The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has denied reports that it is withholding the Frontier Exploration Fund (FEF) from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd.). The Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, clarified in a statement on Wednesday that $185.123 million and N14.9 billion had already been approved for release. Akinkuotu explained that the FEF is not domiciled with the NUPRC, but in an account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He said the commission’s role is limited to evaluating the work programme submitted by NNPC Ltd., after which approval is granted for…
Author: Editor
Every year on November 25, the world pauses to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and with each passing year, the urgency of its message becomes sharper, almost deafening. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is no longer whispered about in dark corners; it has become a national menace boldly splashed across headlines, talk shows, and social media timelines. First ladies, ministers of women’s affairs, celebrities, and media personalities raise their voices in a unified chorus urging women to speak up, insisting that reporting abuse is a testament of strength rather than weakness. But beneath this chorus, a…
A coup attempt in Benin was successfully thwarted today, the government announced. According to Alassane Seidou, the country’s interior minister, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny in the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, aiming to destabilise the state and dismantle national institutions. The break-away soldiers — calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation and led by Pascal Tigri — briefly seized the state television station and declared on air that the government had been dissolved and a takeover succeeded. However, loyalist forces of the Beninese Armed Forces swiftly regained control, restoring order and ensuring the coup…
Two weeks ago, in what may aptly be termed security diplomacy, Nuhu Ribadu—the super cop who proved his mettle as a corruption-fighting czar and now serves as National Security Adviser—brought all his experience, and more, to bear on the task of dousing the fire threatening to engulf us from the guns of a ‘trigger-happy’ Donald Trump. The outcome of that effort a delicate exercise akin to shuttle diplomacy, has offered Nigeria a new lease of life and renewed global respect. It has been a multi-pronged initiative that has simultaneously deflected Trump’s fury and vitriol from us while reorganising our security…
Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), has firmly dismissed allegations linking him to individuals purportedly involved in terrorism financing. The claims, published by Sahara Reporters and attributed to retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, were described as “false, unfounded and mischievous” in a statement issued by Brigadier General Sani Usman (rtd) on behalf of the former Army chief. According to the statement, Buratai has never been questioned, investigated or indicted by any security, intelligence, judicial or diplomatic authority over terrorism-related matters. It stressed that the report…
Last week, progressives, activists, intellectuals and trade unionists from all over Nigeria and the continent converged in the University of Jos for reflections and considerations on Fanon’s enduring legacy for the forces of change and social transformation. The conference recognised Fanon not merely as a revolutionary thinker, psychiatrist, and anti-colonial activist, but also as a prophetic voice whose ideas illuminate the persistent contradictions of post-colonial governance. Two veteran Fanonists, Professors Adele Jinadu of Nigeria and Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja from the Democratic Republic of the Congo – who have been working on the Fanon theme for over fifty years each provided seminal…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso, has hosted the 35th Governing Board Meeting of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) for the first time in Nigeria. The meeting took place at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja. The event coincides with Cardoso’s tenure as Chair of the IILM Governing Board, underscoring Nigeria’s rising profile in global Islamic finance and its commitment to deepening the country’s non-interest financial markets. Central banking leaders from Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Qatar, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed cash deposit limits and increased the weekly cash withdrawal limit from N100,000 to N500,000 for individuals. The announcement was contained in a circular issued to all banks and other financial institutions, signed by Dr. Rita Sike, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department. Sike explained that the revised guidelines are part of ongoing efforts to reduce the rising cost of cash management and address emerging security concerns. She added that the policy update will also help curb money laundering risks associated with a high dependence on cash. She noted that earlier…
To date, I have visited Saudi Arabia four times, beginning with my first trip in 2010 and twice this year, in March and November 2025. During each of my last three visits, I was consistently amazed and stunned by the incredible and supersonic level of infrastructural development. I believe the Saudi Arabian authorities are fully aware of the enormous spiritual responsibilities placed on the country, being the world center for Muslims. Every Muslim around the world wishes to perform one of the five required acts of the Islamic faith. For a Muslim, performing Hajj, which is performed only in Makkah…
Vaccines represent one of the greatest feats of modern medicine, with their evolution traceable to Edward Jenner’s 18th-century smallpox inoculation, evolving to today’s complex molecular platforms. These biological preparations safely prime the immune system to recognise and fight pathogens, preventing over 30 infectious diseases globally. For decades, widespread vaccination led to the elimination or dramatic reduction of scourges like polio and measles. However, while vaccines remain one of humanity’s greatest achievements, Nigeria continues to face hurdles in realising their full potential, experts say. The country continues to battle outbreaks of preventable diseases, including diphtheria, recurring measles, mpox, and others, often…