The 2025 governorship election in Anambra State offered a paradox that cuts to the heart of Nigeria’s democratic trajectory: a decisive victory amid deep civic disengagement. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was re-elected with 422,664 votes, winning all 21 local government areas and defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured around 99,445 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But behind this clear political mandate lies a sobering reality as only about one in five registered voters participated in the 8 November polls. Of the…
Author: Development Reporting
“…wa lal-aakhiratu khayrun laka min al-oolaa,” Surah Ad-Duha (93:4) – meaning “…the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life],” In the sun-drenched heart of Kano, where the ancient whispers of the Sahel blend with the digital hum of modernity, this Quranic promise of betterment found a vivid earthly echo during the 2025 edition of the Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS). Organised by the visionary Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), the two-day ceaseless flow of ideas commenced on Wednesday 22 October. Venue was the resplendent Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, crafted into acronym KHAIRUN. In Arabic, this means…
The Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, and his friend and former colleague at the Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL), publishers of The News and Tempo Magazines, Idowu Obasa, are set to return to their alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, for the Faculty of Arts distinguished alumni lecture. Mr Olorunyomi, a 1981 graduate of the university’s Department of English Studies, Faculty of Arts, and holder of a Master’s in English Literature from the institution, will, on Tuesday, 18 November, speak on the theme: “AI, Social Media, and the Reconfiguration of Democratic Power in Nigeria”. It is…
By Mohammed Taoheed Nigeria has opened high-level talks with UK officials on the possibility of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, serving the remainder of his prison term in Nigeria. A delegation from Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu had on Monday met with officials of the UK Ministry of Justice to discuss his organ-trafficking conviction, for which he has been jailed in the UK since May 2023. The delegation, comprises the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. Mr Tuggar’s spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir on Tuesday told TheCable that the presidential delegation was in…
By Ajibola Amzat I had been trying for months to interview Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of Premium Times, popularly referred to as Dapsy, and he had been “running away” from me, as he later admitted when he finally agreed to a one-on-one interview at his office on Mabolo street, Abuja. It is easy to look past that shortcoming. Dapsy himself is a gracious man: always noble and generous in overlooking the mistakes of others. I got that impression from many people who had encountered him. A complex and contradictory personality In a book of tributes titled Testimony to Courage, published…
The Alumni Association of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has hailed the appointment of a professor of soil ecosystem, Joshua Ogunwole, as the institution’s 5th substantive vice chancellor. A statement issued at the weekend by the association and signed by its President, Temitope Arogundade, describes the appointment as “a defining moment that promises renewed academic vibrancy, strengthened administration, and deeper global engagement for the institution.” According to Mr Arogundade, Mr Ogunwole’s appointment has been widely commended by critical stakeholders in the university’s project, saying his choice is “a testament to his scholarly pedigree, transformational leadership style, and purposeful vision for…
The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, as enshrined in the African Union Constitutive Act and related instruments. The commission said this in a statement on its official social media handles on Friday, expressing concern over recent statements by the United States President Donald Trump, alleging that Nigeria’s government is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military action. The AUC named Nigeria as its longstanding and valued member state, playing a key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.…
The authorities at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Thursday announced the appointment of a new substantive vice chancellor to take over from Abayomi Fasina, a professor of soil sciences, who is billed to end his tenure in February, 2026. A statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Foluso Ogunmodede, noted that the appointment was made by the institution’s governing council. The newly appointed VC, Joshua Ogunwole, a professor of soil ecosystem, is the incumbent deputy vice chancellor in charge of Strategic Partnership Research, Innovation and Linkages. ALSO READ: Nigerian pensioners threaten nationwide naked protest over unpaid arrears The…
A total of 14 journalists across print, online, and broadcast media have been selected by DevReporting to participate in a story project on the education sector in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. The successful ones, according to a statement signed by DevReporting’s Programme Manager, Samson Ademola, were drawn from a pool of about 40 journalists whose pitches were received before the deadline set for the application. The newspaper had, in September, asked journalists based in Oyo State or other nearby states to submit compelling story ideas exploring transparency and accountability in education financing, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, barriers to girls’ education,…
The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has announced plans to stage a nationwide naked protest on Monday, 24 November, to draw attention to what they describe as years of neglect, unpaid arrears, and worsening hardship among retired public workers. According to the retirees, the decision was reached after a meeting held at General Post Office (GPO) Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday. They also fixed a press conference for Tuesday, 11 November, to mobilise members across the country ahead of the protest. In a statement signed by the National Chairman of the coalition, Mukaila Ogunbote, who is also the chairman of…