Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

A proposed amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 has ignited vigorous debate among legal experts, politicians, and civil society groups. Titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make it Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,” the bill was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. Having recently passed its second reading in the House; it marks a potentially transformative moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Here are 10 key facts Nigerians should know about this controversial…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed growing concerns from the opposition that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state under his leadership, stating that political affiliation remains a matter of free will in a constitutional democracy. Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu taunted critics who accuse his administration of consolidating power unfairly, noting that the mass defections to the ruling party are driven by personal choice, not coercion. “It is only one party that is ruling, and that party is driving the aspiration of Nigeria,” Tinubu declared to…

A 50-year-old man, Mohammed Ihuenuma, has been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly sexually assaulting an 15-year-old girl in Benin City. Ihuenuma, who serves as a driver attached to one of the Special Advisers to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, was taken into custody after the victim’s father reported the matter to authorities. Sources close to the family disclosed that the suspect repeatedly took advantage of his visits to the girl’s home—usually while running errands for his employer—to behave inappropriately toward her. He allegedly touched the teenager inappropriately on several occasions in what has…

In a week marked by cautious market optimism, the Nigerian Naira recorded modest gains against four of the world’s major currencies. From May 20 to May 23, 2025, official rates from leading financial platforms show that the Naira appreciated slightly against the US Dollar (USD), British Pound Sterling (GBP), Euro (EUR), and Chinese Yuan (CNY). This upward trend reflects continued central bank interventions and a slight easing in foreign exchange demand pressures. Here’s a breakdown of the week’s currency performance, including percentage changes:US Dollar (USD) • Opening Rate (May 20): ₦1,610.97 • Closing Rate (May 23): ₦1,590.27 • Change: -₦20.70…

The global exchange board showed mixed signals on Thursday, as major economies responded to ongoing macroeconomic pressures and interest rate speculation. The latest figures from the Daily Exchange Index reflect a slight dip in the value of the US dollar, while the British pound maintained relative strength against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. Key Rates – 22 May 2025 Region Exchange Index Movement US 1593.75 ▼ Down from 1610.97 (20 May) UK 2135.45 ▼ Slight drop from 2151.32 EU 1807.20 ▼ Minor fluctuation from 1809.10 China 221.51 ▼ Gradual decline from 223.13 Source: Google Finance / estimated is done based…

UK Net Migration Falls by Half: Nigerians Among Top Arrivals Despite Tighter Visa Rules. London, UK – Net migration to the United Kingdom fell sharply in 2024, dropping by nearly 50% to 431,000, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The steep decline, down from record levels in 2023, reflects the cumulative impact of stricter immigration rules, especially around work and student visa categories, introduced by the previous Conservative government. The data, published on Wednesday, reveals that 948,000 people moved to the UK in 2024, while 517,000 left, leading to a net migration figure of…

The naira recorded modest gains against major global currencies on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, signaling continued efforts by the Nigerian government and the Central Bank to stabilize the foreign exchange market. Market data show that the naira appreciated slightly against the US dollar, British pound, euro, and Chinese yuan, with traders pointing to improving investor confidence and stronger supply in the forex market. The appreciation comes as economic policymakers intensify reforms and financial institutions show support for fiscal recovery and exchange rate stability. Official Exchange Rates (₦ per unit): Currency May 20, 2025 May 21, 2025 Change US Dollar (USD)…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially pegged the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for aspirants seeking to contest chairmanship positions in the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections at a total of ₦20 million. The announcement was made public on Tuesday via a statement shared on the party’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu. The statement also outlined the party’s schedule of activities and timetable for the highly anticipated local elections. According to the breakdown provided, the Expression of Interest (EoI) form for chairmanship aspirants will…

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has directed that a hearing notice be formally served on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an ongoing lawsuit seeking the refund of ₦10 million paid for a nomination form by a former aspirant. The order was issued by Justice Yusuf Halilu during a session on Monday, after the APC failed to appear in court or provide legal representation in the case brought by Mr. Sunny Moniedafe, a former contender for the position of APC Deputy National Chairman (North). Moniedafe, in suit number FCT/HC/CV/2434/2024, is demanding the refund of the ₦10 million…

LONDON — A former London bus driver who impersonated multiple test candidates—using wigs and forged documents to take UK citizenship exams on their behalf—has been jailed for four years and six months. Josephine Maurice, 41, of Enfield, North London, admitted to a sweeping scheme that saw her sit for at least 13 fraudulent Life in the UK Tests between June 2022 and August 2023. Her impersonations, which involved disguising herself as both men and women, spanned test centres across the country, from London to Oxford and Milton Keynes. Maurice pleaded guilty to 13 counts of fraud, one count of conspiracy…