The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff has announced that its ongoing nationwide strike will be suspended on Monday. JAC comprises the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The decision was contained in a circular jointly issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr. Peters Adeyemi, NASU General Secretary, and Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU National President. The circular was addressed to all branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU in universities and inter-university centres across the country. The committee recalled that the unions had engaged in a series…
Author: Newsdesk
Dr Joe Tucker, a U.S.-based infectious disease physician, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to strengthen its response to Lassa fever through increased research funding, advocacy and community engagement. Tucker made the remarks on the sidelines of the ongoing 2026 Designathon organised by the Innovative Network on the Science and Practice of Implementation, Research and Engagement (INSPIRE) in Lagos. The physician, who works at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, said these strategies must be effectively implemented to tackle the viral infection. Lassa fever is an acute zoonotic viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, caused by…
The United Nations on Wednesday demanded that Israel “immediately and unconditionally” release two activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla. Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, made the demand in a statement. According to him, the two individuals — Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila — were detained in international waters and transferred to Israel, where they remain in custody “without charge.” READ ALSO: ECOWAS parliament orders probe into terror attacks, xenophobia “It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of…
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has directed relevant officials to immediately commence the search for a temporary site for a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study centre in Aba. Otti gave the directive while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, who paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. Mr Ambrose Gowong, Head of NOUN New Media Unit, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the governor’s decision followed a request by the vice-chancellor for policy direction on establishing a study centre in Aba. Otti…
Some residents in Lagos State have expressed concern over the recent surge in tomato prices, forcing many households to adopt alternatives. The residents shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos. A market survey by reporters shows that a 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells for between N115,000 and N125,000, up from N35,000 to N40,000 last month. Mrs Olachi Igwe, a resident of Ago Palace, said the scarcity and high cost of tomatoes had disrupted her household’s meal plans. “I contacted my usual vendor, but she said tomatoes were scarce and difficult to source. A small…
Nigeria’s currency, the naira, appreciated to N1,362 per dollar on Tuesday, sustaining its recent upward trend in the foreign exchange market. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the currency strengthened from N1,367.5/$ recorded on Monday, signalling continued stability and improved sentiment in the official market. The latest gain comes amid softer global dollar conditions, as easing geopolitical tensions weighed on the U.S. currency across major markets. CBN figures indicate that the naira has maintained consistent gains on both day-to-day and week-on-week bases, supported by relatively improved demand and supply dynamics in the FX window. Intraday trading on…
The ECOWAS Parliament has ordered an investigation into the escalating terror attacks across the sub-region and the recent wave of xenophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa. The regional parliamentarians took the decision during plenary at the First 2026 ECOWAS Parliament Ordinary Session on Tuesday in Abuja. The decision followed a motion moved by Ghanaian MP and Third Deputy Speaker, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on a “matter of urgent direct and profound importance.” The Parliament subsequently directed its Committee on Political Affairs to investigate recent terror attacks across the sub-region, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as xenophobic attacks…
The United Bank for Africa (UBA), MTN Mobile Money (MoMo), and fintech firm RedTech have unveiled a cardless payment solution aimed at deepening financial inclusion and improving access to digital transactions. The initiative will enable users to carry out financial transactions without debit cards or internet-enabled devices by using Smart Payment System (SPS) terminals and basic mobile phones. It leverages a network of over 100,000 touchpoints nationwide, allowing users to perform withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments seamlessly. At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, UBA, MTN MoMo, and RedTech said the solution would bridge gaps in…
The Oyo State Government has introduced a daily environmental sanitation exercise monitoring and enforcement system to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment across the state. Mr. Ademola Aderinto, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, disclosed this during a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday to mark his first 100 days in office. Aderinto explained that the Ministry has shifted from the traditional monthly environmental sanitation exercise to a more proactive daily system that encourages residents to take personal responsibility for maintaining cleanliness. He noted that the exercise would be monitored and enforced by environmental health officers. “We are now enforcing…
Sycamore Integrated Solutions Ltd. has closed its Series 1 Commercial Paper issuance at ₦6.89 billion, surpassing its ₦3 billion target by 230 per cent. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Babatunde Akin-Moses, disclosed this during the programme signing ceremony on Tuesday in Lagos. Akin-Moses said the company’s capital market debut reflects a growing shift among technology-driven financial firms towards alternative funding sources, moving beyond traditional venture capital and equity financing into structured debt instruments. According to him, the issuance forms part of a ₦20 billion Commercial Paper Programme arranged by BAS Capital Ltd. The offer opened on March 9 and closed…