Author: Naija Daily News

President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. The brief ceremony took place at the President’s office at about 2:30 p.m., five days after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination. A source present at the event said the new minister arrived at the Villa around 2:09 p.m. accompanied by his wife, after clearing security. Oyedele was dressed in a navy blue suit, while his wife wore white traditional attire. The Senate had on Wednesday, March 12, confirmed his appointment through a voice vote following an extensive screening…

At least 10 critically ill patients have died following a fire outbreak at a government-run hospital in eastern India, officials confirmed on Monday. The blaze occurred in the early hours of Monday on the first floor of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. According to the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, the fire was triggered by a short circuit in the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) ward where patients were receiving treatment. Majhi told reporters that 23 patients were on the affected floor when the fire broke out. Ten of them died as a result of the…

Four months after the disputed 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between the Nigeria national football team and the DR Congo national football team, FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation over disciplinary incidents that occurred during the match. DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco on November 16, 2025, to secure a place in the intercontinental play-offs. According to FIFA’s latest disciplinary overview for the World Cup qualifiers, both football bodies were found guilty of separate infractions during the encounter. Nigeria was penalized for a breach relating to order…

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested one Giwa Sodiq in connection with a violent altercation that resulted in the death of Kehinde, popularly known as “Ogo Ojigbo,” in Asalu Community, Lalupon, within Lagelu Local Government Area of the state. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital. He confirmed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, for preservation and autopsy. According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that community leaders reported the incident to…

Photo: Gov Monday Okpebholo The Edo State Government’s directive for the arrest and prosecution of students involved in a violent bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre has intensified national concern over child rights, school safety and institutional responsibility in Nigeria’s education system. The disturbing footage, widely circulated on social media, showed one student dragging the victim by his uniform and repeatedly stomping on his chest while another student recorded the incident and pleaded for the attack to stop. Child welfare groups argue that such scenes reflect not only individual misconduct but also institutional lapses that allow violence to occur within…

Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel on Monday as the Iran war entered its third week, with both sides showing no sign of backing down and diplomatic efforts intensifying to secure safe passage for tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Crude prices jumped in early trading after US President Donald Trump revealed over the weekend that American forces had struck military targets on Kharg Island, a key hub that handles the bulk of Iran’s oil exports. He warned that attacks could expand to energy infrastructure if Tehran interferes with transit through Hormuz, which has effectively been closed since…

By Douglas Maha, with agency reports The sharp surge in global oil prices triggered by the escalating Iran–United States war is reshaping fiscal expectations for Nigeria’s 2026 budget, offering prospective major revenue windfall for the government and also raising the danger of increased inflation, exchange-rate instability and structural fiscal slippage. Nigeria’s Brent crude climb above the $100-per-barrel threshold, compared with benchmark assumptions of roughly $75–$80 in recent fiscal planning frameworks. This could significantly increase expand oil revenues if sustained through the budget cycle. Analysts estimate that every $10 increase in crude prices above the benchmark could translate into several hundred…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after discovering 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items inside his luggage. The arrest occurred on Saturday, March 14, 2026, as the suspect attempted to board a British Airways flight BA082 bound for London. According to the agency, Emeka claimed he was travelling to the United Kingdom for vacation. However, a search conducted by NDLEA officers at the airport’s departure hall uncovered blocks of cocaine hidden inside ground dry pepper and carefully wrapped in…

The Kanam Development Association of Plateau State has raised alarm over the killing of no fewer than 20 security personnel, including local vigilantes, by bandits in Kanam Local Government Area of the state. The group said the security operatives were part of a patrol team ambushed by heavily armed bandits in the Garga area on Friday. It was gathered that the incident occurred around 4 p.m. when a combined team of military personnel and vigilantes travelling in two vehicles on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring communities came under heavy attack near Wanka. In a statement issued on…

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has urged the Military Pensions Board (MPB) to prioritise the timely payment of pensions to retired military personnel. Pheelangwah made the call during a visit to the headquarters of the board in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Queenet Iheoma-Hart on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations. He emphasised the critical role of the board in safeguarding the welfare of retired members of the armed forces and advised that pension payments should be prioritised ahead of those of serving officers. Describing military veterans as…