Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday unveiled a joint regulatory offensive to combat rising electronic fraud and strengthen safeguards across Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. The initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Abuja, is aimed at tightening coordination between both regulators as digital financial transactions continue to surge nationwide. Speaking at the event, CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the partnership marks a decisive shift towards proactive regulation, warning that the rapid adoption of digital financial services has been accompanied by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. He noted that the collaboration would enable real-time…

… Local Value Addition Gap Costs $20bn Yearly …$8bn Lost Through Under-Valuation, Fraud …Manual Processes, Poor Monitoring Indicted Daud Olatunji Nigeria is losing over $10bn annually due to deep-rooted inefficiencies in its export systems and maritime governance, a new report has revealed, raising fresh concerns over the country’s dwindling foreign exchange earnings and weak industrial base. The report by the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) urged urgent reforms, warning that systemic failures, policy inconsistencies and entrenched interests have turned the nation’s export corridors into channels for capital flight. Titled “Port of Plenty, Pipelines of Loss: A National Reawakening Call…

Wema Bank Plc has surpassed the recapitalisation benchmark set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, reinforcing its position as a national lender and strengthening its competitiveness within the financial system. The bank announced that its total qualifying capital rose to N264.7bn following the successful completion of a N150bn rights issue and an additional N50bn special placement in 2025—well above the N200bn minimum requirement for national banks. The exercise, completed about six months ahead of the regulatory deadline, places the lender among 33 financial institutions that met the recapitalisation requirements introduced by the apex bank in March 2024. Further findings showed…

… Former Governor Barred by Abiodun Supporters … Gov’s Camp Endorses Abiodun For Senate Daud Olatunji The political rift between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and former governor, Gbenga Daniel, deepened on Monday following a dramatic standoff at a stakeholders’ meeting in the Ogun East Senatorial District. Tension escalated after Daniel alleged that he was denied entry into a crucial meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu Ode, a development that has further exposed cracks within the party ahead of the 2027 senatorial race. In a viral video, Daniel, who currently represents Ogun…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Monday adjourned hearing in the protracted Kano Emirate dispute to April 17, 2027, further extending the legal battle over the ancient throne. A five-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro fixed the new date after proceedings were stalled by a fresh motion filed by counsel to one of the defendants. The case, which centres on the leadership of the Kano Emirate, was earlier scheduled for hearing on Monday but could not proceed due to the application filed on April 14 and served on the appellant’s counsel a day later. Under court rules, the appellant…

Retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, blocking one of its gates as they demanded their removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The retirees, alongside their families and operating under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, described the pension scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane and obnoxious.” They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently assent to the Police Exit Bill, which seeks to exclude police personnel from the scheme. The protesters said the bill was passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025, and…

Boko Haram insurgents have issued a fresh 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government and mediators, threatening to relocate 416 abducted women and children in Borno State if their demands are not met. The террорист group, in a video obtained on Monday, warned that any attempt to rescue the captives by force would be fiercely resisted, declaring its fighters “battle-ready” for confrontation. In the footage, the insurgents—dressed in military camouflage—taunted the government, insisting that it was prepared for a military offensive while reiterating that time was running out for negotiations. “This is our first and final message. We are giving you…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the deployment of a new Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, who officially assumed duty on Monday. The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on April 20, 2026, by the Administrative Secretary at its Ondo State headquarters in Akure. According to INEC, Agboke, a legal scholar and election management expert, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served in similar capacities across multiple states. The statement noted that the new REC, an indigene of Abeokuta in Ogun State, was called to the Nigerian Bar in…

The Federal Government has set aside N1.371bn in the 2026 budget for the prosecution of Boko Haram and other terrorism-related cases, marking a sharp 159 per cent increase from the N530m allocated in 2025. The provision, captured under the Federal Ministry of Justice, underscores a renewed push by the government to strengthen the legal response to terrorism and insecurity. An analysis of the 2026 Appropriation Act, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, shows that the allocation forms a significant component of the ministry’s capital expenditure. Tinubu had approved a total budget of N68.32tn for the 2026 fiscal year,…

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and House of Assembly aspirant for Abeokuta North State Constituency, Babatunde Bayewunmi, has faulted the description of Nigerian youths as a “wasted generation,” describing such a characterisation as unfair, discouraging and contrary to the ideals of leadership. Bayewunmi made the remark on Friday while declaring his intention to represent Abeokuta North State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly under the APC platform in the coming election. He said leadership must be rooted in inspiration, inclusion and empowerment, warning that blanket criticism of young people undermines their contributions to national development.…