Monday, June 29, 2026
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Nigeria’s foreign reserves fall by $499m in under two weeks

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Nigeria’s foreign reserves declined by $499.46 million to $49.53 billion within a period of less than two weeks, down from $50.02 billion.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria tracking external reserves movement between March 11 and March 25, 2026, showed that the reserves dropped by about one percent during the period under review.

 

The latest figures come as the naira is exchanged at N1,383.88 to the dollar on Thursday.

 

The current reserve level is below the 2026 projection of $51.04 billion set by the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, who had earlier forecast an increase from $45.01 billion recorded in 2025.

 

“The external reserves are projected at $51.04 billion in 2026, compared with $45.01 billion in 2025,” Cardoso had stated.

 

The decline in reserves coincides with ongoing policy reforms by the apex bank aimed at strengthening the foreign exchange market.

 

Among the recent measures, the CBN directed international money transfer operators to process transactions through designated naira settlement accounts. It also scrapped the cash pooling requirement for international oil companies, allowing full repatriation of export proceeds.

Dangote Refinery price reduction signals Nationwide petrol relief for Nigerians

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Nigerians are set to experience some relief in fuel costs as petrol prices are expected to decline nationwide following a fresh price reduction by Dangote Refinery.

The refinery on Thursday cut its gantry price by N85, representing a 6.6 percent drop, bringing the cost down to N1,200 per liter from N1,285. The move positions its price below prevailing depot rates, which range between N1,240 and N1,255 per liter.

 

The reduction is likely to trigger a downward adjustment in retail pump prices, with estimates suggesting a decrease of between N50 and N70 per liter at filling stations across the country.

 

Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers sourcing products from the refinery would be compelled to revise their pump prices.

 

“Our members will have to adjust to the new retail price,” he said.

 

Officials at major outlets, including those operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and MRS, also indicated that they are awaiting updated pricing templates from their headquarters before implementing changes.

 

The price cut comes amid a slight easing in global crude oil prices earlier in the week, after recent volatility driven by geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

 

In recent weeks, Nigeria has witnessed a sharp surge in petrol prices, with pump prices rising by over 50 percent to between N1,361 and N1,370 per liter from about N875 to N900 in Abuja.

 

Analysts say the latest adjustment by Dangote Refinery could help stabilize the market and provide temporary relief to consumers if sustained.

2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Eight countries to battle for final four spot

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Several European nations moved closer to securing places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a series of decisive play-off matches on Thursday.

Italy recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland, while Türkiye edged Romania 1-0. Denmark delivered one of the most dominant performances of the round, thrashing North Macedonia 4-0.

Poland came from behind to defeat Albania 2-1, and Kosovo emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller, beating Slovakia 4-3. Sweden also impressed, with Viktor Gyökeres netting a hat-trick in their 3-1 win over Ukraine.

Elsewhere, Czechia played out a 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland before advancing 4-3 on penalties. Wales were held 1-1 by Bosnia-Herzegovina but lost 4-2 in the ensuing shootout.

Match Results:

Türkiye 1-0 Romania

Czechia 2-2 Republic of Ireland (Czechia won 4-3 on penalties)

Denmark 4-0 North Macedonia

Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland

Poland 2-1 Albania

Slovakia 3-4 Kosovo

Ukraine 1-3 Sweden

Wales 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Bosnia-Herzegovina won 4-2 on penalties)

Following these outcomes, eight teams will now compete in the decisive play-off finals on Tuesday, with only four slots available for qualification.

Play-off Finals Fixtures:

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Italy

Sweden vs Poland

Kosovo vs. Türkiye

Czechia vs. Denmark

 

The winners of these fixtures will secure the remaining European tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria vs Iran: Kick-off time, venue, and key details for Turkey friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on war-torn Iran in an international friendly match on Friday in Antalya, Turkey.

The encounter is part of a four-nation invitational tournament featuring Nigeria, Iran, Jordan, and Costa Rica.

Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to use the fixtures to assess new players and continue rebuilding the squad following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

As a friendly match, no points are at stake.

The game will be held at the Corendon Airlines Park in Antalya, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm Nigerian time (6pm local time in Turkey).

Originally slated to be played in Amman, the venue was moved to Turkey due to security concerns in the Middle East.

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins reveals real cause of Blessing CEO’s cancer

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Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has stirred controversy after claiming that the spirit of the late Bimbo Ogbonna is responsible for the reported illness of relationship expert Blessing CEO.

Her comments followed reports that the Blessing CEO is allegedly battling stage 4 breast cancer and had publicly appealed for financial support for chemotherapy treatment.

 

Reacting via Instagram, Martins criticized Blessing CEO over her past comments about Bimbo, who died from injuries sustained during a fire incident involving her husband, IVD, in Lagos.

 

In the post, Martins suggested that recent developments were a form of retribution, referencing the circumstances surrounding Bimbo’s death and accusing Blessing’s CEO of previously mocking the deceased.

 

“What a day to be alive,” Martins wrote, adding that those who ridiculed Bimbo’s death would eventually “experience what pain feels like.”

 

The actress’s remarks have since generated backlash online, with many condemning the tone of her statement.

 

Blessing, CEO, had earlier taken sides with IVD in 2022 amid allegations surrounding Bimbo’s death. Months later, she announced a relationship with him, and the pair reportedly held a traditional wedding in 2025.

BREAKING: Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price significantly

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has announced a reduction in its petrol pricing, lowering its gantry price to N1,200 per litre and its coastal price to N1,153 per litre.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the company’s spokesperson, Anthony Chijiena.

 

According to the refinery, the new gantry price represents a decrease of N85 from the previous rate of N1,285 per liter, marking a notable shift in its pricing structure.

 

The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility had, in recent weeks, implemented a series of price increases, with at least five upward adjustments recorded since March 2026. The hikes were largely attributed to volatility in global oil markets and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

 

However, the latest reduction signals a reversal of that trend and is expected to ease cost pressures across the downstream sector.

 

Nigerian Newssphere reports that the latest adjustment could influence pricing across distribution channels, particularly at depots and retail outlets, potentially leading to marginal relief for consumers if the reduction is passed through the supply chain.

 

The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, continues to play a critical role in shaping domestic fuel pricing dynamics as Nigeria pushes to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

APC Convention: Nigerian govt orders workers to work from home

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President Tinbu

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has announced the closure of access roads around the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja ahead of the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The roads will be shut from Friday, March 27 to Saturday, March 28, 2026, due to the use of Eagle Square as the venue for the convention.

 

Civil servants working within Phases I, II, and III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, as well as those at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been directed to work remotely on Friday, March 27.

 

The directive was conveyed in a circular issued on Thursday to permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, and parastatals operating within the affected areas.

 

According to the circular, the road closure is necessary because Eagle Square, the venue for the APC convention, is located close to the Federal Secretariat Complex.

 

“All ministries, extra-ministerial departments, agencies, and offices located within the Federal Secretariat, Phases I, II & III are hereby informed of the closure of all access roads leading to and around the said Federal Secretariat Complex from Friday, March 27 to Saturday, March 28, 2026,” the circular stated.

 

It added that personnel in the affected offices should work from home on Friday to ease movement restrictions.

 

The circular, signed by Dr. Abdul S. U. Garba, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, urged heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to inform their staff and ensure compliance.

‘Back to the Bible’—Afrobeat star Omah Lay announces return to Christianity from Islam

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Nigerian singer Omah Lay has suggested that he may have returned to Christianity after previously indicating an interest in Islam.

The Rivers State-born artiste, whose real name is Omah Stanley Didia, had a few years ago sparked reactions after hinting at converting to Islam.

 

However, in a recent post shared on his Snapchat account, the singer appeared to signal a shift back to his Christian roots. Omah Lay disclosed that he has resumed reading the Bible, noting that while he appreciated studying the Quran, he feels a stronger connection to the Bible.

 

“Back to the Bible. I enjoyed reading the QuQuran,ut I relate more to this,” he wrote.

 

His latest comment has fueled speculation among fans about a possible return to Christianity, his birth religion.

Stay clear, Anioma state already in Biafra—USB warns Akpabio, Nwoko, Nigerian Govt

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The United States of Biafra has rejected ongoing discussions around the creation of Anioma State in Nigeria, insisting the region already forms part of its territories.

In a statement issued by its deputy prime minister, Ngozi Orubueze, the seperatist group said Anioma State, with Asaba as its capital, is among the 40 states it declared as part of Biafra in November 2024 in Lahti, Finland.

 

The statement comes amid recent remarks by Senate President Godswill Akpabio supporting the creation of Anioma State, as well as reported backing from lawmaker Ned Nwoko.

 

Orubueze warned that any attempt by Nigerian authorities to incorporate Anioma into Nigeria’s state structure or what she described as a political project of the ruling All Progressives Congress would be resisted.

 

“The State of Anioma, with capital in Asaba, is part of the 40 states of Biafra declared on November 29, 2024,” the statement read, adding that efforts to include the area within Nigeria would not be accepted.

USB further announced Hon. Rev. John Izuegbu as the current governor of Anioma State under its structure and called on residents who identify with its cause to support his leadership.

It also urged people in the region to resist the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu, as well as Akpabio and Nwoko.

Nigeria’s federal government has not officially responded to the statement, while discussions on the potential creation of Anioma State remain part of ongoing constitutional and political debates.

BREAKING: Wike: Court issues arrest warrant for PDP factional chairman Turaki

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Factional PDP chairman

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the arrest of a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, over his failure to appear in court.

The trial judge, U.P. Kekemeke, issued the order on Thursday, stating that Turaki, a former minister, failed to provide any reasonable justification for his absence.

The case was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who filed a one-count charge against Turaki. He is accused of allegedly supplying false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.

The court’s decision follows repeated non-appearance by the defendant, prompting the judge to mandate his arrest to ensure his presence for further proceedings.

Nigerian Newssphere reports the move is in favour of Nyesome Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory-controlled faction of the opposition party.

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