Author: Maryam Sulaiman

A crowd of approximately 150 demonstrators gathered in Dakar following a call from trade union federations, demanding that government authorities honor past agreements and alleviate the growing financial burdens placed on workers. The protest highlights widespread frustration across the country regarding mounting living costs and weakening purchasing power. It serves as a precursor to a planned 72-hour general strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday. Sara Konaré, secretary general of Senegal’s National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers, pointed out that the level of participation demonstrates increasing solidarity among labor organizations. Konaré also criticized government officials for their continued failure to…

The Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has officially suspended its indefinite strike, directing all affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers, to return to their classrooms on Wednesday. The decision was made public through a communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the union’s FCT Chairman, Knabayi Adalo. According to Mr Adalo, the resolution to end the industrial action came after conciliatory discussions involving the labour union, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Federal Capital Territory Administration management, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. He noted that the agreement was formally adopted during…

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, triggering immediate public health interventions to contain the virus and prevent local transmission. During a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed that the imported case was confirmed through laboratory testing. He explained that the patient is a woman who recently returned to Nigeria on an international flight from East Africa, specifically Uganda, arriving on September 7 with symptoms. Her condition progressed four days later before diagnostic tests established the infection. The patient,…

Key figures within the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed in the Lake Chad region following a targeted airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on an identified terrorist enclave. In a statement released on Tuesday, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame described the operation as a “significant operational success against terrorists in the Lake Chad region following a precision air strike on an identified terrorist hideout on 19 October 2026”. Ejodame noted that initial findings following the attack confirmed the elimination of several high-ranking insurgent operatives. “Preliminary post-strike assessments indicate that several prominent Islamic State West…

The global mobility standing of the Nigerian passport has experienced a steep decline, dropping from 90th position in July 2026 to 181st out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index. This shift reflects a major reduction in the number of international destinations accessible to Nigerian travelers without requiring a prior visa. Data published on IziVisa.com indicates that Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 24 countries visa-free, secure visas on arrival in 16 nations, and enter 43 countries using electronic visas. This represents a steep fall from the 90th spot occupied in July 2026, when holders had…

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual, has emphasized the value of modest living and humbleness, explaining that personal wealth and social standing should never elevate anyone above others. Speaking on Monday during an event themed Vision 2030, the industrialist accepted a request from popular content creator Adebayo Ridwan, widely known as Bae U Barbie, to feature on his YouTube talk show, Curiosity Made Me Ask. The billionaire reflected on his lifestyle philosophy, stressing that individuals should remain grounded regardless of their achievements. “And also to show people that, look, in life, you have to be as simple as you can, because…

Two people suffered severe burn injuries when a diesel tanker plummeted off the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Lagos and burst into a “ferocious inferno beneath the bridge”. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the “terrifying conflagration left two victims with extensive and severe burn injuries, necessitating their immediate extrication from the danger zone and urgent medical intervention”. LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, stated that the agency’s emergency response team, alongside other relevant emergency management bodies, “swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued the two severely burnt victims from…

The Federal Government has rejected concerns raised by the World Bank that ₦7.7tn in interest payments during the first half of 2026 threatens Nigeria’s debt sustainability. The position was outlined in an official statement issued on Sunday and shared via X by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele. In its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU), the World Bank expressed concern over the country’s debt servicing-to-revenue ratio for the first half of 2026, putting it at 124 percent. In response, the Federal Ministry of Finance insisted that Nigeria’s fiscal stance has improved, with revenue expanding…

Widespread fuel shortages are expanding throughout Niger, hitting the capital city of Niamey particularly hard as motorists endure ever-growing lines at local service stations. Local residents report that the scarcity of gasoline is severely impacting routine activities, making basic commuting and traveling to work a major challenge. Many drivers explain that they have spent days hunting for fuel, even as official statements suggest the supply crisis has been resolved. Harouna Chérif, Niamey resident: “The problem is the fuel. For a week now we’ve been struggling, we can’t even find fuel to get to work. There’s always problems, we don’t even…

A newly released report by Human Rights Watch indicates that both the Malian military and its Russian paramilitary partners have carried out actions resulting in civilian deaths, violating international standards. The watchdog noted that rebel groups opposing the government are committing similar severe infractions in the ongoing conflict. According to the organization, the Malian military, armed groups and insurgent forces are committing grave laws-of-war violations while international organisations and governments largely stand by. In light of these events, the rights monitor called upon the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to urgently take action to prevent further atrocities…