The 2026 edition of the Aquarian Consult’s Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) will focus on boosting trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean, targeting a combined market valued at $40 trillion across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. The Chief of Staff of Aquarian Consult Ltd, Serumun Ubwa, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, ahead of the summit scheduled for March 23–28, 2026. She described AACIS as a strategic platform designed to connect African businesses with Caribbean partners, attract foreign investment, and promote sustainable economic collaboration across key sectors. Ubwa highlighted that the inaugural AACIS in…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
The Federal Government has unveiled a landmark financing programme aimed at transforming Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape by providing 6,122 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with access to single-digit interest loans under the SMEDAN Inspire–Create–Start–Scale (ICSS) programme. Launched in Abuja on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, the initiative is a collaboration between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Kaduna Business School, with implementation support from GOPA Worldwide Consultants. The loan facility will be managed by Jaiz Bank, offering START loans ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦2 million, and SCALE loans between ₦1…
Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef O. Fagbemi, has called for sweeping reforms to strengthen the enforcement of judgments delivered by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, warning that weak compliance mechanisms risk undermining regional justice and integration. Speaking at a Special Forum marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fagbemi said that while the Court has recorded significant milestones since becoming operational in 2001, its authority is being weakened by persistent enforcement challenges and structural gaps. The Attorney-General acknowledged that the Court has delivered landmark judgments on human rights, governance…
Civil society groups intensified pressure on the National Assembly on Tuesday, staging a second day of protests demanding that the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 enshrine mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The demonstrations, spearheaded by ActionAid Nigeria alongside other civic organisations, come amid concerns that the Senate version of the bill dilutes provisions for e-transmission, in contrast to the House of Representatives’ version, which civil society groups have endorsed. Addressing the crowd, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu,, stressed that the demand was absolute. “Real-time electronic…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dealt a major blow to criminal networks in Abuja and neighboring states, arresting ten suspects involved in vandalism, theft, and kidnapping, in a high-stakes operation by its elite Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) and Crack Squad. The arrests come under directives from NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, aimed at protecting lives, national assets, and critical infrastructure. According to a statement on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, by the spokesman of NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale, six suspects were apprehended for vandalising electrical and communication installations and stealing government property. Items recovered from them include:…
The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu has flagged off the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, a program designed to address the issues of malnutrition among infants across the nation, reports thegazellenews.com The event took place during the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja. “This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the nation. We are collaborating with the Bank of Industry, Bank…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, JANDOR, has extended warm greetings to Muslim and Christian faithful across Lagos State as the holy month of Ramadan begins and Christians observe Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of the Lenten season, reports thegazellenews.com Dr. Adediran described the period as a unique moment of deep spiritual reflection, sacrifice, and renewed devotion to God, noting that both observances emphasize values of humility, compassion, discipline, and service to humanity. His message was contained in a statement released and signed by his spokesperson, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye on Wednesday, 18 February,…
By Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi An apolitical human interest group known as Kebbi development forum (KDF) on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Illayasu Bashar at his palace in Birnin Kebbi to seek the support of the royal father. Earlier, in his speech, the Kebbi state Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Usman Gwandu told the royal father that their visit to the palace was to seek the cooperation of traditional rulers in their push for improved electricity supply in the state. “We are here your royal highness to seek royal blessings and…
Nigeria’s para badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, has climbed to World No. 1 in the women’s SL3 category in the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Tuesday, February 17. Bolaji ascended to the top of the world rankings following her impressive silver medal finish at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain. She lost 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) in the final to Japan’s world No. 7, Shino Kawai, at the New Capital Hall on February 14. The multiple national and African champion dethroned Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh from the summit of the rankings. Her rise was further…
By Segun Adewale A Forum within the Bauchi State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Concerned and Committed members, has demanded for a free, fair and transparent conduct of the forthcoming Congresses of the party in the state. The group therefore urged the National Chairman of the party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and the National Working Committee to ensure that the processes of the Congresses were conducted strictly in line with the APC Constitution and democratic principles. The call was made by a group known as Concerned and Committed members of the APC in Bauchi State during a Press…