Author: TheLagosianMagazine

For generations, Closeup has been the trusted brand for fresh breath and confidence. Now, the brand is going further, positioning itself as a cultural ally for Nigeria’s youth; one that encourages, empowers, and supports them to express love, show confidence, and connect without fear or judgment through its new Closer is Better campaign. Closer is Better is built on a simple belief: fresh breath is freedom. It’s not just about feeling confident; it’s about giving young Nigerians the courage to love louder, speak boldly, and get closer without hesitation. The campaign aims to spark conversations around self-expression, connection, and closeness,…

South African sensation, Tyla stole the spotlight at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, clinching the Best Afrobeats award for her smash hit “Push 2 Start”. The ceremony, held on Sunday, September 7, at the UBS Arena in New York, also saw Lady Gaga dominate the night with four awards—the highest of the evening, followed by Ariana Grande, Video of the Year winner, and Sabrina Carpenter with 3 Wins each. For those who missed the live broadcast, the MTV VMAs will have repeat broadcasts on September 9, 11, and 14 at 16:30, 21:00, 19:30 WAT on DStv Channel 130, respectively.…

By Peter Omopo The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the escalating row over workers’ unionisation at the Dangote Refinery. NUPENG had earlier announced plans to halt fuel loading operations, accusing the refinery of preventing its newly recruited tanker drivers—estimated at 4,000—from joining the union. In a statement on Monday, PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, declared “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, warning that it may be forced to shut down refinery operations if the dispute lingers. “Should the ongoing situation persist…

By Peter Omopo The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday opened its four-day Lassa Fever International Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation against the deadly disease and other emerging health threats. Organised by the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), the conference is themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.” Building on the maiden edition held in Abuja in 2019, this year’s gathering brings together regional leaders, health experts, researchers, and international partners for plenary sessions, workshops, and research presentations. The aim is to create…

By Peter Omopo The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has cautioned retirees and the public against engaging with a fake WhatsApp group operating under its name. In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Mohammed, said the group—titled Military Pensions Board—was created by unidentified individuals and does not represent the MPB. “For the avoidance of doubt, the MPB has not created any WhatsApp group for pensioners or veterans. We communicate strictly through official social media handles, press releases, and recognised channels,” Mohammed clarified. The Board warned that scammers increasingly exploit social media to impersonate government…

By Peter Omopo The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) has distanced itself from the planned nationwide strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). Speaking in Abuja on Monday, ADITOP National President, Alhaji Lawan Dan-Zaki, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the strike was “uncalled for” and reaffirmed the group’s support for Dangote Refinery’s new direct distribution scheme using compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks. NUPENG had announced that its members would down tools from Monday in protest against what it described as anti-labour practices associated with the refinery’s deployment of CNG…

By Peter Omopo Former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Maj. Gen. U.M. Mohammed (retd), has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to overturn a final forfeiture order granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over shares worth about N5 billion. The EFCC had secured the order on August 26, 2025, alleging that the 246,305,544 shares were acquired with proceeds from fraudulent sales of NAPL properties during Mohammed’s tenure. The investments span major companies including Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Oando Plc, and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. But in a motion…

By Peter Omopo The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to publicly name and shame airlines that violate aviation regulations, particularly in cases of flight delays and cancellations. In a statement released on Monday via X, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu warned that airlines must provide hotel accommodation for passengers stranded between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., as stipulated by aviation rules. The decision, he said, is part of a more assertive enforcement drive aimed at protecting passenger rights and curbing rising cases of airport unrest linked to airlines’ lapses and regulatory non-compliance. Achimugu condemned a recurring trend where…

By Peter Omopo Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described Lagos’ nomination as the host city for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) as a historic milestone for Nigeria and the West African sub-region. The announcement was made in Algiers by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat during the ongoing IATF 2025. In a statement issued on Monday by Mr. Adewale Akodu, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Sanwo-Olu said the choice of Lagos reaffirms the state’s role as Africa’s commercial hub and its alignment…

By Peter Omopo Lagos, September 7, 2025 Nigeria has lost one of its foremost educationists and women’s empowerment advocates, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, who died on Saturday, September 6, at the age of 92. Her passing was confirmed on Sunday in a statement by Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, the prestigious Lagos school she founded in 1991 in memory of her late daughter. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler,” the school said. “She was a true pioneer, an erudite lawyer, and a visionary educationalist whose life…