Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigerian Civil Service Set To Go Fully Digital By December 2025, FG Announces. The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that the nation’s civil service will achieve full digitisation by 31 December 2025, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious public sector reform agenda. The announcement, made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during a press conference in Abuja, underscores the government’s commitment to modernising administrative processes and enhancing service delivery across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Speaking at the World Press Conference ahead of the 2025 International Civil Service…

U.S., UK, Canada, And Others Urge Nigeria To Reform Cybercrimes Act To Safeguard Free Speech. In a unified call to action, the heads of missions from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Norway have congratulated Nigeria on marking 26 years of democratic governance while urging the Federal Government to reform its Cybercrimes Act to protect freedom of expression and foster economic growth. The statement, issued on Democracy Day, highlights concerns over the misuse of the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, which, despite its aim to combat online fraud and cyberattacks, has been increasingly used to suppress dissent and silence critics.…

Air Peace And Senator Oshiomhole Clash Over Disruptive Conduct At Lagos Airport. A heated confrontation at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) in Lagos has sparked a public row between Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former Edo State Governor and current Edo North Senator. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, has led to accusations of unruly behaviour, extortion, and poor customer service, with both parties trading sharp rebuttals. According to Air Peace, the incident began when Senator Oshiomhole arrived at approximately 06:10 AM for Flight P47120, scheduled to depart Lagos…

Court Advances N27bn Fraud Case Against Ex-Taraba Governor With Key Evidence Admission. As part of the ongoing N27 billion fraud trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted crucial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The ruling, delivered by Justice Sylvanus Oriji on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the case, which has gripped public attention due to its scale and implications for anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Ishaku, alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local…

China To Scrap Tariffs On African Imports In Major Trade Boost. In a landmark move to deepen economic ties with Africa, China has announced plans to eliminate tariffs on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. The decision, unveiled at a China-Africa cooperation meeting in Changsha, Hunan province, on 11 June 2025, comes as African nations face the threat of increased tariffs on their exports to the United States. The zero-tariff policy, set to apply to 100% of tariff lines for products from these countries, expands on a 2024 initiative that granted duty-free access to…

Nigerian Academic Abidemi Babalola Wins Prestigious $300,000 Dan David Prize. Dr Abidemi Babatunde Babalola, a Nigerian research archaeologist based in the United States, has been awarded the 2025 Dan David Prize, the world’s largest financial award for historical scholarship. The $300,000 prize was presented to Dr Babalola at a ceremony in Italy on 28 May 2025, recognising his groundbreaking contributions to the study of West African history and technology. Dr Babalola, an anthropological archaeologist at the British Museum, was honoured for his pioneering research on the indigenous production of glass beads in premodern West Africa, particularly at the historic…

President Tinubu Awards National Honours To Notable Nigerians In Democracy Day Ceremony. In a significant gesture marking Democracy Day 2025, President Bola Tinubu has posthumously conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, recognising her contributions to Nigeria’s political history. The announcement was part of a broader ceremony in which numerous individuals and groups were awarded national honours for their roles in shaping the nation’s democratic journey. The event, held in Abuja, spotlighted a diverse group of Nigerians, both deceased and living, who have influenced the country’s political landscape. Among the posthumous…

Aliko Dangote Retires As Chairman Of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc After 20 Years Of Transformative Leadership. Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, concluding an illustrious 20-year tenure. The retirement, effective 16 June 2025, was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the company’s secretary, Temitope Hassan, marking the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s leading sugar producers. Dangote, who assumed the chairmanship in 2005, has been widely credited with steering Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc to its position as a market leader in…

Tragic Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport, Killing At Least 133. A devastating aviation disaster struck Ahmedabad today when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) at 1:38 p.m. IST. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, plunged into the Meghaninagar area near the airport, resulting in at least 133 fatalities, according to initial reports from News18. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of…

Dele Momodu Warns Of ‘Two Presidents’ As Wike’s Influence Sparks Concern. Veteran journalist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Dele Momodu has raised alarm over the growing influence of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), likening the situation to Nigeria having “two presidents.” Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu criticised President Bola Tinubu’s apparent endorsement of Wike’s actions, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is sliding towards a “civilian dictatorship” ahead of the nation’s Democracy Day on 12 June. Momodu’s remarks were prompted by President Tinubu’s comments during the commissioning of the refurbished…

Lagos Court Sentences Businessman To 74 Years For N360m Fraud. A Lagos State High Court in Ajah has sentenced 45-year-old businessman Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years in prison for stealing N360 million and issuing 31 dud cheques, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s battle against financial crime. The ruling, delivered by Justice Josephine Oyefeso on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, concludes a nearly decade-long trial that began in 2016. Goodness was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in June 2016 on a 33-count charge of theft and fraudulent practices. The charges…

#EndBadGovernance Movement Defies Police, Vows To Stage Peaceful Protest In Lagos On Democracy Day. The Lagos chapter of the #EndBadGovernance Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to holding a peaceful protest on Democracy Day, 12 June 2025, despite alleged attempts by the Lagos State Police Command to disrupt plans through scheduling conflicts. The protest, set to commence at 7:30 a.m. at Ikeja Underbridge, aims to highlight Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, soaring cost of living, and perceived erosion of civil liberties under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which began in May 2023. In a statement signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Oloye…