The Federal Government has announced sweeping nationwide reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in WAEC and NECO, beginning with the 2026 examination cycle. The new measures were outlined in a statement issued on January 5, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations. According to the Ministry, the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to restore the credibility of Nigeria’s public examinations and strengthen transparency across the education system. Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, disclosed the…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for its Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026, with the recruitment portal opening on January 7, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday via the Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. The recruitment, which targets qualified professionals for officer roles, will run entirely online, is free of charge, and will close on February 4, 2026. According to the Army, the DSSC programme is open to both civilians and serving military personnel with relevant academic and professional qualifications, and is designed to strengthen the officer cadre with specialised skills across…
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened 2026 on a strong note, with equities market capitalisation crossing the ₦100 trillion mark, driven by robust investor demand and early-year buying. Market data shows that equities capitalisation rose from ₦99.94 trillion on January 2 to ₦101.81 trillion by January 5, adding ₦1.87 trillion in just two trading sessions. In dollar terms, market value increased from $69.61 billion to $71.15 billion. The rally was supported by gains in the All-Share Index (ASI), which rose 1.74 per cent in the latest session, lifting year-to-date returns to 2.32 per cent. The performance reflects the traditional “January…
Nigeria’s cash-based economy remained firmly entrenched in 2025, with the vast majority of physical money circulating outside the formal banking system, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). CBN money and credit statistics show that in November 2025, currency outside banks stood at ₦4.91 trillion, out of a total ₦5.26 trillion in circulation. This means 93.35 per cent of all cash in the country was held outside banks, leaving only a small fraction within the formal financial system. The figures indicate that cash hoarding outside banks has become a structural trend, not a temporary response to policy shifts. The…
Poverty levels in Nigeria are projected to worsen significantly, with up to 141 million Nigerians, about 62 per cent of the population, expected to be living in poverty by 2026, according to PwC. The projection is contained in PwC’s Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, titled “Turning Macroeconomic Stability into Sustainable Growth.” Despite recent policy measures aimed at stabilising the economy, the report warns that weak real income growth and high living costs are likely to push more households into poverty over the next two years. PwC estimates that Nigeria’s poverty rate will rise to 62 per cent by 2026, driven…
By Ishola N. Ayodele In the digital age, where images can be conjured, enhanced, or manipulated with a few keystrokes, a single photograph has ignited a firestorm of debate in Nigeria and beyond. On January 4, 2026, the Nigerian Presidency shared a picture on X (formerly Twitter) depicting President Bola Tinubu in a private lunch meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris. The image showed the two leaders seated amicably, discussing global affairs and Africa’s future. Yet, what should have been a routine diplomatic snapshot quickly spiralled into controversy due to a subtle but unmistakable detail: a “Grok” watermark…
Nigeria’s Super Eagles booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dominant 4–0 victory over Mozambique in their Round of 16 clash in Fès, Morocco. The Super Eagles, who topped Group C with a perfect record, carried their fine form into the knockout stage, overwhelming a Mozambican side making its first-ever appearance in the AFCON Round of 16. Nigeria controlled the game from the outset, dictating the tempo and keeping Mozambique pinned deep in their half. Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a precise assist from Akor Adams. Victor…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, marking the start of the second phase of voter registration across the country. The resumption took effect on Monday and was confirmed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman. The development follows the conclusion of the first phase of the CVR, which ended on December 10, 2025. INEC had earlier launched online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, before commencing physical registration at designated centres nationwide on August 25, 2025. According to the commission, 9,891,801 Nigerians initiated online pre-registration during the first phase,…
By Elvis Eromosele In 2026, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector can no longer hide behind growth statistics and subscriber numbers. The sector has matured. Expectations are higher. Patience is thinner. And the questions Nigerians are asking are no longer about access alone, but about value, quality and fairness. After the tariff hikes, USSD controversies and service quality debates of 2025, the year ahead represents a moment of truth. These are the seven defining issues that will determine whether telecoms deepens its role as an economic enabler or becomes a source of widening frustration. Tariffs Must Finally Justify Themselves: The argument for higher tariffs has been…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed media reports claiming it has shut down operations for maintenance, describing the reports as false and misleading. In a statement issued on Monday, the refinery said production remains stable, ongoing and uninterrupted, assuring the market of a sustained supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The refinery disclosed that it has the capacity to supply 40 million to 50 million litres of PMS daily through January and February, depending solely on market demand. It added that on January 4, it produced 50 million litres of petrol and evacuated 48 million litres through its gantry. According to…