Author: Damilola

President Bola Tinubu has again removed a top official of a key oil and gas institution while the affected officer was out of the country on official duty, reinforcing a pattern that is drawing attention within policy and governance circles. In the latest development, the president sacked Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) while he was attending the Pipeline Technology Conference in Berlin. Earlier on Wednesday, the NMDPRA had announced via X that Mohammed was leading the agency’s delegation to the conference holding from April 27 to 30, 2026. However,…

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has approved the dismissal and prosecution of Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman and other officers involved in the killing of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Force Spokesperson, Anthony Placid, said the decision followed the findings of the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), which concluded that the officer acted in violation of established rules governing the use of firearms. According to the statement, the committee found that the officer “acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other extant regulations governing the use of firearms.” “Consequently, the…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited from suspending or limiting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited, pending the resolution of a suit challenging regulatory actions affecting digital lending operations. The ruling, delivered on April 24, followed an ex parte application filed by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited, who alleged that the telecom operators were planning to disrupt their business activities. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026, the plaintiffs argued that the telcos intended to interfere with their access to critical platforms such as USSD channels, SMS, short codes, and billing systems,…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or taking part in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also prohibited former Senate President David Mark and other key figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of duly elected state executives of the party. The ruling stems from a suit filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairpersons and executive committees, who challenged the legality of actions taken by an…

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the government of South Africa to ensure that perpetrators of recent xenophobic attacks are brought to justice. The renewed violence, which escalated this month, has largely targeted African migrants, including Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Zimbabweans. In one widely shared clip, a group of locals confronted a Ghanaian national, questioning his presence and accusing migrants of abandoning their home countries instead of improving them. The situation intensified after the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg confirmed the killing of two Nigerians — Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. In a statement issued on Wednesday, NiDCOM chair, Abike…

The Nigerian naira showed relative stability against the US dollar on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as cautious trading and sustained demand shaped activity across both official and informal foreign exchange markets. At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the official trading window, figures from the FMDQ Securities Exchange indicated the currency hovered around ₦1,360 to the dollar in early deals. The rate, close to ₦1,360.19/$, reflects only minor fluctuations compared to the previous session. The performance continues a recent pattern where the naira has traded within the mid-₦1,350 to ₦1,360 band, supported by interventions and moderated demand at the official…

The United States Department of State has announced plans to issue a limited-edition passport bearing the image of President Donald Trump as part of activities marking America’s 250th independence anniversary on July 4, 2026, since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. According to reports, the redesigned passport will serve as a commemorative document tied to the ‘America250’ celebrations. Preview images shared via the White House’s official X account show Trump’s portrait on the inside cover, alongside excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, the American flag, and his signature in gold. Another page of the passport features a…

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the broader OPEC+ alliance, ending nearly six decades of membership in a move set to reshape global oil dynamics. In a statement shared on Tuesday, the country’s energy minister, Suhail Mohamed AlMazrouei, said the decision reflects evolving national energy policies and long-term market considerations. “The UAE’s decision to exit OPEC aligns with sector policy-driven developments and is consistent with long-term market fundamentals,” he said. “We express our appreciation to OPEC and member states for decades of constructive cooperation.” The UAE, which…

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has called on South Africa to take decisive action against rising xenophobic attacks and the intimidation of foreign nationals. In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres expressed serious concern over incidents reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, condemning both criminal acts and rhetoric that incites violence against migrants. “Violence, vigilantism and all forms of incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society,” he said. This followed a recent report of the deaths of two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, in separate incidents…

The Nigerian naira opened trading on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, on a relatively stable note against the US dollar, with modest movements recorded across both official and parallel market segments. At the official window, also known as the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the currency traded around ₦1,360.19 to the dollar in early deals. Data from FMDQ Securities Exchange showed slight intraday fluctuations, with the naira initially quoted at about ₦1,359.23 before adjusting marginally as trading progressed. Market activity at the official window continues to reflect the dynamics of the “willing buyer, willing seller” framework overseen by the Central Bank…