Author: Naija Daily News

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to withdraw his recent comment accusing him of “dancing around figures” during a television appearance—or face him in a public debate on engineering practice and road construction. Umahi made the demand on Saturday while inspecting the reconstruction of the Keffi Bridge and the Keffi–Oweto–Otukpo Road. Governor Makinde had earlier criticized the Minister’s performance during an interview on Arise News, where Umahi had a heated exchange with the programme’s co-host, Rufai Oseni, over the cost of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project. Makinde, commenting on the incident…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Nigeria Police Force says it has uncovered credible leads on the gun suppliers who armed the gang responsible for the killing of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. The discovery follows the arrest of 12 suspects linked to the September 29, 2025, robbery and murder at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Abuja, where Maduagwu and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, lost their lives. According to police investigations, the armed gang allegedly sourced its weapons from a supplier based in the Niger Republic. Those arrested include Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar Alkamu (27), Sani Sirajo (20), Mashkur Jamilu…

By Deborah Nnamdi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a state pardon to Mrs. Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello. Sanda, arrested in November 2017 and sentenced to death by the Federal High Court in Abuja in January 2020, had spent more than six years in prison awaiting execution before receiving clemency. Her name appeared among several others pardoned by President Tinubu, according to a statement issued on Saturday evening by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. “Illegal miners,…

Photo: CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso By Deborah Nnamdi The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its monetary policy framework, marking a significant step toward technological innovation in economic management. CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this during a fireside chat at the London Business School, moderated by Professor Hélène Rey, Lord Bagri Professor of Economics at the institution. According to Cardoso, AI has been “adopted in monetary policy, particularly in forecasting,” underscoring the apex bank’s commitment to leveraging technology for more accurate economic projections and decision-making. Speaking further, the CBN Governor addressed several key economic…

By Deborah Nnamdi Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the National Assembly will not be held hostage by the “disruptive instincts” of any of its members, stressing the importance of discipline and adherence to parliamentary rules in preserving Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate,” Akpabio said the legislature’s insistence on enforcing its rules was not aimed at silencing dissent but at safeguarding order and institutional integrity. “The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of…

By Deborah Nnamdi President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all goods imported from China, marking a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said the new measure—set to take effect on November 1 or sooner—would be added to the existing 30% tariff already imposed on Chinese imports. “The United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” Trump wrote. “Also, on November 1st, we will impose Export Controls…

By Douglas Maha, Abuja Nigeria’s central bank has released draft guidelines requiring banks to refund customers within 48 hours for failed interbank Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions, in a move aimed at improving payment reliability and consumer protection. The proposed rules, published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, also mandate instant reversals for failed transactions carried out on the same bank’s machines. Where immediate reversal is not possible due to technical issues, banks must process refunds manually within 24 hours. The CBN said the directive is part of wider reforms to strengthen trust and efficiency in the…

By Douglas Maha, Abuja Nigeria’s public debt has climbed to ₦152.4 trillion ($99.7bn) as of June 30, 2025, from ₦149.4 trillion recorded three months earlier, according to the latest figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO). The increase of ₦3.01 trillion, or about 2%, was driven by a weaker naira that inflated the local value of foreign borrowings, alongside limited new debt issuance. The DMO said total external debt rose to $46.98bn (₦71.85tn) in June from $45.98bn (₦70.63tn) in March. Multilateral lenders remain Nigeria’s largest creditors, holding about $23.19bn, almost half of the total. The World Bank’s International Development Association…

Photo: Enugu Governor Peter Mbah dumping PDP for APC Nigeria’s political landscape appears to be sliding toward a one-party structure as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues an unrelenting expansion that is dismantling the once formidable opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The wave of defections sweeping across states has been described by analysts as a political tsunami that could redefine the country’s democratic balance. Barely months after tightening its grip on the National Assembly, where it now commands well over two-thirds of the seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the APC has extended its…

At least four soldiers have been confirmed dead, while five others sustained injuries after Boko Haram terrorists launched a coordinated attack on a military post in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday. The attack, which occurred around 2:30 a.m., was repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai following a swift counter-assault reinforced by elements from the 29 Task Force Brigade. Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, said the terrorists suffered heavy losses during the exchange of fire. “Troops…