Author: Damilola

At least 130 Nigerians have signed up for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa, as the federal government intensifies efforts to safeguard its citizens amid rising tensions linked to anti-foreigner protests. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a situation update shared on her X handle on Sunday, noting that the evacuation plan is part of wider diplomatic and security measures being coordinated through Nigerian missions. She said the initiative follows directives from Bola Tinubu, who ordered close monitoring of the situation and stronger protection for Nigerians abroad. “The President has reiterated that the priority at this time…

The Nigerian naira began the first trading week of May on a relatively stable note against the US Dollar, maintaining a narrow range across both official and informal foreign exchange markets. At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the currency is currently exchanging at about ₦1,375.98 to the dollar. Early trading on Monday, May 4, 2026, showed only slight movements, with the naira briefly touching ₦1,376.00 before settling back, marking a marginal improvement from the ₦1,375.65 recorded earlier in the day. Activity at the official window reflects cautious optimism among market participants, with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continuing…

Nigerian doctors are set to benefit from a policy shift by the United States, following a rollback that allows physicians to once again process and apply for visas. Earlier in the year, the US government imposed a broad visa restriction affecting several countries, including Nigeria, on the grounds of national security. The move disrupted the plans of many foreign-trained doctors, as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halted visa renewals and processing. Medical professionals of Nigerian origin were among those significantly impacted, given their strong presence in the US healthcare system. Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges…

A leading presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, says Nigeria’s minimum wage can no longer guarantee even a modest standard of living amid worsening economic conditions. In a message posted on X on Friday to commemorate Workers’ Day, the former Anambra governor attributed the decline in workers’ welfare to rising inflation, escalating food prices, transportation costs, and broader economic hardship. Obi stressed that no country can outgrow the strength and wellbeing of its workforce, noting that national development is rooted in human capital, productivity, and the dedication of workers. “When workers suffer, the…

Popular South African opposition figure, Julius Malema, has strongly criticised citizens involved in xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, questioning the justification often tied to job losses. Malema made the remarks on Thursday at an event marking the 14th anniversary of the Collen Mashawana Foundation. His comments come amid renewed concerns over xenophobia following viral videos showing violence against African immigrants — particularly Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, and Nigerians — across parts of South Africa. The Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg recently confirmed that two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, were killed in the escalating tensions. Addressing the issue, Malema, who leads the…

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has called on Nigerian workers to harness their electoral influence ahead of the 2027 general elections by supporting leaders committed to improving living standards through better wages and people-focused policies. In a statement marking the 2026 Workers’ Day, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, emphasised the need for workers to move beyond symbolic recognition and actively shape the country’s political direction. The party’s message comes at a time of increasing economic strain, with many Nigerians grappling with inflation, rising transport and energy costs, and a widening gap between earnings and living expenses. Johnson…

The United Kingdom has increased its terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” following a recent antisemitic attack, signalling that a terrorist incident is now considered highly likely. In a statement, the UK government said the decision came after the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday. The revised threat level was set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) on Thursday. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis clarified that the move was not based solely on the latest incident but also on a broader rise in extremist threats. He said the decision was “not solely…

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has effectively turned the state into a one-party stronghold, declaring that opposition politics has all but disappeared. Sani made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a presidential delegation that included Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy. The team was in the state to inspect ongoing development projects across the north-west. Addressing government officials and party stakeholders, the governor said: “there is no more opposition” in Kaduna, insisting the APC’s dominance is a reflection of political consolidation rather than exclusion. “To my…

A former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Yahaya Ndu, has described Nigeria as a “failed state,” warning that the country is “in a mess in all ramifications” amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship. In a statement issued in Enugu, Ndu criticised both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties, accusing them of lacking clear ideology and focusing more on the 2027 elections than on governance. He challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi to engage in a “thorough debate” on practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. Ndu,…

The United States Attorney’s Office says more than 1,000 victims across 19 countries were defrauded of about $215 million in a large-scale email fraud operation that has now resulted in multiple convictions, including several Nigerian nationals. In a statement issued on Thursday, the office said 25 individuals were convicted on April 24 for their roles in the scheme, widely known as “business email compromise,” which also involved extensive money laundering activities. Read more breaking news on News Daily Prime Among those convicted were four Nigerian nationals — Emmanuel Okereke (aka Omo Igbo), Olalekan Bashiru (aka Ola Bash), Jeremiah Agina, and…