Nigerian Universities Deny 9m Students Admission In Six Years

The National bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday that out of a total of 11,703,709 applications from students seeking admission into universities across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), only 2,674,485 students were given admission within the period under review.

Nigeria Warns South Africa, Says Further Attacks May Have Dire Consequences

Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and the diaspora, says further attacks on Nigerians resident in South Africa may have dire consequences.

Zuma Not Backing Hayatou — Minister

South African Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula says President Zuma did not take sides ahead of the mid-March CAF presidential election

South Africa sports minister Fikile Mbalula Monday denied a Confederation of African Football statement that President Jacob Zuma was backing incumbent Issa Hayatou in the CAF leadership race.

Sanusi Plans Law Barring Poor Kano Men From Polygamy

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II AFP

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says he is on the verge of proposing a law which will restrict poor men in the emirate from marrying many wives.

108 Ex-Govs Gulp Billions In Pensions — Daily Trust Investigations

One hundred and eight former state governors are currently living off their states through pensions and other entitlements they provided for themselves while in office.

One hundred and eight former state governors are currently living off their states through pensions and other entitlements they provided for themselves while in office.

FOR THE RECORD: Presidency Is North’s Birthright Till 2023 — Yerima

Alhaji Shettima Usman Yerima is the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF)

In this interview, Yerima warns against Nigeria falling into another constitutional crisis that could lead to the Doctrine of Necessity that ushered in the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, then vice president and a southerner, after his principal, President Umaru Yar’Adua, a northerner, took gravely ill.  Meanwhile, the AYCF leader says the presidency of the country is the birthright of the North till 2023. 

Passengers Groan Under Dollar Scarcity, Hoarding At Airports

• Travellers devise unusual means to survive crises
• Operators blame CBN’s forex policy

Air passengers were thrown into confusion at the weekend when Bureau de Change (BDC) outlets at international airports nationwide declared foreign exchange, especially dollar, out of stock.

Recession: Telcos May Block Skype, Whatsapp Calls, Target ₦20tn Revenue

With the economic crisis in the country hitting businesses hard, telecommunication firms are opting for drastic measures to boost revenue, Ozioma Ubabukoh writes Telecoms companies in the country are hoping to address concerns over revenue loss from international calls and hit a revenue target of ₦20tn by blocking subscribers from accessing Skype and other Over-the-Top services, The PUNCH learnt on Sunday.

It was reliably gathered that subscribers might also be prevented from performing certain functions like voice and video calls on WhatsApp and Facebook, among other OTT services.

Eradicating Polio In Nigeria Will Be Our Greatest Achievement — Gates Foundation

Polio Immunization

Mairo Mandara, Country Representative of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, says eradication of polio in Nigeria will be the foundation’s greatest achievement.

Gambia Celebrates Barrow's Inauguration

Gambian President Adama Barrow (L) takes an oath during the inauguration ceremony for the start of his presidency at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, west of the capital Banjul, on February 18, 2017

Thousands celebrated Saturday as new Gambian President Adama Barrow retook his oath of office, a month after he was sworn in across the border in neighbouring Senegal during a tense power struggle.

Gambian President Adama Barrow looks at the audience from the roof of a car as he arrives at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, west of the capital Banjul for his inauguration ceremony, on February 18, 2017

FOR THE RECORD: Nigeria’s Troubled Economy: What Osinbajo, Governors Discussed At NEC Meeting

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo with State Governors at the NEC meeting

A meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held Thursday in Abuja with members discussing measures they said are planned to take the country out of recession.

Boards Of Nigerian Health Agencies Coming Soon — Minister

Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has dropped a hint that boards of federal health agencies would soon be announced.

FOR THE RECORD: Nadia Abdou Becomes Egypt’s First Ever Female Governor

Nadia Ahmed Abdou

Nadia Ahmed Abdou was sworn in on Thursday before president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as the new governor of Beheira, the first female to ever hold a governor post in Egypt.

Dubai Street Art Turns Urban Sprawl Into Open-Air Museum

Street art breathes new life into Dubai neighbourhood: Murals from the Karama Street Art Project

The streets of Dubai may be known for architectural superlatives like Burj Khalifa, the highest of the world's high-rises, and the Middle East's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall.

Murals from the Karama Street Art Project

FOR THE RECORD: Banking Giants 'Rigged' South Africa's Currency

Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela's image is on some notes. BBC

Seventeen banks have been accused of rigging the price of South Africa’s currency, the rand.

President Jacob Zuma is pushing for reforms in the banking sector. Getty Images

JAMB Will Stop Use Of Scratch Card — Prof. Oloyede

Professor Is’haq Oloyede

 – Allegation against me over pension fraud insincere

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is’haq Oloyede, says it is unwise to extend the validity period of UTME results and explains why the 2017/18 UTME registration is being delayed. He said contrary to a claim by ASUU, he was not involved in pension fraud.

Broad Institute Wins Gene-Editing Patent Case

The CRISPR-Cas9 process allows scientists to edit stretches of the genome by removing, adding or changing pieces of the DNA sequence

What many have described as the biotechnology trial of the century came to a close Wednesday, with the Broad Institute winning the patent to a popular gene-editing process known as CRISPR/Cas-9.

Bayern Munich Routs Arsenal 5-1 To Put Foot In Quarterfinals

Bayern's Thomas Mueller, centre, celebrates with his teammates Joshua Kimmich, right, and Arturo Vidal after scoring his side's fifth goal during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern Munich answered its critics with a comprehensive 5-1 rout of Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League clash to move a step closer to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Food, Transport Prices Rise As Inflation Surges By 0.17%

A Lagos market. AP

Economist blames high interest rates, cost of production, naira depreciation
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said that January inflation rate rose to 18.72%, indicating a year-on-year (Y-O-Y) rise pattern since 2016.

FG, Labour Agree To Review Minimum Wage

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (C) after a meeting with the country’s labour leaders on February 9, 2016. Photo: Twitter/Yemi Osinbajo

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, says the Federal Government and the organized Labour movement in the country have reached a consensus to review the National Minimum Wage.