Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed judgment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suit seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who had earlier scheduled judgment after hearing final arguments, adjourned the matter to July 15 following her unavailability. The case had initially been fixed for judgment on July 6 but was first moved to July 10 before being postponed again when the court did not sit. The EFCC is seeking a final forfeiture…

By Peter Omopo The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of three additional AW109 Trekker helicopters in Italy as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s air power and enhance counter-terrorism and internal security operations. The helicopters were formally handed over to a Nigerian delegation during an official acceptance ceremony in Italy, marking another milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise the Air Force and improve its operational capabilities. According to the NAF, the newly acquired aircraft will significantly enhance its capacity to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, provide close air support, execute rapid…

By Peter Omopo Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship, in another major boost to the country’s growing profile as a destination for international sporting events. The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced that the continental championship will be staged in Lagos, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). The development follows the recent award of the hosting rights for the second edition of the African School Games, which Nigeria is also scheduled to host in 2027. Speaking in Abuja, ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf said…

The first half of 2026 has tested the resilience of Nigeria’s financial institutions. Persistent inflation, rising business costs and changing customer expectations have required leaders to think beyond traditional banking. For LAPO Microfinance Bank (LAPO MfB), the response under its Managing Director Cynthia Ikponmwosa has been defined by purposeful innovation, deeper financial inclusion and a stronger commitment to enterprise development. Rather than merely expanding banking services, LAPO MfB has focused on expanding economic opportunities. Central to this has been an accelerated digital transformation agenda aimed at making banking more accessible, efficient and customer-centric. Through investments in digital channels and technology-enabled…

m Theatre enthusiasts, literary scholars and lovers of Nigerian arts are set for a memorable cultural experience as Return of Jero, a contemporary reimagining inspired by Professor Wole Soyinka’s iconic The Trials of Brother Jero, comes to the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, Lagos. Written by storyteller, poet and playwright Babatunde Odubanwo, Return of Jero revisits one of African literature’s most memorable satirical characters, Brother Jero, placing him squarely within the realities of present-day Nigeria. The production explores themes of power, deception, faith, ambition and human vulnerability through…

By Peter Omopo Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or formally communicate his reasons for withholding assent to the National Assembly, in line with constitutional provisions. Atiku warned that failure to take either action within the stipulated period would amount to a violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), adding that the President should resign if he fails to comply with what he described as a constitutional obligation. The position was contained in…

By Peter Omopo A United Kingdom-based Nigerian legal practitioner, Baron Chymaker, has announced that he has formally commenced the process of renouncing his Nigerian citizenship. Chymaker disclosed the development in a post shared on his X account on Thursday, stating that his legal representative in Nigeria had confirmed the submission of his application to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), along with the payment of all required processing fees. According to him, he is awaiting official approval of the application. “I have today received a confirmation from my lawyer in Nigeria that my application…

By Peter Omopo Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, has been extradited to the United States to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in an $8 million romance fraud scheme that reportedly targeted elderly Americans. Kumi was flown to the United States on Thursday to answer charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He has denied all allegations against him. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years imprisonment. According to U.S. prosecutors, Kumi allegedly used artificial intelligence technology to create fake online identities, which were used to target victims through…

By Peter Omopo The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has unlocked more than N100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants, paving the way for significant investments aimed at improving basic education infrastructure and learning outcomes across Nigeria. UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, disclosed this during a media parley with members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja. She explained that the funds, which had remained dormant due to the inability of some states and the Federal Capital Territory to access the grants, are now being deployed to upgrade public primary and junior secondary schools in collaboration…

By Peter Omopo The World Bank has retained Nigeria’s classification as a lower-middle income economy for the 2027 fiscal year, maintaining the country’s income status despite ongoing economic reforms and efforts to drive growth. According to the World Bank’s latest income classification, Nigeria remains among economies with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita ranging between $1,176 and $4,635, placing it within the lower-middle income category. The global financial institution updates its income classifications annually using GNI per capita estimates calculated through the Atlas method, which helps minimise the effects of exchange rate fluctuations and inflation, providing a more stable…