Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

IMF Projects Global Growth to Remain Resilient at 3.3% in 2026 The International Monetary Fund(IMF) has projected that global growth will remain resilient at 3.3 per cent in 2026 and at 3.2 per cent in 2027. The projection is contained in the fund’s latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update for January released on Monday.5 The report said that the forecast marked a small upward revision for 2026 and no change for 2027 compared with that in the October 2025 WEO. According to the report, this steady performance on the surface results from the balancing of divergent forces. “Headwinds from shifting…

Sanwo-Olu Signs ₦4.44tn ‘Budget of ‘Shared Prosperity’ Into Law Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N4.4 trillion describing it as a “Budget of Shared Prosperity” aimed at inclusive growth. The governor said that the budget also aims at improving the quality of life for residents. Sanwo-Olu spoke at the State House in Ikeja on Monday, during the signing ceremony. The signing was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as well as representatives of the Lagos State House of Assembly led by Majority Leader, Mr Nojim Adams. Sanwo-Olu commended the House…

EU to Hold Emergency Summit over Trump’s Greenland Threats European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill on Monday said Leaders of EU countries will hold an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss U.S. threats related to Greenland. The summit will assess possible retaliatory measures in response to threatened tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on countries that oppose his plan to “acquire” Greenland. Gill said the EU continues to engage “at all levels” with Washington over its new tariff threats and is taking “every possible step” to protect the bloc’s economic interests. He added that the use of the anti-coercion instrument…

FIFA to Establish Regional Development Office in South Africa Football’s global governing body FIFA is to establish a fully supported regional development office in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. In a statement released on Sunday, South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) said the agreement was concluded with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco’s capital Rabat. Under the agreement, South Africa will facilitate FIFA’s administrative and operational activities in the country, while FIFA will fund and staff the office, which will serve South Africa and neighboring countries…

AFCON Brilliance Lifts Super Eagles to 26th in FIFA Ranking Nigeria’s Super Eagles have surged to 26th position in the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Monday, recording a remarkable 12-place jump. The Eagles climbed from 38th following an impressive outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where they finished third overall. Nigeria is now the third-best team in Africa, behind AFCON finalists Senegal, ranked 12th globally, and Morocco, placed eighth in the world. Algeria and Egypt, both eliminated by Nigeria at the tournament, occupy fourth and fifth positions respectively on the African ranking. The Eagles…

Heirs Insurance Hackathon Opens Heirs Insurance Group (HIG), Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, calls for applications for the maiden edition of the Heirs Insurance Hackathon, a technology-driven innovation programme designed to empower young students shape the future of insurance through Artificial Intelligence and digital solutions. The Hackathon is open only to students in universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions to build solutions for real-world challenges across the insurance value chain, from customer experience and claims processing to underwriting, distribution, data, and operational efficiency. Registration closes on February 16, 2026, with winning teams to be announced at the Hackathon Grand Finale in…

Nigeria–UAE Trade Pact Will Accelerate Non-Oil Growth -TSF The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) says the signing of the Nigeria–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil sector. This is contained in a statement jointly signed by TSF Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, on Monday in Abuja. The forum said the agreement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by prioritising export diversification, private-sector growth and sustainable job creation. Under the CEPA, TSF noted that 7,315 Nigerian products will enjoy preferential, duty-free access to the UAE market. It said 2,805 products, representing 38.3 per…

Shettima to Present Nigeria’s 2026 Economic Outlook at 56th WEF Vice-President Kashim Shettima will present Nigeria’s 2026 economic outlook at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice-President, said this in a statement on Sunday. Nkwocha added that Shettima has arrived in Davos to lead the Nigerian delegation at the annual global economic forum. On arrival, the Vice-President was received by Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yussuf Tuggar, Trade and Investment Minister Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and Nigerian mission officials. Nkwocha said Shettima will…

AFCON 2025: Morocco’s Díaz Clinches Golden Boot Award Morocco forward Brahim Díaz has won the Puma Golden Boot at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Playing before home fans, the Atlas Lions attacker topped the scoring chart, underlining his influence after also finishing top scorer in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Díaz ended the tournament with five goals, a tally unmatched by any other player despite Morocco’s eventual defeat in the final. He scored in every phase, opening against Comoros, netting versus Mali, and striking twice against Zambia during the group stage The Real Madrid forward continued his run…

FG Denies Siting Gold Refinery in Lagos The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government sited a gold refinery in Lagos in violation of the federal character principle. It said the allegations contained in a statement signed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, were not true and misleading. In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Mr Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said the minister had not made any such announcement. “There was nowhere in the…