The New Diplomat https://newdiplomatng.com/ Nigeria's global voice Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:16:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://i0.wp.com/newdiplomatng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-newdip-1.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 The New Diplomat https://newdiplomatng.com/ 32 32 127640339 Enugu Gov, Peter Mbah Set to Join APC as Nnaji’s Resignation Clears Path https://newdiplomatng.com/enugu-gov-peter-mbah-set-join/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:16:07 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285207 By Obinna Uballa Barring any last-minute change, Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following the sudden resignation of Uche Nnaji, the embattled Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, the New Diplomat has gathered. Sources close to the governor confided […]

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]]> 285207 How Old Are U.S. Democratic Senators in 2025? https://newdiplomatng.com/how-old-are-democratic/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:58:50 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285187 Key Takeaways Two-thirds of U.S. Senators are over the age of 60, with Democrats averaging 63.7 years old. Senator Jon Ossoff (38) is the youngest Democrat, while Richard Durbin (80) is the oldest. The U.S. Senate is one of the oldest legislative bodies in the world, with a majority of lawmakers well into their 60s […]

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]]> 285187 OPEC+ Nears Its Limit, Leaving Prices One Crisis Away from a Spike https://newdiplomatng.com/opec-nears-its-limit-leaving/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:52:34 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285185 OPEC+ spare capacity is shrinking fast, with only Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq holding meaningful extra production capability. Analysts warn that actual spare capacity may be overstated. As OPEC+ unwinds its remaining cuts and producers hit physical limits, the world’s oil buffer is thinning. The OPEC+ group continues to return modest volumes of supply […]

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]]> 285185 Ranked: The Top 50 Countries by Central Bank Reserves https://newdiplomatng.com/ranked-the-top-countries/ Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:40:43 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285182 Key Takeaways Central bank reserves are considered critical for global economic stability, helping countries meet balance of payments obligations and buffer against economic or geopolitical shocks The top 10 countries collectively hold $9.4 trillion in currency and gold reserves, accounting for over 60% of the global total Central bank reserves can be considered as a […]

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]]> 285182 Just In! Uche Nnaji Resigns as Minister https://newdiplomatng.com/just-uche-nnaji-resigns/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:29:08 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285176 Uche Nnaji has tendered his resignation as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. His resignation was confirmed in a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to Onanuga, Nnaji resigned on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The statement reads in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu […]

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]]> 285176 From hero to traitor: NUPENG tears into Oshiomhole’s legacy over refinery strike comments https://newdiplomatng.com/from-hero-traitor-nupeng-tears/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:44:51 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285173 By Obinna Uballa The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has launched a blistering attack on Senator Adams Oshiomhole, branding the former labour leader a traitor for his comments against a recent strike in the oil and gas sector. In a statement signed by its president, Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Afolabi […]

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]]> 285173 Nigerian Senate resumes with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s dramatic return, Palestine solidarity display https://newdiplomatng.com/nigerian-senate-resumes/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:26:52 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285166 By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian Senate reconvened on Tuesday after a 10-week recess, marking the return of embattled Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who stepped back into the red chamber following a six-month suspension. Her presence was one of the major highlights of the plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as […]

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]]> 285166 Supreme Court reserves judgment in Osun LG funds dispute with AGF https://newdiplomatng.com/supreme-court-reserves/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:23:05 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285164 By Obinna Uballa The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment in a case brought by the Osun State Government against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over the release of local government funds to council chairmen whose election had been nullified by the courts. A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice […]

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]]> 285164 Ex-PM Philippe turns on Macron, demands his resignation amid France’s worst crisis in years https://newdiplomatng.com/philippe-turns-macron-demands/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:19:51 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285160 By Obinna Uballa France’s deepening political crisis took a dramatic twist on Tuesday as former prime minister Edouard Philippe called on President Emmanuel Macron to resign, accusing him of dragging the country into paralysis. Philippe, who governed as Macron’s longest-serving premier between 2017 and 2020, said the president should leave “in an orderly and dignified […]

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]]> 285160 [PHOTOS] Alleged Christian genocide: US Lawmaker Demands Blacklisting of Nigeria https://newdiplomatng.com/photos-alleged-christian/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:11:56 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285152 By Abiola Olawale A prominent United States (US) Congressman Riley Moore, has demanded that Nigeria be blacklisted as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for what he described as a relentless “genocide” against Christians. In a letter addressed to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Moore argued that the designation of Nigeria as a […]

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]]> 285152 CAN rejects ‘Christian genocide’ narrative, urges united fight against terrorism https://newdiplomatng.com/can-rejects-christian/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:07:11 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285149 By Obinna Uballa The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed claims of a Christian genocide in the country, insisting that the wave of killings linked to insurgency and banditry affects both Christians and Muslims. The controversy was sparked by United States comedian Bill Maher, who alleged that Christians were being systematically exterminated in Nigeria, […]

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]]> 285149 Tinubu seeks $2.35bn external borrowing, $500m Sukuk to fund 2025 budget, refinance Eurobond https://newdiplomatng.com/tinubu-seeks-external/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:02:52 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285147 By Obinna Uballa President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve fresh external borrowing of $2.347 billion and the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign Sukuk in the international capital market. The request, read on the floor of the House on Tuesday by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, is aimed at funding […]

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]]> 285147 [VIDEO] Yakubu Bows Out, Hands Over to May Agbamuche as Acting Chairman https://newdiplomatng.com/video-yakubu-bows-out-hands/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:28:26 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285140 By Abiola Olawale Professor Mahmood Yakubu has bowed out as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yakubu has also officially handed over leadership to National Commissioner May Agbamuche as Acting Chairman on Tuesday. The changeover, announced during an ongoing meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, marks the […]

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]]> 285140 The Universities Producing the Most Billionaires https://newdiplomatng.com/the-universities-producing/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:15:34 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285131 American universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Penn lead in producing billionaire alumn. Most wealth comes from technology startups and entrepreneurial ventures (e.g., Microsoft, Google, DoorDash, Baidu). This visualization ranks institutions by billionaire alumni, highlighting U.S. dominance and the growing role of Asian universities. The data comes from Salas Díaz & Young (2024). The study was published in September […]

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]]> 285131 The Dangote Refinery Strike Cost Nigeria 600,000 Barrels of Oil Output https://newdiplomatng.com/the-dangote-refinery-strike/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:09:21 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285129 A three-day national strike prompted by layoffs at the Dangote refinery has led to production losses of 600,000 barrels, the chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has said. “I think it was unfortunate that the Dangote and PENGASSAN issue led to strike and whenever there is strike and critical staff manning critical facilities […]

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]]> 285129 [FULL LIST] How Lagos Shattered Records with N1.26trn IGR in 2024, Rivers Hits N317bn https://newdiplomatng.com/full-list-how-lagos-shattered/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:10:03 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285126 • Total Revenue by Nigerian States Surged by 49% By Abiola Olawale Lagos State has once again clinched the top spot in internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2024, raking in a total of N1.26 trillion, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported. The agency revealed that Lagos State’s IGR accounts for over one-third of […]

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]]> 285126 FG Inaugurates Expanded Negotiation Committee as ASUU’s Strike Looms https://newdiplomatng.com/inaugurates-expanded/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:06:22 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285123 By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the inauguration of an expanded negotiation committee codenamed the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee. The development comes amid escalating tensions with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), whose two-week ultimatum to the government expires on Tuesday. The inauguration was […]

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]]> 285123 Nigeria Eyes $2 Billion Chinese Loan to Power Up ‘Super Grid’ — Adelabu Reveals https://newdiplomatng.com/nigeria-eyes-billion-chinese/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:03:30 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285121 By Abiola Olawale Nigeria is negotiating a $2 billion loan from China’s Export-Import Bank to construct a “super grid” to ease the country’s power shortages. This was made known by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. The Minister said the loan, when approved, would be used to dismantle […]

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]]> 285121 Saudi Arabia, Canada, Bangladesh pledge billions as Northern Nigeria launches $10bn growth drive https://newdiplomatng.com/saudi-arabia-canada-bangladesh/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:59:59 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285118 By Obinna Uballa Northern Nigeria has taken a bold step towards economic transformation with the launch of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC), a new institutional framework created to attract investment, harmonise policies, and drive industrialisation across the 19 states of the region. The council was unveiled at the close of the Northern Nigeria […]

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]]> 285118 Peter Mbah and Uche Nnaji Trade Barbs in Explosive Certificate Forgery Scandal https://newdiplomatng.com/peter-mbah-uche-nnaji-trade/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:56:34 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285115 By Abiola Olawale A political showdown has erupted between Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery against the latter. What began as a controversy over Nnaji’s academic credentials has ignited into a war of words, with both figures accusing each other of sabotage […]

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]]> 285115 Nigerian equities rally as SEPLAT, MANSARD hit limit-up; ASI climbs 1,238 points to 144,822 https://newdiplomatng.com/nigerian-equities-rally-seplat/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:51:42 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285112 By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian Exchange closed in positive territory on Monday, October 6, 2025, with the All-Share Index (ASI) advancing by 1,238.7 points to 144,822.8, lifted by a strong rally in large cap stocks led by Seplat Energy Plc. The performance reflects a 0.86 percent rise from 143,584.1 points recorded in the previous session, […]

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]]> 285112 #OpEd: Rescuing Nigerians From The Talons Of Leaders Like Adams Oshiomhole, By Owei Lakemfa https://newdiplomatng.com/oped-rescuing-nigerians-from/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:33:46 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285107 The resolve, determination, precision and speed with which the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN took on Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, frightened the ruling elites. They clearly had written off the Nigerian working people and their ability to strike if necessary. The elites had come to the conclusion that the […]

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]]> 285107 How ex-NAF chief Osita Obierika died mid-air on London-Abuja British Airways flight https://newdiplomatng.com/how-naf-chief-osita-obierika/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:20:46 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285103 By Obinna Uballa Facts have emerged about how a retired Nigerian Air Force Chief, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Osita Obierika (rtd.), died aboard a British Airways flight from London to Abuja on Sunday night. Obierika, fondly called Prof and remembered as a distinguished elder statesman, was an octogenarian and former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training […]

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]]> 285103 Nnaji insists he graduated from UNN in 1985, dismisses forgery scandal as political witch-hunt https://newdiplomatng.com/nnaji-insists-graduated-unn/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:17:19 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285101 By Obinna Uballa Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has doubled down on his claim that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985, dismissing allegations of certificate forgery as a politically motivated smear campaign. At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, September 6, 2025, addressed on […]

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]]> 285101 Rowdy session expected at Senate plenary today as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan resumes https://newdiplomatng.com/rowdy-session-expected-senate/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:38:41 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285099 By Obinna Uballa Tension is mounting at the National Assembly as the Senate reconvenes today (Tuesday), with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central set to resume plenary after serving a controversial six-month suspension. Her anticipated return has stirred unease within the red chamber, amid warnings from her legal team that any attempt to block her […]

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]]> 285099 Portugal Golden Visa: Americans Still Welcome Amid New Legal Changes https://newdiplomatng.com/portugal-golden-visa-americans/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:27:42 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285096 It’s good news for Americans looking to make Portugal their home through its golden visa program. A recent announcement by the Portuguese government to increase taxes on foreign nationals buying homes in the country is unlikely to impact golden visa holders. Plus, the Portuguese government’s recent ratification of its new immigration law also benefits golden […]

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]]> 285096 Charted: The History of U.S. Government Shutdowns https://newdiplomatng.com/charted-the-history/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:07:31 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285093 Key Takeaways The first U.S. government shutdown was in 1981 under President Ronald Reagan, and lasted two days. Including the latest shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, there have been 15 U.S. government shutdowns amounting to 97 days of suspended federal operations. The U.S. entered its 15th government shutdown on October 1, 2025, under […]

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]]> 285093 Low Oil Prices: Saudi Gift to Trump or Ticking Bomb? https://newdiplomatng.com/low-oil-prices-saudi-gift/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:00:58 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285091 OPEC+ has agreed to modest monthly production boosts, keeping oil prices range-bound around $65 per barrel, which benefits consumer countries like the US but creates challenges for producer nations. Saudi Arabia’s strategy of unwinding production cuts has been seen as a gift to President Trump, aiming to keep fuel prices low and potentially impacting Russian […]

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]]> 285091 Uche Nnaji: Politicians Only Need Secondary School Certificate– Shehu Sani https://newdiplomatng.com/uche-nnaji-politicians-only/ Mon, 06 Oct 2025 13:09:03 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285088 By Abiola Olawale Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has declared that a secondary school certificate is more than adequate for anyone aspiring to hold political office in Nigeria. Sani’s statement comes amid a fresh scandal involving Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. A report, which has sent shockwaves through Nigeria, revealed that […]

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]]> 285088 Jilly Cooper, best-selling British author, dies at 88 https://newdiplomatng.com/jilly-cooper-selling-british/ Mon, 06 Oct 2025 13:05:01 +0000 https://newdiplomatng.com/?p=285085 By Obinna Uballa Celebrated British novelist Jilly Cooper, famed for her witty and racy tales of high society, has died at the age of 88, her family and agent confirmed on Monday. Media reports in the United Kingdom said Cooper passed away after suffering a fall on Sunday. Her publicist, Felicity Blunt, paid tribute, describing […]

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