Author: Olóyè Gbenga

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated his long-held view that the country’s state-owned refineries are unlikely to become functional, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) continues efforts to secure technical partners for the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna facilities. Read more breaking stories from our latest nigeria news Speaking during a televised interview on Sony Irabor Live on Saturday evening, Obasanjo criticised the management and structural framework of Nigeria’s refining sector, arguing that past and present approaches have been fundamentally flawed. He emphasised that public-private partnerships (PPPs) remain the most viable model for sustaining large-scale infrastructure in the…

Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, has shared a striking childhood memory involving his parents and one of his father’s many periods in detention. Speaking in a recent interview, the 45-year-old musician recounted how his late mother, Fehintola Kuti, once concealed cannabis inside a loaf of bread and unknowingly enlisted him to deliver it to his father. According to Seun, the incident occurred when he was around eight or nine years old, during a time when Fela was being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lagos. The younger Kuti said he had no…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its intention to present Nigerians with a credible political alternative in the 2027 general elections, signalling a renewed push for relevance on the national stage. This position was articulated by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued to congratulate Tony Nwoye following his emergence as Senate Minority Whip. According to Abdullahi, Nwoye’s elevation represents not only personal achievement but also a broader indication of the party’s growing political influence. Describing the development as “well-deserved”, Abdullahi praised Nwoye’s track record, highlighting his consistency, courage and commitment to democratic values. He…

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has insisted there remained “a lot of belief” within the squad that the club could rescue their season, despite a severe downturn in form that led to the dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior. The Stamford Bridge side entered a turbulent period after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton earlier in the week, which proved to be the final straw for club officials. Rosenior’s tenure ended after just 106 days in charge, leaving Chelsea searching for stability at a crucial stage of the campaign. McFarlane, who previously stepped in following the departure of Enzo Maresca in…

Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal remain firmly in the hunt for the Premier League title, despite losing top spot to Manchester City in the closing stages of the season. City moved to the summit following a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday, edging ahead of Arsenal on goals scored with both sides level on points. The shift came less than a fortnight after the north London club had appeared in control of the title race, having built a commanding nine-point lead. However, recent setbacks including damaging defeats to Bournemouth and City have left Arsenal’s title ambitions hanging in…

The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt traditional engineering systems and potentially replace design processes historically handled by human engineers. Dangote made the remarks in Lagos during his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, where he urged professionals in the field to take an active role in shaping how AI is integrated into engineering practice and education. Highlighting the growing influence of AI across industries, Dangote noted that the technology is increasingly replicating tasks that once required human expertise…

Nigeria’s new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the country’s ongoing economic reform agenda, signalling continuity in fiscal policy direction under the current administration. The assurance was conveyed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Ministry of Finance’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie, following the official handover ceremony. Oyedele used the occasion to outline his priorities, emphasising the need to build on existing reforms while delivering measurable outcomes across key sectors of the economy. He commended his predecessor, Wale Edun, for his service and contributions,…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel accused of mutiny and attempting to overthrow the government, in a development that underscores heightened efforts to enforce discipline within the armed forces. The inauguration, which took place on 24 April 2026, was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba. He noted that the move follows an earlier announcement made in January and represents a decisive step in addressing alleged breaches of military conduct. According to Uba, the proceedings aim to reinforce accountability and the Armed Forces’ commitment to…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a sweeping increase in peculiar allowances and welfare benefits for civil servants, in a move designed to improve take-home pay and boost morale across the public service. The announcement was made in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, following the endorsement of the reforms by the Federal Executive Council. She described the measures as part of a broader effort to reposition the public service and address long-standing concerns about workers’ welfare. According to Walson-Jack, the revised structure affects employees under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary…

More than 1,000 doctors from across Nigeria are set to elect new national officers of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at its 66th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting scheduled to take place in Kano in May 2026. The election, which begins on Sunday, 3 May, marks a historic turning point for the association, as it will be the first time leadership positions are decided through a delegates-based voting system. The shift follows a recent amendment to the NMA constitution, widely seen as a move to strengthen internal democracy within the organisation. Amid reports of internal tensions, the NMA Secretary-General,…