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Saturday, 15 March 2025 04:10

US Congress approves sanctions on Nigeria over killings of Christians; Presidency rejects claims

The United States Congress has authorized President Donald Trump to impose severe sanctions on Nigeria following alarming reports that the country accounts for 90 percent of Christians killed globally each year. The decision, announced by Chris Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, came after a congressional hearing on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The hearing featured testimonies, including that of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi, who described militant Fulani herdsmen as terrorists operating with impunity. Smith criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christians, citing a report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom…

Thursday, 13 March 2025 04:46

Nigeria's oil production declined in February 2025, OPEC data shows

Nigeria's crude oil production decreased to 1.46 million barrels per day (bpd) in February, according to the latest monthly market report from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The figures, based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities, represent a 4.8% decline from January's output of 1.53 million bpd, marking the first month-on-month decrease of the year. Interestingly, secondary sources cited by OPEC painted a different picture, reporting Nigeria's February production at 1.56 million bpd—a 2.2% increase from January's 1.52 million bpd. OPEC collects production data through both direct communication with member countries and secondary sources such as energy intelligence…

Monday, 10 March 2025 04:51

Nigeria's petrol imports surged to N15.42tn in 2024 despite increased domestic refining

Nigeria's petrol imports reached a record high of N15.42 trillion in 2024, marking a 105.3 percent increase from the N7.51 trillion recorded in 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Foreign Trade Statistics Report. The surge in imports occurred despite growing domestic refining capacity, with Belgium accounting for over N3.69 trillion of the imported products. Quarterly data shows imports valued at N2.63 trillion in Q1, N3.22 trillion in Q2, N3.32 trillion in Q3, and N3.3 trillion in Q4. This sharp increase came when expectations were high for reduced reliance on foreign fuel following significant investments in local refining.…

Monday, 10 March 2025 04:48

Catholic Bishops slam Tinubu’s economic policies for increasing poverty

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have led to soaring inflation and pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 First Plenary Meeting of the CBCN in Abuja, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Conference, highlighted the severe hardships Nigerians are facing due to rising costs of essential goods, fuel, and transportation. “While the administration’s economic policies are designed for long-term stability, they have caused skyrocketing inflation, weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power, and plunged millions into poverty,” Ugorji stated. Citing World Bank data, he noted…

Monday, 10 March 2025 04:47

Anambra rejected World Bank loan deal because of bad conditions attached to it, says Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has revealed that his administration opted out of a $438 million World Bank loan arrangement shared among 35 states in Nigeria, citing unfavorable terms and conditions. Soludo made this disclosure over the weekend during a tour of the ongoing construction of the new Government House in Awka North Local Government Area, accompanied by leaders of the late Ifeanyi Ubah political groups and some Nollywood actors and actresses. The governor stated that upon assuming office, he reviewed the loan terms and concluded that they were detrimental to the interests of Anambra State. “When I came in…

Sunday, 09 March 2025 04:33

Nigeria to receive leprosy drugs today, WHO announces

The World Health Organization says it will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend after resolving testing hold-ups that led to a year-long delay in thousands of patients, including children, getting the medicine they need to prevent disability. Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria reports over 1,000 cases of leprosy yearly, a disease caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae, and mainly affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. It is curable with multi-drug therapy, but without treatment, the disease progresses and causes disfiguring sores and disabilities like blindness and paralysis. Patients also face significant stigma. But Nigeria ran out of stock…

Saturday, 08 March 2025 04:54

15 staff hospitalized, office deserted after Nigerian Air Force personnel attacked electricity company in Lagos

Following a violent attack by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) last Thursday, 15 employees were hospitalized with injuries, while the company’s office remained deserted yesterday. Power has yet to be restored at the NAF base, and the incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA). A senior Ikeja DisCo official, speaking anonymously for security reasons, confirmed that over 15 staff members were receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals. He added that operations were partially halted, with the union advising employees to stay away if they felt unsafe. “Business is not…

Friday, 07 March 2025 04:50

FG sets organ transplant rules to fight exploitation, echoes Ekweremadu case

Nigeria has launched comprehensive standards and guidelines for organ and tissue transplants, aiming to regulate a sector plagued by ethical concerns and exploitation. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of organ trafficking, particularly in light of the high-profile case of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently serving a jail term in the UK for his involvement in a human organ harvesting scheme. The new guidelines, unveiled on Thursday by Minister of State for Health Iziaq Salako, seek to establish transparency and adherence to international best practices in Africa's most populous country. They explicitly prohibit the sale of…

Friday, 07 March 2025 04:47

Nigerian Air Force personnel invade power company office in Lagos over blackout

On Thursday at 7:40 a.m., armed Nigerian Air Force personnel from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, forcibly entered the headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), located opposite the MITV building. Led by a female officer, the military group blocked nearby roads and held staff and visitors inside, causing disruption and unease in the vicinity. Reason Behind the Military Action The incident stemmed from a two-week power outage at the Air Force base, triggered by IKEDC disconnecting supply due to an unpaid debt amounting to millions of naira. Sources revealed that the Air Force had a…

Thursday, 06 March 2025 04:36

US-China trade war escalates as both sides declare readiness for ‘any type of war’

The ongoing trade war between the United States and China has intensified, with both nations issuing strong warnings and affirming their preparedness for any form of confrontation. China’s warning came in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on all Chinese imports, doubling some levies from 10% to 20%. Beijing retaliated swiftly, imposing tariffs of 10%-15% on US agricultural products and placing 25 American companies under export and investment restrictions. In a statement echoed by the Chinese embassy in Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declared, “If war is what the US wants, be it a…

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Thursday, 06 March 2025 04:35

Two killed, six injured in Lagos building collapse amid growing concerns over structural safety

Two people have been confirmed dead, and six others sustained injuries after a two-storey building collapsed on Wednesday in the Lekki area of Lagos. This latest incident adds to the litany of building collapses that have plagued Lagos State in recent years, raising serious concerns about the structural integrity of buildings and the enforcement of construction regulations in Nigeria’s commercial hub. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were able to rescue six individuals, who were rushed to Marina General Hospital for treatment. Earlier reports from the police indicated that…

Wednesday, 05 March 2025 04:53

Nigeria ranks third as Africa’s external debts balloon to $1.17trn - Afreximbank

The Africa Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) has released a revealing report on the continent's debt situation, highlighting both challenges and potential opportunities for economic growth. Key Debt Statistics As of the first half of 2024, ten African nations accounted for 69 percent of the continent's total external debt, up from 67 percent in 2023. The top debt-holding countries are: 1. South Africa (14%) 2. Egypt (13%) 3. Nigeria (8%) 4. Morocco (6%) 5. Mozambique (6%) Debt Trends and Projections The continent's external debt has grown significantly, reaching approximately $1.16 trillion in 2023 and projected to increase to $1.17 trillion…

Wednesday, 05 March 2025 04:52

Nigeria's foreign reserves experience steady decline. Here’s the performance sheet since January 2025

Key Highlights - Total Decline: $1.31 billion (3.3%) in February 2025 - Starting Reserve: $39.72 billion (January 31, 2025) - Ending Reserve: $38.42 billion (February 28, 2025) - Decline Larger Than January: Previous month saw a $1.16 billion reduction Reserve Trajectory: A Month of Continuous Descent Early February Trend - February 3: $39.60 billion - February 4: $39.54 billion - February 7: $39.04 billion - February 10: $39.27 billion Mid-Month Performance - February 12: $39.15 billion - February 17: $38.88 billion - February 19: $38.72 billion - February 21: $38.69 billion Month-End Position - February 28: $38.41 billion Market Context…

Wednesday, 05 March 2025 04:50

Former Nigerian Immigration chief Parradang found dead in Abuja hotel after visit by unknown woman - Police

The Nigerian Police have provided details regarding the death of David Parradang, a retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, dispelling rumors that he was killed by kidnappers. According to a statement from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Abuja, Parradang was discovered deceased in a hotel room under circumstances that are now under investigation. The statement, issued by FCT Police Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, revealed that Parradang checked into Joy House Hotel, located at Area 3 Junction in Abuja, at approximately 12 p.m. on March 3, 2025. He arrived in a…

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