P resident Bola Tinubu has named Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs. The appointment comes after Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar resigned to take part in the 2027 elections.   Odumegwu-Ojukwu was the Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs Ministry before this new role.   The President also picked Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. His nomination still needs approval from the Senate.   Before this, Enikanolaiye served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. He is from Kogi State.   Enikanolaiye is an experienced diplomat with more than 30 years in Nigeria’s foreign service. He once worked as Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He has also served in Nigerian embassies in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.   Tinubu said these appointments will help reshape Nigeria’s foreign p...

P resident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered security agencies to track down those behind repeated attacks in Plateau State. He also approved ₦2 billion to support victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA.   Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with Plateau stakeholders at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu said the Federal Government will take firm action against anyone responsible for the killings.   He called on community leaders to identify people causing violence in their areas. Tinubu said lasting peace depends on honesty, tolerance, and collective responsibility.   “If you know those fueling violence, report them. Government will act decisively,” he said. He added that justice, fairness, and inclusion must drive efforts to end the crisis.   The meeting was attended by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former governors, traditional rulers, and other political leaders. Tinubu urged them to work together to find lasting solutions to the i...

 ‎ Condemnation has failed. To stop attacks on foreigners, Africa must use history, economic pressure, and the law. ‎ ‎BY- Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin ‎W riting or discussing xenophobic attacks in South Africa requires caution and intelligence. If not handled carefully, especially on social media, it can easily escalate the conflict. Many videos and posts shared online often lack deep understanding or proper explanation of what is really happening. ‎Xenophobia in South Africa is not a new issue. Even before 1994, foreigners and immigrants already faced discrimination and attacks. This was mainly linked to competition for scarce economic opportunities. Some locals saw foreign workers, both legal and illegal, as a threat that takes jobs away from citizens. There was also market competition between foreign and local businesses, as well as complaints about foreigners building romantic relationships with local women. ‎Although locals appear divided, with some strongly condemning the attac...

Y usuf Datti Baba Ahmed, who was the Labour Party’s vice presidential candidate in 2023, says he is leaving the party to join the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP. He shared his plan on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Baba-Ahmed said problems inside the Labour Party made him decide to leave. He stated that the party has moved away from the ideas it was built on. “I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow, Wednesday. When there was peace in the Labour Party, they brought in someone for a special reason. Because of that person’s history, things became hard for me. The Labour Party today is not what it used to be,” he said. He added that he would officially leave the party at midnight. “I am leaving the Labour Party at midnight, and I am joining PRP. That is my new home. The PRP has a long history. It is about 75 years old,” he stated. The PRP was formed in 1978 by the late Aminu Kano. It is one of the oldest political parties in Nigeria and is known for it...

T he Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has told the public that reports about it selling scrap from its refineries are not true. In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, NNPC Limited said it has not asked for bids or given anyone approval to sell scrap metals, refinery parts, or any items from its warehouses. The company said it has heard that some people are claiming to be NNPC Limited staff or agents. These people say they can help buyers get “scrap metals” or refinery equipment. “These people are not working for NNPC Limited and they are trying to cheat the public,” the company said. NNPC Limited asked the public, businesses, and others in the oil industry to ignore such claims and be careful when dealing with anyone who makes them. “To be clear, NNPC Limited is not selling, and has not allowed anyone to sell, scrap metals, equipment, or refinery parts from any of our sites,” the statement said. The company explained that if it ever needs to sell any of its items, it w...

T wo Nigerian men have been killed in South Africa in separate incidents linked to rising hostility toward foreigners, sparking fresh worries over the safety of Nigerians in the country. The Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg confirmed the deaths on Monday, identifying the victims as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew. According to Consul-General Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, Emmanuel died after he was allegedly beaten by officers of the South African National Defence Force on April 20. Andrew was arrested on April 19 in Booysens, Pretoria, following an alleged dispute with Tshwane Metro Police officers, Okey-Uche said. He was later found dead at the Pretoria Central Mortuary. Both deaths involved security officials and have triggered anger within the Nigerian community in South Africa. Diplomatic concerns have also been raised. Nigerians in South Africa are urging the Federal Government to urgently speak with South African authorities to guarantee their safety. The consulate has f...

G overnor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has publicly backed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, to succeed him as Lagos State governor in 2027, saying Hamzat is capable and ready for the job. Speaking on Monday, Sanwo-Olu pointed to their seven years working together as proof of Hamzat’s character. “He is a man of integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support,” the governor said. The endorsement came during a private meeting at Lagos House, Marina. At the meeting, Hamzat informed the State Executive Council and senior leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of his plan to run for governor, Sanwo-Olu told journalists after the session. A viral video from the gathering shows Sanwo-Olu raising Hamzat’s hand after praying for him, while those in the room applauded. Sanwo-Olu said stakeholders at the meeting all agreed to support Hamzat.  “We just received Mr. Deputy, who came with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the governorship pos...

T he Federal Government has introduced a new National Textbook Ranking System for primary and secondary schools to improve quality and bring uniformity to classroom materials, the Federal Ministry of Education said Saturday in a press release signed by Director of Press and Public Relations Boriowo Folasade. The system will cover Primary, Junior Secondary, and Senior Secondary levels and is designed to reduce the flood of textbooks in schools, the Ministry said. Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa and Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad stated that the move will ensure only high-quality, curriculum-compliant books are approved for use. NERDC will keep its legal duty to approve textbooks, but every approved title will now face an extra ranking process to pick the most suitable ones for each subject and class level, the ministers explained. To carry out the rankings, NERDC will set up Standing Subject Committees of experts, the Ministry noted. The committees w...

‎P anic broke out Saturday night in Washington, D.C. after gunshots were heard near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing security agents to rush President Donald Trump and other top officials to safety. ‎ ‎Government Executive reported that the shooting happened at the Washington Hilton, where journalists, government leaders, and guests had gathered for the yearly event hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association. According to the U.S. Secret Service, the gunfire came from near the main security checkpoint as people were entering the hotel. ‎ Agents quickly drew their weapons and locked down the area. Government officials confirmed that one person was arrested, but police had not shared the suspect’s name or motive when Government Executive filed its report. ‎ ‎People at the scene described chaos after hearing several loud bangs. Officers shouted warnings and moved guests away from the danger. Reporter Jacqui Heinrich said everyone was told to stay put while...

F ormer Nigeria international Michael Eneramo died on Friday after collapsing during a friendly match. The 40-year-old forward reportedly suffered a suspected cardiac arrest five minutes into the second half, according to early reports from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Friday's game was played in the morning in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna. Eneramo played the entire first half before the incident occurred. NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the news came as a shock. “This is devastating. I am short of words at this moment,” he stated. Eneramo played 10 games for Nigeria. He chose Nigeria over Tunisia, even though he spent many years playing in Tunisia and once considered taking Tunisian citizenship. Fans of Esperance Sportive de Tunis nicknamed him “The Tank” for his strength and key role in helping the club win multiple trophies. He also played in Turkey for Sivasspor, Besiktas, and Basaksehir, among other clubs. Eneramo made his Nigeria debut in February 2009 in a frien...

  T he Federal Government has approved the review of allowances and welfare packages for civil servants, in a move aimed at lifting morale and improving conditions across the public service. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said the adjustments will cover workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, CONPSS, and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, CONRAISS. She explained that the goal is to ensure the benefits reach all categories of staff, from junior to senior levels. Walson-Jack said the Federal Executive Council signed off on the reforms, which include revised peculiar allowances structured to deliver higher take-home pay for every grade level. Key allowances such as Duty Tour Allowance, estacode, and book allowance have also been reviewed upward. According to her, nearly every allowance captured in the Public Service Rules is undergoing revision....

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday arraigned six men accused of trying to topple the Nigerian government. The men are facing 13 counts covering treason, terrorism, and money laundering. Those charged are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They all pleaded not guilty in court. Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi led the government’s lawyers. He asked the court to keep the accused in DSS custody and to fast-track the case. Defence counsel Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, told the judge they had filed a bail application for Gana and needed time to argue it. The lawyers also said they had struggled to see their clients since the arrest. In response, Fagbemi said, “I can assure you that your right to speak with your clients will not be denied.” Justice Abdulmalik approved an accelerated hearing. However, he sent the six men to prison ins...

P resident Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to infrastructural development, identifying it as the backbone of Nigeria's economic growth.  ‎During a meeting at the State House yesterday with stakeholders from Enugu State, led by the State Governor, Peter Mbah, President Tinubu specifically announced plans to construct a rail line connecting Port Harcourt to Enugu. ‎Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu highlighted the progress of his ongoing reforms, emphasizing that they are already yielding tangible outcomes.  ‎"On the matter you raised, the rail from Port Harcourt to Enugu, the power sector reforms, the infrastructure that is a backbone of economic development of our country I have noted. We will do more," the President stated. ‎The President praised Governor Mbah and his team for their dedication to the progress of Enugu State, describing them as transformative leaders. ‎"The work you are doing is extremely, extremely...

T he Lagos State Ministry of Housing has reminded people living in state owned estates that they must get permission before they change the outside of their buildings or install solar panels. Permanent Secretary Abdulhafis Toriola gave the reminder in a statement released on Wednesday, April 22nd,  through the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Ganiu Lawal. Toriola said the rule is not new. It is written in the Letter of Allocation and Allottees Guide that every homeowner receives when they buy a flat. He explained that the approval is needed to protect shared parts of the buildings, like rooftops, walls, and water systems. It also helps stop dangers such as fire from badly installed solar panels. The ministry brought in clear guidelines after facing more problems with solar panel installations on government estates. “In recent times, the ministry had to repair leaking rooftops and deal with fire incidents caused by residents who installed solar panels the wrong way,” Toriola s...

T he Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, the first recorded in the state since 2022. State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, announced the case on Tuesday during a press briefing in Calabar. He said the patient is a Chinese national who works with Lafarge. The man arrived in Nigeria from China on March 17 and fell ill weeks later. According to Dr Ayuk, the patient’s condition worsened at his company’s clinic before he was moved to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Samples were taken and tested following standard protocol. Results confirmed he had COVID-19. Officials say he is now responding to treatment and “doing well.” The Health Ministry said it is ready to handle the situation. “There is no cause for alarm,” Dr Ayuk stated. “The state has improved its surveillance and outbreak response systems. We will contain this.” Contact tracing has already started. The state epidemiologist noted that the Chinese national only showed symptoms on A...

O n Monday, retired police officers and their families blocked Gate 8 of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. They want President Tinubu to sign the Police Exit Bill. The bill would remove the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme. The National Assembly passed it in December 2025 and sent it to the President in March 2026. He has not signed it. Protest leader CSP Raphael Irowainu (retd.) said retirees live in poverty under the CPS, with many retiring sick or with bullet wounds. He warned they would use their votes against Tinubu if the bill stalls. The group said the military, SSS, and other agencies have already left the CPS, but the police remain. A letter they submitted showed an Inspector gets only N1m lump sum and N20,000 monthly. A wife of a retiree said her husband gets N30,000 monthly after 35 years of service. The retirees threatened an indefinite nationwide protest if Tinubu doesn’t act. They held a similar protest in September 2025. Background Reporting: Punch Newspapers

T he Council of Legal Education has announced the results of the December 2025 Bar Final Examination, with 79.1 percent of the 7,602 candidates who sat for the exam recording a pass. The notice was signed and issued on April 20, 2026, by the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja. A breakdown of the results shows that 212 candidates obtained First Class honours. Another 1,216 candidates earned Second Class Upper division, while 2,961 candidates were awarded Second Class Lower division. A total of 1,622 candidates received a Pass. The Council also stated that 314 candidates had a Conditional Pass. In addition, 1,067 candidates failed the examination, and 210 candidates were absent. Information on the screening process and the schedule for the Call to the Bar ceremony will be sent to candidates through their individual portals on the Nigerian Law School website, the Council said. It noted that the released figures reflect the pe...

T he Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a middle-aged woman, Oluwasola Victoria Adebayo, who collapsed on Monday at a JAMB examination centre in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area. Mrs Adebayo slumped while accompanying her daughter to write the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Police spokesperson Jimoh Abayomi disclosed the incident in a short statement issued in Akure. He said the Command received a report of the death and immediately deployed officers to the examination centre in Ilara-Mokin. According to Abayomi, Mrs Adebayo was waiting with her daughter when she suddenly collapsed. The police added that the remains of the deceased have been released to her son, Apapa Olamilekan, who identified himself at the scene as an officer of the Nigeria Legion, Akure. “The family of the deceased has since been contacted and upon thorough checks, the remains have been released to one Mr Apapa Olamilekan, who identified himself as her son and an...

T he Lagos State Government will restart its monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday, April 25, 2026, nearly a decade after the programme was suspended. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) confirmed the return of the exercise on Monday through a statement on its official X account. The agency said the statewide clean-up will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. During the two-hour period, residents are expected to clean their homes and surroundings and dispose of waste properly. LAWMA said the effort is aimed at improving hygiene across the state. “Monthly sanitation exercise commences on Saturday 25th April from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. across the state,” the statement read. “This is a reminder that sanitation is everyone’s responsibility. Residents are encouraged to clean their surroundings, dispose waste properly, and support efforts to keep our environment clean and safe. Together, we can achieve a cleaner and more livable Lagos.” The return of the exercise w...

N igerian wrestling star Oba Femi says his journey from Lagos to World Wrestling Entertainment was never planned, but every step was intentional. The 27-year-old, born Isaac Odugbesan, spoke about his rise in an exclusive chat with Larry Madowo on CNN’s African Voices Playmakers. Once a shot put champion studying Visual Arts in Lagos, he earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama after dominating track and field. “I had dreams of the World Championships and the Olympics,” Odugbesan said. “I chased those goals and did well in everything I tried.” Wrestling came by surprise. WWE reached out through an Instagram message. He had no wrestling background, but his size, power, and throwing videos caught their eye. “They saw the package,” he said. “When they asked if I wanted to try wrestling, I said yes. The rest is history.” His ring name, Oba Femi, is rooted in Yoruba. “Oba” means king, and “Femi” means loves me. Put together, it means “the King loves me.” For him, the name is more t...

T he Lagos State Government has launched a new cybersecurity guide to improve digital safety for businesses, public offices, and residents across the state, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced via X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, April 19th, 2026. The move comes as Lagos continues to grow as Africa’s fastest tech hub, with thousands of companies now operating online. But that growth has also raised the state’s risk of cyber attacks. Recent figures from the National Information Technology Development Agency show Nigeria loses over $500 million, about ₦250 billion, to cybercrime every year. The state government says this makes a stronger, joint approach to digital security urgent. The new guide is meant to help Lagos keep its “SMART City” status while protecting its systems and people from rising online threats. Government officials explained that the document is not a strict law but a practical toolkit. It gives small businesses, large companies, and gove...

T he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has published the results of candidates who took the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 2026. The update was shared on Sunday in Abuja in a statement signed by the board’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin. So far, JAMB has made public the results of 1,897,692 candidates since the exam started on April 16, 2026. The board noted that 632,752 results were first released on Friday evening for candidates who wrote the exam on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The new batch covers 1,264,940 candidates who sat for the exam on April 17 and April 18. Those results are now available. Candidates can check their scores by texting 'UTMERESULT' to 55019 or 66019. They must use the phone number they provided during 2026 UTME registration. In summary, the released results include 632,752 from Thursday, April 16, and 1,264,940 from Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18. That brings ...

T he National Universities Commission (NUC) will re-examine the policy that stops graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) from taking part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). NUC Executive Secretary Abdullahi Ribadu announced the plan after the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, raised concerns about the rule. The Oba, who also serves as NOUN’s chancellor, described the exclusion as unfair to the university’s graduates. According to NAN, the traditional ruler called for a policy review to allow qualified NOUN graduates to serve. He noted that the current ban puts them at a disadvantage compared to other university graduates. Responding to the issue, Ribadu said the NUC will hold talks with NYSC management to look at the mobilisation guidelines again. “I have heard the chancellor’s concerns about NOUN graduates not being mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps,” Ribadu said. He added: “I want to assure you that at NUC, we will engage with NYSC to see what policy...

T he Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has denied reports that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services across Nigeria, calling the story false and blaming “vested interests” for spreading it. In a statement issued on Friday, April 17, 2026, the FCCPC said it did not order a stop to the services. Instead, it blamed telecom companies that failed to follow new consumer protection rules meant to stop unfair lending practices. The Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the problem started with the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in July 2025. The rules came after many complaints from customers about hidden charges, harsh debt collection, poor explanation of terms, and lack of accountability by third-party service providers. He said the regulations were made to check abusive service providers and make sure digital lending is open and fair. Telecom operators were first given 90 days in 2025 to update their products and c...

T he Federal Ministry of Education has made the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials fully digital. The service is now available only online.   Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, announced the change in a statement on Thursday. She said the move supports the government’s plan to digitise public services.   The goal is to manage data better, protect the integrity of school records, and improve how the ministry serves the public.   With the new system, applicants must register on the ministry’s verification portal at http://essverify.education.gov.ng and upload their documents. They must also ask their schools to send transcripts directly from an official school email address to ess1@education.gov.ng .   People no longer need to visit ministry offices for physical checks.   Officials say the automated platform will make the process simpler, shorten wait times, and boost trust in academic verificatio...

MTN Nigeria has temporarily stopped its Xtratime service. The service lets prepaid customers borrow airtime or data and pay back on their next recharge.   The company announced the move in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday. Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah signed the statement.   MTN said the suspension is to meet new rules from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The FCCPC released the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025. These rules add new licensing and compliance steps for companies that offer digital credit.   Because Xtratime is a form of short-term credit, it falls under the new framework. MTN said it is pausing the service while it works through the approval process.   Customers can still buy airtime and data through other channels like bank apps, USSD, and vendors. MTN said the pause will not hurt its finances in a major way.   “We do not exp...

T he Nigeria Revenue Service has announced plans to launch Rev360, a new digital platform designed to improve tax administration across the country. The platform will become operational on April 30, 2026. The Service described Rev360 as the start of “Tax Administration 3.0,” a phase that will replace disconnected procedures with a unified and automated system. The goal is to make tax-related activities easier for individuals and businesses while strengthening transparency in the process. Rev360 builds on earlier digital tools such as TaxPro Max but introduces complete automation and real-time reporting. By integrating tax functions into systems already used by taxpayers, the NRS expects to reduce the need for in-person visits to tax offices, shorten processing times for returns and payments, and support better decision-making through data analysis. To ensure stability during the transition, the NRS will implement the platform in phases. After a successful pilot exercise, the first cate...

G rief has affected the Orosikiri community in Bonny Island, Rivers State, after a resident identified as Favour Amos drowned on Thursday. Witnesses stated that the incident occurred shortly after he allegedly consumed a dangerous synthetic substance commonly referred to as ‘Colos’ by youths. According to individuals present at the scene, Amos became disoriented after ingesting the substance and entered the nearby river. His absence was not noticed immediately, and his body was later recovered from the shore by community members and emergency responders. Footage from the location shows Amos lying on the sand while a crowd gathers around him. A narrator in the recording stated that Amos entered the water at Orosikiri after using the substance. The narrator also noted that youths in the community have been repeatedly cautioned against the use of such drugs. It was further stated that no one pursued him and that he was a victim of the substance. The substance, known locally as Colos, is a...

T he Lagos State Government plans to add more fire stations across the state to improve public safety. This comes after a new fire station was opened as part of recent projects launched to boost development and protect residents. In a statement, the state government said the projects were unveiled during a two-day event held from April 8 to April 9, 2026, under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. Godswill Akpabio carried out the commissioning on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. One major project is the Tolu School Complex in Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle, within Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. The complex has 36 schools, a modern fire station, and a stadium with 19 small football pitches. Officials say adding a fire station to the complex shows the government’s plan to save lives, protect property, and support local communities. A multi-agency complex named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also opened at the event. The centre is expected to help emergency teams and other pu...

  ‎V eteran Igbo rapper Slowdogg has proposed to his girlfriend.  ‎In a video obtained from CoalCity Connect via Instagram, the 47-year-old artist, whose real name is Okechukwu Emmanuel, was seen on one knee during a private event in Enugu as he put a ring on his girlfriend’s finger. The proposal took place in early April 2026. Popular Nigerian actor and musician Harry B Anyanwu was also seen in the video. Slowdogg, also known as Mr. Diggy, is from Awkuzu in Anambra State. He is seen as one of the pioneer of Igbo rap and is famous for his “comedy rap” style in the Igbo language.  He started music in 1994 and went professional in 2002 as part of the duo Dodge & Slowdog (DSD). They dropped their first album, 'Xposed Piracy', that same year. He became a household name in the South East after his 2006 hit “Who get dat tin,” which was produced by Dekumzy. Over his long career, Slowdogg has worked with big names like Mr. Raw, Flavour, Phyno, Olamide, Timaya et-al. His musi...

T he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has identified several individuals and entities involved in financing Boko Haram's terrorist activities. These individuals were convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal in 2019 for collecting funds in Dubai and sending them to Nigeria to support terrorism. The SEC has frozen their assets and warned financial institutions to be vigilant. The commission emphasized that this move is preventive, aimed at disrupting terrorist funding networks. The SEC also stressed that non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules will attract severe penalties, including fines and reputational damage. The directive applies to all financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and designated non-financial businesses. The commission expects market operators to have systems that can quickly screen transactions, trace assets, and report suspicious activities. Failure to comply may lead to regulatory san...

M eta Platforms Inc. has filed an appeal against a Nigerian court ruling that found it breached the country's data protection laws and awarded $25,000 in damages to lawyer Femi Falana. In its appeal, Meta disputes the finding that it breached the Nigeria Data Protection Act, arguing it was incorrectly classified as a data controller. The company claims there is no evidence it controlled how personal data was processed. Meta also argues the damages award is "unjustified" and should be set aside. The company alleges it was denied fair hearing, saying the trial court raised issues without input from the parties and ignored key defence arguments. The appeal sets the stage for a legal battle that could impact platform responsibility and rights enforcement in Nigeria. Source: The Cable 

T he Nigerian military has carried out air strikes on a hideout of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Jilli, Borno State, killing several terrorists and destroying their vehicles. The strike was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that the area was a convergence point for ISWAP fighters and their collaborators. The military had been monitoring the area following recent attacks in the region, including an IED incident in January that killed eight soldiers and coordinated attacks on April 9 in Ngamdu and Benisheik. "The military carried out a rigorous targeting process before executing the air strikes," a statement said. "Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave." The military said those targeted were preparing logistics for planned attacks on troop locations in Gubio axis. A suspected logistics courier, Turja Bulu, was arr...

  R ising Nigerian rapper  Okwudili Onyeka Okoli , professionally known as ' 6uff' or ' 6uffzaddy', has shared the shocking story of his family's financial downfall after his father's death. In an interview on the 'Off the Record podcast', 6uff revealed that his father's ₦3 billion oil business empire was left in shambles, plunging his family into poverty. "We lost everything," 6uff said. "We were forced to sell all our properties just to survive." The rapper described years of hardship, relying on credit, and struggling to make ends meet. Despite his current success, 6uff said many still think he was born into wealth. "People find it hard to believe because they only see the version of me that is successful now," he said. 6uff's mother is reportedly unsupportive of his music career, leading him to hide a tattoo of his late father on his arm. "Even though I provide for the family, she still tells me that one day...