Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

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…

Nigerian Army Announces Major Leadership Reshuffle With New GOCs And Chiefs Appointed. The Nigerian Army has unveiled a significant restructuring of its high command, effective between 19 and 25 August 2025, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and combat readiness. Announced on Sunday, 17 August 2025, by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the redeployment includes new appointments for General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), corps commanders, and heads of training institutions, reflecting a strategic push to strengthen leadership across critical formations. Key appointments include Major General A.A. Adeyinka as Chief of Logistics (Army), transitioning…

South-East Governors Rally Behind Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid, Says Umahi. Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has announced that all five governors of Nigeria’s South-East region are united in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027. Speaking in a video shared on Sunday, 17 August 2025, by @peopleofebonyi_ on Instagram, the former Ebonyi State governor emphasised that the governors, regardless of their political affiliations, are aligned with Tinubu’s vision for national development. This declaration comes as the region witnesses a surge in federal infrastructure projects, which Umahi credits to the President’s commitment to equity and progress.…

Senate President Akpabio Returns To Nigeria, Dispels Ill-Health Rumours. Senate President Godswill Akpabio returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Monday, 18 August 2025, quashing widespread speculation about his health. The former Akwa Ibom State governor arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after a brief vacation in London, following a parliamentary engagement in Geneva. His return comes amid viral social media posts claiming he was hospitalised or seriously ill, prompting concerns among Nigerians. Akpabio, addressing the rumours through a statement shared via journalist Jackson Ude on social media, emphatically declared that he is “hale and hearty.”…

APC Sweeps Nigerian By-Elections As Opposition Decries Violence And Vote-Buying. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cemented its political dominance in Nigeria, securing a majority of seats in the by-elections held across 16 constituencies in 12 states, including Ogun, Edo, and Kaduna, on Saturday, 16 August 2025. Conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacant legislative seats in the National and State Assemblies, the polls were marred by opposition allegations of violence, voter intimidation, and vote-buying, casting a shadow over the results. In Kaduna, the APC’s Joseph Bagudu won the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency with 34,580 votes,…

Verified Reports On Nigeria’s 2025 By-Elections: Winners And Key Outcomes. On August 16, 2025, Nigeria conducted by-elections across 16 constituencies in 12 states to fill vacant legislative seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly. Organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), these elections were necessitated by resignations, deaths, or court rulings affecting previous officeholders. The process was reported as largely peaceful, with results announced by INEC on August 16 and 17, 2025. Overview of the By-Elections The by-elections covered two senatorial districts (Anambra and Edo), five federal constituencies (Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and…