The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Nigeria’s economic reforms, noting that measures implemented over the past three years have strengthened macroeconomic stability and resilience. In a statement issued Tuesday in Washington, DC, the IMF said Nigeria’s “strong reforms over the past three years have yielded improved macroeconomic outcomes and built resilience.” The Fund reported that Nigeria’s gross international reserves rose to $46 billion in 2025, up from $40 billion at the end of 2024. This improvement was supported by a current account surplus, non-resident purchases of Central Bank instruments, and successful Eurobond issuance. The IMF also disclosed that net…
Author: Newsdesk
The Zamfara Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Muhammad Lawan, has appealed to Gov. Dauda Lawal to establish a permanent orientation camp in the state. Lawan made the call during a meeting with Zamfara Councils’ leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gusau on Wednesday. He praised the governor for his support to the scheme, noting that this support has improved NYSC programmes and corps members’ welfare in Zamfara. Lawan explained that a permanent orientation camp would provide adequate space, better security, and improved facilities for corps members during their service year. He added that such…
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that Sen. Ede Dafinone and former Secretary to Delta State Government, Mr. Patrick Ukah, were not on the train that derailed on the Warri–Itakpe corridor on Monday. The NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, made this clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. It was initially reported that the incident, which occurred near Agbor in Delta, claimed four lives. Opeifa stated that earlier information suggesting Dafinone and Ukah were on board was incorrect. READ ALSO: Key drivers for water utility improvement highlighted at Abuja workshop “The NRC, however, commends both individuals for…
Stakeholders identified peer-to-peer utility partnerships, digitalisation, and stronger customer data systems as key drivers of improved service delivery and financial sustainability for water utilities. They discussed this at the workshop on the Urban Water Supply Sector Report in Nigeria: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward in Abuja on Tuesday. The WaterAid Utility Partnerships Senior Adviser, Ms. Lungi Biyela, said Sanitation and Water Operators’ Partnerships (SWOPs) are helping utilities strengthen technical capacity and improve operational efficiency through structured collaboration. She explained that SWOPs connect experienced utilities with those seeking to enhance their operations, enabling sharing of expertise, skills, and practical solutions…
Kenyan police fired tear gas and water cannons on Tuesday at hundreds of protesters demonstrating against a quarantine center for Americans exposed to Ebola. The U.S. has rushed to build the center despite Kenyan court orders prohibiting further work. The proposed 50-bed facility at Laikipia Air Base has angered many Kenyans, who accuse the U.S. of offloading the burden of caring for those exposed to Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Earlier, two people were killed and over 10 others detained during protests in the central town of Nanyuki, where frustration has grown despite Kenyan and U.S.…
SUNU Health Nigeria Limited announced it will soon launch a mobile application to make healthcare services more accessible to its enrollees. The SUNU Managing Director, Dr. Moyosore Olomola, told reporters in Lagos on Tuesday that the app would operate 24/7, all year round. Olomola said the organization has numerous agents and teams ready to assist subscribers, enrollees, and prospective clients with questions or support. “However, due to telecommunications or network issues, people may not always be able to reach us. In such cases, they might think the problem is from our end. “We are creating additional channels for access. For…
Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) has identified pipeline expansion and effective gas distribution as crucial for improving gas access and supporting industrial growth in Nigeria. In a statement on Tuesday, Communications Manager Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu shared lessons from nearly three decades of gas distribution operations at an industry forum in Abuja. During a panel session, SNG Managing Director Ralph Gbobo said the company’s early investment in gas infrastructure was driven by confidence in Nigeria’s industrial future. Represented by Head of Gas Distribution Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi, Gbobo noted that initial demand was low, but sustained commitment has yielded long-term benefits. He explained that…
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has urged Uganda to reconsider its decision to close its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo over the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Tedros made this appeal during a visit to an Ebola isolation unit at a hospital in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. He praised Uganda’s response to the outbreak as prompt and effective. The WHO has declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. READ ALSO: NAFDAC starts pharmacovigilance assessment in Kwara The epicenter of the outbreak is in Ituri Province,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defended its decision to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that nullified aspects of its timetable for political party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the appeal is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the clarification on Tuesday during a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja, where preparations for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election were also reviewed. The electoral body said its appeal was not intended to create uncertainty for political parties…
Three passengers have been confirmed dead following the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) in Delta State, raising fresh concerns about rail safety along one of Nigeria’s busiest standard-gauge corridors. The incident occurred on Monday near Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State when four coaches reportedly left the tracks. Emergency responders and officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) were immediately deployed to the scene to assist affected passengers and assess the extent of the damage. In an initial statement, the NRC confirmed the derailment and said emergency teams were providing support to passengers while…