By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a rise in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which increased to 15.38% in March 2026, up from 15.06% recorded in February.

According to the NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Wednesday, the 0.32 percentage point increase marks the second consecutive monthly rise in inflation this year. The March figure also represents a significant jump compared to the same period last year, underscoring persistent price pressures across key sectors.

Analysts point to rising food and energy costs, coupled with lingering supply chain disruptions, as primary drivers of the uptick. The NBS noted that food inflation remained elevated due to higher prices of staple items such as bread, cereals, and vegetables, while core inflation excluding volatile agricultural produce and energy also edged upward.

The development puts additional pressure on households and businesses, and may influence the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy stance in the coming months.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general election will be his last attempt to become Nigeria’s president.

The seasoned politician, who will turn 80 by the next election cycle, made the announcement during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday.

“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher – I believe that will be my last outing. So that’s incontrovertible,” Atiku said when asked whether 2027 would mark his final run.

Pressed on why Nigerians should still trust him after decades in politics, the presidential hopeful argued that his experience uniquely qualifies him to lead the country at a critical juncture.

“I represent both the past and the future simply because we have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them,” he said.

Atiku also voiced concerns about the performance of younger leaders, suggesting they have not fully met expectations.

“I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership are below what we thought,” he added, stressing the need for mentorship and guidance from older, more experienced politicians.

According to Atiku, such guidance is most effective when exercised from a position of power. Reflecting on his time as vice-president, he noted: “Sometimes you need to be [in power]. What I was able to learn from President Olusegun Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside.”

Kano South Concerned Elders Forum has appealed to Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf to appoint Hon Kabiru Alhassan Rurum as the next Deputy Governor of the state.

According to them, his appointment would support the administration and correct the years of political lopsidedness in the leadership of the state.

Their appealed was sequel to the nomination of Rurum, alongside Engineer Rabiu Sulieman Bichi and Murtala Sule Garo by the legacy group of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) for the governors final selection for the vacant post.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Elders, Senator Masaud El- Jibril Doguwa, they affirmed that the nomination of Rirum , a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and a current member of the Nigeria’s House Representatives, represented a turning point in the political history of Kano -South.

“For the first time in over 30 years, someone from the zone has come close to being nominated as the state Deputy Governor. All past efforts by other capable politicians from the zone to secure the post of the state governor has failed to materialize” they recalled.

The elders, which included Musa Salihu, Alhassan Kibya, Rabiu Bala, Yau Beza , Wai Ado and several others , lamented that the zone, which has 16 LGAs and is one of the largest Senatorial zones in Nigeria, has yearned for decades for an equitable representation at the highest levels of leadership in the state.

While appreciating the Governor for his strength of character, fairness, justice and sense of inclusiveness, they stressed that the choice of Rirum for the position would go a long way to strengthen the administration.

“He is a grass root politician, a team worker, and approachable with extensive network all over the state and beyond.. He shares the same values with the Governor on the delivery of democratic dividends to his constituency” they declared. End