Author: Maryam Sulaiman

The United States has introduced targeted visa restrictions directed at foreign nationals connected to race-based discrimination, incitement to violence, and expropriation of land without compensation in South Africa. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the policy targets individuals accountable for or complicit in carrying out measures that facilitate uncompensated land seizures or systemic racial discrimination. This directive does not constitute a broad visa prohibition on South African citizens as a whole. American officials have not publicly identified targeted individuals or released estimates on the total number of people affected. The action escalates diplomatic friction between Washington and Pretoria…

Academic activities have come to a sudden halt across three Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions following an indefinite strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities Joint Campus Group. The industrial action affects Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Education, and Lagos State University of Science and Technology. The declaration was issued on Tuesday in a joint statement signed by Olusegun Babalola, Coordinator of the Steering Committee for ASUU-LASU; Grace Abimbola, Acting Chairman of ASUU-LASUED; and Murisiku Onigemo, Chairman of ASUU-LASUSTECH. The decision follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum served to the Lagos State Government on August 31,…

Celebrated Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, widely known as Olu Jacobs, has passed away at the age of 84. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, confirmed the news of his passing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. In an Instagram post announcing his father’s death, Olusoji expressed the family’s gratitude for the legendary actor’s legacy while asking the public for space to grieve. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo. We call on all bloggers and social…

Security agencies across Nigeria have stepped up surveillance and operational readiness around academic institutions, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship, and other susceptible locations following intelligence reports exposing plans by terrorist groups to execute coordinated nationwide attacks. The Nigeria Police Force issued an internal security alert warning that the planned offensives might be timed to match the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session. Intelligence gathered by the Department of Operations highlighted an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on these vulnerable points. The directive was issued to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police across Zones 1–17, state Commissioners of…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation in the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit held in New Delhi, India, where he represented President Bola Tinubu. A statement issued on Tuesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), highlighted that Shettima took part in high-level sessions and conducted bilateral meetings to push forward the economic and diplomatic agenda of the nation. While in New Delhi, the Vice President met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliberate on mutual priorities, including crude oil trade, foreign investment,…

Tens of thousands of Yemenis are fleeing their homes following a rapid advance by Iran-backed Houthi rebels toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage for global commercial shipping. The escalation has displaced residents across the region, with local hosts in Aden opening their doors to families escaping the rebel takeover of the key port city of Mokha. In local temporary housing, dozens of displaced men were forced to sleep on thin floor mattresses and bed sheets. ”We set out in hysterical panic on a motorcycle, not knowing where we were heading,” said Alaa Ali Salem, who fled the al-Khawkha…

A early-morning disaster struck Ogbalu Street in the Independence Layout area of Enugu when an ongoing four-storey construction project suddenly collapsed around 6:00 a.m. Six workers were reportedly sleeping inside the facility at the time of the incident, though one individual managed to step out of the site moments before the structural failure. Rescue teams managed to pull four survivors from the rubble, but emergency responders also recovered one fatality. The Enugu State Capital Territory confirmed that the four rescued individuals were immediately transferred to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, where they are currently undergoing medical treatment. A multi-agency emergency…

Over a decade of violent insurgency left more than 5,000 school facilities in ruins across Borno State and forced roughly 2.2 million children out of the classroom, Governor Babagana Zulum revealed on Sunday. Speaking in Maiduguri during the official unveiling of several new infrastructure initiatives, the governor highlighted the massive human and physical toll the conflict inflicted on the local academic sector. “The insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while at its peak, an estimated 2.2 million children were out of school, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled. Many teachers and school administrators lost their lives in the course of…

The Nigerian Army has launched an official investigation into allegations that a senior officer, Captain Etim Essien, sexually assaulted a minor in Taraba State. The 13-year-old victim, who is deaf and non-verbal, was reportedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse while living under the care of the officer and his family. Both the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development alongside the state branch of the National Human Rights Commission are currently examining the case. Both bodies have requested that the military initiate formal administrative and disciplinary action against the officer. In an official statement released on Friday, Olumide…

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…