Author: Opalim Lifted

Visa applications from Nigeria, Russia and at least 73 other countries will no longer be processed by United States embassies and consulates as Washington moves to tighten immigration screening over concerns about welfare dependence. The US Department of State has directed consular officers to pause visa processing for the affected countries from January 21, pending a broad reassessment of screening and vetting procedures. The directive was contained in an internal memo first reported by Fox News. Under the instruction, visa officers are to refuse applications using existing provisions of US immigration law while the review is ongoing. The pause applies…

The Defence Minister, Lt.Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other persons in the country against including bandits in northern brotherhood. General Musa on Wednesday in Maiduguri via a statement declared: “A friend of a thief is a thief,” warning Nigerians against supporting terrorists and bandits in any form. He said that the warning statement is neither accidental nor symbolic; explaining that it is a clear response to narratives previously promoted by Sheikh Gumi, who described bandits’ hiding in the bush as “our brothers” and argued that society cannot do without them. General Musa’s message draws a…

Nigeria’s cities are on course for an unprecedented population surge, with an additional 140.3 million people expected to settle in urban areas over the next 25 years, more than double the country’s current city population. By 2050, Nigeria’s urban population is projected to reach about 264 million, placing enormous pressure on infrastructure but also positioning cities at the heart of future economic growth. Despite the scale of the challenge, the World Bank projects Nigeria’s economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in 2026 and sustain that momentum in 2027, according to its latest Global Economic Prospects report. This outlook follows…

The federal government has hired a lobbying firm in a $9 million contract to assist in communicating its actions on protecting Christians in Nigeria to the United States government. According to the lobbying contract document filed with the US Department of Justice, Aster Legal, a law firm in Kaduna state, hired the services of DCI Group on behalf of Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser. DCI Group is a US-based public affairs and lobbying firm. The agreement was signed by Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, the managing partner of Aster Legal, and Justin Peterson, managing member of DCI group, on December 17,…

Nigeria has recorded an improvement in its global travel standing, moving up from 103rd to 89th position in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, according to the latest ranking released by Henley & Partners. The Henley Passport Index is regarded as the world’s leading reference for assessing passport strength. It ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before travel. The index relies on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s largest and most comprehensive travel information database. It is further enhanced by Henley & Partners’ in-house research.…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified the recent public concerns arising from the voluntary global recall in over 50 countries by Nestlé UK of its SMA Infant Formula due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin, in the batches concerned. This was contained in a statement by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. It reads: “Agency wishes to reassure the public, healthcare professionals, relevant stakeholders, particularly parents, guardians and caregivers, that all Nestlé Infant Formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not part of the…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to combat Ponzi schemes, illegal investment operations and cryptocurrency fraud, in a bid to protect the savings and financial aspirations of Nigerians. The commission disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday following a meeting between its Director-General, Dr Emomotimi Agama, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in Abuja. Agama said the SEC, as the regulator of Nigeria’s capital market, is mandated to protect investors, ensure fair, efficient and transparent markets, and promote economic growth built on trust through rule-making, licensing of…

A civil society group, Competent Governance for Accountability and Trust, has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately arrest the Chief Executive Officer of Zoe New Dawn Limited, Mr Stephen Akpa Achema, over his alleged role in a failed attempt to fraudulently take over a prime Enugu State Government property in Abuja. The organisation accused Mr Achema and Simonis Ventures Nigeria Limited of orchestrating violent invasions and vandalism at the development site located at Plot 804, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye District. The 1.4-hectare property is currently being developed by the Enugu State Government in partnership with Tout…

Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki both scored as Manchester City took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against holders Newcastle United. Semenyo only completed his £65m move from Bournemouth less than a week ago, but the new arrival has already made a huge impact. After netting one and setting up another on his debut, in the club record-equalling 10-1 rout against Exeter City at the weekend, the forward stepped up with a crucial opener in the first leg of this semi-final at St James’ Park. Semenyo, who later had a goal disallowed, was in the right place at the right…

Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates in Lagos this February as President Bola Tinubu intensifies efforts to attract global capital and fast-track sustainable investment inflows. The President announced the initiative on Tuesday at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where Nigeria also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE. The deal is designed to deepen bilateral trade and cooperation across renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics and digital trade. The CEPA was signed in the presence of President Tinubu, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and…