Category: Business Day

Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has called for an inclusive human dignity in support of migrants and refugees across Nigeria.

This call was made through the Migrants and Refugees Unit (MRU) of the CSN in commemoration of World Refugee Day 2026, during a virtual interactive session with the theme ‘Until Everyone Is Safe.’

The session was anchored by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Nigeria, which guided participants in reflection on forced displacement and the need to strengthen responses rooted in human dignity, protection, and inclusion.

The session demonstrated the importance of strategic collaboration between the Church and non-Church actors in the shared mission of exploring practical responses to displacement and the quest for protection, inclusion and promoting human dignity of refugees.

Augustine Akhogba, the Episcopal Secretary of the MRU, stressed the need for sustained commitment to the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons, noting that the session was aimed at deepening collaborative pastoral engagement on migration challenges.

According to him, the occasion presented an opportunity to express the Church’s commitment towards the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons through her pastoral interventions.

A range of socio-cultural, sporting, enlightenment, creative and religious activities reflecting this year’s theme ‘Until Everyone Is Safe’ were carried out to mark the commemoration in dioceses across Nigeria in collaboration with professionals and stakeholders in the migration space.

Temple Anuforo, Country Director, JRS Nigeria, highlighted current migration realities of the country, noting that internal displacement remains a major concern in Nigeria, driven largely by insecurity, governance gaps, and socio-economic pressures.

He emphasised JRS’s ‘Accompaniment’ model, carried out most through education, protection, and support services, while stressing that true safety is only possible when all communities are secure.

Ayokunle Oluseyi Ayodele, Country Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) Specialist, JRS, outlined the organisation’s key intervention areas, including education, protection, and health services.

Chinelo Ezinwa Nwakwesili, National Communication and Advocacy Officer, JRS Nigeria, shared a refugee case study illustrating the impact of accompaniment in restoring dignity and hope.

Ezinwa also commended the MRU for creating the platform for more collaboration and advocacy by agents of pastoral care of migration in Nigeria.

Participants also engaged speakers on issues of insecurity, governance, and inter-agency collaboration, as Rev. Fr. Akhogba, in his closing remark, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to continued advocacy and partnership in addressing displacement challenges.

The session concluded with a prayer for refugees, offering an opportunity for dialogue, learning, inspiration and solidarity with refugees in Nigeria and all over the world.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned until July 7 the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.

The appellate court postponed proceedings on Thursday to allow parties in the suit file and exchange their briefs of argument ahead of the substantive hearing.

At the sitting, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), counsel to the Accord Party, informed the three-member panel that the record of appeal and the Federal High Court’s judgement were only transmitted to the Court of Appeal earlier this week.

Adetunbi subsequently requested a short adjournment to enable all parties file the necessary processes. The request was not opposed.

Presiding Justice Abba Mohammed granted the application and fixed July 7 for hearing.

Although the appellant’s counsel sought a three-day adjournment, the court said some members of the panel would be away from Abuja for a special session, making the later date necessary.

The appeal stems from a judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties over what the court described as their failure to meet constitutional performance thresholds.

The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

In the judgement, Justice Lifu held that the parties did not satisfy conditions required for their continued registration and participation in future elections. The court consequently restrained INEC from recognising the parties, accepting candidates nominated by them, or giving effect to their activities in relation to the 2027 general election.

The trial court also barred the parties from presenting themselves as registered political parties.

The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the affected parties had failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and relevant INEC regulations.

According to the NFFL, political parties are required to secure at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective seat at the federal, state or local government level to retain their registration.

The group maintained that the five parties failed to achieve those thresholds in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections, making their continued recognition unlawful.

INEC opposed the suit, insisting that the parties remained qualified to retain their registration because they had won seats in state assemblies and the National Assembly. The electoral commission tendered certificates of return issued to successful candidates as evidence.

However, on June 16, the Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgement, preventing INEC from implementing the deregistration order pending the determination of the substantive appeal.

In a unanimous ruling, the appellate court held that the lower court proceeded with the matter despite an earlier directive suspending further proceedings pending the resolution of an appeal before it.

The court described the action as a violation of the judicial hierarchy and ordered that enforcement of the judgement be stayed until the appeal is determined.

The amount of value-added tax remitted by electricity and gas consumers in Nigeria collapsed by more than half in the first quarter of 2026, as a sweeping rewrite of the country’s tax code stripped a major chunk of the power sector out of the standard VAT net.

Receipts from electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply fell to N7.56 billion between January and March, down 51 percent from N15.63 billion collected in the same period a year earlier, according to sectoral VAT data published by the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure also came in seven percent below the fourth quarter of 2025, making the energy sector one of the weakest non-oil tax contributors in the economy during the period.

The plunge is steep enough to invite alarm, but industry experts say the headline number obscures what is, at its core, a policy decision rather than a sector in distress.

‘The 51 percent year-on-year contraction in electricity VAT in the first quarter of 2026 looks alarming on its face, but the largest single cause is a deliberate change in the law rather than a collapse in the power sector,’ said Ayodele Oni, energy lawyer and partner at Bloomfield Law Practice.

The change Oni refers to is the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1 and reclassified electricity supplied to the national grid, along with generation and transmission service, as zero-rated for VAT. Previously, those activities attracted the standard 7.5 percent rate.

‘Zero-rating removes a substantial block of output VAT from the electricity line at the very start of the quarter, which is why the fall is so sharp and so cleanly timed,’ Oni said in a telephone interview.

Under the new framework, electricity generated by generation companies and sold to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, as well as power transmitted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to distribution companies, now carry a zero VAT rate. The reform was designed to ease the tax burden across the power value chain, lower operating costs for electricity companies, and make electricity more affordable for end users.

Professional services firm KPMG noted in a recent report that the measure holds significant implications specifically for distribution companies.

‘This should have been exciting news for Discos, as only them, under the existing tax framework, make taxable supplies out of the players involved in the national grid,’ the firm wrote. It added a caveat, however, noting that the zero-rated classification does not extend to bilateral contracts between generation companies and distribution companies, though it said this may not have a lasting effect on costs since VAT is ultimately borne by the final consumer.

Nigeria’s power sector has long been hobbled by liquidity problems rooted in low tariffs, high collection losses and accumulating debt owed to generation companies. Analysts say stripping out VAT from upstream electricity transactions could improve cash flow within the industry, though the immediate trade-off is a narrowing of government revenue.

The VAT decline unfolds against a broader transformation of Nigeria’s electricity governance. Since President Bola Tinubu signed the Electricity Act in 2023, state governments have assumed greater authority to regulate electricity markets within their own borders, while efforts to expand transmission infrastructure and draw in private capital have intensified. Yet the NBS data suggests it is tax policy, not operational performance, that is currently moving the needle on what government collects from the sector.

The wider VAT picture offers some relief for fiscal authorities. Overall collections across the economy held up during the first quarter, with growth in other sectors absorbing much of the shortfall from electricity and gas.

Analysts caution that the pass-through to electricity tariffs is likely to be slow, given that structural constraints, debt overhangs, metering gaps and transmission bottlenecks continue to press on the sector.

The Abia State Government has inaugurated the Strategy for Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Steering Committee, with a charge for the members to commence implementation of the state’s anti-corruption framework.

The inauguration is aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and good governance in the state.

While inaugurating the committee in Umuahia, Benson Ojekire, head of service, Abia State, stated that the establishment of the committee demonstrates the government’s commitment to institutionalising integrity and accountability across public service.

Ojeikere noted that members were carefully selected because of their strategic positions and capacity to drive the implementation of the state’s anti-corruption agenda.

According to him, the committee, which is made up largely of permanent secretaries and senior government officials, is expected to provide policy direction, monitor implementation progress, address emerging challenges and ensure that the objectives of the State Strategy for Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption are achieved.

He urged members to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism and a strong sense of duty, noting that the success of the initiative would strengthen public confidence in government institutions.

He also congratulated members on their appointment and expressed confidence in their ability to advance the course of integrity and accountability in the state.

Ikechukwu Uwanna, attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Abia State, in his remarks, described corruption as a major challenge confronting public service.

Uwanna, who was represented by Paul Ogunbunka, solicitor general and permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice, stressed that the vision of building a prosperous and accountable Abia State could only be achieved on a foundation of integrity.

According to him, ‘If we are to take the issue of corruption seriously and build the Abia of our dreams as envisioned by His Excellency, Alex Otti, then we must lay a strong foundation of integrity.

‘You cannot build a skyscraper on a weak foundation, and integrity remains the cornerstone of everything this initiative stands for.

Uwanna noted that the validation exercise conducted earlier laid the groundwork for the inauguration and implementation of the anti-corruption framework, urging stakeholders to actively participate in the process.

‘We have completed the validation exercise, which paved the way for what we are doing today. Moving forward, I encourage all of us to engage effectively in this process so that we can set a new standard for accountability and transparency in Abia State,’ he stated.

He further assured that the committee would be guided by the principles of credibility, collaboration, and citizen-based engagement in carrying out its mandate, assuring that his Ministry would monitor compliance,

He advised on policy and engaged with the public.

Peter Omenka, programme coordinator, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC), described the steering committee as the ‘policy compass for integrity and accountability’ in Abia State.

He explained that ROLAC is supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

According to him, the programme is dedicated to strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities, and promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions.

Omenka noted that Abia State is among the newest beneficiaries of the programme and emphasised the importance of the committee’s oversight role in ensuring effective implementation of the state’s anti-corruption agenda. ‘Without strong oversight, Abia’s anti-corruption agenda remains a document; it has no life. With your leadership, it becomes action,’ he said.

He added that the committee would enhance collaboration among anti-corruption agencies, ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the private sector, while ensuring that the state’s anti-corruption priorities translate into measurable results.

He commended the head of service for hosting the event and thanked committee members for accepting the responsibility.

The members include: Uchechukwu Kalu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection; Ada Ukandu, permanent secretary, Bureau of Establishment – Office of the Head of Service; Godwin Okezuo, Office of the Secretary to the State Government; Chris Onwuegbu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Information; Paul Ogubunka, solicitor general and permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice; and Okey Ihemanma, permanent secretary, Ministry of Industry and SMEs.

Others include: Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, permanent secretary, Ministry of Health; and Obi-Chianakwalam Elechi Agatha, permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance.

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as ceasefire frays

The United States and Iran traded fresh military strikes over the weekend, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement reached after months of conflict. The latest escalation followed a drone attack on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran.

US Central Command said it responded by striking 10 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems, drone storage facilities, communications infrastructure and military equipment near the strategic waterway. The Pentagon said Tehran had failed to honour the ceasefire after its forces targeted the Panama flagged tanker MT Kiku.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected the accusation, insisting the US had attacked Iranian coastal positions first. In retaliation, it claimed to have launched ballistic missiles and drones against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, including Ali al Salem Air Base and the Fifth Fleet headquarters. The exchange has raised fresh concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the security of one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

Two boys rescued alive as Venezuela earthquake death toll tops 1,450

Rescuers in Venezuela have pulled two 11- year old boys alive from collapsed buildings days after the country’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century devastated large parts of the nation.

The first boy, identified as Moises, was rescued from beneath concrete rubble to applause from emergency workers, while a second child was later recovered alive and carried to safety on a stretcher. Officials described both rescues as remarkable amid increasingly difficult search operations.

Authorities say at least 1,450 people have died since the twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within seconds of each other, flattening hundreds of buildings and leaving tens of thousands missing. Rescue teams continue searching damaged neighbourhoods, saying survivors may still be found where access to food and water has allowed people to remain alive beneath the debris.

Eleven killed after skydiving plane crashes in eastern France

Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after take off in the eastern French town of Tomblaine.

The aircraft, operated by a parachuting school, went down minutes after leaving Nancy Essey airfield. The pilot and all 10 passengers were killed, including five instructors and five first time tandem skydivers preparing for their inaugural jump.

French authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said several relatives witnessed the tragedy from the airfield, leaving many traumatised. Local officials described the incident as one of the region’s deadliest civilian aviation accidents in recent years, while psychological support has been offered to grieving families.

Europe heatwave linked to more than 1,300 deaths, WHO warns

The World Health Organization says Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths as record temperatures continue to sweep across the continent.

Germany recorded a new national high of 41.7 degrees Celsius, while France reported about 1,000 additional deaths since the heatwave began. Health authorities said many victims were elderly people, with deaths at home rising sharply as power grids, hospitals and emergency services came under increasing pressure.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, describing extreme heat as a ‘silent killer’. Governments have urged residents to avoid outdoor activity during peak temperatures as schools closed and electricity systems struggled under soaring demand.

Saudi helicopter crash kills 14 Aramco workers

Fourteen people have been killed after a helicopter operated by Saudi state oil company Aramco crashed near the eastern city of Ras Tanura.

Saudi state media said the aircraft came down shortly after 6:00 am local time, killing everyone on board. All the victims were Saudi nationals. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what caused the crash.

The accident occurred near one of Aramco’s largest oil refining and export facilities, where crude loading operations had only recently resumed following months of disruption linked to the wider Middle East conflict. The Saudi government expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

AFRICA

Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with France

Burkina Faso has formally severed diplomatic relations with France, accusing its former colonial ruler of pursuing policies that undermine the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

The military government led by Ibrahim Traore said France had engaged in ‘neo colonial ambitions’ and supported activities hostile to Burkina Faso. Paris rejected the allegations, describing the decision as unjustified and urging French nationals in the country to exercise heightened caution.

Relations between the two countries have steadily deteriorated since Traore seized power in a 2022 coup, expelled French troops and strengthened ties with Russia and China. The junta said cultural and people to people ties would remain intact despite the diplomatic break.

DR Congo takes Rwanda to international court over conflict

The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing Kigali of violating international law through alleged military operations and support for armed groups operating in eastern Congo.

Congolese authorities say Rwanda has breached several international conventions, including treaties covering genocide prevention, torture, racial discrimination and the protection of women. Kinshasa is asking the court to order Rwanda to halt the alleged violations and pay reparations to victims.

Rwanda has consistently denied accusations that it backs the M23 rebel movement, despite repeated claims by United Nations experts and several Western governments. The case marks another legal effort by Congo to seek international accountability over the long running conflict in its eastern provinces.

Uganda army chief orders shutdown of leading independent media group

Uganda’s largest independent media organisation has been forced off air after army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the closure of several television, radio and newspaper operations.

The Nation Media Group said soldiers surrounded its headquarters in Kampala while NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor newspaper were effectively shut down. The military has not provided an official explanation for the action.

Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, defended the move on social media, saying he did not believe in a free press. Opposition parties and rights groups condemned the shutdown as a serious attack on press freedom in a country where concerns over political repression have grown ahead of future elections.

Congo Ebola cases climb above 1,200 as outbreak worsens

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 1,203 confirmed Ebola infections and 321 deaths as the country’s worst outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain continues to spread.

Government figures released on Friday show infections continue to rise across affected provinces despite intensified surveillance and response measures. Health officials remain concerned about the rapid spread of the virus, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

International health agencies are expanding treatment centres, contact tracing and vaccine research as neighbouring countries strengthen border screening to prevent further cross border transmission.

IMF approves $348 million support package for DR Congo

The International Monetary Fund has approved nearly $350 million in fresh financing for the Democratic Republic of Congo following successful reviews of its economic reform programmes.

The funding includes about $258 million under the Extended Credit Facility and another $90 million through the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. Congolese officials said a significant portion of the money will support climate adaptation, infrastructure development and social programmes.

Doudou Roussel Fwamba Likunde Li Botayi, Finance minister said the remaining funds would strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves and help stabilise the balance of payments as the government continues implementing economic reforms amid security and health challenges.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Abia State command has said that it arrested a total of 429 suspects (355 males and 74 females) between June 2025 to June 2026.

Chigbu Chilee, commander, Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), made this known Friday, at the commemoration of 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day).

Speaking on the theme ‘World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses’, Chilee said that the Abia State Command of the NDLEA was already aggressive in its sensitisation now that illicit drug dealers have started penetrating secondary schools.

Speaking on the new strategies and the theme, the commander said that the theme underscored the evolving and underwhelming drug landscape.

According to him, the theme acknowledges that while old battlegrounds remain new, synthetic threats, sophisticated traffic networks and digital illicit markets have emerged.

Read also: NDLEA nabs 75-year-old grandma, 2 couples in nationwide drug raids

He said that the current rate of drug peddling demands that NDLEA counter the dealers with proactive technology driven by early innovative responses, as NDLEA has long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems.

‘The Abia State command, with the continued support of the National Headquarters and the Abia State government, has heavily modernised our operations and balanced our enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy, through our war against drugs initiative, which remains our primary vehicle for preventive actions,’ he said.

Speaking further on the strategy, he said that the agency divided the drug remand directorates into two, because it knows it can’t win the war by arrest.

‘So, we now have Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (CTR) and Prevention and Sensitisation (PS). So, it’s a balanced approach that’s helping us to reduce both the supply and the demand.

‘Every week, we sensitise three to four schools in Abia State. It is a programme of its own, just to win this war. If we reduce the number of young people getting involved, we’ll definitely win the war.’

He also said that every opportunity to commemorate the UN Day against drug abuse is a vital occasion, where all the collective efforts of the agency against illicit drugs are meant to be evaluated and looked into with definitive direction for the next 12 months.

He said that the Abia State Command of the NDLEA in the last one year (June 26, 2025 to June 26, 2026), recorded massive achievements in the area of arrest and seizure, prosecution and conviction, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, sensitisation and intervention.

Speaking on arrest and seizures, the commander said that a total of 429 suspects, with the males numbering 355 and the females numbering 74, were arrested within the period under review.

Within the same period, seizures included cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine (mkpuru mmiri), tramadol, and other drugs with a total weight of two thousand and seventy-eight kilograms (2,078 kilograms).

‘We’ve made some arrests that are worthy of note, like the one of December 11, 2025, where we busted an illegal production site for cough syrup with codeine in Umuokapara, Arungwa, with a total of 9,915 bottles of illegally manufactured bottles of codeine cough syrup weighing 1.15 tonnes.

Chilee explained that the command currently has in its custody Godwin Obiorah, a septuagenarian, and Godwin Orji, an octogenarian, who were arrested in the case of dealing in illicit drugs.

‘As for the other 75-year-old man, the septuagenarian Godwin Obiorah, he was arrested on June 19, 2026, by officers of the NDLEA based on intelligence in Umuahia with 4.6 kilograms of assorted psychotropic substances, which include Diazepam and Tramadol. He’s here with us, and sooner we’ll prosecute him.

‘As for Godfrey Orji, the octogenarian, he is currently 84 years old. He was arrested on June 18, 2026 by the vigilante group that are in charge of St Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia.

‘They arrested Emmanuel Peters, a 15-year-old, SS2 student, with cannabis sativa, which he distributes to his fellow students. When he was arrested, he pointed fingers at Godfrey Orji as his supplier.

‘They arrested Orji with the student, took them to the police, and the police brought them to the NDLEA. That was how we got Orji. Recall that the young man is a minor and he’s in school.

‘We can’t stop him from his education. What we did on him was intervention with the parents; got to the school and planned a date with the school to often come and sensitise them, because most of them are affected. He will be coming intermittently with his mother for counselling, while Orji is still in detention and awaiting prosecution.’

On prosecution and conviction, Chilee said that within the period under review, the command filed 104 fresh charges at the Federal High Court, Umuahia Division, and recorded 95 convictions and currently has 23 pending criminal cases.

Explaining the reason behind successful conviction, Chilee said, ‘We’ve left reactive operations for proactive operations. We criminalise the dealers, not the users. Before we get you and take you to court, we must have gathered all necessary information to nail the suspect, not just to make unnecessary arrests. When we arrest them with these available pieces of evidence, it’s difficult for anybody to escape.’

Speaking on counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, Chilee said that the NDLEA counselled a total of 166 clients, with 155 male and 11 female.

He also stated that they have discharged 120 clients and currently have about 48 people in admission, which include 44 males and four females.

He added that within the period under review, the NDLEA Abia State command has received several awards for their efforts towards fighting drugs, including a ‘commendation award in rehabilitation, counselling and treatment’, while on an individual level, Ikechukwu Akunne, the Command’s Public Relations Officer got a ‘merit/commendation award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and hard work’.

Chilee said that despite all the challenges that the Abia State government under Governor Alex Otti has been of tremendous help to the command, especially in the area of logistics, as it has provided them with 2 Toyota Hiluxes, a Toyota Sienna and an IVM van and equally inspected their bad vehicles to help them out and put them in good shape.

He also said that Governor Alex Otti has approved land in Umuahia for the construction of the Command’s head office.

Cape Verde have written one of the greatest underdog stories in FIFA World Cup history, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Atlantic island nation secured a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston, finishing second in Group H behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay.

With a population estimated between 525,000 and 611,000, Cape Verde became the smallest country by population to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. They are also the first tournament debutants to advance beyond the group stage since Slovakia and Paraguay did so in 2010.

Their reward is a blockbuster last-32 showdown against defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Emotional scenes as qualification confirmed

The historic achievement sparked emotional celebrations after the final whistle, with Cape Verde’s players gathering around a mobile phone on the pitch to watch the closing moments of Spain’s victory over Uruguay, which confirmed their qualification.

Three draws that changed history

Cape Verde’s remarkable campaign began with a stunning 0-0 draw against former world champions Spain, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a man-of-the-match display. They followed that with an impressive 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay before sealing qualification with another resilient goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.

Despite failing to win a match, Bubista’s side progressed unbeaten with three draws, demonstrating remarkable defensive discipline and resilience throughout the group stage.

‘It’s incredible what they are doing. It wasn’t just one game against Spain; it is three games at the highest level,’ Spain World Cup winner Juan Mata said on ITV.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts’

Vozinha, who spent last season with Portuguese second-tier club Chaves, has been the cornerstone of Cape Verde’s historic run.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,’ the 40-year-old goalkeeper said.

Head coach Bubista, draped in Cape Verde’s flag after qualification was confirmed, praised his team’s belief and determination.

‘The team was very eager to show this to the whole world,’ Bubista said.

‘We are proud of having arrived at this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but that we fight for the things that we want to achieve.’

Argentina await in the Round of 32

From a nation made up of 10 islands off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their reward is a daunting meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, but after defying expectations to become the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, few will be willing to write them off.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programmes for strategic communications.

The Bank received an Award of Excellence in Special and Experiential Events category for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category for its Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns, reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to delivering impactful communications that advance its mandate of promoting trade, investment and industrialisation across Africa and the Caribbean.

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event. IATF2025 brought together governments, businesses, investors, buyers, sellers and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, creating a platform for trade and investment opportunities while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The communications campaign played a pivotal role in driving global awareness, stakeholder participation, media visibility and engagement before, during and after the event, while showcasing the scale, ambition and dynamism of African enterprise and reinforcing a positive narrative about Africa’s capacity to trade, industrialise and compete on the global stage. Over 120,000 delegates attended IATF2025 in person and virtually, with deals worth over US$50 billion recorded.

The Award of Merit for Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns recognises the Bank’s strategic use of digital platforms to engage stakeholders, amplify its developmental impact and elevate conversations around trade, industrialisation, economic integration and investment opportunities across Africa and the Caribbean. Through a combination of compelling storytelling, thought leadership content, executive advocacy, multimedia production and real-time event coverage, Afreximbank’s social media platforms have continued to expand their reach and influence among policymakers, businesses, investors, development partners and the wider public.

Among these platforms is the Afreximbank TV, a digital TV channel that is wholly owned and managed by Afreximbank, whose fifth edition was celebrated with dedicated coverage of IATF2025, providing live coverage of the activities to both pan African and global audiences.

Anne Ezeh, director and Global head, Communications and Events at Afreximbank commented: ‘We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communications. As a pan African multilateral financial institution, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for advancing our mission, ensuring our initiatives, events, programmes and key announcements not only inform, but also inspire confidence, deepen engagement and amplify Africa’s transformation. These awards reinforce our resolve to continue delivering world-class communications that elevate African voices and projects a bold and authoritative narrative of the continent.’

Ezeh added that through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and integrated campaigns, the Bank will continue to amplify the impact of its programmes and partnerships to project a more authentic narrative of Africa, one defined by opportunity, innovation, resilience and growing influence in the global economy.

For more than five decades, the IABC Gold Quill Awards have recognised excellence in strategic communications globally, celebrating programmes and campaigns that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation, creativity and outstanding execution. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the communications profession, the awards are judged through a rigorous and independent evaluation process conducted by experienced communication leaders from around the world.

Twenty-four Nigerian universities have secured spots in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. This achievement reflects the country’s expanding presence in global higher education, despite persistent funding and infrastructure challenges across the tertiary sector.

The progressive milestone reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence, with the country securing the highest representation of any nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dominance of federal institutions

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s premier institutions, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the top-performing universities.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal, three state and four private universities. This distribution underscores the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across core metrics, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Growth of specialised and state universities

The rankings reflect expanding recognition for specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning positions. Concurrently, state-owned universities continue to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector. He noted that it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities.

Catalysts for national innovation

Alausa emphasised that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the federal government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education. The administration aims to position universities as catalysts for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Academic analysts state that this global recognition will elevate the international profile of Nigerian universities. The visibility is expected to enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract international research funding and encourage sustained institutional investment.

Featured institutions in 2026 rankings

The 24 featured Nigerian institutions include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Babcock University, and Delta State University, Abraka.

The remaining institutions completing the contingent are Ekiti State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Calabar, and University of Port Harcourt.

Top African musicians, filmmakers, music executives, investors, policymakers and creative entrepreneurs have called for stronger collaboration among African countries, more investment in the creative sector and greater cultural exchange to help Africa build a stronger and globally competitive creative industry.

The call was made at the Africa Music Business Conference recently, organised by the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union and key Moroccan partners including the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, (AMCI), Royal Air Maroc, BigTime Morocco, Afrobian and Marriott Casablanca.

Hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, the conference brought together musicians, producers, filmmakers, investors, policymakers, entertainment executives, creative entrepreneurs and young talents from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of Africa’s music and creative industries.

Among those who attended were Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Hossad, Moroccan Afrobian star and AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan, Moroccan rapper Khtek, respected Moroccan producer Bayadis, AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, rapper Young Loun, rapper Real Khalid, artiste manager Tayze, Moroccan singer Inkonnu, Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan, Chinese investors interested in Africa’s creative industry, and several other stakeholders. Popular Moroccan DJ Soufiane entertained guests with energetic performances throughout the conference.

The conference hosted by Moroccan On-Air Personality, Latis, featured two panel discussions on how the creative industry can promote African unity and the growing influence of Moroccan artists across North Africa and the rest of the continent. The speakers agreed that Africa’s creative industry can only reach its full potential if artists, investors, governments and creative organisations work together more closely.

The experienced panel speakers encouraged African creatives to build stronger partnerships within the continent before looking outside Africa for opportunities. According to them Africa already has the talent, culture and creativity needed to compete with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the conference, AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan shared how AFRIMA changed his career.

‘I was the first Moroccan and one of the first North African artists to submit my music to AFRIMA. At the time, I never imagined how much that decision would change my life. AFRIMA opened the door for me to connect with the rest of Africa. It introduced my music to new audiences and gave me opportunities to work with people I might never have met,’ he said.

Soultan described AFRIMA as an important bridge between North Africa and the rest of the continent.

‘Today, AFRIMA connects artists from every part of Africa and even the African diaspora. Many artists from West, East and Southern Africa want to enter the North African market but don’t know how to begin. At the same time, many North African artists want to work with musicians from other African countries. AFRIMA makes those connections possible.

‘Every year we receive more entries from North Africa, but we want to see even more. We want more artists, producers and creative entrepreneurs from Morocco and the entire region to work with the rest of Africa. Some of the best collaborations we have seen have involved North African artists working with musicians from other regions. We need many more partnerships like that.’

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan urged young African creatives to understand that success comes through hard work and strong relationships.

‘Whatever area of the creative industry you choose, always give it your best. But talent alone is not enough. Build relationships because nobody succeeds alone. Where I come from, we say one tree cannot make a forest. Build the right connections, create the right platforms and continue learning from others. Many of the opportunities we enjoy today came through relationships that were built many years ago,’ Afolayan said.

He praised AFRIMA, Africa’s global music award platform, for going beyond giving awards.

‘AFRIMA is doing much more than celebrating talented people. It has become a platform where musicians, filmmakers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials meet, share ideas and build businesses together. That is exactly what Africa needs if we want to build a strong creative economy.’

Moroccan rap star Khtek also encouraged African musicians to use AFRIMA to build stronger partnerships across the continent, also insisting that Morocco has the potential to become one of Africa’s major creative centres.

‘We have already seen how collaborations between North African artists and musicians from other parts of Africa have created powerful cultural connections. Now we need to do even more. We need more collaborations, more joint projects and more opportunities that will help African artists grow together,’ she said.

‘Imagine artists from every region of Africa coming to Morocco to make music, exchange ideas and build lasting friendships. That is how we remove barriers. That is how we make African music stronger. AFRIMA gives us that opportunity, and we should all take advantage of it.’

AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, said Africa’s music industry is growing rapidly and attracting global attention.

‘The African music industry has never received this level of international recognition. But our biggest opportunity is still within Africa. Imagine what can happen when artists from Lagos, Nairobi, Casablanca, Kigali, Dakar and Johannesburg work together, not just creatively but also commercially. That is the kind of music industry AFRIMA is building,’ he said.

‘This conference shows that Africa’s creative economy is no longer just about potential. Investors are here. Governments are paying attention. Artists are ready to work together. Our next task is to build strong systems that will allow African talents to succeed from within the continent before taking their creativity to the rest of the world.’

In the build-up to the 10th AFRIMA Awards, the Music Business Conference in Casablanca forms part of the series of stakeholder engagement campaigns across Africa and the diaspora running up to the week-long Main Awards programmes. , The Road to 10th AFRIMA campaign had earlier in this year held successful activations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (January 28) and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (March 17).

AFRIMA, the longest-running African music awards platform, was founded in 2014 by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC). The award ceremony is broadcast to millions of people in more than 84 countries across the world.