NEWS
Nigerians Abroad Return Home Amid Dashed Expectations
Many Nigerians who previously migrated in pursuit of better opportunities have started returning home, citing unmet expectations and depression in their host countries. The development is a reversal of the popular “Japa” trend, which has seen millions of Nigerian youths migrate to Europe, America and Asia in search of better living conditions and job opportunities. The Japa trend In 2023, the International...
FG Forms Panel To Assess Economic Impact Of US Tariffs
The federal government established a subcommittee to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the United States recent trade tariffs on Nigeria's economy. According to a statement released on Friday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, the Economic Management Team, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of...
US Embassy Introduces New Visa Interview Requirements For Nigerians
The US Embassy's new visa interview criteria for Nigerian applicants will take effect on April 22. According to a statement issued on Friday by the US mission, all applicants attending interviews in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 visa application form featuring a confirmation barcode beginning with “AA” followed by two zeroes. The barcode must correspond with the one used...
Obasanjo Commends Gov. Otti’s Performance As He Commissions Reconstructed Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abiriba Highway
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, as a performer and exemplary leader, following the commissioning of the 46.36km Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba Highway. Speaking at the event held at Unity Church, Uzuakoli in Bende LGA on Friday, April 11, Chief Obasanjo praised Governor Otti for transforming a once deplorable road into a modern highway,...
Nigeria Secures $12.1m From Japan To Boost Abuja Tech Hub
Nigeria has obtained a $12.1 million grant from Japan to establish a startup hub in Abuja to establish the nation's administrative capital as a hub for technological innovation. The National Information Technology Development Agency disclosed the agreement in a statement on Thursday, following a signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja. The grant, courtesy of...
Controversy Over Tinubu’s Appointments Widens
Atiku Abubakar, along with the PDP, Coalition of United Political Parties, and NNPP, has criticised President Bola Tinubu's administration for not advancing inclusive governance in the face of persistent criticism over unequal political appointments since the start of his term. Since the start of President Tinubu’s administration, his appointments have sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians—some criticise them for perceived incompetence,...
Experts Canvass Dialogue During 90-Day Trump Tariff Pause
A temporary halt in the escalating trade war, initiated by the US president and offering a 90-day pause, has provided a brief respite from growing global economic concerns. Experts who spoke to The PUNCH said that it would offer room for reason to prevail as dialogue takes place. While the Federal Government had hinted that the tariffs would have an impact,...
Youths Block Delta Govt House Over Prolonged Blackout
On Thursday, young people from Okpanam, in Delta State's Oshimili North Local Government Area, blocked the entrance to the Delta State Government House in Asaba. They were voicing their disapproval of what they said was a deliberate power outage perpetrated by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and an increase in insecurity in the area. The protesters lamented that the prolonged blackout...
Fire Razes Shops In Oyo
At least twelve stores were destroyed by fire on Thursday evening in Ibadan, Oyo State. Witnesses told The PUNCH, on Friday, that the fire began around 10:55pm at Block A, No 64, Mayegun Cement Store Market, Araromi, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan and raged for more than three hours before it was extinguished. It was further learnt that property worth several million naira...
Marketers Predict Cheaper Petrol Nationwide As Dangote Begins Naira Sale
The Dangote Refinery has resumed sales of its refined petroleum products to its partners and marketers in the local currency. The sales begins twenty-two days after suspending the sale of petroleum products in naira. The 650,000 barrels facility has also informed marketers and customers of a downward review of its loading cost, reducing its ex-gantry price to N865 per litre—a move...
