Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Gordon Strike Sinks Chelsea, Deepens Blues’ Woeful Week Anthony Gordon struck the decisive goal as Newcastle United defeated Chelsea FC, compounding the Blues’ miserable week and denting their hopes in the Champions League race. Chelsea had the chance to climb to third under coach Liam Rosenior but, in spite of dominating possession and creating half-chances, failed to make their superiority count. The defeat followed their midweek humiliation by Paris Saint‑Germain in Europe, with familiar defensive lapses resurfacing as Newcastle converted their only clear opportunity. Chelsea now trail Aston Villa and Manchester United by three points, having played a game more,…

The energy crisis is expected to reshape Nigeria’s inflation expectations and will likely influence critical monetary policy decisions, analysts said, citing the U.S.-Iran conflict.

The British pound (GBPUSD) fell to 1.33 against the US dollar, the lowest since December 2025, as the UK economy

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) market capitalisation topped N127 trillion on Friday, as equity investors recorded a gain of about N962 billion from trades executed on the platform.

Trump Says he Thinks Iran’s New Supreme Leader Alive but ‘Damaged’ President Donald Trump said that he thinks new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father, the former supreme leader, was killed ​on the first day of the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, is alive but “damaged.” Khamenei has not been seen ⁠by Iranians since his selection on Sunday by a clerical ​assembly, and his first comments were read out by a television ​presenter on Thursday. “I think he probably is (alive). I ​think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, ‌you ⁠know,” Trump…

World Bank Approves $800m Loan to Support Philippine Fiscal Reforms The World Bank on Friday announced the approval of an 800 million dollar loan to help the Philippines strengthen its fiscal resilience, attract higher-quality private investment. The loan will also equip its workforce with skills needed for better and more productive jobs. The new operation, called the Philippines Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan, focuses on reforms in three key areas. The key areas are strengthening fiscal management through revenue and expenditure reforms; expanding opportunities for private investment and innovation by lowering the cost of doing business and promoting competition.…

CBN Directs Banks to Block Loan Defaulters from Accessing Credit The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed commercial banks across Nigeria to prevent loan defaulters from obtaining new credit facilities. The directive was conveyed in a circular issued by the apex bank to banks, targeting borrowers who have failed to meet their loan repayment obligations. According to the circular, the restriction particularly applies to large-ticket obligors—individuals or companies with significant outstanding debts to financial institutions. Under the new measure, banks are required to block such defaulters from accessing further credit until their existing obligations are settled. The circular further…

Mr Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says reforms in Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) market have significantly improved liquidity, restored investor confidence and stabilised the Naira.

Oil Prices Rise Amidst Temporary Russia Crude Supply Oil prices edged higher on Friday after reports that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over shipping disruptions, though gains were capped by US measures aimed at stabilising global energy supplies. Brent traded at $99.39 per barrel, the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.6% to $95.81 per barrel, compared with $95.24 in the previous session. Iran began laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz using smaller boats after US forces destroyed larger Iranian vessels capable of quickly laying mines, according to media reports Thursday.…

PDP Counting Down to its Expiration — APC The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is steadily sliding into political irrelevance across Nigeria. The APC said the opposition party appeared to be counting down to its “expiration” due to persistent internal crises and lack of ideological direction. The party’s spokesman in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, made the remarks in a statement on Thursday. Oladejo said leadership crisis, internal divisions and absence of a coherent vision had weakened the PDP over the years. He said what once appeared as a dominant national platform…