The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have strongly refuted allegations circulating on social media claiming that the Red Cross is providing support to armed groups in Northern Nigeria. In a joint statement, both organisations described the claims as false and misleading, warning that such misinformation could undermine humanitarian efforts and deny vulnerable populations access to critical aid. The statement emphasised that the allegations are “diametrically opposed” to the fundamental principles guiding the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including neutrality, independence, and impartiality. According to the organisations, these principles strictly prohibit any form…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the duration of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from two hours to four hours, while commencing the printing of notification slips for candidates. In a statement, the board said the adjustment is designed to give candidates more time to familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment ahead of the main examination. The mock exam is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, and will now be conducted in two consecutive sessions. The first session will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a second session from…
The European Union has announced a €288 million funding package for Nigeria, targeting key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, finance, migration, climate, and digital infrastructure. The development was disclosed by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS during the EU-Nigeria Ministerial news conference in Abuja. The funding forms part of renewed commitments under the EU-Nigeria Partnership and aligns with the bloc’s Global Gateway Strategy aimed at boosting investment and economic cooperation. Stefano Signore, Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission, said the package reflects increased EU investment in Nigeria’s development, with a strong focus on healthcare and agriculture. He added…
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), weeks after the Nigeria Labour Congress pushed for its constitution to strengthen oversight and governance. The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja on Monday, was overseen by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The move follows earlier demands by Joe Ajaero, NLC President, who in October 2025 raised concerns about the absence of a fully constituted board, warning that it weakened oversight and delayed key decisions within the pension system. Speaking at the event, Akume charged board members to uphold high standards of corporate…
Nigeria has slipped to 106th place in the World Happiness Report, extending a steady decline in global life satisfaction rankings and raising fresh concerns about the well-being of its population, particularly young people. The latest report, released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with global institutions, shows Nigeria falling from 105th in 2025 and 102nd in 2024. The rankings are based on data from the Gallup World Poll, using a three-year average across more than 140 countries. Across Africa, Nigeria trails several countries with stronger social support systems and relative stability. Mauritius ranked as the happiest country…
Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited (RMB), a leading corporate and investment banking institution, has delivered an exceptional performance at the prestigious 2025 DealMakers West Africa Awards, earning top honours across multiple categories and reaffirming its position as a trusted adviser on landmark transactions across the region. The Bank clinched the highly coveted Private Equity Deal of the Year (West Africa) for its advisory role in the landmark exit of Helios Investment Partners and Sojitz from Axxela, where RMB Nigeria and the RMB Energy Corporate Finance franchise served as Exclusive Financial Adviser. This marks the second consecutive year RMB Nigeria has won the award in this…
At a time when Africa’s digital economy is expanding at unprecedented speed, collaboration is increasingly emerging as the driving force behind sustainable growth. It was against this backdrop that Verve International convened key players across the payments value chain for the 2026 edition of Verve Biz Unwind, an ecosystem gathering designed to strengthen partnerships and spark forward-looking conversations about the future of digital payments in Africa. Held at the prestigious Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, the event brought together representatives from the Banks, fintech innovators, merchants, payment processors, and other ecosystem stakeholders. More than a networking opportunity,…
Dr Femi Oye, Chief Executive of SMEFUNDS, has urged faster adoption of solar energy across Africa, citing Nigeria’s growing role in the continent’s renewable energy sector. His comments come amid reports showing that Nigeria is rapidly transitioning from diesel generators and unreliable grid power to solar solutions. According to John Van Zuylen, structural policy changes in multiple African countries are unlocking fresh opportunities for solar investment and deployment. While global solar installations grew by 23% in 2025, Africa recorded the fastest growth worldwide, expanding installed capacity by 17%. Twenty African nations also recorded record solar imports last year, with 25…
The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) has introduced two new index futures contracts, NGX30U6 and NGXPENSIONU6, in a move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s derivatives market and expanding investment options. The development was disclosed in the Exchange’s Weekly Market Report released on March 18, 2026. Both contracts were officially listed on March 16, 2026, and are set to expire on September 18, 2026. The NGX30 Futures (NGX30U6), which tracks the NGX30 Index, debuted at N7,601.75, while the NGX Pension Futures (NGXPENSIONU6), linked to the NGX Pension Index, opened at N10,199.50. According to the report, the new products give investors more flexibility…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported 456,000 tonnes of refined petroleum products to African markets, marking a major step in its expansion beyond Nigeria. According to sources familiar with the development, the shipments were delivered through 12 cargoes lifted by international traders and sent to countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo. The exports consist mainly of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The milestone comes shortly after the refinery reached its full production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February, positioning it as a significant supplier in the regional energy market. Sources said the products…