Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria Plans Salary Review For Political Office Holders Amid Economic Pressures. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced intentions to reassess the salaries of Nigeria’s political office holders, citing current pay as insufficient and outdated given the increasing responsibilities and economic difficulties faced by the nation. The statement, made during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, has sparked widespread discussion about governance costs and economic inequality. RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Bola Tinubu currently earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million—figures unchanged since 2008. “Paying the President of Nigeria…

Alaafin of Oyo Demands Ooni of Ife Reverse Chieftaincy Title Within “48 Hours”. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern demand to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi. In a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin condemned the Ooni’s action as a direct challenge to his authority. Oba Abimbola asserted that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to grant titles encompassing all of Yorubaland, accusing the Ooni of…

“Retired Federal Workers to Earn Additional N32,000 Monthly” – FG Announces Pension Boost. Retired federal workers across Nigeria are set to receive a significant financial uplift, with the Federal Government announcing an additional N32,000 monthly pension for those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). This increase, funded by a N758 billion bond approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to clear longstanding pension arrears and align benefits with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024. The initiative, confirmed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), will provide a baseline payment for retirees in sectors such as education, health, security, and…

“Single Mothers Cannot Raise Proper Men” – Jim Iyke Sparks Debate. Nollywood star Jim Iyke has stirred widespread controversy with his bold claim that “single mothers cannot raise proper men” without a male figure present. The actor’s remarks, made during a recent public appearance, have sparked intense discussions across Nigeria and beyond, with opinions sharply divided on the role of single mothers in raising boys. Iyke, a prominent figure in African cinema, argued that boys need a male influence to develop into “proper men.” He stated, “I know women will insult me for saying the truth, but I’ll still say…

Smart DNA Report Reveals One In Four Nigerian Men Not Biological Fathers. A new report from Smart DNA, Nigeria’s leading DNA testing centre, has uncovered a significant social issue, revealing that 25% of Nigerian men who undergo paternity testing are not the biological fathers of the children in question. The findings, part of the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report covering July 2024 to June 2025, highlight a persistent challenge to family trust, particularly in urban areas like Lagos. The report indicates a slight decrease from the 27% paternity exclusion rate recorded in 2024, yet the figure remains striking, with…

Nigerian Government Launches Cash Transfer Scheme to Boost School Attendance. The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, the Basic Education Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at tackling the country’s out-of-school children crisis through conditional cash transfers to mothers. Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja, this reform package seeks to enhance school enrolment and improve educational outcomes across the nation. The cash transfer programme, a cornerstone of BETA, is designed to incentivise mothers to ensure their children attend Ascertain the child’s school attendance to receive the funds. This initiative is part of a…

US Embassy Introduces Mandatory Social Media Disclosure For Nigerian Visa Applicants. The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new requirement for visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years. This directive, effective immediately, aims to enhance national security by incorporating digital footprints into the visa vetting process, as outlined in a statement posted on the Mission’s official X account on 18 August 2025. Visa applicants must now list all social media handles from platforms used within the specified period on the DS-160 visa application form, a standard…

Ogun State Declares 20 August Public Holiday To Celebrate Isese Day. The Ogun State Government has announced that Tuesday, 20 August 2025, will be observed as a public holiday to mark this year’s Isese Day. The declaration, made by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, underscores the state’s commitment to promoting religious inclusivity and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. In a statement issued by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, the government highlighted the significance of Isese Day as a time to honour Yoruba traditions and spiritual practices. The…

Kidney Dialysis Subsidy Slashes Costs For Nigerians. A landmark initiative to ease the financial burden of kidney dialysis for Nigerians has been approved by president Tinubu, with the cost of treatment slashed from N50,000 to N12,000. This significant subsidy, aimed at improving access to life-saving healthcare, is being rolled out across federal medical institutions in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The programme is designed to support patients requiring dialysis by making treatment more affordable. State governors have been urged to back this initiative to ensure its success and broaden its reach. The move has been hailed as a vital step…

President Zelensky Declares Ukrainian Territory Non-Negotiable In Peace Talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any notion of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia as part of peace negotiations, labelling such concessions as “impossible.” The statement, made on 9 August 2025, comes amid speculation about potential deals to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has persisted since the 2014 annexation of Crimea and escalated in 2022. Speaking to the nation, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is enshrined in the country’s constitution, a principle from which he vowed neither he nor the Ukrainian people would deviate. “Ukrainians will…

Nigeria And Brazil To Launch Direct Flights With Historic MoU Signing. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is poised to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil to establish a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), paving the way for direct flights between the two nations. The announcement, confirmed by Mr Obafemi Bajomo, Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investments to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, marks a significant step in strengthening economic and cultural ties between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s powerhouse. The agreement, set to be formalised during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to…

Osun State Launches Africa’s First Artificial Intelligence University In Modakeke. Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, alongside the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi, laid the foundation for Curators University in Modakeke on Friday, 15 August 2025, marking a historic milestone as Africa’s first tertiary institution dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI). The groundbreaking ceremony signals Nigeria’s ambition to become a global hub for technological innovation, with the university poised to transform education and drive economic growth in the region. Curators University will offer specialised programmes in Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning Specialisation), Computer Hardware Engineering, Data Analytics and Database Administration, Arbitration…