Author: Nouman Ali

Revisiting or reinstating petrol subsidy in any form would have no meaningful positive impact on the economy, finance and economic experts said yesterday.

They were unanimous in cautioning against any thought of reintroducing subsidy payment, which they warned would destabilise the economy and reserve the steady consolidation being experienced.

Experts described any thought of returning subsidy as a policy reversal that is unviable, unsustainable, sentimental, counter-productive and injurious to the economic growth and national development.

One-time Vice President Atiku Abubakar promised that his administration, if elected, would reinstate subsidy payment.

Incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on May 29, 2023, announced the stoppage of payment of subsidy on petrol, promising to re-channel funds hitherto used by the Federal Government to subsidize importers.

Those who bared their minds included Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba; Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe; Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr. David Adonri; former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka, Chief Economist at ARKK Economics and Data Limited, Dr. Samson Galadima Simon, Managing Director, Ambosit Capital Managers, Dr. Wahab Balogun and Dr. Yusha’u Aliyu of the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management among others.

They argued that savings from subsidy removal and other incremental incomes from government reforms should be channeled into critical infrastructural development, social welfares and institutional support systems for the needy and the vulnerable citizens.

Teriba, who said that the proposal to reverse subsidy removal was more political than economic, noted that politicians always appeal to their bases for electoral purposes by making populist statements that they will find difficult to implement.

According to him, reinstating subsidy on petrol will discourage investment and kill businesses in the oil and gas sector.

He noted that Dangote Refinery would not be able to thrive as its doing were subsidies on petroleum products not removed.

Teriba said that whatever the government policy is, it must ensure that prices are cost reflective to attract domestic and foreign investment.

He said the question should not be whether subsidy should be given or not, because there will always be subsidy but doing it the right way.

‘The reality is that subsidy will always be there. This government subsidizes CNG buses conversion, electric vehicles and education through soft loans. What I don’t subscribe to is price subsidy. I would prefer giving out coupons to the most vulnerable to enable them buy things that they need most,’ Teriba said.

Amolegbe, a senior investment banker and former president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), echoed the same sentiment noting that the ship has already sailed on the subsidy issue and it is very unlikely to return for many reasons.

He said: ‘Firstly, our finances as a country cannot accommodate it. Secondly, we now have local refining capacity so who will you be subsidising, a private enterprise? Thirdly, it will cause untold damage to the stable macroeconomic environment we’ve sacrificed to attain in the last few years.

‘Finally, all it will do is take us back to an era where funds that are supposed to be used to build much-needed infrastructure will end up being spent on wasteful subsidies.’

Adonri said reinstatement of petrol subsidy is not a viable and sustainable option.

He said: ‘The economy has already adjusted to the new energy price level because of its flexibility. Reversal of the reform will connote policy inconsistency which is very injurious to economic stability.

‘It will be ironic for a developing economy to subsidize consumption when domestic production of goods is financially hampered. Instead of consumption subsidy, Nigeria needs production subsidy for domestic creation of wealth and generation of direly needed productive employment.

‘Should the reform policy be rolled back for political expediency, it will stifle the allocative efficiency of resources in the financial and energy sectors of the economy.

‘Thinking about reinstatement of petrol subsidy ought to be treated as a monumental economic sabotage. The reform should continue with unrelenting intensity.’

Balogun said a permanent return to the old subsidy would be a poor economic choice because Nigeria had already experienced the enormous cost of keeping petrol prices below their economic value.

He noted that the combined cost of the former petrol subsidy and foreign-exchange subsidy was estimated at about five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the reforms, thus the scale of resources that had previously been absorbed by the subsidy system and could have been deployed to other national priorities.

‘The government does not have free money,’ Balogun said, explaining that every naira spent subsidising petrol represents money that cannot be spent elsewhere unless government raises additional revenue, cuts other expenditure or borrows.

The concern, according to him, becomes more serious because the government is already facing a high debt-servicing burden.

Balogun said borrowing money at high interest rates simply to keep petrol prices artificially low would offer short-term relief but could leave the country with a much larger financial burden in the future.

He, however, underlined the need to ensure the savings from subsidy removals translate into tangible improvements in ordinary people’s lives.

According to him, the removal of petrol subsidy created a major shock that spread far beyond filling stations as higher petrol prices increased transportation costs and affected the movement of food, agricultural production, manufacturing and other economic activities.

‘A reform cannot be judged only by whether it improves government finances. It must ultimately improve people’s lives,’ Balogun said.

Galadima recalled that many economists, as well as international financial institutions, had supported subsidy removal because government was effectively paying a large part of the cost of petrol consumed by Nigerians.

He noted that the argument for removing the subsidy was that the money could instead be used to finance infrastructure, hospitals, schools, roads and other development needs.

He rejected a complete return to the former subsidy system, urging the government to direct part of the gains from subsidy removal towards the poorest Nigerians.

‘What is fair is to channel the gains to the most vulnerable,’ Galadima said.

He suggested that government should develop a credible and transparent social protection system that identifies the poorest households and provides assistance to them.

Galadima said such support should not become another avenue for political patronage or the distribution of money to favoured individuals.

According to him, government should have a reliable register of vulnerable Nigerians and gradually extend assistance to those at the bottom of the income ladder.

He pointed out that government should not expect market reforms alone to distribute economic gains to ordinary citizens.

Galadima pointed to improvements in foreign exchange reserves, the capital market and other macroeconomic indicators, saying that although such developments could be beneficial to the economy, they were difficult for an average Nigerian to connect with his or her daily experience.

‘What people need to see is food becoming more affordable and infrastructure improving,’ Galadima said.

He cited visible improvements such as better roads and public infrastructure as examples of government actions that citizens could directly associate with economic reforms.

Aliyu argued that the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 had already provided the legal framework for ending the subsidy regime, meaning that any attempt to bring back the former system would involve significant legal and political considerations.

‘Before subsidy is reintroduced, the PIA must be repealed,’ Aliyu said, arguing that the issue could not simply be settled through a political announcement.

According to him, any attempt to restore subsidy would require consideration by the National Assembly as well as a review of the legal framework governing the petroleum sector.

Aliyu also expressed concern about the exchange-rate regime and the ability of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to operate efficiently.

He said these issues were important because the cost of petrol in Nigeria is closely connected to crude oil prices, exchange rates, refining capacity and the efficiency of the petroleum supply chain.

Ogubunka faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for promising to return subsidy payment on petrol.

‘At his level, he does not know whatever the impact of subsidy removal or return is. When we talk of the impact of subsidy removal on the masses, he may not be the right person to judge,’ Ogubunka said.

He pointed out that economic statistics point to improvement on economic growth in post-subsidy era, adding that steps should now be taken to ensure that positive impact of the subsidy removal gets to the ordinary people.

He said that discussions on best ways to manage and support the masses should be held between the people and government.

Grassrunners FC and Abakaliki FC will meet in the final of the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup after both teams won their respective semi-final matches yesterday.

Grassrunners defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1, while Abakaliki FC edged Ikorodu City 2-1 to secure their places in Saturday’s final.

The final will take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, at 10am on Saturday.

Grassrunners, making their debut in the competition and yet to taste defeat, will be seeking to crown their impressive campaign with the trophy. They will, however, face an Abakaliki FC side that has also shown its strength throughout the tournament.

Sunshine Stars took an early lead in the first semi-final when Onoja Mathew scored in the 15th minute.

Grassrunners responded in the second half, with Agbejoye Papi equalising in the 58th minute from a difficult angle.

Papi struck again in the 86th minute to put Grassrunners ahead before Adeola Fadel added a third goal in the 89th minute to complete the comeback.

The second semi-final also produced an entertaining contest.

Ikorodu City took the lead in the 11th minute through Ayanda Tolulope. Abakaliki FC, however, responded through Moses Amanekwu, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Amarachukwu Uche then put Abakaliki FC ahead in the 48th minute with a fine finish from a corner to secure the 2-1 victory.

The two teams will now meet in a winner-takes-all final for the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup.

The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi kingdom, Eti-Osa, Lagos State, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, has congratulated the Olu of Warri kingdom, Ogiame Atuwaste III, on his fifth anniversary on the throne.

In a statement from his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Temitope Oyefeso, the monarch described the Olu of Warri as a dynamic king who has brought innovative ideas and purposeful leadership to the Warri kingdom, resulting in increased development in the ancient city of Warri and among its people over the past five years.

Oba Elegushi said, ‘In the last five years, I have watched with admiration the purposeful leadership you have provided for your people and how you continue to inspire and support them towards making life better for your people; this you often emphasise in our various interactions over the years.’

He added that the Olu of Warri is a bridge builder, continuing to extend a hand of friendship to other traditional rulers across the country, contributing to national development and promoting peace among all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or religion.

Oba Elegushi prayed that the reign of Ogiame Atuwatse will continue for many years and that his impactful leadership will continue to benefit the Warri people and Nigerians in general.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Maryam Ibrahim Dan’ Azumi of Gombe State on her emergence as winner of the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The President described the feat, which saw the Nigerian beat contestants from 132 other countries to win a 300,000 Saudi Riyal prize, equivalent to about N120 million, as a remarkable achievement that has brought immense honour to the country.

In a statement on Friday, President Tinubu said Maryam’s performance at the prestigious international competition demonstrated the excellence, discipline, dedication, and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.

Maryam competed in the highly competitive category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir.

The President said her victory was not merely a personal triumph but a source of national pride, noting that she had placed Nigeria prominently on the global stage through her mastery of the Holy Qur’an.

‘Maryam Ibrahim Dan Azumi’s victory in the highly competitive category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir is a remarkable achievement that has brought immense honour to Nigeria and further demonstrated the excellence, discipline, dedication and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.

‘She has made Nigeria proud. Her achievement in Makkah is a powerful testimony to what our young people can accomplish when talent is matched with discipline, faith, hard work and dedicated mentorship’, Tinubu said.

The President also recalled the achievement of Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan Azumi, who emerged first in a similar Qur’anic competition in Jordan in 2024, describing both sisters as an inspiration to young Nigerians.

He particularly commended their parents, teachers and mentors, as well as others who contributed to their development, saying their accomplishments reflected the sacrifice and commitment required to attain an exceptional level of Qur’anic scholarship.

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the organisers of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition and the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing an international platform for promoting excellence in Qur’anic memorisation, recitation, understanding and scholarship.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives aimed at nurturing the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of young Nigerians and creating opportunities for them to distinguish themselves at home and abroad.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I congratulate Maryam on this remarkable victory. May Almighty Allah continue to guide, protect and increase her in knowledge and wisdom, and may her achievement inspire many more young Nigerians to pursue excellence,’ he said.

Tinubu wished Maryam continued success in her Qur’anic scholarship and future endeavours.

Multinational professional services network, PricewaterhouseCoopers, also known as (PwC) has projected Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 4.3per cent in in the second half (H2) 2026 supported by higher crude oil production and stronger performance in dominant sectors.

‘Nigeria’s economic outlook remains positive, although the second half of the year will continue to be shaped by domestic and external risks. Real GDP growth is projected at 4.3% for 2026, supported by higher crude oil production and stronger performance in dominant sectors. Inflation is expected to moderate, although food-price pressures, other supply-side shocks and pre-election spending could create upside risks,’ PwC’s latest Economic Outlook released yesterday noted.

It said the naira is expected to remain broadly stable, supported by improved external buffers and foreign-exchange market reforms, but it remains exposed to shifts in oil prices, capital flows and domestic FX demand. Monetary policy is expected to remain relatively tight, with room for gradual rate reductions if the decline in inflation is sustained. Fiscal pressures may also persist as continued spending needs, the budget deficit, and government financing requirements place demands on available resources.

‘The central task for Nigeria in H2 2026 is therefore not simply to preserve macroeconomic stability. It is to make that stability work more effectively for households and businesses. Progress will depend on lowering essential costs, expanding access to finance, improving infrastructure and productivity, and converting stronger investor interest into productive investment and jobs.

‘Successfully navigating this next phase would allow Nigeria to move beyond stabilisation and begin unlocking the broader reform dividend through stronger incomes, improved welfare and more inclusive economic growth,’ it said.

According to its latest Economic Outlook released yesterday, PwC said fiscal pressures may persist in H2 2026, driven by continued spending needs, a persistent budget deficit and elevated government financing requirements.

In its bullet highlight of the report on exchange rate outlook, it said: ‘The naira is expected to remain broadly stable but susceptible to volatility from global oil prices, capital flows and domestic foreign exchange demand conditions.’

On interest rate outlook, it said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to maintain a tight monetary policy stance, with scope for gradual rate cuts if the decline in inflation is sustained.

Co-authored by Partner, Chief Economist and Lead, Strategyand West Africa, Olusegun Zaccheaus; Partner, and Clients and Market Leader, West Market, Pedro Omontuemhen; Director, Akolawole Odunlami; and Manager / Lead Economist, Adesola Borokini, PhD, the report also examined the performance of the first six months of the economy,

According to PwC, economic activity remained resilient in the first half of the year, but the pattern of growth was uneven.

‘GDP growth in Q1 was driven by stronger activity in ICT, Finance and Insurance, Construction and Agriculture. At the same time, the PMI weakened during the second quarter, recovering only marginally to 50.1 in June. Agriculture remained in expansion, while industry, services and new orders were below the 50-point threshold. Seventeen of the 36 subsectors tracked were in contraction, highlighting the continued pressure on parts of the real economy,’ noted the report.

Foreign exchange conditions, it said, strengthened, there was improved official-market liquidity, and larger external buffers supported naira stability, while capital importation rose to $10.37 billion in Q1 2026. ‘Yet the composition of these flows remain important. Foreign portfolio investment accounted for $9.86 billion, or 95.1per cent of total capital inflows, while FDI (foreign direct investment) accounted for only 1.3per cent. This underscores the need to convert improved investor confidence into longer-term investment in productive assets, businesses, and infrastructure.

‘Fiscal revenue also strengthened, although execution pressures remain. Total distributable FAAC revenue rose to ?2.55 trillion in June, supported by stronger statutory revenue and VAT collections. At the same time, revenue performance against budget targets has been uneven, while continued spending requirements, government borrowing, and overlapping budget cycles may constrain fiscal flexibility and the pace of capital-project delivery.

‘For households, improvements in headline inflation have provided limited relief. Food inflation rose to 17.52per cent in June, while the cost of a healthy diet reached ?1,589 per adult per day in April. Buying conditions for consumer durables, vehicles, and property also remained weak; reflecting the continued pressure of essential spending on household budgets,’ PwC said in the H1 2026 outlook.

The newly elected President of the Yola Polo Club, Abdulrahman Haske, has delivered a message of consolidation and steady promotion of the ‘game of kings’ to the Nigerian polo community.

?Speaking during an interactive media session following his election, Haske vowed to redouble efforts to promote polo in Adamawa State, across Nigeria, and on the international stage. He expressed gratitude to the Grand Patron of the club and Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, for the opportunity to serve, declaring that his management committee will elevate the sport to greater heights. Haske, who is also the patron of the Haske and Williams polo team, assured fans that the forthcoming 2026 Yola International Polo Tournament will be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

?Revered as the premier sporting attraction and social highlight of the North-East region, the 2026 festival is scheduled to run from September 8 to September 13 at the historic Lamido Musdafa Polo Ground in Yola. Confirming the dates, Haske noted that no sporting event captures the cultural heritage of the Adamawa Kingdom quite like this annual gathering. He recalled that since the inaugural edition was held at the Eastern Gate of the Lamido Palace in the mid-1930s, the tournament has grown steadily in both popularity and prestige.

?Traditionally hosted by the Lamido and supported by the Adamawa State Government alongside corporate and private sponsors, the tournament features several highly coveted trophies. Key prizes include the high-stakes Governor’s Cup and the historic Lamido Cup-the oldest trophy in the club’s 80-plus-year history. According to Yola Polo Captain Asharaf Yahaya, over 25 top teams from across Nigeria, featuring foreign players, are expected to compete. Other silverware up for grabs includes the Emir of Mubi Cup, INTEL Cup, ABTI Cup, General Hassan Cup, A.A. Mustapha Cup, and the M.C. Tahir Cup.

?Club Secretary Usman Saad highlighted the tournament’s role as a major tourist draw, noting that it regularly attracts visitors from neighbouring Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Europe. ‘We promise a much bigger Yola International this year, as the country’s top-rated players are set to battle for the four major prizes and various individual awards,’ Saad stated.

?The upcoming event follows a thrilling previous edition where the Jos-based Malcomines team and the local Haske and Williams contingent dominated headlines. Murtala Laushi’s Malcomines secured the Governor’s Cup, while Crown Club Resort claimed the Lamido Cup. Haske himself delivered strong performances last year, leading Haske and Williams and Bijou Africa Race to runner-up finishes in the Governor’s and Lamido Cups, respectively. Other winners included the Bauchi Valadora team and Jalingo’s Sadauki Starboys, who lifted the Emir of Mubi Cup.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was captured in a light-hearted moment with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, jokingly claiming victory for his side in a video that went viral on Friday.

The clip, shared on Instagram by OfficialPrinceNwauzor, was recorded on Thursday during a visit by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to Wike’s office.

In the video, Davido, dressed in brown traditional attire, stood and repeatedly told the minister, ‘I won. I beat you guys.’

Wike, seated in a white shirt, responded with a smile, ‘No, no.’

‘I won! I beat you,’ Davido insisted.

‘You beat us?’ Wike asked.

‘I beat you,’ Davido replied, as laughter and shouts of ‘I beg o’ filled the background.

The exchange ended with Davido prostrating before Wike and embracing him, drawing cheers and applause from those present.

Governor Adeleke had earlier met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa before proceeding to visit the FCT Minister.

Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

He won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.

The old guard and the new arrivals in England

In West London, stability remains the key objective for Fulham, where Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey continue to serve as core anchors. Both players were integral to the club’s consistency last campaign, and manager Marco Silva is once again relying on the duo to carry regular, heavily taxing roles throughout the grueling Premier League calendar. Bassey’s physicality and tactical versatility at centre-back provide a modern platform for Fulham’s build-up play, while Iwobi’s creative versatility, ability to progress the ball through central zones, and relentless work rate continue to make him an irreplaceable presence in the starting XI.

Further north at Nottingham Forest, Ola Aina enters the new campaign adjusting to life under fresh leadership following the appointment of head coach Oliver Glasner. Known for demanding intense mobility and tactical discipline from his wide players, Glasner’s arrival seems to have sparked fresh ambition in the full-back. Aina has publicly set himself an ambitious personal target of scoring five goals this season. For a player who operates predominantly as a full-back or wing-back, it is a bold statement, yet it reflects the remarkable growth in his attacking confidence over recent campaigns at the City Ground. Aina, who recently committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension through 2028, remains key to Forest’s tactical setups on either flank under Glasner.

The most high-profile intra-league transfer of the summer involving a Nigerian international belongs to Taiwo Awoniyi. The powerhouse striker departed Nottingham Forest to complete a marquee switch to newly promoted Coventry City for a base fee reported around £9 million (pound 19.9m). Awoniyi is on course to make his competitive debut for the Sky Blues in Friday’s high-stakes Premier League opener away at Arsenal, a fixture rich in personal history for the forward. Across six previous encounters against the Gunners during his time with Forest, Awoniyi has netted three times. Crucially, it was his late strike against Arsenal that matched Stan Collymore’s 28-year-old club record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches.

The transfer represents a vital fresh start for Awoniyi. His previous campaign at Forest was hampered by fitness struggles, limiting him to just three starts and 17 total appearances, though he still managed four goals in that restricted time frame. He completed his first full training sessions this week at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge under manager Frank Lampard, where he aligns with fellow countryman Frank Onyeka. Onyeka’s loan extension and continued presence give the Sky Blues two experienced Super Eagles figures to rely upon in their quest for top-flight survival.

Beyond England’s borders, Victor Osimhen continues to dominate headlines despite remaining outside the Premier League for now. Continuing his spell at Galatasaray, where his goal scoring record in Turkey has kept him among the elite strikers in Europe, Osimhen remains the subject of relentless transfer speculation, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United frequently linked with a move for his signature.

The persistent media chatter formed the backdrop for a light-hearted moment during the week when Forest defender Ola Aina put Osimhen on the spot during an Instagram Live broadcast. Aina directly asked his national team colleague which Premier League destination he would choose if given the option. Osimhen jokingly brushed off the public interrogation, telling Aina to inform viewers that he would have to call back privately due to it being a private matter. Aina let his teammate off the hook, steering the conversation back to Osimhen’s sharp goal scoring form in Turkey instead. While Osimhen has previously maintained that he does not hold a single favourite English side, he has admitted to owning both Chelsea and Manchester United shirts growing up due to his older brother’s influence.

A growing contingent in Italian Serie A

While Ademola Lookman opted for a high-profile exit from Serie A earlier in the calendar year by completing a transfer from Atalanta to La Liga contenders Atlético Madrid, the Nigerian presence in Italian football has nevertheless swelled significantly ahead of the new campaign.

At AC Milan, winger Samuel Chukwueze has made an emphatic early statement during pre-season preparations. Entering his second full campaign at the San Siro, Chukwueze delivered a standout performance in a marquee pre-season friendly against Manchester United, scoring a goal and providing two assists to stake a firm claim for a permanent starting role on the right wing.

Meanwhile, in Udine, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continues his steady growth as Udinese’s trusted number one, looking to build upon a series of commanding defensive displays from last term.

Newly promoted Venezia produced the biggest individual transfer splash among the Nigerian contingent in Italy, shattering their all-time transfer record to secure striker Akor Adams from Sevilla. The Venetian side agreed to a deal worth pound 17 million plus performance-related bonuses, signing the forward to a four-year contract valued at pound 1.5 million per season. Adams built a strong reputation in Europe after moving to Sevilla from French club Montpellier in January 2025. During the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, he finished as Sevilla’s leading league scorer, registering 10 goals and 3 assists across 36 appearances to help the club navigate a tough campaign and preserve its top-flight status.

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa publicly lauded the arrival of his new focal point up front, confirming that Adams is an important profile who will give the squad a big hand, while making clear that defensive stability remains the club’s next market priority alongside sporting director Antonelli.

Fellow promoted outfit Frosinone focused their recruitment on defense, securing versatile centre-back Kevin Akpoguma on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at TSG Hoffenheim. The 31-year-old signed a deal running through June 2028. Akpoguma leaves Hoffenheim after earning 179 Bundesliga appearances, scoring three goals, and recording five assists. Born in Germany and a former international at various German youth levels, Akpoguma officially switched his allegiance to Nigeria in October 2020 and has earned eight senior caps for the Super Eagles. A move to Serie A presents him with a consistent platform to compete for a spot in head coach Eric Chelle’s national squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rounding out the Italian movement is young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who has joined Monza on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. The deal includes a purchase option set at pound 7.5 million, which can convert into a mandatory obligation under specific sporting conditions, while Inter have secured a 10 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

Having spent the prior campaign building match experience on loan at Pisa, Akinsanmiro now gets his opportunity to test himself regularly in Italy’s top division.

With Nigeria’s Premier League stars establishing their roles and a fresh wave of talent stepping into key positions across Serie A, the Super Eagles’ European contingent enters the season with clear objectives. Whether battling for domestic silverware, fighting for top-flight survival, or securing places in the national setup, both fronts of the legion are set for another huge campaign.

No fewer than 41 people died yesterday after a boat carrying passengers capsized in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

But 11 people were rescued.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed the accident.

The NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr Abdulkadir Yusuf, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto.

Yusuf said the boat was carrying about 82 persons, including the community leader in transit to a rice farm for harvest.

About a year ago, 10 people died in a boat mishap in Sokoto.

Last September, 10 residents of Zalla-Bango village who were running away from bandits in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, drowned. Their bodies were later recovered by villagers and fishermen.

Weeks earlier at Garin-Faji, also at Sabon Birni, over five people died while 21 others were rescued in a mishap. Another mishap also occurred at Kojiyo village in Goronyo Local Government Area.

Nigeria has secured the rights to host the 2027 Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) in Abuja, following endorsement by the association’s General Assembly at its just-concluded 42nd Conference in Arusha, Tanzania.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has been awarded the hosting rights and approved to organise the event, scheduled for 16th to 20th August 2027.

The gathering is expected to draw policymakers, researchers, examination administrators and education experts from across the continent, providing a platform for Nigeria to showcase ongoing reforms in educational assessment.

In a related development, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, was elected Vice-President of the AEAA. His elevation follows his earlier service on the association’s Executive Council as the West African sub-region representative.

These developments underscore Nigeria’s growing influence in educational assessment across the continent, particularly in digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in testing and certification.

Since taking office as NECO Registrar in 2021, he has driven reforms to modernise examination administration, expand technological infrastructure, and extend the council’s international reach. NECO now conducts examinations in eight foreign countries.