News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the outcomes of the 10th France-Nigeria Business Council Meeting held at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.  This was even as he described the meeting as a clear signal that Nigeria and France are moving from dialogue to delivery. While trade between both countries reached $4.7 billion in 2025, Nigeria remained the top destination for French investment in sub-Saharan Africa. Tinubu said that the relationship carries real economic weight and must be translated into more jobs, industries, infrastructure, and shared prosperity. The meeting, which was also attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and France’s Minister Delegate, Nicolas Forissier, saw leading Nigerian and French businesses provide updates on key projects and commit to further expanding collaboration between both countries. President Tinubu commended the current Chairman of the France-Nigeria B...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Ahead of the 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. He was received at the Presidential Wing of the Kigali International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda.  Others who welcomed the President included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; Nigerian Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Ambassador Ibrahim Zanna and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare.  Founded in 2012 by Jeune Afrique Media and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the forum has become the largest annual gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers. It focuses on accelerating economic transformation through shar...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to foremost Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on attaining 100 years.  In his congratulatory message on Sunday, President Tinubu said that Pa Fasoranti deserved all the encomiums on his special day.  His statement reads: "My joy knows no bounds as we witness Pa Reuben Fasoranti, our father, elder statesman, administrator, pro-democracy activist, prominent politician, and foremost Afenifere leader, attain the milestone age of 100 on May 11.  "Baba Fasoranti deserves all the encomiums that will come his way on this occasion for his uncommon life of service and immense contributions to this country. "Pa Fasoranti has distinguished himself in all respects: in his disciplined, Spartan way of life, his belief in principles, and his commitment to noble causes. His life is a metaphor for integrity, honesty, dedicated service to the nation and true leadership," he added.  Tinubu described Pa Faso...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has parleyed global investors in Paris, France, placing much emphasis on transparency and fiscal discipline, while explaining the rationale for the swift implementation of bold reforms. At the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted Nigeria's strong GDP growth in dollar terms in 2025. He said that Nigeria recorded 11.2% GDP growth in dollar terms last year, a record that reinforced the country's ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy in 2030.  Oyedele emphasised the government's near-term priorities of translating reforms into results for the Nigerian people. He also pledged to publish quarterly financial data. The Director General of the Debt Management Office, Mrs Patience Oniha assured investors of the government’s responsible approach to debt financing and its focus on sustainable debt management.  The investors were from Citibank and France's ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has concluded plans to embark on a 13-day trip to Kenya, Rwanda and France.  He will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2nd, on a visit to the three nations. Tinubu’s first stop will be in France, after which he will depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to begin next week.  Co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto, the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action.  President Tinubu’s participation at the summit from May 11 to 12, will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic. The summit, with the theme: "Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth", will provide a high-level platform for African leaders and their French coun...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State. This was even as the President also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.  Tinubu's approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country. The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets. A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, Inspector-General of Police and Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commissio...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. In addition, he signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026. The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure. With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth. The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Ni...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the colonial tax laws impoverished Nigerians through fragmentation, multiplicity, and inconsistencies while the new reforms will deliver prosperity to Nigerians.  This was even as he emphasised that the new tax system is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, thereby advancing the nation’s development goals. He stated this on Tuesday at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were in attendance, alongside the ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, private-sector leaders, and the governors of Kwara, Imo, Borno, Kogi, Plateau, and Anambra States. President Tinubu explained that the new tax laws, which became fully operational in January, are intended to liberate the economy from the constraints of archaic laws and make it more ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja There was massive excitement as the people of Bodo-Bonny communities celebrated milestone road and bridge projects constructed by the Federal Government. To this end, the Federal Government reaffirmed its determination to deliver critical road infrastructure across all regions in the country. This played up at the Medallion Award Ceremony organised by the Bodo-Bonny Road & Bridges Peace Committee in Abuja.  The event brought together national leaders, whose vision and sustained commitment contributed to the delivery of the landmark infrastructure project, alongside senior government officials, traditional rulers, key stakeholders, and representatives of the Bodo-Bonny communities. The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. represented the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi. He reaffirmed the Renewed Hope Administration’s resolve to deliver critical infrastructure across all regions of the country. The minister described Bod...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians and members of the Armed Forces that the nation will ultimately prevail against all forms of insecurity, emphasising that the sacrifices of the country’s brave servicemen and women will never be in vain. Tinubu gave the assurances on Friday during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Armed Forces at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of officers and men on the frontline.  "I have listened to the Chief of Army Staff on my recent approvals to the Nigerian Armed Forces. My duty is to thank all of you on behalf of a grateful nation, knowing fully well that many times you are without your families and that you stay away from them. Some of you are facing attacks by bandits and terrorists. "I commend your courage, sacrifice, and professionalism as you put your lives on the line in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the safety of...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Bayo Onanuga  The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has absolved Nigeria from any form of human rights abuse, stating categorically that the country is governed by law.  This followed the arrest of president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero on Monday morning, September 9, 2024, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Reacting, the UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Ajaero, describing it as blatant intimidation and a violation of trade unions freedom. The statement read: "Joe was released last night (Monday night) but it is clear that his ordeal is not yet over. We condemn the actions of the Nigerian government and demand that they end their persecution of Joe Ajaero." Though the labour union leader was released late on Monday night on administrative...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       L-R: Mr. Rotimi Akinde and Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala President Bola Tinubu has named 13-man management team for the Bank of Industry (BoI) Limited.  The qualified professionals were carefully selected to oversee the affairs of the BoI. They are:  Dr. Mansur Muhtar— Chairman Dr. Olasupo Olusi — Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala — Executive Director, Large Enterprises Mr. Shekarau Omar — Executive Director, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Mr. Usen Effiong — Executive Director, Corporate Services Ms. Mabel Ndagi — Executive Director, Public Sector & Intervention Programmes Mr. Rotimi Akinde — Executive Director, Corporate Finance & Risk Management Mallam Tajudeen Datti Ahmed — Non-Executive Director, representing the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Mr. Adedamola Olufemi Young — Non-Executive Director, representing Central Bank of Nigeria Reverend Isaac Adefemi Agoye — Non-Executive, re...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Tahir Mamman  Amidst rot in educational institutions, the Federal Government has disclosed that 22,789  Nigerians are in possession of fake certificates from Benin Republic and Togo universities.  This followed a report published on December 2023, detailing how an undercover journalist from a Nigerian-based media obtained a certificate from a neighbouring country in less than two months of enrolling in the university. Specifically, the report indicted Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) Cotonou, Benin Republic for issuing the certificate.  But at a press conference on Friday in Abuja to mark his first anniversary in office, Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman directed that all degree certificates from Cotonou University issued between 2017 till date would be rendered invalid.  He stated that the decision was part of the recommendations by an inter-ministerial committee set up b...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja        President Bola Tinubu  Despite the shaky economy, President Bola Tinubu has raised the salaries of judicial officers at the Federal and State levels to 300 percent.  This implied that the Chief Judge Of Nigeria will henceforth earn a whooping N64 million annually while  while the President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million. News Rider reports that from August 1 to 10, 2024, Nigerians took to the streets nationwide in protest of the escalating hunger and hardship triggered by the economic policies of the APC-led administration.  Tagged #EndBadGovernance protest, a non-governmental organisation, Amnesty International had alleged that Nigerian security forces killed at least 22 persons during the demonstration, although the police disputed the claim. Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado said on Tuesday in Abuja that the President has signed the Judicial ...

          President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has signed the new minimum wage bill into law, mandating all employers to pay at least N70, 000 to workers. News Rider reports that the new minimum wage was endorsed by the leadership of two labour unions,  comprising Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress.  Tinubu, who signed the bill on Monday at the State House in Abuja, was surrounded by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other National Assembly leaders. According to the new law, the sum of N70, 000 was set aside as a national minimum wage for both the public and private sectors. Addressing journalists, Akpabio commended President Tinubu for increasing the minimum wage, adding that the new wage mandated both the public and private sectors to pay workers at least, N70, 000. He said: "We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000, now it is N70,000. “I’m ecs...

        President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a long-term solution that would terminate the incessant herders-farmers clashes experienced across the country.  This would be accomplished through the establishment of a Presidential Committee for reform of the livestock industry.  Tinubu stated this on Thursday in Abuja after receiving a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria. The conference was convened by the former Governor of Kano State, who is also the Chairman of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) Dr Umar Ganduje. President Tinubu hinted that the Federal Government is fully prepared to cover the cost of acquiring a land. The committee is expected to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to  propose recommendations aimed at fostering peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, and for the security and economic...