The $2.1 billion in funding will support Nigeria's fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, while boosting maternal and child healthcare.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Video - Nigeria signs major health cooperation deal with the US
The $2.1 billion in funding will support Nigeria's fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, while boosting maternal and child healthcare.
Trump recalls US envoy to Nigeria as part of “America First” diplomatic overhaul
Donald Trump, the United States president, has ordered the recall of Richard Mills, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, along with a wave of career diplomats stationed across Africa and other regions, in a sweeping realignment of America’s diplomatic corps to reflect his “America First” foreign policy agenda.
According to a report by Politico and other U.S media reports, the move affects ambassadors who were originally appointed during the Joe Biden administration and will see their tenures end in January 2026. While the diplomats are not being dismissed from the foreign service, they will return to Washington for potential reassignment, as their roles as chiefs of mission come to a close.
Africa has emerged as the hardest-hit region, with envoys from 13 countries—including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda—among those recalled. Diplomats in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere have also been affected, though to a lesser extent.
A State Department official, speaking on background, confirmed the reshuffle and described it as consistent with presidential prerogative. “An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” read a department statement, which added that such transitions are a “standard process in any administration.”
The decision has nonetheless sparked concern among foreign policy observers and within the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union representing US diplomats. Lawmakers, particularly those focused on US-Africa relations, have also voiced unease over the abrupt nature of the changes.
For Nigeria—a strategic partner in West Africa on counterterrorism, economic development, and democratic governance—the departure of Ambassador Mills marks a significant shift in bilateral engagement. Analysts warn the move could temporarily disrupt ongoing diplomatic initiatives and complicate coordination on shared security priorities, including efforts against Boko Haram and regional stabilisation programmes.
Although the recalled officials retain their positions within the State Department, the scale and timing of the reshuffle signal a deliberate pivot in US global posture, underscoring the Trump administration’s emphasis on aligning diplomatic missions with its domestic-centric policy framework.
Embassies in affected nations are expected to operate under interim leadership—often deputies or chargés d’affaires—until new nominees are confirmed, a process that could take months amid a divided Senate.
According to a report by Politico and other U.S media reports, the move affects ambassadors who were originally appointed during the Joe Biden administration and will see their tenures end in January 2026. While the diplomats are not being dismissed from the foreign service, they will return to Washington for potential reassignment, as their roles as chiefs of mission come to a close.
Africa has emerged as the hardest-hit region, with envoys from 13 countries—including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda—among those recalled. Diplomats in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere have also been affected, though to a lesser extent.
A State Department official, speaking on background, confirmed the reshuffle and described it as consistent with presidential prerogative. “An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda,” read a department statement, which added that such transitions are a “standard process in any administration.”
The decision has nonetheless sparked concern among foreign policy observers and within the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union representing US diplomats. Lawmakers, particularly those focused on US-Africa relations, have also voiced unease over the abrupt nature of the changes.
For Nigeria—a strategic partner in West Africa on counterterrorism, economic development, and democratic governance—the departure of Ambassador Mills marks a significant shift in bilateral engagement. Analysts warn the move could temporarily disrupt ongoing diplomatic initiatives and complicate coordination on shared security priorities, including efforts against Boko Haram and regional stabilisation programmes.
Although the recalled officials retain their positions within the State Department, the scale and timing of the reshuffle signal a deliberate pivot in US global posture, underscoring the Trump administration’s emphasis on aligning diplomatic missions with its domestic-centric policy framework.
Embassies in affected nations are expected to operate under interim leadership—often deputies or chargés d’affaires—until new nominees are confirmed, a process that could take months amid a divided Senate.
Nigerian government says remaining 130 abducted students have now been released
The remaining 130 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted in November from a Catholic school in Niger state have been released, President Bola Tinubu's spokesperson said on Sunday, following one of the country's biggest mass kidnappings of recent years.
"The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists ... have now been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents for the Christmas celebration," Bayo Onanuga said in a post on social media platform X.
"The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence driven operation."
The students are among more than 300 pupils and 12 staff seized by gunmen from St Mary's Catholic boarding school in the village of Papiri in the early hours of Nov. 21.
Fifty of the children managed to escape at the time, the Christian Association of Nigeria has previously said, while Nigeria's government said on Dec. 8 that it had managed to rescue 100 of those abducted.
Onanuga said the total number of freed students is now 230.
The abduction caused outrage over worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs frequently target schools for ransom. School kidnappings surged after Boko Haram militants abducted 276 girls from Chibok in 2014.
"The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists ... have now been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents for the Christmas celebration," Bayo Onanuga said in a post on social media platform X.
"The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence driven operation."
The students are among more than 300 pupils and 12 staff seized by gunmen from St Mary's Catholic boarding school in the village of Papiri in the early hours of Nov. 21.
Fifty of the children managed to escape at the time, the Christian Association of Nigeria has previously said, while Nigeria's government said on Dec. 8 that it had managed to rescue 100 of those abducted.
Onanuga said the total number of freed students is now 230.
The abduction caused outrage over worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs frequently target schools for ransom. School kidnappings surged after Boko Haram militants abducted 276 girls from Chibok in 2014.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Video - Nigeria labour union protests over worsening insecurity
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress staged walkouts in major cities to draw attention to the challenges facing workers, particularly rising insecurity and financial issues.
Insecurity forces Christians to abandon Christmas travel, worship in Northern Nigeria
Insecurity across northern Nigeria is forcing many Christians to avoid public worship and cancel Christmas travel plans, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the region has said.
The warning comes against a backdrop of escalating violence in December 2025, which has seen religious centres and residents specifically targeted by criminal groups.
The attacks are perpetrated by various armed groups and has led to the death and kidnap of thousands of people in recent years.
By Ogalah Dunamis, Premium Times
The warning comes against a backdrop of escalating violence in December 2025, which has seen religious centres and residents specifically targeted by criminal groups.
The attacks are perpetrated by various armed groups and has led to the death and kidnap of thousands of people in recent years.
The Context: A Bloody December
CAN’s statement is a direct response to a series of harrowing incidents that have rocked the region in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
A few days ago, on 14 December, gunmen attacked the First ECWA Evangelical Church Winning All in Kogi State during a Sunday service. The assailants killed one worshipper and abducted approximately 30 others, turning a sanctuary into a crime scene.
This followed a massive security breach in Niger State in late November, where over 300 students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School. While some have been released, the sheer scale of the attack has left a lingering trauma across the North-central region. Over 100 students and staff are still with the kidnappers.
Similarly, in Plateau State, fresh attacks near Jos have claimed the lives of miners and villagers, with reports indicating that security agencies failed to act on advance warnings of the impending assaults.
The attacks have continued despite the efforts of security agencies. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Office of the National Security Adviser recently stated that it is arming trained hunters and vigilantes in northern Nigeria to work with conventional security agencies to tackle insecurity in the region.
CAN’s statement is a direct response to a series of harrowing incidents that have rocked the region in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
A few days ago, on 14 December, gunmen attacked the First ECWA Evangelical Church Winning All in Kogi State during a Sunday service. The assailants killed one worshipper and abducted approximately 30 others, turning a sanctuary into a crime scene.
This followed a massive security breach in Niger State in late November, where over 300 students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School. While some have been released, the sheer scale of the attack has left a lingering trauma across the North-central region. Over 100 students and staff are still with the kidnappers.
Similarly, in Plateau State, fresh attacks near Jos have claimed the lives of miners and villagers, with reports indicating that security agencies failed to act on advance warnings of the impending assaults.
The attacks have continued despite the efforts of security agencies. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Office of the National Security Adviser recently stated that it is arming trained hunters and vigilantes in northern Nigeria to work with conventional security agencies to tackle insecurity in the region.
CAN’s Position
In a Yuletide statement issued on Thursday, CAN stated that these persistent attacks by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups have created widespread fear, making highways, rural communities, and even places of worship unsafe during the festive period.
The Chairman of Northern CAN, Yakubu Pam, said information available to the association indicates that a significant number of Christians now prefer to remain in their places of residence rather than travel to hometowns or attend church services—a development he described as deeply troubling.
“Christmas marks the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and is traditionally a season of family reunions and communal worship,” Mr Pam said. “Sadly, many Christians are reconsidering these traditions out of fear for their safety.”
He noted that the situation represents a serious erosion of basic freedoms in a democratic society, with the rights to movement, worship, and peaceful assembly increasingly constrained by insecurity.
In a Yuletide statement issued on Thursday, CAN stated that these persistent attacks by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups have created widespread fear, making highways, rural communities, and even places of worship unsafe during the festive period.
The Chairman of Northern CAN, Yakubu Pam, said information available to the association indicates that a significant number of Christians now prefer to remain in their places of residence rather than travel to hometowns or attend church services—a development he described as deeply troubling.
“Christmas marks the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and is traditionally a season of family reunions and communal worship,” Mr Pam said. “Sadly, many Christians are reconsidering these traditions out of fear for their safety.”
He noted that the situation represents a serious erosion of basic freedoms in a democratic society, with the rights to movement, worship, and peaceful assembly increasingly constrained by insecurity.
Government Called to Action
According to the association, violent attacks and criminal activities across several northern states have undermined public confidence in the safety of major highways and worship centers.
CAN called on President Bola Tinubu, governors of the 19 northern states, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to take urgent and visible steps to secure lives and property throughout the Yuletide.
The group urged authorities to strengthen intelligence-driven security operations to prevent attacks before they occur, and deploy adequate personnel to vulnerable communities, major highways, churches, and other public gathering points.
“The assurance of safety for all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, is fundamental to national unity and social stability,” the association said.
While calling on the government to act decisively, CAN also appealed to Christians to exercise vigilance and wisdom, while remaining steadfast in faith and prayer.
“Even in moments of great trial, we must continue to embody the message of peace, hope, and resilience which this season signifies,” Mr Pam said, expressing optimism that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges through purposeful leadership and collective responsibility.
The association concluded by insisting that the “darkness of insecurity will not prevail.”
According to the association, violent attacks and criminal activities across several northern states have undermined public confidence in the safety of major highways and worship centers.
CAN called on President Bola Tinubu, governors of the 19 northern states, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to take urgent and visible steps to secure lives and property throughout the Yuletide.
The group urged authorities to strengthen intelligence-driven security operations to prevent attacks before they occur, and deploy adequate personnel to vulnerable communities, major highways, churches, and other public gathering points.
“The assurance of safety for all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, is fundamental to national unity and social stability,” the association said.
While calling on the government to act decisively, CAN also appealed to Christians to exercise vigilance and wisdom, while remaining steadfast in faith and prayer.
“Even in moments of great trial, we must continue to embody the message of peace, hope, and resilience which this season signifies,” Mr Pam said, expressing optimism that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges through purposeful leadership and collective responsibility.
The association concluded by insisting that the “darkness of insecurity will not prevail.”
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