I dedicate today’s Observatory to our guys on the touchline—the African coaches,  breaking the glass ceiling with authority and results at AFCON 2025. Take your flowers. You are representing.

The United States has denied being at war with Venezuela, insisting instead that it is enforcing a sweeping oil quarantine and targeted law enforcement actions aimed at curbing drug trafficking, foreign influence and what it describes as threats to U.S. national security.

He also directed education secretaries and school support officers across the state to immediately commence intensive monitoring and supervision of schools to enforce compliance with the resumption timetable and maintain standards.

The Headquarters of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, has dismissed allegations of non-payment of allowances and extortion by soldiers deployed in Ogun State, describing the claims as false, malicious and misleading.

The President of the All Youths Reoriented Initiative of Nigeria (AYRIN), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has called on the Federal Government to clearly spell out the benefits Nigerians stand to gain from the newly introduced tax measures, warning that continued taxation without visible economic relief could further impoverish citizens.

In a potential win for Washington, Maduro’s successor and interim leader Delcy Rodriguez dropped her initial fiery rhetoric, issuing a statement late Sunday offering to work with Trump.

The Abigborodo community has reaffirmed its claim to Ugbekoko, Uton Iyatsere and lands associated with the PPL 220 oil field, in response to recent counter-claims attributed to leaders of the Sapele Okpe community.

The Presidency has not explained why an AI-generated image was used to depict the meeting, nor has it clarified whether an authentic photograph from the reported engagement exists.

​The Nigerian foreign exchange market opened the first week of 2026 with the British Pound Sterling (GBP) maintaining a significant spread between official and informal trading channels.

​The Nigerian Naira opened the first full week of 2026 with continued fluctuations across the various market segments.