Germany’s Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer said on Tuesday that TikTok’s European business should be placed “in European hands,” urging the continent to follow the United States’ approach to the platform’s ownership structure. Weimer made the remarks ahead of a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels, arguing that Europe should reconsider TikTok’s control by its Chinese…
By Ayomide Otitoju The ancient city of Akure, Ondo State, came alive on Monday as political leaders, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from across Nigeria gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of elder statesman and Pan-Yoruba leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described Fasoranti as a…
By Ayomide Otitoju South Africa’s MTN Group said on Tuesday that its core earnings rose by 27.9 per cent in the first quarter, driven by strong performance in key markets including Nigeria and Ghana. The telecom operator, Africa’s largest with more than 310 million subscribers across 16 countries, reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and…
By Ayomide Otitoju Aliko Dangote is targeting a valuation of about $50 billion for his refinery business ahead of a planned initial public offering (IPO) in Nigeria later this year, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. The proposed listing could involve the sale of up to a 10 per cent…
By Ayomide Otitoju Execution discipline and transparency are expected to shape the agenda of Nigeria’s Minister-Designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, following his remarks to the Nigerian Senate that there is “no quick fix” to the country’s longstanding electricity crisis. Tegbe’s comments have drawn attention for departing from the optimistic rhetoric that has often characterised…
By Ayomide Otitoju Fidelity Bank Plc has reported a 45 per cent increase in gross earnings for the 2025 financial year, with shareholders’ funds surpassing the N1 trillion mark following sustained balance sheet growth and fresh capital injection. Analysis of the lender’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, showed that gross…
By Ayomide Otitoju As Muslims prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the prices of rams have risen sharply across Kaduna State, forcing many prospective buyers to delay purchases despite the availability of livestock in major markets. A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in key livestock markets within Kaduna metropolis showed that markets…
By Ayomide Otitoju For years, Africa’s financial landscape has been defined by one recurring statistic: millions of people remain unbanked. However, that narrative may no longer fully capture the continent’s evolving financial reality. Increasingly, the more relevant question is whether traditional banking itself is gradually becoming optional. Across several African countries, individuals and businesses are…
By Ayomide Otitoju NNPC Limited has reported an increase in crude oil, condensate and gas production for March 2026, according to its latest Monthly Report Summary. The report showed crude oil and condensate output rose to 1.56 million barrels per day, while gas production increased to 7,731 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), representing…
