Oxford Dictionary Embraces Nigerian Vernacular
The
Oxford English Dictionary (OED), one of the most authoritative references for
the English language, has officially expanded its glossary to include several
Nigerian words, marking a significant recognition of the country’s linguistic
and cultural influence.
Among the newly added entries are “Mammy Market” and “Amala,” terms deeply rooted in Nigeria’s social and culinary traditions.
Anthony Joshua Pays Tribute to Friends Killed in Crash
Former world heavyweight champion
Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to two of his closest friends,
Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who tragically lost their lives in a car crash in
Nigeria on December 29, 2025. Joshua himself survived the accident with minor
injuries but has since spoken publicly about the deep pain of losing men he
described as “brothers” and “great men.”
The accident occurred when the black Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his companions collided with a stationary truck on a busy Nigerian highway. While Joshua was fortunate to escape with only minor injuries, his friends Ghami and Ayodele were killed instantly. Ghami was not only a close friend but also Joshua’s sport and exercise rehabilitation coach, while Ayodele served as his personal trainer. Their roles in Joshua’s life extended beyond professional duties; they were integral members of his inner circle, sharing in his journey both inside and outside the ring.
Wike–Amehuele vs Fubara - Timeline of Rivers Political Crisis
The Rivers State political crisis
has unfolded as one of the most turbulent episodes in Nigeria’s recent
democratic history, pitting former Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies, notably
Martin Amaewhule, against the incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
What began as a subtle struggle for influence has spiraled into a full-blown confrontation that has reshaped the political landscape of the oil-rich state.
Rivers APC Rejects Impeachment Process Against Governor Fubara
The
political climate in Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn as the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has openly rejected the impeachment
process initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor
Ngozi Odu.
This development comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, commenced proceedings to remove the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct. The move has sparked widespread debate and heightened tensions in a state already grappling with deep political divisions.
US Introduces $15,000 Visa Bond for Nigerians and Other Nationals
In a
significant policy shift, the United States Department of State has announced
the introduction of visa bonds of up to $15,000 for certain foreign nationals
applying for B1/B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel.
This
directive, released in early January 2026, specifically targets countries
classified as high-risk due to elevated visa overstay rates and security
concerns. Nigeria is among the nations affected, alongside 37 others, many of
which are African states.
The visa bond policy requires applicants from these countries to post a financial guarantee ranging between $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000. The exact amount is determined during the visa interview process.
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Editorial:
Ugochinyere’s Defection and the Shifting Sands of Imo Politics
Ikenga
Imo Ugochinyere’s decision to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for
the Action Peoples Party (APP) ahead of the 2027 elections is more than a
personal political maneuver; it is a reflection of the fluid and often
unpredictable nature of Nigeria’s political landscape.
Ikenga’s defection, formally announced in Akokwa, Imo State, on January 7, 2026, has already begun to reshape conversations about the future of both PDP and APP in the region.
Imo Lawmaker Ugochinyere Officially Dumps PDP, Joins APP Ahead of 2027 Election
In a
dramatic political shift that has stirred conversations across Imo State and
beyond, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives
representing the Ideato federal constituency, has formally defected from the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Peoples Party (APP).
The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in Akokwa, Imo State, marking a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Full Review of Africa Democracy and Governance in 2025
The year
2025 marked a critical juncture for Africa’s democratic trajectory and
governance systems. The African Union (AU), through the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM), launched the African Governance Report 2025, focusing on
natural resource governance as a determinant of peace, stability, and
development. This report was unveiled during the 13th AU High-Level Dialogue on
Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, underscoring the continent’s
recognition that democracy cannot thrive without effective governance of its
vast natural wealth.
Democratic Landscape
Across Africa, democracy in 2025 continued to evolve in diverse directions. Several countries consolidated democratic gains through peaceful elections, stronger judicial independence, and enhanced civil society participation. However, democratic capture, where ruling elites manipulate institutions to entrench power, remained a pressing concern. The APRM’s Democracy Capture Index revealed that while some nations made strides in curbing authoritarian tendencies, others regressed, with political pluralism undermined by restrictions on opposition parties and media freedoms.
Datti Baba-Ahmed Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition
Senator
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in
Nigeria’s 2023 general election, has formally announced his intention to
contest for the presidency in 2027.
Datti’s declaration marks a significant moment in the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s opposition politics, especially following recent developments within the Labour Party.
The Labour Party’s FCT Dilemma and INEC’s Firm Stand
The
Independent National Electoral Commission’s refusal to recognize the Julius
Abure-led faction of the Labour Party in the forthcoming FCT Area Council
elections is more than a bureaucratic decision; it is a defining moment in
Nigeria’s democratic process.
At its core, the ruling underscores the Commission’s insistence on respecting judicial authority and maintaining electoral integrity, even in the face of political pressure and public protest.
Why INEC Denied the Abure Faction in FCT Polls
The
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally explained its
decision to reject the list of candidates submitted by the Julius Abure-led
faction of the Labour Party for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council
elections.
This decision, announced on January 7, 2026, followed a protest staged by Labour Party supporters at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja over the alleged exclusion of their candidates from the forthcoming polls scheduled for February 21, 2026.
Special report: Court orders interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to Malami
Case overview and court directive
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities and linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as well as two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru‑Rahman Malami.
The order followed an ex‑parte application moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho. The assets, described as multi‑billion naira land and commercial holdings, are to be forfeited on an interim basis pending the outcome of further proceedings.
No Tax on Bank Balances, Only Transfers Attract ₦50 -CITN
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has clarified that bank balances are not subject to taxation under Nigeria’s current tax regime. Only electronic transfers attract a ₦50 stamp duty, dispelling widespread misconceptions that funds kept in accounts would be taxed.
In recent weeks, concerns have spread among Nigerians regarding alleged taxation of money held in bank accounts. These fears were addressed by Mr. Ben Enamudu, Chairman of the CITN Abuja District, during an interview with ARISE News.
Nakuru Man Marries Mzungu Fiancée in Colourful Wedding After Family Opposition
A young man from Nakuru County, Kenya, has triumphed over cultural barriers and family resistance to marry his German fiancée in a vibrant ceremony that has captured public attention.
The story centers on Gideon Kirui, a native of Boror Village in Rongai, Nakuru County, who recently exchanged vows with Tabea Jasmin Schumann, a woman from Hannover, Germany. Their union comes after two years of dating and navigating the complexities of cultural differences and family opposition.
UK’s Youngest Dementia Patient Dies at 24
Andre
Yarham, a young man from Dereham, Norfolk, has tragically passed away at the
age of 24, marking one of the rarest and most devastating cases of early-onset
dementia in the United Kingdom.
Diagnosed at just 22 with frontotemporal dementia, a rare and aggressive condition caused by a protein mutation, Andre’s illness progressed with alarming speed. Medical examinations revealed that his brain resembled that of a 70-year-old, a shocking discovery made shortly before his 23rd birthday.
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Tinubu
Appoints Odusote as First Female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School
In a historic development for Nigeria’s legal education system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School. Her appointment, effective January 10, 2026, marks a ground-breaking moment as she becomes the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1962.
Fire Guts BRT on Third Mainland Bridge
On
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, a high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle was
engulfed by flames while traveling along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos
State.
The incident occurred near the Adekunle axis of the bridge as the bus was heading towards Iyana Oworo. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out suddenly, forcing traffic to a standstill and causing panic among commuters.
Nigeria’s Silence on Venezuela - A Contrast of Past and Present?
Nigeria’s Diplomatic Legacy
Nigeria has historically stood tall as a principled voice in international diplomacy. From the era of Jaja Wachuku, Nigeria’s first Foreign Minister, to Joseph Garba, who boldly represented the country at the United Nations, Nigeria consistently projected itself as a nation unafraid to take clear positions on global crises. These leaders embodied a tradition of courage and conviction, ensuring that Nigeria was not only seen as the “giant of Africa” but also respected as a moral compass in West Africa and beyond. Nigeria’s interventions in apartheid South Africa, its leadership in peacekeeping missions across Liberia and Sierra Leone, and its vocal stance on issues of sovereignty and justice cemented its reputation as a nation willing to defend principles even when politically inconvenient.
Special Report: Venezuela Crisis and Nigeria’s Silence - ADC’s Rebuke
In the
wake of the United States’ dramatic military operation in Venezuela on January
3, 2026, which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife,
Cilia Flores, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized
Nigeria’s failure to issue an official response.
The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved coordinated airstrikes and ground raids across several Venezuelan states, culminating in Maduro’s arrest at Fort Tiuna in Caracas. Both Maduro and Flores were subsequently transferred to New York, indicted on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and drug trafficking, with Maduro pleading not guilty and describing himself as a “prisoner of war.”
Editorial: Venezuela’s Oil Industry Under U.S. Control
Imagining
a scenario in which Venezuela’s oil industry falls under direct U.S. control is
to envision one of the most radical geopolitical shifts in modern energy
politics.
Venezuela,
home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has long been a symbol of
resource nationalism, where oil wealth was wielded as both an economic lifeline
and a political weapon.
To place this industry under U.S. control would mean dismantling decades of sovereignty, ideology, and resistance, replacing them with a framework of foreign management and strategic exploitation.
Nigeria: How to prevent and control fire outbreaks in 2026
Nigeria enters 2026 with an urgent need
to confront the recurring pattern of preventable fires that erode livelihoods,
threaten lives, and strain public services. Fire safety is not only a technical
task but a societal contract: governments must enforce standards, businesses
must invest in resilience, and communities must turn awareness into daily
habits. The path forward blends policy, planning, technology, and culture
change, anchored by accountability.
The current
risk landscape across cities and markets
End-of-year incidents in Lagos exposed a familiar mix of vulnerabilities: overloaded electrical circuits, dense stacking of combustible goods, and buildings operating beyond their intended capacity. These risks converge during peak trading seasons, turning small lapses into large-scale emergencies. Learning from these outbreaks is vital, especially for market authorities, traders, and local councils tasked with maintenance, inspections, and rapid response readiness.
New Tax Laws Will Drive Growth, Strengthen Institutions - NRS Chair Adedeji
The
Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly known as the
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has emphasized that
the recently implemented tax laws are designed to foster sustainable
development and accelerate economic growth.
Speaking during a national television interview, Adedeji explained that while tax reforms often generate political debate, their fundamental purpose is to stabilize the economy and strengthen institutions critical for long-term national progress.
The Imperative of APC’s Nationwide E-Registration - Seye Oladejo
The Lagos
State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that the
ongoing nationwide e-registration of members is not a symbolic gesture but a
compulsory reform initiative.
According to the party, this digital exercise represents a landmark step in strengthening internal democracy, enforcing discipline, and modernising party operations in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
The Trial of a Deposed Venezuelan Leader
In a dramatic turn of global politics, former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro stood before a federal judge in Manhattan and pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism. His defiance was palpable as he declared that he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela, insisting, “I’m innocent; I’m not guilty. I’m still the president of my country.” His wife, Cilia Flores, echoed the same plea, both of them swept into the United States after a stunning raid by American commandos in Caracas.
Prophetic Voices for 2026 - Nigeria and the Global Stage
As 2026
unfolds, the prophetic landscape is alive with declarations from Nigeria’s most
revered pastors and global spiritual leaders. These voices, often heard during
crossover services and annual gatherings, have become guiding beacons for
millions who look to them for divine insight into the year ahead.
In Nigeria, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God emphasized that 2026 would be a year of divine mercy and economic revival. His message carried a tone of reassurance, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer while expecting breakthroughs in areas long plagued by stagnation.
