Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Breaking: Supreme Court Upholds Monday Okpebholo As Edo State Governor. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful governor of Edo State, bringing an end to a contentious legal battle over the 2024 gubernatorial election. The unanimous decision, delivered on Thursday, 10 July 2025, by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba Lawal, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for lacking merit. The court’s ruling upholds earlier decisions by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition…

EFCC Uncovers Staggering Corruption In Nigeria’s Oil And Gas Sector. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has exposed what it describes as “mind-boggling” levels of corruption within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, as the agency intensifies its probe into the sector’s financial dealings. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, speaking on Wednesday, revealed that the commission’s ongoing investigation, launched just three weeks ago, has already uncovered extensive financial misconduct, with much more expected to be revealed as the inquiry deepens. Olukoyede highlighted the scale of the corruption, stating, “What we have discovered is mind-boggling. And we have only just opened…

GTBank Makes History As First West African Bank To List On London Stock Exchange Main Market. Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the parent company of GTBank, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first West African financial institution to list its ordinary shares directly on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The historic listing, which commenced trading on 9 July 2025, marks a significant step for Nigeria’s banking sector, elevating its presence on the global financial stage. The listing saw GTCO raise $105 million through a fully marketed equity offering of approximately 2.29 billion…

High Levels of Child Poverty in Katsina Highlight Urgent Need for Action, Says UNICEF. A recent statement from UNICEF has revealed that 75.5% of children in Katsina State, Nigeria, are living in multidimensional poverty, underscoring a pressing need for targeted interventions to improve their quality of life. This alarming figure, reported by the United Nations Children’s Fund, highlights the severe challenges faced by children in the region, including lack of access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and adequate nutrition. Multidimensional poverty, as defined by UNICEF, goes beyond financial hardship and encompasses deprivations in critical areas of child…

Chinese Politician Wang Yong Sentenced To Death With Reprieve For $37.8 Million Bribery Scandal. A Chinese court has sentenced Wang Yong, a former senior official, to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes worth over 271 million yuan (£29.3 million), marking one of China’s most high-profile corruption cases in recent years. The ruling, announced by the Chenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Hunan province on 8 July 2025, underscores China’s ongoing crackdown on corruption under President Xi Jinping’s administration. Wang, previously the vice-chairman of the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region government, was found guilty of leveraging his positions between 2007…

Police Launch Investigation Into Mysterious Disappearance Of Two Adekunle Ajasin University Students. Authorities in Ondo State have initiated a thorough investigation into the troubling disappearance of two second-year students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who have been missing for over two weeks. The students, identified as Andrel Eloho Okah, studying History and International Studies, and John Friday Abba, have sparked widespread concern among their peers, family members, and the university community. The case came to light after fellow students reported the pair’s absence to both the university management and the Ondo State Police Command. According to a student, Ajibola,…

ADC Announces New State Chairmen To Strengthen Coalition Ahead Of 2027 Elections. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released the names of its new state chairmen across 32 states in Nigeria, marking a significant step in bolstering its structure as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. The announcement, made by the party’s National Secretariat, underscores the ADC’s commitment to building a robust political platform following its adoption by a high-profile opposition coalition. The list of state chairmen, unveiled on 9 July 2025, is part of the party’s strategy to solidify its presence nationwide and ensure effective coordination at…

UK Introduces Digital e-Visas For Nigerian Study and Work Applicants. The United Kingdom has unveiled a significant change to its immigration process, announcing that Nigerian applicants for study and work visas will soon receive digital e-Visas. From 15 July 2025, most successful applicants in these categories will no longer receive a physical visa sticker, known as a vignette, in their passports. Instead, they will be issued a secure, online record of their immigration status, marking a major step towards a fully digital UK immigration system. The British High Commission in Abuja shared the news in a statement, highlighting the…

Nigeria Urges US To Reconsider Tighter Visa Restrictions, Citing Disproportionate Impact. The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the United States’ recent decision to impose stricter visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, labelling the move as “disproportionate” and urging a reconsideration in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. The new US policy, effective from 8 July 2025, limits most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians to single-entry permits with a three-month validity period, a significant shift from the previous multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years or more. In a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa,…

Canada Raises Minimum Proof Of Funds To ₦17 Million For Express Entry Immigrants. The Canadian government has increased the minimum settlement funds required for immigrants applying through the Express Entry system, setting a new threshold of ₦17 million for single applicants. The adjustment, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and effective from 7 July 2025, aims to ensure newcomers can financially support themselves upon arrival. The updated requirement, based on 50% of Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off totals, marks a rise from the previous ₦16.3 million for a single applicant. For a family of two, the minimum proof…

Dangote Refinery To Cease Crude Oil Imports By December 2025, Bolstering Nigeria’s Energy Independence. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refinery, has announced a bold plan to halt all crude oil imports by December 2025, transitioning to a fully domestic supply of Nigerian crude. This significant step, reported by Bloomberg, marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s oil industry and its journey towards energy self-sufficiency. The refinery, a £15.5 billion project spearheaded by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and is located in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. According to Devakumar Edwin, Vice…

Lagos State Imposes Movement Restrictions For Local Government Elections On 12 July 2025. Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Police Command has announced a comprehensive restriction on vehicular and pedestrian movement across the state to ensure a smooth and secure local government election process on Saturday, 12 July 2025. The measure, which will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., aims to facilitate a hitch-free electoral exercise across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). According to a statement by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, the…