Nigeria

Trump Expands Travel Restrictions, Targeting 15 Additional Countries President Donald Trump has expanded United States travel restrictions to include an additional 15 countries, predominantly in Africa, a move that is poised to exacerbate tensions in U.S.-Africa relations and disrupt travel, education, and business connections across the continent. Among the newly added countries, 11 are African: Angola, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This…

Opposition Accuses Nigerian Government of One-Party Drift Ahead of 2027 Elections Opposition politicians in Nigeria have sounded the alarm over what they describe as the government's drift toward a de facto one-party state. They contend this shift is being executed "through coercion," primarily by weaponizing state institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a joint statement that has drawn significant attention, key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar…

AFCON 2025: Africa's Premier Football Tournament Set to Kick Off in Morocco The stage is set for the commencement of Africa's biggest football event, the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). With 24 teams competing for the continent's most prestigious sporting title, Morocco prepares to host this celebrated tournament for the second time, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Since its inception in 1957, AFCON has evolved into a crucial measure of the performance of African teams on the…

ECOWAS Takes Action Amid Rising Security Threats in West Africa In a decisive move to address escalating security challenges and political instability in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a series of measures aimed at restoring order. The announcement was made by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray during the organization's 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council. Touray cited a worrying surge in security threats and a deteriorating political landscape as the…

Nigerian Air Force Clarifies C-130 Landing in Burkina Faso Amid Controversy The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that the landing of its C-130 aircraft in Burkina Faso was a precautionary measure due to safety concerns stemming from a "technical issue" encountered during its operations. This clarification follows reports suggesting that the aircraft’s landing had sparked tensions between Nigeria and the Burkinabe government, raising accusations of airspace violations. The incident occurred on Monday and quickly…

Release of Abducted Schoolchildren in Niger State: A Fragile Victory Nigerian authorities announced that they have successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary's Catholic boarding school in Niger state. This incident, which unfolded on November 21, saw 315 pupils and staff taken by gunmen from the co-educational facility located in north-central Nigeria. Following the chaos of the attack, around 50 students managed to escape, but the fate of another 165 children and staff remains unknown.…

Mass Abduction of Students in Nigeria A tragic event unfolded in Nigeria, highlighting ongoing security issues. The recent mass abduction of students has drawn international attention. 100 students were released after being kidnapped in Niger state. The abduction is one of the largest in recent times. The kidnappings occurred at St. Mary's Catholic boarding school. Details of the Kidnapping On November 21, gunmen captured 303 children and 12 school staff from a school in Papiri. The school attack…

Nigeria Provides Emergency Protection for Guinea-Bissau Presidential Candidate Following Military Coup The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to ensure the safety of Guinea-Bissau presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa amid looming threats to his life. This security measure comes in the wake of a military coup that occurred just hours before the highly anticipated announcement of the 23 November 2025 election results. Dias, the principal opposition candidate challenging incumbent President Umaro Embaló,…

Nigeria's Senate Moves to Tackle Escalating Kidnapping Crisis The Nigerian Senate is taking a bold step toward combating the country's rampant kidnapping crisis. In a significant legislative push, Senators have advanced amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act that would extend the death penalty to all individuals involved in kidnapping. This includes not only the kidnappers themselves but also financiers, informants, and those providing logistical support. The proposed Bill seeks to reclassify…

US Government Unveils Visa Ban for Those Targeting Nigerian Christians The US government has introduced a new policy allowing it to impose visa bans on individuals allegedly responsible for attacks on Nigerian Christians. This significant decision reflects a growing urgency in addressing religious persecution globally. The US State Department's policy change enables the denial of visas to anyone who has directed, authorized, supported, participated in, or carried out abuses targeting individuals based on their faith. This…