The naira strengthened further against the United States dollar at Nigeria’s official foreign exchange market on Wednesday, edging closer to the critical N1,350/$ threshold. The local currency appreciated by nearly N10 against the dollar, supported by stronger demand for the naira from both domestic and foreign market participants, alongside sustained interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The naira closed at N1,357/$. This marks a notable improvement from the N1,375.5/$ recorded at the beginning of May, representing an appreciation of about 1.2 per cent within one week. Trading activity in the official foreign exchange market has also increased, signalling…
Author: John Asishana
Operatives from the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit, in close coordination with the US DEA Lagos Office and law enforcement partners from Switzerland, France, and Greece, have dismantled a transnational criminal organization involved in drug money laundering operations worth hundreds of billions of Naira across Europe and Nigeria. The multi-country investigation led to the simultaneous arrest of billionaire drug lord Amadi Simon in Switzerland, along with his co-conspirators: 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi in Anambra State and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Agbor, Delta State, on April 28, 2026. This followed months of intelligence gathering and cross-jurisdictional investigations linking Amadi to laundering…
The Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS) has reached a proud new chapter in its history. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza announced, on Tuesday, that the university secured full accreditation for the vast majority of its programmes following a rigorous review by the National Universities Commission (NUC) late last year. During a press conference in the Senate Chambers, Prof. Bunza shared the results with a sense of collective pride. He credited the achievement to the grit and dedication of the university’s staff and students, as well as the steadfast guidance of the Governing Council and the institution’s Founder and Pro-Chancellor, His Excellency,…
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria as the global community marks 2026 World Press Freedom Day. CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. Rafsanjani said the commemoration aligned with this year’s UNESCO theme: “Shaping a Future of Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.” He emphasised that a free and independent press remains central to democratic governance, accountability, and national development. Rafsanjani described the media as a watchdog of public interest and a vital tool for…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the Federal Government and state governors to ensure press freedom and protect journalists. Joint Statement This was contained in a statement jointly signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, in Abuja. They also urged the government to urgently end the escalating insecurity in the country. Call Ahead of Press Freedom Day The groups said, “As the international community marks World Press Freedom Day tomorrow, SERAP and the Nigeria Guild of Editors are calling on the government of…
The Senate has approved a $516,333,700 syndicated financing facility for the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway. The approval followed consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts during Wednesday’s plenary. The loan request came via a letter from President Bola Tinubu dated April 20, seeking legislative backing for external borrowing in line with the Debt Management Office Establishment Act 2011 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt on April 23, which subsequently recommended approval. Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi) presented the report…
The Kogi Government has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China’s Hezheng Holdings Group to build a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park. Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lokoja, describing it as a major step to fast-track Kogi’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme. He noted that the deal transitions the SAPZ from planning to implementation, aiming to position Kogi as a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria. “The SAPZ initiative is designed to boost food production, enhance processing capacity, create employment, attract private investment, and position…
A coalition of youth groups in Sokoto, in collaboration with opposition political parties, staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office on Wednesday. The group called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to protect Nigeria’s 27-year democracy. Led by Mr. Yusuf Abubakar, the protesters marched peacefully from the Federal Secretariat to the INEC office, holding placards and chanting political slogans. The rally included youth, women, opposition party members, representatives from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators. Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Abubakar demanded the immediate removal…
The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) in Sokoto State has called on the state government to constitute a Governing Council for Shehu Shagari University of Education (SSUE). The union made the appeal during a joint press conference with ASUU chapters of Sokoto State University (SSU) and SSUE on Wednesday in Sokoto. Dr. Bello Musa, Chairperson of ASUU-SSU, and Dr. Shamsu Kabiru, Chairperson of ASUU-SSUE, said SSUE has been operating without a Governing Council since its establishment in 2023, a situation they described as a violation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 and the Sokoto State University Law.…
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has aligned itself with the decision of the National body to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to conclude the ongoing negotiation on welfare matters and other sundry issues by April 30,2026. This resolution was reached during the union’s congress held on April 22, 2026, where members voiced increasing dissatisfaction over unresolved welfare issues. Union leaders explained that the decision aligns with a directive from the national leadership of SSANU. Addressing members at the congress, the Chairman of SSANU-FUTA, Felix Adubi,…