NEWS

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed how the Federal Government used technology to eliminate large-scale payroll fraud, uncovering 45,000 “ghost workers” through the integration of the Bank Verification Number (BVN).  Speaking at the Citadel School of Government Dialogue series in Lagos, Adeosun explained that prior to the reform, the federal payroll was the government’s largest expenditure and was plagued by inefficiencies that earlier biometric efforts failed to resolve. She noted that previous attempts to sanitise the payroll using biometric systems often stalled due to resistance from paramilitary institutions such as the Police and Army, which were reluctant to adopt centralised processes.  To overcome this, her team leveraged the existing BVN database ins...

Iran and the United States have received a new proposal aimed at ending ongoing hostilities, with plans for an immediate ceasefire and a broader peace agreement to follow. According to reports, , the framework—reportedly facilitated by Pakistan—outlines a two-stage approach. The first phase would involve an immediate ceasefire, potentially reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The second phase would focus on negotiating a comprehensive agreement within 15 to 20 days. The proposed deal, informally referred to as the “Islamabad Accord,” is expected to be structured initially as a memorandum of understanding, with final agreements to be concluded through direct talks in Islamabad. The plan is being coordinated through Pakistan, which is serving as a key communication ch...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to suspend preparations and publicity for the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise. The instruction was conveyed in a letter dated April 4, 2026, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, ordering RECs to pause all related activities pending further directives. INEC also announced that its scheduled meeting with RECs on April 9 will now be held virtually via Zoom. The move comes amid growing criticism from stakeholders, including political analysts and opposition parties, over the proposed exercise. INEC had earlier introduced the revalidation process to clean up the voter register by removing ineligible entries and improving the credibility ...

The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to withdraw a controversial statement he made about Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television. The association warned that it could boycott all media engagements involving the minister if he fails to issue a public apology. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmed Ramalan, and Acting General Secretary, Fidelis Duker, IBAN expressed concern over remarks made by Wike during a live television interview. The controversy arose after the minister reacted to Okinbaloye’s commentary on Nigeria’s democracy during the programme Politics Today, stating that if it were possible, he would have “shot” the journalist through the screen. He later clarified that the comment w...

A wave of violent attacks disrupted Easter celebrations in several northern states, leaving at least 16 people dead and many others displaced across Benue State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, and Borno State. The assaults, blamed on suspected armed herders, terrorists, and bandits, occurred between Saturday and Sunday, raising fresh concerns about security in the region. In Benue, gunmen reportedly attacked Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana communities in Gwer East LGA, killing at least 10 people and injuring several others. The нападение happened during a market day, forcing residents to flee. Local government chairman, Timothy Adi, confirmed the incident, describing it as unprovoked and calling for stronger federal intervention. Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, labeling t...

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered officers featured in a viral stop-and-search video in Lagos to report to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary review. The officers, involved in an incident at Satellite Town, are to appear on Wednesday following public outrage over their conduct during the roadside operation. In the widely circulated video, the officers were seen stopping a vehicle, asking occupants to step out, and searching one individual away from the car. Police spokesperson Aliyu Giwa said the move underscores the Force’s commitment to accountability and professionalism. He urged officers to respect citizens’ rights, act with restraint, and follow due process. Giwa also assured that the outcome of the review will determi...

President Bola Tinubu has approved a ₦3.3 trillion payment plan to settle long-standing debts in Nigeria’s power sector and improve electricity supply. The initiative targets legacy debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025 under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme. After a detailed review, the government agreed on ₦3.3 trillion as a final settlement to ensure transparency and fairness. According to a statement by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, implementation is already underway, with 15 power plants signing agreements worth ₦2.3 trillion. So far, ₦501 billion has been raised, with ₦223 billion already disbursed. Officials say the plan will stabilise electricity generation and improve reliability across the power value chain. The President’s ...

A 16-year-old boy identified as Alex Ansol, from Spain, was found wandering in Dadin Kowa village, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State. The spokesperson for the State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, April 4, 2026. According to the PPRO, Alex claimed he arrived in Nigeria with his four relatives from Spain on March 30, 2026 via Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja. However, he lost contact with his relatives along Jos to Saminaka road. Kiyawa urged anyone with useful information about the boy or his relative's to contact his office.  "The Kano State Police Command has received a report of a 16-year-old boy, Alex Ansol, who was found wandering in Dadin Kowa Village, Doguwa LGA, Kano State,” the statem...

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have arrested the pastor in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area of Seme border, Badagry in Lagos state, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Mrs. Success Hodonu, 35, after blocks of skuk weighing 11kg concealed in the hidden parts of their vehicle. According to a statement from Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, said the cleric and his wife were arrested on Thursday, April 2nd during a stop and search on their vehicle at Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme border. Babafemi mentioned that the arrest of the couple followed the apprehension of a fake security agent Sunday Samuel, 35, at the same checkpoint on Monday 30th March while conveying 24.5kg skunk from Seme border to Lagos...

Hajiya Hadiza Jega, wife of former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, has passed away. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Sunday, April 5, 2026, announcing that her Janazah prayer would be held later the same day in Abuja. According to the family, the funeral prayer is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., after the Zuhr prayer, at the National Mosque Abuja. They urged friends, associates, and well-wishers to remember them in prayers during this period of mourning and prayed for Allah to grant her Aljannah Firdausi. Prof. Jega, her husband, currently serves as Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, and Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University and Usmanu Danfodiyo University. He previou...