Good morning! Here are five top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;
1. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finalized plans to commence the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections. According to a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday, the exercise will kick off with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, via the commission’s dedicated portal: cvr.inecnigeria.org.
2. The Benue Police Command, on Friday, said it successfully rescued all the six abducted students of the Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi. Udeme stated that the students were rescued on Friday morning.
3. The Nigerian military says troops recorded major breakthroughs in July, killing several high-profile terror commanders, rescuing 134 kidnap victims, and foiling oil theft worth N1.3 billion across various theatres of operations. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in an update on military operations on Friday in Abuja.
4. Seven local farmers abducted in the Itaogbolu axis of Akure North Local Government Area in Ondo State have regained freedom after spending five harrowing days in captivity. It was gathered on Friday that the farmers were freed on Thursday night, according to sources close to the victims.
5. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives says its industrial action is still ongoing. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, had announced that the association has called off its warning strike. But the association’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said it wasn’t true, insisting that the strike has not been called off.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening digital literacy, accelerating innovation, and expanding technology infrastructure as key drivers of inclusive national development.
Inuwa said this while delivering an address at the 2-Day Interactive Session on Government–Citizens Engagement, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at the iconic Arewa House in Kaduna.
Themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government Engagement for National Unity,” the forum convened high-level stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, and policymaking to reflect on the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area of governance delivery and citizen inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Inuwa emphasised that digital transformation is not only central to achieving the eight priority areas outlined by President Tinubu but also foundational to uniting the country through equitable access to opportunities.
He described the digital economy as a cross-cutting enabler capable of enhancing productivity across all sectors, from agriculture and education to healthcare and financial services.
According to him, “Digital technology is not a vertical sector; it is pervasive and foundational. It powers everything else and provides a framework for inclusive growth.”
The NITDA boss outlined the agency’s strategic focus around three key pillars: human capital development, digital infrastructure, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda had brought renewed vision and energy to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), enabling them to act in concert and foster stronger trust between government and the private sector.
On human capital, he noted that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its people, and developing digital skills at scale is crucial to unlocking that potential. Through initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All campaign, NITDA has trained over 350,000 individuals in Northern Nigeria since 2023. He explained that the goal is to ensure that by 2027, more than 70 percent of Nigerians would have attained basic digital literacy.
To achieve this, Inuwa said NITDA is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to embed digital skills into the formal education system from kindergarten to tertiary level. He added that partnerships with the National Universities Commission (NUC) are ongoing to ensure digital literacy becomes part of the general studies curriculum across Nigerian universities.
In addition, NITDA is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train thousands of corps members annually, who in turn serve as digital literacy champions, taking technology skills into rural communities and informal sectors.
Highlighting infrastructure as another critical area, Inuwa announced that the Federal Government had approved the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country to expand broadband penetration.
He also stated that three digital centres are currently being built in each state to ensure that underserved and unserved communities can participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Northern Nigeria, with its wide coverage and developmental needs, is expected to benefit immensely from this rollout. So far, 13 IT Community Centres, 101 Digital Economy e-learning Centres, and one Cybersecurity Research Centre have been established in the last two years.
He also disclosed that the conducive investment climate fostered by President Tinubu’s reforms has sparked renewed interest from global technology companies, with tech giants such as Google and Microsoft bringing significant investments to Nigeria.
Inuwa announced that Nigeria would host two major global technology events in the coming months, GITEX Nigeria in September and the United Nations’ ICT for Governance (ICEGOV) Summit in November—both of which are expected to attract global innovators and investors.
The Adamawa State Government has honoured Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu for taking the team to its 10th WAFCON triumph.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri handed Madugu, who is from Adamawa State, a three-bedroom bungalow and a cash reward of N50 million for making the state and the nation proud.
Madugu, who hails from Numan LGA, received a hero’s welcome on Friday at the Government House in Yola where Fintiri praised his technical brilliance.
Fintiri who said Madugu’s coaching abilities had always inspired confidence, added, “It is a proud moment for us in Adamawa that one of our own has led Nigeria to victory on the continental stage. His technical intelligence and focus have brought honor not just to Nigeria but to Adamawa State as well.”
Presenting Madugu’s gifts to him, Fintiri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to develop sports and nurture talents.
In his remarks, Madugu thanked the governor and people of Adamawa State for the warm reception accorded him.
“I’m overwhelmed by what is happening today. I thank God and the government of Adamawa State for this recognition,” Madugu said.
“When I took up this role, I saw it as a challenge to prove that northerners, too, can lead at the highest levels. It was a personal mission to leave a legacy that will inspire respect for our state.”
Recall that the Super Falcons defeated Morocco 3-2 in the final to win the WAFCON last weekend.
Good morning! Here are five top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;
1. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has backed the introduction of compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions across the country. This decision followed a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd), where both parties discussed measures to curb substance abuse among students.
2. THe House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched an investigation into a viral video showing some Nigerian workers in the Central African Republic, alleging abandonment and ill treatment. In the video, which surfaced last Thursday, the miners claimed they were recruited by a Chinese mining company but were later abandoned, had their passports confiscated, and were subjected to inhumane treatment.
3. Patients in public hospitals across the country were left groaning, stranded, dejected and frustrated on Wednesday as nurses under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives-Federal Health Institutions Sector commenced a nationwide seven-day warning strike.
4. The newly formed African Democratic Congress has clarified that Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have been exempted from defecting from their current political platforms ahead of the 2027 polls. The interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed the development on Wednesday.
5. Three suspected kidnappers were, on Monday, feared killed during a gun duel with security operatives in Oyo State. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the incident occurred in Otu, the headquarters of the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state in midnight.
Social media critic, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan on Wednesday broke down in tears following reports that an Anambra businessman, Ifesinachi Onyekere, also known as “Fish Magnet”, has been killed.
Onyekere, who is a son of a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State was abducted by the daredevil kidnappers on Saturday.
The assailants causing mayhem in the region had invaded his residence in the Ezinifite community in Okpuno, Awka South LGA of Anambra State and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Fish magnet as he was fondly called was, however, found lifeless on Wednesday, sparking public outrage across the country.
In a video clip on his official Facebook page, VDM could be seen weeping over the development, lamenting the deteriorating security situation in Anambra and other parts of the country.
He disclosed his resolve to visit the state on August 4th for a candle light procession for the deceased.
He said, “The kidnapping and killings in Anambra State is too much. What is the hope of the entrepreneurs, what is the hope of those going into business in Nigeria?
“I will be coming to Anambra State maybe on the 4th then Maybe we can do a candle light when it will not clash with the sit-at-home in the state.
“Well will do walking in the fish market and do some awareness on the kidnappings going on in Anambra State”.
Good morning! Here are five top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;
1. Healthcare services across Nigeria face major disruption from today (Wednesday) as 25,000 nurses, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions Sector, embark on a seven-day nationwide warning strike. The action, which began at midnight, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued by NANNM to the federal government.
2. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has announced the withdrawal of his bill on indigeneship following public outrcy and backlash that trailed the proposed legislation. Kalu said he was withdrawing the bill before the parliament for further legislative engagements.
3. Bandits on Tuesday afternoon ambushed soldiers and vigilantes around Dogon Ruwa community of Bashar district of Wase local government area of the Plateau, killing at least two soldiers and two other vigilantes. Residents of the community said the bandits also took away rifles of the soldiers.
4. First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday donated N1 billion to victims of armed invaders attack in Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Mrs Tinubu who made the donation during a condolence visit to the state, also pledged support from the Renewed Hope Initiative to address cross-border attacks and ensure affected children return to school.
5. The Bayo Ojulari-led Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has 21 days to explain what happened to N210 trillion cash that has not been accounted for. Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, got the three-week ultimatum yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, is backing the team to finish higher than the 15th place they ended up in last season.
At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Ruben Amorim’s side sat three spots above the drop zone.
Ferdinand, speaking on his podcast, predicted the Red Devils to finish in seventh position in the 2025/26 season.
“I’m going eighth. Seventh or eighth,” Ferdinand said, before adding an important caveat: “Revisit this if we get one or two more signings and I might change my answer.”
Man United manager, Ruben Amorim, has already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to his squad.
It is believed Amorim is looking to bring in a new striker to compete with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Man United have reportedly trimmed their shortlist down to two names: Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
…Calls for Sanctions on Nigeria, Finland & Biafra Recognitions
The Acting Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, Ogechuwku Nkere, submitted historic congressional testimony to the U.S. Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in response to the June 24, 2025 congressional hearing “Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches”. Mr. Nkere submitted the testimony in his personal capacity as a “Biafran-American Political and Human Rights Activist”.
This is the first time that U.S. Congressional testimony has ever been provided on the Biafra issue in modern history. The testimony is officially a part of the congressional record, and is publicly available for viewing on congressional website.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Committee is Co-Chaired by Congressman Chris Smith and Congressman Jim McGovern. Congressman Smith is a leading critic of Nigeria’s persecution of Christians, and chaired a hearing on Nigerian Christian persecution in the U.S. Congress in March of 2025.
Mr. Nkere’s testimony details Nigeria’s human rights abuses over the years towards the Biafrans, and in detail described how Nigeria’s detention of Biafran leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa are examples of ‘trans-national repression’. The testimony accused Nigeria of ‘kidnapping’ Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya, as well as instigating a politically motivated trial against Simon Ekpa in Finland.
The testimony recommended to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. government impose visa bans on Nigerian officials as well as sanctions and tariffs, as well as cut off bilateral assistance, if Nigeria fails to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and provide him safe passage out of Nigeria. The testimony also recommends to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. government impose sanctions and tariffs on Finland, if it continues its politically motivated trial of Simon Ekpa.
The testimony could be viewed here
Link to Tom Lantos Hearing “Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches”:
