Author: Faith Babatunde

Nigeria’s challenges are complicated and multidimensional. So, President Bola Tinubu’s decision to take a three-week vacation should not have surprised anyone. The country’s problems can wear even the strongest people down. But as the President takes his break, one issue deserves serious attention. It is the increasingly frosty relationship between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The tension between these two powerful players has become a national concern. Nigerians ultimately feel the consequences through rising petrol prices and renewed questions about fuel imports. A Complicated Relationship The relationship has been complicated from the beginning. NNPCL agreed to…

Nigeria’s democracy is facing a troubling contradiction. The judiciary, an institution established to uphold the rule of law, has increasingly become central to determining political outcomes after elections. Rather than simply resolving genuine electoral disputes, courts are frequently left to determine who ultimately occupies political office. The issue came into focus at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the need for institutional reform. Their concerns are particularly significant as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. Elections Should Be Decided at…

The Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the latest increase in petrol prices. The union described the increase as “avoidable and unacceptable” and questioned why more Nigerian crude cannot be made available to the  Dangote Petroleum Refinery The NLC’s acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, said the latest increase would further worsen the economic pressure facing workers and low-income households. These households are already struggling with rising transportation, food and other living costs. “The latest increase is avoidable and unacceptable in light of falling prices in the international market and our local capacity to sell more crude oil to Dangote. Why are…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated 44 chairmen of sports associations in the state, charging them to strengthen grassroots development, discover emerging talents and create sustainable pathways for athletes to achieve national and international success. Speaking during the inauguration at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu described the appointments as an important step towards repositioning sports administration in Lagos. The governor urged the new administrators to establish clear and measurable objectives, implement succession programmes and develop systems capable of identifying and nurturing young talents into elite athletes. “Sports is not merely recreation but a pathway to discipline, education, employment,…

The African Union has announced that the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) will be officially launched on October 7, 2026, in Port Louis, Mauritius, where the agency is headquartered. The launch marks a significant step in Africa’s efforts to strengthen its financial independence and address concerns over how African economies are assessed by international credit rating agencies. The AU announced the development on Wednesday through its official X account, describing AfCRA as a landmark achievement for Africa’s financial sovereignty. “For decades, skewed risk perceptions have forced African nations to pay an unfair ‘risk premium’ on global capital,” the AU said.…

Nollywood actor Charles Okocha has denied claims that he bit singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, during their celebrity boxing rematch in Lagos. Okocha made the clarification while speaking at a comedy event and during an appearance on TVC Entertainment, dismissing Portable’s allegation that he bit him on the back and locked his neck during the contest. According to the actor, he was wearing a mouth guard throughout the bout, making it impossible for him to bite his opponent. “Portable has been going around telling people I bit him on the back. I was wearing a mouth guard; how…

Nine-year-old Charlotte Muritala from Offa, Kwara State, is attracting attention for using TikTok to teach mathematics to other children. Charlotte, a JSS2 student, developed an interest in mathematics when she was about five years old. Today, she shares short lessons online using a whiteboard, marker and smartphone, explaining difficult topics in simple steps. Her lessons cover areas such as algebra, fractions and lowest common multiples. Charlotte said she enjoys solving mathematical problems because of her love for numbers and approaches difficult questions by breaking them into smaller parts. “First, I like breaking them into small parts. That makes it easier…

Nigeria’s deteriorating road network has become a growing source of frustration for motorists, transport operators and businesses, with several major highways now struggling to handle the country’s traffic demands. Although the Federal Government inherited a poor road network from previous administrations, the condition of many major highways has continued to worsen, leading to severe congestion, long travel times and frequent vehicle breakdowns. Nigeria has an estimated 195,000 to 200,000 kilometres of roads, but only about 60,000 kilometres are paved. A significant portion of these roads requires rehabilitation and regular maintenance. The Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road has faced similar challenges. The strategic route…

The National Pension Commission has begun discussions with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission over concerns surrounding pension adjustments and benefits for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The development followed a protest by retirees in Lagos who demanded the implementation of approved pension increases, wage awards and the payment of outstanding benefits. PenCom, in a statement, said it recognised the concerns of retirees and was engaging relevant stakeholders to address issues affecting eligible beneficiaries. The commission explained that implementing pension adjustments under the Contributory Pension Scheme involves several stages, including determining eligibility, calculating financial liabilities,…

Lionel Messi has officially retired from international football after more than two decades with Argentina, bringing the curtain down on one of the most remarkable careers in international football history. The Argentina captain announced his retirement after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying he had given his country everything he had and had “nothing more to give.” Messi’s international career began with Argentina’s youth teams before he progressed to the senior side and eventually became one of the country’s greatest-ever players. During his 207 appearances for Argentina, Messi scored 125 goals and registered 60 assists, giving him a direct involvement…