India has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy in 2024, recording a robust real GDP expansion of 6.5%, outpacing China at 5.0% and Indonesia at 5.0%, according to new global economic performance data. The figures reveal a sharp divergence in growth trajectories between Asia’s booming economies and Europe’s sluggish performance. Russia (4.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (3.8%) also featured among the top-performing economies, buoyed by energy revenues and trade resilience. Among countries recording moderate growth, North Korea posted 3.7%, Iran 3.5%, and Brazil 3.4%, while the United States and Canada grew by 2.8% and 1.5% respectively, signaling steady…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), has called for a new strategy in the development of Abuja’s satellite towns to address long-standing infrastructure and governance challenges. Speaking at the 2025 Town Planners Day held on August 28, the Chapter Chair, Tpl. Queen I. Phillips, said the current approach to public sector-led development in satellite towns was no longer sufficient to meet the needs of growing communities. The event, themed “Regional Development in the FCT: Rethinking Public Sector-led Development of Abuja Satellite Towns,” highlighted the need to revisit the Abuja Master Plan, which…
The Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Energies Ltd., Dr. Osa Igiehon, says the company plans to raise crude oil production from 50,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 110,000 BPD by 2030. Speaking at an interactive session with energy and business journalists on Friday in Lagos, Igiehon said the engagement aimed to strengthen ties with the media and promote transparency. He addressed key issues, including Nigeria’s energy security, revitalising brownfield assets, the role of indigenous firms in oil and gas, and Heirs Energies’ sustainability and community development strategy. “All our gas production is channelled to the domestic market, supporting national growth.…
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda on Friday, held a closed-door meeting with all 34 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen of the state at the Government House. The meeting, which lasted for hours, was said to have centered on strengthening security across the state and advancing grassroots development initiatives. In attendance at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Faruq Lawal Jobe; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bishir Gambo, as well as other top government officials. Although details of the discussions were not made public, the meeting was described as strategic, reflecting the governor’s resolve to foster closer…
Nigeria’s coffee industry received a major boost on Thursday as the maiden International Coffee Festival took place in Jos, Plateau State, drawing attention to the country’s potential in the global coffee market. The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Farouk Rabi’u Mudi, applauded the initiative, describing it as a landmark step toward reviving coffee production and opening international opportunities for Nigerian farmers. The festival was organised by Lightzi Global Nigeria Limited, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Blessing Tangur. Dr. Mudi said Plateau was the right choice to host the event because of its…
Former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Garba Marafa, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of betraying loyal supporters after using them to win the 2023 elections. Marafa, who coordinated the Tinubu-Shettima campaign in Zamfara, said the president abandoned the state and sidelined its people despite their sacrifices. The decision followed a two-day meeting of the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum in Kaduna, where supporters from all 14 local government areas of Zamfara resolved to leave the ruling party. In a communique, the Forum described Tinubu’s style as “use-and-dump politics,” stressing that Zamfara delivered votes for…
The Centre has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as India’s Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term. He takes over from Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian, who held the post since 2022. Patel, who served as RBI Governor from 2016 to 2018, is credited with strengthening India’s monetary policy framework, especially the shift to an inflation-targeting regime. His tenure, however, ended abruptly after policy differences with the government, leading to his resignation. A seasoned economist, Patel began his career at the IMF before holding several high-profile positions in India’s financial and policy…
The Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), through its commitment to fostering food security in Nigeria and progressively across the continent, has renewed its dedication to Feeding the Nation Every Day. This agenda is part of the Group’s over six-decade strategy of building local content and reducing dependency on imported raw materials. As Nigeria’s leading diversified pan-African food and agro-allied company, FMN pledges to intensify its role as a cornerstone partner in the country’s agricultural transformation, building on its 65 years of unwavering commitment to Feeding and Enriching Lives, Every Day. The Company’s foray into the Agricultural sector started in 1978,…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it is in talks to partner with a professional refinery operator as part of efforts to fix the country’s long-running refining crisis. Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, revealed this on Thursday while hosting the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. Ojulari said technical assessments of Nigeria’s three refineries had been completed, while a commercial review of the Port Harcourt Refinery confirmed the need for a more sustainable business model. “We need to bring in a true professional refinery…
The Federal Government has rewarded 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State with N200,000 after she emerged World Best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London. Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Kano, outperformed over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries, including participants from native English-speaking nations. Presenting the cash prize in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described Nafisa as “a shining example of Nigeria’s abundant talent.” He assured that the government would continue investing in education to nurture more young achievers. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Ahmad, also…