Precious Obogo The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on road construction companies, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and adopt preventive measures to protect fibre-optic cables during road construction, rehabilitation and other civil works across the country. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call August 11, 2026, at a stakeholders’ workshop on the protection of fibre-optic cables held at the National Counter- Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja stressing that the nation’s drive to expand physical infrastructure must not…
Author: Orientalnews Staff
Yemisi Izu9ra The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced the second cohort of its Regulatory Sandbox Programme, with a new dual-track structure designed to support responsible innovation in virtual assets and data-enabled financial services. The programme, which opens for applications on August 12, 2026 and closes on August 31, 2026, will run under two dedicated tracks: the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Track and the Data-Enabled Financial Services Track. According to the Acting Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the VASP Track will support innovative solutions in virtual assets, stablecoins, payments, settlement, custody, wallets, and related…
Joseph Bakare President Bola Tinubu has approved a new regulatory and fiscal framework for offshore oil and gas projects a move the government says could attract up to $50 billion in investment and revive long-delayed developments. Nigeria has struggled in recent years to attract new upstream oil investment amid regulatory uncertainty, high project costs and competition from other oil-producing jurisdictions. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives replaces project-specific negotiations with a rules-based system under a new tax remission order designed to provide investor certainty and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness for global capital. The…
Joseph Bakare West African countries are exploring ways to harmonise regulations and fuel quality standards across West Africa to ease cross-border trade and improve market integration. Leading the call is the West Africa Regulatory Forum (WARF) which is calling on countries in the region to increase investment in oil and gas infrastructure and improve operational efficiency to support the development of credible regional fuel price benchmarks. The Chairman of WARF and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Rabiu Umar, made the call at the 2026 West Africa Refined Fuel Market Conference in…
Yemisi Izuora Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, has again appealed for consistent supply of crude that is commercially viable and within prevailing market benchmarks. The management said it has consistently raised concerns about inadequate availability of domestic crude and, more recently, has encountered situations where crude is offered at prices that are significantly above prevailing market benchmarks. The demand is coming following recent reports referencing data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which suggested that the refinery rejected 15.5 million barrels of crude oil offered by local producers in the second quarter of 2026. The company emphasised…
The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has seen a circulating report titled “NANS Moves to Collect N200 Levy from Nigerian Students, Links Dues to NYSC Mobilisation” and wishes to clarify its position.NYSC has not discussed, agreed to, or signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for the collection of any levy related to mobilisation for national service. The statement from NYSC said that NYSC operates under Federal Government authority and implements only policies and procedures approved by the appropriate government bodies. The mobilisation process is conducted through established official…
Uchenna Cecil izuora The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) have resolved to deepen collaboration to strengthen standards, regulatory compliance and safety in Nigeria’s medical devices and healthcare equipment sector. The resolution was reached during a strategic engagement between both organisations held in Abuja. The Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented at the meeting by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, while the HEPAN delegation was led by its President, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo. HEPAN proposed collaboration with SON on joint campaigns…
By Michael Owhoko, Ph.D For how long shall the rest of the country look on while Fulani ethnic militia trouble the peace of Nigeria? Why are Fulani terror groups spreading fear, causing pains and inflicting psychological trauma on Nigerians through deliberate, calculated and organised acts of kidnapping, torture, rape and killings? What exactly do they want, and for how long will Nigeria endure this malevolence? Nigeria’s current despicable image as fifth-most-violent country in the world, is largely due to this jihadist voyage. Of over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, why is the Fulani the only tribe that has chosen…
Yemisi Izuora Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026. The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria. Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent – among the lowest globally – highlighting theneed to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance. As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making…
Tunde Bakare Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested one Nuhu Dahiru for impersonation and obtaining the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira), under false pretenses. The suspect was arrested in Tashan Bama, along Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, following credible intelligence indicating that he had been parading himself as an officer of the EFCC, and thereby defrauding unsuspecting members of the public. A sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) was recovered from him upon his arrest. He will be charged to Court upon conclusion of investigations