Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Moniepoint Opens Applications for Second Dreamdevs Initiative Moniepoint Inc. a digital financial service provider, has announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of its flagship DreamDevs initiative, aimed at strengthening the continent’s technology talent pipeline. The company disclosed this in a statement by Chief Technology Officer of Moniepoint Inc., Mr Felix Ike. He said that the programme, open to recent graduates across Nigeria, is designed to bridge the tech talent gap, by equipping young professionals with industry-ready skills and real world experiences. He said that DreamDevs is structured as a national talent search for high-potential software engineers, with…

AustinLaz Chief Sell Down Holdings Amidst Upswing Price Movement AustinLaz & Company Plc has notified the market of a significant insider transaction involving its Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder, Asimonye Austin Lazarus Azubuike, who disposed of 52,238,727 ordinary shares valued at approximately N227.7 million. The transaction was disclosed in a directors’ dealings filing submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and signed by the company secretary, Ifeanyi Offor & Associates. According to the filing, referenced under transaction code NGAUSTINLAZ9, the share sale was executed in 11 tranches between 19 December 2025 and 6 January 2026. The shares were sold at…

Europe Holds Crisis Talks as Trump Sets Rising Tariffs Over Greenland European leaders were angered and dismayed on Saturday when U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would impose a 10 per cent tariff on imports from eight countries from Feb. 1, citing disagreements over Greenland. Trump said the tariff would apply to all goods sent to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The levy would rise to 25 per cent from June 1 and will remain in place “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total…

Israel Objects to U.S. Announcement on Gaza Executive Committee Israel on Saturday objected to the White House’s announced line-up for a Gaza executive committee, saying the move was not coordinated. In an unusually pointed statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the announced composition of the “Gaza Executive Board,” which operates under the newly established “Board of Peace,” “was not coordinated with Israel and runs counter to its policy.” Netanyahu instructed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to raise the matter with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, the statement said. Netanyahu’s objections appeared to focus in particular on the…

U.S. Says it Killed Militant Linked to Attack on its Forces in Syria The U.S. military on Saturday said it had killed “an experienced terrorist leader” in Syria who was linked to the December attack that killed two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. interpreter. Bilal Hasan al-Jasim had ties to Al-Qaeda and had direct contact with the militant who carried out the Dec. 13 ambush, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for the region, said on X. The operation took place on Friday in north-western Syria, CENTCOM said. “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three…

Lagos Targets N4.44trn Revenue Through Asset Monetisation The Lagos State Government plans to expand its revenue base by fully identifying, valuing and monetising public assets to generate N4.44 trillion for its 2026 budget. The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed this on Friday in Ikeja at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Lagos State Valuation Office (LASVO). The forum was with the theme, ‘Valuation of LASG Fixed Assets for International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Compliance’. Ogunleye said gaps in land use records and property documentation were limiting revenue, stressing that all land, property and infrastructure…

Banking, Consumer Goods Stocks Rally Drives NGX Rebound Buying interest in banking and consumer goods stocks drove the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index higher on Friday after the previous day’s sell pressure. The local bourse rebounded amidst mixed sentiment after the inflation figure that was released on Thursday.  Trading data showed that lightweight stocks recorded positive price movements, pushing year-to-date return higher slightly. With the trade direction, the Nigerian stock market ended the week on a positive note, concluding the week’s trading with the All-Share Index inching up 0.04% to 166,129.50 points. Trading metrics weakened broadly as share volume tumbled…

UN Urges Restraint as Iran Protests Ease UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee on Thursday urged action to prevent escalation as nationwide protests in Iran appeared to ease after nearly three weeks of unrest. Pobee spoke while briefing an emergency Security Council meeting in New York, convened by the United States to address the Iranian crisis. She described the situation as “fluid and deeply concerning”, noting that protests continued, “albeit reportedly at a smaller scale than last week”. Pobee warned against public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran, saying such rhetoric heightened risks. “This external dimension adds volatility to an…

NEC Seeks Accelerated Transition From Oil to Non-Oil Economy The National Economic Council (NEC) has called for accelerated transition from oil to non-oil economy through competitive manufacturing, export diversification, and private sector investment. Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is the Chairman of the council, made the call in his opening remarks, during the 156th NEC meeting and first in 2026, held virtually. Shettima observed that while “global powers assert their interests with renewed confidence, commodity markets will remain volatile,” with oil prices, exchange rates, and capital flows frustrating the nation’s policies. He noted that the current economic reality has reinforced the…

Trump Says ‘Board of Peace’ Formed to Oversee Gaza Transition U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the formation of an international oversight board to monitor the work of Gaza’s new transitional administration. Trump, who will chair the so-called “Board of Peace,” wrote on Truth Social that the members’ names would be released soon. The board would oversee the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a group of 14 Palestinians which met for the first time in Cairo on Thursday. According to Israeli reports, the “Board of Peace” would include Bulgarian and former UN Middle East envoy…