News as it breaks
A South African court has sentenced seven Chinese nationals to 20 years in prison each for human trafficking and kidnapping, following their conviction for smuggling Malawian nationals into the country and forcing them into exploitative labour conditions. Kevin Tsao, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying,…
In a strategic move to boost regional livestock trade and address long-standing challenges in the red meat value chain, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched the second phase of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Program (PACBAO). The initiative is being implemented with the technical…
Nigerian men traveling without family members are no longer eligible for tourist or transit visas to Qatar, following new entry restrictions imposed by the Qatari Ministry of Interior. The policy, which came into effect on September 5, 2025, applies to both new and pending visa applications, effectively barring solo male…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted it lacks the legal authority to sanction political parties and candidates engaging in early campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Wednesday at a roundtable discussion in Abuja, themed “The Challenges of Premature…
Nigeria’s power sector suffered a setback on Wednesday following the total collapse of the national electricity grid, leaving several parts of the country in darkness. The grid, which has long been plagued by instability, dropped precipitously from a generation capacity of 4,500 megawatts (MW) to a mere 120 MW, according…
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has extended warm congratulations to Ambassador Cheikh Niang on his appointment as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal. In a statement issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Tuggar praised Niang’s diplomatic credentials and…
At least 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the ongoing 5th session of the Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC), which officially opened on Tuesday, September 9, in Luanda, Angola. Speaking at the opening session, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu,…
The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the European Union, Expertise France, and key implementing partners, convened a two-day strategic meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, under the Africa-Europe Partnership to Exchange on Education Reforms (PEERs) initiative. The meeting brought together education stakeholders from across West and East Africa to foster stronger inter-regional…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reinforced its regional commitment to tackling human trafficking and associated crimes during the 17th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Regional Network of National Focal Institutions Against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+), held in Lagos, Nigeria. Organized by the ECOWAS Commission…
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Stella Okuzu on her recent appointment as the Interim Director of the Royal African Society (RAS), United Kingdom. In a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols…
