N igeria is finally ready to switch fully from analogue to digital TV. The federal government says the new system will start working across the country on June 17, 2026. The announcement came from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. He spoke on Wednesday during a visit to the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited office in Abuja. “For many years, Nigerians have talked about moving from analogue to digital TV. That move is now done. We will launch it on June 17,” Idris said. He was received at NigComSat by the company’s Managing Director, Jane Egerton-Idehen. Idris said the new digital platform will change how TV, advertising, and broadcasting work in Nigeria and across West and Central Africa. One big improvement is better audience measurement. TV stations and advertisers will now see real-time data on what people watch. This makes it easier to know which shows are popular and what Nigerians want to see. “In the past, we didn’t have proper data. No...

  N igeria Democratic Congress presidential hopeful Peter Obi has said he met with senior British political and business leaders in London, including Lord Jonathan Marland, who heads the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. In a post on his official X account , Obi explained that the meeting centered on expanding trade ties, driving economic growth, and finding ways to strengthen small and medium enterprises across Nigeria. He pointed to fast-growing economies like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam as examples, noting that their progress came largely from prioritizing support for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. He argued that Nigeria should adopt a similar strategy to boost productivity and create jobs. According to Obi, these smaller businesses are the backbone of any growing economy. He stressed that giving them consistent support, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, is key to unlocking development and employment opportunities. The former Anambra govern...

  T he Nigeria Union of Teachers has opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to exempt candidates seeking admission into the Nigeria Certificate in Education programme from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, as reported by Daily Post Nigeria . NUT President Audu Amba said the move could lower standards in teacher training. He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a sensitisation workshop for teachers organised by 21st Century in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. Amba expressed concern over the declining quality of candidates entering colleges of education, noting that many top-performing students now prefer universities. He warned that the trend poses a long-term risk to teaching quality in Nigeria and insisted that the profession should attract the country’s best academic performers. “Colleges of Education should have the highest-scoring UTME candidates,” Amba said. “Instead, when students fail to gain university admission, they are told ...

T he Federal Government has launched a “dual mandate” system that lets students in Federal Colleges of Education earn both a National Certificate in Education and a Bachelor of Education degree in five years, as part of efforts to strengthen the teaching profession. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the policy during a live interview on Channels Television’s 'Politics Today' with presenter Seun Okinbaloye. He said the move is aimed at reversing the decline in interest in teacher education and securing the future of training colleges. Under the system, students begin with a three-year NCE program. Those who obtain five O-level credits, including English, can proceed directly for two more years to complete their B.Ed at the same institution.  “In five years, you get an NCE diploma and you get a Bachelor of Education degree,” Alausa explained. He said the policy has already increased enrolment and is helping to build a stronger pool of qualified teachers. The program i...

P resident Bola Tinubu has given the green light for Nigeria to host both the 2026 Confederation of African Football Awards and the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly, the Nigeria Football Federation announced on Tuesday. The approval was confirmed during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, after Tinubu met with CAF President Patrice Motsepe.  Present at the meeting were Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, CAF presidential adviser Amaju Pinnick, and CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu. According to the NFF, the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is set for October 2026. The gathering will bring together presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, leaders of the six zonal unions, and other top football officials from across Africa. The CAF Awards remain the continent’s biggest night for football, honoring the best players, coaches, and teams in a high-profile ceremony. “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the ...

T he Abia State government has set up a special committee to look into claims of harassment, extortion, and other misconduct at Abia State University, Uturu, according to The Guardian. The decision came on Monday, May 11, 2026, during the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council. Officials said the move is part of efforts to protect students and maintain discipline and integrity in the school. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the five member panel will be led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Dr. Caleb Ajagba. Mr. Dodoh Okafor, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, will serve as secretary. Other members are Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa, and Professor Lawrence Idemudia. The committee will work with the university’s Governing Council and has four main tasks. It is to identify those behind the allegations and advise the Visitor to the university on next steps. The panel will also ex...

P resident Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violent protests and criminal acts against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, saying they do not reflect the views of South Africans or government policy. In a statement issued at 8:56 AM on Monday, 11 May 2026, from “The Desk of the President” and posted on his official X account , Ramaphosa urged the country to protect its international reputation and the solidarity it has built with the rest of Africa since 1994. “As a country, we must reject attempts to damage our country’s international reputation and to undermine the solidarity that has defined South Africa’s relations with the rest of Africa since the dawn of democracy,” President Ramaphosa said. He pointed to South Africa’s refugee protection system, which allows displaced people to live in communities, work, and access healthcare and education instead of being confined to camps. Ramaphosa noted that this approach reflects the country’s commitment to human rights and African in...

K wara State University (KWASU) has announced it will stop its Top-Up and Higher National Diploma (HND) Conversion programme from the 2025/2026 academic session. The decision follows a directive from the National Universities Commission (NUC). In a statement released on Monday, the university’s Registrar, Dr. Kikelomo W. Sallee, said the move was necessary to comply with NUC regulations that govern university education across Nigeria. “KWASU will discontinue the Top-Up/HND Conversion programme starting from the 2025/2026 academic session,” the statement read. “This action is in line with the guidelines issued by the National Universities Commission, the body responsible for regulating all universities in the country.” The university noted that the NUC would issue further guidance on what will happen to students already enrolled in the programme.  “The NUC will provide directives on the status of current students on the programme at KWASU in due course,” the statement added. The sus...

L agos motorists heading to the Island should expect a temporary diversion as the state government shuts part of Eko Bridge for urgent safety checks and rehabilitation works starting Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed the closure in a statement released on Sunday. He said the affected section runs from Apongbon to Ijora Olopa, while the lane leading into Lagos Island will remain open to traffic. To reduce disruption, the government is urging commuters to use the Third Mainland Bridge as an alternative route during the exercise. Osiyemi noted that traffic management and security personnel will be stationed along diversion routes to guide drivers and maintain order. “In view of the closure between Apongbon and Ijora Olopa, members of the motoring public are advised to use the Third Mainland Bridge to access their desired destinations,” the statement read. “The inward Lagos Island carriageway will remain open to motorists. Adequate...

O peratives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recovered 2,326 kilograms of imported cannabis worth over N5.8 billion in a raid on a Lekki mansion, according to Vanguard Newspaper.  The Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA stormed the stash house at 36 African Lane, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on Friday, May 8. Officers found 4,000 parcels of “Loud”, a potent strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N5,815,000,000. Two Mercedes Benz buses and various designer sachets used for packaging the drugs for retail sale were also seized at the location. In a separate operation on Wednesday, May 6, NDLEA officers raided a makeshift “skuchies” production factory in Ijora Badia, Lagos. Two suspects, Bose Jamiu and Gbenga Gege, were arrested at the scene while allegedly mixing cannabis with other illicit substances. Authorities recovered 270 litres of the prepared skuchies and 106 grams of Tramadol 225mg. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said three persons living wi...

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink   P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

  O akland officials have ordered Nigerian physician Dr. Matthew Bernard and his partner Lynn Warner to pay $915,135 for cutting down dozens of protected trees without approval at their Claremont Avenue property, according to Blueprint Newspaper . City staff carried out several inspections of the hillside lot between February 2021 and May 2022 after receiving complaints about illegal felling. The visits confirmed that mature trees had been removed in violation of local conservation rules. More than 20 residents attended a council hearing to push for strict enforcement, arguing that the area’s dense canopy helps lower wildfire risk and supports ecological balance. Bernard told the council the trees were “dead, dying, leaning, or hazardous” and said a certified arborist had recommended their removal. Authorities rejected his request to retroactively legalize the work or link new plantings to planned construction. Instead, they imposed the fine and placed a lien on the property, block...

  A frica’s biggest night for film and TV lit up Lagos on Saturday as stars, filmmakers, and creators gathered for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ( AMVCA ). The event started at 7 p.m. at Eko Hotel and Suites, honoring the best work in movies, series, and digital content from across Africa. Many fans joined live on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, others streamed online. Below are the winners and nominees in various categories: ✓ Best Movie Writing Winner: 'My Father’s Shadow' by Wale Davies    Other nominees: • 'The Herd' by Lani Aisida   • 'Blackout' by Ikenna Okpara   • 'Cards on the Table' by Shirleen Wangari   • 'Gingerrr' by Xavier Ighorodje   • 'Suky' by Isaac Ayodeji   • '3 Cold Dishes' by Tomi Adesina   ✓ Best TV Series Writing Winner: 'MTV Shuga Mashariki' by Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo   Other nominees:  ...

G alatasaray have been crowned Turkish champions after beating Antalyaspor 4-2 at home on Saturday. The win at RAMS Park in Istanbul gave Galatasaray an uncatchable lead with one game left to play. It is their 26th league title and their fourth in a row. The match started badly for the home side. Antalyaspor, who are fighting to avoid relegation, took the lead just before half-time through Soner Dikmen. They went ahead again in the 62nd minute when Soner scored his second goal of the game. Galatasaray hit back quickly. Mario Lemina equalized in the 56th minute, and striker Victor Osimhen made it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Osimhen then put Galatasaray ahead in the 78th minute, and defender Kaan Ayhan added a fourth goal in stoppage time to seal the win. The result set off celebrations at the stadium and across Istanbul. Fans waved flags, lit torches, and danced in the streets as news spread that the title was secure. Coach Okan Buruk’s team bounced back after losing 4...

19 passengers and 3 crew to be flown to Merseyside on Sunday after screening in Tenerife B ritish passengers and crew from a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak will fly home on Sunday and go straight into hospital quarantine, according to The Guardian . Nineteen British passengers and three crew members will be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. The same hospital housed returning British nationals during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ship, MV Hondius, has 146 people on board. After spending days stranded off Praia in Cape Verde, it is now heading for Tenerife. Cape Verde officials refused to let it dock over fears that an outbreak could overwhelm their health system. Before leaving Tenerife, all passengers will be screened for hantavirus on Sunday morning. Anyone who tests negative and shows no symptoms will then travel on to their home country. The UK group will be escorted by government staff and flown back free of charge. In a message to staff, Janelle Hol...