The Federal Government has hired a United States-based lobbying firm in a $9 million contract to communicate its efforts at protecting Christian communities in Nigeria to the U.S. government. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show that Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm, engaged DCI Group on behalf of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. DCI Group is a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm. The agreement, signed on December 17, 2025, was executed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, Managing Partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, Managing Member of DCI Group. According to the contract, DCI Group…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced January 26, 2026, as the official start date for registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the 2026/2027 academic session. The board also released a detailed timetable covering E-PIN sales, registration windows, mock exams and the main UTME. UTME Registration Timeline UTME E-PIN sales begin: January 19, 2026 UTME registration period: January 26 – February 28, 2026 Mock UTME: March 28, 2026 (optional) Main UTME examination: April 16 – April 25, 2026 Candidates must obtain…
ARM Investment Managers has launched a ₦200 billion Private Debt Fund aimed at easing Nigeria’s SME financing gap by providing long-term credit at rates below prevailing market levels. The fund, which debuts with a ₦25 billion Series 1, is designed to channel non-bank financing to scalable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that struggle to access affordable loans from commercial banks. Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos on Monday, Deji Opeola, Fund Manager, said the ARM Private Debt Fund would offer longer-tenor loans, typically three to five years, priced annually and structured around borrowers’ cash-flow realities. The fund is being raised…
The newly elected executive of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Cross River State Chapter, has pledged deeper collaboration with the state government to strengthen ethical standards and professionalism in public relations practice. The assurance was given on Monday during a courtesy visit by the NIPR delegation to Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu. Receiving the team alongside the Chief Press Secretary and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, Ironbar commended NIPR for its strong reputation for ethics and professional discipline, describing the Institute as one he has long…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is concluding plans to flag off an independent and comprehensive assessment study on the level of competition in the country’s telecommunications sector, barring any last-minute change in the scheme of things. According to a statement by the Head of Public Affairs of the Commission, Nnenna Ukoha, the study is being undertaken pursuant to section 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act NCA 2003, and the Competition Practices Regulations CPR 2007. The statement also disclosed that the proposed exercise, which will entail the appointment of a private consultant, is designed to deliver an objective, evidence-based evaluation of…
The Badagry Kingdom has been thrown into mourning following the death of its traditional ruler, the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi. He passed away at the age of 89 after a brief illness. The monarch’s death brings to an end a remarkable 48-year reign, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State. According to sources at the palace, the Akran was pronounced dead by medical experts, after which traditional burial rites began in line with custom. Residents of Badagry described his passing as a great loss, saying the kingdom has lost not only a king…
By Olusegun McMedal Detty December has evolved from a local slang into one of Nigeria’s most visible cultural exports. What was once a casual expression is now a full-blown economic season, drawing thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora, Gen Z travellers, creatives, and culture enthusiasts back home, typically from December 6 to 31 every year. Global media platforms such as CNN, The New York Times, and The Guardian have recognised how Lagos transforms into a month-long carnival. Concerts, weddings, beach parties, art exhibitions, pop-up experiences, and nonstop nightlife turn the city into a global destination. For many returnees, Detty December…
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and nine other federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are set to spend about N24 billion on software projects in 2026, according to details in the Federal Government’s 2026 Appropriation Bill. Out of 115 MDAs budgeted for software acquisition this year, these 10 agencies account for the largest allocations, spanning identity management, education, mining, cybersecurity, health, finance and immigration. The scale of spending, however, has reignited concerns over recurring waste and abuse of IT procurement processes across government. Budget data shows NIMC alone accounts for the biggest allocation, with N7.58 billion earmarked for software…
By Elvis Eromosele For years, Nigerian consumers have complained, sometimes loudly, sometimes helplessly, about poor services. Airlines, telecom operators and banks were always the biggest culprits. In fact, flight delays became routine, dropped calls almost normal, and unexplained bank charges a recurring irritation. What often followed were apologies, excuses and the almost obligatory regulatory silence. It now appears that that era may finally be ending. Recent moves by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), alongside a growing pattern of firm enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), suggest that regulators are beginning to…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has assured Nigerians that Nestlé infant formula sold in the country is safe and not affected by the recent product recall announced by Nestlé UK. The assurance was contained in a public notice signed by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, following public concern triggered by the UK recall of certain SMA infant formula batches. NAFDAC explained that the UK recall was a precautionary measure linked to concerns about the possible presence of cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, which can cause nausea and…