NGOwnership & classification
Founded: 1984
Ownership
Vanguard is a Lagos daily published by Vanguard Media Limited, founded in 1984 by veteran journalist and publisher Sam Amuka-Pemu (a co-founder of The Punch) together with a small group of associates. The paper began as a weekly in June 1984 and went daily in July 1984; Amuka has remained its proprietor and guiding figure.
Funding
A privately owned commercial newspaper funded by advertising, sales and digital revenue, without state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
A mainstream, high-circulation daily with a broadly centrist, non-partisan editorial line and no government or party ownership. As a privately held, commercially funded outlet free of party/state control, it is INDEPENDENT (CENTER tags are accurate).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1237
82/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
1450
Articles
1450
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Nigeria climbs four places in Bloomberg ranking
Nigeria has moved up four positions in the 2026 Bloomberg Economics Investment Risk-O-Meter, ranking eighth among African economies. This improvement is attributed to enhanced economic, fiscal, and external indicators, with Nigeria surpassing countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Namibia. The progress follows economic reforms initiated under President Bola Tinubu, including removing fuel subsidies, liberalizing foreign exchange markets, and adjusting electricity tariffs. While these reforms aim to restore macroeconomic stability and improve the investment climate, they have also led to increased costs and pressures on businesses and households. Nigeria's rise contrasts with declines by other major economies such as Botswana and South Africa, with Mauritius maintaining the top position.
Ondo plane crash: No survivors yet, only wreckage, IDs – Gov Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa confirmed there are no survivors from a military aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area. The aircraft, carrying 32 people, crashed into a swamp after losing contact at around 9:15 a.m. Rescue efforts have been hindered due to the difficult terrain, and only parts of the wreckage, including wings, ID cards, and uniforms, have been recovered. The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau are conducting an investigation and plan to retrieve the black box to determine the cause of the crash. Additionally, the governor discussed a recent security operation that led to the elimination of a top ISWAP coordinator in Ondo forest, involving collaboration between the DSS, Nigerian Army, British intelligence, and Amotekun. The operation followed months of surveillance and resulted in no casualties among security forces.
INEC to politicians on 2027 polls: Your ambitions not worth blood of Nigerians
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has issued a strong warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that their ambitions are not worth the blood of Nigerians. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan SAN emphasized that the commission will take strict measures against violence, hate speech, and vote-buying during the election period. He outlined plans to track illegal campaign spending and deploy systems to monitor political violence and dangerous rhetoric. Amupitan revealed recent examples of concerning behavior, including a candidate seen brandishing a gun and threats of violence against INEC staff. The commission is collaborating with multiple agencies to enforce these measures and uphold electoral integrity.
NYSC kidnap: ‘Bring my son, others back alive,’ mother begs FG
A 55-year-old mother, Janet Oladosu, has pleaded with the Nigerian federal government and state authorities to urgently locate and rescue her son, Greatness, and 19 other National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were kidnapped during their journey to orientation camps. The group, who had collected their NYSC call-up letters, was traveling from Ibadan to the South-East and South-South regions when they were abducted near Umunoha in Imo State. Oladosu described receiving a cryptic message from her son, who had hidden his phone to communicate secretly while in captivity. The incident has reignited demands for reforming the NYSC deployment policy, with the pan-Yoruba organization Afenifere urging the government to amend the NYSC Act to allow graduates to serve closer to their home states or within their geopolitical zones, reducing the risk of long-distance travel.
Mental health: Psychiatrist to highlight tech-based treatment at Vanguard summit
Dr Olufemi Oluwatayo, a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Lagos, will discuss Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a potential alternative treatment for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit. The summit focuses on integrating technology into youth mental healthcare, addressing both challenges and opportunities presented by digital tools. Oluwatayo highlights that TMS, a non-invasive procedure using magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity, may offer benefits over traditional treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy, especially due to concerns about side effects and medication adherence. He emphasizes that research indicates TMS is safe for young people and can be customized to target specific brain regions depending on the condition. The summit, themed 'Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,' explores the role of technology in improving mental health outcomes.
Ex-NADECO founding member, Ralph Obioha, dies at 80
Chief Ralph Obioha, a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has passed away at the age of 80. His death was announced by his son, Chima Obioha, who spoke on behalf of the Obioha family in Enugu. The statement highlighted Obioha's contributions as a patriarch, political leader, businessman, and patriot, emphasizing his dedication to Nigeria's development and his belief in the country's potential. The family expressed gratitude for condolences received and requested privacy during their mourning period. Details of the memorial and funeral services were not yet disclosed.
Naira rises to N1,357/$ in parallel market
The Nigerian naira experienced fluctuations in both the parallel and official foreign exchange markets. In the parallel market, the naira appreciated to N1,357 per dollar from N1,362 over the weekend. However, in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the naira depreciated slightly to N1,332.9 per dollar from N1,332 per dollar, representing a 90-kobo decline. This led to a narrowing of the gap between the parallel and official rates to N24.1 per dollar from N30 per dollar. Additionally, interbank turnover in the NFEM dropped significantly by 66% to $72.12 million from $154.02 million during the same period.
Family members, military men among 32 killed in NAF plane crash in Ondo
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 plane crashed into a swamp near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing at least 32 people, including military personnel, their families, and civilians. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members on a logistics mission from Benin to Lagos. Among the deceased were children returning to school and family members visiting service members stationed in Edo and Delta states. Military authorities faced challenges in identifying all victims due to the presence of civilian passengers. President Bola Tinubu ordered a national investigation and declared three days of mourning, while local officials confirmed the crash and attributed it to poor weather conditions affecting the pilot’s ability to maneuver. The Nigerian Air Force has launched a search and rescue operation, and authorities urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
Praise won’t pay teachers’ bills — Atiku tells FG
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the Nigerian federal government for failing to address the financial hardships faced by teachers, despite public praise during World Teachers' Day. He highlighted that teachers struggle to afford basic necessities like food, transportation, and housing due to stagnant wages and rising living costs. Atiku emphasized that government recognition of teachers should extend beyond symbolic gestures and include tangible improvements in their working and living conditions. He also criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly being unable to recall any teachers or classmates from his past, suggesting this reflects a lack of appreciation for educators' contributions. Atiku argued that neglecting teachers undermines Nigeria's ability to build a prosperous future.
Omosede: Belle Obaseki’s story of finding courage. breaking silence
Belle Obaseki's debut novel 'Omosede' follows the coming-of-age journey of a young girl as she navigates family dynamics, cultural expectations, friendships, and personal struggles. The story delves into themes such as resilience, identity, shame, vulnerability, faith, and the impact of silence on young individuals. Obaseki highlights the hidden challenges faced by youth that may not be apparent to adults, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue between parents and children. The novel aims to empower young readers by encouraging self-worth, healthy decision-making, and seeking support during tough times. It also invites parents to pay more attention to their children's emotional and social lives, using storytelling as a bridge for meaningful conversations.
Coleman advocates reforms to boost manufacturing capacity
Coleman Technical Industries Limited, a Nigerian manufacturer, has urged urgent policy reforms to enhance the utilization of its production capacity and improve competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The company's Managing Director, George Onafowokan, highlighted that Nigerian manufacturers are underperforming due to unfavorable policies and structural challenges, leading to lost employment, investment, and export opportunities. He noted that Coleman's high-voltage cable facility, established in 2014, operates at less than 10% capacity, while overall plant utilization stands at around 20%. Onafowokan emphasized that leveraging existing manufacturing capabilities could generate thousands of jobs, increase tax revenue, and boost exports. He stressed the need for a more supportive policy environment to enable Nigerian firms to capitalize on industrial projects and compete regionally and globally.
US warns foreign financial institutions not to do business with Iran
The United States has issued a warning to foreign financial institutions, threatening sanctions against those conducting business with Iran or its banking sector. The U.S. Treasury stated that such institutions could face penalties without prior notice and urged them to immediately stop these activities. This follows a broader campaign by Washington to economically isolate Iran, which includes new sanctions targeting various sectors in Tehran and actions against two international banks suspected of supporting Iranian authorities. The conflict has intensified regional tensions, leading to increased violence and economic disruptions, including spikes in global energy and fertilizer prices.
Olise powers France to win over Belgium in Nations League
In a dramatic UEFA Nations League match at the Stade de France, France defeated Belgium 4-1, with Michael Olise coming off the bench to score three goals and assist another. Belgium took an early lead through Dodi Lukebakio, but France responded strongly in the final 13 minutes, with Desire Doue scoring to equalize and Olise leading the comeback. This victory marked Zinedine Zidane's first home win since becoming manager and helped France move closer to the quarter-finals. The match featured several debutants for both teams, including Manchester United's Leny Yoro and Belgium's Maarten Vandevoordt. France now leads Group A1 with three points, while Belgium trails by one point.