Lawmakers say new policy unfair, harmful to relations By Rafiyat Sadiq The House of Representatives has asked the United States government to reverse its recent visa policy that reduces visa validity for Nigerians from five years to three months. The lawmakers made the demand during plenary on Tuesday following a motion of urgent public importance …
By Esther Ososanya In the vast, sun-drenched stretch of Southern Africa, bordered by Angola, Botswana, Zambia, and the Atlantic Ocean, lies Namibia, a country better known for its deserts, diamonds, and dramatic dunes than its political experiments. But in 2025, this nation of just 2.6 million people, one of the youngest democracies in Africa, having …
By Sunday Michael Ogwu Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high of $121,000, posting a 24-hour gain of 1.76%, in a rally driven by surging institutional interest and mounting optimism over regulatory clarity. This historic milestone comes just ahead of Crypto Week, a key event expected to spotlight growing global interest in digital assets. …
The federal government has issued over 3.5 million passports in less than two years while saving more than ₦1 billion annually through strategic reforms in the passport issuance system. Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new passport front office in Abuja. He said the reforms align …
By Esther Ososanya U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed a sweeping executive order extending the deadline for his proposed reciprocal tariff regime to August 1, 2025, giving over a dozen nations a narrow window to renegotiate trade deals or face tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on select goods entering the U.S. The executive …
By Esther Ososanya In a decisive move toward building a truly unified African financial market, the Kingdom of Morocco has joined the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), becoming the 17th country to formally integrate into the pioneering platform. With Bank Al-Maghrib, the Moroccan central bank, officially signing the PAPSS membership agreement, the development marks …
By Esther Ososanya As BRICS leaders gathered for a high-stakes summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated tensions by announcing a proposed 10% tariff on countries aligning with what he called the group’s “anti-American policies”. The threat, posted on his Truth Social account, comes as the bloc which now includes …
By Esther Ososanya The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has clarified that Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration remains free for all Nigerians residing in the country, amid widespread concerns over alleged new charges. Reacting to viral reports suggesting a hike in BVN-related fees, the bank on Friday confirmed that the $50 charge applies only to …
By: Ubong Usoro The Nigerian government recently issued a directive to all foreigners who have overstayed their visas until August 1, 2025, to either regularise their stay or leave the country. Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement, said the ministry has opened a window for compliance, adding that anyone who fails …
By Esther Ososanya Africa’s path to industrialisation continues to be blocked by two stubborn barriers: poor electricity access and erratic government policies, according to the verdict from Africa’s leading industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who, alongside philanthropist Tony Elumelu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, laid out a bold, solution-driven agenda to unlock the continent’s economic potential. …
