The Confederation of African Football has said that the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has become the most successful commercial venture in the history of African football, recording more than a 90 per cent increase in revenues. In a statement obtained from its website on Thursday, CAF said the achievement was driven by expanded sponsorship deals, broader media rights distribution and entry into new markets, particularly in Asia. The body stated, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is now undoubtedly the most successful commercial story in the history of African football as the commercial success of the competition has led to over 90% increase in the CAF revenues for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.”The continental body attributed the surge to expanded partnerships, wider media rights distribution and penetration into new territories. It explained that the growth was “driven by a significant increase in the commercial partners of CAF, increase in media rights distribution and also CAF venturing into new markets most notably the Far East, China, Japan while also consolidating traditional markets.”Providing details of the sponsorship trajectory, CAF noted, “The number of commercial partners increased from nine during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 to 17 during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.”It added that, “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.”CAF also stressed that the expansion reflected “both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON has been an excellent return on investment.”The football governing body said the commercial boom followed a deliberate data-driven strategy implemented after the 2023 finals in Côte d’Ivoire. The body listed long-standing collaborators such as TotalEnergies, Orange, Lonaci, 1xBet, Visa, Tecno and Puma as continuing their association, with AGL, Danone and Unilever renewing their commitments.

In December, total petrol supply was 74.2 million litres per day: imports took 42.2 million litres per day, while Dangote supplied 32 million litres per day. The figures represent a stark contrast to November, when petrol imports were 1.57 billion litres, and Dangote supplied just 585 million litres. It was observed that the jump in petrol supply from 2.15 billion litres in November to 2.3 billion litres in December reflects seasonal demand pressures during the Yuletide. It was observed that while local refining is growing, some marketers still have a passion for imported petrol. It said that in September, Dangote supplied 17.6 million litres per day, while imports stood at 22.1 million litres per day.

“It’s capital expenditure that enhances growth. For the 2025 budget, only 17 per cent of the capital expenditure has been released. Capital expenditure supports growth and development. “In terms of the capital budget, the budget, at the end of the day, is a law of the National Assembly. He added, “In aggregate, capital expenditure in 2024 reached N11.1tn, so that was 85 per cent performance.

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority has dismissed allegations that its enforcement activities are driven by ethnic bias, insisting that all actions are strictly guided by the provisions of the state’s building laws. The Authority, through its Monitoring and Compliance Unit, stated that its ongoing weekly enforcement exercises are carried out uniformly across the state, without regard to tribe, community, or ethnic affiliation. Osinaike urged property owners and developers to disregard unfounded claims suggesting that the enforcement exercises are directed at non-indigenes or non-Yoruba residents. He advised them instead to ensure full compliance with existing planning regulations and to build strictly according to approved plans. He disclosed that the most recent enforcement exercise was carried out in Amuwo, Festac, Ojo, and Iba Districts, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to orderly development, public safety, and sustainable urban planning across the state.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, assured residents that his administration would intensify efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture to ensure safety across all areas. He also disclosed plans to establish a welfare scheme for the families of the five forest guards killed at the Oloka Village axis of the Old Oyo National Park. Speaking about the incident at the old Oyo National Park, Makinde assured that the state would not leave any stone unturned to ensure the state’s safety. “For Oyo State, a few days back, we had an incident at the Old Oyo National Park where some forest guards were killed. The state interim chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Julius Alabi, praised the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for improvements in the welfare of Legion members and other forms of support.

Yusuf said his defection is irrevocable, even as his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, elected to stick to Kwankwaso, risking imminent impeachment from office. Kwankwaso’s failure to restrain another perceived loyal lieutenant from defecting to the APC further consolidated Tinubu’s foothold in Kano ahead of the 2027 general election. “I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of Kano government before we join the APC. Recalling a previous political alignment, Kwankwaso said his camp had played a significant role in forming the Muhammadu Buhari-led government but was later sidelined. He emphasised that any defection must be based on clear assurances regarding the protection of his supporters and the Kano government structures.

American rapper A$AP Rocky has shared how his mother, Renee Black, once believed he would end up with singer Rihanna long before they became a couple. Speaking on the New York Times Popcast, Rocky said his mother often encouraged him to see Rihanna as more than a friend, even when he insisted nothing romantic was happening between them. He admitted he brushed off her advice at the time because he believed Rihanna was not interested in him that way. “My mother used to say I know you like this girl that you are with right now (I am not going to say any names), but I want you with Riri. In 2022, Rihanna made headlines after sharing the first video of their baby son on TikTok, marking her debut on the platform.

Nigerians have called for urgent reforms to the healthcare sector after the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son prompted an outpouring of grief and accounts of negligence and inadequate care. Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, have begun legal action against the hospital, accusing it of medical negligence. The law firm of Olisa Agbakoba, a medical negligence lawyer with two decades’ experience, was one of two that represented the Ugboma family in court. Some people are cautiously optimistic that the high-profile death of Adichie’s’s son will trigger an overhaul of the health regulatory framework. “Right now, I can talk to my children and tell them I fought for their mother even in death,’ he said.

Without stable and reasonably priced electricity, the economy will remain in stagnation. The implication was that in less than a week, electricity allocation to DisCos from the national grid dropped by 520MW. In the 2026 Budget, the Federal Government allocated N1.09 trillion for electricity capital projects. Specific regional projects involve solar and grid extension initiatives in Kano State (₦5.95 billion) and Oyo State (₦2.8 billion). Improving electricity access by adding at least 1GW, according to the World Bank, will raise Nigeria’s average daily dispatched electricity from around 4GW, far below the estimated demand of over 20GW.

Airlines operating international routes out of Nigeria are recording gradual drop in passenger traffic following strict United States (U.S.) visa sanctions that have significantly reduced the number of Nigerians eligible to travel to the North American country. As it stands, Nigeria has no direct flight links between it and U.S, but two United States carriers – Delta and United Airlines operate regular frequencies into the country. It was learnt that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, the two airlines operating to the United Kingdom from Nigeria, are experiencing drop in traffic, while airlines like Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways and others are also having the same unpleasant experience. Though, apart from the two United States airlines mentioned above with direct flights to the U.S, no other foreign airlines operate directly to the country. Akporiaye attributed this to the U.S. visa sanctions, lamenting that travel agents had recorded numerous visa denials within the period.

Two Nigerians, Chukwudi Okafor, 31, and Samuel Eze, 34, who are living in India, have been arrested for allegedly beating their friend, Emeka Christian, to death following a dispute over a woman in Pune, India. The victim objected to this, which led to a quarrel,” a police source told India Today. “What began as a verbal dispute turned into a fatal assault,” Senior Police Inspector Mansing Patil told India Today. This is not the first time Nigerians have been arrested for alleged murder in India. In 2025, the police arrested two Nigerians, Ayoola Babajide and Oghene Igere, over the alleged killing of their friend, also a Nigerian, Lucky Ikechukwu Ijeh.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, on Thursday recounted his harrowing experience following his release last Saturday after 39 days in captivity. Oriade, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, revealed that his abductors spoke fluent English and never disclosed their tribe or identity. Oriade expressed deep gratitude to party leaders, the media, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians who stood by him during what he described as a difficult and mysterious period. The party chieftain explained, “A Nissan Micra vehicle blocked my car. The APC chieftain also urged the government to create more job opportunities for youths to enhance productivity, stressing the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming adversity, and expressed optimism for a better future.

The Senate on Thursday gave an assurance that Nigeria is working assiduously to rebuild its reputation perception on the global stage. He said, “In today’s interconnected world, national reputation is no longer a matter of sentiment or propaganda; it is a strategic asset. Drawing from personal experience, Keshi likened national reputation to family values that must be consciously protected. Nigeria’s global reputation image is on the decline. They valued themselves and believed they had a reputation to protect.”The former UBA board chairman said national reputation had become one of the most valuable but intangible assets of any country.

From left, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye and Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during the Inauguration of the Council by Governor Makinde, held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday inaugurated a new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, with the chairmanship set to rotate among three leading traditional rulers in the state. However, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, one of the foremost monarchs in the state, was conspicuously absent from the event. The inauguration followed the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly, a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions in the state. “So on that basis, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs inaugurated, in person of Kabieyesi Olubadan of Ibadan land for two years.

He said there was no provocation, and it was not clear what happened or what caused O'Neill to do what he did. Whitehall, Santry, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Mr Lynn on July 30th, 2023. He walked back to where the couple was standing and punched Mr Lynn “with significant force into his head”. Counsel said a single punch caused Mr Lynn to fall backwards, severing an arter,y and he would have lost consciousness straight away. Mr Lynn lived at home with his parents who were hardworking people originally from Co Mayo and Co Donegal.