Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured that the interests of the Yoruba ethnic group will be a top priority in his administration’s policies if elected president in the 2027 general elections. In a statement released on Thursday by his media consultant, Kola Johnson, Atiku dismissed fears of ethnic domination under his leadership, describing concerns over possible Hausa/Fulani dominance as “absolutely unfounded.” “The entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws,” Atiku stated, citing his longstanding personal and familial ties to the South-West. “I count myself extremely lucky indeed to have had a wife from amongst this noble…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that a total of 148,077 electricity customers were metered across the country during May and June 2025, marking a gradual improvement in the nation’s electricity metering status. According to the commission’s latest factsheet on the Metering Status of Distribution Companies (DisCos), released on Wednesday, 63,180 customers were metered in May, while 84,897 were metered in June. This brought the total number of metered customers nationwide to 6,422,933 as of June 2025. The figures represent a modest rise in the national metering rate, increasing from 53.78 per cent in May to 54.33 per…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised concerns over the increasing costs of printing and replacing naira banknotes due to widespread abuse and poor handling. The warning was issued during the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign themed “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care” in Abuja on Wednesday. Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Dr Bala Bello, speaking through Dr Adedeji Adetona, Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management, stressed that the naira is more than just a means of payment, it embodies Nigeria’s national pride and sovereignty. He criticised careless behaviours such as folding, tearing, writing on notes, spraying notes…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has received ₦318.05 billion between January and August 2025 for frontier oil exploration activities, according to documents from the September 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting. The amount represents 30 per cent of profits from Production Sharing Contracts (PSC), which are statutorily deducted each month and channelled into the Frontier Exploration Fund. The fund, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, is intended to finance exploration in Nigeria’s under-explored inland basins, including Anambra, Bida, Benue, Chad, Dahomey, and Sokoto. Documents obtained by New Daily Prime indicate that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory…

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the ongoing 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. In his address, Tinubu called for the UN to consider Nigeria for permanent membership. He also urged countries that host strategic minerals to ensure that they fairly benefit from these resources through investments, local processing, and job creation. The full text: NATIONAL STATEMENT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON, VICE-PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, DURING THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday posthumously conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on four late Ogoni leaders, Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage, collectively known as the Ogoni Four. The announcement was made during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee report at the State House, Abuja. Urging the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division, Tinubu said, “May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage and purpose among us. I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities and generations to close ranks, put this dark…

Renowned historian Professor Toyin Falola has expressed optimism that the upcoming reign of Olubadan-designate Oba Rashidi Ladoja will usher in a new era of modernisation for Ibadanland. Falola made these remarks on Wednesday while delivering the First Olubadan Coronation Lecture held in honour of Ladoja, themed: “Ibadan History: Issues in Tradition and Modernity.” Ladoja is set to be installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday. According to Falola, Ladoja’s extensive experience as a politician, statesman, and successful businessman is expected to drive development and enhance the economic wellbeing of the state. “Though he is not the governor, the…

Human rights lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a petition at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to compel Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to disclose how donations raised for the National Library project will be utilised. The suit names several respondents, including President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of Nigeria Chinwe Veronica, the National Library Board, the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, Zenith Bank PLC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On 1 September, the First Lady announced plans to dedicate her 65th birthday—celebrated on 21…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has dismissed concerns over rumours that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may be defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Robinson Ewor, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, stated that the party is not disturbed by the speculation, emphasising that any decision made by Governor Fubara is a personal matter. According to Ewor, the governor has the legitimate right to pursue any political interest he believes serves the overall welfare of the people of Rivers State, who elected him. Ewor added, “Whatever decision the governor takes is personal. As an individual, he has every right…

Nigeria has lost crude oil valued at an estimated N8.41 trillion to theft and metering deficiencies between 2021 and July 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The regulator noted that daily crude losses have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 16 years, but experts warn that the cumulative economic impact remains severe and reflects systemic governance failures in the oil sector. NUPRC data showed losses of 37.6 million barrels in 2021, 20.9 million barrels in 2022, 4.3 million barrels in 2023, 4.1 million barrels in 2024, and 2.04 million barrels in the first…