Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

NNPC Considers Selling Refineries As Rehabilitation Challenges Mount, Says Ojulari. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is contemplating the sale of its state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, as ongoing rehabilitation efforts face significant hurdles, according to Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari. Speaking at the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria, on 10 July 2025, Ojulari revealed that a strategic review of the company’s refinery operations is underway, with a decision expected by the end of the year. The potential sale marks a pivotal shift for Nigeria’s oil sector, which has struggled to revive…

Lagos Local Government Elections: 139 Candidates Vie For 57 Chairmanship Seats. Lagos State is gearing up for a fiercely contested local government election, with 139 from 10 political parties competing for 57 chairmanship positions across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Scheduled for 12 July 2025, the polls will also see 842 councillorship candidates from 14 parties vying for 376 ward seats, marking a significant moment for grassroots democracy in Nigeria’s commercial hub. According to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), 15 of the 19 political parties that initially expressed…

President Tinubu Endorses AFRIMA 2025 As Nigeria Prepares To Host Historic Music Awards. Lagos is set to become the epicentre of African music and culture as President Bola Tinubu has officially endorsed the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), scheduled to take place from 25 to 30 November 2025. The announcement, heralded as a significant boost for Nigeria’s creative industry, follows a formal request from the African Union Commission (AUC) for Nigeria’s collaboration in hosting the prestigious event. The Federal Government has moved swiftly to establish an inter-ministerial Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure the event’s success,…

Dubai Imposes Strict Visa Restrictions On Nigerians Aged 18-45. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stringent new visa regulations for Nigerian travellers, significantly impacting those planning to visit Dubai, a key destination for business and tourism. According to a directive issued by Dubai immigration authorities, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 are now barred from obtaining tourist visas unless accompanied, while transit visa applications have been entirely suspended. The policy, communicated to travel agents on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, also imposes rigorous financial requirements for applicants aged 45 and above. Those in this age group must provide a six-month…

Vice President Shettima’s Remarks Misrepresented, Says State House. The Office of the Vice President has strongly condemned the misrepresentation of comments made by Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, during a book launch in Abuja on Thursday, 10 July 2025. Speaking at the public presentation of *OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block* by Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) at the Yar’Adua Centre, Shettima’s remarks were distorted by some media outlets, sparking unwarranted controversy. Certain reports falsely linked the Vice President’s historical references to the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan with the recent state…

Liverpool FC Retire No. 20 Shirt In Emotional Tribute To Diogo Jota. Liverpool Football Club has announced the permanent retirement of the number 20 shirt across all levels of the club, a poignant tribute to their late forward, Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away alongside his brother, André Silva, in a car accident in Spain on 3 July 2025. The decision, a first in the club’s storied history, underscores the profound impact Jota had on the team and its supporters during his time at Anfield. The announcement came after consultations with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family, ensuring their…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Writes Letter To Senate President Akpabio On Imminent Return To Legislative Duties After Court Victory. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has formally written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, notifying him of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional, clearing the path for her return to the Nigerian Senate. The suspension, imposed in March 2025, arose from a dispute with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements in the…

Lagos Court Sentences Fraudster To 17 Years For N78.7m Property Scam. A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Peter Nwogu, also known as Dr. NDC Peters, to 17 years in prison for orchestrating a property fraud scheme worth N78.7 million. The ruling, delivered by Justice S.S. Ogunsanya on Thursday, 10 July 2025, marks the culmination of a decade-long legal battle led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Nwogu, alongside his company, DSCL Services Consulting Limited, faced a 20-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and issuing dishonoured cheques. The charges, filed by the EFCC’s…

Crystal Palace Relegated To Conference League As Nottingham Forest Secure Europa League Spot. Crystal Palace have been dealt a significant blow after UEFA announced their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League for the 2025/26 season. The decision, which stems from a breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, has paved the way for Nottingham Forest to be promoted to the Europa League in their place. The ruling is subject to an appeal, which Palace are widely expected to lodge with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The controversy centres around American businessman John Textor, who holds…

Kun Khalifat’s Historic Rise To NPFL Headlines Alongside Barau FC,  Warri Wolves And Wikki Tourists. Kun Khalifat, a privately owned club from Imo State, has etched its name in Nigerian football history by securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2025/2026 season, joined by Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists, and Barau FC. The quartet earned their top-flight spots through standout performances at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs in Asaba, Delta State, setting the stage for an electrifying NPFL season kicking off on 22 August 2025. Kun Khalifat’s ascent to the NPFL is a…

Nigeria Customs Service Foils Major Wildlife Trafficking Operation On Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a significant victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, intercepting a 40-foot container carrying 10,603 donkey genitals and 213 parrot heads along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The seizure, which took place on 5 June 2025 at approximately 9:00 p.m., was announced by Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi during a press briefing in Abuja on 10 July, highlighting the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity. The intercepted consignment, suspected to be destined for illegal export, was uncovered through coordinated surveillance by the NCS’s…

Outcry As University Of Calabar Orders 300 Dental Students To Withdraw Over Quota Breach. The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has sparked widespread outrage after directing approximately 300 dental students to withdraw from their programme and transfer to other institutions or abandon their studies entirely. The decision, attributed to the university admitting students beyond the quota set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has been labelled inhumane by students, parents, and advocates, who are rallying under the hashtag #SaveDentalStudentsOfUnical to demand justice. The crisis unfolded following a meeting on 10 July 2025, convened by Vice-Chancellor Prof Florence…