The United States has issued a firm warning to Nigeria over the escalating wave of school abductions in the northern region, urging authorities to respond decisively and prevent the country from sliding deeper into insecurity that disproportionately affects children and vulnerable communities. In a statement released on Monday through the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Washington condemned the back-to-back kidnappings in Niger and Kebbi states, describing th

The Federal Government has announced that the first 47-kilometre section of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway will be opened to motorists between December 12 and 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s coastal infrastructure drive. The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during an inspection tour on Sunday. He affirmed that both the government and the contractor are committed to delivering the initial stretch of the 750-kilometre hig

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has called on Yorubas across the world to unite in restoring key values, traditions, and cultural heritage, noting that cultural tourism remains a major pathway to Nigeria’s economic diversification. Speaking at the 2025 Iyake International Festival in Ado-Awaye, Oyo State, the monarch said Nigeria must reduce overreliance on oil and refocus national development through tourism-driven cultural revival. He stressed that nations th

Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Friday to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. President Tinubu had initially planned to travel for the summit but postponed his trip to await further security briefings following recent incidents in Kebbi and Kwara states. The invitation was extended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also serves as the current President of the G20 group. The summit is one of th

The Renewed Hope Initiative, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Thursday held the closing ceremony of the 2025 Women ICT Training Empowerment Programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, who chaired the event, congratulated the trainees and encouraged them to embrace small beginnings while applying their new digital skills to contribute to Nigeria’s technological growth. She al

The European Union (EU), in partnership with BMZ Germany and the Kingdom of Denmark and implemented by GIZ Nigeria, has launched a €820 million digital expansion drive in Nigeria to strengthen ICT infrastructure, digital skills, and innovation across the country. The programme reached Kano State this week, where stakeholders convened for the fifth Project Steering Committee meeting of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria and marked the launch of the Women Venture Studio

The effort to expand women’s participation in global trade received a major boost as the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) convened a UK-funded trade mission in Abuja, connecting 30 Nigerian women-led businesses with 12 UK importers. The mission, supported by the UK government under the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, is aimed at unlocking an estimated $32 million in untapped export potential  between Nigeria and the United K

The Federal Government has commissioned a 1.5-megawatt solar hybrid mini-grid at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, to improve reliable and affordable electricity supply for critical medical services. The project was announced by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, during the groundbreaking ceremony, which also featured the presentation of a 1.5-Tesla MRI machine donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company L

No fewer than 23,000 residents across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State have benefitted from the ongoing distribution of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer cards, designed to support vulnerable households and reduce poverty nationwide. The Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Olufunmilayo Efuwape, disclosed this during a monitoring exercise in Ikenne Local Government, noting that the initiative

The Federal Government has announced the release of N68bn for vaccine financing and an additional N50bn to settle outstanding arrears owed to health workers across the country. The disclosure was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during the 66th National Council on Health meeting in Calabar, Cross River State. Pate said the N68bn has already been credited to the National Primary Health Care Agency, with the Central Bank expec

The Nonreligious Community of Nigeria has formally petitioned the Federal Ministry of Education and the United States Embassy in Abuja, alleging entrenched discrimination against citizens who identify as atheists, humanists, agnostics, and other nonreligious groups. In separate submissions dated November 19 and signed by National Coordinator Ikechukwu Obasi, the organisation accused Nigerian authorities of operating policies that marginalise irreligious citizens, particularly

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe and secure learning environments for all Nigerian students as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Safe School Initiative. Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, made this known in Abuja during the 2025 International Students’ Day celebration organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement. In a statement issued by the SA’s office, the minister said th

Ekiti State Government has announced that its ongoing economic reforms and agricultural programmes are beginning to deliver tangible improvements, signalling a gradual return to stability under the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. The update came following the release of the October inflation figures by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which provided fresh data on economic performance across states. In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, the Governor’s Special

The Federal Government has announced plans to generate nearly N1.49 trillion annually from electricity exports to 15 West African countries, marking one of Nigeria’s biggest projected revenue streams from the power sector. The projection comes after Nigeria successfully completed a four-hour grid synchronisation test with the West African Power Pool, a historic step that positions the country for full regional power trade by June 2026. Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu

The Oyo State Government has intensified its clampdown on unauthorised private estate developers, launching a fresh enforcement operation to curb illegal land development across the state. The enforcement exercise, led by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, took place along the Akinyele–Iseyin axis following rising cases of unapproved site clearing and construction activities by developers. Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin

Kebbi State is reeling from the violent raid on a boarding school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, which left the vice principal dead and dozens of students abducted. In a show of solidarity, the Vice President visited the state on Wednesday, conveying the President’s deep concern and offering condolences to the affected families. Addressing the grief-stricken community, the Vice President emphasized that the tragedy transcends politics and regional divisions, calling f

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday travelled to Kebbi State to address the fallout from the abduction of students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga. His visit follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive for urgent federal action after the shocking attack. Gunmen had stormed the school in the early hours of Monday, seizing at least 25 schoolgirls and killing the vice principal. The assault triggered nationwide outrage and fears over the resurgence of school-t

The Federal Government has launched an emergency call centre and ambulance system in Cross River State to provide prompt and efficient medical services for residents during flooding, fire outbreaks, road accidents, and other emergencies. The flag-off ceremony took place on Tuesday at the General Hospital in Calabar, the state capital, with Dr. Doubra Emuren, Programmes Manager of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, representing the Coordinating Minist

A United States senator has strongly condemned Nigeria over the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, warning that the country will be held accountable for its continued failure to protect vulnerable students. The lawmaker, Senator Jim Risch, criticised Nigeria’s security record, stressing that school children especially girls have remained targets of violent attacks despite years of killings, kidnappings, and insecurity across the country. Risch, in a statement po

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has denounced the deadly assault on Eruku community, directing security agencies to launch an immediate reinforcement to counter the rising wave of attacks in the area. He described the incident as a disturbing escalation that demands urgent and coordinated action. The attack, carried out during a worship session at the Christ Apostolic Church, resulted in multiple fatalities and several abductions. The violence has sent shockwaves