In Nigeria, residents in the Niger Delta town of Billé have taken to the streets to demand government action over catastrophic pollution. For several months, the community has complained of toxic, flammable gas leaking from the ground, contaminating water and destroying aquatic life – which the people rely upon for their livelihood. It's the latest in a long series of environmental disasters in the Niger Delta, which have largely been blamed on Western oil companies. Report by FRANCE 24 correspondent Sam Olukoya.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Video - Community complains of toxic flammable gas leaks in Nigeria's Niger Delta
In Nigeria, residents in the Niger Delta town of Billé have taken to the streets to demand government action over catastrophic pollution. For several months, the community has complained of toxic, flammable gas leaking from the ground, contaminating water and destroying aquatic life – which the people rely upon for their livelihood. It's the latest in a long series of environmental disasters in the Niger Delta, which have largely been blamed on Western oil companies. Report by FRANCE 24 correspondent Sam Olukoya.
Monday, July 13, 2026
Video - Nigeria investors transform mini-buses to solar
In northern Nigeria, locally converted electric minibuses are offering residents a more affordable alternative as rising fuel prices and the high cost of living put pressure on household budgets. The growing use of electric public transport is helping drivers cut operating costs while giving passengers a cheaper way to travel, reflecting a broader shift toward cost-effective mobility solutions.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Nigeria suspends third-party services for visa applicants in the US
Residents of the US seeking Nigerian visas will now have to submit their applications directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or the Consulates in New York and Atlanta, following the suspension of Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services) services.
The OIS, which operates Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres, has been suspended from offering the service.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Immigration Service (NIS) announced that the suspension of the OIS is effective from July 2026.
“Effective from July, 2026, the service of Online Integrated Solution (O15 SERVICES), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States of America, has been suspended until further notice,” the statement reads.
The NIS did not state the reason for the suspension of OIS Services or indicate when the arrangement would be reviewed.
However, the new policy was introduced several months after the US imposed partial visa ban on Nigeria and many other African countries. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ban on Nigeria covered a wide range of visa categories, including B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visas.
The US also imposed bond requirements on African countries, requiring applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 before applying for other categories of visas.
In its statement, the NIS also clarified that the suspension affects only visa application submissions handled by OIS Services and does not impact Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
It explained that travellers seeking e-Visas are still expected to submit their applications through the official e-Visa portal.
The agency also noted that it has put measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas despite the suspension of the visa application centre operator.
“The Service further clarifies that this notice applies only to Visa application submissions at the Embassy and does not affect the e-Visa System. Applicants can continue to apply via
“The public should note that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas.
“In this regard, applicants are advised to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures,” the statement further noted.
The NIS also advised applicants to monitor official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the US.
It reiterated that it remained “committed to providing efficient Service Delivery.”
By Beloved John, Premium Times
The OIS, which operates Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres, has been suspended from offering the service.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Immigration Service (NIS) announced that the suspension of the OIS is effective from July 2026.
“Effective from July, 2026, the service of Online Integrated Solution (O15 SERVICES), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States of America, has been suspended until further notice,” the statement reads.
The NIS did not state the reason for the suspension of OIS Services or indicate when the arrangement would be reviewed.
However, the new policy was introduced several months after the US imposed partial visa ban on Nigeria and many other African countries. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ban on Nigeria covered a wide range of visa categories, including B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M, and J visas.
The US also imposed bond requirements on African countries, requiring applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 before applying for other categories of visas.
In its statement, the NIS also clarified that the suspension affects only visa application submissions handled by OIS Services and does not impact Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
It explained that travellers seeking e-Visas are still expected to submit their applications through the official e-Visa portal.
The agency also noted that it has put measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas despite the suspension of the visa application centre operator.
“The Service further clarifies that this notice applies only to Visa application submissions at the Embassy and does not affect the e-Visa System. Applicants can continue to apply via
“The public should note that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas.
“In this regard, applicants are advised to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures,” the statement further noted.
The NIS also advised applicants to monitor official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the US.
It reiterated that it remained “committed to providing efficient Service Delivery.”
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Video - Severe flooding in West Africa sparks food shortages and rising prices in Lagos
Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc across West Africa, damaging homes, businesses and farmland. In Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, disrupted food supplies are driving up market prices, forcing many families to tighten their budgets as recovery efforts continue.
Nigeria orders probe into fake agency that nearly got $944,000 in state funds
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into how a fake government agency operated openly in the heart of his administration and was almost handed nearly a million dollars in public funds.
The agency, called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, doesn't exist under Nigerian law. Yet it was set to receive about 1.3 billion naira ($944,300) in this year's national budget.
Its offices were reportedly located inside the federal secretariat in Abuja, the same complex that houses genuine government ministries.
The agency, called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, doesn't exist under Nigerian law. Yet it was set to receive about 1.3 billion naira ($944,300) in this year's national budget.
Its offices were reportedly located inside the federal secretariat in Abuja, the same complex that houses genuine government ministries.
Anti-corruption agency given 30 days
Tinubu's office announced on Tuesday night that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been ordered to investigate. It has 30 days to report back.
Investigators will look into claims of forged appointment letters, and allegations that the agency used a fake presidential appointment to gain official recognition, including help securing visas.
Tinubu's office announced on Tuesday night that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been ordered to investigate. It has 30 days to report back.
Investigators will look into claims of forged appointment letters, and allegations that the agency used a fake presidential appointment to gain official recognition, including help securing visas.
"Con artist," says presidential spokesman
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man who claimed to run the agency, as a "con artist" with a track record of misrepresentation.
Onanuga said no public money had actually been paid out. But critics are asking a harder question: how did a nonexistent agency make it into the national budget in the first place?
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man who claimed to run the agency, as a "con artist" with a track record of misrepresentation.
Onanuga said no public money had actually been paid out. But critics are asking a harder question: how did a nonexistent agency make it into the national budget in the first place?
Pressure builds on Tinubu
The scandal adds to political pressure on Tinubu ahead of the presidential election, putting Nigeria's long-running corruption problem back in the headlines.
Local media reported that Adeyemi claimed he'd been given an appointment letter by Tinubu's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Gbajabiamila denies ever meeting or knowing him.
Analysts say the government still needs to explain how the fake agency slipped into official spending plans.
The scandal adds to political pressure on Tinubu ahead of the presidential election, putting Nigeria's long-running corruption problem back in the headlines.
Local media reported that Adeyemi claimed he'd been given an appointment letter by Tinubu's chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Gbajabiamila denies ever meeting or knowing him.
Analysts say the government still needs to explain how the fake agency slipped into official spending plans.
Court date set
Adeyemi is due in court on July 27. He faces charges of forging official documents, falsely seeking recognition for a fake government agency, and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.
Adeyemi is due in court on July 27. He faces charges of forging official documents, falsely seeking recognition for a fake government agency, and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.
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