Nigeria’s public space is becoming increasingly volatile, and much of that volatility is being fueled online. In recent days, I came across comments by social media commentators, including Godwin Onoghokere and others, describing a letter from the Muslim Youth Council of Nigeria as “violence” rather than peaceful advocacy. The letter reportedly demanded respect for Islamic religious sensitivities following remarks attributed to a local government chairman in Nasarawa State. What concerns me is not disagreement itself—debate is healthy in any democracy—but the speed with which religious expression is branded as extremism. When Muslims assert that their faith, including adherence to Shari’ah,…
Author: Editor
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed the 2026 Hajj Airlift Agreement with designated airlines, stressing strict adherence to operational standards and timelines for the pilgrimage. NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba, described the signing as a major step in preparations for the 2026 Hajj, noting that airlift operations remain one of the most critical components of the pilgrimage exercise. According to a statement signed by Shafi Mohammed on behalf of the Commission’s Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, the agreement was sealed on Wednesday in Abuja. Abba emphasised that the exercise must be handled with “utmost professionalism,…
The naira strengthened in the parallel market on Wednesday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reduced its benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), by 50 basis points. Data from street foreign exchange traders showed the naira appreciated by N10, with the dollar quoted at N1,390 on Wednesday morning, compared to N1,400 on Tuesday — a 0.7 percent gain in the black market. The rebound followed two days of losses in the parallel segment and five consecutive sessions of decline at the official window. The recent pressure had been linked to weaker weekly FX inflows, which tightened liquidity…
The [now former] Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun said during a security chiefs’ media briefing last year that rather than reporting on the alleged genocide of Christians in Nigeria, newspapers should be reporting on “genocide of policemen,” since policemen are being killed by criminals in many parts of the country on a daily basis. On Tuesday evening, the Presidency announced that Egbetokun had resigned “on personal grounds.” Assistant Inspector General [AIG] Tunji Disu was appointed as Acting IG pending his expected confirmation by the Police Council and National Assembly. In a highly seniority conscious organization like the Police, a genocide…
Nigeria’s gross external reserves have risen to $50.45 billion as of February 16, 2026 — the highest level recorded in 13 years — signaling renewed strength in the country’s external position. Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this on Tuesday at the end of the 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja. According to Cardoso, the current reserve level provides an import cover of 9.68 months for goods and services. “Gross external reserves rose significantly to $50.45 billion as of February 16, 2026, the highest in thirteen years. This provides an import cover of…
A day after it withdrew the three-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Government has filed a fresh 12-count charge against Mike Ozekhome (SAN). Channels Television obtained a copy of the charge sheet dated February 24, 2026, and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). In the charge filed before the FCT High Court sitting in Abuja, Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, also known as Tali Shani, are listed as defendants in the criminal suit. In the fresh count, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (aka Tali Shani), and General Jeremiah Useni…
A deliberate blueprint for the collapse of academic excellence in Nigeria. If anyone ever set out to deliberately destroy university education in Nigeria, the fastest and most effective way would be this: disconnect academic recruitment from merit, sever departments from decision-making, and replace scholarly excellence with patronage, bureaucracy, and political loyalty. Sadly, that is no longer a hypothetical scenario. It is unfolding before our eyes. What is happening today in the recruitment of academic staff in many Nigerian universities is not merely an administrative anomaly. It is not a “teething problem.” It is not reform gone wrong. It is an…
The picture of Nigeria and its potential to be a great nation was presented in this column last week. It is heartwarming and inspiring to recognize Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources, but also disheartening to know that these resources are lying idle, with some being plundered. As earlier buttressed, humans are the most important resource, which galvanizes the transformation of other resources to fast-track societal development. How qualitative is Nigeria’s human resource? The major qualitative indicator of human resources in any society is the level of its human capital. Human capital refers to the stock of competencies, skills, knowledge,…
President Donald Trump has imposed a fresh 10 percent tariff on imports into the United States, hours after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down several of his sweeping trade duties in a sharp rebuke of his tariff strategy. Trump signed the order in the Oval Office, announcing on social media that the measure would take effect “almost immediately.” A White House fact sheet said the new tariff will begin on February 24 and remain in force for 150 days. Exemptions will apply to sectors already under separate investigations, including pharmaceuticals, as well as goods covered by the…
We lost Prof Biodun Jeyifo, or BJ as we fondly called him, last week, not long after we organised an 80th anniversary symposium in his honour. At the event, his bosom friend. Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi explained he was not supposed to have reached the ripe old age of 80 as much earlier in life; he had been diagnosed with a disease that was supposed to guarantee a much shorter life-span. It was for this reason that he relocated to the United States to have access to better medical facilities. We thank God for giving him a long and fulfilled life.I…