Author: Opalim Lifted

The United Kingdom has opened applications for the 2026/27 Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, offering fully funded opportunities to mid-career professionals and university academics from Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria. The UK in Nigeria announced the opening in a post on its X handle on Thursday, urging eligible candidates to apply before the August 25, 2026 deadline. “Applications are currently open for the #CommonwealthFellowships 2026/27! Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals and Academic Fellowships for PhD-holding university staff. Open to candidates from all Commonwealth countries till 25 August 26,” it said. According to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the 2026/27 programme features two strands:…

The Canadian government has reminded foreign nationals travelling to the country that having an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or visitor visa does not give them the right to work in Canada. According to the government, most foreign nationals who want to work in Canada need a valid work permit and must meet the applicable eligibility requirements before beginning employment. “Having an electronic travel authorisation or visitor visa does not give you the right to work in Canada,” the government stated in guidance shared by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on X on Thursday. The clarification is aimed at preventing…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dragged President Bola Tinubu to the Federal High Court in Abuja over an allegedly forged NYSC certificate, seeking his disqualification from the 2027 presidential election. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), personally appeared at the court registry on Friday, where he deposed to an affidavit supporting the suit filed against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The case relies on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026. At the centre of the suit is Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which…

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use Saturday’s Osun governorship election to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general election. In a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu urged INEC to ensure that the election is conducted transparently and in a manner that protects the integrity of the electoral process. “As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of…

Wizkid, the Grammy-winning Nigerian artiste, has been announced as the first headliner for the 2026 Detty December Fest, set to kick off in Lagos on December 18. The ‘Made in Lagos’ hitmaker will open the two-week celebration, which runs through December 30 and features a lineup of music, culture, food, fashion and entertainment. Now in its second year, the festival is expanding with the introduction of a second stage. Wizkid will perform on the main festival stage, while the newly added Pulse Stage will showcase emerging artistes, breakthrough talents and next-generation sounds shaping the future of African music. Darey Art…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to the 30 local government areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The distribution is taking place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Osogbo, the state capital. INEC National Commissioner overseeing the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, said the distribution was delayed by the late arrival of newly printed ballot papers and other materials from Abuja. He explained that the materials had to be reproduced following the recent inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Ajala, on the ballot. Ajayi…

The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly over the 2026 appropriation bill. Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said the clarification became necessary following reports suggesting tension between the executive and legislative arms of government. Nzeshi said Fubara was working with lawmakers to promote the interests of Rivers residents. “We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the…

Amnesty International Nigeria says it will “name and shame” Senator Francis Fadahunsi across the 150 countries where the organisation operates over his alleged inciting remarks ahead of the Osun governorship election. Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s country director, made the statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday while reacting to comments attributed to Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East. Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has faced criticism after a video circulated online showing him allegedly directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party. The Osun State Police Command summoned the senator on Tuesday and…

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja poses no threat to lives or property. On August 4, parts of the FCT experienced a tremor less than one kilometre deep that lasted about five seconds, triggering panic among residents. Following the incident, Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, directed the NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic developments. Speaking at a technical press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Olusegun Ige, Director-General of the NGSA, said the agency’s seismic monitoring station in Utako detected…

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has defended the credibility of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, dismissing unverified claims on social media questioning their accuracy. The examination body said the results were produced through rigorous, transparent and quality-assured processes that have guided its operations for decades. WAEC’s reaction followed what it described as a recent wave of public commentary, particularly from content creators and social media commentators, challenging the credibility of the released results. In a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the Council said it welcomed constructive scrutiny but urged…