General news

• After Orire rescue, what next?

  23-07-2026 02:24 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By SUNNY IKHIOYAThe Orire school kidnapping ended on a happy note for the whole country, although a sad one for the family of the slaughtered maths teacher, Oyedokun. Overall, we give thanks; it could have been worse. For once, in a long time, the terrorists’ campaign ended in a total loss for them, with no concession granted to any of their requests. For once, the intelligence capabilities of the Nigerian combined armed forces were put to work with absolute success. For once, the profess
  
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• ‘I’m president at home’ – Fashola rules out presidential ambition

  23-07-2026 08:33 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has said that he’s not interested in contesting for the presidency, saying he is satisfied with his current life and has no intention of seeking Nigeria’s highest political office.Fashola made the declaration during an interview on TVC on Wednesday, where he dismissed speculation linking him with a presidential bid.Asked if he would contest for president, the former minister gave a direct response: “No.&r
  
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• Zenith Bank wins Africa’s Best Bank, retains Nigeria’s top banking award

  23-07-2026 07:18 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Zenith Bank Plc has been named Africa’s Best Bank and Nigeria’s Best Bank for the second consecutive year at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s leading financial institutions.
  The awards which were presented in London recognises the bank’s strong financial performance, digital innovation, customer service and contribution to economic development across Africa.
  The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as on
  
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• NBA Election Controversy: Badejo-Okusanya braces for the storm, pledges reforms

  23-07-2026 07:10 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ikechukwu NnochiriThe 2026 national officers’ election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has remained a talking point, driven by a series of historical parallels and precedents that have evoked mixed reactions among legal practitioners across the country.
  A major highlight of the election was the victory of the only female candidate in the three-horse presidential race, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, who has made history as only the second woman to lead the NBA since its fo
  
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• NAICOM commends Senate on passage of Regulatory Commission bill

  23-07-2026 07:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Rosemary IwunzeThe National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has commended the Senate for the successful passage of the National Insurance Regulatory Commission Bill.In a statement released yesterday, NAICOM said the legislation is a major milestone in strengthening the regulatory framework of Nigeria’s insurance industry.The Commission stated: “This landmark legislation is a major milestone in strengthening the regulatory framework of Nigeria’s insurance industry. With e
  
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• NAFDAC targets markets, bars, motor parks, begins nationwide raid on sachet alcohol

  23-07-2026 07:02 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …offenders to face prosecutionBy Chioma ObinnaThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday embarked on nationwide enforcement against all alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate, PET, bottles below 200 millilitres, marking the full implementation of the federal government’s ban on the products.
  The sweeping crackdown, which is taking place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones, followed the closure of
  
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• I never acted as intermediary between kidnappers and anyone — Ndume

  23-07-2026 06:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  THE senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has denied allegations that he acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government or private individuals, insisting he has never participated in ransom negotiations.
  Ndume’s reaction followed allegations by the President of the Borno Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who accused him of involvement in the handling of an alleged ransom linked to the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe, Borno State.
  Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tue
  
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• I never acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and anyone — Ndume

  23-07-2026 06:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  THE senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has denied allegations that he acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government or private individuals, insisting he has never participated in ransom negotiations.
  Ndume’s reaction followed allegations by the President of the Borno Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who accused him of involvement in the handling of an alleged ransom linked to the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe, Borno State.
  Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tue
  
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• Dangote Refinery resumes petrol loading in Naira at N1,215 per litre

  23-07-2026 06:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  •As depots, filling stations adjust pricesBy Udeme Akpan, Energy EditorDangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed gantry loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in naira after a week suspension, ending uncertainty in the downstream sector over its temporary shift to dollar-denominated sales.Checks by Vanguard showed that the refinery has fixed its new ex-depot (gantry) price at N1,215 per litre, representing an increase of N140 per litre, or 13.02 per cent, from the previo
  
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• SSCE fee hike: Examination bodies would have generated N175bn annually — Investigation

  23-07-2026 06:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Joseph Erunke& Elizabeth OsayandeIf the Federal Government had not reversed the proposed N50,000 registration fee per candidate for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, and the National Examinations Council, NECO, the examination bodies would have been able to generate more than N175 billion annually.An analysis by our reporters of the 2025 figures of candidates who sat the examinations conducted by the two bodies shows th
  
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• Nigeria leads in online gambling regulation

  23-07-2026 06:42 via vanguardngr.com
  
  •As illegal market hits $17.8bnBy Yinka KolawoleNigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).The report, the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, showed that Africa’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.However, only $5.2 billion (23
  
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• FG debt, gas shortage cripple operations of Ibom Power plant

  23-07-2026 06:35 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Udeme Akpan, Energy EditorIbom Power Company Limited (IPC), one of Nigeria’s first independent state-owned power plants, lost nearly a full year of electricity generation in 2025/2026 after a prolonged gas supply crisis crippled operations at its 191-megawatt power plant, highlighting the deepening liquidity challenges across the country’s power sector.The company disclosed that it received natural gas for just about 30 days over the past 12 months, forcing repeated shutdowns
  
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• South-East governors to fully support Tinubu in 2027 — Uzodimma

  23-07-2026 06:30 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has said the five governors of the South-East have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing what he described as the administration’s developmental strides across the region.Uzodimma made the statement in Owerri during a meeting with traditional rulers and members of the Imo State Elders Council.According to him, although the governors belong to different p
  
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• PenCom to refine investment framework, lunches 3 initiatives

  23-07-2026 06:30 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Emeka AnaetoThe National Pension Commission (PenCom) is set to refine its investment frameworks to direct pension capital into critical national assets, including infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and agriculture, while maintaining competitive returns for contributors.These are some of the disclosures made by the PenCom Director-General, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, at briefing in Abuja, where she outlined key achievements of the Commission in the last two years.Meanwhile, in outlining the
  
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• Femi Otedola raises First HoldCo stake to 21.96% worth N77.6bn

  23-07-2026 06:23 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Peter EgwuatuChairman of First HoldCo Plc, Femi Otedola, increased his shareholding in the company to 21.96 per cent yesterday with acquisition of an additional 706.13 million shares valued at N77.58 billion.This was disclosed in a filing obtained from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as the latest acquisition raised the volume of shares under his control from 9.28 billion to 9.986 billion.  The shares were acquired through his investment vehicle, Calvados Global Services Limited.Follo
  
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• Private sector credit hits N83trn, as money supply surges

  23-07-2026 06:21 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanThe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed a significant expansion in the country’s financial system, with credit to the private sector rising by 2.8 percent month-on-month to N83.3 trillion in June 2026, up from the N81 trillion recorded in May 2026.However, the apex bank disclosed that credit to the government dipped marginally by 0.99 percent to N40 trillion in June 2026 from N40.4 trillion in May.This minor contraction occurred despite the Federal Govern
  
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• Nigeria drops to 90th in latest global passport ranking

  23-07-2026 06:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigeria has dropped to 90th position on the latest Henley Passport Index, with holders of her passport able to access 44 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.
  The July 2026 global ranking, released by Henley & Partners on Tuesday, ranked the Nigerian passport 90th out of 199 assessed worldwide, with a visa-free score of 44.
  The new ranking marks a one-place drop from the 89th position Nigeria occupied in the April 2026 edition of the index, while the country’s visa-free sc
  
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• Naira now N1,413/$ in parallel market

  23-07-2026 06:18 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanThe Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,413 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,409 per dollar on Tuesday. But the naira appreciated to N1,369 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, NFEM.
  Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira fell to N1,369 per dollar from N1,374.5 per dollar on Tuesday, indicating N5.5 appreciation for the naira.
  Consequently, the margin between the parallel and official markets
  
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• Presidential Aide’s defence of Facebook judgment sparks debate over role in ARCON dispute

  23-07-2026 06:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Tunde OsoA public commentary by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy, O’tega Ogra, defending a recent Federal High Court judgment involving Facebook Nigeria and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has drawn criticism from marketing communications expert and public affairs commentator, Ewa Izuchukwu.
  In a statement sent to Vanguard, Izuchukwu questioned Ogra’s decision to publicly defend the j
  
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• 2027: Obi-Kwankwaso’s ticket dead on arrival —GANDUJE

  23-07-2026 06:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Says NDC candidates have no legacy to win election..Ganduje lacks credibility to speak for Nigerians – Obi’s camp
  By Dapo AkinrefonFormer National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket would fail in Kano during the 2027 general election.
  Obi and Kwankwaso, who were presidential hopefuls of African Democratic Congress, ADC, later defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, when it was cl
  
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• Christian persecution: Trump vows to stand with Nigeria in anti-terror war

  23-07-2026 06:09 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Applauds President’s resolve to tackle nation’s challenges…As US pledge to nullify jihadists’ threats in Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, others…OPHK drone strikes kill over 20 ISWAP fighters, chief photographer, destroy logistics hub in Southern Lake ChadBy Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Nkiruka Nnorom & Ndahi MaramaABUJA — US President, Donald Trump, has written his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, vowing to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
  
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• Collateral consequences of Tinubu’s healthcare reforms

  23-07-2026 05:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By OKEY AKPAFew aspects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform programme have attracted more public attention than the economy. Debate has centred on fiscal policy, exchange-rate reforms, inflation, taxation, investment and the cost of living. These are the measures by which governments are usually judged because they shape economic confidence and influence the daily lives of citizens. Healthcare has occupied a different place in that conversation. Discussion has focused on access t
  
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• The superpower hiding in plain sight, by Ruth Oji

  23-07-2026 05:29 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Imagine the following scenario: The conference room held two hundred people, but in that moment, it belonged to one woman. She wasn’t the most senior person there, nor was she the most qualified. But when she stood to present her team’s proposal, something happened. Her voice was steady, and her conviction was palpable. She didn’t just deliver information—she painted a vision so vivid that skeptics leaned forward, executives nodded, and by the time she finished, the
  
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• Why Nigeria’s private sector will support Hamzat as next governor of Lagos

  23-07-2026 05:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By OPEYEMI ENIOLA Lagos, Nigeria’s economic heartbeat and Africa’s most populous megacity, stands at a critical juncture. As Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term winds down, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has coalesced around Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election. For Nigeria’s private sector — from multinational corporations and fintech unicorns to local manufacturers, investors,
  
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• Nigeria as Federal Republic of Asiwaju? Why not! By Ikechukwu Amaechi

  23-07-2026 05:19 via vanguardngr.com
  
  At the rate some public officials are going, no one should be surprised if a bill surfaces in the National Assembly tomorrow seeking to rename the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Federal Republic of Asiwaju. When that happens, we will seize being Nigerians and become Asiwajuans! What a great name. Anyone saying God forbid as Nigerians are wont to do is not reading the signs correctly. In a country where public officials – elected and appointed – are falling over themselves a
  
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• ‘Fake’ agency: Tinubu’s amoral rule breeds impunity, abuse of power! By Olu Fasan

  23-07-2026 02:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  There is a shocking paradox, a bewildering moral hypocrisy, at the heart of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. On the one hand, he is actively prosecuting previous public officers for corrupt practices, claiming to have secured over 7,000 convictions since he came to power three years ago. Yet, on the other hand, he presides over a moral cesspit, where ministers routinely abuse power and act with utter impunity, where some are so powerful they can literally get away with murder, pro
  
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• Fast-tracking the National ID project

  23-07-2026 02:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigeria should press ahead with finishing its national identity project, and fast. No modern state can govern, plan, or protect a population it cannot properly count. After nearly two decades of fits and starts, the country is finally within sight of getting this right.The numbers tell part of the story. More than 137 million Nigerians and legal residents are now enrolled in the National Identity database, up from roughly 117 million barely a year and a half ago. President Tinubu has signed a n
  
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• US court sets June 2027 trial for Venezuela’s ousted Maduro

  23-07-2026 00:14 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will go on trial in the United States in June 2027, a court ruled Wednesday, after the US military captured them in a stunning nighttime raid in January.The former leader, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for more than seven months after pleading not guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas on January 3. The lightning operat
  
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• Boris Azarenko: Life, Facts, Vesper

  23-07-2026 00:02 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Boris Azarenko is a Moscow real estate developer whose approach to business was shaped by his financial background. He believes property development is investing’s highest form, where value is created by strategists as much as builders. It was on this assumption that Azarenko created Vesper, now a major player on Russia’s elite market.Boris Azarenko: profile summary
  Type: Entrepreneur · Real estate developer · PhilanthropistFirst name: Boris · Бо
  
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• Photos: Wike’s daughter bags law degree from UK university

  22-07-2026 23:08 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Jazmyne Wike, daughter of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.Jazmyne earned an LL.B. (Hons) with Upper Second-Class Honours after successfully completing her law programme at the British institution.Her achievement has drawn congratulatory messages from family, friends and well-wishers, many of whom commended her dedication and academic success.The graduation mark
  
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