The Nigerian government has intensified efforts to attract international development partners to co-finance the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ-2) programme.  Vice President Kashim Shettima described the initiative as a transformative step towards achieving food security, job creation, and economic diversification under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at the SAPZ-2 co-financiers meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima emphasised the strategic importance of SAPZ in…

A boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger, leading to multiple fatalities in the early hours of Friday. According to eyewitnesses, the vessel, owned by Musa Dangana, was en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State with market women and farm laborers on board. Rescue teams and local divers have recovered eight bodies so far, with efforts ongoing to locate the…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her unanimous re-election as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).  The Nigerian economist, known for her expertise in global finance and development, will begin her second four-year term on September 1, 2025, following the expiration of her first term on August 31, 2025. Okonjo-Iweala, who made history in 2021 as the first African and the first woman to lead the…

A 26-year-old commercial banker, Ndulaka Okwudili, and two other suspects, Ifeanyi Nnamani and Philip Ozogwu, aged 44, have been arraigned in the Enugu North District Magistrate Court for the alleged theft of N4 million. Okwudili and Nnamani were remanded in custody, and Ozogwu was granted bail. The case file has been forwarded to the Attorney General of Enugu State for legal review. The three suspects were alleged to have conspired…

Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has voiced significant concerns over the growing trend of first-class degrees being awarded by private universities in Nigeria. Speaking at a recent event in honour of Professor Andy Egwunyenga, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Osodeke highlighted the implications of this development for the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system. The ceremony, which marked the conclusion…

World Trade Organization chief, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow of the coming return of Donald Trump and his disdain for international trade rules. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to head the WTO, was the only candidate in the race, and had been all but assured a second term. The organization’s 166 members “today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a…

A Nigerian doctor convicted of rape and sexual assault has been acquitted by the appeal court. Femi Olaleye, a Lagos-based doctor, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the high court on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of his wife’s 16-year-old niece. However, the Court of Appeal on Friday discharged and acquitted him. The appellant was freed after challenging his conviction and life imprisonment…

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to upgrading educational infrastructure to meet global standards.  He made this pledge on Thursday in Ikere Ekiti while commissioning the newly constructed ultra-modern Senate Building at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI). The building was built and donated by the university’s Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun. The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including…

A report released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has disclosed that an estimated 5.5 billion people worldwide are using the Internet in 2024, according to the ‘Facts and Figures 2024.’ This represents a significant increase of 227 million individuals compared to revised figures for 2023. The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs.) The report found out that while global connectivity continues to…

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that fleet operators play a vital role in achieving zero road accidents in the country.The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this during the annual Safety Manager Retreat on Thursday in Abuja, with theme entitled: “Driver Management: Enhancing Safety Through Technology.”The FRSC boss said that drivers were vital part of every transport business – as they also played the…

The Federal Government (FG) has urged fleet operators to take advantage of technology to enhance safety and reduce road accidents in Nigeria.The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali, gave the advice during the Annual Safety Manager Retreat, organised by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja, which had the theme: “Driver Management: Enhancing Safety Through Technology.”Alkali, represented by Mr Abubakar Usman, the Transport Director at the Ministry, said that technology…

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has said the Federal Government will soon commence the regulation and licensing of players in the space ecosystem for more revenues generation.Nnaji said this at the inauguration of the Advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Laboratory (AUAVL) of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja on Thursday.The inauguration of the laboratory was part of the activities to celebrate 25th Anniversary…