Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

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…

Rishi Sunak Returns To Goldman Sachs As Senior Adviser, Pledges Salary To Charity. Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is embarking on a new chapter, rejoining Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser, marking a return to the investment bank where he launched his career over two decades ago. The announcement, made on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, highlights Sunak’s transition back to the financial sector after a high-profile tenure in British politics, including serving as Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024. In a notable gesture, Sunak has pledged to donate his earnings from this role to the Richmond Project,…

China Unveils Breakthrough Stem Cell Therapy For Diabetes Cure. Shanghai, China – Chinese scientists have achieved a monumental breakthrough in diabetes treatment, announcing the development of a stem cell therapy that could potentially cure both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The announcement, detailed in a recent BBC report, highlights clinical trials that have successfully reversed the condition in patients, offering hope to millions worldwide living with this chronic disease. The therapy, pioneered by researchers at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and other leading institutions, involves transplanting insulin-producing islet cells derived from patients’ own reprogrammed stem cells. In a landmark…

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Appointed Chairman Of The Board Of The Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria. In a significant development for Nigeria’s aviation sector, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Governor of Kano State, as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The announcement was made during the formal inauguration of the newly constituted FAAN board in Abuja on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, marking a new chapter in the country’s efforts to reform its aviation industry. The inauguration, led by the…

“If You Attack Taiwan, I Will Bomb Beijing,” Trump Warns Xi Jinping. Washington, D.C. – US President Donald Trump has reportedly issued a stark warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that the United States would retaliate with severe military action against Beijing if China were to invade Taiwan. The comments, captured in audio recordings from a 2024 private fundraising event and obtained by CNN, have ignited debate about the future of US-China relations and the volatile geopolitics surrounding Taiwan. In the recordings, Trump recounted his conversation with Xi, describing how he told the Chinese leader, “If you attack…

Nigerian House Of Representatives Proposes Historic Constitutional Amendment To Boost Inclusion. The House of Representatives in Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution, aiming to reserve 10 per cent of National Assembly seats for women and 5 per cent for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Announced on 8 July 2025 by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during the second Legislative Open Week in Abuja, this move seeks to address the long-standing underrepresentation of these groups in the country’s legislative framework, marking a significant step towards inclusive governance. The proposed amendment would increase the National Assembly’s total seats…

UAE Introduces New Visa Restrictions For Nigerian Travellers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has implemented stringent new visa regulations for Nigerian citizens, marking a significant shift in its immigration policy. Effective immediately, the UAE has banned transit visas for Nigerians and introduced additional conditions for those seeking to visit the country, particularly for tourism or business purposes. The move, announced on 9 July 2025, comes just a year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa ban on Nigerian travellers, raising concerns about the impact on travel and trade between the two nations. According to statements from UAE authorities, Nigerian…