The Federal Government (FG) has taken decisive steps to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The steps led to the establishing a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improve access to financing for small businesses. This was a key resolution from the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025, held yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.…

The Senate has revised portions of the 2025 Appropriations Bill after detecting discrepancies in allocations following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly last Thursday. The inconsistencies were identified during the final review conducted by the Joint Committee on Appropriations, prompting necessary adjustments in recurrent spending, pensions, and capital projects. The allocation for the Ministry of Defence was reduced from ₦2.51 trillion to ₦2.49 trillion, while the budget…

By Alade Adisa The ongoing leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly may create friction between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu, an investigation by New Daily Prime has revealed. Sources informed our correspondent that while Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, is not entirely opposed to lawmakers selecting their leaders, the main issue lies in the zoning of the new Speaker’s position. “Sanwo-Olu is from…

Since January 13, 2025, the Lagos State House of Assembly has been embroiled in intense drama, beginning with the abrupt removal of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Political analysts speculated that the removal was linked to Obasa’s ambition to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, though this remains unconfirmed. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the reasons for his ouster, Obasa’s removal while he was away has dramatically reshaped Lagos’ political landscape, sparking widespread debates on…

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed residents, including politicians across political divides, to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed. On Monday, The New Daily Prime gathered that Remi Abass, the allegedly reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government in Osun State, was reportedly murdered by armed thugs believed to be loyal to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after they took…

LAGOS — The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday passed a resounding vote of confidence on its new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moyosola Meranda, solidifying her leadership position amid growing support from both lawmakers and Assembly staff. In a session marked by unity and enthusiasm, 36 out of 40 members of the Assembly formally endorsed Meranda to continue steering the affairs of the legislative chamber, expressing strong belief in her…

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the South-East, saying he has no regrets about zoning the presidential ticket to the region ahead of the 2027 election. Abure made this statement during a rally organised by LP members from the South-East, as part of preparations for the Abuja Area Council election next year. Abure praised the unity, industriousness, and fearlessness of the…

At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu urged the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritise the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to strengthen security in the Gulf of Guinea. Speaking yesterday, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the headquarters of the task force in…

Nigeria has expressed strong opposition to a proposed restructuring of the African Union’s (AU) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), arguing that such a move would be unnecessary and financially burdensome. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, in a statement, said his stance was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during deliberations on AU reforms.  While backing broader efforts…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) a 48-hour ultimatum to withdraw the recent increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees, describing it as unlawful and unfair.   In an open letter dated February 15, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP warned that the policy would worsen financial hardship for Nigerians. The CBN recently announced that ATM withdrawals…

A report from the Edo State Administrative Panel of Enquiry has exposed alleged financial mismanagement amounting to N96 billion, linking former Governor Godwin Obaseki and the recently impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen to questionable transactions. The panel, inaugurated on December 18, 2024, was tasked with scrutinizing the financial records of the affected local councils between September 4, 2023, and November 2024. Governor Monday Okpebholo, who received the findings over the…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on his 65th birthday. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised El-Rufai’s contributions to democracy, his dedicated service to the nation, and his role in mentoring the younger generation. The President acknowledged El-Rufai’s key involvement in the discussions that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and…