The naira appreciated to N1,367.5 per dollar on May 4, 2026, extending gains recorded in April and signaling a firmer start to the new month. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the currency strengthened in the first trading session of May after closing April at N1,374/$—marking the first April gain for the naira since 2024. The uptick reflects improving stability in the foreign exchange market, despite persistent global currency pressures. Safe-haven demand continues to underpin the U.S. dollar amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. CBN figures indicate the naira traded within a relatively narrow band, suggesting reduced volatility and…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed two cases of hantavirus and identified five additional suspected infections among passengers aboard a cruise ship stranded off Cape Verde, with three deaths recorded. In a statement issued Tuesday, the UN health agency said it is tracing passengers who were on an April 25 flight between Saint Helena and Johannesburg, taken by one of the infected passengers who died the following day. “As of May 4, 2026, seven cases — including two laboratory-confirmed and five suspected — have been identified, comprising three deaths, one critically ill patient, and three individuals with mild symptoms,”…
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the retirement of its Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his tenure in line with regulatory requirements. The bank disclosed this in a corporate notice issued in Lagos on May 5, 2026. Ovia completed the mandatory 12-year tenure permitted under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria. As the founder of Zenith Bank, he has been a central figure in its growth trajectory and was credited by the Board for providing strong leadership, strategic direction, and effective oversight throughout his time as chairman.…
A new analysis by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that increasing sovereign debt servicing is placing a disproportionate burden on women, putting an estimated 55 million jobs at risk and reducing women’s per capita income by 17 per cent. The findings, based on data from 85 developing countries, are contained in a report titled “Who Pays the Price? Gender Inequality and Sovereign Debt.” The report shows that women are more vulnerable to job losses, declining incomes, and rising unpaid care responsibilities, while men’s earnings remain largely stable—widening the gender income gap. According to the report, as governments…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed Monday, May 11, 2026, to determine the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 academic session. The board disclosed this on Sunday through its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, in a statement announcing that the decision would be taken at its annual policy meeting on admissions scheduled to be held in Abuja. More than 2.2 million candidates registered for this year’s UTME, which was conducted nationwide between April 16 and April 25, 2026. Benjamin said the meeting would also unveil key policy directions for the new admission cycle, to…
The Nigerian naira strengthened against the British pound sterling in the official market, appreciating to N1,858/£1, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The gain represents an improvement of N38 from its recent low of N1,896/£1 recorded on April 29, signalling a modest recovery in the local currency against the pound. Market activity indicates that the naira–pound pair has remained relatively stable in recent sessions, supported by improved foreign exchange liquidity and reduced speculative pressure. The currency traded within a consolidation range, with analysts noting reduced short-term volatility compared to earlier periods. ALSO READ Naira posts…
The naira strengthened against the US dollar in April 2026, closing at N1,374/$ compared with N1,387/$ at the end of March, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria. This marks the first time since 2024 that the currency has recorded an appreciation in the month of April, signalling improved stability in the foreign exchange market and a gradual return of investor confidence. Trading in the official market remained relatively stable throughout the month, with the naira moving within a narrow band of N1,340 to N1,389. Reduced volatility and improved liquidity conditions helped contain intermittent demand pressures. On a…
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has announced he will not contest the Bauchi State governorship election in 2027, despite sustained calls from supporters. In a 10-minute video message delivered in Hausa and widely circulated on social media, Pate said the decision followed extensive consultations and careful reflection. He cited his ongoing national assignment as the primary reason for stepping aside, noting that he still has significant contributions to make to Nigeria’s development at the federal level, as well as to the advancement of Northern Nigeria. “It is unlikely that I will run for governorship in…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadlines for the sale and submission of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the adjustment also affects the screening timetable. Under the revised schedule, the sale of forms will now run until midnight on May 6, 2026, while the submission of completed forms has been extended to midnight on May 7, 2026. The party added that the screening of aspirants will take place from May 8 to May 12, 2026,…
Umar Ajiya Isa, popularly known as Ajiyan Sokoto, has formally declared his intention to contest the Sokoto East Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the (APC). The declaration, contained in a statement issued Friday by the Ajiyan Sokoto Coordination Committee in Support of APC, follows what was described as sustained calls from party leaders, political associates, and constituents across the district’s eight local government areas urging him to enter the race. Ajiya Isa, who became a registered member of the APC in August 2025, said his decision to join the contest was guided by…