Author: Maryam Sulaiman

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the official final list of presidential and vice-presidential flagbearers contesting in Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 general elections. Signed by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the publication details 18 candidate pairs cleared across different political parties following the conclusion of party primaries conducted between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Incumbent President Bola Tinubu represents the All Progressives Congress, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar runs under the African Democratic Congress, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi features on the ticket for the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Other candidates include Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde for…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has implemented another upward adjustment in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, pushing the cost from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre as of Saturday, September 12, 2026. This latest change marks the fourth price hike executed by the facility since August 21, tracking recent upward movements in global crude benchmarks. The refinery previously adjusted its rates from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre on August 21, followed by an increase to N1,200 on August 26, and a subsequent raise to N1,265 on August 29. With the latest addition of N85 per litre, the total increase stands at…

At least 24 schoolchildren have died in a frantic stampede while attempting to escape a blaze that swept through two schools in rebel-controlled Bukavu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials reported. Reports indicate that several adults also lost their lives in the disaster, with officials warning that the casualty count may increase given the high population density of the Kadutu commune where the incident occurred. Hospitalized survivors were filmed lying on floors in severe pain, while images on social media showed young children lying motionless on the ground. Beyond the educational facilities, the fire destroyed roughly…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed for New Delhi, India, to stand in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit, where Nigeria aims to strengthen economic ties and deepen diplomatic partnerships. The gathering takes place this weekend at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, assembling heads of state and representatives from BRICS member and partner nations to address global economic growth, multilateral collaboration, and common development goals. Nigeria intends to utilize the forum to promote its strategic economic and diplomatic priorities, according to a statement released Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on…

The Nigerian Federal Government has taken a major step toward decriminalizing attempted suicide after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day event, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announced that the proposal will now head to the National Assembly for legislative enactment. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom S., Salako expressed confidence that lawmakers would act swiftly. He framed the push to eliminate criminal…

A two-storey building undergoing manual demolition partially caved in early Thursday morning in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The disaster occurred at No. 42, Governors Road in Aboru. Following a distress call, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) deployed its Alpha Eagle Response Team from the Cappa unit in Oshodi at 12:56 a.m. First responders secured the perimeter upon arrival and initiated rescue efforts. Initial findings from LASEMA revealed that the structure collapsed during manual demolition work, trapping workers under heavy debris. A joint operation by LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire…

Just days following the initial public offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a legal battle has surfaced between the company and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The suit centers on the regulatory body’s directives regarding propane quality, truck distribution operations, and alleged misuse of regulatory authority. The conflict escalated after the regulatory agency issued an order stopping propane loading and truck distribution at the facility. In response, the refinery brought the matter to court, claiming the regulator overstepped its powers. On August 31, the court granted an interim…

The United Nations has issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, citing escalating drone strikes and the destruction of medical infrastructure as major drivers of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. The displacement crisis has reached staggering proportions, with over six million citizens displaced internally and an additional 4.5 million seeking refuge outside Sudan’s borders. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that civilians across multiple territories remain in grave danger of impending assaults, urging an end to external intervention and advocating for a swift transition back to civilian governance. According to UN investigators, both the Sudanese Armed Forces…

The Presidential Villa is in mourning following the passing of Peter Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director of Media, who died in Kano at the age of 48 after a prolonged illness. Onwubuariri, a veteran staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), passed away on Monday. He had been receiving medical care for about a month at the Kano Cancer Hospital under a treatment authorization provided by the Kano State Government. His wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri, confirmed his death. Following his passing, his remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday to be transported to Owerri, Imo…

The Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom has introduced extra administrative fees for citizens participating in the ongoing Nigeria Immigration Service passport intervention. The exercise, meant to clear backlogs of new applications, renewals, and pending cases, faced an immediate setback on Monday as applicants endured severe delays and overcrowding at centres in London and Manchester. Internal sources reveal that the High Commission demanded these extra payments to generate revenue, despite a standing directive from former President Muhammadu Buhari limiting diplomatic mission venue charges to no more than £20. Unsanctioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the High Commission added…