Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

In a dramatic turn in Washington, President Donald Trump signed a bill on Wednesday night ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, bringing to close, a 43‑day impasse that had gripped the country. The Shutdown and Its End The shutdown began when federal agency funding lapsed on October 1, 2025, and Congress failed to agree on a continuing resolution and full appropriations. It broke the previous record for U.S. government shutdowns, topping 43 days. Early on Wednesday evening, the United States House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 222‑209 (six Democrats joined Republicans), after the United States…

There is a brewing tension between public-health authorities and industry groups over the planned prohibition of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles (below 200 ml). On one side, the regulatory body, NAFDAC, says the move is necessary to curb alcohol misuse; on the other, the industry warns of large economic fallout if the ban is enforced. The Ban: What it Entails In November 2025, NAFDAC reiterated that the ban on production, distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles will take full effect by December 31, 2025, with enforcement beginning January 2026. The agency argues…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, has publicly reaffirmed that its much-anticipated national convention will proceed on 15–16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State — despite legal challenges and internal factional opposition led by the camp aligned to Nyesom Wike. Background The convention is intended to elect national officers of the party, establish its leadership for the next phase, and position the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. The date was set following resolutions from earlier party organs and gatherings. However, the path is far from smooth. Legal injunctions have…

In a move to quash circulating speculation, the Nigerian Senate has formally denied that any impeachment process is underway against its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Denial From The Senate Leadership During plenary proceedings on Wednesday, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, stated unequivocally that no discussion or formal plan exists within the Senate to remove Senator Akpabio from his role. He described the reports as “misleading” and “intended to create confusion” in the National Assembly.He further remarked: “There was no attempt by any of our colleagues, nor any discussion about removing the Senate President from office. We are fully united … Reports…

The Lagos State Government (LASG), has confirmed plans for a major rehabilitation of the road corridor between Lekki and Ajah, spanning eight months from Saturday, November 15, 2025, to Wednesday, July 15, 2026. In this period, there will be partial closure and traffic diversion along the stretch to allow for the works to proceed. The project is to be carried out in two phases to reduce disruption: Phase 1: From Lekki 1st Toll Gate to Lekki 2nd Toll Gate — work in seven sections, one lane closed at a time while the other remains open for traffic towards Lekki/Ajah. Phase…

A recent report by the World Bank titled “The State of Social Safety Nets in Nigeria” (November 2025), has delivered a sobering indictment of Nigeria’s social protection architecture. Key among its findings: although approximately 56 % of the recipients of the country’s safety‑net schemes are classified as poor, just 44 % of the total benefits disbursed actually reach those poor households. What the Numbers Show The report reveals that while more than half (56 %) of beneficiaries of government‑sponsored social safety‑net programmes are poor, those poor households receive only 44 % of total benefits. This gap manifests an efficiency and targeting problem: programmes are not…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have entered a serious stand-off with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-Off match against Gabon. The players have threatened not to play unless the NFF clears long-outstanding bonuses and allowances. Background Nigeria qualify for a one-leg semi-final play-off in Rabat, Morocco, against Gabon on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The players and staff allege that the NFF owes them bonuses and allowances, in some cases going back multiple years (including for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers). In protest, the squad refused to train on Tuesday…

The Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has rejected the written explanations submitted by NNPCL regarding an alleged ₦210 trillion gap in its audited accounts for the period 2017-2023. The panel has now ordered the group chief executive officer, Bayo Ojulari, to appear in person. What Happened The audit report from the Office of the Auditor‑General of the Federation (OAGF), flagged NNPCL’s financial statements between 2017-2023 as showing ₦103 trillion in liabilities and ₦107 trillion as receivables, totalling the ₦210 trillion under scrutiny. The Senate committee gave NNPCL 19 specific audit queries to address and received written responses. However, on the…

Since yesterday, a widely circulated video from Abuja has triggered a resurgence of concerns about civil-military relations, ministerial conduct and national security in Nigeria. The footage captures Nyesom Wike—Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—in a rather heated exchange with uniformed military personnel at a land dispute site in Gaduwa District, Abuja. Reacting swiftly, the country’s former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Ret.), issued a strong statement. He described Wike’s conduct as more than mere misconduct: rather, he said, it constitutes a “clear and present danger to national security”. He therefore demanded an immediate public apology from the…

On Tuesday, 11  November 2025, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed Opeyemi Agbaje as Chairman of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). His confirmation came through a plenary session presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service chaired by Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi. The confirmation also included the appointment of four commissioners who will join the PenCom board: Hafiz Mohammad Kawu – (Technical – North West) Samuel Chigizie Nwandu – (Inspectorate – South East) Charles Efe Sylvester Emukowate – (Finance – South South) Bello Abubakar Malabu -…

In a landmark announcement, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has given renewed hope to retirees across Nigeria by declaring that all outstanding arrears—covering both pension payments and gratuities—will be fully settled by December 2025. What Has Been Announced At a two‑day sensitisation workshop held in Owerri, jointly organised by PenCom and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), PenCom’s Director‑General, Omolola Oloworaran, represented by Mr. Samuel Uwandu, indicated that: The Federal Government has approved a ₦758 billion bond for PenCom, which will be cashed in and used to clear unpaid gratuities and pension arrears. Once the bond is converted to cash, all…

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison after serving fewer than three weeks of a five‑year sentence, marking a dramatic development in one of France’s most high‑profile political‑legal cases. Background: The Conviction and Incarceration Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was convicted on 25 September 2025 of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged funding of his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi. On 21 October 2025 he entered La Santé prison in Paris to begin serving the sentence, under conditions of isolation and tight security. His immediate appeal was filed,…