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Nigeria Approves $2.99B Rail Projects for Lagos, Kano, Kaduna

Nigeria Approves $2.99B Rail Projects for Lagos, Kano, Kaduna

The Nigerian government has greenlit three major railway initiatives valued at approximately $2.99 billion, aiming to bolster infrastructure and stimulate economic activity in key urban areas. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele made the announcement after a Federal Executive Council meeting led by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

These projects—the first phase of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano Metro City rail, and the Kaduna light rail—are designed to improve urban mobility, increase productivity, and enhance living standards, according to Oyedele. He emphasized that robust infrastructure is essential for economic progress and quality of life.

The chosen cities—Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna—were selected for their strategic importance as economic hubs where investments can yield maximum impact. Oyedele noted that a focused effort in these locations could achieve substantial results, comparing it to a scenario where ten percent effort yields ninety percent returns.

Funding for the projects will be managed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on behalf of the federal government, with contributions from counterpart funds. Oyedele, who recently succeeded Wale Edun, confirmed that the combined cost is estimated at $2.99 billion.

This approval highlights the administration’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure development as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and sustainable urban transport systems.

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Lagos State Sets May 7 for Start of 2026 Hajj Airlift of 1,600 Pilgrims

Lagos State Sets May 7 for Start of 2026 Hajj Airlift of 1,600 Pilgrims

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the airlift of its pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj will commence on May 7. This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, through a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Taofeek Lawal. The commissioner also revealed the formation of an ad-hoc committee tasked with managing all aspects of the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The committee, led by Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, was officially inaugurated at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. Layode noted that about 1,600 intending pilgrims from Lagos will be transported in multiple phases, starting with an initial group of 345 on the first flight.

Flight Schedule and Baggage Allowance

The commissioner detailed the flight timeline: the second flight is set for Friday, May 8; the third on Sunday, May 10; the fourth on Tuesday, May 12; and the final flight on Wednesday, May 13. These dates adhere to the schedule provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Additionally, Layode announced that Flynas, the airline designated by NAHCON, has increased the baggage allowance. Each pilgrim can now check in two bags weighing 23kg each, bringing the total checked allowance to 46kg, while hand luggage remains limited to 8kg.

Committee Mandate and Composition

Addressing the committee members, Layode emphasized that their selection was based on competence and dedication. They are expected to ensure smooth planning and execution of all Hajj activities, covering logistics coordination, pilgrim welfare, accommodation, medical support, and other arising responsibilities. The appointments took immediate effect and will last throughout the 2026 Hajj operations.

Jebe expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and the commissioner for the trust placed in the committee. He pledged full commitment to a successful Hajj exercise and appealed for continued ministry support. He also announced the sub-committees and their chairpersons: Musliudeen Maiyegun (Accommodation), Ajisegiri Ismail Ajibade (Welfare), Waheed Lolade Shonibare (Manifest, Visa, and Media), Alhaji Shakiru Gafar (Madinah/Muna and Arafat), Prof. Kabir Paramole (Dawah/Enlightenment), Alhaji Mojeed Sanni (Transport), and Alhaji Yusuf Ara (Luggage and Weighing).

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Mahdi Shehu Slams FG Over N25bn Airport Chapel, Questions Faith Bias

Mahdi Shehu Slams FG Over N25bn Airport Chapel, Questions Faith Bias

Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has strongly criticized the Nigerian government for what he describes as religious favoritism following the launch of a massive ecumenical chapel at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, valued at N25 billion.

In a post on X late Wednesday, Shehu reacted to news that the Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria had officially begun building the worship facility. He pointed out that the project was inaugurated on April 26, 2026, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, along with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, among other high-ranking officials and Christian leaders.

Shehu cited Akume’s description of the project as a “confluence of faith and progress” meant to address travelers’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He also referenced Okoh’s remark that passengers require a space to regain calm before boarding their flights.

The commentator argued that the heavy presence of government officials at the flag-off signals full presidential backing. “For this project to be flagged off by the SGF and the Aviation Minister means the President is fully aware and has given his consent,” Shehu stated, adding that land allocation for the chapel likely involved key government figures.

He then raised pointed questions about religious equity: “When will Muslim travelers be given equally prominent and visible land space to build a mosque at the airport?” Shehu also asked whether the government would provide the same level of financial support to Muslims as it did to CAN, and whether Muslim ministers would be deployed for a similar groundbreaking ceremony.

Shehu warned that without equal treatment, the project risks being perceived as partial. He likened the situation to an unbalanced equation: “This N25 billion project is an equation with two variables—one known, one unknown. For the picture to become clear, the equation must be balanced, otherwise it remains the case of a mother in charge of the kitchen feeding her children first and starving the others out of hate.”

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a disclaimer disassociating himself from the project to maintain neutrality in the eyes of Muslim faithful.

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Get Your WooCommerce Products Listed on ChatGPT Shopping

Get Your WooCommerce Products Listed on ChatGPT Shopping

If you operate a WooCommerce store, you have likely heard that ChatGPT now enables users to shop for products directly within the chat interface. A customer might ask, “Find me a red dress under $50,” and ChatGPT responds with actual items from registered merchants, including prices and availability. This presents a completely new sales channel, yet many store owners are unsure how to get their products included. In this guide, I will walk you through the exact process to make your WooCommerce products appear in ChatGPT’s shopping results—from registering as an OpenAI merchant to generating and submitting your product feed.

ChatGPT Agentic Commerce, also referred to as ChatGPT Shopping, allows users to discover products during a conversation and then click through to the merchant’s site to buy. For example, a user types “I need a blue yoga mat under $40,” and ChatGPT returns relevant products from registered merchants with pricing and stock info. The customer then clicks through to your WooCommerce store to complete the purchase. This system operates via the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), which links your store to ChatGPT’s shopping layer. OpenAI launched the merchant program in late 2025, currently available for U.S. merchants with global expansion underway.

Selling through this channel offers several advantages. Your products appear when users ask specific, high-intent questions, putting your brand in front of customers at the perfect moment. Since buyers click through to your own store, you retain full ownership of the customer relationship, capture email sign-ups, and build brand loyalty without a middleman. Additionally, driving users to your site allows you to present upsells, cross-sells, and order bumps, increasing revenue per order. A compliant product feed with identifiers like GTIN or MPN ensures ChatGPT understands your catalog accurately, leading to better recommendations.

Before starting, ensure you have a WooCommerce store with accurate product data—titles, descriptions, prices, and stock status—and product identifiers (GTIN or MPN) for each item. The first step is to apply to become an OpenAI merchant by visiting the merchant portal on chatgpt.com/merchants. Fill in your business details, region, product types, and agree to the policies. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. OpenAI reviews your application and will contact you when it’s time to provide your product feed. While there is no official timeline, merchant reports suggest the initial review takes a few days to a few weeks. Apply as early as possible to get in the queue.

Next, you need to add GTIN or MPN identifiers to your WooCommerce products. OpenAI requires each product to have a unique identifier—either a GTIN (like UPC, EAN, or ISBN) or an MPN (Manufacturer Part Number). For resold products, the GTIN is usually on the packaging or the manufacturer’s site. If you make your own products, create a consistent MPN format such as BRAND-CATEGORY-001. To add these in WooCommerce, go to Products > All Products, open a product, and scroll to the Product data section. Use the SKU field for MPN if needed, or add GTIN, UPC, EAN, or ISBN fields. For large catalogs, export products as CSV, add identifiers in a spreadsheet, and re-import.

To generate a product feed that meets OpenAI’s specs, install a plugin like Product Feed Pro by AdTribes. This plugin supports ChatGPT/OpenAI along with Google Shopping, TikTok, and other platforms. After installation, go to Product Feed > License to enter your license key. Then navigate to Product Feed > Create Feed, give your feed a name, select your country, and choose “OpenAI Product Feed” under Channels. Select JSONL as the file format (OpenAI’s preferred format). Click Save & Continue to proceed to field mapping—most OpenAI attributes are pre-filled, so review and fill any gaps. Add custom fields if needed, then save and continue through the Data Manipulation and Filters tabs, skipping if unsure. Finally, enable UTM tracking for Google Analytics if desired, and click Generate Product Feed.

Once OpenAI approves your merchant application, they will send instructions to submit your feed via the merchant portal. Go to Product Feed > Manage Feeds, copy your ChatGPT product feed URL, and submit it as directed. OpenAI will run automated validation against their commerce specs, typically taking 24–48 hours. If validation fails, the portal will indicate missing or incorrectly formatted fields—common issues include missing GTINs, incorrect price formatting (needs currency code), or product images that are too small. Fix the issues, regenerate the feed, and resubmit. After passing validation, your products will start appearing in ChatGPT shopping results for relevant queries. Users will click through to your WooCommerce store to purchase, where you can offer upsells and optimize your checkout for higher conversion.

Frequently asked questions: If your products lack GTINs, use MPNs for your own products or check the manufacturer’s website for resold items. OpenAI merchant approval time varies from days to weeks, so apply early. Digital products may not yet be supported—check OpenAI’s current guidelines. ChatGPT commerce is an additional sales channel, not a replacement for your store. Registration and feed submission are free, but you’ll need a product feed plugin. Customers need a ChatGPT account to use the shopping feature.

To get started, apply at chatgpt.com/merchants, add product identifiers, install Product Feed Pro, generate your feed, and submit it for validation. This new channel offers a significant opportunity for WooCommerce store owners to expand reach and drive sales directly from AI-driven conversations.

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WordPress Traffic Drops: Causes and Recovery

WordPress Traffic Drops: Causes and Recovery

Seeing your website analytics plummet is disheartening. But before you assume the worst, remember that a sudden decline isn’t always a penalty. At WPBeginner, after managing high-traffic sites for over a decade, we’ve identified three main categories: tracking failures, external changes like Google updates, and internal issues from site modifications.

Start by verifying your data is real. Use a plugin like MonsterInsights to compare current traffic to the same period last year; seasonal dips are normal. If traffic hits absolute zero instantly, your analytics connection likely broke—just reconnect via the settings screen.

Next, check Google Search Console for manual actions or security issues. A human reviewer may have flagged your site for thin content or unnatural links. If you see a penalty, clean up the problem and request a review. For algorithmic drops, use All in One SEO’s Search Statistics to overlay update dates and pinpoint exactly which posts lost rankings.

Audit your own changes: ensure “Search engine visibility” is unchecked in Settings > Reading, and review security plugin settings for overly aggressive bot detection. Use AIOSEO’s 404 logs to find broken URLs from permalink changes or deleted content—always set up 301 redirects. A speed test via Google PageSpeed Insights can reveal if a new theme or plugin slowed you down.

If those steps fail, scan for malware. A site:yourdomain.com search may show strange titles or injected links. Run a security scanner like Sucuri and check for unauthorized admin users. After fixing the issue, use MonsterInsights’ Site Notes feature to annotate when you made changes, helping you correlate traffic recovery over the following weeks.

Finally, remember that recovery takes time—from days for technical fixes to months for algorithm impacts. Keep monitoring your site’s health with regular backups and a solid SEO foundation to prevent future drops.

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Top 9 WordPress Consulting Themes for 2025

Top 9 WordPress Consulting Themes for 2025

When someone lands on your site for the first time, you only get a few seconds to make an impression. Your theme plays a huge role in that. Most generic themes aren’t built with consulting needs in mind—they lack the right trust signals and page structures. After testing over 20 options, I’ve narrowed down the nine best consulting themes that are fast, easy to set up, and designed to convert visitors into leads.

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a snapshot of my top three picks: Sydney by aThemes is the best overall—it’s easy to set up and looks professional right away. SeedProd uses AI to generate a complete site in under a minute. Divi gives agencies total creative control with a huge library of layouts.

Why does the right theme matter so much for a consulting website? Because your site’s job is to build trust and encourage potential clients to reach out. A slow or cluttered theme can cost you leads before anyone reads a word. The ideal theme creates a credible first impression, makes services easy to find, and grows with your practice.

I evaluated each theme based on setup speed, starter site quality, page builder compatibility, customization depth, mobile responsiveness, and performance. My aim was to find themes that work well in real use, not just in polished demos.

Sydney by aThemes stands out as the top choice. It offers a free version that rivals many premium themes. I imported its consulting demo and had a working site with a strong headline, services overview, testimonials, and a clear call to action within minutes. The pre-designed sections made it easy to customize with Elementor, and the mobile responsiveness was solid.

SeedProd is perfect if you want a custom look without a developer. I entered a company name and description, and the AI generated a complete, polished site in under 60 seconds. The drag-and-drop builder let me adjust anything in real time, and the layouts were automatically responsive. It’s not a traditional theme, but it’s incredibly fast and flexible.

Divi offers unmatched creative control with over 2,600 page designs and 200+ modules. I imported a coaching/consulting layout and found it well-structured for services and calls to action. The lifetime pricing option makes it cost-effective for agencies managing multiple client sites.

Ultra by Themify brings a distinct visual personality to consulting sites. Its built-in Themify Builder works seamlessly without third-party tools, and the Accountant demo I tried had bold layouts and strong visual hierarchy. It’s ideal for design-oriented firms.

Neve is a lightweight, mobile-first theme built for speed. Its drag-and-drop header and footer builder saved time, and it integrated perfectly with Elementor and Beaver Builder. The portfolio feature is great for showcasing results.

OceanWP offers deep customization even in its free version. The Thrive demo imported smoothly with services, about, contact, and events sections. The theme settings let me adjust typography, colors, and layouts without code.

Business3ree is a modern, dark-themed option for budget-conscious startups. It’s focused and professional, with ready-made consulting pages and video hero support. It’s best for solo practitioners who want a credible site without extra complexity.

Inspiro takes a media-first approach, perfect for creative firms like branding or architecture agencies. Its consulting demo includes a hero video, and the custom Elementor modules are built for visual storytelling. The grid portfolio and subtle animations make a strong impression.

Astra is a minimalist theme that excels in performance and scalability. Its consulting starter site loaded fast, and the theme handled additional pages and a blog without any issues. It’s SEO-friendly and works well with most page builders.

In conclusion, your best choice depends on your needs. Sydney is ideal for solo consultants wanting a fast, credible launch. SeedProd offers a unique AI-powered approach for custom designs. Divi suits agencies that need extensive layout options and control.

When building your consulting site, also consider adding a contact form and appointment booking plugin. By choosing a theme that aligns with your goals, you’ll create a site that attracts and converts clients effectively.

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Stable Sea integrates WisdomTree tokenized fund for corporate treasury

Stable Sea integrates WisdomTree tokenized fund for corporate treasury

Stable Sea has added WisdomTree’s tokenized U.S. Treasury money market fund, WTGXX, to its platform, enabling businesses to earn yield on idle cash through blockchain-based treasury management. The integration allows corporate clients to sweep excess funds into a government-backed money market fund instead of leaving them in low-yield bank accounts. WTGXX holds over $857 million in assets and offers a daily yield of 3.43%, investing primarily in short-term U.S. government securities like Treasury bills. Companies can access the fund via Stable Sea’s software, which connects seamlessly with existing financial systems, though onboarding and compliance checks are required due to the regulated nature of the product. This move reflects a growing trend where tokenized Treasury funds are used for corporate cash management and collateral purposes. Other institutions like Franklin Templeton, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered have also launched similar tokenized offerings, signaling broader adoption of blockchain technology in traditional finance. Richard Baker, CEO of Tokenovate, noted that such developments indicate tokenization is moving into core market infrastructure.

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Global Anti-Fraud Sweep Nets 276 Suspects in Crypto Pig Butchering Crackdown

Global Anti-Fraud Sweep Nets 276 Suspects in Crypto Pig Butchering Crackdown

An international law enforcement operation, spearheaded by the FBI, has resulted in the apprehension of 276 individuals and the dismantling of nine cryptocurrency scam centers connected to investment fraud. Known as pig butchering schemes, these operations involve building trust with victims over time before luring them into fake crypto investment opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the coordinated effort involved police forces from Dubai, Thailand, and China. In Dubai alone, authorities detained 275 suspects, while Thailand contributed one arrest. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in Southern California have charged three people with wire fraud and money laundering in connection to the case.

Originating from an FBI investigation in San Diego, the probe identified organized scam compounds linked to three entities: Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group, and Giant Company. These organizations were described as fronts operating fraudulent centers. Victims from the U.S. and other nations were persuaded to send money to phony trading platforms, with funds then funneled through accounts controlled by the scammers and laundered across multiple cryptocurrency wallets.

Authorities have already traced millions of dollars in losses to these networks, highlighting the massive scale of cross-border crypto fraud. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva emphasized that fraudsters targeting Americans from abroad cannot operate with impunity regardless of their location.

This recent crackdown follows a previous joint operation between the FBI and Thai police, which led to the freezing of approximately $580 million in cryptocurrency and the seizure of 8,000 mobile devices used in scam activities. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly focusing on dismantling fraud infrastructure at its source, targeting large-scale compounds in Southeast Asia where these schemes are prevalent.

According to FBI data, crypto-related fraud losses reached a record $11.3 billion last year, making up over half of the total $20.9 billion in internet crime losses reported. The latest arrests underscore the ongoing battle against sophisticated cyber fraud networks.

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USDC Payments: Meta Taps Solana and Polygon for Creator Payouts

USDC Payments: Meta Taps Solana and Polygon for Creator Payouts

Meta has taken a significant step into blockchain-based payments by allowing a select group of creators to receive their earnings in USDC. This move leverages the Solana and Polygon networks, with Stripe acting as the payment processor. Creators are advised to keep detailed records for tax purposes, as these transactions may be reported by Stripe.

Initially, this service is available only to certain creators in Colombia and the Philippines, but Meta plans to extend it to more regions in the future. The company emphasizes that wallet addresses must support USDC on Solana or Polygon; otherwise, funds sent to unsupported addresses cannot be recovered. Meta also retains the right to switch to an alternative payment method if technical issues arise, placing the onus of wallet security on the user.

Supported wallets include MetaMask, Phantom, and Binance, allowing creators to choose how they manage their funds. After receiving USDC, users can convert it to local currency. This initiative aligns with Meta’s prior interest in stablecoins, following its earlier Libra (later Diem) project, which was discontinued due to regulatory hurdles.

The broader stablecoin ecosystem continues to expand, with Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol enabling seamless USDC movement between blockchains without relying on wrapped assets. This infrastructure supports a burn-and-mint model, making cross-chain transfers behave like moving funds within a single system. Stablecoin transactions have surged, with USDC alone processing over $8 trillion in January 2026 according to industry data.

Meta’s foray into USDC payouts marks a pragmatic adoption of crypto for creator economies, leveraging existing blockchain networks and payment partners to simplify cross-border transactions. As the stablecoin market matures, such integrations could become more common, bridging traditional content monetization with decentralized finance.

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OKX Introduces New Protocol for Autonomous AI Commercial Transactions

OKX Introduces New Protocol for Autonomous AI Commercial Transactions

OKX, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has unveiled an innovative open protocol aimed at enabling artificial intelligence agents to independently execute complete business transactions. This development marks a significant leap from simple machine payments to comprehensive commercial activities, covering everything from initial negotiation to final settlement.

The newly launched Agent Payments Protocol empowers AI systems to handle not only payments but also quoting, negotiation, escrow, usage tracking, settlement, and dispute resolution within a unified framework. According to OKX, recent advancements have seen AI agents evolve from answering queries to managing workflows and autonomously representing users in business processes. The company identifies the primary challenge as shifting from intelligence to commerce, specifically addressing the full business cycle rather than just payment execution.

Existing solutions like x402 primarily facilitate machine-to-machine transactions, but OKX argues they fail to support the entire commercial lifecycle. The Agent Payments Protocol fills this gap by incorporating features such as escrow and dispute resolution, which are slated for future updates. Built as an open standard, the protocol is compatible with multiple blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana. Developers can integrate one-time, batch, or pay-as-you-go transactions using the Payment SDK and OKX’s X Layer blockchain, with minimal or zero gas fees.

A self-custodial Agentic Wallet, secured by trusted execution environments, supports over 20 chains. The protocol also enables agent communication via HTTP and XMTP, along with integration with messaging platforms like Telegram. Escrow functionality ensures funds are released only upon service delivery, and built-in dispute resolution tools are currently under development.

The launch aligns with broader industry efforts to build infrastructure for AI-led transactions. Coinbase has expanded its x402 ecosystem with Agentic.market, where AI agents can discover and pay for services without API keys. Infrastructure from Stripe is also focusing on high-volume machine transactions, while Amazon Web Services and Alibaba Cloud support agentic payment standards. OKX collaborated with ecosystems such as Base, Ethereum Foundation, Sui, Aptos, and Optimism at the blockchain level.

OKX Global CEO Star Xu emphasized that the protocol is built on years of on-chain infrastructure and AI development, created with outstanding partners, and represents a key step toward implementing the agent economy in real-world scenarios. The release follows OKX’s recent expansion in institutional services, including integration with BitGo’s off-exchange settlement system in the U.S., which allows firms to trade while keeping assets under third-party custody, thereby improving capital efficiency.