Author: Olu Anisere

Olu Anisere is a financial and economic journalist at MarketForces Africa, specialising in African macroeconomic policy, international finance, energy markets, and continental development.He covers major multilateral institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), providing readers with frontline reporting on policies shaping Africa's economic trajectory.Olu has reported extensively on Nigeria's fiscal and monetary policy landscape, including CBN interest rate decisions, Nigeria's bond market, FX inflows, and the country's engagement with global financial institutions.His coverage spans IMF and World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings, African Ministers of Finance conferences, and high-level economic forums where Africa's development agenda is set.His reporting captures perspectives from Africa's most influential economic voices, including Tony Elumelu, senior IMF officials, and CBN leadership, bringing institutional insight and policy depth to MarketForces Africa's readers.Olu also covers Inside Africa — tracking economic, investment, and development stories from across the continent. Olu Anisere is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Oil Prices Up as U.S. Plans to Sanction Iran’s Crude Buyers  Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as US warnings of potential secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil heightened supply concerns, while a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories supported a high-demand outlook. International benchmark Brent crude futures traded at $94.94 per barrel, up around 0.01% from the previous close of $94.93. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose about 0.3% to $91.57 per barrel, compared with $91.29 in the previous session. Prices found support from signals that the US could impose “secondary sanctions” on countries purchasing Iranian oil.…

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AI, Tech Stocks Power Wall Street to Record Highs Tech stocks are powering stock markets to fresh record highs as easing geopolitical tensions are helping “accelerate the next phase of the AI and tech-led bull market.” This is the bullish analysis from the CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group as Wall Street’s S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at new all-time highs on Monday, with the tech-heavy index extending its winning streak to 11 consecutive sessions. The move comes as expectations build around a potential de-escalation between the US and Iran, after President Trump said a deal to…

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2.2m Candidates Sit for 2026 UTME Nationwide The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commenced nationwide on Thursday, with more than 2.2 million candidates expected to sit for the examination across accredited centres. The examination, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple sessions scheduled daily. The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, charged examination officials to demonstrate maximum commitment and professionalism, stressing that the success of the UTME largely depends on their performance and dedication to duty. Oloyede gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical…

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