Is Baba Suwe the most gifted comedian of his generation? Cheeky poser, the response would be as fluid as Babatunde Omidina's own approach to comedy. In a recent interview, Mr Latin (Bolaji Amusan) described Baba Suwe as the greatest and most gifted comedian of his generation. A rather intriguing description;…

The Chairman of Heirs Holding and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu, on Thursday enjoined leaders from across the world to train and invest in young Africans to engender economic growth. Mr Elumelu spoke Thursday at the Tech for Good Summit 2019, which held in France. The…

Two weeks ago, I was in Ibogun-Olaogun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo's ancestral village, for an interview with the retired general. The conversation is meant to be part of a special publication by this newspaper, set for release in commemoration of Nigeria's 20-year democratic journey later this month. Of course, having…

The Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday announced the listing by introduction of 20.35 billion ordinary shares of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. Details of the listing showed that the shares were introduced at N90 per share on the Nigerian bourse's Premium Board Thursday. MTN Nigeria, a part of the MTN Group,…

The management of Stanbic IBTC was fined about N2 billion for violating the guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and committing other sundry offences in 2018. Details of the fines are contained in the bank's financial statement for the year ended December 2018. The group said it was…

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that having spent almost four years running the affairs of Lagos, he is "wiser" now. Mr Ambode said this while fielding questions from state house correspondents during his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. The governor said he visited Abuja on…

A former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has repeated his claim that he did nothing wrong when his government brokered the controversial Malabu oil deal. A statement by Ikechukwu Eze, media adviser to the former president, described the allegation Mr Jonathan acted corruptly and may have received bribes as "recycled falsehood…

A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has sued President Muhammadu Buhari for not handing over power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when he travelled to London on a private visit two weeks ago. The case, with suit number FHC/L/CS/763/2019, was filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos. Also named…

Arbitrary charges effected on Automated Teller Machine, ATM, cards and other services rendered by banks have been identified as a possible factor that may hinder Nigeria's financial inclusion drive. Random respondents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday said other charges like those on withdrawal limits also discourage customers, especially…

The World Bank Group has identified three policy considerations as critical factors for the growth of digital savings and the promotion of financial inclusion across the world. A new report by the bank listed the policies to include conscious efforts to enable banking institutions to pursue digital savings partnerships with…

The Nigerian government is seeking about $3.5 billion in damages from oil giants Eni and Shell over the controversial Malabu oil deal, PREMIUM TIMES has gathered. The new claim is contained in a London court filing by the Nigerian government against the two oil multinationals and other parties involved in…

Some students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Friday lauded the use of a mobile application for payment of transport fare in and out of the university main campus in Akoka, Lagos. The students, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES in separate interviews, said the introduction of Gona application has…

Some petty traders in Sango Otta, a major commercial hub in Ogun State, have given reasons why they do not operate bank accounts. The traders, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at the weekend, sell different goods in areas like Toll Gate, Otta, Ojuore, Dalemo, Ijoko and environs. Although a few…

Nigeria's leading agro-chemical firm, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, increased its operating profit from ₦0.11billion in the firsthalf of 2018 to ₦4.63 billion for the six-month period ended 31st March 2019. That resulted in in a 4,251percent growth, the company said in a filing to the Nigeria Stock Exchange. The growth,…

Fresh details have emerged showing a British executive was a recipient of millions of pounds from the notorious multi-billion dollar Malabu oil deal. Peter Bosworth and the trading firm he ran, Arcadia Petroleum, have been named in multiple court documents as among the recipients of funds from the deal, documents…

The absence of former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at the commissioning of major projects by incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday has continued to generate concerns among party stalwarts and political watchers. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday joined Mr Ambode to commission the projects in…

Two video clips have emerged showing how former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, reacted when his government was overthrown in 1975. In one of the short clips, Mr Gowon was seen maintaining a calm mien even as he moved to be briefed about details of the military intervention back…

The #DRIF19 conference enters its third day today in Lagos. The conference seeks to discuss issues around digital inclusion, rural penetration and digital rights in Africa. Participants and discussants around the continent are on ground to kick-off the discussions. Check here for updates from Wednesday's discussions. Follow this page for…

The 2019 edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum enters its second day this morning in Ikeja, Lagos. Participants from across Africa and beyond would take part in today's event. Paradigm Initiative, Ford Foundation, Google, Henrich Boll Stiftung, and Premium Times — the major partners for the conference —…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo thrilled his kinsmen and other dignitaries with cultural dance steps at his native Ibogun Olaogun village, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Saturday. Mr Obasanjo, who is the Olori Omo Ilu of Ibogun Olaogun land, joined his kinsmen at the unveiling of Ibogun Olaogun…

Gani Fawehinmi, human rights lawyer and respected activist, was on Monday remembered by associates and numerous other Nigerians on the occasion of his 81st post-humous birthday. Mr Fawehinmi passed on on September 5, 2009, at age 71. The lawyer who was born in April 1938, died after a protracted battle…

It was celebration galore on Saturday as former president Olusegun Obasanjo joined his kinsmen at his native Ibogun Olaogun village, located in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. The occasion was the unveiling of Ibogun Olaogun Community Secondary School as well as the second year coronation anniversary of the…

The Nigerian government on Sunday said that the integrity of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos remains intact and the bridge is safe for use. A statement by the Office of the Special Adviser on Communications at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing also urged people to desist…

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by Spectrum Wireless Communications Limited against Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS) challenging the sale of the company. Justice C.J Aneke in a ruling on the preliminary objections filed by the counsel to EMTS upheld the defendant’s…

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi has granted the prayers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a warrant of arrest against Nigerian officials implicated in the controversial Malabu Oil scandal. The officials include Dan Etete, a former petroleum minister, and Mohammed Adoke, a former…