By Elvis Eromosele Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a paradox. A significant portion of the population, over 70 per cent of households are engaged in agriculture activities. So, we can say that agriculture is the lifeblood of millions in Nigeria. Yet the country remains a net food importer of key staples including rice and maize. While the nation’s agricultural sector holds immense promise for economic diversification, job creation, and ensuring food security, it is currently grappling with deep-seated issues that have hindered its progress. A revolutionary partnership is currently building the groundwork for an agricultural revolution. Launched in June 2024 in…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Dangote Cement recently paid out a substantial N502.6 billion in dividends to its shareholders, which translates to N30 kobo per share, following approval at the company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Shareholders lauded the Board, Management, and staff for their commendable performance, acknowledging the company’s robust dividend payment and unwavering commitment to corporate governance despite the prevailing economic challenges. This positive sentiment was echoed by prominent shareholder representatives like Faruk Umar of AARNS and Bisi Bakare of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association. Chairman Aliko Dangote highlighted the company’s impressive financial achievements, including a 62.2 per cent year-on-year revenue growth to…
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set an ambitious revenue target of ₦1.28 trillion for 2025, representing a 40 per cent increase from the ₦894.8 billion it generated in 2024. This projection was revealed by Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director, NPA, during his budget defense session with the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours. Dantsoho emphasized that the 2025 budget is more than just figures; it reflects the NPA’s aspirations for a more efficient and globally competitive port system in Nigeria. He proudly noted that in 2024, the Authority surpassed its revenue target of ₦865.39 billion, achieving ₦894.86…
The recent escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran, following reported US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, is sending shockwaves through the global oil market. Energy analysts and petroleum marketers in Nigeria are now warning that this could drive petrol prices in the country as high as N1,000 per litre in the coming weeks, especially if Brent crude surpasses the $80 per barrel mark. Global crude oil prices are already reacting sharply, with Brent crude trading higher. This surge is primarily attributed to “preemptive defensive strikes” by the United States on three major Iranian nuclear sites, announced by…
In a significant push for educational reform, the Enugu State Government is intensifying its efforts to train over 18,000 public school teachers in preparation for the September 2025 resumption of Smart Green Schools across the state. This comprehensive training program, with its first phase already concluded, aims to equip educators with the skills needed for a modern, technology-driven learning environment. Professor Ndubueze Mbah, the state’s Commissioner for Education, announced at a recent seminar that both newly recruited and existing teachers are undergoing rigorous training in digital literacy and 21st-century instructional methods. This initiative is central to Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that a mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for the 2025 admission cycle will be held on Saturday, June 28. This crucial exercise aims to provide an opportunity for nearly 97,000 candidates who faced various challenges during the main examination. According to a statement shared by JAMB on its official X handle on Sunday, the mop-up examination will cater to 96,838 candidates in total. This includes 5,096 candidates who were part of the “spill-over” group and those who experienced biometric verification issues during the primary UTME. Additionally, a significant number of…
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has elevated its renowned Department of Mass Communication to a full-fledged entity, establishing the new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS). This significant development comes 58 years after the department’s inception. In a landmark election held today, Professor Oloruntola Sunday, the former Head of the Mass Communication Department, was unanimously elected as the pioneer Dean of the new faculty. He will serve a renewable two-year term. Dr. Ebony Oketunmbi was elected as the Sub-Dean for a one-year term. The election was announced by Mr. Abayomi Osinowo, Principal Assistant Registrar for Senate and Ceremonies. The…
After more than a century, the Netherlands has officially returned several stolen Benin artifacts to Nigeria. These invaluable pieces, including commemorative heads and intricately designed plaques, were looted during the notorious British military invasion of the historic Benin Kingdom in 1897 and subsequently ended up in European collections, such as the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. The formal handover ceremony took place on Saturday at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos. Speaking at the event, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, emphasized that this repatriation is far more than just the recovery of stolen items. “It symbolized…
A Niger Delta-based organisation, Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi), is raising an urgent alarm over Nigeria’s staggering annual loss of over $500 million due to gas flaring. The group has sent a memorandum to the National Assembly (NASS) and other hydrocarbon industry regulators, warning that insufficient methane regulation could also expose Nigeria to 35 per cent carbon tariffs on its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports to the European Union by 2026. In the memo, Dr. Mfon Utin, HELDi’s Programme Coordinator, outlined 11 urgent and actionable reforms aimed at closing legal, regulatory, and institutional loopholes in methane governance within Nigeria’s oil…
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly opposed the Senate’s proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 21 to 30. While the bill’s sponsor, Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), argues that more justices would help clear the growing case backlog and improve efficiency, the NBA believes this approach misses the core problem. Senator Izunaso highlighted that even with its current constitutional limit of 21 justices (following recent appointments), the Supreme Court remains overwhelmed by a daily influx of cases. He suggested that expanding the bench to 30 would allow for the formation of up to five panels…