The Japan International Cooperation Agency has cancelled its ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” over the programme. JICA announced the withdrawal in a statement on its website on Thursday, weeks after reports claimed Japan would create a special visa category for Nigerians who wished to relocate to Kisarazu, a city designated as “hometown” […]

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, who is being investigated over an alleged rape, said he has “peace of mind” and expects to be cleared of the accusations. Last month, French prosecutors called for the 26-year-old Morocco international to face trial over the allegations that he raped a 24-year-old woman that he had met over social […]

Economic growth in South-East Europe will next year face strains from US tariffs, increased competition from China and government budget pressures, Europe’s development bank forecast Thursday. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development slightly downgraded its growth forecast for all its regions in 2026, which for the first time takes into account some sub-Saharan African […]

Systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent in criminal justice systems around the world is pervasive and deeply entrenched, a group of UN experts said Wednesday. The UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement published a new report that identifies 12 key elements needed for criminal […]

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged that the interest of the Yoruba will “occupy a topmost place” in his administration’s policies if elected President in 2027. He described as unfounded the narrative or fear that his presidency, if elected, “might lead to Hausa/Fulani domination over Yoruba or other ethnic groups.” “The entire Yoruba stock […]

The conduct of Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) by some Nigerian universities has continued to stir controversy, with many stakeholders describing it as a “legalised means of extorting admission seekers”. The stakeholders in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States made their feelings known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). They argued that […]

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide enforcement of the national policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) on academic credential verification. This enforcement is scheduled to take effect from Oct. 6. This is contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, dated Aug. […]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has emphasised Nigeria’s strategic role in U.S.-Africa relations, urging Washington to prioritise deeper partnerships with anchor states on the continent. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, yesterday, Tuggar made the call during a high-level roundtable convened by the […]

Delta State Governro Sheriff Oborevwori and Delta North Senator Ned Nwoko have expressed deep sorrow over the death of prominent Urhobo son, businessman and philanthropist, Olorogun Oscar Ibru. A statement yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, reads: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I […]

President Bola Tinubu has delivered a strongly worded reform policy proposal to the United Nations on Wednesday, warning that the global body must embrace sweeping restructurings or face growing irrelevance as world events increasingly bypass its influence. The President criticised the organisation’s record, pointing to the ongoing human suffering in the Middle East and other […]

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has assured Nigerians that the Green Chamber will guarantee transparency, accountability and effective implementation of the federal government’s Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy. Through the minority leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, at the inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Policy’s Implementation and Oversight, Abbas described the exercise […]

Eleven West African nationals deported by the United States to Ghana have been returned to their home countries, despite fears they could face torture, persecution or inhumane treatment. The group, who arrived in Ghana with three other US deportees, had filed a lawsuit to stay their deportation, but when it came to court on Tuesday, […]