Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Senate on Wednesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to obtain $2.847 billion in new foreign loans, including Nigeria’s debut $500 million Sovereign Sukuk, to finance part of the 2025 budget deficit and refinance maturing Eurobonds. The approval followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Wamakko Magatarkada Aliyu (APC, Sokoto North), which reviewed the president’s proposal titled “New External Borrowing and Refinancing.” According to the breakdown, $2.347 billion will be sourced from the international capital market to help bridge the 2025 budget deficit, while $500 million from the Sukuk…

State chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, and other relevant authorities to launch an investigation into the expelled national chairman, Shehu Gabam, and other former party officials over alleged financial misconduct. Chairman of the Forum of SDP State Chairmen and Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Femi Olaniyi, made the call while briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday. Olaniyi stated that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) acted within its mandate in expelling Gabam and other executives, accusing them of betraying the trust of Nigerians and the legacy…

A major political realignment appears to be unfolding in Cross River North as Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and other key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) move closer to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The senator, who represents Cross River North in the National Assembly, reportedly met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa to formally announce his decision to defect to the APC. In a statement released on Wednesday, Senator Jarigbe’s spokesperson, John Agom, confirmed the development, adding that the lawmaker also met with the APC Chairman in Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba,…

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Mr Adamu Ninga, has expressed confidence that the party will emerge stronger and more united after its forthcoming national convention. The PDP has fixed its national convention for 15–16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates will elect new national officers and strategise for the 2027 general elections. Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Wednesday after an expanded meeting of the State Executive Council, Ninga described the convention as a crucial milestone in the party’s rebuilding process. He noted that it would offer a fresh opportunity to strengthen internal…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a safe country, despite ongoing security challenges in parts of the nation. Speaking during an interview with CNN, Idris addressed concerns about alleged genocidal attacks against Christians, describing such claims as misleading and unrepresentative of Nigeria’s overall security and religious landscape. He explained that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks from criminal and extremist elements, insisting that it is inaccurate to portray Nigeria as intolerant of religious freedom. “Nigeria is not that bad. Yes, we have seen attacks on some Christians; we have also seen…

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, on Tuesday officially concluded his five-year tenure and handed over the leadership of the Commission to the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, Muhammad Dattijo. Dattijo will serve as Acting Chairman pending the swearing-in of Aminu Yusuf by President Bola Tinubu. The brief but symbolic handover ceremony, held at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, was attended by Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, Directors, and staff of the Commission. According to a statement released by the Commission on Wednesday, Kwarra expressed gratitude to his colleagues and subordinates for their support and professionalism during…

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has said that the removal of fuel subsidy has ushered in a new era of deregulation, creating vast opportunities for innovation, investment, and digital transformation across the nation’s downstream energy sector. During his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, President Bola Tinubu stated that ending the fuel subsidy was a difficult but essential decision aimed at rescuing the economy and ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth benefits ordinary citizens. Speaking at the OTL Africa Downstream Week 2025 in Lagos on Wednesday, MEMAN Chairman, Mr Huub Stokman, explained that deregulation is driving the adoption…

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States of America has revoked his visa, effectively preventing his entry into the country for the foreseeable future. Soyinka made the disclosure during a media parley on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, explaining that he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have warranted the decision. “It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed social media reports alleging a promotion scandal within the Nigeria Police Force, describing them as false and aimed at tarnishing the image of the institution. Egbetokun made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of 19 newly promoted senior officers, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dan-Kwara, Assistant Inspector General of Police Nkechi Eze, the Force Medical Director, and Commissioner of Police Nandel Gonwalk, among others. Addressing the officers, the IGP said the allegations were “the handiwork of mischief makers” bent on discrediting the Force. “In…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to political parties in Osun State to conduct peaceful, transparent, and law-abiding primaries ahead of the 2026 governorship election. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Commission’s state office in Osogbo. Dr Agboke said the engagement was part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all stakeholders fully understand and comply with the election timetable and legal framework. “We must always continue to engage you on each item on the timetable of the 2026 governorship election…