OpenAI has signed an agreement with the United States defence department to deploy its artificial intelligence models within the department’s classified network, marking a significant expansion of AI use in sensitive government systems. Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer, announced the deal on Saturday via his X account, describing it as the outcome of extensive discussions focused on safety, governance and responsible use of advanced AI technologies. The agreement allows OpenAI’s models to operate within secure government infrastructure under strict guardrails and technical constraints. Altman said the partnership aligns with OpenAI’s core safety principles, including prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Airlines across Asia and Europe have suspended flights and cancelled services after escalating military strikes between the United States, Israel and Iran triggered sweeping airspace closures across the Middle East. A Reuters report on Saturday showed flight-tracking maps with virtually empty skies over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain, as carriers halted operations or rerouted aircraft to avoid affected corridors. The disruption follows coordinated strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Iran’s subsequent missile retaliation, prompting several countries to shut or restrict their airspace amid heightened security risks. Airports in key Gulf transit hubs were among the…
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has posted a dramatic return to profitability in 2025, reporting a pre-tax profit of N1.70 trillion compared to a pre-tax loss of N550.3 billion in 2024. The audited results, filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), mark one of the strongest earnings recoveries in the company’s history, driven by robust service revenue growth and a sharp turnaround in foreign exchange dynamics. In the fourth quarter alone, pre-tax profit rose 248.8% to N569.6 billion from N163.3 billion in Q4 2024, reflecting sustained revenue expansion and improved margins. Following the strong performance, the board proposed a final dividend…
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will spend N100 billion in 2026 to install hybrid mini-grids across government agencies within and outside Abuja, as part of efforts to improve electricity reliability and reduce energy costs in the public sector. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the agency, disclosed this while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 budget defence session organised by the House Committee on Rural Electrification in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Aliyu said the N100 billion allocation forms part of the agency’s broader N170 billion proposed budget for 2026. The funds will finance…
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and regional partners have intensified efforts to formalise cross-border commerce through the Border Information Centre (BIC), positioning it as a key tool for unlocking value in West Africa’s largely informal maritime-linked trade. At a multi-stakeholder sensitisation and dialogue session along the Seme–Krake axis, regulators, Customs authorities and regional trade bodies urged traders, farmers and logistics operators to leverage the BIC to navigate Nigeria’s land–sea trade interface with Benin Republic and the wider ECOWAS market. The programme, themed “Trade Now: Empowering Cross-Border Traders through the Trade Information Desk,” drew participants from the Nigeria Customs Service, the…
Lamine Yamal delivered the first hat-trick of his senior career as Barcelona powered to a dominant 4-1 victory over Villarreal, strengthening their grip at the top of La Liga. The 18-year-old sensation put the hosts in complete control before half-time, scoring twice within nine minutes, both expertly set up by Fermin Lopez. His sharp movement and clinical finishing handed Barcelona a commanding lead heading into the break. Villarreal mounted a response after the restart, with Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye pulling one back to give the visitors hope. They were later handed a golden chance to equalise but failed to convert,…
Fresh controversy has erupted in Nasarawa State following the revocation of bail and remand in prison custody of Dr Abdul Mahmud, Managing Partner, LIBERTY SEMPER FIDELIS LP, a law firm, in a case his supporters describe as a sustained campaign of police intimidation and judicial ambush. The decision was handed down on Friday, 27 February 2026, by Senior Magistrate Zuluhiat Yusuf of the Senior Magistrate Court, Mararaba, a ruling critics say raises serious questions about abuse of police power and the independence of the court. From Civil Dispute to Criminal Prosecution The case reportedly stems from a civil dispute…
Following the judicial ambush and the unfortunate revocation of bail and remand in prison custody of our Managing Partner, Dr Abdul Mahmud, by Senior Magistrate Zuluhiat Yusuf sitting at the Senior Magistrate Court, Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Friday 27 February 2026, we are compelled to issue this statement to properly situate the circumstances of the continuing harassment of our Managing Partner within their full and troubling context. Background The events that culminated in the arrest of Mahmud arose from a civil dispute between the Incorporated Trustees of Fatima Gold Estate, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Amabua Muhammed,…
Netflix has withdrawn from its bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, clearing the path for Paramount Skydance to secure a takeover valued at approximately $111 billion (£82.2bn). Warner Bros announced on Thursday that Paramount’s revised offer was “superior” to Netflix’s proposal. Netflix declined to increase its bid, with co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters saying the deal was “no longer financially attractive” at the higher price. “This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price,” the Netflix executives said. In December, Warner Bros agreed to sell key film…
Residents of Meiran community in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State have resorted to self-help after authorities failed to respond to earlier reports of abandoned waste collection in the area. Weeks after TheNumbersNG reported that heaps of refuse had taken over streets and residential corners due to the absence of their designated Private Sector Participant (PSP), residents say the situation remained unchanged. Despite public outcry and attempts to alert the relevant authorities, no official intervention followed. According to findings, the PSP contractor had not evacuated refuse in the community since November 6, 2025. At the time of the initial…