Peter Obi joins Nigeria Democratic Congress in major political shake-up

Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who finished third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential race, have both joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), raising the prospect of a joint ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

They were previously in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the last election.

While this could be seen as a fragmentation of the opposition, supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso say it will give their alliance greater focus.

Both men are former governors and command significant grassroots followings.

Obi is hugely popular among young voters across the south, while Kwankwaso wields considerable influence in the north.

The move comes just nine months after Obi, Kwankwaso and Abubakar joined the ADC but that alliance quickly became mired in legal battles over party leadership - something Obi blamed on the government.

"The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC," Obi said on Sunday.

He was the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election.

Allies of President Tinubu have denied that they have been trying to sabotage opposition parties.

Obi, 64, and Kwankwaso, 69, were formally received at the NDC's national headquarters in Abuja by the party's national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Sunday.

Speaking afterwards, both men called for national unity, greater opportunities for young people, and an end to the infighting that has plagued Nigeria's opposition.

However, their decision risks upsetting allies within the coalition built around the ADC, which had been positioning itself as the main vehicle for opposition unity.

Some figures within the bloc have privately expressed a sense of betrayal, raising fresh doubts about whether Nigeria's fragmented opposition can sustain a coordinated challenge against President Tinubu, 74.

In a statement, the Nigerian presidency played down the significance of the defections, suggesting they reflected "the normal fluidity of democratic politics" rather than any fundamental shift.

A presidential spokesperson said the government remained focused on governance.

"Political alliances will come and go," the spokesperson said. "But our priority is delivering economic reforms, improving security and ensuring stability for all Nigerians."

Political analyst Bala Yusuf told the BBC the move could reshape Nigeria's electoral landscape.

"If the NDC fields Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice-president, they will definitely give the ruling APC a run for their money at the polls," he said.

They have not yet said who the presidential candidate will be - an issue that has broken up several previous Nigerian political alliances.

Elections are scheduled for early January next year - they will be the country’s eighth since the end of military rule in 1999.

By Mansur Abubakar and Chris Ewokor, BBC

President Tinubu Begins Three-Nation Tour With France Visit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in France on the first leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at advancing Nigeria’s economic diplomacy and strengthening strategic international partnerships.

The President departed Abuja at about 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, accompanied to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other top government officials.

The visit marks the commencement of engagements across France, Kenya, and Rwanda, where the Nigerian leader is expected to champion his administration’s reform agenda on global platforms.

Deepening Cooperation

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated that the tour underscores Nigeria’s commitment to deepening cooperation with key international partners, particularly the French Republic and African nations, in areas of economic growth, innovation, and investment.

From France, President Tinubu will proceed to Nairobi for the Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 11 to 12, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto.

The summit, themed “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth,” will focus on critical areas including energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, global financing reforms, and climate action.

The summit will bring together African and French leaders to deliberate on key development priorities such as infrastructure, youth empowerment, peace-building, and economic transformation, providing a platform for enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Thereafter, the President will head to Kigali, Rwanda, to participate in the Africa CEO Forum from May 14 to 15.

Explore Strategies

The forum, organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, is expected to attract over 2,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore strategies for economic transformation, regional integration, and cross-border investment under the theme “Scale or Fail.”

At both summits, President Tinubu is expected to deliver keynote statements highlighting his administration’s reforms and positioning Nigeria as a prime destination for investment and sustainable growth, while also holding high-level meetings with global and African business leaders.

The President is accompanied on the trip by selected ministers and senior aides and is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding engagements in Rwanda.

By Temitope Mustapha, VON

Kenya's leader backtracks after comments mocking Nigerians' English

 

Kenya's President William Ruto has been forced to respond to the backlash over his recent remarks suggesting Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible.

His clarification came at a mining conference in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, attended by Nigeria's Minerals Minister Henry Dele Alake, who told the gathering: "President Ruto, the people of Nigeria have mandated me to inform and assure you that Nigerians speak good English."

To much laughter, Ruto took to the stage to explain his comments to Kenyans living in Italy last week were intended to be private and had been "taken out of context".

"The fact is that I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English, all of us," he said.

"In fact, in some countries like Nigeria, if you do not speak excellent English like the one we speak in Kenya, you may need a translator to understand the excellent English of Nigeria. So that was the comparison. But somebody misrepresented the facts."

President Ruto reminded the audience at the mining development conference that Nigerians were his in-laws - one of his daughters, June, is married to a Nigerian.

"I want to send my regards to my brothers and sisters in Nigeria… my in-laws."

He told Alake to pass on his greetings his Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu: "Tell President Tinubu that I said, 'Hi'. And tell him I said that in good English… so that there will be no consequences."

Following an explanation about how he felt he had been mispresented, the president ended by saying: "It is as well that we can have this conversation - my in-laws I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done," he said.

The good-natured banter was in sharp contrast to barrage of criticism President Ruto has faced online.

Last week, he had boasted about how Kenya's education system was producing some of the best human capital in the world, with strong English proficiency.

"We speak some of the best English in the world, that is true. If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying. You need a translator even when they are speaking English."

The condemnation that followed was widespread - fuelling an online cyber rivalry between the two nations.

Kenya and Nigeria are both former British colonies and share English as an official language but have distinct spoken varieties with different phonetic structures.

These differences reflect the influence of indigenous languages - Nigeria has more than 500 languages which shape its cadence and intonation, while Kenya's Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents.

By Basillioh Rukanga, BBC

Related story: Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians' spoken English

Kenyan leader sparks uproar after mocking Nigerians' spoken English

 

Kenyan President William Ruto has faced a social media backlash after publicly suggesting that Nigerian-accented English was incomprehensible and required a translator.

Addressing Kenyans living in Italy on Monday, Ruto said: "If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying - you need a translator," while boasting that Kenyans spoke "some of the best English in the world".

His remarks drew fierce condemnation from Nigerians and other Africans online who accused the Kenyan leader of demeaning a fellow African nation.

"English is a colonial language, not a measure of intelligence, capability, or national progress," wrote Hopewell Chin'ono, a Zimbabwean journalist.

As former British colonies, both Kenya and Nigeria share English as an official language, but each country has developed distinct spoken varieties with different phonetic structures.

These differences reflect the influence of indigenous languages - Nigeria has more than 500 languages which shape its cadence and intonation, while Kenya's Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents.

But in his address to the diaspora gathering, Ruto said Kenya's education system produced strong English proficiency and that it was difficult to understand Nigerians when they spoke English.

"Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak some of the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don't know what they are saying. You need a translator even when they are speaking English," he said, sparking laughter in the room.

"We have some of the best human capital anywhere in the world. We just need to sharpen it with more training," Ruto added.

His remarks have led to widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising the Kenyan leader for showcasing a "deep inferiority complex rooted in colonial conditioning".

"Ruto is mocking the English of the country with a Nobel Prize for literature winner.The Nation of Achebe and Chimamanda," former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani posted on X, referring to Wole Soyinka - the country's only Nobel Prize winner - along with acclaimed authors Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Other social media users urged Ruto to focus on addressing pressing issues facing his citizens - such as the cost of living and unemployment - rather than engaging in what they described as distractions.

Online barbs between Kenya and Nigeria are a frequent occurrence, often marked by intense, humorous and sometimes volatile cyber wars on platforms like X.

These exchanges typically revolve around economic comparisons, pop culture and sport and, more recently, political remarks.

Earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu faced a backlash from Kenyans online after stating that Nigerians were "better off than those in Kenya and other African countries" despite rising fuel prices at home.

While Ruto did not make a direct reference to any specific comment, some online interpretations suggested his remarks may be in response to Tinubu's comments.


There has been no official response from Ruto's government, but some Kenyans have defended him online, arguing that critics have misunderstood the intent of his remarks and missed the humour.

Nigeria has more English speakers than any other country in Africa. Over time, the language has evolved locally into what is often described as "Nigerian English" - a distinct and widely recognised variety shaped by the country's history, cultures and everyday usage.

It continues to influence global English, with Nigerian expressions, such as "next tomorrow" (the day after tomorrow), increasingly appearing in mainstream dictionaries.

Nigeria's large and active diaspora, particularly in the UK, has also helped spread and shape these linguistic influences across borders.

By Wycliffe Muia, BBC

Nigeria's suspected coup plotters deny treason charges

Six people, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, have pleaded not guilty to plotting a coup to overthrow Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu.

The defendants appeared at the Federal High Court in the capital, Abuja, where they were ordered to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria's domestic spy agency.

A seventh person - a former governor and one-time oil minister, Timipre Sylva - has also been named as a conspirator but court documents said he was still at large.

Rumours of the coup plot surfaced when the government abruptly cancelled a planned military parade to mark Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary on 1 October 2025.

At the time, officials cited security threats - but speculation quickly linked the cancellation to a possible coup plot.

The military initially denied the reports, but in January it announced that 16 officers were to be tried before a military court for attempting to oust the president.

Those to go on trial at the Federal High Court on charges of treason, terrorism and money laundering are civilians or retired military personnel alleged to have been part of the plot.

Sylva, who served as petroleum minister from 2019 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was also governor of the oil-rich southern Bayelsa state from 2007 to 2012, denied links to a coup plot after his house was ransacked by investigators last October.

An arrest warrant was issued for him the following month in a separate case launched by the country's anti-corruption agency. At the time his spokesman said the former minister was in the UK for a medical check-up and that the allegations were politically motivated.

The charges were filed by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi on Tuesday. The six on trial are:

Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general
Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain
Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector
Zekeri Umoru, an electrician working at the Presidential Villa
Bukar Kashim Goni, a civilian
Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric based in Zaria in Kaduna state.

The court scheduled 27 April for bail hearings.

During proceedings on Wednesday, defence lawyers complained of restricted access to their clients, claiming they had been unable to meet them since September 2025 - which would mean they had been arrested ahead of the Independence Day parade.

According to the charge sheet, the six defendants "conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe" the president.

The court papers suggest the coup plot was led by Col Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji, who was arrested along with other alleged accomplices, and is due to go on trial at a military court.

Prosecutors also allege the defendants had prior knowledge of Col Ma'aji's "treasonable act", but failed to inform authorities.

The charges include the suppression of intelligence, with prosecutors alleging the defendants were intent on destabilising the state and had failed to disclose information that could have helped prevent terrorism.

Money-laundering allegations form a significant part of the case - with accusations that money changed hands linked to the financing of terrorism.

Under Nigerian law, treason attracts severe penalties, including life imprisonment.

Nigeria has experienced a period of unbroken civilian rule since 1999.

This case is being closely watched as one of the most significant coup-related prosecutions in recent Nigerian history.

For months, the secrecy and unanswered questions over the alleged coup plot created a fertile ground for rumours, with speculation ranging from wider military involvement to claims of political vendettas.

Journalists and civil society groups repeatedly pressed for clarity, but access to information was limited.

The eventual arraignment of these six men has now brought the matter into open court.

However, questions remain about the scale of the alleged conspiracy and whether more suspects will be charged.

By Mansur Abubakar and Chris Ewokor, BBC

Related story: Nigeria charges six people with treason for plan to overthrow president

President Tinubu names Taiwo Oyedele as new finance minister

Nigerian President ​Bola Tinubu has approved ‌a minor cabinet shuffle that removed two ministers ​and promoted a ​junior official to the key ⁠post of finance ​minister, his office said in ​a statement on Tuesday.

Taiwo Oyedele, previously minister of state ​for finance, replaced Wale ​Edun as minister of finance ‌and ⁠coordinating minister of the economy.

Housing and urban development minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa ​also ​exited ⁠the cabinet, with Muttaqha Rabe Darma ​named ministerial nominee for ​the ⁠role, the statement said.

Reuters

Nigeria charges six people with treason for plan to overthrow president

Nigerian authorities have charged six people, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason, over an alleged plot to overthrow the president, Bola Tinubu, according to a charge sheet seen by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The six people accused of treason were all in custody.

A seventh suspect, former Bayelsa state Governor Timpre Sylva, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and is still at large.

The Nigerian government first said it had foiled a coup attempt in January, when it announced that several military officers would stand trial. They were part of a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 over what military authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations", which fuelled rumours of a coup plot that the government initially denied.

Africa's most populous nation experienced five coups in the 20th century but has not seen one since it transitioned to democracy in 1999.

The alleged coup plot comes on the heels of a surge in coups and attempted coups in West and Central Africa, the latest in Benin and Guinea-Bissau late last year. The military takeovers, experts say, follow a pattern of disputed elections, constitutional upheaval, security crises and youth discontent.

France24

Nigeria tightens broadcast rules to curb divisive content ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria’s broadcast regulator has barred radio and television presenters from airing personal opinions, intimidating guests or broadcasting divisive political content, warning of sanctions ​ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Africa’s largest democracy goes to the ‌polls in January following past election cycles marred by misinformation and sporadic violence.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it would strictly enforce provisions of the broadcasting code ​that prohibit presenters from passing personal views as fact, denying opposing perspectives ​a fair hearing or airing hateful or inflammatory material capable of inciting ⁠disorder or undermining constitutional authority and national cohesion.

While comparable restrictions on broadcaster conduct ​exist in other democracies during campaigns, critics say enforcement in Nigeria has historically been ​uneven.

Some opposition figures and rights groups criticised the directive, saying it risked shrinking civic space. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has signalled his intention to run in next year’s presidential election, ​said the move amounted to an attempt to "muzzle the media and shrink the space ​for free expression".

The NBC said it had recorded a sustained rise in breaches of the broadcasting ‌code, ⁠particularly involving presenter conduct and the political use of airtime, warning that neutrality violations would be treated as serious offences.

Content containing unsubstantiated allegations, hate speech or material likely to inflame political or communal tensions would attract regulatory sanctions, it said.

Nigeria's broadcast sector ​is dominated by a ​mix of government‑owned ⁠stations and privately held networks owned by domestic business and media entrepreneurs, often with political links, operating under a licensing and ​enforcement system overseen by the NBC.

The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability ​Project (SERAP) criticised ⁠the regulator's notice.

“The NBC’s notice represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression,” said Kolawole Oluwadare, the group’s deputy director.

Amnesty International ⁠Nigeria also ​condemned the move, warning it could pressure journalists ​and media organisations into self‑censorship.

Analysts say enforcement may be difficult as political debate moves online beyond NBC oversight, ​leaving broadcasters more constrained than digital actors.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Nigerian politician arrested for allegedly providing false intelligence to embassies

Aliyu Gebi, a Nigerian politician and security consultant was arrested last week and subsequently granted bail over allegations that he supplied what security sources described as false intelligence to foreign embassies in Nigeria, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

Mr Gebi, a lawmaker in the 7th House of Representatives, was arrested by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) on Friday, 03 April, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The politician who has now become a prominent figure in Nigeria’s security architecture, allegedly provided “false intelligence” to embassies in Nigeria.

A security source who was not authorised to speak to the press about the matter, said Mr Gebi’s report ignited tension, forcing some airlines to cancel flights to Nigeria.

“Lufthansa cancelled flights scheduled to take off to Nigeria,” the source said, adding British Airways nearly did the same.

Another source said the same intelligence was relied upon by the United States to issue an advisory to its citizens in Nigeria. Citing “deteriorating security situation”, the US Department of State, in a tweet on Wednesday, asked its non-essential workers in Nigeria to leave the country due to worsening security conditions. The Nigerian government has refuted this claim, urging Nigeria’s partners to ensure balanced and up-to-date reporting that reflects the “progress being made” to secure Nigeria.

Describing the West African country as unsafe, the US advised Americans to reconsider travelling to Nigeria. In its updated travel advisory, the US Department of State listed armed robbery, kidnapping, assault, and roadside banditry as violent crimes that are common across the country.

Places like Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina were listed as states with higher risk. Other states listed include Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.

While the content of Mr Gebi’s report could not be obtained by this newspaper, many sources said it created diplomatic tension.

“Many embassies received the report and wanted to act on it, but the Nigerian government dialogued with them and they shelved their plans,” another source told PREMIUM TIMES.

“But the United States went ahead to issue that advisory,” he added.

The diplomatic relationship between Abuja and Washington worsened last year when the latter redesignated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern following false claims of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, a claim which was propagated by President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers.

While the Nigerian government admitted that the country is facing threats, it argued that Nigerians of all faiths are victims of terror attacks. The United States maintained its position and launched missiles on Nigerian territory, claiming that it targeted Islamic State fighters in Sokoto, North-west. The Nigerian government later said it was briefed before the attack and provided the intelligence used by the US.

Mr Trump would later accept that Muslims are also victims of violence in Nigeria. This was followed by the deployment of US troops to the North-east where the Boko Haram insurgency has lingered for more than a decade. The Nigerian military said the US troops will not be involved in combat operations but will provide training and technical support.

Investigation continues

While Mr Gebi had been granted bail, sources said he’s being investigated and will be charged in court afterwards.

The former politician, this newspaper gathered, has been reporting to the SSS headquarters since the incident.

“He has been going to the SSS office since he was granted bail,” one source said. “He is being investigated and will be charged in court.”

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Mr Gebi for comments. His line was switched off and messages sent to him on WhatsApp and via SMS had neither been acknowledged nor responded to. Our reporter observed that he has not been active on WhatsApp, raising suspicion that his phone might have been confiscated by the secret police.


Who is Gebi?

Mr Gebi, was born on 17 January 1975 in Bauchi State.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 where he chaired the committee on internal security.

He subsequently became a special adviser at the ministry of interior between 2015 and 2023.

Mr Gebi was later appointed as special adviser on non-kinetic security strategies at the Defence Headquarters where he focused on peace frameworks, early warning systems and coordinated responses to insurgency and cross-border terrorism.

By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times

Related story: US expands Nigeria travel warning, lets embassy staff leave Abuja

Nigeria’s president meets King Charles during historic UK visit

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle during a historic visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades. Tinubu is expected to sign agreements on trade, investment and defence with the UK, as citizens hope the visit will help address economic reforms and security challenges at home.

CGTN Africa

UK agrees deal to ease migrant returns to Nigeria

 

The government has agreed a deal with Nigeria to make it easier to remove people with no right to be in the UK.

For the first time, the Nigerian government will recognise UK letters - an identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport - so people will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued before they can be returned.

The agreement was struck during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu state visit to the UK.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the president's visit - the first by a leader of a west African nation in 37 years - as "historic".

On Wednesday, the King hosted a spectacular state banquet at Windsor Castle for the president and first lady, praising the strength of the ties between the two nations.

President Tinubu also met the prime minister at No 10.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the two leaders "committed to deepening their long-term partnership on trade, infrastructure and sustainable growth".

They also agreed to work more closely together on defence and security in response to transnational crime and terrorism, the spokesperson said.

The Home Office said the immigration deal would make it easier to return people who overstay their visas, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers.

It said annual returns to Nigeria had nearly doubled to 1,150.

The two countries have also agreed to launch joint operations and share information to crack down on criminal gangs abusing visa routes.

A new standardised document-checking system will be introduced to verify the authenticity of applications.

The Home Office said it followed a series of high-profile cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages and forged financial or employment records.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will review its laws to ensure the toughest possible sentences are given to immigration offenders.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said: "Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK's largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here."

A separate deal, worth £746m, will see two major ports in Lagos refurbished with the help of UK-backed loans.

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government's export credit agency, has provided a guarantee to the banks loaning the funds under the condition at least 20% of the contracts are sourced from the UK.

At least £236m of supplier contracts will be directed to British firms, including £70m for British steel - the company's largest ever export backed by UKEF.

It comes as the UK sets out a new strategy to boost the domestic steel industry.

Tinubu's visit was also the first to the UK by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century.

Special adaptations were made to the state banquet, with a prayer room set aside in Windsor Castle, while the usual lunch hosted by the King did not take place as Tinubu was fasting.

On Thursday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who is Christian, also visited Lambeth Palace, the London home of the archbishop of Canterbury.

The visit comes at a time of tension within Nigeria, with a series of suspected suicide bombings this week in the north-eastern state of Borno, in which at least 23 people were killed and 108 injured in attacks blamed on hard-line Islamist militants from the Boko Haram group.

By Becky Morton, BBC

President Tinubu meets royals in UK state visit

 

The UK’s King Charles III has welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.

More than 1,000 soldiers were out in force on Wednesday for the diplomatic show of soft power by the royal family.

With trade between the two countries at a record high, Charles is using the two-day visit to highlight the pair’s deep cultural and commercial links.

Tinubu has made less formal visits to the United Kingdom several times during his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a large Nigerian diaspora of about 300,000 people.

Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.

Calling the visit “historic”, London announced Nigerian companies, including banks, are expanding operations and creating hundreds of jobs in the UK, strengthening it as a global hub for African business.

Nigerian flags and Union Jacks

King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, as artillery fired salutes.

Both Nigerian flags and Union Jacks fluttered amid the procession.

The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, at a hotel in the town.

The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle.

Later, the king and queen showed the president and first lady items from the UK’s colonial rule of Nigeria, which existed until 1960.

Later on Wednesday evening, a lavish state banquet took place.

On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.

Missing from the official schedule is the traditional meeting between the visiting head of state and the British opposition.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, has repeatedly publicly criticised the country she was raised in over corruption and violence.

The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, although Tinubu was received by Charles in September 2024.

Before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Charles also visited Nigeria four times as prince of Wales.

Tinubu’s visit went ahead, despite a deadly bombing in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State on Monday, which killed 23 people and injured more than 100, with the president condemning the attacks and insisting “Nigeria will not succumb to fear.”

By AFP and Reuters

Tinubu departs for UK amid worsening insecurity in Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

The visit is considered historic, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, and the first time a Nigerian president will be received by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.

According to the Presidency, the trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries, with key discussions expected to focus on trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.

During the visit, Tinubu and his wife will view a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items connected to Nigeria. The president is also expected to hold private talks with King Charles III and participate in engagements with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.

A state banquet will be hosted in honour of the Nigerian delegation.

Tinubu will also meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to sign agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The president is expected to witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, to support the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

He will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and engage with business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Meanwhile, authorities in Windsor have rolled out tight security measures ahead of the visit. Thames Valley Police say they are working with local authorities, the Royal Household, and other agencies to coordinate security operations for the high-profile event.

The police announced that airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle would be extended on March 18, alongside road closures and parking limitations expected to take effect from March 17, which might disrupt movement in the area.

Officials said the operation would include the deployment of specialised units such as armed officers, search teams, mounted patrols, and road policing personnel. Additional measures include surveillance systems and protective barriers to ensure public safety throughout the visit.

The visit comes amid a surge in killings across parts of Nigeria, with recent incidents of violence raising concerns about the country’s security situation.

Tbe ICIR reported earlier today that at least 23 people were confirmed dead following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State capital Monday night.

The Borno State Police Command, in a statement, said 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attacks, which were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.

According to the police, the explosions occurred at about 7:24 p.m. at three locations — Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area.

The attacks are the latest in a chain of killings, abductions and other criminal activities in Nigeria under Tinubu’s watch.

By Esther Tomo, ICIR

Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?

Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu was elected on promises to tackle the nation’s widespread violence and address two of its root causes: Poverty and corruption. But with the country going to the polls next year, has he delivered on his "Renewed Hope" agenda? Mehdi Hasan goes head-to-head with Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s once staunch critic-turned-Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications, on the administration’s record in office and where he stands on his past accusations against his current boss.

CGTN Africa

Nigerian lawmakers approve real-time online election results

Following major pressure from trade unions and civil society, Nigeria's Senate on Tuesday reversed its earlier decision to reject plans for the real-time electronic transmission of election results in future.

The vote last week against making the automatic and immediate uploading of results mandatory — a measure long championed by pro-reform groups as key to reducing risks of interference during manual vote collation — sparked widespread condemnation and public protests.

The lower chamber of parliament, the House of Representatives, had approved the proposal before the Senate threw it out, with some members arguing the plan would prove impractical.
Presidential elections expected a year from now

After an emergency meeting on the matter, the Senate said that members "approved the electronic transmission of election results... after the completion of all statutory procedures at the polling unit."

It said the decision was unanimous and that it would boost "public confidence" and enable "citizens to follow the electoral process more transparently."

Nigeria's next presidential election, when incumbent Bola Tinubu is likely to seek a second and final term, is scheduled for February 2027.

Nigeria's largest trade union group threatened over the weekend to try to boycott the next vote entirely unless the changes were implemented.

"Failure to add electronic transmission in real time will lead to mass action ‌before, during and ‌after the election, or total boycott of the election," NLC President Joe Ajaero said on Sunday.
Public skepticism and voter apathy high, long tradition of contested results

At the last presidential election in February 2023, turnout dipped to 27%, its lowest levels since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

The result was challenged in court and ultimately had to go to the Supreme Court.

Almost every election in Nigerian history, barring 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat, has faced legal challenges. Allegations of wrongdoing are commonplace albeit almost always unsuccessful before the judges.
Can the vast, violence-ridden country deliver real-time vote counts?

Over the past decade, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced various technology designed to improve the integrity and transparency of election results.

However, the implementation and execution has proved extremely challenging and unsuccessful.

In 2023's vote, the new online results database was much touted but proved an unreliable platform, with only around 10% of constituencies, mostly in the larger and wealthier cities and towns, managing to deliver prompt results.

EU election observer Barry Andrews wrote after that vote that the plan to post itemized results online "were perceived as an important step to ensure the integrity and credibility of the eletions," but that "uploading the results ... did not work as expected."

Conditions next February are not likely to be much better in Africa's most populous country.

Internet connections remain patchy in rural areas. The country's police and military is struggling to contain a string of often Islamist rebel and terrorist insurgencies, as well as criminal groups and gangs, in several different states.

Delayed or extended voting has been commonplace in many of the roughly 176,000 polling stations nationwide for years for a variety of reasons, from security concerns to technical mishaps or simple overcrowding.

By Mark Hallam, DW

U.S. suspends visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

The United States of America has announced an indefinite suspension of visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries with effect from Jan. 21, 2026.A State Department memo directed consular officers to refuse visas under existing law, while screening and vetting procedures are reassessed.

According to the memo, the pause begins on Jan. 21 and will continue indefinitely until the Department of State completes its reassessment of visa processing.

The State Department spokesperson, Tommy Piggott, said that “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while procedures are reassessed to prevent entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

The United States and Nigeria operate visa reciprocity policies, which means that countries set visa rules based on how their citizens are treated abroad.

If U.S. citizens face limits or high fees, Nigeria may impose similar restrictions through reciprocity schedules.

The key aspects include fees, validity periods and permitted numbers of entries.

The affected countries include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil and Burma.

Others listed are Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The other countries include Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan and Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco and Nepal.

The list also includes Nicaragua, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia and Uganda Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

APA News

US introduces $15,000 visa bond for Nigerians

The United States has introduced new travel restrictions that could require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000.

According to information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, adding that fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded.

Of the listed Nations, African countries accounted for 24 of the 38, including Nigeria, in the updated list released by the US State Department on Tuesday.

Visa bonds are financial guarantees required by the US State Department for certain foreign nationals from countries classified as high-risk, who are applying for B1/B2 visas for business or tourism purposes.

The implementation dates vary by country, with Nigeria’s date set for January 21, 2026.

The Department of State said nationals from the listed countries have been identified as requiring visa bonds, with implementation dates shown in parentheses.

Countries affected include Algeria (21 January 2026), Angola (21 January 2026), Antigua and Barbuda (21 January 2026), Bangladesh (21 January 2026), Benin (21 January 2026), Bhutan (1 January 2026), Botswana (1 January 2026), Burundi (21 January 2026), Cabo Verde (21 January 2026), Central African Republic (1 January 2026), Côte d’Ivoire (21 January 2026), Cuba (21 January 2026), Djibouti (21 January 2026), Dominica (21 January 2026).

Others are; Fiji (21 January 2026), Gabon (21 January 2026), The Gambia (11 October 2025), Guinea (1 January 2026), Guinea-Bissau (1 January 2026), Kyrgyzstan (21 January 2026), Malawi (20 August 2025), Mauritania (23 October 2025), Namibia (1 January 2026), Nepal (21 January 2026).

The rest are; Nigeria (21 January 2026), São Tomé and Príncipe (23 October 2025), Senegal (21 January 2026), Tajikistan (21 January 2026), Tanzania (23 October 2025), Togo (21 January 2026), Tonga (21 January 2026), Turkmenistan (1 January 2026), Tuvalu (21 January 2026), Uganda (21 January 2026), Vanuatu (21 January 2026), Venezuela (21 January 2026), Zambia (20 August 2025), and Zimbabwe (21 January 2026).

The directive states that, “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined during the visa interview.

“Applicants must also submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352. Applicants must also agree to the terms of the bond through the US Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov. This requirement applies regardless of the place of application.”

It added that Visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Bonds will only be refunded when the Department of Homeland Security records the visa holder’s departure from the United States on or before the expiration of their authorised stay, when the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or when a traveller applies for and is denied admission at a US port of entry.

This development follows the introduction of partial US travel restrictions on Nigeria a week earlier. Nigeria was among 15 mostly African countries, including Angola, Antigua, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia and others that were placed under partial travel suspensions by the US government on 16 December.

In Nigeria’s case, the US cited the presence and operations of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain parts of the country, resulting in “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”

An overstay rate of 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M, and J visas was also cited as a justification for Nigeria’s inclusion. As a result, the travel suspension covered immigrant visas as well as non-immigrant categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

By Deborah Musa, Punch

Video - Nigerian aviation industry reels from US travel ban

US travel restrictions are full effect for 26 African countries, including 12 full bans and 14 partial bans, with Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, among those affected. These restrictions come at a time when Africa’s aviation sector was seeing new growth. In Nigeria, however, industry operators report a decline in passenger traffic on Nigeria-US routes, as the country had already been subject to strict visa regulations.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Pushes For Stronger Cooperation In Energy Development

The director-general of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and China in the coming year.

Tegbe, in his new year message, extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to Christians in Nigeria and China as they celebrate the yuletide season.

He reaffirmed that the NCSP remains committed to translating Nigeria–China cooperation into tangible economic gains through strategic investments in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, mining, steel, and energy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In the message, Tegbe described Christmas as a season that embodies the enduring values of love, peace, sacrifice, and unity, principles he noted remain fundamental to fostering harmony within societies and strengthening international partnerships.

He urged Christians of Nigerian and Chinese descent to draw inspiration from the birth and life of Jesus Christ, as enshrined in the Holy Scriptures, and to continue to uphold these values in promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and shared progress.

Looking ahead to 2026, Tegbe expressed optimism that the coming year holds immense potential for deepening cooperation and advancing the broader objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Nigeria and China, particularly as both countries continue to strengthen economic ties.

By Chika Izuora, Leadership

Related story: Nigeria attracts $1.3bn Chinese lithium investment amid push for clean energy value chains

Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on Islamist militants, says foreign minister

Nigeria provided the US with intelligence on jihadists before the strikes that took place in the country on Christmas Day, its foreign ministry said on Friday.

On Thursday, the US president, Donald Trump, said the US military had carried out strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria, after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president said: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Now, Nigerian foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has told broadcaster ChannelsTV that he was on the phone with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and that Nigeria “provided” the intelligence.

“We spoke twice. We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on,” Tuggar said.

He added that they spoke “extensively” and that President Bola Tinubu gave “the go-ahead” to launch the strikes.

Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an “ongoing process” that would also involve other countries.

In an interview with the BBC, Tuggar insisted the strikes had “nothing to do with a particular religion”. He said the operation did not have “anything to do with Christmas, it could be any other day - it is to do with attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians”.

Trump has previously said he would launch a “guns-a-blazing” US military intervention in Nigeria, claiming that the country’s government has been inadequate in its efforts to prevent attacks on Christians by Islamist groups.

The Guardian