2026 budget: FG earmarks N30bn for palaces, religious projects amid funding concerns
Fresh scrutiny has greeted the 2026 budget after a review of the document revealed that the Federal Government plans to spend N30.15 billion on palace construction, renovation, and furnishing, as well as church- and mosque-related projects, despite mounting fiscal challenges and growing demands for improved funding of essential public services. An analysis released by Tracka, the accountability initiative of the...
How we were forced into prostitution in Cote d’Ivoire — Nigerian survivors
Several Nigerian survivors of human trafficking have narrated how they were deceived with promises of jobs and a better life in Côte d’Ivoire, only to be subjected to forced labour, prostitution and sexual exploitation. The victims, identified as Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; and Monica, 38, were rescued in a joint operation involving the National Agency for...
Gas tanker catches fire in Lagos
A gas-laden tanker caught fire in the early hours of Thursday along Abaranje Road at Ola Farm Bus Stop in the Ikotun area of Lagos State, prompting a swift emergency response that prevented what authorities described as a potential disaster. The spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olawale Afolabi, said the blaze was quickly brought under control,...
Police seek public’s help to find missing Abuja graduate
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has appealed to members of the public for information that could help locate Emmanuel Terfa, popularly known as "Stoner," who has been missing since January. In a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the 25-year-old, an indigene of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State and a...
Sydney Talker opens up on four-year celibacy journey
Popular Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Sydney Talker, has revealed that he has remained celibate for the past four years, saying the decision was part of a deliberate effort to focus on studying the content creation industry. Speaking in a video shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, the 30-year-old entertainer said he has not "slept on the same...
Despite ₦193bn education budget, Katsina school lies in ruins
More than 1,000 students of Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Maidabino in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State are reportedly receiving lessons under deplorable conditions despite the state government allocating over ₦193 billion to the education sector in the 2025 and 2026 budgets. The grim situation was highlighted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who shared...
NAFDAC begins nationwide seizure of banned sachet alcohol
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a nationwide mop-up exercise to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation. NAFDAC made this in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, saying the enforcement reinforced the federal government’s ban on the production, importation, and sale of sachet alcohol...
Escalating Middle East conflict pushes oil prices to 6-week high
Oil prices surged on Thursday, July 23, 2026, extending their rally for a fifth straight session as renewed military tensions in the Middle East heightened concerns over global crude supplies. Brent crude futures climbed $2.42, or 2.6 per cent, to $96.49 per barrel by 0640 GMT, reaching their highest level in six weeks. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.59,...
Zenith Bank named Africa, Nigeria’s best bank at Euromoney Awards
Zenith Bank Plc has been named ‘Africa’s Best Bank’ and ‘Nigeria’s Best Bank’ at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, clinching the biggest and most coveted national and continental awards in banking. The awards were presented to Zenith Bank at The Peninsula London Hotel in London, the United Kingdom, on July 16, 2026. The bank was named Nigeria’s best bank for...
Stock market reverses bullish rally as investors lose N801bn
The Nigerian stock market reversed its three-day winning streak on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, as investors lost N801 billion following renewed profit-taking in large and mid-capitalised stocks. The bearish sentiment was driven by selloffs in stocks such as Nestle Nigeria, BUA Foods, Mecure Industries, International Energy Insurance, UAC of Nigeria, and 23 other equities. The market capitalisation declined by 0.51 per...
