"I went to Africa not knowing anything about Africa. The images that you have of Africa were all stereotypical".
"My first experience to Africa was a complete contradiction. I think we forgot that Africa is a continent". Kim Poole
*Africans are strong and we have the capacity".
Ghana Bestows Citizenship on US YouTuber IShowSpeed After Epic Africa Tour
Photo Credit: Instagram
Ghana has officially granted citizenship to popular American YouTuber IShowSpeed, real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., as announced by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The 21-year-old influencer from Cincinnati, Ohio, received approval for a Ghanaian passport following verification of his "irrefutable ties" to the nation, including ancestry links confirmed through DNA tests tracing his mother's background to Ghana.
Okudzeto Ablakwa celebrated the decision in an X post, urging IShowSpeed to "keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud," while hailing him as a worthy ambassador. This honor caps IShowSpeed's high-profile "Speed Does Africa" tour, which kicked off on December 29, 2025, and spanned 20 countries over 28 days, drawing millions of live viewers on YouTube and Twitch.
The whirlwind adventure showcased Africa's vibrant diversity, from exploring a diamond mine in Botswana and savoring Ethiopia's rich cuisine to attending the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. In Nigeria, he marked his 21st birthday amid massive crowds in Lagos, celebrating 50 million YouTube subscribers; Kenya saw record-breaking streams with sprint challenges; while stops in South Africa, Egypt, Angola, and Namibia highlighted street energy, cultural dances, and fan interactions that shattered stereotypes.
Social media buzzed with praise, as viewers—especially in the African diaspora—credited IShowSpeed for presenting a positive, dynamic Africa far removed from Western media clichés of poverty and conflict. Black American fans shared emotional reactions, noting how the tour broadened their perspectives on their ancestral homelands.
Ghana's move underscores growing efforts to embrace global influencers with African roots, boosting cultural pride and tourism. As IShowSpeed wraps up in Namibia, this citizenship marks a personal milestone and a diplomatic win for Ghana, potentially inspiring more diaspora connections.
Source: TRT Afrika
Otunba Adekunle Ojora, 93, Transitions to Eternal Rest: Lagos Mourns Esteemed Patriarch
Photo Credit: Ojora Family
The Ojora family of Lagos has announced the passing of their beloved patriarch, Otunba (Dr) Adekunle Ojora, the Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife, who transitioned to eternity in the early hours of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on June 13, 1932, the revered business mogul and traditional leader submitted fully to the will of Almighty Allah, as stated in the family's official release signed by Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with burial to follow Islamic rites in Lagos.
Otunba Ojora's illustrious life blended corporate prowess, journalism, public service, and deep cultural roots. His career ignited in the early 1950s as a journalist with the BBC in London, after studies at Regent Street Polytechnic, before returning to Nigeria as a reporter for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and information officer under a regional premier.
In 1961, he joined United Africa Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager, ascending to Executive Director in 1962, then spearheading WEMABOD as Managing Director and chairing the Nigerian National Shipping Line post-1966 military coup.
A true boardroom guru, Otunba Ojora chaired AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its 2002 acquisition by Unipetrol, while founding Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and holding company Lagos Investments. The Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act fueled his investments in foreign giants like Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up, spanning oil, insurance, real estate, ICT, and more, profoundly shaping Nigeria's private sector.
His traditional stature was unmatched: Chief Olori Omoba of Lagos, Head of Oba Ologunkutere & Oba Adele Ajosun Royal Family, and Head of Aiyeomosan Chieftaincy Family. The family invokes prayers for reprieve in the grave and Aljannah Firdaus, echoing: "Surely, to Allah we belong, and to Him we return."
Source: Ojora Family Statement
🇳🇬🇹🇷 Turkey & Nigeria INK MASSIVE Defense Pact + Multiple MoUs! 🔥 Presidents Tinubu & Erdogan seal game-changing deals on defense cooperation, trade, energy, security, and more—targeting $5B trade boom! Boosting military ties, anti-terror training, investments, jobs, and industrial power for Nigerians. No more empty trips—this delivers REAL results! Programme live now in Ankara. Naija rising! What's your take?
📷: X (Formerly Twitter)
#TinubuTurkeyDeal #NigeriaTurkeyMoU #DefensePact #TinubuInAnkara #ErdoganTinubu #NigeriaSecurity #5BillionTrade #NigerianEconomy #JobsNaija #AnkaraSummit
Nigeria, Türkiye Seal Nine Strategic MoUs as Bilateral Trade Targets Ambitious $5 Billion Milestone
Photo Credit: Presidency
Nigeria and Türkiye have signed nine landmark Memoranda of Understanding during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's state visit to Ankara, propelling bilateral trade toward a bold $5 billion annual target. The agreements was inked in the presence of Presidents Tinubu and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, span diaspora policy, media and communication, higher education, halal accreditation, military cooperation, and the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). This framework aims to elevate current $2 billion trade volumes through expanded Turkish investments in Nigerian industry, technology transfer, and private sector synergy.
Key pacts include military training and intelligence sharing to combat Sahel terrorism, leveraging Türkiye's defense expertise alongside Nigeria's security priorities. Additional MoUs cover family cohesion and social welfare—prioritizing Nigeria's first National Action Plan on Families by year-end—diplomatic academy partnerships, and women's affairs collaboration. The JETCO declaration stands out, facilitating barrier-free trade, double taxation prevention, and energy sector reforms that President Erdogan praised as transformative for Nigeria's economy.
Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to the $5 billion goal, highlighting Nigerian crude oil and agricultural exports against Turkish planes, helicopters, machinery, and chemicals. Tinubu emphasized inclusive growth for vulnerable populations, positioning the deals under his Renewed Hope Agenda for job creation and stability. The business forum during the visit connected investors, spotlighting infrastructure and manufacturing opportunities amid global realignments.
This comprehensive pact builds on Erdogan's 2021 Nigeria visit, fortifying ties in aviation, innovation, and social development. As Tinubu's delegation—including key ministers like Yusuf Tuggar and Nuhu Ribadu—wraps engagements through January 28, expectations soar for tangible inflows in defense, education, and counter-terrorism. Analysts hail the move as a masterstroke for Nigeria's diversification amid regional insecurity and economic headwinds.
Source: VON
🇬🇭 Ghana MELTS Hearts: IShowSpeed's Epic Motherland Embrace! 🔥 From pulsating culture to deep connections, high energy to raw emotions—Ghana didn't just host him, it OWNED the moment! See why this West African gem leaves EVERY visitor obsessed. When Africa calls, Ghana answers with pure magic! 😍
📷: @IShowSpeed
#IShowSpeed #IShowSpeedInGhana #GhanaVibes #GhanaTourism #ExperienceGhana #AfricanPride #SpeedInAccra #GhanaBans #ViralGhana #TravelAfrica #WestAfricaAdventures
Daniel Bwala DROPS BOMBSHELL in Ankara: Tinubu’s Turkey Visit is NO ORDINARY TRIP! 🇳🇬🇹🇷 "Spoke to newsmen—it's a STRATEGIC STATE VISIT boosting security capacity, attracting MASSIVE investments, and building industrial partnerships for direct Nigerian gains!" Builds on diplomatic wins for safer communities, more jobs, economic growth, and opportunities. Programme KICKS OFF TODAY—updates incoming! 🙏 Will this deliver for Naija? Reactions pouring in!
📷: Facebook | Bwala Daniel
#DanielBwala #TinubuInTurkey #NigeriaTurkeySummit #SecurityBoost #JobsNigeria #Ankara2026 #TinubuDiplomacy #NigerianEconomy
Daniel Bwala DROPS BOMBSHELL in Ankara: Tinubu’s Turkey Visit is NO ORDINARY TRIP! 🇳🇬🇹🇷 "Spoke to newsmen—it's a STRATEGIC STATE VISIT boosting security capacity, attracting MASSIVE investments, and building industrial partnerships for direct Nigerian gains!" Builds on diplomatic wins for safer communities, more jobs, economic growth, and opportunities. Programme KICKS OFF TODAY—updates incoming! 🙏 Will this deliver for Naija? Reactions pouring in!
📷: Facebook | Bwala Daniel
#DanielBwala #TinubuInTurkey #NigeriaTurkeySummit #SecurityBoost #JobsNigeria #Ankara2026 #TinubuDiplomacy #NigerianEconomy
Tinubu Arrives in Ankara for Landmark State Visit to Strengthen Nigeria-Türkiye Bilateral Relations
Photo Credit: Presidency
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, on Monday evening, January 26, 2026, kicking off a high-profile state visit to deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and the transcontinental nation.
Touching down at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 9:05 p.m. local time after departing Abuja earlier in the day, Tinubu received a warm welcome from a Turkish delegation led by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin. The trip reciprocates President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's landmark 2021 visit to Nigeria, signaling renewed commitment to mutual growth amid global shifts.
The agenda packs strategic heft, with Tinubu and Erdogan set for top-level talks on security, education, social development, innovation, aviation, finance, trade, and investment. High-ranking delegations from both sides will ink multiple Memoranda of Understanding covering scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media, communications, military collaboration, and protocol. A Nigeria-Türkiye Business Forum will galvanize investors, spotlighting opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology transfer to fuel Nigeria's economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu travels with a powerhouse entourage, including Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, House Defence Committee Chairman Jimi Benson, Women Affairs Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Culture Minister Hannatu Musawa, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and NIA DG Mohammed Mohammed. Their presence underscores the visit's multisectoral scope, from defence pacts to cultural exchanges.
This timely outreach arrives as Nigeria navigates security challenges and trade headwinds, positioning Türkiye—a key partner in drones, construction, and energy—as a bridge to Eurasian markets. Outcomes could unlock investments, job creation, and tech inflows, bolstering Abuja's global diplomacy. Tinubu is expected to return home post-visit, laden with deals to advance national priorities.
Source: Stathouse, Abuja
Soludo Orders One-Week Shutdown of Onitsha Main Market Over Sit-at-Home Defiance
Photo Credit: Google
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has directed the immediate closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders ignored the government's order to reopen on Mondays. The governor issued the directive during a personal inspection of the market on Monday, January 26, 2026, where he found most stalls shuttered in observance of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)-enforced sit-at-home order. Labeling the non-compliance as "economic sabotage," Soludo warned that failure to fully resume operations next Monday could extend the shutdown to a full month, severely impacting Southeast commerce.
Security forces, including police and army units, swiftly sealed the market perimeter, preventing access and underscoring the state's resolve to dismantle the years-long Monday paralysis. Onitsha Main Market, Nigeria's commercial powerhouse serving millions regionally and nationally, represents a critical economic artery whose closure threatens supply chains, livelihoods, and investor confidence. Soludo's move aligns with broader anti-sit-at-home measures, including pro-rata salary deductions for absent civil servants starting February 2026, as announced after the State Executive Council's end-of-tenure retreat.
Traders expressed mixed reactions: some hailed the enforcement as essential for normalcy, citing improved security assurances, while others voiced fears of reprisals from IPOB enforcers linked to past violence. The government insists the sit-at-home undermines safety, empowers criminals, and deters investment, positioning Anambra as hostile to business. Soludo urged market unions to lead compliance, promising robust protection for lives and property during operations.
This high-stakes standoff tests the balance between security, economics, and separatist pressures in the Southeast. As the one-week clock ticks, traders face a pivotal choice: reopen and revive activity or risk prolonged losses. Observers anticipate ripple effects on food prices, transport, and regional trade, with Soludo's firmness signaling zero tolerance for disruptions ahead of his March 17 term renewal priorities.
Source: Premium Times NG
Gold Smashes Through $5,000 Barrier Amid Trump Policy Turmoil
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Gold prices soared past the historic $5,000 per ounce milestone for the first time on Monday, January 26, 2026, propelled by global jitters over US President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies. Spot gold peaked at $5,111.07 during Asian trading before settling near $5,086, capping a glittering rally that saw a 64% surge in 2025 alone. Sister metal silver shattered records above $110 an ounce, reflecting safe-haven fever as investors fled uncertainty.
Trump’s tariff threats against Canada—should it ink a trade deal with China—and ambitions for Greenland rattled markets, amplifying gold’s allure. A weakening US dollar, down sharply against the yen, compounded the flight, with analysts citing high government spending, inflation fears, and potential Fed interventions. Susannah Streeter of Wealth Club noted trade tensions unnerved investors, vaulting gold over the psychological $5,000 mark amid swirling economic recalibrations.
The rally builds on two years of peaks driven by central bank hoarding, Ukraine and Gaza wars, Venezuela tensions, and persistent inflation since gold hovered at $2,000 in January 2024. World Gold Council data shows Q3 2025 demand hit a record $146 billion, up 44% year-on-year, fueled by ETFs and emerging market reserves. Independent analyst Stephen Innes stressed gold’s repricing reflects stability’s true cost in a debt-drowned world, not daily drama.
Fears of a US government shutdown, Trump’s Fed pressure—including subpoenas against Chair Jerome Powell—and yen intervention worries added fuel. Major central banks rallied behind Powell amid indictment threats, yet gold ETFs swelled with inflows. Goldman Sachs hiked its 2026 forecast to $5,400, while Bank of America eyes $6,000 by spring, citing sticky hedges against policy risks.
Patrick Munnelly of Tickmill Group called it a safe-haven stampede, with silver’s industrial demand surging alongside. As the Fed meets this week, analysts predict further climbs toward $6,400, underscoring gold’s enduring hedge in turbulent times.
Source: AFP
Kano Assembly Speaker, 21 Lawmakers Dump NNPP for APC in Historic Mass Defection
Photo Credit: X (Formerly Twitter)
Twenty-one members of the Kano State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Alhaji Danladi Yussuf Falgore, have officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, January 26, 2026. The move, announced amid fanfare at the APC secretariat in Kano, delivers a crushing blow to NNPP control, handing APC a supermajority in the 40-member legislature.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who resigned from NNPP on January 23 citing internal crises, is set to formalize his APC membership the same day, joining the defectors alongside 44 local government chairmen and eight House of Representatives members.
The defections stem from escalating rifts within NNPP, including leadership disputes and court battles that fractured party unity. Yusuf's letter to his Diso-Chiranchi Ward chairman highlighted "irreconcilable cracks" and disenfranchisement, prioritizing Kano's interests. APC Kano Chairman Abdullahi Umar candle hailed the influx as a "homecoming," boosting the party's hold from mere opposition to dominance ahead of 2027 polls. The assembly now boasts 38 APC lawmakers, leaving NNPP with just two seats.
NNPP founder Rabiu Kwankwaso branded the exodus a "betrayal of sacred trust," vowing resilience and mass loyalty. Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam stayed loyal, while some federal lawmakers like Senator Rufa’i Hanga resisted. The shift follows Yusuf's Abuja meeting with President Bola Tinubu, signaling federal overtures amid NNPP woes post-2023 election wins.
This political earthquake could reshape Kano's governance, easing federal-state tensions and fast-tracking projects. APC eyes leveraging the supermajority for legislative harmony, while NNPP recalibrates for survival. Observers warn of potential instability, but supporters celebrate alignment with the ruling party for development dividends.
Source: Vanguard NG
US Ramps Up Intelligence, Equipment Aid to Nigeria in Intensified Anti-ISIS Push
Photo Credit: CENTCOM
United States Army Lieutenant General John Brennan, deputy commander of US Africa Command (Africom), has announced a significant escalation in military support to Nigeria against Islamic State-linked militants. Speaking to AFP on the sidelines of a US-Nigeria security meeting in Abuja last week, Brennan revealed increased deliveries of materiel and enhanced intelligence sharing to bolster Nigerian forces. This surge aligns with the Trump administration's aggressive strategy targeting ISIS threats from Somalia to Nigeria, emphasizing kinetic operations and partner enablement.
The cooperation comes amid rising jihadist violence in Nigeria, with the Pentagon maintaining open channels even with junta-led Sahel nations like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. Brennan highlighted a connected "problem set" across the region, where US efforts focus on dismantling networks through intel provision, tactics sharing, and fewer restrictions on equipment use. Recent US Christmas Day airstrikes in northwest Nigeria, targeting Islamic State Sahel Province militants spilling over from Niger, underscore this proactive stance, yielding operational successes alongside Nigerian partners.
Forward-looking collaboration will encompass comprehensive intelligence exchange, tactics, techniques, procedures, and procurement facilitation for drones, helicopters, and other gear long awaited from past purchases. Nigeria's National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu praised the partnership's tangible gains, including hundreds of terrorists neutralized, logistics hubs destroyed, and rescues in Operations Hadin Kai and Fasan Yamma. President Tinubu's security emergencies in vulnerable zones further amplify these joint efforts, respecting Nigerian sovereignty while driving arrests and prosecutions.
As Washington pressures Abuja to curb atrocities, this bolstered alliance signals a mature, trust-based relationship prioritizing civilian protection and religious freedom. Analysts note US reconnaissance flights and supply drops in Abuja reinforce mutual security goals, though challenges like poverty and instability persist. Brennan clarified no permanent bases are planned, focusing instead on agile, targeted deployments across West Africa.
Source: The Sun Nigeria
Tinubu Set for High-Stakes State Visit to Türkiye to Boost Bilateral Ties
Photo Credit: Presidency
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday, January 26, 2026, for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria-Turkey relations. The trip, announced by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, seeks to fortify longstanding diplomatic bonds and unlock new opportunities in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation. It reciprocates Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's official visit to Nigeria on October 19-20, 2021, which laid groundwork for enhanced collaboration.
High-level engagements will dominate the itinerary, featuring strategic dialogues on shared priorities in finance, communication, trade, and investment. Both nations anticipate signing multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military ties, and protocol matters. A key highlight includes a business forum uniting Nigerian and Turkish investors to identify synergies in trade and economic ventures, potentially injecting fresh capital into Nigeria's diversification drive.
Accompanying President Tinubu is a formidable delegation underscoring the visit's breadth. Key figures include Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd); and House Committee on Defence Chairman Hon. Jimi Benson. Others are Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and National Intelligence Agency Director-General Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
This visit arrives amid Nigeria's push for global partnerships to tackle economic challenges and security threats. As President Tinubu engages President Erdogan, expectations run high for tangible outcomes that could spur job creation, technology transfer, and defence pacts. The President is slated to return home upon conclusion, armed with deals to advance national interests.
Source: Premium Times NG
NAFDAC DG Mojisola Adeyeye Vows No Retreat on Sachet Alcohol Ban Amid Industry Pushback
Photo Credit: Google
NAFDAC's Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has firmly restated that the ban on sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging remains in force until altered by law.
Speaking at a media parley in Lagos, she announced the agency has begun nationwide enforcement, targeting production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET/glass bottles below 200ml. This follows a Senate directive aligning with prior phase-out agreements, prioritizing public health over economic concerns raised by manufacturers.
The policy, first announced for enforcement by December 2025, faced a brief federal suspension for consultations but received fresh marching orders from the Senate, prompting immediate action. Adeyeye emphasized that high-alcohol-content sachets (previously up to 90%, now capped at 30%) are easily accessible to children, adolescents, and drivers, fueling addiction and misuse. A 2018-2024 moratorium allowed industry reconfiguration, extended to December 2025, with no further delays.
Distillers warn the ban threatens 5.5 million jobs, citing massive investments and stock losses, but NAFDAC insists it's protective, not punitive, rooted in WHO strategies Nigeria endorsed.
Enforcement involves collaboration with the Health Ministry, FCCPC, and NOA for sensitization campaigns. The agency plans to hire 1,000 more staff to bolster compliance checks nationwide.
Adeyeye clarified NAFDAC opposes unchecked proliferation, not alcohol itself, highlighting sachets' concealability and affordability as key risks to vulnerable groups. As raids intensify in markets and factories, stakeholders face seizures and fines, underscoring the policy's irrevocability absent legal reversal.
Source: Premium Times NG
Nigerian Military Neutralizes Terrorists in Kwara State Air and Ground Assaults
Photo Credit: NAF
Nigerian Armed Forces launched coordinated airstrikes and ground operations targeting terrorist and kidnapper camps across Edu, Ifelodun, and Patigi Local Government Areas in Kwara State on January 24, 2026, neutralizing several criminals and dismantling their forest hideouts.
The offensive, building on intensified anti-banditry drives like Operations Fansan Yamma and Harmony, hit notorious enclaves in border forests linking Kwara and Niger States, flushing out networks preying on communities with abductions and raids.
Security sources confirmed multiple terrorists killed, camps razed, and logistics destroyed, bolstering forward bases in Patigi, Ilemona, Babasango, Gada, and Daban Lema established earlier in January.
This escalation responds to rising North Central threats, complementing Operation Park Strike IV/V successes around Kainji Lake and Kaiama-Baruten, as 22 Armoured Brigade sustains clearance patrols amid farmer-herder clashes and spillover from Zamfara-Katsina axes.
Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has pledged logistics backing, praising Army-state synergy yielding safer highways and markets post-2025 gains. No civilian casualties reported, with troops recovering arms and recovering freed hostages in parallel Niger State sweeps.
The strikes underscore Tinubu's security pivot, integrating airpower with ground dominance to reclaim volatile frontiers, signaling resolve ahead of 2027 polls in a region pivotal to food production.
Source: Daily Post
WHO Alerts Southern Africa to Disease Outbreaks Amid Devastating Floods
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Intense rainfall and severe flooding since mid-December 2025 have impacted 1.3 million people across southern Africa, with Mozambique bearing half the burden, alongside Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, destroying homes, infrastructure, and health access.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi warned of imminent water-borne threats like cholera and acute watery diarrhoea in overcrowded displacement camps lacking sanitation, urging immediate aid for shelter, clean water, and medical services.
Floods have killed over 100, with South Africa declaring a national disaster after 37 deaths in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 9,900 affected, and 710 homes damaged; Zimbabwe reports 70 fatalities and 1,000 destroyed structures; Mozambique tallies 103 deaths, 200,000 impacted, and 70,000 flooded farmland hectares exacerbating poverty.
La Niña-driven deluges isolate communities, halt education, and fuel humanitarian crises as cyclone season looms.
WHO prioritizes outbreak prevention, service continuity, and vulnerable protection, with partners like IFRC aiding evacuations amid ongoing 100-150mm rains. African Commission voiced alarm over child displacement and aid barriers in Gaza, Maputo, and Sofala provinces.
Source: TRT Afrika
Nigeria's Interior Minister Hosts EU Ambassador to Bolster Bilateral Ties
Photo Credit: Ministry of Interior
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria's Minister of Interior, received European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, at his Abuja office on January 24, 2026, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu's steadfast commitment to deepening relations with the European Union and international partners.
The meeting underscores ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the EU across security, migration management, trade, and development initiatives, aligning with Tunji-Ojo's reformist agenda modernizing immigration services, border controls, and paramilitary welfare since his 2023 appointment. As a tech-savvy former lawmaker and engineer, the minister emphasized transparent governance and innovative security frameworks during the engagement.
Discussions likely covered joint priorities like visa facilitation, counterterrorism intelligence sharing, and economic partnerships amid Nigeria's 3.9% 2025 growth and AfCFTA integration, building on EU's €150 million+ aid for youth employment and climate resilience.
Tunji-Ojo, known for passport digitization slashing processing times from weeks to days and prison decongestion releasing 4,000+ inmates, assured sustained cooperation leveraging Nigeria House's Davos momentum. Mignot's visit reciprocates recent high-level exchanges, including VP Shettima's EU-focused Davos panels.
This diplomatic outreach reinforces Nigeria's strategic pivot under Tinubu, countering global headwinds while addressing mutual concerns like irregular migration and organized crime. Both sides expressed optimism for expanded frameworks benefiting citizens and businesses.
Source: Ministry of Interior
Kano Governor Abba Yusuf Dumps NNPP Amid Leadership Crisis
Photo Credit: Google
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf formally resigned from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) effective January 25, 2026, citing irreconcilable internal crises, leadership disputes, and protracted court battles eroding party cohesion.
In a letter to his Diso-Chiranchi Ward chairman in Gwale LGA, Yusuf expressed gratitude for NNPP's platform since 2022 that propelled his election but lamented deepening divisions disenfranchising members and paralyzing operations at state and national levels. His spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed the move followed exhaustive reflection prioritizing Kano's interests amid uncertainty hindering governance.
Yusuf's exit triggers a seismic realignment, accompanied by 21 Kano House of Assembly members, eight federal lawmakers, and 44 local government chairmen abandoning NNPP en masse—the single-largest defection in the party's brief history.
Ward Secretary Hon. Kabiru Zubairu accepted the resignations gracefully, acknowledging Yusuf's stellar record in infrastructure renewal, healthcare expansion, education reforms, and economic initiatives while regretting the "lingering crisis" despite reconciliation efforts. The defections leave NNPP's Kano structure hollowed out, threatening its northern foothold post-2023 upset victory.
Observers anticipate imminent APC switch, mirroring NNPP founder Rabiu Kwankwaso's 2023 rift and aligning with Tinubu's consolidation ahead of 2027 amid Kano's perennial power flux. Yusuf reaffirmed commitment to peace and development, signaling continuity despite platform shift in Nigeria's most populous state.
Source: Vanguard NG
Six States Showcase Cultural Troupes at Argungu Festival Pre-Event in Abuja
Photo Credit: Facebook | @yahmedbk
The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival kicked off its pre-event program at the NTA Arena in Abuja, drawing vibrant cultural troupes from six Nigerian states—Kebbi, Plateau, Katsina, Kaltungo Emirate of Gombe, Niger, and Benue—to celebrate national unity ahead of the main event scheduled for February 11-14, 2026, in Kebbi State.
Organized by the Kebbi State Government and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Information, the gathering highlighted traditional dances, music, and regalia, positioning the UNESCO-recognized festival as a beacon of Nigeria's diverse heritage and tourism potential.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, represented by Dr. Suleiman Haruna, hailed it as a driver of economic growth and community development, urging nationwide participation.The troupes' performances served as a teaser for the flagship bare-handed fishing competition on the Matan Fada River, dormant since the 2020 edition that drew 50,000 participants and a record 75kg catch, now revived to foster intra-state harmony and agribusiness visibility.
Kebbi's Deputy Governor and festival committee emphasized invitations to all 36 states, including Southeast fishermen from 1970 precedents, alongside water sports, archery, horse racing, and cultural displays to rival global events.
Federal backing from the Livestock Ministry underscores value chains in fisheries and rural economies, aligning with tourism goals post-2025 reforms.This Abuja launch amplifies anticipation for the 61st edition, promising international visitors and boosting Northern Nigeria's global profile amid cultural revival efforts.
Source: NTA Network News
US-Nigeria Working Group Launches in Abuja to Counter Terrorism and Protect Vulnerable Groups
Photo Credit: X (Formerly Twitter)
Lt. Gen. John Brennan joined senior US and Nigerian leaders in Abuja on January 22, 2026, to inaugurate the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Working Group, establishing a formal framework for coordination, accountability, and joint counterterrorism efforts while prioritizing protection for vulnerable populations.
Co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker, the session addressed Nigeria's "Country of Particular Concern" designation under President Trump's International Religious Freedom Act, focusing on curbing violence against Christians and enabling free faith practice amid threats from terrorists, bandits, and militias.
Nigeria's delegation spanned 10 ministries, with the US fielding eight agencies in strategic talks on intelligence sharing, tech access, and anti-financing measures.The group builds on recent milestones like joint Operation Hadin Kai successes against ISWAP and Operation Fasan Yamma in the northwest, with the US committing surplus military hardware including helicopters and drones to enhance Nigeria's capabilities.
Both nations reaffirmed pluralism and rule of law, welcoming Abuja's resource realignments for North Central security post-Kaduna abductions, while stressing accountability for perpetrators regardless of faith. The US praised Nigeria's "urgent actions" safeguarding at-risk communities, pledging sustained partnership for civilian protection and religious freedom aligned with Nigeria's constitution.
Future meetings are slated for the US, signaling deepening ties amid Sahel instability and Trump's Africa focus blending security with faith advocacy. This launch follows Hooker's broader tour, reinforcing bilateral gains since November 2025.
Source: TheFact NG