General news

• IMPI hinges 14% year-end inflation forecast on deep analysis of Tinubu reforms

  18-12-2025 18:52 via vanguardngr.com
  ‎The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has attributed its successful forecast of a 14 per cent inflation by the end of the year to a painstaking analysis of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies in the last year.‎‎In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Omoniyi Akinsiju, IMPI argued that while the President himself projected an ambitious 15% inflation rate in his 2025 budget speech, its analysts were convinced in September that the country would do better us
  
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• China to increase tax on condoms in attempt to boost birth rate

  19-12-2025 10:28 via vanguardngr.com
  China will impose a 13% value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives from January 1, ending an exemption in place since the nationwide VAT system was introduced in 1993.
  The change, included in a VAT law passed in 2024 to modernise the tax regime, comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to raise its declining birthrate. VAT accounts for nearly 40% of China’s total tax revenue.The move follows years of policy “carrots” after China abandoned its one-child policy, inclu
  
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• Nigerian newspapers review: [Oil sector] Far-reaching reforms coming, Eyesan, Mohammed vow

  19-12-2025 10:25 via vanguardngr.com
  In today’s Nigerian newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard leads with President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) pledging to implement wide-ranging reforms to stabilise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.Another headline features the Federal Government saying it is unsure of the status of the 11 soldiers and ai
  
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• Army neutralises five bandits, recovers motorcycles in Sokoto, Zamfara

  19-12-2025 10:18 via vanguardngr.com
  Troops of 8 Division Garrison Nigerian Army Sokoto have neutralised five armed criminals and recovered weapons and motorcycles during a coordinated operation conducted in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.A credible source from the army told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that the planned operation kicked off on Wednesday.“It struck a major blow against banditry during a sweeping offensive that targeted notorious hideouts spanning Sokoto and Zamfara states.”The coo
  
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• Trump says does not need Congress to launch strikes in Venezuela

  19-12-2025 09:55 via vanguardngr.com
  US President Donald Trump asserted Thursday he does not need congressional approval to launch strikes on land against Venezuela despite criticism that he is already exceeding his constitutional authority with attacks at sea.When a reporter asked whether he would seek authorization from the US lawmakers to hit drug cartels on land in the Latin American country, Trump said he’d have no problem doing that, although he cited concerns that politicians “leak like a sieve.”“I w
  
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• State police: What I told US, European partners – Tinubu

  19-12-2025 09:38 via vanguardngr.com
  President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said that he had assured the United States and European partners that his administration would implement state police to boost security in Nigeria.He said this during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.The president said he had a very long discussion with the country’s United States and European partners and assured them that state police would be used to improve securit
  
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• Army dismantles bandit enclaves, kills five in Sokoto–Zamfara operation

  19-12-2025 09:03 via vanguardngr.com
  By Musa Ubandawaki, SokotoSOKOTO—Troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army have carried out a coordinated operation against armed bandit groups in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara States, resulting in the death of five suspected bandits and the recovery of arms and logistics.A security source disclosed on Friday that the operation began in the early hours of Wednesday and targeted identified hideouts linked to bandit activities along border communities in the two states.According
  
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• Mobile Trading on the Rise – How Smartphones Are Driving Nigeria’s FX Trading Culture

  19-12-2025 08:54 via vanguardngr.com
  Mobile trading is no longer a niche activity for tech-savvy investors in Nigeria. It is fast becoming a cultural shift, one that blends convenience with ambition while giving a new generation of Nigerians a practical entry point into global finance.
  The result is a trading environment shaped by mobility and a desire for financial autonomy.A New Generation Fueled by Accessibility
  The rise of mobile forex trading starts with something simple: smartphones are everywhere. Young Nigerians rely on th
  
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• NSIA grows assets to $3bn

  19-12-2025 08:49 via vanguardngr.com
  …Builds Nigeria’s Health, Agric & Infrastructure SectorsBy Yakubu DanladiMore than a decade after its establishment, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (‘NSIA’ or ‘The Authority’) has continued to evolve from a stabilisation vehicle and long-term savings institution into a national systems builder, that blends financial discipline with a wider ambition to solve structural challenges that limit economic opportunity for millions of Nigerians. Creat
  
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• La historia de un secuestro masivo

  19-12-2025 08:00 via nytimes.com
  Unos hombres armados irrumpieron en una escuela católica en Nigeria y raptaron a 253 niños. Sus padres hablan sobre la aterradora experiencia y la falta de interés de las autoridades locales.
  
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• Tinubu to govs: Obey S’Court judgment, handover LG their allocation

  19-12-2025 07:54 via vanguardngr.com
  ABUJA — PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the 36 governors to hand over local government allocation to the councils in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.The President said there would not be an autonomy to councils without funded mandate.Speaking at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President said he had assured the United States and the European Union that Nigeria will establish state Police to tackle insecurity challenges.
  
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• Africa’s migrant workers still trapped in exploitation, ITUC warns

  19-12-2025 07:37 via vanguardngr.com
  By Victor Ahiuma-YoungAfrica’s migrant workers continue to face widespread exploitation, abuse and insecurity despite the existence of regional and global protection frameworks, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, has warned.
  In a statement issued on December 18, by Akhator Odigie
  General Secretary, ITUC-Africa, the group said the continent remains a region of origin, transit and destination for migrants, with most movements takin
  
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• 2027: ADC nominates Tubo, Badawi as Transitional Committee chair, Secretary for Borno

  19-12-2025 07:34 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ndahi Marama, MaiduguriFollowing alignment and realignment towards the forthcoming 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated Hon. Adamu Usman Tubo as the Transitional Committee Chairman, while Hon. Sunusi Lawan Badawi emerged as the Secretary.Tubo hails from Southern Borno Senatorial District, while Badawi is from Borno North Senatorial District.According to a circular signed by the party’s office of Assistant National Organizing Secretary, as well as
  
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• Why we’re now considering satellites for telecom services – Airtel

  19-12-2025 07:17 via vanguardngr.com
  — Links Starlink to launch first satellite-to-mobile service in AfricaBy Prince Osuagwu,Hi-Tech EditorAirtel Nigeria has explained that recent advances in satellite technology, driven by SpaceX’s Starlink, have made satellite-based telecom services both effective and cost-efficient.The explanation was given by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, while responding to questions from journalists during the announcement of Airtel Africa’s partnership with
  
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• Ondo Deep Sea Port to serve Nigeria, West Africa — Aiyedatiwa

  19-12-2025 07:01 via vanguardngr.com
  — Receives revalidated licence from Federal GovernmentBy Dayo Johnson, AkureOndo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will serve as a major hub for international trade, benefiting not only Ondo State but Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.The governor spoke after receiving the revalidated licence for the project from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola.Aiyedatiwa said the state government is fully prepared to
  
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• Dangote Refinery’s PMS supply will reduce petrol price, says IPMAN

  19-12-2025 07:01 via vanguardngr.com
  By Udeme AkpanThe Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on all its members nationwide to patronise the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, noting that the refinery already offers the best affordable price for all marketers, even as free delivery commences in January 2026.The association also expressed delight over a recent agreement by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – also known as p
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 19, 2025​

  19-12-2025 06:55 via vanguardngr.com
  The Nigerian Naira continues to experience fluctuations against the United States Dollar as the trading day opens on Friday, December 19, 2025.Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and various parallel market segments show a slight tightening in the gap between official and unofficial rates.
  ​
  Official Market Rates (NFEM)
  ​In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, the Naira opened at approximately N1,455.98 per $1. This reflects a period of relative volatility earlier
  
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• PenCom recoveries from defaulting employers rise 180%, hit N4.04bn

  19-12-2025 06:53 via vanguardngr.com
  By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Rosemary IwunzeThe National Pension Commission, PenCom, has recorded a major breakthrough in pension compliance, recovering  N4.04 billion from defaulting employers between January and November 2025—a 180 per cent increase over the N1.44 billion recovered in the whole of 2024.Director General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, during an interactive meeting with Journalists, attributed the sharp rise in recoveries
  
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• NIPC attracts $10bn investments, over 5,000 jobs in 2025

  19-12-2025 06:45 via vanguardngr.com
  By Progress GodfreyNigeria attracted investment commitments worth about $9.88 billion in 2025, with projects facilitated by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) generating over 5,000 direct jobs across key sectors of the economy, signalling renewed investor confidence.Deputy Director, Depar-tment of Investment Promotion, Emmanuel Longza, NIPC, disclosed this in a document presented    during a media parley with journalists in Abuja.According to the document, the in
  
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• Nigeria’s trade with ECOWAS countries rises 43% to N6.9trn

  19-12-2025 06:39 via vanguardngr.com
  By Elizabeth Adegbesan Nigeria’s trade with other countries in the Economic Community of West African States,   ECOWAS, by 43 percent,   rose year-on-year   (YoY)   to N6.9 trillion in the first nine months of the year (9m’25) from N4.82 trillion in the corresponding period of 2024.Analysis of data   in the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Report recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS,   
  
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• ₦30m Judgment Debt: Court okays garnishee order against Ondo Govt accounts

  19-12-2025 06:37 via vanguardngr.com
  By Dayo Johnson, AkureAn Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has authorised a garnishee order nisi for the attachment of funds belonging to the Ondo State Government in several commercial banks to satisfy a ₦30 million judgment debt.Justice Omolara Adejumo granted the order following an application filed by the judgment creditor through Tope Temokun Chambers, signed by Tope Temokun, Esq.The application sought to enforce an existing judgment against the Ondo State Government and the Ond
  
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• Kogi to domesticate 2025 tax act

  19-12-2025 06:34 via vanguardngr.com
  By Boluwaji Obahopo, LokojaThe Kogi State Government has announced plans to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, with implementation scheduled to commence in the state on January 1, 2026.Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this on Wednesday in Lokoja at the opening of a stakeholders’ meeting themed “Understanding Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025.”The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. Rahman Ichanyi, said the domestication of the new tax law aligns
  
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• We ’ll drive digitisation, enforce contracts, restore investor confidence — Tinubu’s new NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs

  19-12-2025 06:25 via vanguardngr.com
  …Nigeria losing huge value to manual processes — Eyesan…I will restore discipline to gas and petroleum supply systems — MohammedBy Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday screened nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officers of Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory agencies, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).The screening followed a lett
  
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• Police ACP slumps, dies during meeting in Ebonyi

  19-12-2025 04:40 via vanguardngr.com
  By Jeff AgbodoABAKALIKI—An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, serving in the Ebonyi State Command, reportedly slumped and died during a management meeting at the command headquarters in Abakaliki.
  Sources said the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. during a meeting in the Commissioner of Police’s office.ACP Popoola was rushed to the police clinic, but efforts to revive him failed. His body was later taken to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching
  
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• PSC promotes one DIG, 7 AIGs, 13 CPs, 30 DCPs, 724 others D-G

  19-12-2025 04:38 via vanguardngr.com
  The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday approved the promotion of senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force following written examinations and oral interviews held on December 17, 2025, at its Abuja headquarters, presided over by Chairman DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd).Among those promoted is AIG Mohammed Usman Gumel , elevated to Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). He was previously AIG in charge of the Community Policing Project Department at Force Headquarters.Others are Se
  
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• Jurisdiction row stalls Alaba Market eviction case

  19-12-2025 04:36 via vanguardngr.com
  Proceedings at the Ajegunle District Magistrate’s Court has been stalled following a jurisdictional objection over the enforcement of an eviction judgment on shops at Alaba International Market, Ojo.The President of the Association for the Protection and Defence of Human Rights, Mr. Eric Igweokolo, told the court that the eviction allegedly carried out on shops H9 and H9A belonging to Mr. Eke Chukwu and Mrs. Jane Ezeiffeoma was improper, arguing that the properties were not the subject ma
  
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• Scores injured as tanker explosion rocks Auchi

  19-12-2025 04:28 via vanguardngr.com
  BENIN CITY—Scores of people have been injured and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed following a fuel tanker explosion in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.The petrol-laden tanker reportedly fell along the Auchi–Okene Highway, spilling its contents into drainages across the town, with some flowing into underground tunnels.Eyewitnesses said the tanker exploded, and the fire spread along the drainage channels, triggering secondar
  
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• Troops kill commander, terrorists in Mandara Mountains, foil Bitta infiltration

  19-12-2025 04:26 via vanguardngr.com
  Maiduguri— Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have thwarted an early-morning attempt by terrorists from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, killing a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and several insurgents, in a major blow to their operational capability.A military source, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the encounter occurred at about 0030 hours on 18 December 2025, with troops using advanced surveillance to detect the terrorists’ advance.“Exercising tactica
  
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• Court rejects ex-AGF, Malami’s bail plea

  19-12-2025 04:24 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ikechukwu NnochiriABUJA—A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, dismissed an application seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, from its custody.Malami, who has spent about 10 days in detention, is under investigation over multiple allegations, including alleged financial impropriety involving recovered loot and reported links to terro
  
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• Uncertainty over NAF aircraft departure to Portugal after release in Burkina Faso

  19-12-2025 04:02 via vanguardngr.com
  By Nkiruka Nnorom and Favour UleborThe Federal Government has expressed uncertainty over the current status of the 11 soldiers and aircraft detained in Burkina Faso, casting doubt on reports that they have departed for Portugal.According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, while the Burkinabè authorities have released the personnel and aircraft, it was unclear whether they have actually taken off from Burkina FasoThough he confirmed that the soldiers
  
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