Author: Olu Anisere

UNICEF, Airtel Expand Digital Learning in Lagos The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Airtel Nigeria have introduced the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), a digital learning programme, to a primary school in Lagos State. Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, announced this during a joint field trip by Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF to St Agnes Primary School, Maryland, Lagos. The Federal Ministry of Education partnered with UNICEF to launch the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in 2022. The platform offers online and offline learning, making it accessible in areas with poor connectivity where children struggle to access quality digital…

Trump Gives Hamas Ultimatum to Release Hostages U.S. President Donald Trump has given Palestinian militant organisation Hamas an ultimatum to release all remaining hostages being held in Gaza or face harsh consequences. Trump spoke out in favour of terminating the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect on Jan. 19, for an initial six weeks, if all remaining hostages are not released by “Saturday at 12 o’clock.’’ The U.S. president did not specify which time zone he was referring to. If that did not happen, “all hell is going to break out,’’ Trump said at the White…

Nigeria, UK Partner to Boost Security Measures The Nigeria Police Force and the British Embassy in Nigeria have launched a collaboration to enhance security and combat crime in Kogi. The partnership began on Monday with a meeting between Kogi Commissioner of Police, Mr Miller Dantawaye, and a British Embassy delegation. The delegation, led by Mr Andrew Marshall, discussed intelligence-led operations and counter-kidnapping strategies with the Commissioner of Police. Marshall stressed the importance of synergy in tackling security threats, highlighting the need for effective intelligence gathering to track criminal activities. He described crime as a major obstacle to peace and societal…

Nigeria Secures UN Facility to Boost Critical Minerals Value Chain Nigeria has secured a UN study facility to boost its critical minerals value chain. The facility was secured by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, at the sidelines of the ongoing Investing in African Mining Indaba Conference holding in Cape Town, South Africa from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6. This is made known by Alake’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Wednesday in Abuja. Tomori said the facility, funded by the Global Council for Critical Minerals, was secured to develop a roadmap for Nigeria’s critical value…

Nigeria Customs Imposes 4% FOB Charge on Imports The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is implementing a 4 percent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports. The spokesman of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja. Maiwada explained that the directive was in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. “In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a 4 per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports. “The FOB charge, which is calculated…

Live: GTCO Sees Strong Intraday Rally, Hits Record High GTCO Plc has started a process to breach a new 52-week high in the stock market as investors demand nudged the financial services group valuation higher during intraday trading sessions on Nigerisan Exchange (NGX). The orange-branded financial stock surged by 4.03% in the market during the early trading session on Wednesday, with more than 1.9 million shares volume valued at about N125 million. Data from the Nigerian Exchange showed that the GT Holdings share price has reached N64.50, its latest record high in 12 months. The diversified financial services group ranked…

Oil Prices Fall over Demand, Supply Imbalance Oil prices declined in the global commodity market on Wednesday over weak demand expectations as US inventory built. Report showed a larger-than-expected increase in US crude oil stockpiles, which signalled weakening demand in the world’s biggest oil consumer. However, US President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate the’maximum pressure’ policy on Iran raised concerns over global supply. Brent crude fell by 0.09%, trading at $75.75 per barrel, while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined by 0.1%, settling at $72.23 per barrel, compared to its prior session close of $72.32. Oil prices moved…

U.S Dollar Mixed Amidst Tariffs Delay, Fed Appearances The US dollar was mixed against its major trading partners early Tuesday—up versus the yen and pound, down versus the euro and Canadian dollar—before a busy schedule of data releases and appearances by Federal Reserve officials. US President Donald Trump delayed the implementation Monday of tariffs on Canada and Mexico in exchange for concessions from both countries. Hence, the markets are readjusting after Trump’s last-minute deals with Mexico and Canada which delayed tariffs by a month. USD/CAD and USD/MXN are both trading below their Friday’s close. US tariffs on China are due…

Nigeria’s Private Sector Growth Slows in January –PMI Nigeria’s private sector growth as measured by Stanbic IBTC purchasing manager index (PMI) released by S&P global slowed down by 7 basis points in Jnaury to 52 but there were signs inflation pressure soften. The report stated that the nascent growth in the Nigerian private sector seen at the end of 2024 was sustained into the first month of 2025, with new orders and business activity each continuing to rise. In January, there was a large improvement in business confidence while firms expanded employment, purchasing and inventories. Although input costs and output…

9mobile Loses Subscribers in November, December -Report Nigeria’s fourth mobile network operator, 9mobile, has continued to experience a decline in its subscriber base, with 6079 customers porting out of its network in two months. This porting loss for 9mobile occurred in the months of November and December 2024. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made this known in its Incoming and Outgoing Porting Activities of Mobile Networks Operators Report on its website. According to the NCC’s report, out of a total of 2998 subscribers which moved from one network to another in December 2024, 2188 subscribers left 9mobile to other networks…