The Reporter Media

01/10/2025

As we move forward, may we continue to hold leaders accountable, strengthen institutions and ensure that the voices of the people remain the foundation of governance.

Independence is responsibility. Independence is rights upheld. Independence is Nigeria.

Happy Independence Day! 🇳🇬

29/09/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐃𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲

By Temple Chinalu Barrah

The filling stations around where I live have petrol; yet attendants sit idle. There are no queues and no rush, only silence. This silence tells a bigger story. Nigerians no longer fear scarcity alone. We fear uncertainty.
This was deepened last week when Dangote Industries announced it would suspend sales of petrol in naira. The reason is that its crude-for-naira allocation had run out. Government quickly intervened and the refinery reversed the decision. However, in those few hours the country panicked when Marketers warned prices would rise.

At the same time, PENGASSAN, the oil workers’ union, ordered members to cut off crude and gas supplies to the refinery; following the dismissal of hundreds of workers and claims that staff were being replaced by foreigners; plunging Dangote into troubled waters.

However, there is the danger of Nigeria’s current path. We have placed too much power in the hands of one refinery. With 650,000 barrels per day capacity, Dangote Refinery dominates the market.
My fear is when one company can decide how petrol is sold and at what price, the entire country becomes hostage to a de facto monopoly.

In a healthy market, a problem in one refinery is absorbed by others. In this case, a single boardroom decision about pricing, exports or staffing has a ripple effect. It creates panic at the pumps even when fuel is available.

The consequences are real. A union shutdown of crude supply can stop operations overnight. A change in currency policy can send prices soaring. A mass dismissal of workers can trigger unrest. Ordinary Nigerians, not the boardroom or the ministry, pay the price in higher transport fares and food costs.

The naira-for-crude deal was sold as a permanent solution to stabilise fuel prices but can run out at any moment. Its suspension or reversal shows how fragile our frameworks are. This uncertainty destroys trust in both government and industry.

What must change? First, Nigeria must diversify. One refinery cannot carry a nation of 200 million people. Others must be encouraged to enter the market.

Second, the naira-for-crude policy must be clear, transparent and enforceable. Rules must protect both the refinery’s balance sheet and the consumer’s pocket.

Third, labour disputes must never threaten national supply. Workers’ rights must be respected, however I'm at loss if unionism is mandatory in privately owned companies as suggested by NUPENG.

Finally, Nigerians deserve consistent communication. Uncertainty is the real crisis. Clear rules and honest engagement will rebuild trust.

The quietness at some pumps; is not about fuel availability. It is about the fear of tomorrow!
Nigeria can and must fix this; with stronger policy, more competition and genuine trust, we can secure continuous supply of petroleum products.
And yes, with the right choices, ₦500 per litre is possible.

29/09/2025

South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup have taken a major hit after Fifa sanctioned Safa for fielding an ineligible player.

The Fifa Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary competition match against Lesotho in March 2025.

The decision found Safa in breach of article 19 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code and article 14 of the competition’s regulations. As a consequence, the match has been forfeited by South Africa, with FIFA awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory.

29/09/2025

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥

By Temple Chinalu Barrah

The other day, while driving on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, I couldn’t help but notice a giant billboard of actress Teniola smiling down at Lagos traffic. A few days later, I saw Victor Osimhen in a Moniepoint TV commercial. In the ad, Victor brings out a Moniepoint card and says, “Make we go buy ball.” That line hit me differently.

It took me back to when I was a child, playing football with friends on the streets. Sometimes, we kicked the ball so far away that it either got lost or burst, and just like that, the game ended.
Watching that ad and seeing Osimhen hold up that Moniepoint card made me smile because it felt like the message was simple: with Moniepoint, the game doesn’t have to end. Progress continues!

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

It wasn’t always like this. Just five years ago, when COVID-19 turned the world upside down, many businesses were struggling, movement was restricted, cash was harder to use, and suddenly everyone needed a way to buy and sell without face-to-face contact. That was when Moniepoint really became a lifeline. It received a license from the Central Bank in 2019 after securing $5.5 million in funds, providing small businesses and ordinary Nigerians a way to keep moving, even when the world was at a standstill.

"𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬": 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐬

Now with their new campaign, “Made for Progress,” Moniepoint is telling a story we all connect with: the story of growth, ambition, and small victories.
That’s why Osimhen is such a perfect fit. His journey, from playing football on the streets of Lagos to winning trophies in Europe, mirrors the dreams of millions of Nigerians. Just like Teniola’s presence on that billboard, the campaign feels close, relatable, and inspiring, and I love the colour blue!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥

Recently, I had the privilege of learning the secret behind Moniepoint: TeamApt.
So think of TeamApt as the engine under the bonnet. You may not see it, but without it, the car won’t move. TeamApt handles the tough part: “switching,” settlement, interbank connections, and all the behind-the-scenes work that makes it possible for your transfer to go through in seconds or for that POS machine at the corner shop to work without stress.
Meanwhile, TeamApt is now Moniepoint; the company rebranded from TeamApt Inc. to Moniepoint Inc. in January 2023 to better reflect its expansion into an end-to-end digital banking platform for businesses. Moniepoint is the parent company of the original TeamApt, which, by the way, continues to operate as the switch and processor subsidiary, along with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭

So when Moniepoint says it is “Made for Progress,” it’s not just a catchy line. It’s real. From the big billboards to the small shop owners using their POS machines, progress is happening in every corner of Nigeria. And thanks to TeamApt, the engine powering it all, this progress is steady, reliable, and built to last.
For me, every time I see those billboards or use a Moniepoint machine, it’s a reminder: progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet, dependable work behind the scenes that makes all the difference.

I’m fighting hard to get this song, Oluwa-tosin by Tkeys, out of my head!!

Moniepoint

23/09/2025

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚’𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

A video has surfaced of what seems like the Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, along with combined personnel of security organisations, unsealing her office at the Senate.

Following her suspension, she took her case to the courts to vacate the suspension; the Senate stood its ground, insisting that she serve her full term.

The Reporter Media

22/09/2025

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧❜𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐝❜𝐎𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

17/09/2025

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒❗

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State, restoring full democratic governance, six months after suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.

Tinubu said the March 18, 2025 proclamation was necessary to avert “a total breakdown of public order and safety” but noted that conditions that led to the crisis no longer exist.

The emergency ends at midnight today, with Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers set to resume office on September 18, 2025.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

17/09/2025

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝
𝐈𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲❓

The Federal Government has announced plans to demolish the historic Carter Bridge linking Iddo to Idumota and CMS, declaring it beyond repair.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, said after inspecting the bridge that technical reports from Julius Berger Plc and other consultants confirmed the over-100-year-old structure can no longer be salvaged.

Built in 1901 as the first bridge connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, Carter Bridge has long been a lifeline for commuters and traders. A new bridge will now be constructed in its place, with safety and long-term reliability as top priorities.

Just a little over a year ago the third mainland bridge underwent repairs and most Lagosians experienced untold hardship.

Is Lagos ready? Would we be prepared?

👉 What’s your reaction to this decision?
Will Lagos traffic survive without Carter Bridge during the reconstruction?

16/09/2025

𝗚𝗼𝘃. 𝗢𝘁𝘁𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀

- The Reporter

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has received the final report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties, Funds, and Related Matters.

Speaking at Government House on Tuesday, Otti said the panel was not set up for vendetta but to address public concerns and investigate issues left unresolved due to the lack of a proper handover.

He assured that the report would be taken seriously, disclosing that a White Paper committee had already been constituted to act on its findings.

Panel chairperson, Justice Florence Duroha-Igwe (Rtd), revealed that out of 350 petitions and memoranda submitted, 278 were concluded, with the rest covered in the addendum now submitted.

16/09/2025

NASC APPOINTS EMMANUEL ODO AS ACTING CLERK OF THE SENATE

The National Assembly Service Commission has approved the appointment of Mr Emmanuel Odo as the Actng Clerk of the Senate.

In a statement the commission explains that the appointment was communicated in a letter signed by Dr. Saviour Enyiekere, the Executive Chairman of the National assembly service Commission.

The statement added that Odo's appointment was in recognition of his hard work and administrative competence and urged him to work hard to uphold the confidence the Commission reposed on him.

Prior to this appointment, Mr Emmanuel Odo was the Deputy Clerk, Senate, Administration.

16/09/2025

🚨🔥 Earlier Today on Lagos Island
A United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch was engulfed by fire.

Thick smoke and flames were seen rising from the building as emergency responders moved in to contain the situation.

Cause of the fire still unknown.

15/09/2025

Hilda Baci sets new Guinness World Record for largest pot of jollof rice

Guinness World Record posted,”New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria”

Baci, who rose to fame with her headline-making cook-a-thon, has once again brought global attention to Nigerian cuisine.

Congratulations on cooking up another successful record Hilda Baci