General news

• Iran executed 18 protesters in 2026 – United Nations

  15-06-2026 12:03
  Iran has executed at least 40 people, including 18 protesters, on “national security grounds” since the start of 2026, the United Nations said Monday.UN rights chief Volker Turk said he felt “deeply for the people in Iran, caught between war and cruel repression”.Since the start of the year, the Iranian authorities “have executed at least 40 people on national security grounds… including 18 protesters”, he told the UN Human Rights Council.Ira
  
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• Digital postcode to transform commerce, security, cut delivery costs — Tijani

  16-06-2026 08:45
  By Progress GodfreyThe Federal Government has said Nigeria’s Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, scheduled for launch this year, will transform commerce, strengthen security and significantly reduce delivery costs nationwide.Speaking at the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System workshop in Abuja, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the initiative as critical national infrastructure designed to address Nigeria’s long-stand
  
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• TCN expresses concern over rising cases of vandalism in Niger State

  16-06-2026 08:41
  By Obas Esiedesa, AbujaThe Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised concerns over increasing vandalism of power transmission infrastructure in parts of Niger State, warning that the trend poses serious economic, safety and electricity supply challenges.Speaking during a community engagement visit to Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area yesterday, the General Manager, Transmission, Abuja Region, Engr. Musa Shuaibu, said repeated attacks on transmission facilities had become a maj
  
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• Ogoni monarch denies links to criminal gangs, threatens legal action

  16-06-2026 08:40
  By Daniel AbiaPORT HARCOURT — The Chairman of the Khana Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, King Suanu Timothy Baridam, has denied allegations linking him to criminal gangs operating in the area, describing the claims as false and defamatory.The monarch was responding to allegations reportedly made by some youth leaders who accused him of sponsoring criminal activities in Khana Local Government Area.In a statement issued on Monday by his media consultant,
  
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• Optiva Capital restates commitment to wealth creation, opportunity across Africa

  16-06-2026 08:36
  By Babajide KomolafeChairman of Optiva Capital Partners, Franklin Nechi, has said the company remains committed to helping Africans build wealth, create opportunities and secure lasting legacies through global access, smart investments and purpose-driven growth.Speaking during an interactive session with  the media, Nechi said the firm’s vision extends beyond investment immigration to include healthcare, women empowerment, wealth retention and support for Africa’s growing
  
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• Revenue from VAT, CIT falls 6% to N3.79trn in Q1’26

  16-06-2026 08:31
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanRevenue generated from Value Added Tax, VAT,  and Company Income Tax, CIT,  fell year-on-year (YoY) by 6.2 percent to N3.79 trillion  in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26) from N4.04 trillion in Q1’25.The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS,  disclosed this in its report on VAT and CIT for Q1’26 , which showed that the decline in revenue was driven by a 3.08 percent YoY fall in CIT during the  period. According to the NBS,
  
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• Court-ordered deregistration of ADC politically motivated — Bolaji Abdullahi

  16-06-2026 08:28
  The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of the party as a politically motivated move aimed at undermining the opposition and damaging public confidence in the judiciary.Abdullahi made the assertion on Monday during an interview with ARISE NEWS while reacting to a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the Independent National Electoral
  
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• CBN orders fintechs, banks to localise payment data, caps market dominance

  16-06-2026 08:27
  •Mandates beneficial ownership disclosure•Sets 25% threshold, 15% cross-market cap•Compliance deadline set for Dec. 31, 2026By Babajide KomolafeThe Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed banks, fintechs and other operators in the payments ecosystem to store all payment transaction data generated in Nigeria within the country, while also introducing measures to curb excessive market dominance in the industry.The apex bank disclosed this in a circular dated June 15, 2026, title
  
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• FCMB Group’s profit rises 81% to N202bn 

  16-06-2026 08:23
  FCMB Group Plc has recorded an 81 per cent increase in its Profit Before Tax, PBT, which hit N202.1 billion in 2025 full financial year from N111.9 billion recorded in 2024.The company disclosed this in its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 released yesterday alongside its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.The company also recorded 142 per cent increase in profit after tax which increased to N177.3 billion, leading to improvement in R
  
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• FirstBank hits N1bn daily disbursement on FirstAdvance

  16-06-2026 08:20
  FirstBank Nigeria yesterday announced that FirstAdvance, its flagship salary backed digital loan product, has hit a milestone of N1 billion daily disbursement. The bank, in a statement, said that the feat underscores its commitment to delivering innovative, accessible, technology-driven financial service solutions to its customers.“FirstAdvance is a convenient loan offering for salary earners, that enables FirstBank customers to access short-term credit in less than one minute w
  
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• Nigeria must lead, not consume digital revolution — Galaxy Backbone 

  16-06-2026 08:16
  By Progress GodfreyGalaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s information technology and shared services provider, has said that the country must take a leading role in shaping emerging technologies rather than consuming global innovations.The Managing Director of GBB, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said this yesterday at a press conference in Abuja to kick off the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations, highlighting Nigeria’s readiness to lead Africa’s digital transfor
  
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• Kidnapped Kwara monarch dies in captivity after N18m ransom payment

  16-06-2026 08:15
  The traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Aweda, who was kidnapped from his palace by terrorists on April 17, 2026, has been confirmed dead after payment of N18 million ransom, out of the N21 million demanded.
  It was also gathered that the community had bought two brand new motocycles and provided 100 litres of petrol demanded by the kidnappers, yet he was not released.
  It was learned that when community people sought to speak with
  
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• Nigerian student Kamdi Okeke, graduates Summa Cum Laude, wins $442,044 UPenn scholarship

  16-06-2026 08:08
  By Emma NnadozieKamdi Okeke, a 21-year-old Nigerian student, graduated summa cum laude from Drexel University on June 11, 2026, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with a 3.95 GPA.His academic performance placed him among the top graduates in his programme and earned him first-class honours with the highest distinction.In addition to his academic record, Okeke achieved a score of 521 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and built a strong profile through communit
  
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• Why I’ve not resumed as ambassador to Mexico — Reno Omokri

  16-06-2026 08:07
  Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has explained why he has yet to assume duties in his country of posting, attributing the delay to ongoing activities related to the World Cup being jointly hosted by Mexico and the United States.Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Omokri dismissed claims that the Mexican government had rejected him, describing such reports as opposition-driven narratives with no basis in reality.According to the former pr
  
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• Headline inflation rate in 3rd consecutive month rise, hits 15.93%

  16-06-2026 08:07
  By Progress GodfreyNigeria’s headline inflation rate has gone up again, the third consecutive month, in May 2026, hitting 15.93 percent.The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, announced the increase in its latest consumer price index (CPI) report released yesterday.The report stated: “On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate rose to 15.93%, up from 15.69% in April 2026 and down from 26.06% in the same month of the preceding year (May 2025).”“Looking at the mo
  
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• Pound to Naira exchange rate today, June 16, 2026

  16-06-2026 08:04
  The Nigerian naira traded mixed against the British pound sterling on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, across the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market.At the official market, the pound exchanged at approximately ₦1,849.50/£1, based on prevailing cross-currency rates derived from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s foreign exchange data and international currency market movements.Meanwhile, in the parallel market, also known as the black market, the British
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, June 16, 2026

  16-06-2026 08:00
  The Nigerian naira traded relatively stable against the United States dollar on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at both the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) window and the parallel market.Latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate portal showed that the naira closed at approximately ₦1,363.83 per dollar at the official NFEM window, maintaining the trend seen in recent trading sessions. The official market has continued to trade within the ₦1,360 range a
  
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• FG auctions Lagos hotel, 3 properties forfeited by drug lords at N6.1bn 

  16-06-2026 07:54
  By Kingsley OmonobiThe Federal Government has auctioned a Lagos hotel and three other properties seized from drug kingpins by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and forfeited to the agency, through court processes, for the sum of N6.148 billion. Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who made the disclosure yesterday, said: “This was the outcome of a competitive bid process for the sale of eight assets forfeited by drug barons in par
  
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• Atiku-Amaechi ticket will end Tinubu’s presidency in 2027 — Bolaji Abdullahi

  16-06-2026 07:49
  The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has expressed confidence that the party’s presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi will defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Abdullahi described the Atiku-Amaechi combination as a formidable team capable of offering better leadership than the current administration and winning the next presidenti
  
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• I was drugged, forced to sleep with 30 men a day — Teenager 

  16-06-2026 07:43
  By Matthew JohnsonLAGOS—Emotions ran high at the Lagos State Police Command yesterday, when a 16-year-old girl, Chidinma, narrated how she was allegedly trafficked from Imo State to Lagos and forced into prostitution for four months, during which she was made to sleep with 30 men daily, beaten repeatedly, and denied payment.The teenager, who said she was originally learning baking in Imo State, told journalists that a woman she trusted lured her to Lagos with the promise of a job.Acc
  
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• SSDC Devt mandate: Nwuche tasks board members on accountability, teamwork 

  16-06-2026 07:38
  The Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche has urged members of the Board and Management of the Commission to uphold the highest standards of accountability, prudence, transparency, integrity, and professionalism in managing the newly established regional development agency.Speaking at the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Commission in Abuja, last week, Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House o
  
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• State police: We need constitutional safeguards against abuse —Shagari

  16-06-2026 07:34
  By Musa UbandawakiFormer Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Muktari Shagari, in this interview argues that Nigeria can no longer delay the creation of state police.
  He speaks on why the country urgently needs decentralized policing, how funding should be structured, the safeguards required to prevent abuse, and the role state police could play in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the federation among others.There
  
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• Naira down to N1,400/$ in parallel market

  16-06-2026 07:29
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanThe Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,400 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,390 per dollar last weekend.
  However, the naira appreciated to N1,356 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 market fell to N1,356 per dollar from N1,365.4 per dollar last weekend, indicating N9.4 appreciation for the naira. 
  The post Naira down to N1,400/$ in parallel ma
  
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• Deregistration order: Atiku, Mark, Adeleke, fume over verdict, vow to be on ballot

  16-06-2026 07:24
  —Why court ordered INEC to deregister parties—You’re playing with fire, ADC warns Tinubu’s govt
  By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Omeiza Ajayi & Luminous JannamikeLAGOS — Leaders of African Democratic Congress, ADC; and Accord, yesterday picked holes in the ruling of a Federal High Court ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to de-register their parties and four other parties.While ADC said the All Progressive
  
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• Building Trust at Scale: PalmPay Joins Industry Leaders at Digital Pay Expo 2026

  16-06-2026 05:59
  As digital payment adoption continues to grow across Nigeria and emerging markets, the next phase will depend not just on innovation, but on the strength, reliability, and trustworthiness of the infrastructure behind it. While the ecosystem has made clear progress in recent years, trust remains a critical issue for users, businesses, and operators alike. Questions around resilience, security, interoperability and transaction reliability continue to shape how the market evolves and how conf
  
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• Actor Baba Ijesha announces birth of son

  16-06-2026 00:38
  Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has announced the birth of his son.The actor broke the news in an Instagram post on Monday, accompanied by maternity photographs featuring himself and his wife.Expressing gratitude to God for the new addition to his family, Baba Ijesha revealed his son’s name as King Kagar Omiyinka.He wrote, “In quiet ways, in unseen ways, God has been writing a story only He could tell. We thank the Almighty for blessing us with a
  
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• Eight people feared dead in B-52 plane crash – US military

  16-06-2026 00:24
  Eight people are feared to have died when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off in California on Monday, the US air force base where the accident happened said.“An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11.20 am (PDT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable,” said a statement from Edwards Air Force Base.AFP
  The post Eight people feared dead in B-52 plane crash – US military
  
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• No panic, says De la Fuente after Spain held by Cape Verde

  16-06-2026 00:20
  Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said he is still convinced La Roja will go far at the World Cup despite failing to break down debutants Cape Verde in a 0-0 draw to open their tournament.The European champions badly missed the spark of Lamine Yamal, who was deemed only fit enough for a second-half cameo on his return from injury, as they struggled to even create chances against a side ranked 67th in the world.“We are completely calm, convinced that there is a long way to go. As we see it, we
  
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• State police creation doesn’t mean abolition of NPF – IGP Disu

  16-06-2026 00:18
  The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olatunji Disu, says the creation of the state police does not mean abolition of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).Disu stated this while addressing personnel of the police force on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa.He said the clarification was imperative to address concerns among officers and men of the force surrounding the creation of the state police.The I-G said the legislative development concerning the creation of the state police has generated considerable disc
  
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• Xenophobia: S’Africa intensifies crackdown on illegal immigration

  16-06-2026 00:15
  South Africa has intensified immigration enforcement nationwide, arresting more than 40,000 undocumented migrants this year as authorities tighten border controls and accelerate repatriations.The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, disclosed this during a media briefing in Pretoria.Kubayi said intelligence-led operations were ongoing at land, sea and air ports of entry to identify undocumented migrants and employers violating immigration laws.She said the crack
  
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