Jake Swandeh, Author at Made in Benue

Jake Swandeh

329 articles published

CBN Hikes ATM Card Fees by 50% – N1,500 Now!

Business and EconomyApril 25, 202653Views 0Likes 0Comments

Your wallet just got lighter! ATM debit/credit card issuance and replacement fees are jumping 50% – from N1,000 to N1,500 – starting May 1, 2026. This directive, detailed in CBN's latest circular to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), aims to "enhance service quality and cover rising operational costs amid inflation." No grace period – banks must comply immediately, passing the…

President Tinubu Announces Key Appointments and Renewals in Nigeria’s Education Sector

Today, April 22, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a series of strategic appointments and tenure renewals across major institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education, including the National Examinations Council (NECO), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Federal Polytechnic N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, and the National Library of Nigeria. Prof. Modupe Adeola Adelabu, a…

IMF Warns Nigerians Face Tougher Times Amid Soaring Food and Transport Costs.

The International Monetary Fund has warned that Nigerians may face tougher economic conditions in the near term as rising food and transportation costs continue to squeeze household incomes amid lingering global shocks. The Fund has downgraded Nigeria’s 2026 growth estimate to about 4.1 percent, citing spillovers from the Middle East war and related energy and…

Edun warns against subsidy return, pushes for cheaper financing.

Business and EconomyApril 15, 202664Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, has warned against reverting to petrol‑subsidy regimes despite rising global shocks, saying developing countries are now spending more on debt servicing than they receive in external support. Speaking at a high‑level economic forum earlier this week, Edun urged the international community to…

Old Tax Laws Made Nigerians Poor — Tinubu Declares Shift to Growth‑Driven System.

Business and EconomyApril 15, 202669Views 0Likes 0Comments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed Nigeria’s colonial‑era and legacy tax laws for deepening poverty, arguing that their fragmented structure and unfair burden left ordinary citizens carrying the heaviest load while stifling productive enterprise. He said these outdated rules discouraged investment, pushed many businesses into the informal economy, and punished compliance instead of rewarding it.…

Nigeria’s Q1 2026 Borrowing Hits N8.1trn, Deepens Debt Jitters.

Business and EconomyApril 13, 202682Views 0Likes 0Comments

Nigeria’s debt pressures intensified in early 2026 as the Federal Government increased its domestic borrowing to N8.1 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, according to data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO). This represents a 7.4 per cent year-on-year increase compared with N7.5 trillion borrowed in…

FG Slashes Tariffs on Cars, Palm Oil, Sugar in New 2026 Fiscal Policy Drive.

Business and EconomyApril 11, 2026170Views 0Likes 0Comments

The federal government has rolled out fresh 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) that slash import tariffs on fully built cars, crude palm oil and sugar as part of a broader strategy to stimulate key sectors and ease import costs for businesses and consumers. The new framework, which replaces the 2023 FPM, is expected to reshape…

Pope Leo XIV Launches First Major Foreign Tour with 11-Day Africa Visit.

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on Monday, April 14, on his first major international trip as pontiff, an 11-day pilgrimage to four African nations: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Announced last week, the journey marks a pivotal moment for the Argentine-born pope, who ascended to the papacy last year following a conclave…

Immigration Chief Suspends Lagos–Seme Border Commanders Over Extortion Allegations.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has ordered the immediate suspension of several commanders operating along the Lagos–Seme border corridor over allegations of extortion. The action follows reports of misconduct involving personnel stationed at the strategic international route, a major gateway linking Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries. The corridor, which facilitates significant…

INEC Defers Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise Until After 2027 Polls.

PoliticsApril 10, 202663Views 0Likes 0Comments

Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the postponement of its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise, pushing the initiative beyond the 2027 general elections. The decision was disclosed on Friday in an official statement by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee. According to…

FG Issues Flood Alert for 10 States as Heavy Rainfall Looms.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued an early warning of possible flooding in 10 states across the country, citing forecasts of intensified rainfall in the coming weeks. The alert, released through relevant environmental and emergency management agencies, is part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, which has become an increasingly…

Oil Slumps to $94.41 per Barrel as US–Iran Ceasefire Eases Market Tensions

Global oil markets recorded a sharp decline following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, signalling a potential easing of geopolitical tensions that had previously driven prices upward. The price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude fell significantly, dropping by 14.2 per cent to $94.41 per barrel from approximately $110 earlier…