Author: Gbenga Oluranti Olaleye

A bill aimed at empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct general elections on the same day has successfully passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022 in a bid to reduce the spiralling costs of elections, shorten campaign periods, and allow elected officeholders to participate as ad hoc delegates in party congresses. Leading the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Senator Saliu Mustapha emphasised the unsustainable financial burden of elections, noting that the cost has surged from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to a staggering ₦350…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is in the final stages of preparing for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and is set to be listed on the stock market, according to a recent announcement. In a statement issued by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company revealed that it is currently in the midst of selecting project partners ahead of its public listing. This selection process will focus on identifying the most advantageous partnerships to support the IPO. “NNPC Ltd is at the final stage of getting listed in the capital market,…

Sophie Chandauka, an award-winning lawyer and entrepreneur, is embroiled in a controversy surrounding her role as chairman of Sentebale, the Duke of Sussex’s charity. The 47-year-old Zimbabwe-born legal expert, who has enjoyed a successful 20-year career with high-profile firms such as Meta, Morgan Stanley, and the Virgin Group, is now at the centre of a racism and bullying row involving her recent appointment as Sentebale’s chairman. Chandauka, who has made significant strides in her career—from starting as a trainee solicitor to advising on multi-million-pound deals—was appointed chairman of Sentebale in 2023, having served on its board for six years earlier.…

The European Union has made it clear that Russia must fully withdraw from Ukraine before any sanctions on Moscow can be lifted, in a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump’s hopes of striking a quick ceasefire deal. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the European Commission reiterated its stance that the cessation of Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified aggression” in Ukraine, along with the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from Ukrainian territory, would be essential preconditions for any changes to the sanctions regime. The remarks came after President Trump appeared to make significant headway in negotiations with Russian…

In a heated exchange caught on camera, far-right American politician Marjorie Taylor Greene told a British journalist to “go back to your own country” after being questioned about the accidental leaking of Houthi attack plans during an interview. The Republican representative for Georgia, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, became visibly agitated when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner, who is British, asked her about the incident dubbed “Signalgate.” “We don’t give a cr-p about your opinion and your reporting,” Greene said, before adding, “Why don’t you go back to your country?” The confrontation escalated as Greene, who has…

When Dr Sophie Chandauka was appointed Chairman of the Board at Sentebale in July 2023, her arrival was seen as a breath of fresh air. Her credentials, which included a notable track record in business and social change, were praised by Prince Harry, who called her appointment a “tremendous benefit to Sentebale’s next chapter.” But little did anyone know that this next chapter would spiral into a personal and professional crisis, culminating in mass resignations, allegations of racism and misogyny, and a deeply fractured relationship between Prince Harry and the charity he co-founded. In an emotional statement on Tuesday evening,…

A potential boost has emerged for the Super Eagles in their bid to overtake South Africa in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, following a formal protest lodged by Lesotho against their southern neighbours. Lesotho has accused South Africa of fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho last week. The protest comes after Lesotho’s football officials discovered that Mokoena had been booked in South Africa’s opening match against Benin Republic in November 2023, and again in their subsequent fixture against Zimbabwe. According to the rules, these bookings should have ruled him out…

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has remained resolute and positive following his team’s 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, March 25. Despite the setback, Chelle insisted that Nigeria was the superior side in the match, which took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The game, which saw Victor Osimhen’s 74th-minute strike cancelled out by Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chiwera, ended in a disappointing draw for the hosts. Osimhen’s superb finish, assisted by Ola Aina, had given Nigeria a glimmer of hope for a second consecutive win, but Chiwera, just ten minutes after coming…

FIFA has officially unveiled the prize money distribution for the upcoming Club World Cup, confirming a remarkable total prize pool of $525 million for the competition. The tournament’s winner will be awarded a staggering $125 million, underscoring the increasing financial rewards for clubs competing at the global level. In line with FIFA’s new structure, clubs will receive varying amounts depending on their confederation, with European clubs set to receive the highest payouts. The distribution breakdown is as follows: The new financial model reflects FIFA’s ongoing commitment to expanding the Club World Cup, providing substantial incentives for clubs around the world. …

The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, may soon rise further as the landing cost of imported fuel has surged. This increase follows a significant uptick in the importation of petrol, compounded by the ongoing suspension of the sale of petroleum products in naira by the Dangote Refinery, due to a dispute with the Federal Government over the naira-for-crude deal. According to reports, the price of imported petrol is set to reflect this rise in costs in the coming days, with the landing cost per litre jumping by N88 in just one week. This increase raises…