Author: Damilola

The United States currently has no Senate-confirmed ambassador in Nigeria and 116 other countries, highlighting a widening diplomatic gap across multiple regions, according to official State Department records. A document published on April 8, 2026, by the Office of Presidential Appointments shows that Nigeria is among 117 countries without confirmed US envoys, spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. The vacancies affect dozens of countries across Africa, including Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, as well as major global partners in Europe and Asia such as Germany, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. The development reflects a broader trend,…

The Accord Party on Friday announced its nomination fees for elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that its electoral window will close on April 25. The Lagos State Chairman of the party, Mr Dele Oladeji, revealed this in a statement in Lagos issued following the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday. Oladeji said the NEC meeting was the final session to determine key pre-election activities, including nomination fees, primary election dates, and the mode of primaries. “The NEC meeting serves as the concluding meeting for the fixing of nomination fees, primary date,…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to criticism from Bola Tinubu over his role in Nigeria’s privatisation programme. Tinubu had earlier accused Atiku of attempting to privatise the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and described his past involvement in privatisation efforts as unsuccessful. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the remarks as a “reckless tirade” driven by “hypocrisy and historical amnesia.” Read more breaking stories from our latest nigeria news “Atiku Abubakar’s attention has been drawn to the latest reckless tirade by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a performance that exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern…

President Bola Tinubu has signed the N68.32 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law. The announcement was made on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The budget was passed by the National Assembly on March 31 following Tinubu’s request for an upward review. The president had initially presented N58.47 trillion in December 2025 before seeking an increase of N9.81 trillion. According to Onanuga, the budget includes N4.79 trillion for statutory transfers, N15.8 trillion for debt servicing, N15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N32.2 trillion allocated to capital expenditure through the development fund. “With capital expenditure accounting…

Security agencies have heightened surveillance and reinforced key facilities in Abuja and neighbouring Niger State following intelligence of a suspected insurgent plot targeting critical infrastructure. The Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service said they have strengthened security around airports and custodial centres in response to the threat. According to a report by The Washington Post, an internal memo from the Nigeria Customs Service warned of plans by terrorist groups to attack the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as a correctional facility in Niger State. The…

The Nigerian Naira maintained a relatively stable position against the United States Dollar as of Friday morning, April 17, 2026, following a week of mild fluctuations across official and parallel markets. At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the official trading window, the naira opened at N1,340.88 per dollar, reflecting a steadier trend compared to earlier volatility driven by import demand pressures. Market observers attribute the relative stability to sustained interventions and liquidity injections by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which have helped maintain balance within the official market. In the parallel market, however, the dollar continued to trade at…

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo has issued an arrest warrant against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq. Read more breaking stories from our latest nigeria news The presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, also ordered the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry. The orders followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment on Thursday. Read related news: Court Victory: Group demands UI to reinstate suspended student activists Court fixes…

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial vehicle belonging to Benue Links, abducting several candidates travelling to Otukpo for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The incident occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday along the Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Sources said the attackers intercepted the bus, robbed the passengers, and took them into the bush. An eyewitness revealed that the vehicle was conveying about 18 passengers, mostly young people heading to sit for the UTME. This adds to recent cases of insecurity facing the North and…

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has told a UK court that she had limited control over oil contract approvals during her time in office, describing her role as largely supervisory. According to ThisDay, Alison-Madueke made the disclosure while testifying at the Southwark Crown Court, explaining that most contract decisions were concluded before reaching her desk. She said the petroleum sector’s operational authority was primarily handled by the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, while the ministry she headed played an oversight role. Read more breaking stories from our latest nigeria news Citing the scale and complexity…

South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm and discharging it in public. The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) showed little emotion as Magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered the judgment at a court in East London, South Africa, on Thursday. Malema’s legal team immediately filed an appeal in a bid to prevent his immediate incarceration. The sentence could also affect his eligibility to remain a member of parliament. The charges stem from a 2018 incident during the EFF’s fifth anniversary celebration in the…