CBN Revokes Licences of Two Mortgage Banks Over Financial Mismanagement
The
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken decisive regulatory action by revoking
the operating licences of two primary mortgage institutions—Aso Savings and
Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.
This move, announced on December 16, 2025, marks a significant intervention in Nigeria’s financial sector aimed at safeguarding stability and protecting depositors.
Niger Gov Bago Sacks All Special Advisers
In a
decisive move aimed at restructuring governance in Niger State, Governor
Mohammed Umaru Bago has terminated the appointments of all his special
advisers.
The announcement was made during his maiden Council meeting with newly sworn-in Commissioners at the Government House in Minna on December 16, 2025.
The Passing of Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad
The
Nigerian judiciary and the nation at large have been thrown into mourning
following the death of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim
Tanko Muhammad, who passed away at the age of 71.
His death occurred in Saudi Arabia, just two weeks shy of his 72nd birthday, which would have been on December 31, 2025. The news was confirmed in Abuja by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), which described his demise as a monumental loss to the judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim community, and the country.
Timeline of María Corina Machado’s Escape and Aftermath
Prelude to Escape
María
Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader,
had long been under constant surveillance and pressure from the regime. Her
outspoken criticism of corruption and human rights abuses made her a target,
and as threats escalated, she began planning a daring escape.
The Fishing Boat Departure
In the dead of night, Machado boarded a small fishing boat to evade detection. The vessel was chosen for its inconspicuous nature, blending into the daily rhythms of Venezuela’s coastal life. The journey was fraught with danger: rough seas, the risk of interception, and the physical strain of remaining hidden for hours.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner’s Daring Escape from Venezuela
In a
dramatic turn of events that has captured global attention, Nobel Peace Prize
laureate María Corina Machado was treated for a fractured vertebra following
her perilous escape from Venezuela.
The opposition leader, long known for her defiance against the country’s authoritarian regime, fled the nation under extraordinary circumstances, aboard a fishing boat that carried her across treacherous waters to safety.
Canada Rolls Out Express Entry Pathway for Migrant Doctors
In
December 2025, Canada announced a landmark immigration initiative designed to
address the country’s persistent physician shortages and strengthen its
healthcare system.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed that beginning in early 2026, a new dedicated Express Entry category will be introduced specifically for international doctors.
The Malami-EFCC Standoff and Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Crossroads
The
unfolding confrontation between former Attorney-General of the Federation,
Abubakar Malami, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is seemingly
more than a personal dispute, it is allegedly a test of Nigeria’s institutional
integrity and the credibility of its anti-corruption framework.
Malami’s demand that the EFCC Chairman recuse himself from the investigation highlights a deeper crisis of confidence in the impartiality of Nigeria’s enforcement agencies.
Recuse Yourself, You Can’t Investigate Me, Malami Tells EFCC Chair
Former
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,
has publicly challenged the legitimacy of the ongoing investigation against him
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a strongly worded statement issued on December 15, 2025, Malami alleged that the EFCC’s actions, including his detention and threatened prosecution, were politically motivated and rooted in personal vendetta rather than the rule of law.
Police To Resume Nationwide Enforcement Of Tinted Glass Permit January
The
Nigeria Police Force has officially announced that it will resume the
nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy beginning on January
2, 2026.
This decision comes after a period of suspension, during which motorists were given time to regularize their documentation and complete the necessary registration processes without undue pressure.
Report on ECOWAS Threatens ‘Targeted Sanctions’ Over Guinea-Bissau Coup
On
December 14, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
convened its 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and
Government in Abuja, Nigeria.
The summit was dominated by discussions of recent political instability in the region, particularly the successful military coup in Guinea-Bissau and a failed coup attempt in Benin. Against this backdrop, ECOWAS announced its intention to impose “targeted sanctions” on individuals or groups obstructing Guinea-Bissau’s return to civilian rule.
ECOWAS at a crossroads - from sanctions and sabre-rattling to restoring legitimacy
A shifting pattern of response to coups in West Africa
For most of its history, ECOWAS has oscillated between economic integration ambitions and an increasingly securitized posture, especially since the 1990s when the region’s “coup belt” reputation hardened. The bloc evolved ad hoc peacekeeping and intervention capacities and, over time, codified zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, pairing normative commitments with coercive tools like sanctions, border closures, and threat of force. This securitized turn reflected a practical need to confront recurring breakdowns of civilian rule even as the institution’s founding economic vision remained intact.
Nigeria’s Brain Drain: National Crisis or Global Opportunity?
ReviewsNetwork | BY
SOLOMON ETUK
BACKGROUND
Nigeria’s brain drain has become a pressing national crisis, yet it also presents potential global opportunities. The phenomenon, popularly referred to as the “Japa” wave, involves the mass migration of skilled professionals, especially doctors, nurses, academics, and tech talent, seeking better working conditions, higher pay, and improved quality of life abroad. This exodus has left Nigeria’s health and education sectors severely strained, with experts warning of intellectual bankruptcy and long-term economic setbacks if the trend continues. At the same time, some analysts argue that the diaspora can serve as a global opportunity, as Nigerian professionals contribute to international innovation, send remittances home, and build transnational networks that could eventually benefit the country. The debate thus centers on whether Nigeria can transform this loss into gain by implementing reforms that retain talent locally while leveraging the strength of its diaspora abroad.
Report on the Lagos Auto Crash: Death of an Eight-Month-Old Baby and a Woman
On
Sunday, December 14, 2025, tragedy struck in Lagos State, Nigeria, when an auto
crash claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult woman. The
incident occurred along Ikorodu Road, opposite Olabode House before Obanikoro,
and has since plunged the local community into mourning.
Details of the Incident
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), the accident involved a commercial bus that was traveling at what officials described as “an excessive and perilous velocity.” The bus, which was moving from Palmgrove inward Anthony, suddenly lost mechanical and directional control. In the process, it veered off its lane, crossed the median, and entered the opposing carriageway.
