Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo The Federal Government has called on Nigerian universities, research institutes, and other institutions to transform research outputs into marketable products, stressing the need to bridge the gap between innovation and industry. Dr. Raji Kolawole, Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing marking the launch of the 2026 edition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge. The initiative, which seeks to position Nigeria as Africa’s innovation hub, targets high-impact sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, green energy, and climate resilience. It offers innovators access to funding, mentorship,…

By Peter Omopo Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Thursday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. During the visit, Governor Eno briefed the President on developments in Akwa Ibom State and the general state of affairs in the oil-rich South-South state. The meeting comes months after Eno formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The governor announced his defection on June 6, 2025, at the Government House in Uyo, following what he described as three months of wide consultations with critical stakeholders across the state. At the time, Eno…

By Peter Omopo The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has accused some domestic airlines of arbitrarily increasing ticket prices during the December 2025 festive season despite stable operating costs, raising concerns about possible consumer exploitation and anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s aviation sector. In an interim report released on Thursday by its Department of Surveillance and Investigations, the Commission said a preliminary review of pricing data showed that fares during the festive peak were significantly higher than those recorded in January 2026, even though key cost drivers such as aviation fuel, government taxes and foreign exchange remained relatively stable. The…

By Peter Omopo Christian leaders across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have adopted a new identity, unveiling the Forum of Northern Christians, also known as the Northern Christian Association, in a move they say is aimed at clarifying their mandate and strengthening their regional voice. The decision was reached at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna attended by state chairmen, secretaries, and representatives of youth and women wings from across the North. The gathering also coincided with the first anniversary in office of the Northern Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. The body had previously operated under the…

By Peter Omopo The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a petition against Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, requesting his disqualification from a case involving alleged terrorism financing. In the petition addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, the anti-graft agency said it no longer had confidence in Justice Umar’s ability to handle the matter objectively. The commission consequently sought the reassignment of the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, which is pending against the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, and three others. Adamu, a former…

By Peter Omopo President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Makoji Stephen as the new Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ugep in Cross River State. The appointment takes effect from March 17, 2026, and will run for a single five-year tenure in accordance with the provisions of the Polytechnic Act 2019 as amended. Education stakeholders say the move is aimed at repositioning the institution through strengthened administration, global research exposure and enhanced human capital development. Prior to his appointment, Dr Stephen was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at Federal Polytechnic, Idah. He also served as…

By Peter Omopo Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his footprint in the sport by acquiring a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second division side UD Almería through his newly formed company, CR7 Sports Investments. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward described the move as the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition to contribute to football beyond his playing career. In a statement, Ronaldo said he looked forward to working with the club’s leadership to support its next phase of growth, noting that Almería has strong foundations and clear potential for development. The club is currently owned by a Saudi Arabian…

By Peter Omopo Two suspected sub-commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, have been killed during a late-night clearance operation by security operatives in Imo State. The operation targeted forest hideouts in Amaocha Afara, Umunoha and Ifakala communities across Mbaitoli and Njaba Local Government Areas. A counter-insurgency and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the development in a post on his official X handle on Thursday. He said the raid was carried out late on February 24 by tactical teams of the Imo State Police Command based on actionable intelligence. According to the…

By Peter Omopo Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 113 suspected kidnappers in a coordinated security operation across Zango settlements in the state. The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilante groups and local hunters, targeted identified locations in Edo Central believed to be hubs for kidnapping activities. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the enforcement action was conducted under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika. According to the statement, the crackdown followed credible intelligence indicating…

By Peter Omopo No fewer than six worshippers have been killed and three others injured after suspected Lakurawa terrorists attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack occurred on Wednesday evening while residents were observing prayers. The gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque and opened fire indiscriminately, throwing the community into panic. The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident, describing it as a reprisal assault following a failed ambush on a military convoy. According to him, the attack was linked to an earlier confrontation between the terrorists and troops…