to Danlansu Dankani of Jega and another contestant, each presenting fish weighing 34kg. They received N1 million and a motorcycle…
Dangote Industries Limited has unveiled an export-driven growth strategy at the Gateway International Trade Fair in Abeokuta, outlining plans to expand industrial capacity, strengthen value chains and position Nigeria as a competitive hub for agricultural and industrial exports under its Vision 2030 agenda. The plan drew commendation from the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), which praised the conglomerate’s long-term investments and Vision 2030 industrial agenda. Details of the strategy were highlighted by the Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Fatima Aliko-Dangote, during Dangote Special Day at the 15th Gateway International Trade Fair in Abeokuta, where business…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a request by activist Emorioloye Owolemi seeking an inquiry into the academic qualifications of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Justice Binta Nyako granted the permission while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the activist. Owolemi approached the court seeking an order to inquire into the Secondary School Certificate allegedly issued to the minister by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), arguing that discrepancies existed in the academic claims. In a related development, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the same court on Friday refused a similar request by the activist to investigate the…
Billionaire investor Femi Otedola has projected that the naira could strengthen to below N1,000 per dollar before the end of the year, linking the outlook to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaching full operational capacity. In a post on X on Thursday, Otedola described the refinery’s ramp-up as a potential turning point for Nigeria’s foreign exchange dynamics, arguing that domestic fuel production could significantly ease dollar demand. Congratulating Aliko Dangote on what he called a transformational milestone, Otedola said the refinery’s ability to supply up to 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily would cut reliance on imported fuel.…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it has reached a major operational milestone, announcing that its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block are now running at full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), a feat it claims is a global first for such integrated processing units. The development follows scheduled maintenance on both units and the commencement of a 72-hour intensive performance testing programme conducted in collaboration with technology licensor UOP. The tests are aimed at validating operational efficiency and confirming compliance with international performance parameters. According to a statement by the Head, Media Relations…
Nigeria’s external reserves have risen above $47 billion for the first time in about eight years, signalling strengthening external buffers and reinforcing confidence in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s medium-term outlook. Latest data show gross reserves climbed to $47.025 billion — the highest since August 3, 2018, when they stood at $47.01 billion — extending a steady upward trend that began in late 2025. Reserves closed 2025 at about $45.5 billion, up from roughly $40.8 billion at the start of the year, representing an accretion of nearly $4.7 billion. Momentum continued into 2026, with reserves rising from $45.565 billion at…
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), following the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Usman. The nomination, announced on Wednesday, is subject to Senate confirmation in accordance with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006. In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested the expeditious consideration and confirmation of Yusuf’s appointment to fill the vacancy created by Usman’s resignation earlier this week after about 14 months in office. Ambassador Yusuf is a career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to…
The naira appreciated further at the official foreign exchange market on Tuesday, closing at N1,351.02 to the United States dollar and extending recent gains. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the local currency strengthened by N3.23 at the end of trading, representing a 0.23 per cent rise from Monday’s rate of N1,354.25/$1. Analysts attributed the modest appreciation to improved liquidity and continued central bank interventions aimed at stabilising the market amid cautious investor sentiment. They added that movements are likely to remain gradual in the near term as authorities balance reform measures with efforts to sustain confidence.…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned that persistent excess liquidity and expansionary election-cycle spending could undermine macroeconomic stability despite recent policy gains. CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso issued the warning at the National Economic Council conference at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The apex bank said improved exchange-rate conditions and tighter monetary policy were yielding results, but Nigeria’s recovery remains fragile and vulnerable to policy slippages. A sizeable liquidity overhang continues to pose risks of renewed inflation and currency pressure, while election-related spending historically weakens monetary policy transmission and reverses reform gains. Cardoso said safeguarding price…