Experts warn of dangers as Tinubu jerks up 2025 Budget to N54.2t (Vanguard)
The Federal Government has initiated moves to increase its 2025 budget to N54.2 trillion, up by 9.1 per cent from N49.7 trillion initially presented to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024.
A letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly requesting the increase was read at plenary yesterday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The letter was titled, “2025 Appropriation Bill: Allocation of Additional Revenue of N4.53 trillion.”
According to Akpabio, the increase arose from N1.4 trillion in additional revenues from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; N1.2 trillion made by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS; and N1.8 trillion generated by some other government-owned agencies. Read more
History as Dangote Refinery exports 2 cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco (ThisDay)
In a significant milestone, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday announced that it successfully exported two jet fuel cargoes to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer and a leading integrated oil and gas company globally.
Also, a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday fixed March 18 for ruling in the notice of preliminary objection brought by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) against the suit filed by Dangote Refinery.
In the same vein, Oando Plc, Nigeria’s leading integrated oil and gas company and the country’s first International Oil Company (IOC), has said it is rewarding its shareholders by offering them 1.28 billion additional shares in the form of stock dividend valued at N97.6 billion. Read more
PDP Secretary: Wike camp kicks as BoT backs govs (Punch)
As the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party persists, the embattled Senator Samuel Anyanwu has lambasted the Board of Trustees for affirming former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
Anyanwu, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, dismissed the BoT’s affirmation of Ude-Okoye, stating that most of the board’s members tenure elapsed since last October.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Chairman of the BoT and former Senate President, Adulphus Wabara, stated that after reviewing the community report of Tanimu Turaki, the trustees confirmed the former National Youth Leader as the party’s secretary in accordance with the Appeal Court’s ruling. Read more
South East: Reps beg Tinubu over Kanu’s release (Sun)
The House of Representatives Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), yesterday, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as part of efforts to ensure lasting peace in the South East.
Chairman of the panel, Chris Nkwonta, who made the appeal at the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja, said the security situation in the South East must be addressed for the development of the area. “Given the region’s security concerns, the Committee and other well-meaning Nigerians appeal to the president to facilitate the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a step towards lasting peace and development in the South East.”
Nkwonta also lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the SEDC Act, noting that it will help to heal past wounds, especially in the aftermath of the Nigerian civil war. Read more
CBN restricts BDCs to $25,000 FX weekly, 1 dealer bank (DailyTrust)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday released new guidelines which permits Bureau de Change (BDC) operators to purchase up to $25,000 weekly from Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) to meet retail market demand.
In a circular signed by Dr. W. J. Kanya, the Acting Director of the Trade & Exchange Department at the CBN, the apex bank also outlined the compliance requirements to ensure transparency and curb potential forex misuse.
Under the new regulations, BDCs are expected to source for the allotted forex from a single authorised dealer bank per week as the restriction is aimed at preventing speculative activity and ensuring better oversight. Read more
SEC to adopt blockchain for enhanced market regulation (Guardian)
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, has identified blockchain technology as a key tool for improving efficiency and strengthening market regulation.
Speaking during a session with a delegation from the Algorand Foundation at the SEC headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, Agama stated that blockchain’s decentralised structure enhances trust, security, and transparency, which are factors critical to addressing the financial exclusion and inefficiencies in Africa’s capital markets.
According to Agama, the SEC is committed to adopting global best practices, working closely with international regulatory bodies such as the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to ensure a strong and adaptive regulatory framework. Read more
Tinubu mourns Zamfara pupils killed in fire tragedy (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has sent heartfelt condolences to parents, guardians, and families who lost loved ones in a fire outbreak that stretched into an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, commiserated with the state government and owners of the school and prayed for the quick recovery of those receiving medical attention.
The President enjoined all public and private schools to prioritise children’s safety and security at all times and directed regulatory authorities in the education sector to ensure compliance with safety standards. Read more
Obasanjo, Sultan, CAN, others preach religious tolerance for national unity (Nation)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of Nigerians Interfaith Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; and the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, have urged Nigerians to use the various religions as vehicles of tolerance and unity among the citizens.
They spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the World Interfaith Harmony Week conference and award, an event organised to foster peace and understanding among diverse faith communities in the country.
The event, which was organised by Honour 103.5 FM and Pan-af Publishers in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), had the theme: The Love of the Good and The Love of the Neighbors, and a sub-theme: Peace for Our Time. Read more
Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer sued for rape and human trafficking of babysitter (NME)
On Monday (February 3), a lawsuit accused author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his former babysitter, whose claims were featured in both a 2024 podcast and article by New York Magazine last month.
The suit also accuses Gaiman’s former wife, musician Amanda Palmer, of human trafficking. She and Gaiman, known for his many successful novels including “Good Omens” and “The Sandman”, which were turned into popular TV shows, were married in 2011 before separating in 2022.
Scarlett Pavlovich filed the suit against Gaiman and Palmer. She worked for the pair as a live-in nanny to their children, and alleges that Gaiman raped her on multiple occasions while she was working for him. Pavlovich is named in this article due to identifying herself in a New York Magazine piece last month. Read more
Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. founder, dead at age 54: report (PageSix)
Irv Gotti died Wednesday, according to the Hollywood Reporter and a source close to the music producer. He was 54.
The Murder Inc. founder’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Reps for Gotti weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment. Read more
Elton John appears to tease new album via letters to fans (NME)
Elton John has hinted in the form of personalised letters to fans that he will soon have new music on the way.
The letters have been sent out to superfans in the last few weeks, detailing John’s plans for the future and teasing a new album.
According to screenshots of John’s letter posted to fan forums (and reported via Clash), the pop legend explained that he was working with Brandi Carlile after she asked him to play piano on a song she was working on. Read more
Jeff Goldblum announces new album ‘Still Blooming’ & releases single with Scarlett Johansson (MusicNews)
Billionaire and spiritual leader the Aga Khan dies (BBC)
Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network has announced.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity said in a statement on social media. Read more
FAI ‘lacked class’ in treatment of Colin Healy, says Denise O’Sullivan (RTE)
Republic of Ireland international Denise O’Sullivan has again hit out at the FAI over their handling of Colin Healy’s departure from the women’s managerial set-up.
Healy served as Eileen Gleeson’s assistant during her 15-month reign at the helm, but when the association parted company with the manager following Ireland’s disappointing Euro 2025 play-off final defeat to Wales, it was announced on the same day that her assistant would also be departing from his role.
While FAI Director of Football Marc Canham claimed the circumstances were made clear to Healy at every stage and that there were consistent lines of communication, Healy strongly disputed this version of events. Read more
Trump to become 1st sitting president to attend Super Bowl (BBC)
Donald Trump will make history this weekend by becoming the first sitting president of the United States of America to attend the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The city was devastated by a terror attack on New Year’s Day when 14 people were killed on Bourbon Street.
Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in January, is serving his second stint in office. Read more
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks (DigitalSpy)
Coronation Street and Emmerdale have both cancelled filming today following news of cutbacks for both soaps.
ITV has announced that Corrie and Emmerdale will reduce their number of weekly episodes from next year, impacting the teams who work on the long-running shows.
From January 2026, Corrie and Emmerdale will both air five 30-minute episodes each week. Read more
Chelle gets Okoye boost ahead W’Cup qualifiers (Punch)
As reported by Tutto Udinese, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is back to full fitness and has returned to training for Italian club, Udinese, The PUNCH reports.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined since December after undergoing surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
However, Tutto Udinese on Wednesday confirmed that Okoye had resumed training with his club and would be available for selection when they face Napoli. Read more
Rangers’ NPFL title defence in doubt as Ilechukwu admits uphill battle (DailyTrust)
Rangers International coach Fidelis Ilechukwu appears to have accepted the harsh reality of their fading Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title defence, with a 11-point gap separating them from leaders Remo Stars after 22 games.
Despite bouncing back from a two-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Ikorodu City on Monday, Ilechukwu remains cautious about their chances.
Goals from veteran striker Godwin Obaje (45’) and Saviour Isaac (90’) secured Rangers’ ninth victory of the season, lifting them to fourth place.Read more
Newcastle cruise past Arsenal to book place in Carabao Cup final (Metro)
Newcastle booked their place in this year’s Carabao Cup final with a comprehensive 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) victory over Arsenal at St James’ Park.
Holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg at the Emirates, the Magpies never looked like relinquishing their lead, getting the better of the Gunners in every department this evening.
Alexander Isak was once again a constant threat throughout and had a goal disallowed for offside before hammering the ball against the post in the 19th minute, with Jacob Murphy racing in to score on the rebound. Read more
Garcia scores late winner as Real Madrid beat Leganes (BBC)
Real Madrid needed an injury-time winner from rookie Gonzalo Garcia to beat Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had looked in control, taking a 2-0 lead within 25 minutes.
Luka Modric, 39, extended his record as the club’s oldest goalscorer with a good finish from Rodrygo’s pass. Read more
Nets ripped by lowly Wizards as modest win streak ends at 3 games (NYPost)
The Nets’ past week is a reminder of the NBA’s unpredictability.
They beat one of the league’s best teams, the Rockets, not once but twice. Without Cam Johnson, no less.
Then after he returned, they got humiliated by the worst team in basketball. Read more
Nico Rosberg “bans Lewis Hamilton from entering his house” after sending gifts to his kids (Express)
Nico Rosberg has jokingly banned Lewis Hamilton from entering his house over the festive period despite sending his children Christmas presents every year.
Hamilton and Rosberg shared a fierce rivalry during their F1 career that pushed their relationship to the limit despite becoming close friends during their glittering karting careers. The friendship has not rekindled since the German racer’s shock retirement from the sport in 2016.Despite the breakdown in personal relations, Hamilton continues to send gifts to the children of his former team-mate and title rival at Christmas time. Both of Rosberg’s daughters are fans of the seven-time world champion, who is preparing for his first season as a Ferrari driver in 2025. Read more