NIPCO Gas Limited has announced that it is constructing 20 additional compressed natural gas stations across Nigeria as part of efforts to deepen gas utilisation and support the Federal Government’s clean energy and post-subsidy reform agenda. “Aligned with the Federal Government’s clean energy and post-subsidy reform agenda, NIPCO Gas Limited, in a joint venture with NGML, is currently constructing 20 additional Compressed Natural Gas stations across Nigeria,” Verma stated. Beyond the CNG rollout, the company is also expanding pipeline and distribution infrastructure in the South-West. Mr Verma disclosed that, pursuant to a mandate granted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NIPCO Gas Limited, in partnership with NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, is constructing an 18-inch, 80-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Sagamu to Ibadan. The firm is also developing gas distribution infrastructure from Sagamu to Abeokuta in Ogun State to deepen gas penetration within the South-West.

Top headline on Thursday morning is a blow to Nigerian football after FIFA has officially confirmed DR Congo’s participation in the inter-confederation play-off tournament, dashing the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Political manoeuvring is heating up in Oyo State ahead of 2027, with lobbying intensifying for the ministerial seat expected to be vacated by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. On security reforms, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has inaugurated a committee to propose a framework for state police in Nigeria. Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress. The incident has raised fresh concerns about escalating cult clashes around tertiary institutions in the state.

According to the UK Home Office, the unprecedented move will end sponsored study visas for all four countries and suspend skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals. The Home Office on Wednesday said the decision followed a surge in asylum claims from people who had entered legally on visas before subsequently applying for asylum. “An ’emergency brake’ on visas ‌has been ‌imposed for the first time on nationals from four countries following a ⁠surge in asylum claims from legal routes,” DW News reported that ‌the UK Home Office ⁠said. Nearly 135,000 asylum claims from legal routesIn total, 133,760 people have claimed asylum after arriving legally in the past five years. Since 2021, almost 135,000 individuals entered the UK on student or other visas before lodging asylum claims.

Punch, the 7-month-old Japanese macaque who captured millions of hearts after bonding with a stuffed orangutan, has reached a new milestone: he’s waving at fans. The Imitation GameThe new waving behavior has prompted questions about whether Punch is intentionally communicating—or simply imitating. Research suggests imitation plays a powerful role in primate social behavior. Animal InstinctThough many like to think that Punch is inheriting human tendencies, experts seem to disagree, pointing instead to other explanations of primate behavior. Visitors waving at Punch day after day may be offering repeated visual cues that he is now replicating.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dragged a social crusader, Emorioloye Owolemi, before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, over alleged cyberstalking. Owolemi is standing trial on a two-count charge marked FHC/AK/3C/26, bordering on the alleged transmission of offensive and menacing messages against the minister via his Facebook page. The second count accused Owolemi of cyberstalking by threat and harassment, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the same Act. Conversely, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the same court had denied a similar request by the activist, concerning the minister’s discharge certificate allegedly issued by the National Youth Service Corps. The judge held that the applicant failed to indicate that he was acting in the public interest, as required by law.

Another day, another Punch update - and this is one you'll want to know about. JIJI PRESS / AFP via Getty Images / Japan OUT"While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength. Since then, everyone has been eagerly looking out for more clips of Punch to make sure he's doing alright, and last time we checked in, Punch learned how walk on two legs,Now, the baby monkey is further securing public affection in the latest viral video where it appears to have learned how to wave. "Punch revenge arc soon," a third person posted. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

“I doubt if the United States of America’s president, Donald Trump, has a history of who they have killed. Only cowardly countries can surrender themselves to such an approach deployed by the US president, Donald Trump. You can still be a world power in peace. The assassination of Ayatollah, the supreme leader of Iran, on 28th February, 2026, is condemnable. “US involvement without calling for a truce has made them lose the grip of world power.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 89th birthday, describing him as an elder statesman whose “towering influence” continues to shape Nigeria, Africa, and the wider global community. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the President celebrated Obasanjo as he marks his 89th birthday on March 5. Tinubu said he “felicitates former president and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 89th birthday,” rejoicing with the former leader, “whose towering influence in the country, Africa, and beyond is significant.”The President noted the courage and sacrifices of the elder statesman, recalling that he “previously served the nation as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, handing over power to a civilian president in 1979, and later as the first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, 1999–2007.”Tinubu further affirmed the historic experiences of the former leader, including “leading troops to preserve Nigeria’s unity at the warfront, serving time in prison for speaking out against tyranny, and consistently pursuing Africa’s political and economic interests.”As Obasanjo turns 89, the President acknowledged “the zeal and wisdom he has brought into Nigeria’s development process through his books and regular interventions, revealing a depth of patriotism to nation-building.”Tinubu prayed for “more years of good health, strength, and wisdom for the former president as he continues to serve the nation and humanity.”

The Nigerian government has unveiled a new reform initiative, HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU), aimed at addressing the country’s deep-rooted education challenges, including the crisis of out-of-school children and overcrowded classrooms. Nigeria’s Basic Education faces very stark realities: over 10 million out-of-school children, overcrowded classrooms, and resource disparity that undermines equity,” she said. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated that around 18.9 million children in Nigeria are out of school, making the country one of the worst‑affected globally. The initiative aims to improve learning outcomes for over 29 million children, empower 500,000 teachers, construct 13,000 new classrooms and return more than 1.5 million out-of-school children to classrooms nationwide. “The HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme is co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education.

File photo of veteran U.S. civil right activist, Jesse Jackson. President Bola Tinubu has sent a five-person delegation to represent Nigeria at the final burial rites of Rev. Jesse Jackson, the American civil rights leader, activist, and former presidential candidate, who died at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026. A “People’s Celebration” was scheduled for March 6 at the House of Hope, Chicago, followed by a private homegoing on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Born and raised in the segregated South, Jesse Jackson became a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and twice pursued the Democratic presidential nomination.

German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have rekindled their interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, with head coach Vincent Kompany considering the Nigerian as a potential replacement for Harry Kane, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Bayern Munich are still in talks to renew Kane’s contract amid interest from Barcelona and clubs in the Premier League. According to Foot Mercato, the player—represented by the KBSport agency—is the subject of serious consideration at Bayern Munich. “Bayern coach Vincent Kompany greatly admires the former Lille player, whose explosive start in Belgium with Charleroi he remembers fondly. The player has also spoken about his admiration for Italian giants Juventus following their recent UEFA Champions League meeting.

The month-on-month increase in the net distributable VAT was N156.72bn, also representing an 18.5 per cent increase. Previously, the Federal Government received 15 per cent, states 50 per cent, and Local Governments 35 per cent. In December, under the old 15 per cent formula, the Federal Government’s VAT share stood at N126.98bn. State governments received N767.29bn, local governments got N517.28bn, while the 13 per cent derivation share amounted to N90.19bn. According to him, simply reducing the number of taxes without adjusting the VAT rate could weaken the government’s revenue base.

File photo | Logo of the World Bank Group, whose 2025 Global Findex report highlights record growth in formal saving and mobile-money use across developing countries. To address the looming challenge, Banga said it is advancing a jobs-focused strategy built on three core pillars: infrastructure development, business environment reforms, and support for private-sector expansion. Second, the World Bank highlighted the importance of predictable regulations and clear policy frameworks to encourage entrepreneurship and investment. The World Bank identified five sectors with the highest capacity to generate employment at scale: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, primary healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing. The World Bank said the main barrier to investment in developing markets has historically been risk, both real and perceived, rather than lack of opportunity.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring Islamic groups with allegiance to Middle Eastern countries following the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. The escalating conflict has raised fears of wider regional warfare, with several countries, including China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, advising their citizens to leave Iran and avoid travel to the Middle East. Nigeria is home to significant Islamic groups with ideological and sometimes organisational ties to Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia. Historically, major conflicts in the Middle East have triggered protests and demonstrations in Nigeria, particularly in northern states with large Muslim populations. Disu said the police are taking proactive measures to prevent violent protests or attacks that could be inspired by the Middle East crisis.

A 30-year-old officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Wofai Benson Akpama, has been found dead in his apartment in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. 34 Mbora Street, Etta-Agbor, within Calabar Municipality. “I informed the police about the sudden and unnatural death on Friday. The corpse was later evacuated to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for preservation and autopsy. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, told PUNCH Metro that the matter was under investigation.