The Federal Government of Nigeria says ongoing diplomatic dialogue with the US under President Trump is producing “positive results,” opening channels for mutual understanding and practical cooperation on security, economic, and religious tensions. Information Minister Mohammed Idris highlights better US appreciation of Nigeria’s complex social challenges and urges continued partnership to combat terrorism.
US Congressman Bill Huizenga criticizes Nigeria’s handling of Christian attacks, advocating economic sanctions over military intervention and calling out failures to protect all citizens. US-Nigeria ties face scrutiny after Trump’s viral remarks threatening intervention. Nigerian leaders argue for economic pressure rather than armed response.
Vatican Envoy Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu and Northern CAN urge dialogue, not anger, to resolve religious violence, while Afenifere warns against full-scale US military campaigns—advocates intelligence sharing and limited operations via drones instead.
Senator Orji Kalu affirms both Christians and Muslims are victims of violence, calling for blacklist of jihadists. He links rising insecurity partly to global arms proliferation after Libya and Iraq interventions, and clarifies US focus is on terrorists, not Nigerian government.
Recent meetings between Tinubu and military leaders signal renewed efforts for improved nationwide security.
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Ayra Starr earns UK silver certification for Bloody Samaritan milestone
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr's 2021 hit song "Bloody Samaritan" has earned a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom, marking 200,000 combined sales and streaming units for the track that became a cultural phenomenon. The silver certification adds to the song's growing list of international achievements, including Platinum certifications in the UK, Canada and New Zealand, and a Diamond certification in France. The track was the lead single from Ayra Starr's debut album "19 & Dangerous" and was released on July 30, 2021. "Bloody Samaritan" made Ayra Starr the first female artist to reach number one on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart with a solo single. The song also charted internationally, reaching number 34 in Suriname and gaining widespread recognition across multiple territories. The track has been certified 2× Platinum by the TurnTable Certification System […]
BNXN says living in Lagos is more expensive than living in the US
Nigerian singer and songwriter BNXN (formerly Buju) has said that it is now more expensive to live in Lagos than in the United States, citing the dramatic rise in housing, food, electricity and transportation costs in Nigeria's commercial capital. BNXN made the revelation during an interview, explaining that the cost of maintaining a developed country lifestyle in Nigeria has become extremely high. He noted that while Nigeria is a least developed country, maintaining first-world standards of living there is hard and expensive. The singer explained that for an average person, living in Lagos costs about 6.9 times more than the average salary because imported lifestyle expectations make everyday expenses disproportionately high. This includes housing, food, transport, energy and other essential costs. BNXN's comments highlight the growing economic pressure on Nigerians trying to maintain modern lifestyles in Lagos. The city is […]
Chelsea confirms four players will leave club ahead of new season
Chelsea Football Club has confirmed that four players will leave the club this month when their current contracts expire on June 30 as the Blues announce their retained and released squad list ahead of the new Premier League season under incoming manager Xabi Alonso. The four departing players are midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi and Finnish youth international Jimi Tauriainen, along with fellow youth players Richard Olise and Brodi Hughes. All four have been informed they will be released when their contracts expire. The Premier League officially announced Chelsea's list of players retained or released at the end of the 2024/25 season. This follows the announcement that young striker Ronnie Stutter will move to a month-to-month contract with the club instead. Chelsea have confirmed their squad list ahead of the new season as they prepare for Xabi Alonso's arrival at Stamford Bridge. […]
Ronaldo Iwobi headline as Nigeria and Portugal meet in Leira friendly match tonight
Nigeria's Super Eagles and Portugal's Seleção das Quinas will face off in central Portugal's town of Leiria tonight in an international friendly that promises fierce competition despite its tag. The match kicks off at 8.45pm Portugal time, which is the same time as in Nigeria. Before kick-off, Nigeria will honour midfielder Alex Iwobi as he collects his 100th senior cap for the Super Eagles. This milestone is an inspiration and occasion for the Trojan to exert dominance in midfield against Roberto Martinez's World Cup-bound Portuguese stars. Portugal's lineup includes Messi-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and an attacking band of Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincão supporting the legendary forward. The Spanish champions are set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with José Sá in goal, a back four of Diogo Dalot, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio and João Cancelo, a double pivot of Samú […]
Northern Elders tell Tinubu Nigeria is bleeding declare national security emergency
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over worsening insecurity across Nigeria, declaring that the country is bleeding under the weight of escalating violence, kidnappings and banditry. The Forum called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a National Security Emergency and implement extraordinary measures to reverse the current security situation. NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jiddere said the government has a constitutional and international obligation to protect lives and property. The directive included demands for the immediate deployment of adequately trained, armed and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilian populations and secure international border regions. NEF called for strengthening border control and regional cooperation with neighbouring states under ECOWAS and African Union protocols to stem cross-border incursions by armed criminal groups. The Forum also urged engagement of international partners […]
Iran strikes US bases in Jordan and Bahrain in retaliation for US attacks in Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched strikes on United States military installations in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait in retaliation for US airstrikes on Iranian ports and islands in the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of an Apache attack helicopter. In a statement released through state media on Wednesday, the IRGC reported it executed drone strikes against the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, along with a long-range missile attack targeting an airbase in Azraq, Jordan. The IRGC indicated it hit 21 US targets, claiming to have destroyed four of them, which included a hangar for F-35 fighter jets at the Jordanian base. It also asserted that a US MQ-9 drone was downed over the Iranian city of Jam. Bahrain and Kuwait both sounded alerts and fired air defenses in response […]
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Ronaldo Iwobi headline as Nigeria and Portugal meet in Leira friendly match tonight
Nigeria's Super Eagles and Portugal's Seleção das Quinas will face off in central Portugal's town of Leiria tonight in an international friendly that promises fierce competition despite its tag. The match kicks off at 8.45pm Portugal time, which is the same time as in Nigeria. Before kick-off, Nigeria will honour midfielder Alex Iwobi as he collects his 100th senior cap for the Super Eagles. This milestone is an inspiration and occasion for the Trojan to exert dominance in midfield against Roberto Martinez's World Cup-bound Portuguese stars. Portugal's lineup includes Messi-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and an attacking band of Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincão supporting the legendary forward. The Spanish champions are set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with José Sá in goal, a back four of Diogo Dalot, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio and João Cancelo, a double pivot of Samú […]
Northern Elders tell Tinubu Nigeria is bleeding declare national security emergency
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over worsening insecurity across Nigeria, declaring that the country is bleeding under the weight of escalating violence, kidnappings and banditry. The Forum called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a National Security Emergency and implement extraordinary measures to reverse the current security situation. NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jiddere said the government has a constitutional and international obligation to protect lives and property. The directive included demands for the immediate deployment of adequately trained, armed and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilian populations and secure international border regions. NEF called for strengthening border control and regional cooperation with neighbouring states under ECOWAS and African Union protocols to stem cross-border incursions by armed criminal groups. The Forum also urged engagement of international partners […]
Iran strikes US bases in Jordan and Bahrain in retaliation for US attacks in Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched strikes on United States military installations in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait in retaliation for US airstrikes on Iranian ports and islands in the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of an Apache attack helicopter. In a statement released through state media on Wednesday, the IRGC reported it executed drone strikes against the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, along with a long-range missile attack targeting an airbase in Azraq, Jordan. The IRGC indicated it hit 21 US targets, claiming to have destroyed four of them, which included a hangar for F-35 fighter jets at the Jordanian base. It also asserted that a US MQ-9 drone was downed over the Iranian city of Jam. Bahrain and Kuwait both sounded alerts and fired air defenses in response […]
UK considers easing work visa rules for Nigerians and other skilled workers
The United Kingdom is reviewing proposals to ease work visa rules for Nigerians and other skilled workers from countries facing tight labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, technology and engineering. The proposals under consideration include adjustments to the Immigration Salary List and the introduction of new temporary shortage measures that would provide time-limited access to the Skilled Worker route for occupations below the current graduate-level requirement. These measures would allow certain occupations to be sponsored for Skilled Worker visas even if they fall below RQF Level 6 (UK bachelor's degree level), but with strict conditions that applicants cannot bring dependants to the UK. The UK government has publicly named Nigeria, India and Pakistan among the countries it is monitoring closely for immigration control purposes. The "visa brake" mechanism introduced in March 2026 can refuse certain applications based on […]
Iran says US strikes damage diplomatic efforts to end Middle East conflict
Iran's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the United States is undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict by carrying out additional strikes on targets in southern Iran and sending contradictory messages about the negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a video message carried by Iranian media that the United States is damaging the diplomatic process through contradictory messages, repeated shifts in positions and demands, and repeated violations of the ceasefire. Baghaei stated that any diplomatic process is harmed by the use of force and by resorting to unlawful actions on the ground. He emphasized that the strikes contradict the spirit of ongoing negotiations mediated by international partners. In a separate statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and said the country's armed forces have severely targeted US bases […]
INEC sets July 11 deadline for candidate submission amid post-primary chaos
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit candidates' particulars for the 2027 general elections. The commission also announced that access codes for its nomination portal will be issued to political parties on June 26, 2026. This move comes as political parties intensify efforts to resolve post-primary disputes and finalize candidate nominations following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified parts of INEC's revised election timetable. The court held that INEC cannot lawfully shorten the statutory timelines outlined in the Electoral Act, 2026. INEC has warned that any primary elections conducted after the May 30 deadline will not be recognized unless a higher court overturns the Federal High Court judgment. The commission has filed an appeal but maintains that parties must comply with existing legal provisions. Before the court […]