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Nigeria's 18 Cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index: What Oxford Economics' Ranking Says About the Urban EconomyOxford Economics ranks 18 Nigerian cities in its 2026 Global Cities Index. See where Lagos, Abuja, Kano and others rank and what it means.
By Zainab Bakare•12 hours agoLocal
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Nigeria's 18 Cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index: What Oxford Economics' Ranking Says About the Urban EconomyTwenty Graduates, ₦1 Billion: Is the NYSC Still Safe to Serve?Borno Could Be Nigeria's Next Oil State. What Happened to the Search That Began in 1976?Nigeria Ranks 48th Globally, 3rd in Africa for Indexed Research Performance. Who Are the Researchers Behind It?
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Nigeria's 18 Cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index: What Oxford Economics' Ranking Says About the Urban Economy
Oxford Economics ranks 18 Nigerian cities in its 2026 Global Cities Index. See where Lagos, Abuja, Kano and others rank and what it means.
Read More ( 4 min. read)→
ZAINAB BAKARENigeria’s NYSC abduction raises questions about graduate safety, kidnapping, ransom, national service, and whether scrapping the scheme can solve insecurity.
Borno’s oil search began in 1976 but commercial reserves remain unconfirmed. Here’s why exploration stalled and what could revive it in 2026.
Tinubu says Nigeria has crossed the painful stage of economic reforms—but have Nigerians finally reached the promised land?
Business
Bitcoin Bonanza: Strategy Inc. Reports Massive Quarterly Profits on Soaring BTC
Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, announced its Bitcoin treasury strategy is back in the black, reporting $21 billion in paper gains for Q3 2026. This resurgence follows a significant surge in Bitcoin's price, with the company continuing to expand its substantial holdings. CEO Phong Le has affirmed a "bullet-proof balance sheet" despite past challenges.
Read More ( 2 min. read)→
Startup Success: Complete Farmer Lands $2.4M IFC Loan for Growth!
Ghanaian agritech company Complete Farmer has secured a $2.4 million convertible loan and advisory support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to boost financing for smallholder farmers. The funding aims to leverage Complete Farmer's data-driven model to enhance credit access and risk management, with a goal to support 240,000 farmers by 2030. This initiative addresses critical financial barriers for farmers, building on the success of a pilot program and previous funding rounds.David Isong
VC Win: Five35 Ventures Boasts 3.5x Return on First Exit!
Five35 Ventures has achieved its first successful portfolio exit, generating a 3.5x return and 38% IRR on its investment in Ghanaian agritech company Complete Farmer. This exit validates Five35's gender-lens investment strategy and underscores the potential for realized returns in African venture capital, particularly within the agriculture sector. The achievement provides crucial capital for future investments and offers a strong proof point for the firm.David Isong
Crypto Under Fire: CFTC Unveils Sweeping New Oversight Rules
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has proposed new rules to regulate digital asset transactions and markets, allowing U.S. crypto exchanges to opt into a federal regulatory regime. This move, championed by Chairman Mike Selig and aligned with President Trump's pro-crypto stance, proceeds despite the Clarity Act's legislative stall. The preliminary rulemaking notice is now open for public comment for 60 days.David Isong
Ripple Ecosystem Expands: Clearpool Makes Key Leap to XRP Ledger
Clearpool is making a pivotal move to the XRP Ledger, following overwhelming community approval, and will migrate its CPOOL token to CLEAR in Q4 2026. This strategic alliance with Ripple focuses on on-chain lending for real-world assets in fintech, utilizing RLUSD and a unique deflationary token mechanism. The market has already reacted positively to the news, showing strong bullish momentum for CPOOL.David Isong
Technology
WhatsApp Business Platform Billing Has Started: What Nigerian Businesses Need to Know
WhatsApp Business Platform billing has changed in Nigeria. Here is what businesses need to know about the new charges and how to reduce messaging costs.
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PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
Global AI Agenda: 17 Nations Chart Course for Government Research
Seventeen nations have endorsed the 'Kyoto Vision for a Golden Age of Science,' a new government AI research agenda. This initiative focuses on expanding access to scientific data and computing infrastructure, upholding research integrity, and enhancing technical training, aiming to harness 'super intelligence' for democratizing scientific discovery.Uche Emeka
OpenAI Unveils Eye-Catching Visual Ads in AI Image Generation
OpenAI is introducing visual display ads to ChatGPT, appearing alongside image generation, starting in the U.S. this month. This expansion aims to attract advertisers with visual storytelling, enhance measurement tools, and support free and low-cost subscription tiers. The move is part of OpenAI's strategy to build an ad-supported business model for its popular AI platform.Uche Emeka
Classic Power, Modern Tech: Unpacking the F1 Engineering Behind Mercedes' Iconic Black Series
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series stands as a street-legal homage to the F1 Safety Car, boasting significant weight reduction, enhanced power, and track-optimized engineering. This limited-edition super coupe delivers exhilarating performance, complementing AMG's broader range which includes the luxurious V-12 powered CL65 AMG.Uche Emeka
Satire's Edge: John Oliver's Tech-Infused Investigation Uncovers Security Gaps
John Oliver's Last Week Tonight takes a critical look at the Secret Service, exposing the challenging realities behind its glamorous public image. He highlights institutional failures, funding issues, and historical screw-ups that contradict the popular notion of the job.Uche Emeka
Discovery
Abuja Rents Are Rising, But Are Salaries Keeping Up?
Abuja rents are soaring, but are Nigerians being priced out of the homes they work to afford?
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OGOCHUKWU MAGDALENE OBIA
Kofar Mata Dye Pits: The 500-Year-Old Factory That Still Runs Till Today
Kano’s Kofar Mata dye pits have been turning cloth blue since 1498. Five centuries later, the ancient craft is still alive. But for how much longer?Owobu Maureen
The History Before Nigeria: What Would Nigeria Look Like Without Colonial Borders?
Nigeria’s map was not always Nigeria. Before colonial rule, the land was divided among powerful kingdoms, empires and independent societies. So how did they become one country, who drew the borders, and what existed before them?Owobu Maureen
Senegambia: Senegal and The Gambia Once Ran a Confederation Together. What Happened?
On September 30, 1989, the Senegambia Confederation ended after eight years of political, security and economic cooperation between Senegal and The Gambia, while both remained sovereign states.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
Strength and Strategy: How the Kingdom of Benin Engineered a City Before Its Time
Long before colonialism, Benin City was a marvel of urban planning, technology, and governance. Discover how this ancient African city shaped modern urbanism and why its legacy still matters today.PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
Opinion
The War on Poverty is on Pause: What Tinubu’s Reforms Really Mean for the Average Nigerian
President Tinubu’s bold economic reforms promised long-term growth, but for many Nigerians, they’ve brought deeper poverty and hardship. Here’s what the reforms really mean for the average citizen
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ZAINAB BAKARE
OPINION: Should Education Be Free To All?
This in-depth analysis examines the promise and pitfalls of tuition-free learning, from breaking cycles of poverty to fears of declining quality. With examples from Finland to sub-Saharan Africa, it explores how nations can balance equity, funding, and excellence in an age where knowledge is the key to progress.Eric Namso
Should Nigeria Adopt a Four-Day Work Week?
As countries experiment with shorter work weeks, Nigeria faces a pressing question: could a four-day schedule ease burnout, boost productivity, and reshape work culture—or would it clash with our unique economic realities?zainab bakare
How Remembering Ancestors Shapes Moral Philosophy
By reflecting on the lives of those who came before us—their virtues, mistakes, and choices—we uncover a deeper, more personal foundation for understanding right and wrong.Ibukun Oluwa
Opinion: The Dangerous Binary of Modern Narcissist Theory
Can Empaths Be Narcissists and what type of narcissistic behaviors exists?Ibukun Oluwa
Lifestyle
Geopolitical Storm Brews: East African Nations Align Against Ethiopia
Leaders from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia issued the El Alamein Joint Declaration, opposing unilateral actions and asserting Red Sea littoral states' role, amidst severely strained relations with Ethiopia. This declaration underscores a convergence of disputes over critical issues like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, maritime access, and border conflicts, intensifying diplomatic pressure on Addis Ababa. The summit highlighted the complex regional dynamics surrounding Ethiopia's relations with its neighbors.
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Minister Issues Stern Warning: River Pollution Endangers Public Health
The Nigerian federal government has called on citizens to stop polluting rivers and waterways, citing grave risks to public health and livelihoods. Minister Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev emphasized the need for responsible waste management and sanitation, highlighting ongoing efforts and urging collective action to protect the nation's vital water resources.Precious Eseaye
Tragedy Strikes Nigeria: Military Aircraft Crashes with 32 Aboard
A military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in Ondo State on Monday morning while enroute from Benin to Lagos. Search and rescue operations are ongoing near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with the wreckage located, though casualty figures are yet to be determined. The Minister of Aviation has pledged full cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force.Precious Eseaye
Airline Crisis: N16.1bn Ground-Handling Dispute Grounds XEJet, Threatening African Air Travel
A significant legal battle has erupted in Abuja, with Nigerian airline XEJet suing its ground-handling partner, SAHCO, and an industry association for N16.1 billion. The dispute centers on alleged breach of confidentiality and wrongful service withdrawal, with continent-wide implications for aviation contracts and supplier relationships in Africa's expanding market.Precious Eseaye
Tragic Zimbabwe Helicopter Crash: Chivayo Family Faces Unprecedented Burial Ordeal
Controversial tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, are to be buried without their heads this Thursday at Glen Forest Cemetery following a tragic helicopter crash. The family confirmed the grim details and refuted social media speculation regarding found skulls and funeral privacy, emphasizing an open invitation for public mourning for the provincial hero.Precious Eseaye
Entertainment
From Sleeping On A Couch To Building One Of The Biggest Streetwear Brands: How Did Clint419 Build Corteiz?
From sleeping on his sister’s couch to building Corteiz into a global streetwear force, Clint419’s story is anything but ordinary. How did he do it?
Read More ( 6 min. read)→
OWOBU MAUREEN
Box Office Shake-Up: James Cameron Dethroned from Highest-Grossing Movie Title!
"Avengers: Endgame" has once again claimed the title of the highest-grossing movie worldwide, surpassing "Avatar" with $2.92 billion after a strategic re-release. This article also delves into a "Sci-Fi Survival Quiz" from Collider, challenging fans to discover which iconic dystopian world—like The Matrix or Star Wars—their instincts are best suited for.Precious Eseaye
DC Universe Rises! James Gunn's Vision Secure Post-$111B Warner Bros. Takeover
As Warner Bros. Discovery faces a massive $111 billion takeover by Paramount, forming Skydance, questions emerge regarding the future of James Gunn's DC Universe amidst inevitable corporate changes. This corporate survival narrative parallels a Sci-Fi Survival Quiz, exploring how different instincts enable individuals to endure diverse dystopian worlds like The Matrix or Dune, highlighting the universal need for adaptation.Precious Eseaye
Taylor Swift Dominates Global Charts: 'Patient Zero' Secures Coveted No. 1 Spot!
Taylor Swift's new single, “Patient Zero,” has debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, solidifying her status as a chart-topping artist. This success, along with her album's return to No. 1 and multiple new tracks in the top 10, marks significant achievements for Swift on the global music stage. The article details her record-breaking chart entries and the robust methodology behind Billboard's international rankings.Precious Eseaye
Toby Keith's Enduring Legacy: University of Oklahoma Honors Star With New Student-Athlete Center!
The University of Oklahoma will name its new student athlete training facility the Toby Keith Family Performance Center, honoring the late Country Music Hall of Famer and dedicated fan. This significant dedication stems from a philanthropic commitment to the university's baseball program, ensuring Keith's legacy continues to support future athletes. The state-of-the-art center, part of a larger stadium renovation, is slated for completion in 2028.Precious Eseaye