Tanker Explosion Sparks Panic in Ibadan, No Casualties Reported

A petrol tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded on Thursday evening at Celica Junction along the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, causing panic among residents and motorists. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred after the tanker suffered a brake failure, forcing the driver to lose control before the vehicle overturned and caught fire. The tanker reportedly collided with a Prado SUV and another car before the explosion. “The tanker hit a Prado jeep and another car, and in the process, it fell and exploded. Although no casualty was recorded, the fire affected the car and the Prado jeep,” an eyewitness said. Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Fire Service Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, said the fire was contained before it could spread to nearby facilities, including a NNPC filling station. “The firemen swiftly swung into action by applying chemical foam compound and restricted the fire from spreading to the nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation petrol station and surrounding properties. The fire was jointly extinguished with officers from the Federal Fire Service,” Akinwande stated. He added that no casualties were recorded, though the tanker and one car were completely burnt, while the Prado SUV was pushed into a gutter by the impact. The accident was attributed to a braking system failure while the truck was in motion. Read Full Details Here

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Nigeria Union Japan Elects New President

A Tokyo-based businessman, Chief Stanley Emeka Egbogota, has emerged the new president of the Nigeria Union in Japan. Egbogota took over from the outgone president, Chief Kennedy Nnaji, following his swearing in immediately after the election. Chief Egbogota was unanimously elected at the organization’s biennial convention held on Sunday in Tokyo, the Japanese capital. Handing over to the new president, Nnaji congratulated Egbogota on his election as president Nigeria Union Japan. He urged the new president to build on the achievements of his predecessors. In his response, Egbogota commended the Nnaji for his quality leadership and high moral standay which took Nigeria Union Japan to greater heights. He then solicited the support of the new executive committee and all members of the union for a successful tenure.(

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FG Shifts Opening of Paramilitary Recruitment Portal to July 21

The Federal Government has announced a temporary suspension of the recruitment application portal for key paramilitary agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS). The portal, earlier scheduled to go live on Monday, July 14, 2025, will now open on Monday, July 21, 2025, according to a statement signed by Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin, Secretary of the Board of the paramilitary agencies. The suspension affects the official recruitment portal, https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng, which serves as the central platform for applications under the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB). The government explained that the adjustment is aimed at ensuring a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process, adding that the overwhelming interest from young Nigerians underscores the strong desire to serve the country through these agencies.

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FG Vows to End Nigeria’s $1.2bn Annual Fish Import Bill, Targets Boost in Local Production

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ending Nigeria’s heavy dependence on fish imports by aggressively increasing local production, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola has said. Speaking at a consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja, Oyetola revealed that Nigeria currently spends about $1.2 billion annually on fish imports, which accounts for nearly 45 percent of the country’s total fish consumption. Nigeria’s annual fish demand is estimated at 3.6 million metric tons, but local production meets only one-third of this figure, leaving a huge gap filled by imports. According to the minister, the government is implementing a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the aquaculture sector into a driver of food security, job creation, and export competitiveness. He added that the administration is committed to providing policy support, technical assistance, and access to finance, particularly for women and youth in the industry. The ministry is also working on start-up grants and empowerment initiatives for small-scale fish farmers, while encouraging partnerships to improve cold-chain infrastructure and reduce post-harvest losses. However, participants at the meeting highlighted persistent challenges facing the industry, including overfishing, environmental degradation, high feed costs, lack of affordable financing, poor cold storage facilities, multiple taxation, and low youth involvement. Stakeholders at the session included the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria, Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria, Women in Fish Farming and Aquaculture, and the Practicing Farmers Association of Nigeria.

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Atiku’s Exit Won’t Affect PDP Says Governor Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dismissed concerns that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would negatively impact the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking to journalists in Akure on Wednesday after delivering a keynote address at the colloquium marking the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Makinde described the PDP as an institution where “people have the freedom to come in and go out.” “Atiku’s resignation will not make any dent on the PDP as a party,” he stated. The governor also dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a threat, calling it just another political platform among many others. Makinde highlighted the importance of traditional institutions in governance, describing them as “enduring pillars of identity and cohesion.” He urged governments to accord them due recognition, noting that Oyo State has integrated traditional leaders into its governance framework to positive effect. The Deji of Akure commended Makinde for his support of traditional institutions and reiterated their role in fostering unity and development.

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CBN Injects $4.1bn to Stabilise Naira in H1 2025 Amid Reserves Drop

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected $4.1 billion into the foreign exchange (FX) market during the first half of 2025, tripling last year’s figure of $1.3 billion, in a bid to stabilise the naira and ease liquidity pressures. The figure, disclosed in CSL Stockbrokers’ H2 2025 Outlook Report, represents a 215% increase year-on-year. Analysts, however, warn that the sustainability of this intervention remains uncertain amid weak oil revenues, limited foreign portfolio inflows, and external financing risks. Nigeria’s gross external reserves fell by $3.67 billion in the same period—from $40.88bn in January to $37.21bn by June—reflecting the cost of these interventions. In contrast, the first half of 2024 saw reserves rise by $1.17bn. Despite this drawdown, the naira showed relative stability. Opening the year at ₦1,535/$, it appreciated slightly to ₦1,530/$ by the end of June, buoyed by the injections. At one point in April, the exchange rate hit ₦1,630/$ amid global trade tensions, prompting the CBN to step up dollar supply. CSL cautioned that without a significant boost in FX inflows from oil exports, remittances, or foreign investment, maintaining this level of intervention may become challenging. Oil export earnings are projected to fall by 20% year-on-year to $36.4bn in 2025. Economists argue that Nigeria’s managed float system still requires active CBN support to prevent volatility. “In the absence of intervention, we would have seen much sharper naira depreciation,” said Adewale Abimbola, a Lagos-based economist. Analysts forecast that the naira could trade within ₦1,500–₦1,600/$ in H2 2025, provided CBN sustains its defence and FX inflows improve. CSL also projects a possible interest rate cut of 100–150 basis points in Q4, as inflation moderates to 22.9% from 31.4% in 2024, though such a move could dampen investor appetite for naira assets. Nigeria’s real GDP growth has been revised to 3.7% for 2025, with fiscal deficit expected to widen to 5.8% of GDP, compared to the official forecast of 3.9%, due to revenue shortfalls. Meanwhile, the naira extended gains on Monday, closing at ₦1,518/$, its strongest level since March 2025, supported by CBN sales and improved FX liquidity.

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2027 Politics: Atiku’s Show of Strength in Katsina Fuels Speculation on Obi’s Next Move

KATSINA, July 16, 2025 – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar drew massive attention at the burial of late President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina on Tuesday, raising fresh debates about the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who attended the high-profile funeral alongside key political heavyweights including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and several African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftains, was greeted by a large crowd chanting “Sai Atiku.” The strong display of support has intensified speculation that Atiku is consolidating influence within the ADC ahead of 2027, with many political analysts questioning the chances of Labour Party’s Peter Obi in securing a viable platform for his presidential ambition. Observers note that if Atiku secures the ADC ticket, Obi’s path to the presidency could become significantly more challenging. Some political commentators suggest that Obi should consider negotiating for the vice-presidential slot on a joint ticket with Atiku, rather than risk political isolation. “In Nigerian politics, coalitions and strategic alliances often determine success,” one analyst noted, drawing parallels with Goodluck Jonathan, who rose to the presidency after accepting the VP role under late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007. Analysts argue that for Obi, accepting a vice-presidential slot could keep him relevant on the national stage and position him for future leadership opportunities. The unfolding developments indicate that 2027 will likely be dominated by power blocs, mergers, and survival politics, as major contenders begin to align forces across regional and party lines.

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Global Terrorism Index: Nigeria Drops from 3rd to 8th Most Terror-Affected Country

Abuja – Nigeria has recorded significant progress in the fight against terrorism, dropping from the 3rd to the 8th position on the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), according to the latest ranking. The report indicates a sharp decline in terrorist incidents and fatalities across the country compared to previous years, marking one of Nigeria’s best performances in over a decade. The improvement is largely attributed to sustained military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other violent extremist groups in the Northeast and Northwest regions. In 2022, Nigeria ranked 3rd globally, trailing only Afghanistan and Iraq. However, recent data shows that improved counterterrorism strategies, enhanced intelligence sharing, and community-driven security initiatives have contributed to reducing terror-related violence. Despite the progress, the GTI warns that Nigeria remains vulnerable to emerging security threats, including banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and kidnapping for ransom, which continue to pose significant challenges in some parts of the country. The new ranking places Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iraq as the top three most terror-impacted nations globally.

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