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The Federal Government has moved to accelerate the development of the proposed Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Udu Kingdom, Delta State…

Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation.

Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

The annual TIME100 list, published on April 15, 2026, recognises global figures whose leadership, ideas, and actions are shaping the future across business, politics, culture, and society. Dangote’s inclusion places him alongside prominent international figures drawn from diverse spheres of global influence.

This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the prestigious TIME100 list, following his first recognition in 2014, when he was honoured for his exceptional impact on business and philanthropy. His return to the list more than a decade later underscores the consistency and scale of his influence on the global stage.

Dangote, who is being recognized for his African industrial drive is the only Nigerian on the list and featured in the titan and innovators category. Other prominent honorees named alongside Dangote in the titan category are Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission to the moon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet and Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube.

Also featuring prominently under the titan category are Michael and Susan Dell, the high-profile American tech billionaires and philanthropists best known as the founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a global non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of children living in urban poverty. Included here also is the American designer and billionaire, Ralph Lauren, best known for founding the global lifestyle empire Ralph Lauren Corporation.

Recognized in the Pioneer category are individuals with breakthroughs in Science and Social Advocacy such Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, both of whom were cited for medical breakthroughs in genetic therapy as well as Aaron Williams, recognized for advancements in heart transplant readiness.

Influential figures recognized in global entertainment and culture include Ranbir Kapoor, prominent Indian actor; Dakota Johnson, recognized as an actress and cultural icon and Kate Hudson, included for her cultural influence.

As Founder and President of Dangote Group—Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate—Dangote has played a central role in advancing industrialisation across the continent. Under his leadership, the Group has made landmark investments spanning cement manufacturing, sugar and food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, and lately energy, significantly reducing Africa’s reliance on imports while creating millions of direct and indirect jobs.

In its citation, TIME Magazine highlighted Dangote’s vision of building African industries with local resources for global competitiveness, noting his recent investments in large scale energy and manufacturing infrastructure as emblematic of his long term commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.

Beyond business, Dangote is widely acclaimed for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), one of Africa’s largest private philanthropic organisations. The Foundation supports critical initiatives across healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment, contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable communities across the continent.

The 2026 TIME100 recognition further reflects a broader global acknowledgement of African leadership, innovation, and enterprise, with Dangote standing as a symbol of the continent’s growing influence in shaping global economic and development narratives.

This latest honour consolidates Aliko Dangote’s legacy as a visionary industrialist and philanthropist, whose work continues to drive sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long term value creation—both within Africa and beyond.
Under his leadership, Dangote Group recently launched Vision 2030, with which Dangote Industries aims to transform from a regional $30 billion conglomerate into a $100 billion global powerhouse by 2030.

This strategy focuses on industrial self-sufficiency for Africa, moving the group from “regional dominance to global relevance”.

Dangote said the roadmap to vision 2030 is divided into phases to “supercharge” the group’s expansion; with phase one spanning 2025-2028 focused on scaling existing businesses—cement, fertilizer, and energy—and optimizing assets for international competitiveness.

The Phase two running from 2028-2030 is for the deployment of new businesses and ventures into global markets to drive the final leap to the $100 billion revenue target. The Dangote Group plans to venture into steel manufacturing, power, and deep-sea ports to tackle industrial bottlenecks across Africa.

This recognition by Time Magazine underscores the growing global acknowledgment of African leadership and innovation, and highlights Aliko Dangote’s enduring influence as a visionary leader committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

The 2026 list underscores the expanding global visibility of African leadership and Dangote’s continued influence as a leading industrialist and philanthropist.

Dangote, Pope Leo XIV, Trump, Xi Jinping, others Named in TIME 100 Most Influential People for 2026

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Wednesday heard the testimony of a 20-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos in an ongoing rape and sexual assault trial involving a lecturer…

A presidential candidate in the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA election, Ofem Enang, and others have rejected their disqualification by the National Officers’ Committee.

They made their position known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Enang, a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Calabar, described their disqualification as unconstitutional and a direct violation of NMA’s constitution.

He described the move as an attempt to manipulate the electoral process in favor of preferred candidates.

Enang revealed that he and others were disqualified over technical administrative interpretations on the ground of the number of copies of CVs submitted.

“Notably, the constitution does not empower the NOC to disqualify candidates based on administrative technicalities.

“Furthermore, Article 11(1b) provides thus: All members shall, subject to the provisions of Article 4 of this constitution, be eligible to contest elections to any office…

“The above clearly establishes that constitutional criteria, not administrative discretion, determine eligibility.

“The disqualification is, therefore, inconsistent with due process and represents an overreaction of authority,” he stated.

He demanded adherence to the NMA constitution, fairness in the electoral process, non-interference by the NOC, and a level playing field for all nominated candidates.

Enang also called on doctors across Nigeria, past presidents of NMA, and chairmen of the associations to rise and defend the professional body.

The other disqualified candidates, Dr. Muhammad Isah and Dr. Sodipo Olanrewa, went further to call on the Nigerian Police and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to intervene before the tension in NMA gets out of control.

NMA election: Enang, others reject disqualification, call for reversal

The Delta State Government has deployed a second boat ambulance to boost healthcare delivery in riverine communities, even as it activated the Rural Emergency and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) programme…

United States Vice President JD Vance has told Pope Leo XIV to be careful when speaking about theology, criticising the pontiff over his remarks on global conflicts and U.S. foreign policy. Vance made the remarks on Tuesday while reacting to the pope’s criticism, in which he said Jesus “is never on the side of those […]

Kimberly Daniels, Florida state representative and chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), has called for the removal or redeployment of Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, over concerns raised in a security assessment report on Nigeria.

Daniels made the call in a statement on Tuesday while releasing a report on Nigeria’s security crisis and recent killings in the north-central and north-west regions.

The member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency, Maureen Chinwe Gwacham, has said she was cajoled into seconding a motion she knew nothing about.

A viral video of Gwacham had circulated on social media recently, showing her seconding a motion, but when the Speaker asked her what motion she seconded, she said she didn’t know.

The video had elicited a lot of condemnation, with many saying the lawmaker was only a bench warmer and knew nothing about the business of the chambers.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) lawmaker said she was caught off guard by the Speaker who demanded her to second the motion as she just stepped into the chambers and settled into her seat, without knowledge of the motion nor who moved it.

She said: “I was momentarily caught off guard during plenary, I was just settling into my seat when Mr. Speaker beckoned on me to second the motion moved by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, an equally cerebral legislator with a reputation for moving credible motions.

“The motion in question seeks the Urgent Need to Provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Government Institutions and Public Buildings Across Nigeria to Prevent Avoidable Loss of Life.”

She thanked her constituents who reached out with concern and restated her legislative focus.

“My focus remains on delivering for the good people of Oyi/Ayamelum, and I appreciate the continued confidence they have reposed in me,” she said.

‘I was caught off guard’, says lawmaker who seconded motion she knew nothing about

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, held its National Convention on Tuesday, 14th April 2026 in Abuja, where delegates announced a new leadership under David Mark and expelled factional rivals.

The event also featured strong criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly on issues of debt, insecurity, and the electoral process.

Notably, the presence of high-profile political figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso further fueled talks of possible merger aimed at dislodging the ruling party in 2027.

This has triggered widespread reactions among Nigerians, as conversations intensify over possible opposition alliances in the general elections.

Across social media many Nigerians are weighing in on speculated joint tickets involving Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Atiku Abubakar.

Among the combinations being discussed are an Obi–Kwankwaso pairing and an Atiku–Obi ticket, with debates centered on which alliance could pose a stronger challenge in the next general election.

Some Nigerians argued that a united opposition front could significantly boost electoral chances by combining regional support.

Below are some of the pairings suggested by Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter).

@PIDOMNIGERIA wrote, “Be informed that the 2027 presidential election will be fought from multiple fronts. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must give his blessings and step aside for the best pair with the two most organic, none cash induced movements in Nigeria to rescue this nation. If Atiku gives his blessings and support, Tinubu is a gonna in 2027.”

@jessy: “Atiku is worst than Tinubu but Y’all don’t know it. Surest ticket Obi President, kwankwaso Vice president. Nigerians will kick that rice druggie out by 2027.”

@D’Uches4PeterObi: “The only ticket i know and Will support like my life depend on it is obi-kwankwaso.”

@Maduegbunam Chibueze: “As a man who always willing to stand for fairness, Let give it to micro zone that has never had president and has now the best presidential candidate among all contender. There is no need to make long sentence on this. A new Nigeria is possible.”

@Adinoyi1 wrote: “Without a doubt, Atiku and Obi, for those who truly understand the political dynamics of the North, would be strong contenders. Besides, I am not a fan of either of them, but they may stand a better chance of winning the 2027 presidential election against Tinubu.”

@ Jummai Batnah: “The only person that can defeat Tinubu for now in the north is Atiku, forget sentiment. If ADC is serious they should pick Atiku and Obi, Atiku should just do a term and handover to obi.”

@Adjutant: “Anyone calling for Atiku/Obi ticket is an APC member. They know that once Atiku emerges, ADC is destroyed. Obi can’t deputise Atiku, so Atiku won’t have any choice but to go for Amechi, and that ticket will amount to nothing.”

@Chibubani noted: “Atiku should just focus on being a king maker.He has contributed his quota already.”

@riel_gab1312 wrote: “Peter Obi Kwankwaso ticket. Any ticket with Atiku will not fly.”

@The People’s Therapist said: “My own nah, Obi no fit be vice to anybody again, never! Obi for president or make dem fumble the party make Tinubu enter again.”

@Dr. OkaforE: “The ADC convention is over and we must face the reality as early as possible. The consensus must be Atiku/Obi. Any other ticket is a joke that needs no energy to be expended.”

@Dr. OkaforE stated: ”If their Excellencie Atiku and Obi refuse to come together and contest as President and Vice president respectively, let’s all just forget about 2027. No team can beat BAT except the 2 combination.”

@italian_Spencer: ”What if Peter Obi isn’t given the presidential ticket at ADC? What next Nigerians?”

@Heis_Crowther: “I’m not loyal to ADC,I’m loyal to Peter Obi.”

However, despite the growing buzz online, none of the politicians involved have officially confirmed any alliance.

ADC: Nigerians suggest 2027 presidential ticket pairings between Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday buried Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Captain Ismail, and other soldiers killed in a recent insurgent attack in Borno State.

The officers and men were laid to rest with full military honours at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Army, which described the ceremony as solemn and emotional.

The fallen soldiers were killed on April 9 when suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, fighters launched coordinated attacks on military positions in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.

The Army said the burial was conducted in recognition of the soldiers’ service and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Among those in attendance were Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers.

They described the deceased as patriots who paid the ultimate price in defence of the country.

Prayers were offered for the repose of their souls, while citations detailing their service were read before their families.

The Army noted that the loss highlights the risks faced by personnel in ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

Army buries Brig Gen Braimah, others killed in Borno attack