Author: Justina Peters
In 2025, high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) continue to offer an attractive balance of safety, liquidity, and competitive returns. With inflation lingering and Federal Reserve rate cuts still pending, today’s savers have a valuable opportunity to maximize yield without compromising access to their funds. HYSA rates now commonly range between 4% and 5% APY, significantly outperforming traditional account offerings. Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter Now Many Americans are missing out: Vanguard reports that 57% of savers earn less than 3% on cash holdings, despite broader availability of higher-rate, low-risk savings options. At the same time, keeping funds in standard banking products—earning as…
Despite repeated calls for civic engagement, voter apathy defined Saturday’s local government elections in Lagos State, with many young residents in Alausa, Ikeja, choosing leisure over the ballot. According to Punch, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., several groups of youths were seen playing football at three different spots in the area—during the peak of the voting period. When approached, most cited a deep distrust in the electoral system as the reason for their absence from polling units. “You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball. Why should I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the players.…
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed strong doubts about the viability of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, despite years of investment and repeated rehabilitation efforts. Speaking on Thursday during a tour of the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote criticized the performance of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, all operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). He noted that approximately $18 billion has been spent on them, yet they remain non-functional. Dangote also revisited a failed 2007 acquisition of the refineries by his consortium, which was reversed by the administration of late President Umar Yar’Adua. According…
The Federal Government has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new policy on Tuesday at the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting held in Abuja. He stated that the 16-year age requirement is now “non-negotiable” and must be strictly enforced by all institutions. “The entry age for admission into tertiary institutions is now officially pegged at 16 years,” Alausa said. “Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance. Any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will be…
The Federal Government has listed a nearly 20-year-old Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale, citing high maintenance costs and safety concerns. The listing is hosted by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland. Sources within the Presidency told Vanguard that the jet, acquired in 2005 for $43 million during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, has become increasingly expensive to maintain. Concerns reportedly escalated after a mechanical issue occurred during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024. The decision to sell the aircraft follows President Bola Tinubu’s switch to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 last August, as part of broader efforts…
Clayton Howard, the former escort who has filed a civil lawsuit against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, is now alleging that singer Cassie Ventura was not merely a victim, but also an active participant in his abuse. In an interview with TMZ, Howard claimed Cassie played a significant role in orchestrating and facilitating encounters he describes as manipulative and exploitative. He alleged that Cassie used Diddy’s influence and their status to exert control over him, suggesting that she was complicit in the power dynamics that enabled the abuse. “She enjoyed the control,” Howard said, adding that fear of retaliation and…
Top figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have dismissed the newly formed ADC-led coalition, describing it as a desperate and disjointed alliance lacking real political traction. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the opposition’s adoption of the African Democratic Congress as a failed attempt to derail President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “Their target is to distract the Commander-in-Chief,” he said, adding that Nigerians would ultimately re-elect Tinubu in 2027. Sanwo-Olu stressed that Tinubu’s achievements and reform agenda would prevail over what he called the coalition’s empty rhetoric. Echoing this view, APC South-East National Vice Chairman Ijeomah Arodiogbu said the…
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State has severely impacted development, with several projects stalled amid the power struggle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Addressing his supporters in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Fubara said reconciliation was essential for the state’s future and confirmed that both he and Wike had reached an understanding, facilitated by President Tinubu. “We’ve fought. In my own assessment, we’ve done what we need to do. The only solution now is peace,” the governor said. Fubara stressed that beyond politics, the interest of the state must take precedence. “In the midst of this…
The ruling All Progressives Congress APC just got a new boss, at least for now. Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori is stepping in as acting chairman after Abdullahi Ganduje decided to call it quits on Friday. President Bola Tinubu basically told Dalori, who was already the deputy chairman for the northern region, to take over until they can figure out something more permanent. It’s not exactly a surprise – people have been whispering about Ganduje’s future for days now. Ganduje made it official by sending his resignation letter to the party’s National Working Committee through Senator Ajibola Basiru, who handles the…
Jeff Bezos and fiancée Lauren Sánchez arrived in Venice in glamorous fashion on Thursday, marking the start of their highly anticipated wedding weekend. The couple was seen sharing a kiss and waving to onlookers from a water taxi as they cruised through the canals, drawing attention with their red-carpet-ready appearance. Bezos, 60, wore a sharp tailored suit and open-collar shirt, projecting relaxed confidence ahead of the festivities. Sánchez, 54, stunned in a metallic off-the-shoulder dress with a form-fitting bodysuit that accentuated her silhouette. The couple looked visibly joyful, smiling throughout the short ride, with cameras capturing their affectionate moment. High-profile…
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention, internal jostling has intensified over who will emerge as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 election. Despite the Presidency maintaining that Tinubu will decide after the convention, party insiders say several northern politicians are vying to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima. This follows a chaotic stakeholders’ meeting in the North-East, where supporters clashed over the VP’s endorsement. Party sources reveal that at least four northern governors, two National Assembly leaders, and a former House Speaker are eyeing the position—many with an eye on 2031, when power is…
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for driving infrastructure that promotes investment, housing, and urban mobility across Abuja. Speaking through the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Tinubu made the remarks during the inauguration of the right-hand service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), also known as the Murtala Mohammed Expressway. The 16-kilometre road is one of 10 projects inaugurated to mark Tinubu’s second year in office, with seven more expected to follow. The president described the INEX project as a critical…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over allegations of financial misconduct and unauthorised diversion of party funds. Also suspended are the party’s National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu, over related allegations of misappropriation and breach of internal financial procedures. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba. According to the statement, the suspended officials were allegedly involved in a series of unauthorised financial transactions, including the diversion of party funds for personal gain without the approval of the National Working…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has raised the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦945 per litre in Abuja and ₦915 per litre in Lagos, reflecting a fresh round of increases across the country. The adjustment, implemented on Monday, represents a ₦35 and ₦45 increase in Abuja and Lagos respectively, up from ₦910 and ₦870 per litre. The price change follows an earlier hike in the ex-depot price by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which raised its rate from ₦825 to ₦880 per litre last week. The new pricing was observed across several…
Pope Leo XIV has denounced the recent wave of killings in Nigeria’s Benue State, describing the attacks as a “terrible massacre” in which around 200 people were “killed with extreme cruelty.” The pontiff made the remarks on Sunday during his traditional Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, expressing solidarity with victims and praying for peace in Nigeria—a country he described as “beloved” but long afflicted by violence. The violence, reportedly carried out by armed herdsmen, targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge at a Catholic mission in Yelwata, Guma Local Council. “Most of the victims were already vulnerable,…
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail in the sum of ₦2 billion to the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in a fresh criminal case involving allegations of large-scale financial misconduct. The bail, granted by Justice Halilu Yusuf on Monday, comes amid an eight-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, theft, and the unlawful acquisition of a 753-unit housing estate through proxies. Emefiele is also accused of misappropriating billions of naira through unofficial accounts. While delivering the ruling, Justice Yusuf noted that Emefiele had already been granted bail in…
Nigeria’s petrol import bill fell sharply in the first quarter of 2025, plunging to ₦1.76tn from ₦3.81tn in the same period last year — a 54% year-on-year drop — according to the latest trade report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figures also mark a 47% decline from the final quarter of 2024, as local supply from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to ramp up, gradually displacing foreign fuel imports. Analysts say the development signals a structural shift in Nigeria’s petroleum trade. The refinery, which began full-scale operations earlier this year, now contributes around 85% of its installed…
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his reform agenda. Speaking during the declaration event at the State House in Uyo on Friday, Governor Eno said his admiration for President Tinubu dates back to his time as Governor of Lagos State, noting that Tinubu’s leadership style had long inspired him. “As a young professional working in Lagos while he was the governor, I have always admired his style of leadership, marked by focus and…
The federal government has designated twelve universities across Nigeria to spearhead the design and production of electric vehicles, marking a major step in President Bola Tinubu’s “First Nigeria” policy aimed at boosting local manufacturing and innovation. Two institutions were selected from each of the country’s six geopolitical zones as part of the pilot phase. The initiative, coordinated by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), will be financed by the Bank of Industry and other key financial institutions. Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Director-General of the NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, disclosed the plans during a stakeholder engagement…