A Nigerian national living illegally in the United States has admitted to orchestrating a sweeping fraud scheme that siphoned millions from businesses and individuals across the country. The defendant, identified as 40-year-old Leslie Chinedu Mba, entered a guilty plea before a federal court in Texas after investigators linked him to a $4 million network of business email compromise (BEC) attacks and romance scams. Federal prosecutors detailed how Mba and multiple partners, o

A U.S. federal court has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, David Daniyan and Akeem Balogun, to prison for their involvement in a sophisticated bank and wire fraud network that siphoned millions from financial institutions across several states. Their convictions follow a detailed federal probe that uncovered a well-structured operation built on identity theft, forged documents, and coordinated money laundering. Investigators said the group exploited weaknesses in banking syst

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has formalised a new partnership with InnoPower Africa to expand access to remote employment for young Nigerians. The agreement, signed in Abuja, is positioned as a major step in the Federal Government’s wider effort to confront the country’s persistent youth unemployment crisis. Under the initiative, qualified Nigerian professionals will be connected to job openings in diaspora-owned companies across the United States, Canada, and the Uni

A Nigerian-born medical practitioner Olufemi Olaleye, formerly based in Lagos has been taken into custody in the United Kingdom following new allegations that he secretly recorded women during intimate moments. The 57-year-old doctor, who previously worked with a Kent-based NHS Trust, was arrested on arrival at Gatwick Airport after UK authorities flagged him for outstanding sexual-offence investigations. Police sources confirmed he is facing three counts of voyeurism, offenc

Indonesia has announced a renewed push to involve its global diaspora more actively in national development, unveiling policy initiatives aimed at strengthening legal recognition, investment participation, and long-term engagement. Government officials say the new direction reflects Indonesia’s determination to tap into the expertise, networks, and financial capacity of an estimated 6–9 million Indonesians and descendants living abroad. Authorities believe this community hold

global and national developments, from Lagos’ new vaccination push and India–Russia diplomacy to U.S. immigration changes, fraud investigations, infrastructure updates, and fresh economic reforms shaping opportunities for Nigerians at home and abroad. LASG Begins Second Phase of Polio Vaccination for Children Lagos State has launched the second phase of its polio vaccination campaign targeting children under five. Health officials aim to boost immunity, prevent outbreaks, and

A Nigerian national, Nosa Edokpaigbe, has been sentenced to five years in a U.S. federal prison after admitting to a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado confirmed on Thursday that Edokpaigbe pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud and will face immediate deportation to Nigeria once he completes his 60-month sentence. According to prosecutors, Edokpaigbe illegally secured over $1.3 mil

U.S. federal investigators have linked Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Forbes 30-Under-30 honoree, Izunna Okonkwo, to an extensive insider-trading and money-laundering network that allegedly generated more than $41 million in illegal stock-market profits. According to filings submitted to a U.S. District Court, Okonkwo, co-founder of the Lagos- and Atlanta-based software startup Pastel, is accused of trading on confidential acquisition information sourced from an investment ba

The United States has reduced the maximum validity period for work-permit visas from five years to 18 months, a decision that is already generating unease among African diaspora professionals who rely on long-term employment authorisation to maintain stability in the country. The change, announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), forms part of a broader intelligence-driven overhaul of immigration monitoring system. USCIS officials say the shortened va

A wave of major global and national developments is shaping today’s headlines, from new aviation directives and diplomatic shifts to security cooperation, judicial actions, and inspiring diaspora achievements. These updates highlight Nigeria’s evolving international relationships, regulatory adjustments, and the resilience of citizens making impact at home and abroad. FAAN Orders Airlines to Adjust Holiday Schedules to Reduce Yuletide Flight Disruptions Federal Airports Autho

A United States federal court has sentenced two Nigerian nationals for their involvement in a sophisticated romance-fraud network that exploited multiple victims and ultimately contributed to the death of an elderly American man. The ruling, delivered in the Eastern District of Tennessee, follows a multi-agency investigation led by the U.S. Department of Justice. Chinagorom Onwumere, 36, and Stephen Anagor, 33, were found guilty of orchestrating an online scheme built on impe

China has restated its commitment to assisting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism as both countries move to deepen their longstanding diplomatic and economic partnership. The assurance was delivered by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in Abuja. According to the Chinese envoy, relations between both nations have entered a new phase of accelerated cooperation, driven by shared pr

The United States government has introduced a new policy framework that could lead to visa restrictions for individuals linked to rising violence against Christian communities in Nigeria. The announcement, made by the US State Department, marks one of Washington’s strongest signals yet that it intends to escalate pressure over increasing religiously targeted attacks. Under the policy, the US can impose travel bans on anyone found to have ordered, supported, funded, or partici

The United States government has temporarily stopped processing pp applications for citizens of 19 countries as part of an expanded security crackdown. The suspension covers green card and citizenship filings from nations already under earlier travel restrictions announced in June, intensifying a policy shift driven by recent security concerns. . The move follows the shooting of two National Guard soldiers last week, an incident in which one soldier died. The main suspect—an

Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi Libyan authorities have announced plans to intensify the return of irregular migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, warning against long-term settlement in the country as Europe increases measures to curb arrivals. Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi, speaking at a press briefing in Tripoli with foreign diplomats, highlighted that Libya has received limited support relative to its ongoing commitments to manage migration flows. “We cannot contin

Ghana has announced that all participants attending the Diaspora Summit 2025 will be granted free entry visas. The summit, scheduled to hold from December 19 to 20 at the Accra International Conference Centre, is designed to foster collaboration and strengthen ties between Africa and its global diaspora. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the free visa initiative is part of Ghana’s broader Pan-African agenda. The move aims to ensure that Africans and people of Af

A South African court on Tuesday handed long-term prison sentences to a Nigerian man, Victor Udoh, and his South African accomplice, Vuyisekha Mzwakhe, following convictions for drug trafficking. Udoh, 33, received 22 years, 20 years for drug-related offences and two years for immigration violations, while Mzwakhe was sentenced to 15 years for her role as a courier in the operations. Authorities revealed that the pair coordinated drug shipments through social media channels.

A Nigerian national Mr Mercy Ojedeji, has been sentenced to 41 months in a U.S. federal prison after being found guilty of using forged documents to gain university admission and a student visa, which were later exploited for criminal activities. The 26-year-old reportedly submitted falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and language proficiency reports to secure a place in a PhD chemistry program at the University of Missouri in 2023. Upon arrival, he did no

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the full exoneration of three Nigerian nationals who were detained in Saudi Arabia on alleged drug trafficking charges earlier this year. The clearance follows thorough investigations by Saudi authorities and coordinated diplomatic efforts by Nigeria. The individuals, Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi, were arrested in August at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah after prohi

Today on DiasporaNews, we highlight key developments shaping Nigeria and the diaspora community—from urgent calls to resolve NIN and passport delays, Lagos initiatives for GBV survivors and festive celebrations, to national healthcare reforms, transport upgrades, and diaspora entrepreneurship opportunities driving growth and international engagement. Diaspora Organisations Press FG for Swift Action on NIN, Passport Delays Nigerian diaspora groups, collaborating with human rig