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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said Peter Obi’s departure from the party created confusion within the South-East and weakened the region’s position during discussions that eventually led to the emergence of Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Okonkwo explained that Obi’s exit came before the conclusion of key political consultations within the party, leaving what he described as a vacuum for the South-East.

According to him, Obi had been viewed as the major South-East figure within the ADC’s political calculations before leaving the party. Once he exited, the region was left without a strong representative in ongoing negotiations, creating uncertainty among party stakeholders from the zone.

Okonkwo argued that replacing Obi was not straightforward because Nigeria’s Electoral Act places restrictions on the eligibility of individuals who are not registered members of a political party within a specified period before primary elections. As a result, several names reportedly suggested by party members could not be considered.

The former spokesperson for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign said his earlier concerns were not directed at Amaechi personally. Rather, he maintained that his position was based on the belief that the South-East deserved stronger consideration in the party’s power-sharing arrangements.

He further noted that the South-East has not produced either a president or vice president since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, making the region’s expectations understandable during coalition negotiations.

Peter Obi announced his departure from the ADC earlier this year, citing internal disputes, leadership challenges and what he described as a difficult political environment within the party.

Despite the controversy surrounding the development, Okonkwo said efforts were ongoing to unite party members ahead of the 2027 general election. He expressed confidence that the ADC would remain competitive as opposition parties continue to position themselves for the next presidential contest.

The comments are likely to reignite debate about the South-East’s place in Nigeria’s political power structure and whether the region received adequate consideration during the opposition coalition’s negotiations ahead of 2027.

Source: https://yaroinsider.ng/2026/07/16/why-peter-obis-adc-exit-left-south-east-politicians-worried/

As economic pressures continue to rise, many Nigerians are searching for affordable ways to earn extra income or build a business from the ground up. While starting a company is often associated with large capital requirements, several business opportunities can still be launched with less than ₦100,000.

The growth of digital technology, social media and local demand for essential goods and services has created new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs across the country.

Here are seven businesses Nigerians can start with less than ₦100,000 in 2026.

1. Social Media Management
Thousands of small businesses now rely on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X to attract customers, but many owners lack the time or expertise to manage their pages effectively.

A smartphone, internet connection and basic knowledge of content creation can be enough to start offering social media management services. New entrepreneurs can begin by managing pages for local businesses and gradually expand their client base.

Many successful social media managers started with little more than a smartphone and consistency.

Full story here: https://yaroinsider.com/7-businesses-nigerians-can-start-with-less-than-100000-naira-in-2026/

Nigerian fintech startup Gigbanc has announced plans to shut down its operations after three years in business, becoming the latest African startup to succumb to a challenging fundraising environment. Customers have been given until July 31, 2026, to withdraw their funds as the company begins winding down its services.

The company, which built cross-border payment solutions for freelancers, remote workers, digital creators and businesses, disclosed that it is currently in acquisition discussions with an unnamed Nigerian fintech infrastructure provider as it explores its next steps.

Why Gigbanc is shutting down

According to Gigbanc’s management, raising fresh investment capital became increasingly difficult amid a tougher funding climate for African startups. The company also cited the high cost of compliance requirements, particularly Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations, and infrastructure expenses associated with running a cross-border payments platform.

Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Paul Omoregie Okundaye said the startup considered changing its business model but was unable to secure the funding required to support such a transition. As a result, management concluded that pursuing an acquisition and winding down operations was the most practical option.

Customers must withdraw funds before..

Full story here: https://yaroinsider.com/nigerian-fintech-gigbanc-shuts-down-after-funding-crisis/

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has affirmed the death sentence imposed on Abdulrahman Bello, a self-acclaimed Islamic cleric convicted of murdering Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. The appellate court dismissed Bello’s appeal and upheld the judgment of the lower court.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a panel led by Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, the court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the offences of murder and unlawful possession of human parts beyond reasonable doubt. The judges held that the trial court properly evaluated the evidence before reaching its verdict.

Bello was sentenced to death by hanging by a Kwara State High Court in July 2025 after being found guilty of killing 24-year-old Lawal, who was reported to be his Facebook lover. The victim was a final-year student at the Kwara State College of Education.

Full story here: https://yaroinsider.com/appeal-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-kwara-cleric-over-lovers-murder/

Aliko Dangote is widely regarded as Africa’s most successful businessman. As the founder and president of the Dangote Group, he has built a business empire spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizer, oil and gas, making him one of the richest people in the world.

Born on April 10, 1957, in Kano State, Dangote comes from a prominent business family. He studied Business Studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo before returning to Nigeria to begin his entrepreneurial journey.

How Dangote Started His Business Journey
Dangote began trading commodities in the late 1970s, dealing in products such as rice, sugar and cement. What started as a small trading operation gradually expanded into manufacturing as he sought to produce goods locally rather than rely on imports.

In 1981, he established the Dangote Group, which would later become the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa. Today, the company operates across numerous sectors and several African countries.

Building Africa’s Industrial Giant
The Dangote Group’s growth was driven by heavy investments in industries considered essential to economic development.

Its businesses include cement manufacturing, sugar refining, salt processing, fertilizer production and petroleum refining. The company employs more than 30,000 people and operates across multiple African markets.

One of its most ambitious projects is the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, a multi-billion-dollar facility that has become one of the largest oil refineries in the world. The refinery is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel products.

Africa’s Richest Businessman
Dangote has consistently ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally and remains the richest person in Africa.
Recent estimates place his net worth above $30 billion, driven largely by his stakes in cement, energy and manufacturing businesses.

Full report here: https://yaroinsider.com/aliko-dangote-how-a-kano-trader-built-africas-largest-business-empire/

For many skilled Nigerians seeking international career opportunities, the H-1B visa remains one of the most popular pathways to working in the United States. The visa allows American employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized occupations, particularly in technology, engineering, healthcare, finance and research.
Although the H-1B visa programme is highly competitive, some companies consistently rank among the largest sponsors of foreign workers each year. Their continued demand for global talent has made them attractive destinations for professionals hoping to build careers in the US.
1. Amazon
Amazon remains one of the largest H-1B sponsors in the United States. The company frequently recruits software engineers, cloud computing specialists, data scientists, machine learning experts and cybersecurity professionals.
Its rapid expansion across cloud services, logistics and artificial intelligence continues to create demand for highly skilled workers.
2. Google
Google consistently sponsors thousands of foreign professionals through the H-1B programme.
The company commonly hires software developers, AI researchers, product managers, data analysts and cloud engineers.
3. Microsoft
Microsoft remains a major employer of international talent.
The company regularly seeks professionals in software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and enterprise technology solutions.

Full list here: https://yaroinsider.com/10-us-companies-sponsoring-h1b-visas-in-2026/

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The case was heard on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the anti-corruption agency, Nnaji is accused of allegedly presenting forged academic credentials, including a degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He was also accused of allegedly presenting a false National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening process.

The former minister denied all the allegations when the charges were read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Court Grants Bail
Following an application by his legal team, the court granted Nnaji bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum. The judge ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15.

The court also ordered the former minister to surrender his international passport and directed that he must not travel outside the country without prior approval from the court.

Trial Date Fixed

Full story here: https://yaroinsider.com/ex-minister-uche-nnaji-pleads-not-guilty-certificate-forgery-gets-n20m-bail/

Stay away from fraud

Source: https://yaroinsider.com/alleged-yahoo-boy-compound-scandal-sparks-outrage-online/

Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on American military facilities in the Gulf region following a new wave of US military strikes, marking another dangerous escalation in the growing confrontation between the two countries.
Reports indicate that missile and drone attacks were directed at locations associated with US military operations in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting heightened security measures across the region. The developments have renewed concerns about the possibility of a broader conflict involving multiple countries in the Middle East.
The latest exchange of attacks comes amid weeks of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Military analysts warn that continued retaliation from both sides could threaten regional stability and disrupt international trade routes, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Full story here: https://yaroinsider.com/iran-launches-fresh-attacks-on-us-bases-as-middle-east-tensions-spiral/