Amaju Pinnick Insists Nigeria Would Not Have Missed 2026 World Cup Under His Lead

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January 30, 2026

The Punch reports that former NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the Super Eagles would have qualified for the 2026 World Cup if he had remained in charge of Nigerian football.

Pinnick referenced his administration’s experience with difficult qualification campaigns, pointing to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup as evidence of administrative competence.

Channels TV and Vanguard also covered reactions, noting divided public opinion and skepticism from analysts about counterfactual claims of future success.

Echotitbits take: Pinnick’s remarks read like positioning for influence ahead of future football politics. While he can point to sponsorship and administrative wins, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup complicates the legacy narrative. Expect the debate to intensify as NFF elections and team performance pressures converge.

Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/852490-2026-world-cup-pinnick-claims-super-eagles-would-have-qualified-under-his-watch.html 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: Premium Times

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Residents and Traders in Imo State Cry Out Over Collapsing Market

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Daily Post reports that traders at the Old Market in Umuna, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma over a market block they say is at risk of collapse.

Traders cite deep structural cracks and a failing foundation, describing the facility as unsafe. Officials who reportedly inspected the site recommended demolition and reconstruction.

The Nation and Vanguard also reported that a state technical team marked the structure for demolition and that traders are seeking urgent action to prevent loss of life.

Echotitbits take: Local-market infrastructure failures are recurring—and usually only addressed after tragedy. The right response is rapid risk containment: cordon-off, temporary relocation, and an emergency rebuild plan with transparent contracting. Politically, slow action can trigger backlash in already tense environments.

Source: Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/ambrose.nwaogwugwu.5/posts/old-market-in-umuna-at-risk-of-collapse-officials-sound-alarm-urge-governor-uzod/1405027687693604/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: Facebook

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Nigeria’s Crude Oil Exports to the U.S. and India Show Significant Growth

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Tribune reports that Nigeria’s share of crude oil exports to the United States and India has risen, with recent surveys putting Nigeria’s share at 3.3% in those markets as other suppliers’ shares declined.

The growth is attributed to pricing competitiveness for Nigerian sweet crude and geopolitical shifts affecting global supply chains.

The Guardian and ThisDay also referenced the trend, including demand diversification dynamics and Nigeria’s positioning for Asian refinery demand.

Echotitbits take: Higher export share is only a win if Nigeria can sustain volumes and reduce leakages. Oil theft, high operating costs, and downtime can erase headline gains. The strategic upside is using export momentum to stabilize FX inflows while domestic refining ramps up—if feedstock supply becomes more reliable.

Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nigeria-exports-2-57bn-crude-to-us-highest-in-africa/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: The Punch

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NiMet Forecasts Dust Haze and Thunderstorms for Late January

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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The Punch reports that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast moderate dust haze across parts of Northern Nigeria and thunderstorms in parts of the South for Friday, January 30.

NiMet warned that visibility could drop to 2–5 kilometres in states including Yobe, Katsina, and Kano, potentially disrupting flights and road travel.

For the South, NiMet projected isolated thunderstorms with light rainfall in coastal areas such as Rivers and Akwa Ibom, advising respiratory-risk groups to take precautions.

Tribune and Daily Post also reported aviation monitoring and broader public advisory messaging tied to shifting weather patterns.

Echotitbits take: Late-season Harmattan haze can create a disproportionate logistics impact—especially at major northern airports and highway corridors. For households, the practical risk is respiratory irritation and accident exposure from reduced visibility. Aviation and transport operators should plan for delays and tighter safety thresholds.

Source: This Day – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/20/nimet-predicts-three-days-dust-haze-thunderstorms-across-nigeria/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: This Day

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Nigeria to Host Major Conference on Africa’s Digital Economy

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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ThisDay reports that Nigeria has been selected to host the 2026 Conference on Africa’s Borderless Digital Economy.

The event is expected to convene policymakers, tech entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss digital payments integration and harmonized data regulation across Africa, with an AfCFTA implementation lens.

The Nation and BusinessDay also noted anticipated focus areas such as reducing cross-border transaction costs and showcasing Nigerian innovation to a global audience.

Echotitbits take: Hosting is an opportunity for Nigeria’s fintech and enterprise tech ecosystem, but credibility will depend on fixing the basics: affordable data, reliable power, and predictable regulation. Expect deal-making around cross-border payments, digital identity, and AfCFTA-compliant trade digitization.

Source: This Day – https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/30/nigeria-to-host-2026-conference-on-africas-borderless-digital-economy/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: This Day

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Health Experts Warn Against Growing Roadside Food Drying Culture

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Daily Post reports that health professionals are warning against the practice of drying staple foods such as cassava, maize, and beans along major highways in Nigeria.

Experts say roadside drying exposes food to contaminants including heavy metals from vehicle exhaust and dust-borne pathogens, with toxins settling directly on food as passing traffic raises dust clouds.

Vanguard and The Guardian also echoed concerns, including links to gastrointestinal infections and broader food-safety risks tied to limited access to modern processing facilities.

Echotitbits take: This is an infrastructure-and-public-health gap showing up in everyday food handling. Without affordable community dryers, solar kilns, and hygienic aggregation points, the practice will persist. A practical fix is local processing hubs near farming clusters, backed by microcredit and enforceable food-safety standards.

Source: Daily Post – https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/30/dust-on-meal-tables-experts-reveal-hidden-dangers-of-nigerias-roadside-drying-culture/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: Daily Post

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Geregu Power Plc Names Sean Manley as Interim Chief Executive Officer

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Leadership reports that Geregu Power Plc appointed Sean Manley as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2, 2026.

The appointment is reportedly subject to approval by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Manley is described as having more than three decades of experience in the power sector, including work at Siemens on thermal power projects.

The Punch and ThisDay also covered the development, noting positive investor sentiment and expectations that his international experience could support technical partnerships and operational upgrades.

Echotitbits take: Interim CEO appointments usually signal a board prioritizing continuity and operational discipline while it searches for a permanent successor. For Geregu, the near-term market signal will be measurable improvements in availability, heat-rate performance, and maintenance execution—especially as power-sector reform pressures increase.

Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/companies/article/geregu-taps-siemens-energys-sean-manley-as-interim-ceo-to-spearhead-new-growth-strategy/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: BusinessDay

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Controversy Swirls Around Federal Government’s New Tax Reform Law

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Vanguard reports that controversy is growing over the exact version of a tax reform law signed by President Bola Tinubu, with claims that the enacted document contains “differentials” from the version debated and passed by the National Assembly.

The reforms aim to simplify the tax code and improve collection efficiency, but some lawmakers and critics argue alleged discrepancies could impose undue burdens on small businesses and the middle class.

The Nation and Daily Trust also reported on the dispute, including claims of administrative discrepancies in the final draft and legislative concerns about possible alterations before presidential assent.

Echotitbits take: If the alleged differentials are material, implementation will face legal and political headwinds—potentially including injunctions and corporate challenges. The fastest de‑risking move is immediate publication of the clean legislative text trail (passed version vs assented version) and an agreed correction mechanism to preserve reform credibility.

Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/tax-laws-that-split-abuja-how-tinubus-reforms-sparked-governance-storm/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: The Punch

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Nollywood Actor Arrested Over Alleged Involvement in Plot Against Government

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Premium Times reports that Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi was arrested over alleged involvement in a propaganda scheme linked to the foiled coup plot.

Investigators reportedly allege he was recruited to help manage public messaging after a planned assassination of top government officials, as part of a wider sweep of civilian collaborators.

Daily Post and Leadership also reported reactions, including calls for due process and concerns about the use of cultural influencers in political subversion.

Echotitbits take: This is a rare instance where a creative-industry figure is publicly tied to a treason-related investigation. It underscores how governments increasingly treat narrative control as a national-security vector. Expect heightened scrutiny of politically themed productions, funding flows, and influencer networks.

Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/news/article/nollywood-actor-stanley-amandi-arrested-for-alleged-role-in-coup-plot-against-tinubu/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: BusinessDay

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NUPRC Opens Bidding for 50 New Oil Blocks to Boost Production

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B.O.B Echoload

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January 30, 2026

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Channels TV reports that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) opened the 2026 bidding round for 50 oil blocks as part of efforts to lift crude oil output and revenues.

The commission says it has lowered entry barriers to attract local and international independent players and has pledged transparency under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Punch and Vanguard also highlighted the economic implications, including a focus on blocks with proven reserves and the investment rationale behind lowering barriers for capable operators.

Echotitbits take: After years of output pressure from divestments and operational disruptions, this bid round will be a credibility test. The decisive variable is security—oil theft and pipeline sabotage still distort project economics. Expect strong interest from indigenous operators and smaller international independents if the fiscal and security signals hold.

Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nuprc-opens-50-oil-blocks-for-bidding-bars-weak-firms/ 2026-01-30

Photo Credit: The Punch

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