Benin’s President Patrice Talon on Sunday declared that the “situation is completely under control” after loyalist soldiers successfully thwarted an attempted coup, restoring stability across the country following hours of tension and public uncertainty. The attempted takeover began early Sunday when a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming to have removed Talon from office, a declaration that immediately triggered a coordinated response from loyal army units

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Friday, highlighting a renewed focus on defence, energy, and trade cooperation. The visit comes as India faces international scrutiny over its continued engagement with Russia. Putin received a formal ceremonial welcome, complete with an honour guard and 21-gun salute, before the leaders held talks at Hyderabad House. Modi personally greeted Putin at the airport, underscoring the close

The Senate has raised alarm over a fast-spreading lead-poisoning outbreak in Ogijo, a densely populated community between Ikorodu in Lagos and Ogun East, describing it as a full-scale environmental and public-health emergency. The motion, sponsored by Senators Tokunbo Abiru and Gbenga Daniel under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, cited verified reports linking the crisis to used lead-acid battery recycling factories operating in the area for years. Lawmakers noted that re

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has reaffirmed that the Lagos–Badagry Superhighway will significantly boost Nigeria’s economy, enhance regional integration, and create thousands of jobs across the country. Goronyo gave the assurance on Thursday while inspecting the Kebbi section of the road project, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing infrastructure development that cuts across every region irrespective of political affiliation. The Minister

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, says the Federal Government is set to expand social protection coverage to more than 60 million Nigerians working in the informal economy, in a bid to strengthen inclusion, safeguard livelihoods and reduce vulnerability among low-income households. Dingyadi made the disclosure in Abuja at a two-day national dialogue on extending social protection to informal workers, noting that the government is taking concret

South Africa has announced it will sit out the 2026 G20 meetings after being excluded by the United States, which recently took over the group’s year-long presidency. The decision comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria. The US cited allegations that the South African government discriminated against the white Afrikaner minority as a reason for the exclusion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Pretoria would not be invited to the U

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has instructed airlines to overhaul their flight schedules ahead of the Christmas travel surge, warning that poor planning remains a major cause of delays and cancellations during the festive season. The agency’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, issued the directive in Abuja during a strategic retreat for the FAAN board and industry stakeholders. She said the authority has shifted from quarterly to weekly coordination meetings with a

The Federal Government has directed all ministries, departments and agencies to immediately enforce the mandatory five per cent employment quota for Persons With Disabilities, saying the period of excuses for non-compliance has ended. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, delivered the directive on Tuesday at the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Forum in Abuja, marking the beginning of a new phase of full implementation of dis

The Federal Government has received another batch of 50 Compressed Natural Gas buses as part of ongoing efforts to provide more affordable and efficient transportation across the country. The latest delivery was announced by the Chairman of Nordmotion, Ajayi Oluwatobi, in a statement released on his X account on Tuesday. He explained that the buses form part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, a programme designed to reduce transportation costs, promote ene

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced a donation of N200m to the Nigerian Legion during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal launch held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of serving military personnel, injured officers and the families of fallen heroes, emphasising that national gratitude must translate into tangible support. The National Assembly, represented by Senate President Gods

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the state’s engineering standards as a model worthy of emulation by other states across the country. The governor stated this while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, led by its President, Engr. Aina Oguntala, during a courtesy visit to the Secretariat in Ibadan. Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Makinde urged the NSE to adopt Oyo State’s strict supervision model for building and engineering

The 38 church worshippers abducted by gunmen in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have finally reunited with their families, days after earlier reports indicated that officials had yet to release them despite confirming their rescue. The victims were kidnapped on November 18, 2025, during a special thanksgiving service at CAC Oke Isegun, an attack in which three people were killed and another injured. In a statement on Tuesday night, the Chief Press Secretary

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru due to health reasons. The nomination was conveyed in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, with the President expressing confidence in Musa’s capability to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture. The development was further confirmed in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of free annual liver and kidney function tests for People Living with HIV/AIDS, made possible through expanded health insurance coverage across the country. The initiative was disclosed on Monday by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and its partners. Dr Salako explained

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a major step aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and sustainable electricity supply across health facilities in the country. The committee was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who described the initiative as a critical intervention to address the longstanding challenge of

Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Monday resigned from office, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision to step down from the federal cabinet. His resignation was accepted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who expressed gratitude for Badaru’s service to the nation. According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the minister tendered his resignation in a letter dated December 1, 202

Nigeria has provided formal protection to Fernando Dias da Costa, a leading opposition presidential candidate in Guinea-Bissau, by placing him under security at the Nigerian Embassy in the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the measure following concerns over credible threats to the candidate’s safety during a volatile post-election period. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a letter from Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, requested that the ECOWAS Stabi

Veteran opposition leader Anicet Ekane has died while in detention, his family and party announced early Monday. Ekane, 74, was being held at the state’s defence facility after his arrest weeks ago, and was reportedly transferred to hospital shortly before his death. He was arrested on October 24 alongside other members of the opposition party African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) following his public backing of rival candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary who

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians across all sectors to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed national effort to end HIV/AIDS in the country by the year 2030. She made the appeal on Monday during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, where she described the day as a moment for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to sustaining progress in prevention, treatment, and care. The First Lady expre

The Federal Road Safety Corps has directed all construction companies operating on roads across the country to immediately install adequate and compliant road signs at every construction zone. The directive follows renewed concerns over motorists’ safety in areas undergoing road rehabilitation. According to the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the order aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing nationwide road overhaul, which involves extensive construction and reconstruction