Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on crude oil is increasingly at odds with global economic shifts. Across both developed and emerging markets, value creation is migrating toward knowledge, culture and digital expression. In this context, the creative economy, which spans film, music, fashion, gaming, publishing and digital media, is no longer peripheral. It is becoming central. For Northern Nigeria, this transition presents a rare and timely opportunity. Globally, the creative economy is already a significant growth engine. According to UNESCO, cultural and creative industries generate over $2.25 trillion annually and employ nearly 30 million people worldwide, with strong growth driven by digital…
Author: Editor
Nigeria’s banking industry is entering a new phase of strength and strategic relevance after lenders raised a combined N4.65 trillion in fresh capital under a sweeping recapitalisation programme mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), positioning the sector to fund large-scale investments critical to the country’s growth ambitions. A fact sheet from the CBN’s Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Department stated that the programme aims to enhance the resilience, competitiveness, and lending capacity of Nigeria’s financial system, positioning it to support the Federal Government’s aspiration for a $1 trillion economy. The exercise, which required banks to meet new minimum…
Nigeria’s banking industry is entering a new phase of strength and strategic relevance after lenders raised a combined N4.65 trillion in fresh capital under a sweeping recapitalisation programme mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), positioning the sector to fund large-scale investments critical to the country’s growth ambitions. A fact sheet from the CBN’s Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Department stated that the programme aims to enhance the resilience, competitiveness, and lending capacity of Nigeria’s financial system, positioning it to support the Federal Government’s aspiration for a $1 trillion economy. The exercise, which required banks to meet new minimum…
I have seen fraud happen in minutes, often at a time when most people believe nothing is happening. Anyone who has worked within compliance, anti-money laundering, or financial crime prevention understands this pattern. Fraud does not wait for business hours. In many cases, it deliberately avoids them. Some of the most successful fraud incidents occur late at night or in the early hours of the morning. These are periods when attention is lower, escalation is slower, and operational coverage is limited. In practical terms, this is what it looks like: Dormant accounts suddenly become active around 2 am Funds are…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sokoto State Chapter, on Monday held a praise and prayer service for peace in the state and across the nation. The interdenominational event, themed “Jesus Is Alive,” took place at Deeper Life Bible Church, Sokoto, drawing respected clerics and thousands of worshipers who prayed for God’s intervention in Nigeria’s challenges. Addressing the gathering, Sokoto State CAN chairman, Dr. Kayode James Moses, said, “We have come together this Easter to lift our voices in praise and to intercede for peace in our land.” He emphasized that Easter confirms that neither death nor the grave could…
The question of who can rescue Ondo North from its recurring political disappointments has become a familiar refrain in the politics of Ondo State. Election after election, the district appears trapped in a cycle that has delivered little in terms of responsive representation and sustainable development. It is time to break that cycle. The people of Ondo North must begin to think differently about leadership—moving beyond routine choices and entrenched interests to demand a candidate who truly reflects their aspirations at the Senate, often referred to as the Red Chamber. Progress cannot come from repeating the same decisions while expecting…
Nigeria’s external reserves have declined by $850 million within three weeks, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Market participants link the dip to sustained foreign exchange (FX) pressures and increased fiscal activity tied to the election cycle. The reserves dropped from $50.03 billion on March 11, 2026, to $49.18 billion as of April 1, 2026—halting a nine-month growth streak that began in July 2025. Forex traders say the CBN’s continued intervention in the FX market to stabilise the naira is a key driver, as dollar injections typically draw down reserves. Capital flow volatility has also weighed…
Saddiq Mustapha and Mustapha Saddiq, often mistaken for the same person because of their similar names, are, in fact, two bosom friends. Both were classmates in secondary school but later pursued different tertiary-level programs, Mustapha Saddiq in health sciences and Saddiq Mustapha in agricultural sciences. Twelve years ago, they reunited, driven by shared passion, to establish “Katsina Post”—an indefatigable e-newspaper focused on Katsina state in particular and Nigeria in general. Their initiative is inspired by legendary media figures from Katsina, including the late Alhaji Abidina Coomassie (Today Newspaper), the late Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua (Democrat Newspaper), the late Major General…
There is something deeply troubling about a lie that refuses to go away—especially when that lie is carefully crafted to divide people along religious lines. The now-viral video claiming that the residence of Matthew Hassan Kukah, along with the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral and a ₦1 billion pastoral centre, was set ablaze by “Islamists” is one such lie. It is false. It has always been false. And yet, it keeps resurfacing—repackaged, reposted, and weaponised. ASHENEWS is pleased that the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has once again set the record straight. In clear and measured language, the Diocese confirmed that there was…
A 14-year-old female student has reportedly been killed by a stray bullet in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, sparking renewed concerns over public safety and calls for accountability. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday within the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital quarters, where the victim was said to be carrying out routine household activities when she was struck by a bullet. As of the time of filing this report, the source of the gunfire remains unclear. There were no reports of insurgent attacks in the area, and security agencies have yet to provide an official account of what transpired. However,…