By Aminat Misikilu Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named Africa’s Bank of the Year 2025 by The Banker, making it the third time in five years that the bank will receive the continent’s top banking award. The Banker.com, a leading global finance publication of the Financial Times, made the announcement at its annual Bank of the Year Awards, held at the Peninsula, London. The Banker’s awards are widely regarded as the most respected and rigorous in the global banking industry. UBA also won the Bank of the Year award in nine of its 20…
Author: Development Reporting
The National Security Adviser recently announced the miracle of two hundred and fifteen abducted pupils from Papiri doing fine. Though, they sit somewhere in a forest. They sleep on bare earth, or as we now know, they sleep on tarpaulin spread on the ground. They obey armed strangers. They wait for rescue that wanders like a drunk goat. Still, they are fine, declared Nuhu Ribadu. Accordingly, the heavens and the earth must celebrate this piece of miracle in a country that has arrived ahead of other countries at the new civilisation. A civilisation where captivity becomes wellness. A civilisation where…
By Adejumo Kabir Adeniyi and Dr. Ola Bello The attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin has sent shockwaves far beyond the borders of the small West African State. For Nigeria, Benin is more than just a neighbouring country; it is a country whose economy is fused with Nigeria’s, particularly Lagos State, through decades of intense commerce, daily human mobility, and deep cultural and ethnic interconnection. The failed coup feels like a crisis unfolding in Nigeria’s own backyard, highlighting the vulnerability of democratic governance in the region and serving as a wake-up call for Nigeria and the Economic Community…
By Adejumo Kabir and Dr. Ola Bello Guinea-Bissau’s military coup has triggered widespread regional condemnation, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspending the country’s membership. However, this move may inadvertently strengthen the junta’s ties with trans-Atlantic drug networks, which could exploit the country’s instability for their benefit. The risk is that Guinea-Bissau becomes increasingly isolated, allowing these networks to finance and protect the junta, further entrenching its power. For decades, Guinea-Bissau has occupied a precarious corner of West Africa’s political geography: a fragile state with a strategic coastline, a turbulent civil-military history, and a long, well-documented entanglement…
By Amina Miskilu Disability advocates have urged the media to stop portraying persons with disabilities as objects of pity, stressing instead the need for journalists to highlight their achievements, agency, and contributions to society. They made this call recently during a session marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the 9th Africa Conference on Development Journalism (ACDJ2025), organised by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) in Kaduna. Conference highlights media’s role in strengthening inclusive development Speaking to the conference theme, “Media, Inclusive Development: A Call to Action for Africa’s Future,” the speakers noted that journalism must amplify marginalised…
Across Nigeria, reporters are beaten, activists dragged from the streets, and newsrooms crippled by cyber-attacks, yet state actors remain silent. Drawing on new data and first-hand accounts, this report by Mohammed Taoheed reveals how repression is tightening and why those meant to uphold the law are increasingly the ones violating it. In May 2024, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) invited Nurudeen Akewushola, a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and Dayo Aiyetan, the organisation’s publisher, for questioning. They were detained shortly after arrival. It took the media outlet’s alarm, and press freedom advocates amplifying concerns on social…
This report examines a pattern of harassment, intimidation and abuse of power by Governor Bago against journalists who report on insecurity in Niger State. By Adebayo Aare On 31 October 2024, a retired civil servant, Yakubu Dada, and his wife were kidnapped by bandits on the Kontagora-Minna road. The bandits, who initially demanded N10 million, raised the ransom to N100 million after Mr Dada’s two other wives sold their home and other property to raise the initial amount demanded. On Wednesday, 7 May, at the commissioning of the permanent North‑Central Zonal Office Complex of the National Centre for the Control…
By Aminat Misikilu The Premium Times Training Academy (PTTA), in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), held a two-day business and financial reporting workshop to equip journalists with the skills to understand and interpret Nigeria’s economic policies ahead of the apex bank’s 2026 monetary reforms. The training aims to strengthen journalists’ understanding of complex policy signals, enabling them to translate technical financial developments into clear, accurate information for the public. Senior CBN officials, financial analysts, and media experts led sessions covering Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment, monetary tools, and strategies to curb inflation. The Senior Manager, Business and Partnerships at…
By Ibrahim Awotunde The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community has announced the passing of its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Siyan Oyeweso, a professor of History and an administrator. Mr Oyeweso passed away on 2 December at the age of 64. A statement signed by the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, described his demise as a profound loss to the institution and Nigeria’s education sector. The late scholar was also described as a rare intellectual whose contributions to the institution and Nigeria’s academic landscape remain unmatched. Earlier, Olawale Oyeweso had, on behalf of the family, confirmed that the professor died on…
By: Mohammed Taoheed The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has called on the federal government to reverse its recent decision to abolish the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in early education, warning that the move threatens learning outcomes, cultural identity, and national development. In a position paper submitted to the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, the Academy described the cancellation of the National Language Policy (NLP 2022) as a ‘misstep’ that disregards decades of research, constitutional provisions, and international best practice. Mr Alausa had announced the policy reversal at the National Council on Education (NCE) meeting…