Author: Festus Adeloye

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have joined forces to address Nigeria’s worsening learning crisis. At a high-level policy dialogue held in Abuja, top education officials from across the country, including state commissioners for education and heads of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) emphasised the need for urgent solutions to the country’s education challenges. At the event, UBEC executive secretary, Aisha Garba, said Nigeria is experiencing an education crisis of great magnitude. According to her, millions of children are still out of school, and many of those enrolled are not acquiring the foundational…

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min says he will leave the club this summer after 10 years. The South Korea international joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. He was captain when Tottenham beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in May to clinch their first trophy in 17 years. The 33-year-old, who is under contract with Spurs until 2026, is in advanced negotiations with Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. Son described the decision as “the most difficult one I have made in my career” as he spoke to media alongside new manager…

US President Donald Trump has officially imposed a new 15% import tariff on Nigeria and several other African countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, Ghana, Malawi, Lesotho, and Madagascar. This development was announced in an Executive Order issued by the White House on Thursday, titled “Further modifying the reciprocal tariff rates.” According to the order: “These modifications shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m.” The Executive Order also included varied tariff rates for other countries. South Africa, Libya, and Tunisia were each hit with higher…

Amnesty International said Nigerian authorities have failed to ensure justice for victims and survivors one year after the police used lethal force and carried out mass arbitrary arrests of peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters. This is contained in statement released by the human rights group on Friday. The 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests held across major cities in the country from August 1-10, 2024. Amnesty said its investigation found that the Nigerian police killed at least 24 people between 1-10 August 2024 at Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna states. The group said the police bizarrely continue to deny strong allegations of extrajudicial…

 A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 election in Ekiti State, Otunba Emmanuel Fayose, has berated his elder brother and former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose, for throwing his weight behind the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to continue in office beyond 2026. The younger Fayose, who said his elder brother benefitted immensely from the PDP and also governed the state twice on the platform of the party, stated that his recent endorsement of Governor Oyebanji amounted to total betrayal of the PDP. The governorship aspirant, in a statement…

Commissioners, senior special assistants, special assistants and permanent secretaries are among those suspended last night by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru. The governor wielded the big stick against 87 officials for allegedly staying away from a function organized by the state government. In a statement last night signed by his Chief Press Secretary Monday Uzor, the governor said they were suspended for failing to attend an important government function. The statement noted that the affected officials have been asked to proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary. Affected are 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants and 22…

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos staged a protest on Monday at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, calling for the immediate removal of the party’s state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi. The demonstrators, said to be drawn from all 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state, gathered in Alausa, Ikeja, holding placards with bold messages. They voiced strong dissatisfaction with the current leadership, urging a change in the party’s state structure ahead of key political developments. A significant police presence was deployed to the scene to maintain order and ensure the demonstration remained peaceful without any…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from the party.  SDP said El-Rufai is ineligible to associate with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years. The party also accused El-Rufai of falsely parading himself as a party member, manipulating internal processes, and attempting to destabilize the party through unconstitutional actions and deceptive political maneuvers. According to a statement in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, SDP said the party’s NWC reached the decision following thorough investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership…

England are champions of Europe once again after defeating Spain 3–1 in a dramatic penalty shootout to win UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. In a tense and enthralling final that ended 1–1 after extra time, the Lionesses held their nerve from the spot to successfully defend the title they first won in 2022. Spain, who dominated possession for large spells, struck first in the 25th minute through Mariona Caldentey, who headed home a pinpoint cross from Ona Batlle after catching the England defence flat-footed. England gradually grew into the game and found an equaliser in the…

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Super Falcons for their outstanding triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), marking the nation’s record 10th continental title. In a post-match video call with team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, players, and officials, the President expressed his pride and eagerness to welcome the team and trophy back home in Abuja, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “I am very, very proud of you. The entire nation is proud of you. You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to…