Import waivers meant to ease hunger and insecurity on farms have led to a deficit, ending a two-year run of surpluses, as Nigeria’s agricultural trade balance swung from a N740.27bn surplus in the first half of 2025 to a N56.13bn deficit in H1 2026, according to agriculture and trade experts. Recent foreign trade data …
The Lagos State Government has called on youths between the ages of 18 and 26 to apply for the ongoing military recruitment exercise, urging eligible residents to help the state meet its recruitment quota. The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, made this call during a meeting with the 57 l…
The Lagos State Government is planning to increase the annual student intake of the Lagos State University College of Medicine from about 500 to 2,500 by 2028. To accommodate the expansion, the government would be repurposing the former CACOVID Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, as additional teaching space for LASUCOM…
Nigerian-born scientist, Prof Ngozi Franca Okoye, has emerged as one of the final two candidates for a seat on the Board of Directors of Sigma Xi, a United States-based scientific research honour society. Okoye, who is based in the United Kingdom, is contesting the Full Directorship representing the Canadian/Internatio…
The Institute for Industrial Technology has called for greater investment in technical education and skills development to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria. The Director of IIT, Mr David Okechukwu, made the call at a press conference marking the institute’s 25 years of providing technical education in Lagos. Okechu…
Gates Foundation Nigeria Country Director, Uche Amaonwu, speaks with ANGELA ONWUZOO about how the partnership between the foundation and MTN Group Foundation will use AI and digital tools to benefit 500,000 women, 5,000 health workers and 500 primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria Nigeria has rolled out several inter…
The Federal Government is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across the 36 states of the federation by 2028 under Project BRIDGE, a digital infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding broadband connectivity nationwide. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, wh…
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 271.92348kg of illicit drugs in September 2026. The command also declared a suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, wanted after he allegedly escaped arrest during an operation. His…
Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has warned Senior Secondary School students against allowing temporary fun, bad friendships and social media distractions to derail their future, urging them to think carefully before making life-changing decisions. Jegede gave the warning on Wednesday at a Campus Flaws Awareness program…
A recent study on consumer penetration and audience behaviour has shown that Out-of-Home advertising remains a powerful driver of consumer action, with more than seven out of every 10 Nigerians surveyed taking a commercial action after seeing an outdoor advert. The Nigeria OOH Consumer Penetration and Audience Behaviou…
The Enugu State Police Command has disclosed that its operatives arrested 45-year-old Ani Chidi on cyberbullying complaints, rather than having a connection with the gun attack at a meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Obuoffia-Awkunanaw, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, This was revealed in a st…
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out attacking Iran before the midterm elections on November 3, saying Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran. Trump’s post on his Truth Social platform followed a surge in oil prices on Thursday driven by media reports suggesting potential new US strikes …
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to sustain efforts to improve services and prioritise the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj. Ahmed made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NAHC…
The Federal Government is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across the 36 states of the federation by 2028 under Project BRIDGE, a digital infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding broadband connectivity nationwide. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who…
The Federal Government has announced 10 measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices and protect households, businesses and transport users from further price shocks. The measures were outlined by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Thursday during a press brief…
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, has urged Nigerian students to embrace opportunities in the non-oil export sector and develop businesses capable of competing in the global market. Ayeni made the call at the launch of the NEPC-National Ass…
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, about £136,000, over his purchase of a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. As reported by Sky Sports News on Thursday, the ex-Arsenal midfielder and Switzerland captain was sentenced by the Lucerne Public Prose…
The Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency (ODCCPA) has given businesses operating in the state a one-month grace period to complete mandatory registration. The agency, in a notice issued by its Executive Chairman, Oluyemi Fasipe, on X on Thursday, said the registration was compulsory for all businesses …
Pensioners under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners have commended the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, for implementing a Supreme Court judgment that left some retirees waiting for their entitlements for more than 23 years. The pensioners also praised t…
Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has been presented with three Guinness World Records certificates after setting new marks in English and European football before turning 17. Guinness World Records announced the achievement in a post on its verified X handle on Thursday, saying Dowman had been recognised for his record-bre…
Pep Guardiola is set to return to the Etihad Stadium next week when Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the former City manager is expected to attend the match on Wednesday, 14 October, marking his first visit to the stadium since leaving the club at …
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has commended the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in the Ondo community, saying his actions spared the town from a greater disaster. The monarch in an interview with journalists on Wednesday said the crash, which claimed the lives of all 25 …
Ten Nigerian players have caught the eye in the weeks before and around the first international break of the season, from Gift Orban and Kelechi Iheanacho’s scoring run in Turkey and Godwin Obaje’s 100-goal landmark at home, PETER AKINBO writes Calvin Bassey (Fulham) Bassey has grown from a dependable defender into a l…
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has commenced the implementation of its share subscription grant initiative for Nigerian women, with the programme extending to eligible policewomen and military women. The Dangote Group confirmed to The PUNCH that eligible female personnel in the police and military are among the beneficia…
Families across Nigeria continue to live with the deaths, trauma, financial losses and unanswered questions left behind by building collapses. As experts blame weak enforcement, quackery, substandard materials and poor construction practices, ANOZIE EGOLE examines why building collapses persist and what happens to the …