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Nigeria’s Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and financial analysts have attributed the remarkable performance of the naira in September 2025 to a combination of monetary tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), renewed investor confidence, and the growing influence of fintech in enhancing transparency and reducing speculative demand for foreign exchange.

During the month, the naira recorded one of its strongest performances in recent times, trading as high as ?1,400 to the U.S. dollar and maintaining stability below the ?1,500 mark for over two weeks.

Many traders have described the period as a ‘Naira boom,’ highlighting it as one of the most stable trading phases in months.

Speaking with Nairametrics, the President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, hailed the currency’s performance as exceptional.

According to him, the steady improvement of the naira was driven by increased crude oil production, stronger investments in the energy sector, and stricter management of foreign exchange demand.

He noted that speculative trading had drastically reduced and that the so-called ‘black market’ had become less vibrant, with fewer people hoarding dollars.

Gwadabe explained that the increasing adoption of fintech platforms has made financial transactions faster and more transparent, reducing the need for domiciliary accounts.

He also credited the CBN’s Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) framework for promoting accountability and unifying the identity verification system across the banking sector. The NRBVN system, he said, now links individual BVNs, names, and company registration details, including those of non-residents.

This, in his view, has strengthened compliance with financial regulations and improved the country’s tax collection process under the new financial assets tax law.

He further stated that Nigeria’s efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list have positively impacted the country’s financial reputation.

According to him, the coordinated work between the CBN, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and other agencies has enhanced Nigeria’s global image, with expectations high for a favourable FATF verdict in October 2025.

Gwadabe added that higher oil production-now around 1.8 million barrels per day-coupled with increased government revenue and sustained high interest rates, has also contributed to the naira’s stability. These developments, he said, have boosted investor confidence and helped moderate inflationary pressures.

Another BDC operator, Abubakar Ardo, attributed part of the improvement to increased dollar injections by the CBN through commercial banks and BDCs. He noted that this policy helped to ease panic buying and hoarding of foreign currency.

Ardo also mentioned that September traditionally witnesses a rise in diaspora remittances as families prepare for the back-to-school season, providing additional liquidity to both banks and BDCs.

An economist at the University of Abuja, Dr. Eugene Eke, observed that the naira’s strength was the result of coordinated monetary and fiscal actions that improved liquidity and investor confidence.

He commended the close collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the CBN, adding that public statements by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, regarding improved fiscal transparency and compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) also helped reduce speculative attacks on the naira.

Analysts have predicted that the local currency could maintain its stability through the final quarter of 2025 if policy discipline, fintech integration, and investor confidence remain consistent.

Gwadabe concluded that the coming months will determine whether the naira’s recovery will become a lasting trend or a temporary rebound, expressing optimism that with continued reforms, the currency could sustain its positive momentum.

According to CBN

Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has revealed that she will be gifting one of her students a luxurious car.

The chef, on her Instagram page, marked the third year of her cooking class with the shocking announcement. She expressed her appreciation for the milestone while revealing that she will be gifting one of her students a car before the commencement of the class.

‘It still humbles me that we’re doing this again. Year 3, another car! Paid for, in full, sealed, and waiting for one lucky student before class even begins. God’s grace stays undefeated,’ Hilda wrote.

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star of ‘Annie Hall’, has died at the age of 79.

The legendary actress died on Saturday, according to a family spokesperson.

Diane was best known for her many collaborations with Woody Allen, as well as films including Reds; The First Wives Club, and Book Club.

She died surrounded by loved ones, according to People magazine.

Further details about the circumstances of her death were yet to be revealed as of press time.

Born in 1946 in Los Angeles, the American actor made her Hollywood debut in ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ in 1970.

Her long filmography includes a role in ‘The Godfather,’ in which she plays Al Pacino’s wife, and numerous hits by Woody Allen, with whom she remained friends after having been his long-time partner, muse, and favourite actress.

The news of her death was met with shock around the world, as Keaton was the kind of actor who helped make films iconic and timeless – from her ‘La-dee-da, la-dee-da’ phrasing as Annie Hall, bedecked in that necktie, bowler hat, vest, and khakis, to her heartbreaking turn as Kay Adams, the woman unfortunate enough to join the Corleone family.

She played a businesswoman who unexpectedly inherits an infant in ‘Baby Boom’ and a divorced playwright who gets involved with Jack Nicholson’s music executive in ‘Something’s Gotta Give.’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday night departed Washington for a high-profile visit to the Middle East, beginning with Israel, where he is expected to meet families of hostages and hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Trump spoke briefly to reporters, describing the trip as a ‘very special event’ and expressing optimism about the ongoing peace efforts in the region.

‘This is going to be a very special time,’ Trump said. ‘There were 500,000 people yesterday and today in Israel, and the Muslim and Arab countries were cheering. Everyone was cheering at one time – that’s never happened before. Usually, if you have one cheering, the other is the opposite,’ he added.

He continued, declaring that ‘the war is over’. He says that ‘everybody is into his deal’ to bring an end to the war in Gaza and adds that the ceasefire ‘is going to hold’. ‘Everybody is happy, and I think it’s going to stay that way,’ he says

He concluded his remarks by saying, ‘Everybody is amazed, they’re thrilled, and we’re going to have an amazing time.’

According to the White House, the president is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday morning. His itinerary includes meetings with hostage families, a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and an address to the Knesset.

Trump will later travel to Cairo, Egypt, where he is expected to co-host a Gaza Peace Plan Summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi aimed at securing a long-term truce and humanitarian corridor in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced that Hostages Square would remain open overnight, providing continuous live coverage of the expected release of hostages. The forum described the moment as ‘historic and deeply moving,’ inviting members of the public to witness the event in person.

The square has been the site of weekly rallies calling for the safe return of Israeli hostages since the conflict began.

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly known as Iyanya, has opened up on some of the struggles men face despite being wealthy and famous.

Iyanya on his X page, revealed that some men in the entertainment industry suffer without asking for help due to societal expectations.

He added that celebrities struggle more to get back on their feet after hitting rock bottom

‘Celebrities are humans with deep feelings and struggles like everyone else. Beyond the media glamorisation is a person simply yearning to be human like the rest of us. For male celebrities, there’s often an even deeper struggle to bounce back when one hits a low. Men are wired not to show weakness, not to ask for help, or they risk being called soft,’ he wrote.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has waxed stronger in Jigawa state with over 66, 000 politicians from different political parties joining the ruling party during a grand rally hosted by Governor Umar Namadi.

The grand political rally which took place at the Dutse Stadium, on Saturday, saw Governor Namadi leading top national and state leaders of the APC and welcomed more than 66,000 defectors from opposition parties into the ruling party.

The event, attended by thousands of supporters, marked one of the largest political gatherings in Jigawa State in recent times.

Among the dignitaries present were the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Governor of Yobe State and former APC National Chairman, Mai Mala Buni; Deputy Governors of Katsina and Sokoto States; Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters; members of the National Assembly, and several other prominent figures.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Mai Mala Buni commended the massive turnout, describing it as a reflection of public confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

He assured the new members of equal treatment within the party and reiterated the federal government’s determination to improve national security, infrastructure, and economic prosperity.

In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, welcomed the defectors and called for loyalty and unity among party members saying that the mass defection demonstrates the people’s growing trust in the APC-led governments both at the national and state levels.

Also in his address, Governor Namadi, revealed that the defectors came from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He attributed their decision to join the APC to the success and inclusiveness of his administration’s policies.

Governor Namadi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening party unity and advancing good governance in Jigawa State, as he lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s progress.

The event concluded with the formal presentation of APC membership flags to the representatives of the new members, symbolizing their official integration into the party.

The Federal Government has received 130 hectares of land from the Ogun State Government for the construction of the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port.

The project aims to boost Nigeria’s Blue Economy and reduce congestion at seaports in the western region.

The official handover took place during a signing ceremony in Ijebu-Ode. It marks a big step toward improving trade facilities, making cargo transport faster, and connecting road, rail, and water transport systems.

Olufemi Oloruntola, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, signed the land transfer on behalf of the Federal Government.

He said the project would help create jobs and promote economic growth in Ogun State and other parts of Nigeria.

LíkRepresenting Governor Dapo Abiodun, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, said Ogun’s donation of 130 hectares shows its commitment to national development. He added that the port will improve transport links and boost trade in the Ijebu-Ode area.

The Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port is planned to serve as a major logistics hub for importers and exporters in southwestern Nigeria. It will handle cargo and provide customs clearance services closer to businesses in the region.

Top officials who attended the event included Dr. Mercy Ilori, Director of Maritime Services; Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council; and representatives from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

According to the Ministry, the new port is part of the Federal Government’s plan to grow regional trade, expand maritime infrastructure, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global Blue Economy.

When authorities ordered families and children to leave parts of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, 34-year-old mother of two, Angela Bolonz, was shocked.

Kramatorsk, located in the Donetsk region, has long symbolized Ukrainian resistance. The city fought off pro-Russian separatists in 2014 and has resisted Russian forces since the 2022 invasion.

Now, with Russian troops only about 20 kilometers away and launching frequent drone attacks, residents like Angela are facing the painful reality that their home may no longer be safe.

‘When the evacuation was announced, people started leaving,’ Angela said quietly, standing beside her packed bags.

Russia now controls nearly 80 percent of the Donetsk region and has been slowly advancing toward Kramatorsk for months, hoping to capture it.

Angela decided to leave with her two daughters, aged five and ten, after drones began flying near their home, setting cars on fire. On October 5, a drone using an optical fiber guide struck a car in the city center – the first such attack in Kramatorsk.

While the city center remained relatively calm, fear was growing on the outskirts.

On the road to nearby Druzhkivka, about ten kilometers south, cars drove quickly under anti-drone netting. Soldiers worked to repair an armored vehicle damaged by a drone strike.

Rising Drone Warfare

At a local medical center for wounded soldiers, doctors were struggling to keep up. One injured man cracked jokes to hide his pain as a doctor removed shrapnel from his wound.

Another soldier, Yuriy, smiled weakly as he said, ‘We were returning from our position when a drone hit us. It’s hard – very hard.’

A 34-year-old doctor named Sergiy explained that most injuries now come from FPV (first-person-view) drones. ‘One soldier’s leg wound was so bad it completely decayed,’ he said while smoking a cigarette.

Because drones can now fly farther, the front line has turned into what some call the ‘lethal zone’ – a 20-kilometer-wide area where danger is constant.

Russia has increased its drone attacks ahead of winter, before cold weather makes drone batteries less effective.

According to one Ukrainian soldier, troop movements have become more dangerous than staying in battle. Soldiers now travel only on foot, in short segments, and wear special coverings to hide from drones’ heat cameras.

Russian saboteurs, sometimes disguised as Ukrainian soldiers or civilians, have also planted traps beyond the front line

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 game between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars ended in chaos on Sunday after fans invaded the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, PM News can authoritatively confirm.

Trouble started when Shooting Stars scored a 94th-minute equalizer, making the game 1-1.

Angry Kano Pillars supporters stormed the field, chasing the referee and some players. Security personnel struggled to control the situation as panic spread around the stadium.

Fan violence and pitch invasion have been a recurring problem in the NPFL. Kano Pillars have previously been fined and ordered to play behind closed doors over similar incidents.

Football stakeholders are now calling for stronger security measures and fan education campaigns to stop such behaviour and protect the image of the Nigerian league.

Nigerian reality TV star and entrepreneur Natasha Akide, also known as Tacha, has opened up on her choice of country for her ongoing Guinness world record attempt.

Tacha, in an interview with Egungun at the event, stated that she was motivated by the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit.

She added that the aim of her attempt was to showcase the Nigerian beauty industry and its talents. She revealed that conducting such an event in the UK will not feel like home.

‘London won’t give me the vibes I want. I had sponsorship offers from international brands and we initially planned to do it in London. But it always makes sense to carry your country along,’ she said.

The GWR attempt started on Saturday morning and by Sunday morning Tacha had achieved 115 makeovers.