Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Federal Government has signalled a sharp increase in domestic borrowing, with plans to raise as much as ₦900bn from its January 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bond auction. This represents a 100 per cent increase compared with the ₦450bn raised in January 2025, reflecting rising fiscal pressures and growing refinancing needs. Offer documents released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) show that the January 2026 auction will consist of three reopened FGN bonds with a combined size of ₦900bn, underscoring the government’s deeper reliance on the domestic debt market. By contrast, the January 2025 auction adopted a more…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has formally commenced academic activities at Northwest University, Kano, after enrolling as a 200-level student in the institution’s Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme. The monarch joined other undergraduates for lectures on Tuesday, drawing attention as he arrived on campus in a modest flowing black outfit and a white turban. Photographs shared on social media showed the Emir seated among fellow students in a lecture hall, engaging attentively with the class. Sanusi’s presence follows the university’s recent decision to grant him special admission into its Common and Sharia Law programme, a move the institution…

The Lagos State Government has disbursed a total of N40 million to families of personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who lost their lives while on active duty. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during LASTMA’s financial presentation ceremony held in honour of its fallen officers. The event was organised to recognise the sacrifices of traffic personnel who died in the line of duty and to support their families. Giwa explained that the gesture followed the 25th anniversary celebration of LASTMA, held on July 15, 2025, during which…

Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially confirmed Nigerian chef and restaurateur, Hilda Baci, as a three-time world record holder, following the recognition of her largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice as also the largest serving of rice ever prepared globally. The confirmation was announced on Wednesday via Guinness World Records’ official X (formerly Twitter) page, putting to rest weeks of speculation after Baci hinted that her earlier achievement had earned her an additional record. “Yes, it’s true! @hildabacicooks is a three-time @GWR holder after her largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice has also been awarded the record title for the…

The Awujale Kingmakers Council has announced the cancellation of a planned meet-and-greet, earlier scheduled to be held at the Aafin Awujale in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, and instead directed that all Awujale nominees report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office in the town. The directive was conveyed in a formal communication dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to key leaders of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, including its Chairman, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and Vice Chairman, Professor Fassy Yusuf. According to the notice, all nominees in the ongoing Awujale selection process are required to present themselves…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is said to have agreed in principle to hold a meeting with former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, amid growing speculation over a possible political realignment. Credible sources disclosed that the anticipated meeting may have been facilitated by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is Kwankwaso’s political protégé. According to the sources, discussions are expected to centre on Kwankwaso’s possible decision to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), potentially alongside his supporters. Although Senator Kwankwaso has reportedly met President Tinubu…

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday formally moved into the ancient Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo town, nine months after his installation as the 46th traditional ruler of the historic kingdom. The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye. According to the statement, the monarch’s relocation to the palace marks a significant cultural milestone for the Oyo Kingdom and the wider Yoruba race. Oba Owoade was officially presented with the Staff of Office by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on…

The Osun State Government has clarified that the issuance of appointment letters to the first batch of newly recruited teachers is ongoing, dismissing reports that senior government officials are deliberately stalling the process. The clarification was issued on Tuesday by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Olawale Rasheed, via a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. Rasheed was responding to media reports alleging that the Head of Service and the Chief of Staff to the Governor were delaying the release of appointment letters due to financial considerations. According to Rasheed, the claims are false and misleading, stressing that…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared that his administration owes allegiance to the people of the state and not to contractors, reaffirming his commitment to quality, speed and accountability in the execution of public infrastructure projects. The governor made the declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting with major contractors handling key projects across the state. The meeting, held at the Government House in Benin City, focused on reviewing project status, progress timelines, quality standards, causes of delays and contractor accountability. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo stressed that awarding contracts was only…

Former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has called for newly appointed Nigerian ambassadors to be comprehensively briefed on the country’s policies, economic priorities and investment framework before assuming their foreign postings. Fashola made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He stressed that Nigeria’s diplomatic effectiveness depends largely on how well its envoys understand and articulate the nation’s positions to foreign governments, investors and international partners. His remarks come barely one month after the Senate…