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London, March 23, 2026 – Oil prices tumbled, and European stock markets rebounded on Monday in volatile trading as US President Donald Trump suddenly ordered a halt to strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure after claiming “very good” talks with Tehran. Crude futures plunged more than 14 per cent after Trump’s comments on his Truth Social platform, a sharp contrast to his threatening talk over the weekend. However, they later pulled back to trade down around nine per cent as Iran denied negotiations had taken place. “We need to wait for …

Tehran, Monday, March 23, 2026 – Iranian media said on Monday there were no negotiations between Tehran and Washington after US President Donald Trump announced talks towards ending the war. “There are no talks between Tehran and Washington,” said Mehr news agency, citing Iran’s foreign ministry, adding that Trump’s statements were part of a push “to reduce energy prices.” Other media carried similar reports. The rebuttal follows a social media post that immediately sent oil prices tumbling. Trump said Washington and Tehran had held “productive conversations” over the last two …

Washington, March 23, 2026 – Mar 23 (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures fell on Monday as the Middle ​East conflict intensified with energy infrastructure under threat, sending oil prices surging and pushing investors to ‌reprice U.S. interest rate cut expectations. Iran will attack Israel’s power plants and plants supplying U.S. bases in the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out his threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power network, the country’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. Oil prices rose again, with U.S. crude ​futures up 3% to over $100 a …

Lagos, March 23, 2026 – The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), has called on the federal government to introduce coordinated policy measures to cushion the impact of rising crude oil prices. The centre, a private think tank in Lagos, gave the advice in a policy brief signed by Dr Muda Yusuf, its Director-General, in Lagos on Sunday. It gave the advice against the backdrop of the rising international prices of crude oil caused by the ongoing U.S./Israel war on Iran. The centre said Nigeria’s latest CPI report …

London, March 23, 2026 – More than 40 energy assets across nine countries in the Middle East have been “severely or very severely” damaged by the war, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said, potentially prolonging disruptions to global supply chains after the conflict ends. The damage means it will take some time for the oil fields, refineries and pipelines to come back online, Birol said Monday at Australia’s National Press Club in the capital, Canberra. More than three weeks of conflict in the Middle East have upended the …

Lagos, March 23, 2026 – Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, is set to host a high-level virtual webinar focused on helping public institutions to strengthen revenue systems, improve fiscal transparency, and build smarter digital structures for collections, oversight, and accountability. Scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the session, themed Digital Fiscal Transparency: Unlocking Sub-national Opportunities for International Partners, will bring together a cross-section of public sector leaders, development institutions, heads of parastatals and agencies, as well as financial experts to explore practical solutions for stronger public finance management. …

London, March 23, 2026 – Major brokerages have revised their 2026 average oil price forecasts as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran rages on, with the conflict having sent oil prices surging more than 50% this month. Goldman Sachs raised its Brent crude oil forecast for 2026 to $85 a barrel from $77, citing prolonged disruptions in Strait of Hormuz shipments and increased strategic stockpiling that are tightening the market. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan expects Brent prices to average $100/bbl in the second quarter of 2026 and fall back to $80/bbl by …

New Delhi, March 23, 2026 – Oil prices swung between gains and losses on ‌Monday as investors weighed rising U.S. and Iranian threats over energy facilities against the release of millions of barrels of seaborne Iranian oil after Washington temporarily removed sanctions. Brent crude futures rose 65 cents to $112.84 a barrel by 0446 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $98.75 a barrel, up 84 cents. Both ​contracts were down more than $1 earlier in the session. The spread of more than $13 a barrel between Brent and WTI …

 Abuja, March 22, 2026 – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has advised the Senate to ensure transparency in its ongoing investigation into alleged missing ₦200 trillion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). It urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to direct the Public Accounts Committee of the Senate to disclose all details of the investigation. It particularly requested the Senate Committe to disclose details of the audit reports, financial records, official communications, and committee proceedings, including minutes, submissions, and evidence presented. SERAP made the requests in …

Lagos, March 22, 2026 – In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc has announced a series of masterclasses and support initiatives designed to help women build practical, income generating skills, strengthen professional visibility, and accelerate career growth throughout March 2026. The activities are being delivered under the bank’s women focused proposition, HerFidelity, and align with the “Give to Gain” theme guiding this year’s programme of engagements. On March 18, 2026, HerFidelity hosted a “Give to Gain” masterclass focused on communication and presentation. The session offered practical guidance …