Rotus

Broadcaster. Heal without plaster. Enjoy economic banter. Unrelated to William Shatner. Childhood addiction to Fanta. Fond memories of Tatanka. Woman is master.

[BBC Sport @BBCSport]

"It's clear that this tournament has been fixed."

Egypt's Mostafa Zico was not happy with some of the decisions in their game against Argentina.

[Dale Johnson @DaleJohnsonBBC]

Egypt's disallowed goal was completely against how this tournament has been refereed.

You can't have a light touch where you don't give fouls for minimal contact and then rule out a goal through VAR for a very minimal hold of the shirt.

#ARGEGY

[POLITICO @politico]

Exclusive: European soccer leaders make plans to take Belgium's side against FIFA https://t.co/sTFWiYxZ1l

[Rob Dorsett @RobDorsettSky]

Just heard that #england and mexico teams have been told NOT to travel to the Azteca Stadium right now, because of the storm protocols and lightning risk. Will almost certainly mean a delayed kick off.

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

Spider-Man Toby Maguire and Leo DiCaprio in the crowd watching #Brazil vs #Norway - #FIFAWORLDCUP

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

Hollywood in the house. Actors Chris Rock and Woody Harrelson watching #Brazil vs #Norway

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

NBA champion and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson watching #Brazil vs #Norway

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthleticFC: Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s round of 16 match against Belgium with his one-game red-card ban suspended. Multiple FIFA officials previously said that a team cannot appeal a red card or suspension. https://t.co/kBYEyot5tk

[BudgIT Nigeria @BudgITng]

For years, NNPC wore many hats while earning a 30% management fee on PSC profit oil and another 20% as dividends. Then the Tinubu administration had the 30% management fee removed, and remittance to the Federation Account rose from N16 billion in January to N121.34 billion the following month.

In Episode 6 of #ExtraSheet, @seunonigbinde looks at how NNPC evolved into NNPCL, what changed after the transition, and the questions that remain about its transition into a commercial company.

🎥 Watch the full story.

[ARISE NEWS @ARISEtv]

MTN Has Diverse Shareholding Despite Being Labelled a South African Company; MTN Nigeria is a Local Entity - Toriola

Xenophobia is abhorrent. We condemn all acts of xenophobia against any community, people, or nationality anywhere in the world. Ultimately, a lot of conflicts come down to economic issues: the state of the economy, jobs, etc. While it is true that MTN was founded in South Africa and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, only about 50% of MTN’s shareholding is African. 27% is held in North America, with the balance spread across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and the APAC region. In reality, therefore, it has a very diverse shareholding. MTN Nigeria is a Nigerian company in every sense. We are domiciled in Nigeria, listed on the Nigerian Exchange, and we pay all taxes and duties in full compliance. The company is run by Nigerians. The entire expatriate headcount at MTN Nigeria is just four individuals.

Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria

[Emiola @Emiola_martian]

@Rotankwot The one he scored against Nigeria was more difficult to execute. He controlled the ball with his lap and before the ball hit the ground, he collected it perfectly with his upper foot, all these while still in motion. Both goals were brilliant

[Taiwo Oyedele @taiwoyedele]

PRESS RELEASE

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

5 July 2026

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄

The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two percent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund's 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government's financial management.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a "shadow budget" or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance.

Under Sections 80 - 83 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), public funds may only be withdrawn and expended in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly. Accordingly, Federal Government expenditure is incurred pursuant to duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other statutory authorities enacted by the National Assembly. In addition, multi-year capital projects which necessarily span multiple budgets are implemented in accordance with extant laws and approved provisions for capital rollovers where applicable. These are recognised features of public financial management and should not be misconstrued as expenditures outside the budget.

It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim. To be meaningful, assertions of this magnitude must be supported by verifiable facts rather than conjecture.

For the purpose of public education, it is important to distinguish between appropriation, expenditure authorisation, financing, and fiscal reporting.

Nigeria's public finance framework contains several statutory transfers, first-line charges and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly. These include, among others:

- Statutory allocations and contributions to development commissions and other agencies created by law.

- Cost of collection and cost of administration retained by designated revenue-collecting agencies as expressly provided under relevant legislation.

- Capital expenditure approved in separate budgets for some agencies and the Federal Capital Territory by the National Assembly.

- Special interventions approved by law to address national priorities such as security, infrastructure, disaster response, and other strategic national programmes or emergencies.

- Debt service obligations and other statutory transfers that are authorised under applicable legislation.

These expenditures are neither secret nor illegal. They are established by law, disclosed in various fiscal reports, and subject to applicable oversight, audit and accountability mechanisms. Their treatment for reporting purposes may differ from their presentation in the annual Appropriation Act, particularly under international statistical and reporting standards adopted by the Federal Government. Such classification differences should not be misrepresented as evidence of unlawful expenditure.

It is equally incorrect to suggest that the reported amount represents an increase in budget deficit. A fiscal deficit is determined by the relationship between total government revenues and total government expenditures. Whether a capital project is financed through annual appropriations, supplementary appropriations, statutory transfers, approved intervention mechanisms, or other lawful financing arrangements does not, by itself, increase the fiscal deficit.

Indeed, the IMF's observation relates primarily to the comprehensiveness, timing and presentation of fiscal reporting rather than the legality of expenditure. Like many countries, Nigeria continues to strengthen the alignment between budget presentation and international fiscal reporting standards as part of ongoing public financial management reforms. As a matter of fact, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR had himself formally requested the National Assembly to end the practice of running multiple and overlapping budgets, and rather harmonise into a single, cohesive framework during his presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025.

The Federal Government remains firmly committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability. Recent reforms have significantly strengthened public financial management with ongoing improvements in budget assumptions and credibility, transparent revenue administration, digitalisation of government financial processes, and stronger treasury management. These reforms have been acknowledged by the IMF itself and other multilateral institutions, as well as international credit rating agencies, major media organisations and investors.

Public debate is both welcome and essential in a democratic society. However, it should be based on facts and an accurate understanding of Nigeria's constitutional and fiscal framework. Mischaracterising technical observations as evidence of unlawful expenditure neither advances informed public discourse nor strengthens democratic accountability.

The Federal Government will continue to uphold the rule of law, maintain transparency in the management of public resources, and work with the National Assembly, oversight institutions, development partners and the Nigerian people to further strengthen fiscal governance in line with international best practices.

Signed:

Taiwo Oyedele
Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
Federal Republic of Nigeria

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

I’m Man United fan and Ronaldo is god but the genius of #Messi at 39 is undeniable. If not for heroics of Cape Verde 🇨🇻 making headlines, we should be talking about Messi’s goal. He scored a similar goal vs Nigeria but this was harder with less space and time. #WorldCup

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

The Roots @theroots performing in Philadelphia ahead of #France vs #Paraguay at the World Cup #FIFAWORLDCUP

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

Senegal, are you watching? This is how you close out a match. #Morocco #Worldcup

[BBC 5 Live Sport @5liveSport]

One of the best goals you will EVER see! 🔥

Sidny Lopes Cabral creates an unforgettable moment for Cape Verde 🇨🇻

#BBCFootball #FIFAWorldCup

[Wimbledon @Wimbledon]

Novak Djokovic diving volley on match point! 😱

[Politics UK @PolitlcsUK]

🚨 WATCH: Kemi Badenoch says she won't be watching England play Mexico

"I don't think I can go through what we went through in the match with Congo"

[Cristiano Ronaldo @Cristiano]

Toronto ❤️

[Rotus @Rotankwot]

MTN Nigeria CEO joins us on @ARISEtv at 11am