Author: Citynews

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said the Federal Government is borrowing billions of dollars to fund critical infrastructure projects across the country. Bwala made the comment while reacting to remarks by the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi, who noted that Nigeria requires between $30 billion and $100 billion annually to address its infrastructure deficit. In a post on X, Bwala stated: “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the most important areas of our economy, with infrastructure being the most crucial of them all. “The infrastructure gap requires at least…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a sweeping increase in peculiar allowances and other welfare benefits for civil servants, in a move aimed at improving take-home pay and boosting morale across the public service. The announcement was made on Friday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined key reforms endorsed by the Federal Executive Council. According to Walson-Jack, the review affects workers under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), ensuring a broad-based impact…

The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has petitioned Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace over what it described as repeated incidents of cattle killings and poisoning in communities within Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The petition, dated April 23, 2026, was signed by the state chairman of the association, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, and made available to journalists in Jos on Friday. Babayo said the petition became necessary due to what the association considers a growing threat to the livelihoods of herders in the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, over an alleged multi-billion naira fraud. Ayeni was reportedly picked up in Abuja and is currently in EFCC custody as investigations continue. The EFCC is investigating the alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds estimated at N36.5 billion and $30 million. The amount is said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to him. Details shortly…

A group of young people from Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State staged a peaceful march on Thursday to show support for former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over a planned court case linked to the 2018 Offa robbery incident. CityNews reports that that the rally took place on April 23, 2026, as participants walked through major roads in Ilorin, carrying placards and chanting messages backing Saraki. The protest began at Omoda Roundabout and ended at the forecourt of the Emir of Ilorin’s palace. The demonstration followed a suit filed by the Kwara State Government against Saraki, former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and others. The case accuses…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over a fresh external borrowing request of $516 million, warning that the country must not “borrow blindly” under the guise of development. The criticism comes after Tinubu formally wrote to the Senate, seeking approval to secure a $516,333,07 loan as part of efforts to fund key national projects. Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising debt profile. He acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development, especially projects aimed at improving connectivity between regions, but insisted…

Omoyele Sowore, 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticised Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, accusing him of hypocrisy over his recent comments on the north. Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had said he would prioritise the development of northern Nigeria, describing the region as the country’s greatest asset. “Our greatest asset is in the north. The vast, uncultivated land in the north is our future. We can make more money as a country from agriculture than we make from oil, and we must begin to do that immediately,” Obi said. Sowore,…

In a year marked by measured but decisive gains, Zenith Bank Plc has crossed a symbolic and financial threshold, becoming the first Nigerian lender to surpass a N5 trillion valuation on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). The milestone follows a N2.97 trillion increase in market capitalization—roughly N3 trillion, or $2.2 billion—since the start of the year, reinforcing the bank’s standing not only as Nigeria’s most profitable lender but also as its most valuable. The rally is linked to a sharp rise in its share price on the NGX, which climbed 116 percent from N61.8 ($0.046) on Jan. 1 to N134 ($0.099)…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential and governorship primaries, shifting key dates in its preparations for the 2027 general elections. Politics Nigeria reports that the party announced that the presidential primary, earlier scheduled for May 15 and 16, will now hold on May 23, 2026. The governorship primaries have also been moved and will now take place on May 21, 2026. The decision follows a review of the party’s election timetable. The adjustment was disclosed by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.…

The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to consider far-reaching emergency measures, including the possible suspension of political activities in eight frontline states, as insecurity continues to escalate across parts of the country. The call, which underscores growing concern within the National Assembly over renewed insurgent offensives, followed a point of order raised by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, during plenary. He said, “Mr President, we cannot continue to think that because we are in Abuja, therefore this thing (insecurity) does not affect us. “One of the things that we must do, and I want us to…