Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Microsoft Invests $1m in AI Skilling for 1m Nigerians Microsoft on Wednesday announced a one million dollars investment to equip one million Nigerians with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills. The Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Ms Ola Williams, said at a Microsoft AI Tour media briefing in Lagos that the AI skill training would reach one million Nigerians by 2026. Williams said that the investment was part of Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria. She said that at Microsoft, it was believed that AI had the potential to transform the economy and societies. According to…

FG Bans 60,000 Litres Petrol Tankers From March 1 The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has banned 60,000 litres petroleum tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective March 1, to mitigate truck-in-transit incidents. Mr Ahmed Farouk, Authority’s Chief Executive, NMDPRA, announced the ban on Wednesday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen shortly after its Stakeholders Technical Committee Meeting. He added by fourth quarter of 2025, no truck with 45,000 litres capacity would be allowed to load petroleum products. The meeting had in attendance the officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety…

U.S. Ambassador Denies USAID Involvement With Boko Haram The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, has said that there’s no evidence to back allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country. Mills made the calcification while speaking with newsmen shortly after his presentation at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja. Mills said that Boko Haram had been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation since 2013, assuring that robust monitoring systems were in place to ensure that US assistance reach intended recipients. He challenged…

Banking Stocks Drive Intraday Momentum in Nigerian Bourse Banking stocks, including FBN Holdings, FCMB, and other smaller lenders, are currently trading higher in the equities market on renewed investors’ interest in companies with strong potential upsides. The Nigerian Exchange, NGX, is tracking higher during the midday trading session as bargain hunting is more likely to upturn the negative performance posted on Wednesday. The market reactions to the sharp decline in Nigeria’s headline inflation have been mixed amidst ongoing monetary policy meeting. Stockbrokers are of the view that more funds will pass through equities due to fast changing debt market dynamics.…

EU to Introduce New Rules to Cut Food, Textile Waste The Representatives of European Union member states and European Parliament on Wednesday agreed on new rules to reduce food and textile waste. Waste generated during food processing and manufacturing would be cut by 10 per cent by 2030, and waste from retail, restaurants, food services and households by 30 per cent. According to the negotiators, these are the first EU-wide reduction targets for food wastes. The new rules are also to incentivise donations of unsold but safe food. Polish EU lawmaker, Anna Zalewska, who led the negotiations for the European…

FG Calls on Traders to Lower Food Prices The Federal Government has called on retailers to reflect the reduction in food prices and shun exploiting consumers. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this on Tuesday during the 2025 Wheat Farmers Green Field Day, at Dabi village in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa. He decried the nonchalant attitude of retailers to reflect the reduction in their sales in spite of drop in prices, describing it as unpatriotic and unacceptable. “The federal government is aware of the significant drop in the prices of food items across major…

Lagos Lawmakers Commend LIRS on Historic N1trn Revenue Milestone Legislators in Lagos State have commended the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) for achieving an unprecedented milestone in revenue generation, surpassing ₦1 trillion. This landmark accomplishment positions LIRS as the first subnational revenue agency in Nigeria to attain such a feat, reflecting its professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to transparent tax administration. Former Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budgeting, Hon. Lukman Sa’ad Olumoh, alongside Hon. Femi Saheed, former Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, lauded LIRS and its Executive Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Subair, for their exemplary…

FCTA Spent N200bn on Education from 2023 to Date Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the administration has spent N200 billion on education from 2023 to date. Hayyo disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the opening of a two-day innovation and entrepreneurship education training for Vice Principals (Academic) in FCT public secondary schools. He explained out of the N200 billion, N100 billion was spent on school renovation and establishment of new ones. According to him, this is the first time the administration has expended such a huge amount on the education sector…

ECA, AfCFTA Enhance Cooperation for Effective Trade Implementation The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat are committed to enhancing cooperation to support the effective implementation of the AfCFTA. This is according to a statement by the Executive Secretary, ECA, Claver Gatete on Tuesday in Abuja. Gatete said that the commitment was made at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations during the Africa Business Forum (ABF 2025) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He said that the agreement set the stage for closer collaboration between the two institutions to advance…

Forex: Euro Extends Decline, Sterling Pares Gains The Euro extended decline against the US dollar on Tuesday while the sterling paired gain in the forex market. With global uncertainties, the demand for US dollar has continued to increase on the back of tariffs responses from countries targeted by the United State President Donald Trump. The Russia-Ukraine peace talks could boost Euro area numbers, and reduce U.S tariff threat in a play along game with Trump administration. In a note, ING said should Russia and Ukraine ultimately reach a peace deal, the dollar is probably due another moderate correction. “…but for…