Linkage Assurance Plc has secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise N16.26 billion through a rights issue aimed at strengthening its capital base and supporting future growth. In a filing to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the company disclosed that it plans to list 12.32 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, priced at N1.32 per share. The offer will be made to existing shareholders on the basis of two new shares for every three shares held as of January 22, 2026. According to the company, the rights offer will open on March 11, 2026, and close…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Google has expanded language support for its AI-powered search features to include Yorùbá and Hausa, enabling millions of Nigerians to interact with the platform in their native languages. In a statement released on Thursday, the company said the update allows users to access AI Overviews and AI Mode in both languages, making it easier to ask questions, receive summaries, and explore information conversationally through text or voice. The move is part of Google’s broader push to make artificial intelligence more inclusive across Africa. With the update, Google’s AI search tools now support 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa,…
Nigeria’s 36 state governments received a combined N551.77 billion as their share of Value Added Tax (VAT) in January 2026, reflecting a significant boost driven by the implementation of new tax laws. The figure represents a 30.4 per cent increase from the N423.25 billion shared among states in December 2025, highlighting a strong rise in revenue allocation from the N1.08 trillion VAT pool generated in January. The surge marks an important shift in Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, as tax reforms begin to translate into higher revenue flows for subnational governments. Analysts say the development could strengthen states’ capacity to fund infrastructure,…
Healthcare services at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria’s first teaching hospital established in 1948, have been severely disrupted by a prolonged power outage and persistent water shortages, pushing the facility to the brink of collapse. The crisis has triggered a strike by health workers, who say deteriorating conditions are undermining patient care and putting lives at risk. Patients are facing delays and disruptions as medical staff struggle to operate in an environment where electricity and water, two essential resources for healthcare delivery, are unreliable. According to Uthman Adedeji, president of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UCH chapter,…
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) is set to strengthen its electricity supply through a renewable energy partnership following a high-level meeting in Abuja on February 26, 2026. Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, met with Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, to formalise a solar-powered initiative aimed at complementing the hospital’s existing power sources. Implementation of the system is slated to begin later this year. Stable electricity is crucial for a tertiary hospital like UBTH, powering operating theatres, intensive care units, laboratories, and diagnostic equipment, directly affecting patient safety and…
vivo Nigeria has unveiled the vivo Y31d, a new smartphone designed for users prioritising long-lasting battery life, durability, and everyday usability. The launch event took place in Lagos, highlighting the device’s endurance and performance for work, entertainment, and connectivity. Toni Liu, CEO of vivo Nigeria, said, “The Y31d reflects our commitment to providing innovative technology tailored to Nigerian consumers. With its powerful battery and robust safety features, users can stay connected longer and more confidently.” The Y31d is equipped with an ultra-high-capacity 7200mAh battery, enabling extended screen time for streaming, gaming, and communication without frequent charging. Adedayo Olawuwo, Marketing Manager…
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on professionals to develop indigenous smart engineering solutions to tackle Nigeria’s energy deficits, urban congestion, flooding, and infrastructure gaps, while reducing reliance on imported technologies. Speaking at the 2026 World Engineering Day celebration held virtually on Wednesday, Prof. Hilary Owamah, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Delta State University, Abraka, described Nigeria’s development challenges as opportunities for innovation. “Nigeria faces energy shortages, urban congestion, waste management pressures, and water supply gaps. Yet these challenges present enormous engineering opportunities,” Owamah said. He noted that Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, much…
The Crude Oil Refineries Association of Nigeria (CORAN) says modular refineries have the capacity to supply more than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s diesel demand but are constrained by inadequate crude supply. Eche Idoko, CORAN’s Publicity Secretary, said this while reacting to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which showed that modular refineries contributed only about two per cent of the country’s diesel consumption over a three-month period. Idoko argued that the figure does not reflect the true production potential of the facilities. “Our capacity is far above two per cent. With sufficient crude supply,…
Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) installed 677,942 meters across Nigeria in 2025, raising the total number of metered customers to 6,966,584, according to new data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The figure represents a 10.78 per cent increase from the 6,288,642 customers metered as of December 2024. As a result, the national metering rate improved significantly from 46.57 per cent in 2024 to 57.27 per cent by December 2025. The data also showed that 109,556 customers were newly metered in December alone, up from 88,592 in November, indicating a stronger push by DisCos to expand metering before the end…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted healthcare providers and the public to the circulation of counterfeit VISITECT HIV Advanced Disease Test Kits in Nigeria. In a public notice (Alert No. 011/2026), the agency said unregistered and parallel-imported versions of the diagnostic kits have been detected in the country. NAFDAC explained that the VISITECT CD4 Advanced Disease test is a rapid diagnostic tool used to identify patients with severe HIV infection by detecting low CD4 levels within about 40 minutes using blood samples. According to the agency, the genuine product is manufactured by AccuBio…