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2026 World Cup: Six final qualification spots to be decided Tuesday

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The race for places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its final stage on Tuesday, with six remaining slots set to be filled through European and intercontinental playoffs.

Four of the available tickets will go to European teams, while the remaining two will be decided via intercontinental playoff finals.

In Europe, Kosovo will host Türkiye as they aim to qualify for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Italy, meanwhile, faces a must-win clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid missing out on a third consecutive tournament.

 

Elsewhere, Sweden will battle Poland, while the Czech Republic takes on Denmark in other decisive fixtures.

 

The intercontinental playoffs also promise intense action, with several nations seeking to end long absences from the global showpiece. Iraq, who last appeared in 1986, is set to face Bolivia, whose last outing was in 1994.

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire and last seen at the tournament in 1974, will take on Jamaica, while Türkiye, whose last appearance came in 2002, continues its bid via the European route.

 

By the end of Tuesday’s matches, the final lineup for the 2026 World Cup will be complete.

NELFUND finally speaks on increasing Nigerian students monthly stipends

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed reports suggesting an increase in the monthly upkeep allowance for student beneficiaries.

In a statement issued on Monday, the agency clarified that the stipend remains N20,000, contrary to widespread claims that it had been raised to N25,000.

The statement, signed by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, reaffirmed the existing arrangement.

 

“The approved upkeep allowance remains N20,000 (twenty thousand naira) monthly and not N25,000 as being reported,” the statement read.

 

NELFUND urged students to ignore unverified information and rely solely on its official communication channels for accurate updates.

 

“Students are advised to disregard any contrary information and rely only on official NELFUND communication channels for accurate updates,” the statement added.

Dollar to Naira exchange rate Today, March 30, 2026— Local currency slips to begin the week negatively

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The Nigerian Naira began the week on a negative note, weakening against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the local currency depreciated to N1,383.58 per dollar, compared to N1,380.58 recorded at the close of trading on Friday last week. This represents a decline of about N3.

 

In contrast, the naira recorded a marginal gain at the parallel market. Bureau de Change operators reported that the currency appreciated by N5 to close at N1,415 per dollar, improving from N1,420 exchanged on Friday.

 

The mixed performance comes amid a sustained drop in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which fell to $49.44 billion as of March 27, 2026, slipping below the $50 billion level recorded earlier in the month.

 

The latest movement follows a brief rally last week, when the naira posted gains at the official market on both Thursday and Friday.

Plateau Palm Sunday killings: Nigerians react to Nollywood actor Zuby Michael’s call for Christians to leave Jos

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Nollywood actor Zuby Michael has stirred widespread debate on social media after urging Christians in Jos, Plateau State, to leave the city following a recent attack.

The actor made the statement while reacting to the deadly incident in the Angwan Rukuba area on Sunday, where dozens were reportedly killed by suspected terrorists.

 

Posting on his Instagram page, Zuby wrote, “Christians should leave Jos,” adding that those behind the violence would eventually face justice.

 

His comment, however, triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many disagreeing with his stance and describing it as impractical.

 

Several users argued that abandoning ancestral homes is not a viable solution. One user, Jerryluck, questioned the suggestion, asking where residents would relocate to, and insisted that affected communities need support to defend themselves.

 

Another commenter, Riyanxeally, acknowledged the actor’s concern but pointed out that many residents have built their lives in Jos, urging the government to take greater responsibility for security.

 

RechealJoseph maintained that residents would not abandon their “God-given land,” expressing faith that they would overcome the challenges.

 

Similarly, Ifemeludike noted that the crisis goes beyond religion, calling on citizens to stand against violence and demand accountability from leaders.

 

Adding to the conversation, Ndagima Adu emphasized the need for unity, urging Nigerians to move beyond religious and tribal divisions in order to address insecurity and governance issues.

 

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity in Plateau State and the broader need for lasting solutions.

Plateau Palm Sunday killings: “Nigerians not angry enough” about insecurity—Paul Okoye, Macaroni, Kunle Remi react

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A number of Nigerian celebrities have strongly condemned the worsening insecurity across the country, expressing outrage following the recent attack on Christians during Palm Sunday in Jos, Plateau State.

Singer Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, lamented what he described as a lack of sufficient public anger over the situation. Reacting to the incident in Jos—his birthplace—he wrote, X: “We are not angry enough!!! 😡 😡😡 Maybe not until God comes down to earth 💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹.”

Comedian and activist Mr. Macaroni also criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as “incompetent and irresponsible.” He further alleged that the president is “running the most useless government in the history of useless governments,” noting that Nigerians “wake up every day to lament one tragedy or the other.”

In another post, Mr. Macaroni questioned why the president had yet to address the nation despite reports that over 40 people were killed in the Jos attack. He added that the current administration shows “zero sense of accountability and responsibility.”

 

Similarly, actor Kunle Remi urged Nigerians to highlight the country’s insecurity and hardship in their birthday messages to the president, who recently turned 74.

 

Speaking in a video, he said, “There is a video of a woman in pain crying over the loss of someone; that is the image we should use if you want to wish President Tinubu a happy birthday. 15 hours ago there was a disaster in Plateau; that is the celebratory image we should use. Thank you. Happy birthday, Mr. President.”

 

Video: https://x.com/AsakyGRN/status/2038600452841898273?t=CGKUwroJeCXgQsDyfniXxA&s=19

 

The reactions come amid growing concern over persistent attacks and rising insecurity in several parts of Nigeria.

WAEC announces 2026 WASSCE timetable

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the official timetable for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

The examination body made the announcement via its X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, confirming the full schedule for the upcoming exams.

 

According to the timetable, the 2026 WASSCE will commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and conclude on Friday, June 19, 2026.

 

The examination will kick off with practical planning sessions for Foods and Nutrition 3 as well as Home Management 3.

Candidates and stakeholders are advised to review the full timetable for detailed subject schedules and specific examination dates.

See timetable below:

BREAKING: Kwankwaso officially dumps NNPP for ADC

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Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday officially received his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano as the plot thickens to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

Kwankwaso’s formal entry into the ADC follows his resignation from the NNPP a day earlier, a decision he said was driven by the need for strategic political realignment amid shifting dynamics in Nigeria’s political space.

The former governor was welcomed by a host of prominent political figures who were present in Kano to receive him into the party.

Among them were the National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Also present was former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who arrived in Kano earlier and was received by former Deputy Governor of Kano State Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Kwankwaso’s defection is expected to reshape political alignments ahead of future elections, as the ADC continues to attract high-profile figures across the country.

‘Keep crying—Femi Fani-Kayode breaks silence on rejection as Nigeria’s ambassador designate to Germany

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A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed reports alleging that he was rejected as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.

Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Fani-Kayode described the claims as false, insisting they were fabricated by opposition elements seeking to tarnish his reputation.

 

He alleged that critics were uncomfortable with his appointment and were making efforts to discredit him.

 

Despite the controversy, the former minister maintained that he remains committed to serving the country.

 

He wrote: “Fake news everywhere.

 

“These opposition elements are so pained by my appointment and they are doing everything to discredit me and scuttle it.

 

“Whether they like it or not, I will serve my country! Keep crying!”

Plateau Palm Sunday Killings: You’ll regret it—US missionary Alex Barbir blasts Tinubu[Video]

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American missionary Alex Barbir has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Plateau State, warning the Nigerian leader of consequences in a viral video circulating online.

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists reportedly attacked Gari Ya Waye community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, on Sunday evening, killing several residents, many of whom were said to be Christians observing the Palm Sunday celebration.

The incident triggered widespread outrage, with residents taking to the streets on Monday in protest, demanding urgent government action to end the recurring violence in the state.

In the viral video shared on X, Barbir condemned the killings and accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its citizens. He alleged that innocent Christians were targeted during the attack and questioned the federal government’s response to the violence.

“In Rukuba, they just murdered over 10 people, innocent Christians, on Palm Sunday. Tinubu, where are you? As your people are slaughtered in the night, as you sit in Aso Rock and you do absolutely nothing, you allow your people to be killed again and again and again and again. When will it stop? When will you hear the cries of Nigerians, of Christians? You can no longer deny genocide. They’re being slaughtered. And you say there’s no issue. You will regret what you are doing.”

His remarks have reignited debates over insecurity in Nigeria and the narrative surrounding alleged religiously motivated killings.

The development also recalls a previous move by former US President Donald Trump, who in October designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over reports of attacks on Christians.

 

However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of genocide, maintaining that such characterizations do not reflect the realities on the ground.

 

Barbir’s latest comments have further fueled conversations on social media, with many Nigerians divided over his claims and the broader security situation in the country.

God forbid bad thing- Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham reacts after Funke Akindele snubbed her

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Popular Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has declared she will no longer exchange greetings with colleague Funke Akindele following an awkward public snub at Iyabo Ojo’s recent movie premiere.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night during the premiere of a film by fellow actress Iyabo Ojo. Eyewitness accounts and a viral video circulating online show Toyin attempting to greet Funke, politely saying, “Aunty Funke, good evening ma,” while tapping her.

However, Funke appeared to ignore the greeting, looking away and failing to respond, leaving Toyin visibly embarrassed before she walked off.

The moment quickly gained traction on social media, sparking mixed reactions, with many users criticizing what they described as cold or dismissive behavior.

Reacting to the controversy in a now-deleted Instagram comment, Toyin revealed she has unfollowed Funke and made it clear she has no intention of engaging with her again.

“I have unfollowed her. God forbid bad things. If I ever greet her again…” she wrote, expressing frustration over the incident.

The development has further fueled conversations among fans about the relationship between the two Nollywood stars, with many calling for calm while others continue to debate the viral encounter.