NEWS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will officially end on Sunday, July 26, 2026, insisting there will be no extension beyond the stipulated deadline.The commission urged eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to take advantage of the remaining hours before the registration portal closes.The announcement comes amid calls from some opposition political parties requesting an extension, citing concerns that millions of eligible Nigerians could be left out of the 2027 general elections.However, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the electoral body would not shift the deadline because it must begin processing the data collected during the exercise....

Two Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have recounted their experiences of discrimination, documentation challenges and financial hardship, as the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission pledged support for their reintegration and aspirations back home.The returnees shared their stories on Saturday at the 2026 National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit in Abuja, where the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, introduced them as examples of resilience despite the challenges they faced abroad.One of the returnees, a Chemical Engineering student, narrated how he successfully combined his studies with operating a tutoring business that catered to more than 30 students every week before circumstances compelled him to return to Nige...

The United Nations has called on African governments, the private sector and development partners to scale up investments in people, mobilise sustainable financing and strengthen partnerships to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.Speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit 2026 in Lagos on Saturday, the UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, who represented the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms Wafaa Saeed, said Africa’s future depended on unlocking the potential of its people through bold, people-centred investments.In a statement issued in Abuja by the National Information Officer, UNIC, Oluseyi Soremekun, the UN stressed that every child should have access to education, every young person should be able to ...

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has announced Grace Oluwatobi Coker as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.Coker will serve as the running mate to the party’s governorship flagbearer, Prince Laja Adeoye, as both candidates prepare to contest the state's top political office.Reacting to her nomination on Saturday, Coker described the opportunity as a great honour and responsibility. She expressed gratitude to God, the APM leadership, party members, supporters, and Lagos residents for the confidence placed in her.She also thanked Prince Adeoye for choosing her as his running mate, describing him as her leader, mentor, and principal. Coker pledged to work closely with him to advance the party’s vision for Lagos State.The deputy go...

Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said he risks being arrested for speaking candidly about Nigeria's current situation.Al-Mustapha made the remark on Saturday during the third memorial conference held in honour of the late General Hassan Usman Katsina in Kaduna, where he expressed concern over the worsening state of both Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.He accused political leaders in the North of abandoning the vision and principles established by the region's founding fathers.According to him, Nigerians from all walks of life are aware of the country's declining condition, insisting that only true patriots are willing to speak honestly about the challenges facing the nation.Al-Mustapha also fau...