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Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Reach $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Reach $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has officially reached a net worth of $30 billion as of October 23, 2025, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index. The milestone reflects a $2.16 billion increase in his wealth this year, including a recent $430 million valuation gain. Just days earlier, Dangote’s fortune stood at $29.8 billion, only $200 million shy of the $30 billion mark. The surge is largely driven by the expansion of his industrial ventures, particularly the completion of a $160 million cement plant in Attingué, about 30 km north of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Spanning 50 hectares with an annual production capacity of three million metric tonnes, the facility is one of Dangote Cement’s largest outside Nigeria. With this addition, the company’s total installed capacity across Africa now reaches approximately 55 million tonnes per year across 11 countries. Dangote is also focusing on the oil sector, planning to more than double refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, which would surpass the output of the world’s largest refinery in Jamnagar, India. Reports indicate that Dangote Refinery may sell 5–10% of its shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) within the next year. Since the launch of the $20 billion Dangote Oil Refinery in May 2023—which began operations in October 2023 with a daily production capacity of 370,000 barrels of diesel and jet fuel—Dangote’s fortune has seen significant growth. Shortly after the refinery’s commissioning, Bloomberg ranked him the 81st richest person globally with a net worth of $20.4 billion. Although he briefly lost the title of Africa’s richest person to South African billionaire Johann Rupert in early 2024, Dangote quickly reclaimed the top spot, surpassing $20 billion by late January 2024. Despite mid-2024 fluctuations, his net worth climbed to $27.8 billion by year-end and $29.3 billion by August 2025, before finally crossing the $30 billion threshold this October. Dangote’s rise highlights his growing influence across Africa’s industrial sector—from cement to oil refining—solidifying his position as the continent’s wealthiest individual and one of its most transformative business leaders.

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Wike Says He Will Only Testify In Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial If Officially Subpoenaed

Wike Says He Will Only Testify In Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial If Officially Subpoenaed

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will only appear as a witness in the trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu if he is officially subpoenaed by the court. Speaking during his monthly media briefing on Friday, Wike addressed reports that Kanu had listed him among 23 planned witnesses, which also include former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd). Wike clarified that he did not volunteer to be a witness and has not received any legal documents or formal court summons. He emphasised that one cannot assume the role of a witness simply based on media reports. “If you see Nnamdi Kanu, ask him why he listed me. I did not go to him to say I want to be a witness. You don’t become a witness by reading a newspaper. Nobody has served me process; nobody has subpoenaed me. “So, if I am served and subpoenaed to give evidence, I will obey the court and appear,” Wike said, stressing the importance of following proper legal procedure.

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Niniola Confirms She Is Not Married, Focused On Music And Stage Comeback

Niniola Confirms She Is Not Married, Focused On Music And Stage Comeback

Singer Niniola has put to rest circulating rumors that she is secretly married, emphasizing that her focus remains on her music and upcoming projects. The “Maradona” star explained that her infrequent public appearances are not linked to any marital commitments. She also rejected claims that she might be hiding a marriage to safeguard her career. Reassuring fans about her return to the stage, Niniola said, “I don’t care whatever anyone does or says regarding my personal life. After all, I’m not a 12-year-old. I’m old enough to say whatever it is I want to say with my full chest. I’m not married.” Her statement underscores her commitment to her artistry while putting an end to speculation about her personal life.

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Tinubu Reshuffles Military Leadership, Appoints New Service Chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved fresh appointments in the Nigerian Armed Forces, marking a major overhaul of the country’s military leadership aimed at boosting national security and operational effectiveness. In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. The newly appointed Service Chiefs are: Chief of Defence Staff: Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede Chief of Army Staff: Major-General W. Shaibu Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral I. Abbas Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye (retains position) According to the presidency, the shake-up is part of the administration’s commitment to reposition the armed forces for improved synergy, enhanced professionalism, and stronger response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

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Yemi Alade Reveals She Fell Into Depression After Discovering She Lied About Her Age

Yemi Alade Reveals She Fell Into Depression After Discovering She Lied About Her Age

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has shared how she once battled depression after discovering she had been lying about her age for years. In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the Afro-pop star admitted that she repeatedly told people she was 22 years old, only to later realize she was actually 25. “There was a time someone asked me my age, and I kept saying for three years I was 22. Then I realised I was 25 years old,” she said. “I took out my phone and I did the mathematics. I was depressed for a few days. My mind wasn’t taken into process. It was mental, for three years I didn’t know my right age.” Yemi explained that the realization left her mentally drained, as she struggled to come to terms with the truth. She described the experience as a wake-up call that reminded her of the importance of self-awareness and authenticity. Her revelation has since sparked conversations about the pressure celebrities face to maintain a youthful image and the mental toll it can take on their wellbeing.

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Police Arrest Omoyele Sowore Again After Court Appearance In Abuja

Police Arrest Omoyele Sowore Again After Court Appearance In Abuja

Human rights activist and #FreeNnamdiKanuNow advocate, Omoyele Sowore, was taken into custody again by the Nigeria Police shortly after his court session at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday. Sowore, along with Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, a former member of Kanu’s legal team, and ten others, had earlier been granted bail after meeting all the conditions set by the court. The bail terms required each defendant to pay ₦500,000, provide two sureties residing in the Federal Capital Territory, present valid means of identification, and show proof of tax payment for the last three years. However, minutes after the court proceedings ended, police officers reportedly surrounded Sowore and whisked him away to Kuje Prison, despite confirmation that he had met all bail requirements. He is expected to appear in court again on Monday, October 27, on a new charge linked to his recent statement describing President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

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Sowore, Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer And Brother Granted Bail Over #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest In Abuja

A Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, Abuja, has granted bail to activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, along with Aloy Ejimakor — a lawyer on Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team — the IPOB leader’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten other persons. The court approved bail in the sum of ₦500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum. The thirteen defendants had been charged with inciting public disturbance and breaching the peace following their participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which took place in Abuja on October 20. While Ejimakor, Emmanuel, and the other protesters were detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre after their arrest during the rally, Sowore was picked up on October 23 at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, where he had gone to show support during Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial.

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Williams Uchemba Demands Death Penalty For Kidnappers As Insecurity Worsens In Nigeria

Actor and filmmaker Williams Uchemba has called for the execution of kidnappers as a way to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis. In a passionate video shared on his social media page, the Nollywood star expressed frustration over the government’s failure to enforce existing laws, saying that only strict punishment can deter criminals. Using an analogy, Uchemba compared the country’s tolerance for criminal behavior to a mother who refuses to discipline her child for stealing meat from the pot, warning that such leniency only nurtures hardened criminals. “When a child begins to steal meat from the mother’s pot and the mother does very little in terms of punishment, she’s breeding a hardened criminal who may one day destroy her life or bring disgrace to the family,” he said. He argued that Nigeria’s constitution already prescribes death as the penalty for kidnapping, yet many offenders escape without facing consequences. “The capital punishment for kidnapping is death. Some of these kidnappers are caught, but we don’t hear anything about their imprisonment or execution. If you ask me, there should be a dedicated channel — like BBNaija — that shows these criminals being caught and publicly executed. Until we start enforcing real consequences, we won’t see results,” he said. Uchemba further compared Nigeria’s justice system to China’s, where corruption and kidnapping attract the death penalty. “We want to be like China, but we don’t have the courage China has. The punishment for kidnapping and corruption there is death,” he added. His remarks have since sparked debate across social media. While some Nigerians supported his call for tougher laws to deter crime, others warned that such measures could lead to abuse of power and wrongful executions. Uchemba’s statement adds to growing public frustration over the surge in kidnapping incidents nationwide and the slow response of authorities in bringing perpetrators to justice. Actor Williams Uchemba calls for public execution of kidnappers pic.twitter.com/swiC2XHymp — kolaqhazim (@Kolaqhazim) October 24, 2025

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