News as it breaks
The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, following the release of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria. The clarification comes after media reports claimed the IMF had recommended extending Value Added Tax (VAT)…
A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of terrorism-related offences, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding terrorist activities. The court ruled that the prosecution successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on evidence and…
China has released a new white paper outlining its vision for a more just and equitable global governance system, urging stronger multilateral cooperation and greater representation for developing countries in international decision-making. The document, titled *”More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions,”* was issued by…
The National Assembly (NASS) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) have announced plans to expand Nigeria’s student loan scheme from 1.6 million beneficiaries to seven million students, in a move aimed at boosting access to higher education and driving national development. The commitment was made on Monday during a…
The African Action Congress (AAC) has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing of nursing student Vivian Chilaka, describing the incident as a tragic loss that demands urgent justice. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party expressed outrage over the circumstances surrounding Chilaka’s death and urged…
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene in a property dispute involving an 80-year-old widow in Abuja, alleging an attempt to unlawfully seize her property. In the petition, Falana urged the anti-graft agency to protect…
Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history on 16 June 2026, scoring a sensational hat-trick to become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history. The historic achievement came exactly 20 years after the Argentine legend netted his first-ever World Cup goal on 16 June 2006, marking…
The United Kingdom has imposed fresh sanctions on a Nigeria-linked entity as part of a new package targeting networks accused of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. In a statement on Tuesday, the UK Government announced 70 new sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, military procurement supply chains and…
The ECOWAS Parliament has launched a high-level joint committee meeting in Dakar, Senegal, aimed at accelerating renewable energy deployment to improve rural electrification and stimulate economic growth across West Africa. The delocalised meeting brings together parliamentarians, ECOWAS Commission officials and key stakeholders to assess energy access challenges and review the…
The United Kingdom has appointed Peter Vowles as its next High Commissioner to Nigeria, succeeding Dr Richard Montgomery, the UK Government has announced. Mr Vowles is expected to assume office in Abuja in September 2026, while Dr Montgomery will remain in the position until then. The incoming envoy brings decades…
