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Monday, 17 February 2025 04:51

FG faces backlash over Canada visa requests for 70 officials amid economic crisis

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, senior Nigerian government officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other top military officers, applied for visas to attend the Invictus Winter Games in Canada. The delegation, comprising over 70 officials, was denied visas by the Canadian Embassy, leading to a heated exchange between Nigerian officials and the Canadian High Commission. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, who lambasted the Nigerian officials for their actions. Odinkalu questioned the rationale behind sending such a large delegation…

Monday, 17 February 2025 04:49

Again, accidental airstrike wipes out family of 6 in Katsina

Seven innocent civilians were said to have been killed by a military airstrike that hit Yauni community, Zakka ward of Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State. Daily Trust gathered that three other security personnel, including two police officers and an operative of the state owned Community Watch Corps (CWC), were earlier killed in a gun duel with bandits. A resident who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the incident was as a result of the local government election which took place on Saturday. The bandits had reportedly planned to attack voters in Zakka village. However, having heard of their…

Saturday, 15 February 2025 04:56

FG, accused lawmakers respond to Binance executive's bribery allegation against govt officials

In a series of explosive allegations following his release from Nigerian custody, Binance's head of financial crime, Tigran Gambaryan, has accused Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe and claimed the government sought to misuse customer data to target opposition members. Gambaryan, who was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024, named three lawmakers - Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Onwusibe - as participants in what he described as a "Mickey Mouse operation" involving fake cameras and media setups. According to Gambaryan, the lawmakers demanded the bribe be paid in cryptocurrency to their personal wallets during a…

Saturday, 15 February 2025 04:48

SSS DG advocates for armed local communities to fight bandits, others

The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has called for the arming of local communities to serve as the first line of defense against insecurity in Nigeria. Speaking on Thursday at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, Ajayi emphasized the need for community-based security measures before the intervention of law enforcement agencies such as the police and military. Citing an example from Azare, Bauchi State, where residents successfully repelled a Boko Haram attack, Ajayi argued that empowering communities to defend themselves is a practical approach to…

Friday, 14 February 2025 13:38

Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo, devoted Awoist and champion of justice, passes at 96

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the revered leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has passed away at the age of 96. He died peacefully on the morning of Friday, February 14, 2025, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State. His family confirmed his passing in a statement released to the press, describing him as a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, equity, and justice. Adebanjo, a distinguished lawyer and former organizing secretary of the Action Group, was a towering figure in Nigerian politics and a steadfast disciple of the late Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s iconic nationalist and statesman.…

Friday, 14 February 2025 05:01

‘They can go to hell!’ National Security Adviser Ribadu blasts Canada over visa denial to military chiefs

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has angrily condemned the Canadian embassy's decision to deny visas to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa and other military leaders. The incident came to light during the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, where CDS Musa revealed that he and several top military officers were unable to attend a veterans' honor ceremony in Canada due to visa denials. "Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There's an event to honour our veterans, those that…

Friday, 14 February 2025 05:00

‘Forgive and forget, abeg!’ MTN Nigeria begs customers over data price hike mishap

MTN Nigeria has come out with its hands in the air, begging its customers for forgiveness after a massive 200% price hike on its popular 15GB digital bundle plan sparked nationwide outrage. The telecom giant, known for its catchy slogans and vibrant branding, took to its official Instagram page on Thursday to issue a heartfelt apology, dripping with pidgin English charm, in a bid to calm the storm. The company’s statement, which quickly went viral, was a mix of remorse, humor, and a plea for love during the Valentine’s season. MTN didn’t just apologize; it spoke the language of the…

Thursday, 13 February 2025 04:48

Telecom tariff hike sparks standoff between NLC and operators

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened nationwide action against telecommunications companies over a recent 50% tariff increase, setting up a major confrontation between labor unions and telecom operators. The dispute centers on the telecommunications companies' implementation of a 50% price hike on February 11, despite ongoing negotiations with the government. The NLC claims this increase violates a previous agreement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Planned Labor Actions The NLC has announced a two-phase response: 1. Immediate Action (February 13-28, 2025): - Daily service boycott of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO between 11:00 AM and 2:00…

Thursday, 13 February 2025 04:45

Nationwide blackout as national grid collapses

Nigeria’s national power grid suffered a system collapse on Wednesday morning, plunging many parts of the country into darkness. Reports indicate that the grid lost power shortly after 11 a.m., leading to widespread outages. Sources within power generation companies confirmed a general disturbance in the grid, causing a major drop in electricity supply. According to data reviewed by our correspondent, the grid’s power generation stood at 4,064 megawatts at 11 a.m. but dropped sharply to 1,203MW by noon before completely shutting down to 0.00MW at 1 p.m. Most power plants connected to the grid lost generation capacity during the incident.…

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 05:02

Nigeria Customs halts new 4% import levy implementation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has temporarily suspended its recently announced 4% levy on import values, seeking more time for stakeholder consultation. The suspension, announced Tuesday by Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwasa, comes just days after the initial February 5 announcement of the Free-on-Board (FOB) value charge. The decision follows discussions with Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. According to Maiwasa, the timing coincides with the expiration of contracts with service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS). "This presents an opportunity to review our revenue framework…

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Wednesday, 12 February 2025 04:59

USAID: Study finds aid money reached terrorist groups

A new report from the Middle East Forum, a U.S. think tank, alleges that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided millions of dollars in funding to organizations with ties to extremist groups. According to the report published February 4, the think tank's multi-year study identified $164 million in approved grants to what it describes as radical organizations, with at least $122 million allegedly going to groups aligned with designated terrorist organizations and their supporters. The report specifically highlights several cases, including: - A reported $900,000 grant to Bayader Association for Environment and Development, a Gaza-based organization that…

Monday, 10 February 2025 04:10

Saudi Arabia restricts multiple-entry visas for Nigeria, 13 other countries

Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations affecting travelers from 14 countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for 30 days without the option of an extension. The restrictions apply to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members but do not affect applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. The affected countries include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas as the reason for the policy change, stating that some travelers overstayed their visas or participated in Hajj without proper authorization. The…

Sunday, 09 February 2025 04:32

US Embassy in Nigeria quietly removes Visa Drop Box facility - Report

The drop box visa processing option is no longer available for US visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant shift in the visa renewal process. Nairametrics sources confirm that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system. While the US Embassy in Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement on the change, applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the drop box feature is no longer an option on the appointment booking platform. Appointment backlogs Applicants who spoke to Nairametrics stated…

Saturday, 08 February 2025 04:36

USAID claims to have spent $7.8bn in Nigeria over the last 10 years. These are the queries people are raising

Several netizens have raised concerns and called for a systemic investigation into how USAID health funds allocated to Nigeria have been spent amid widespread dissatisfaction. The U.S. Agency for International Development allocated approximately $2.8bn to Nigeria between 2022 and 2024, according to data from the United States Foreign Assistance Dashboard. The platform serves as the primary source for budgetary and financial data from U.S. government agencies managing foreign assistance portfolios. Before President Donald Trump’s second election, USAID faced significant controversy, with critics accusing the agency of inadequate oversight in its funding mechanisms, which could have led to resource misallocation. In…

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