Author: Vincent Osuwo

The federal government is set to lose $4 million from a World Bank loan for failing to meet auditing standards on a crucial revenue reform affecting the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service. The fund was part of the Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a $103 million public financial management programme funded by the International Development Association’s credit facility. According to the World Bank’s restructuring paper dated June 2025, the revenue assurance audit encompassing the FIRS and Customs for the fiscal years 2018-2021 was deemed unsuccessful because the papers submitted did not match international auditing standards. A…

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group and founder of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has announced that a major shake-up in the country will take place shortly. Dangote stated that the goal was not to reduce prices but rather to completely reorganise the downstream business. He revealed this in a conversation with journalists during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the $20 billion refinery in Lekki, Lagos. When urged to mention the ‘big thing’ he had in store for Nigerians with the refinery, Dangote replied, “Now that the president has visited and he has given us additional energy, we…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned former Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume over his recent comments, warning that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s treatment awaits President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The APC stated that while it allows differing opinions, it also has established procedures for disciplining members who engage in misconduct. Bala Ibrahim, APC’s Director of Publicity, stated in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Monday that the ruling party is open-minded and welcomes a variety of viewpoints without conflict. Speaking on Sunday, Ndume expressed fear that an upset awaited the president at the next poll if he failed to…

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the death of retired Army Major Joe Ajayi at the hands of his kidnappers after his family paid a N10 million ransom for his release. The command’s spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lokoja. According to reports, Ajayi, 76, was kidnapped from his home in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi, on May 21. According to the Bunu Leaders Forum, Ovye-Aya confirmed that the deceased former army officer’s remains had been recovered and put in the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary. He did, however, assure…

Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan, has disclosed that she nearly abandoned her Doctor of Philosophy studies due to the continual pressure and obstacles she received from her instructors. She recently received her PhD in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during the institution’s 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony. The former First Lady spoke at a testimony time on Sunday at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, about her challenging academic career, which was marred by frustration and self-doubt. Jonathan revealed that the demands of university life, notably the…

The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has threatened to move council chairmen over the security challenges in the state. Oborevwori, speaking in Asaba, delivered a harsh warning to Delta State’s local government chairmen over shortcomings in security leadership. The Governor, concerned about the escalating insecurity in sections of the state, issued a harsh warning to local government council chairmen, urging that regular attendance and active participation in monthly security council meetings are not negotiable. The Delta governor said, “If you are weak as a council chairman, we will remove you. “Security is a shared responsibility, and as council chairmen,…

The president Bola Tinubu-led federal government on Monday, reacted to the criticism of the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a ‘shallow’ personality who is not well grounded in the issues of economics and governance. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, confirmed this in a statement uploaded on his official X account. While expressing surprise that Obi could agree with President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange, Bwala emphasised that the former Anambra governor and other opposition figures were only interested in…

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has said that he would have removed the petrol subsidy and floated the naira if elected president, but would have done so gradually and in a more organised manner. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television on Monday, Obi emphasised that, while he supports the policies, their implementation by the current administration was poorly managed. Obi said, “I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy. “If you go to my manifesto, it is there, along with the steps I would have taken in an organised…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project Nigeria (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt what it describes as a “purported threat” by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to shut down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rents. In a statement on X on Monday, SERAP warned that such action would violate international law and diplomatic conventions. “President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja,” the group stated. SERAP referenced Article 22 of the Vienna…

No fewer than 34 foreign embassies in Abuja risk being shut down by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) due to unpaid ground rents dating back to 2014. The FCTA’s publication revealed that several diplomatic missions collectively owe a total of N3,662,196 in ground rent, sparking enforcement action led by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The development follows the minister’s directive on May 26 for officials to commence enforcement actions on 4,794 properties revoked due to non-payment of ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years. However, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to clear their…