Osun 2026: No anointed candidate from president – APC aspirant

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu has not endorsed any contestant seeking the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket for the 2026 election in Osun State. Oyebamiji, who is running for the APC ticket among roughly 10 other contenders, said this during his consultation tour to the headquarters of Ifedayo and Odo Otin Local Government Area of the state on Saturday. The head of NIWA, who previously held the position of Commissioner for Finance in the administrations of former governors…

Chelsea unveil 2025/26 squad numbers as new signings inherit iconic shirts

Chelsea have officially confirmed their squad numbers for the 2025/26 season, with several summer signings handed symbolic shirts as the Blues prepare for a fresh campaign under manager Enzo Maresca. The updated list highlights both a shift in attacking firepower and a continued commitment to youth integration. Among the standout changes, new striker Liam Delap inherits the much-discussed No. 9. Rising Brazilian star Estevão begins his Chelsea journey with the No. 41 shirt, and others like Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo, and Filip Jorgensen also feature prominently. Chelsea’s 2025/26 squad numbers…

Ibadan markets shut as Olubadan Olakulehin is buried

Due to the burial of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, all markets were forced to close on Friday morning. Two days after turning 90, on July 7, 2025, Oba Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, passed away. Today, August 8, he will be laid to rest at the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Aremo, Ibadan. In a statement released on Thursday, Oyo State Babaloja General Alhaji Yekeen Abass ordered that all markets be closed on Friday from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. in remembrance of the deceased king. Abass stated…

Nigeria, US advance high-level talks over visa restrictions

Despite diplomatic requests from the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the United States has not yet lifted the recent visa restrictions placed on specific Nigerian nationals. “Engages are ongoing but the policy is yet to be reversed so far,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told stated  on Wednesday. Given that the United States has not formally responded to Nigeria’s request for a review, the development implies that the visa restrictions might stay in effect. Certain non-immigrant visas, such as those falling under the B1/B2 (business and…

EFCC Intensifies Anti-Money Laundering Efforts in Real Estate

Due to insufficient client vetting, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has expressed concern about the pervasiveness of money laundering in Nigeria’s real estate industry, pointing to estate developers as major enablers. The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, ordered real estate developers to do background checks on real estate investors in order to verify the authenticity of their revenue streams, according to a news statement posted on the agency’s social media accounts on Wednesday. At a gathering in Abuja on Wednesday, Olukoyede issued the warning in a speech headlined “Tackling Illegal…

Foreign investors sell off N576bn Nigerian stocks in six months

Between January and June 2025, foreign investors sold out N576.09 billion worth of stocks on the Nigerian Exchange, an increase of 84.97% over the N311.41 billion that was taken out during the same time period in 2024. Over the course of the six months, the net negative foreign portfolio position was N16.84 billion since the outflows were more than the foreign inflows, which totaled N559.25 billion. Foreign trading activity has increased in comparison to the same period last year, according to data from the NGX’s June 2025 Domestic and Foreign…

Edo State banning NURTW, RTEAN, and ANNEWAT

With immediate effect, the Edo State government on Wednesday outlawed the operations of Drivers on Wheels, ANNEWAT, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers. The unions are not permitted to collect any kind of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from drivers, dealers, or any other member of the public in the state, according to a statement made by Umar Ikhilor, the secretary to the state administration. The Edo State Government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, has noted with great concern the startling…

First HoldCo Plc set to dispose shares after Otudeko’s exit

Plans have been revealed by First HoldCo Plc to sell a 25% stake in the business that was recently transferred to RC Investment Management Ltd., a special purpose organization. During a recent investor conference call in Lagos, Wale Oyedeji, the managing director of First HoldCo, revealed the development, according to Bloomberg. “Those shares will be disposed of, and we have a variety of options,” Oyedeji stated. Without providing a timeframe, he continued, “In the end, you will see that those shares will be disposed of in the market.” About 10.43…

Afreximbank leads $4 Billion Refinancing Deal for Dangote Refinery

Dangote Industries Limited is the beneficiary of a $1.35 billion credit arrangement inked with Afreximbank. The credit is a component of a broader $4 billion syndicated financing agreement for Dangote Industries Limited, in which Afreximbank served as the Mandated Lead Arranger, according to a statement from the continental bank. This financing will refinance capital spent on building the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, the largest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. It is one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African…

Morayo Brown Steps Down as ‘Your View’ Host on TVC

After 12 years at TVC Communications, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, the longtime anchor of Your View and managing director of TVC Entertainment, has formally left. Her final day of employment will be Thursday, August 29, 2025, according to a statement released on Monday by Edward Akintara, TVC Manager, PR, Corporate Communications & Marketing, confirming her resignation. According to the network, Morayo decided to resign in order to focus on a long-standing passion project that she had been nurturing for a long time. The statement said, in part, “We honor her for the…