Inflation Continues Downward Trend, Dropped to 15.06% in February, 12th Straight Monthly Decline Food inflation elevated
James Emejo in Abuja
The Consumer Price Index (CPI)
which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities dropped by 0.04 per cent to 15.06
Severe in Anambra, Kogi, Benue, others
per cent in February compared to 15.10 per cent in January, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
disclosed yesterday. This represented 12 months of consecutive decline following
an intensive monetary tightening campaign by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), leading to a recent
50 basis points reduction in the Continued on page 8
Multiple Explosions Hit Maiduguri, Many Feared Killed... Page 32 Tuesday 17 March, 2026 Vol 31. No 11300. Price: N400
www.thisdaylive.com TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Magnus Abe: Oil Price Spike Offers Revenue Boost for Nigeria... Page 33
NATO, EU Allies Reject Trump’s Demand to Help Open Strait of Hormuz S’Africa rebuffs US pressure to distance itself from Iran Iran hits key UAE oil port, Dubai airport
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisa-
tion (NATO) and European countries yesterday ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite
threats from Donald Trump that NATO faces “a very bad future” if members fail to help reopen the
vital waterway. Germany ruled out participation in any military activity, including
efforts to reopen the strait. “There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why
the question of how Germany might Continued on page 8
Tinubu Begins Two-day Historic State Visit to UK Today First lady, Akpabio, Ribadu, Edun, Alake, Idris, Christopher Musa, five other ministers on president’s entourage To hold bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, culminating in signing of MoUs, agreements between both nations To witness signing of £746m financing deal for refurbishment of Apapa quays, Tin can port complex Idris to UK investors: Tinubu’s reforms driving global confidence in Nigeria
Deji Elumoye and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja today for a State Visit to the United Kingdom (UK) as guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. This comes as the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured investors in the UK of a favorable business environment in Nigeria, stating that ongoing economic and governance reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu are boosting global confidence and creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and international cooperation. Continued on page 8
TAIWO OYEDELE TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE...
Mr. Taiwo Oyedele (left) taking the oath of office as the new Minister of state for Finance before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE