NEWSROUNDUP | 190725

The Global Pulse: Nigeria’s Momentum and the Triple Helix Shaping Our Future

As the world spins through turbulent headlines and digital revolutions, Nigeria holds its own amid shifting global tides. From art to athletics, from power plays to political pivots, this is a panoramic view of what’s shaping the moment, locally and globally.

Nigeria: Talent, Tensions & Transformation

Political Realignments and Rising Voices

• Obasanjo’s Call for National Unity Former President Olusegun Obasanjo decried Nigeria’s current trajectory, asserting that insecurity and hardship reveal a country in bondage. He emphasized the need for a leader who transcends tribal lines.
• NNPP Courts Obasanjo Ahead of 2027 Seeking strategic guidance, NNPP leaders met Obasanjo to foster unity and political vision for the upcoming elections.
• Push for Electoral Reform With Atiku’s recent party switch, PDP and ADC leaders are rallying for coalitions and reforms to challenge APC dominance.

NewsRoundUp | 090725

Nigeria at a Crossways: Education Reforms, Health Warnings, Political Alliances, and Solar Power Gains

As Nigeria edges into the second half of 2025, the country finds itself at a pivotal intersection of reform, reckoning, and renewal, from sweeping policy changes in the education sector to bold moves in healthcare, politics, and renewable energy.

Government Cracks Down on Illegal University Admissions

In a decisive move to restore order and transparency in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the Federal Government has set the minimum admission age at 16 years and warned that any admissions outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will now be deemed illegal.

The announcement, made during the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting, spells serious consequences for violators, including license revocation and prosecution. With over 120 universities receiving fewer than 50 applications this year, the crackdown has ignited a broader conversation around access, relevance, and regulation in the country’s rapidly expanding academic landscape.

JUST BEFORE BED TIME | NATIONAL and GLOBAL NEWS ROUND UP | 020725

Nigeria and the World in 2025: An Age of Reckoning, Resilience, and Reinvention

In a world reeling from overlapping disruptions, political, technological, climatic, and cultural, 2025 is not business as usual. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the corridors of Davos, a spirit of urgency and reinvention pulses through the global zeitgeist. This is a time of reckoning: for how we govern, how we connect, how we live.

And Nigeria? She stands as a complex, captivating mirror of the world’s beauty and bruises.

Nigeria: Rising Through Resistance

Vaping Epidemic Among Youths

Nigeria’s youth, tech-savvy, hyper-connected, and culturally expressive, are increasingly seduced by vaping trends. The flavored fog of sleek e-cigarettes is spreading through campuses, malls, and TikTok feeds. But behind the minty smoke lies a crisis: early addiction, potential lung damage, and a public health blind spot. Activists are rising, demanding tighter regulations and stronger warnings, pushing back against deceptive marketing by Big Tobacco.

Kick-Start Your Day | National and Global News Roundup | 250625

Nigeria: Legal Battles, Economic Shifts, and Political Tensions

FCCPC vs Qatar Airways: Consumer Rights in the Spotlight The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed charges against Qatar Airways and several of its top executives for allegedly violating Nigerian consumer protection laws. The case, which was scheduled for arraignment in Abuja, was adjourned to October 7 due to improper service of court documents.

Peter Obi Decries ‘Lawlessness’ Over Property Demolition Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the demolition of his brother’s company property in Lagos, calling it a “coordinated display of impunity.” Obi claims the demolition was carried out without proper legal backing and warns that such actions deter investment and erode public trust in governance.

NewsRoundUp | 260525

 

Wondering what’s trending around the world at this time? Not to worry, SEB is got you covered. Here are some of the biggest global trends right now:

·       X (formerly Twitter) outage: The platform suffered two major outages within 24 hours, leaving thousands of users unable to log in or access their feeds. Elon Musk has yet to provide an official explanation, but speculation ranges from cyberattacks to infrastructure failures. Some services have been restored, but issues persist for many.

·       Top billionaire cities: New York City continues to lead the world with the highest number of billionaires, followed by Hong Kong and Moscow. Mumbai has also climbed the ranks, reflecting India's growing economic influence. Mumbai has dropped to sixth place, reflecting shifts in global wealth distribution.

·       India's economic growth: India has officially surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of $4.19 trillion. The country is expected to continue its rapid growth, driven by strong private consumption and government investments. India's GDP growth for Q4 FY25 is projected at 7%, but the full-year estimate has been revised down to 6.3%. The country remains one of the fastest-growing major economies.

NewsRoundUp | 040525

 

GLOBAL

Singapore: The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won a landslide victory in the general election, securing 87 of 97 parliamentary seats. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong received a strong mandate to navigate economic challenges, particularly in response to looming U.S. tariffs. Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong last year, emphasized stability and economic resilience in his campaign.

Israel: The Israeli military has called up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded Gaza offensive. Reports indicate that reservists are being mobilized to replace active-duty soldiers in Israel and the occupied West Bank, allowing for redeployment to Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations, accusing it of playing "both sides".

Vietnam: The country has lodged a formal protest against China over an alleged airspace violation near disputed islands in the South China Sea. The incident involved a Chinese helicopter and coast guard vessels, prompting Japan to also issue a diplomatic protest. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the region.

NewsRoundUp 010723

NewsRoundUp at this time takes-off from the United States with the now trending story about the Supreme Court solidifying protections for workers who ask for religious accommodations. 

NewsRoundUp 040523

NewsRoundUp at this time sets out with the shocking story from Egypt of a Mum allegedly hacking her 5-year-old son to death and then cooking and eating his head. According to the local Egyptian media report which also claims the suspect committed the crime with a machete and cooked and ate part of his head, her arrest has been effected after the boy's horrified uncle found body parts in buckets at the home in Abu Shalabi, Egypt. Officers were shocked when the suspect, Hanaa, confessed that she had eaten part of her son's head because she "wanted him to stay with her forever".

NewsRoundUp 150423

NewsRoundUp at this time begins with Bobrisky, opening up about his experience of being deported from the United Arab Emirates due to their strict Islamic laws. He revealed that he has visited Dubai many times before, but was sent back to Nigeria during his last trip. Speaking on the TokeMoments audiovisual podcast hosted by Toke Makinwa, Bobrisky submitted that his deportation was due to his attire and the day he arrived. “The last time I went to Dubai, I was sent back to Nigeria. I have been there so many times. But that one was their prayer, I think one of their special days. It happened to be on Friday, they go to the mosque. They are holy so extra on that day. When I got there, the camera did not accept my face. You know me na, I was on makeup, I want to brag first class, I want to talk ‘oh! guys, I’ve been to Dubai. Your mummy is in first class’.” , he narrated and added further.  “So, I got to the Immigration where you are going to do everything. They saw my passport, they looked at my face. They said ‘face camera’. And I faced the camera. It rejected my face several times. They [Immigration officers] said ‘Are you sure you’re the same person?’ And I said ‘yes’. The man looked at me, he said ‘Idris, you are a Muslim?’. I said ‘yes’. He looked at my passport. He was confused.” According to him while he was later taken to a private office where he was questioned about his gender identity, “So, we went to one of their private offices. And they said ‘Are you trans or..’ I said ‘Well, I used to be a guy’. And they said ‘Oh! on a normal day if it is not Friday’ they would have just allowed me in. But because it was Friday, jumʿah day, they said ‘no, they can’t allow me in’,” he recalled.