Governor Charles Soludo has been sworn in for a second term in office as the leader of Anambra State, in a ceremony attended by top political figures across the country. The inauguration, held on Tuesday at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, marked the formal commencement of Soludo’s second tenure. He took the oath of office alongside his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim. Among dignitaries present at the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku. Also in attendance were several governors, including Siminalayi…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Nigerian equities market hit a historic milestone on Monday, with the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) crossing the 201,000-point threshold for the first time. The benchmark index advanced by 1.55 per cent to close at 201,474.89 points, up from 198,407.30 points recorded in the previous session. Market capitalisation also surged to N129.329 trillion from N127.360 trillion, translating to a net gain of N1.97 trillion for investors. The rally was underpinned by strong buying interest and broad-based gains across key sectors, reinforcing bullish sentiment in the market. ALSO READ Naira firms to N1,355/$, hits 4-week high on sustained gains Month-to-date (MTD)…
The naira extended its appreciation on Monday, closing at N1,355/$ at the official foreign exchange window, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The latest rate marks an improvement from N1,363.5/$ recorded on Friday, underscoring a steady recovery trend that has gathered pace over recent trading sessions. Monday’s close represents the currency’s strongest level in four weeks, last seen on February 23, 2026, when it settled at N1,353.5/$. This reflects a notable rebound from the previous Monday’s close of N1,425/$ — its weakest level since January 12. Trading data showed the naira moved within a relatively narrow…
BUA Cement Plc’s share price rally has extended into 2026, lifting the company’s market valuation as investors bet on its earnings strength and growth prospects. The stock closed 2025 at N178.50 but has since climbed to about N270, representing a gain of roughly 51.3 per cent so far this year. The latest surge follows a strong run in 2025 when the company’s share price rose about 92 per cent, reversing the 4.25 per cent decline recorded in 2024. As the stock price climbed, BUA Cement’s valuation also expanded. Based on trailing twelve-month earnings per share of N10.51, the company now…
The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre, celebrating the best films released in 2025, and announcing winners in various categories of the 2026 Oscars. The ceremony, hosted for the second consecutive year by Conan O’Brien, lasted about three hours and 45 minutes. It was broadcast on ABC and streamed on Hulu. This year’s Oscars featured a garden courtyard–themed stage and live performances, including “I Lied To You” from Sinners. The ceremony also included a tribute by Barbra Streisand to Robert Redford, as well as the traditional In Memoriam segment. Security was reportedly heightened…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says six healthcare workers contracted Lassa fever within one week, raising concerns about occupational exposure among frontline health personnel. The NCDC disclosed this on Monday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 9, covering February 23 to March 1. According to the report, the infections occurred as the country continues to battle the viral haemorrhagic disease across several states. The agency said that, cumulatively, 37 healthcare workers have been infected with Lassa fever in 2026. It added that Nigeria recorded 65 confirmed cases during the week under review, a…
The FinTech Association of Nigeria has commended recent regulatory measures introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying they will strengthen banking security, curb fraud and boost public confidence in the financial system. Mr. Oluwaseun Adesanya, National Treasurer of the FinTech association, said this in an interview in Lagos.Adesanya spoke on the sidelines of an induction and award ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) while reacting to the apex bank’s latest policies. According to him, the CBN introduced four reforms within two days between Tuesday and Thursday as part of efforts to enhance the…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has indicated that Nigerian banks may be required to raise additional capital following the outcome of a new stress-testing exercise designed to assess the resilience of their credit portfolios to economic shocks. In a directive to banks, the apex bank said the stress test will take effect from April 1, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen risk management and financial stability in the banking sector. According to the CBN, lenders that record a capital shortfall after the exercise will be required to raise fresh capital to bridge the gap within 18 months. The…
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N1.894 trillion as Federation Account revenue for February 2026 among the Federal Government, states and local government councils. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa. The revenue was shared at the March 2026 FAAC meeting held in Abuja. The N1.894 trillion distributable revenue comprised N1.274 trillion from statutory revenue and N619.119 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT). ALSO READ CBN sets ₦20,000 transaction limit for newly activated banking…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and other financial institutions to restrict certain banking services to large loan defaulters in a move aimed at strengthening financial stability and curbing credit abuse within the banking sector. In a circular dated March 12, 2026, and signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, the apex bank instructed all lenders to deny additional credit facilities to large-ticket obligors whose loans have become non-performing. The circular, titled “Restriction of Banking Services to Non-Performing Large Ticket Obligors,” said the directive is part of the CBN’s mandate to promote a sound financial…