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Bolivians are increasingly turning to digital assets as a financial lifeline amid rampant inflation, a scarcity of US dollars, and a devaluing national currency. A recent central bank report indicates a significant surge in cryptocurrency adoption nationwide, particularly in cities like Cochabamba. Here, Bitcoin ATMs are becoming more common, businesses are embracing crypto payments, and discounts are often offered for transactions made with digital assets, as reported by Cryptopolitan. With the Bolivian government artificially maintaining the official exchange rate while the black market rate plummets, citizens are using platforms such as Binance to acquire Bitcoin and stablecoins like Tether (USDT). This strategy helps them safeguard their finances against the weakening Bolivian boliviano. The central bank’s latest figures reveal an astounding 530% increase in crypto transactions, climbing from $46 million in the first half of 2024 to $294 million in the same period of 2025. Since t...

The Ondo State Police Command said it had arrested and prosecuted no fewer than 30 confirmed kidnap suspects while hundreds of armed robbery and other criminal suspects were nabbed in the first half of 2025. According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade, on Sunday, the period under review was under the leadership of the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi. Afolabi, the statement confirmed, has been redeployed from the state following the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. “If anything, his (Afolabi’s) tenure in Ondo State has been marked by notable achievements, including the arrest and prosecution of over 30 confirmed kidnappers, the dismantling of 83 cult gangs, and the apprehension of numerous armed robbers and car snatchers. These successes are a testament to his dedication, effectiveness, and leadership,” the PPRO stated. He however denied a report that Afolabi was removed following the ‘...

Again, the Senate has issued a 10 day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL to respond to 11 critical financial queries related to discrepancies in its audited financial statements, warning that failure to comply could attract serious constitutional consequences. The Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Wadada, SDP, Nasarawa West at a resumed hearing yesterday however rejected a written request from the NNPCL seeking a two-month extension to compile responses and documents. Recall that last week, the Committee had expressed outrage over what it described as mind-boggling and unacceptable, financial irregularities uncovered in NNPC’s books, including over 200 trillion naira in unexplained receivables and undocumented legal and audit fees spanning the years 2017 to 2023. The disputed figures, comprising ₦103 trillion in “accrued expenses” and another ₦107 trillion listed as “receivables” were uncovered during the committee’s review of NNPCL’s financia...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu   will on Thursday sign into law four historic tax reform bills set to overhaul Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, streamline tax administration, and boost investor confidence. The four bills — the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill — were recently passed by the National Assembly following extensive stakeholder consultations and technical reviews. The ceremonial signing is scheduled to take place at the State House, Abuja. A statement on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the legislation as a major step forward in President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, with the new legal framework expected to simplify tax compliance, enhance revenue generation, and improve the overall ease of doing business in Nigeria. “These laws will significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading ...

  President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, expressed his displeasure over the inability of the standby force to be activated, despite commitments from the Authority of Heads of State of the  Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS . He regretted that it had failed to move from concept to reality in the collective fight against terrorism and transnational crimes under his leadership as chairman of the regional bloc. The President raised the concern in his opening speech at the 67th ECOWAS Authority’s Ordinary Session in Abuja, one of his final acts as chairman of the 50-year-old regional economic bloc. He emphasised the urgency of operationalising the force in the face of escalating insecurity across the sub-region, noting that, “The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality. I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired.” The Nigerian leader noted that threats confronting the region are transnat...

The Court of Appeal in Lagos has nullified the 2014 judgment of a Federal High Court that allowed Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) to take possession of a sprawling N30 billion, 44-room mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Alhaji Agboola Abiola, son of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. In a unanimous decision, Justices Paul Bassi, Polycarp Kwahar, and Abdulaziz Anka declared the foreclosure invalid, citing serious irregularities in the legal mortgage upon which GTBank had based its claim to the property. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Bassi ruled that the Federal High Court erred by failing to address credible allegations of forgery and document manipulation raised by the appellants. He stated that the bank’s mortgage documents were riddled with discrepancies that undermined their validity. The appeal, marked CA/L/888/2014, challenged the June 20, 2014 judgment of the lower court which had granted GTBank the right to enforce the foreclosure. The appeal was filed by the appellants,...

T he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recommended tough penalties for 11  Computer Based Test (CBT) centres for their alleged involvement in fingerprint irregularities during registration for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Also to be penalised are registration centres that had  more than 50 candidates with fingerprint irregularities. The sanctions are, however, subject to approval by Education Minister Tunji Alausa. Registrar/Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, made this known after a stakeholder meeting on examination infractions in Abuja yesterday. Oloyede explained that the penalties are intended to protect the integrity of the examination process. Oloyede said: “The leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, with some critical stakeholders here, recommends as follows: That any registrant who has registered more than 50 candidates (with infractions) should be dismissed from participating in any ...

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced a drop in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate from 23.71 per cent in April 2025 to 22.97 per cent in May 2025. Ironically, food inflation rose to 21.14%, up by 0.12% when compared to 2.06% recorded the previous month. The Bureau made these known in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Monday, June 16, 2025 in Abuja. “On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 10.98% lower than the rate recorded in May 2024 (33.95%),” NBS said. “Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in May 2025 was 1.53%, which was 0.33% lower than the rate recorded in April 2025 (1.86%). “This means that in May 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in April 2025.” The statistics body said the headline inflation rate was driven by the cost of food, accommodation and transport services. The statistics firm said the food inflation rate i...

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) , has decried the unending wave of “banditry, terrorism and barbaric killing” going on across different parts of the country, with a call for the federal government to put an end to them. In a statement issued on Monday by the National Chairman of the party, Falalu Bello, OFR, the PRP strongly condemned the recent attacks in the Yelewata and Daudu communities of Benue and Nassarawa States where hundreds of lives were lost. The statement reads: “The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) unequivocally condemns the heinous and tragic attacks that have claimed the lives of over 100 innocent citizens in Yelewata and Daudu communities and the innocent motorists along Lafiya – Makurdi corridor of Benue and Nassarawa States. “These barbaric acts exemplify the deepening insecurity crisis that continues to ravage Nigeria with devastating consequences. “It is profoundly disheartening that while our people are being slaughtered, villages razed, and livelihoods destroyed...

Principal Special Assistant to the governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph has sacked his Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Ukeyima and Mr Lubem Terkula, respectively, for protesting the wanton killings going on in the state. Terver made the disclosure on Sunday night in a letter addressed to the two aides, accusing them of working against the state government. The letter reads, “This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your position as Chief of Staff and Chief press secretary, effective today, June 14, 2025. “This decision has been made due to your actions that have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your Principal. “Such conduct is a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office. “During the period of this indefinite suspension, you are to refrain from all official duties and responsibilities, and you are not permitted to represent thi...

T wo Nigerian companies’ stocks propelled the Nigerian Exchange Limited to a N405 billion gain on Wednesday. The two companies with the highest gains were ABC Transport and Beta Glass. Interestingly, Wednesday’s rally was not driven by the banking sector. The market performance indices rose by 0.56 per cent, spurred by increased interest in major stocks. Accordingly, market capitalisation rose by N405 billion to close at N72.302 trillion, compared with N71.897 trillion on Tuesday. Similarly, the All-Share Index increased by 641.63 points, or 0.56 per cent, to settle at 114,659.11. Consequently, market breadth also closed positively, with 32 gainers and 28 losers. On the gainers’ table, ABC Transport rose by 10 per cent to close at N2.64, while Beta Glass also appreciated by 10 per cent, settling at N231.10 per share. Berger Paints gained 9.98 per cent, finishing at N24.80, and Fidson Healthcare rose by 9.91 per cent, closing at N34.95 per share. Similarly, Legend Internet Plc advanced...

The chairman of the Board of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc , Aliko Dangote, has announced his retirement, bringing an end to a 20-year leadership of the company. In a statement released by Company Secretary Temitope Hassan on Wednesday, it was stated that his retirement will take effect from June 16, 2025. Since assuming leadership in 2005, Dangote has been recognised as a key figure in transforming Dangote Sugar into a market leader in Nigeria’s sugar industry, overseeing significant expansion projects and strengthening corporate governance. “In line with the principles of good corporate governance and succession planning, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc hereby announces the retirement of our esteemed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, effective June 16, 2025,” the statement read. The statement also noted that during his tenure, the company launched major backward integration projects in Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, aimed at boosting local ...

Nigeria’s currency, the naira, has gained a significant N32.38 against the dollar on a week-on-week basis at the official foreign exchange rate market, DAILY POST reports. A review of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rate data between Friday, May 30, and June 5, 2025, showed that the naira firmed up to N1,553.12 per dollar from N1,585.50. This means that the naira increased its value by N32.38, or 2.04 percent, in the period under review. Apart from gains at the official FX market, the naira also recorded appreciation at the black market. DAILY POST reports that the Naira ended trading at the parallel market on Thursday at N1590 per dollar from N1625 exchanged on May 30, 2025. This indicates that at the black market, the naira gained N35 against the dollar in the period under review. Speaking days back, the Governor of CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, attributed the naira’s relative stability to reforms orchestrated by the apex bank. He said the  naira had become a competitive payment s...

Bill Gates, Chair of Gates Foundation , has advised the Federal Government to continue its longstanding commitment to end polio transmission in the country. Gates said this during a media roundtable with selected journalists on Wednesday in Lagos. He emphasised that, with global funding tightening, it’s more important than ever that Nigeria maintains the momentum of polio eradication. “Now is not the time to stop because, unfortunately, the virus is still circulating, and we need stronger action, especially in the states of Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and Kebbi. “What is important now is that the government urgently continues its longstanding commitment alongside partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the heroic efforts of frontline health workers to end polio transmission. “The emergence of variant polio cases remains a serious challenge and can fuel doubts about vaccine safety. “That’s why we are supporting Nigerian-led and GPEI partners like UNICEF and WHO to enga...

T he federal government , through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC may have updated its telecom identity risk management policy, TIRMP, allowing a window of one year for an inactive phone line to be re-assigned to a new subscriber. The TIRMP platform is NCC’s way of developing a cross-sector platform to collect and share data on churned (recycled) phone numbers as well as numbers that have been flagged as having been used for fraudulent activities, as reported by other sector regulators. A reliable source at the commission told Vanguard that the platform will help prevent the misuse of numbers when they change hands. The information on this platform will be made available to relevant stakeholders across various sectors. Vanguard gathered authoritatively that the commission is putting plans in place to launch the updated policy framework by the 4th quarter of this year. The source said the new initiative aligns with the commission’s Strategic Vision Plan, which aims not only ...

The   National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)   has warned of likely outbreak of waterborne disease in Mokwa due to contamination of water sources. The agency also said there may be shelter and food shortages if the number of those currently displaced increases. As of Tuesday evening, the number of displaced is 1,590, affected persons is 3,108, 160 are dead, 84 missing, and 11 injured. NEMA, on its official X handle @nemanigeria on Tuesday, posted efforts made and its challenges since the incident on 29th May. On how it has responded, NEMA stated: “Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and medical extrication units have been deployed to support emergency health operations. Injured individuals were evacuated to health centres and hospitals for treatment. Food supplies were mobilized within 24 hours and handed over to the NSEMA, Local Government Chairman, and Community head (Sarkin Hausawa Mokwa) for immediate distribution to the affected persons. “M...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated industrialist, Aliko Dangote, on his appointment to the World Bank’s prestigious Private Sector Investment Lab , describing it as a fitting recognition of his transformative contributions to Africa’s private sector. In a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the billionaire businessman and President of the Dangote Group, stating that his inclusion in the global economic initiative is well-deserved. “The President describes the appointment as apt, given Dangote’s rich private sector experience, strategic investments, and many employment opportunities created through his Dangote Group,” the statement said. The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader effort to expand the reach and impact of its Private Sector Investment Lab.  The Lab, established to harness private capital and scale up investment in developing economies, is entering a ...

  Business woman Mrs. Aisha Achimugu has said she honoured an invitation by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . She thanked the anti-graft agency for its professionalism. Achimugu’s lawyers, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) and Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), said in a statement that Achimumu arrived in Nigeria early Tuesday in response to the EFCC invitation of March 4 to assist in an ongoing investigation. The statement reads: “Mrs. Achimugu had been temporarily out of the country due to several other scheduled incidents when the EFCC issued its invitation.  “In line with her respect for lawful institutions and her sense of civic duty, she communicated openly and consistently with the EFCC during her time abroad.  “She formally wrote to the Commission twice on 5th and 12th March, 2025, clearly stating her commitment to return and make herself available to assist in the ongoing investigation at the earliest time. Both letters outlined April 28th and 29th, as her...

  F ormer Governor of Jigawa State , Sule Lamido, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that the alleged misuse of federal agencies to suppress opposition parties could ultimately cause the collapse of his presidency. Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, after being elected as a national delegate for the upcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress, Lamido expressed his concerns clearly. "The use of government institutions as tools for political persecution will not only tarnish the reputation of the presidency but could also lead to its undoing," Lamido warned. "What we are witnessing today is an abuse of power that is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, and if unchecked, it will crumble under the weight of its own injustices." Lamido accused President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically "weaponising" federal agencies to weaken political rivals ahead of the 2027 ele...

Primary school teachers and Area Council Workers under the joint unions of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NIT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) staged a peaceful protest in the streets of Abuja, on Thursday. The demonstration was over non-payment of their minimum wage and other entitlements by the six area councils chairmen of the FCT.