Author: Faith Babatunde

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has called for increased government and private-sector support as the country prepares for the World Rugby SVNS 3 qualifier in Uganda. NRFF President Ademola Aré made the appeal ahead of Nigeria’s scheduled appearance at the competition on September 26 and 27. Aré said Nigerian rugby had made significant progress over the past four to five years, with the country rising to seventh in Africa and gaining access to more continental and international competitions. He said the federation had also expanded rugby’s participation in domestic sporting events, including the National Sports Festival, Intermediate Sports Festival and…

Some unions under the Joint Workers Council of the Federal Ministry of Education have rejected the Trade Union Congress’ suspension of industrial action and renewed their demand for the reversal of the concession of King’s College, Lagos. The unions stated that the TUC was not directly involved in their protest or negotiations with the government and therefore had no basis to suspend the action. The Chairman of the Joint Council, Abraham Onuche, spoke on Tuesday during a protest at the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja. He said the workers had been protesting for three days over the proposed…

Nigeria’s imports of arms and ammunition increased by 104.31 per cent in the first half of 2026, raising fresh concerns over weapons proliferation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country imported arms worth N55.06bn between January and June 2026, compared with N26.95bn recorded during the corresponding period of 2025. The increase comes less than a year before the 2027 elections, with the presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6. The development also follows…

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has concluded plans to train officials ahead of the inaugural Michael Opeyemi Bamidele National Taekwondo Championship in Lagos. The officials’ training will hold on September 16, two days before the championship begins at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. According to NTF President Tayo Popoola, the training is aimed at ensuring that the competition is organised in line with international standards and that officials are adequately prepared for the event. The two-day championship is scheduled to begin on September 18 and is expected to attract athletes from across the country. The tournament is…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Mexican national, Arturo Carrera Loaiza, described as a methamphetamine kingpin, while attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport. The agency also dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State as part of an investigation into a transnational drug network operating across several states. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), disclosed the development in Lagos on Tuesday, saying the operation followed months of intelligence gathering linked to clandestine laboratories uncovered in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states. Marwa said the agency had earlier arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators…

The Federal Ministry of Education has invited qualified Nigerian graduates to apply for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan, with applications closing on October 20, 2026. The scholarships, which are tenable in the United Kingdom, cover one-year taught Master’s programmes and doctoral studies of up to three years. The notice was issued by the ministry’s Department of Scholarship Awards, formerly known as the Federal Scholarship Board. For the Master’s category, applicants must hold a first degree with at least a Second Class Upper Division. Doctoral applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree as well as at least a Second…

African footballers continued to make their mark across Europe’s major leagues at the weekend, with Mohamed Belloumi, Serhou Guirassy and Akor Adams among the headline performers. In England, Algerian winger Mohamed Belloumi scored twice as promoted Hull City secured a 2-2 draw away to Chelsea. Belloumi struck twice in the first half to help the Tigers extend their unbeaten Premier League run to four matches. The 20-year-old’s brace marked his first two league goals since Hull returned to the top flight after a 10-year absence and earned the club a valuable point at Stamford Bridge. Mali-born midfielder Malick Yalcouye was…

The N2.15tn initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals formally opened on Monday as Aliko Dangote sounded the gong at the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos. The milestone makes Dangote Refinery the first refinery to be offered to investors on the Nigerian stock market in the 66-year history of the Nigerian Exchange. The IPO comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares priced at N525 each, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at N5,250. The offer opened on September 14, 2026, and will close on October 13, subject to the terms contained in the prospectus. Speaking at the ceremony, Dangote…

At least 15 people were killed in separate attacks on communities in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Sunday night. Nine of the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus in Jos South Local Government Area. Other victims were reportedly killed in separate attacks in Mangu and Riyom. The spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the Dungus incident and said the attackers opened fire on a vehicle carrying passengers at about 9:40pm. He said one of those killed was a member of…

New tuberculosis vaccines expected to become available from 2029 could save up to 7.3 million lives over two decades, according to the global vaccine alliance Gavi. The organisation said the vaccines could transform the fight against tuberculosis, but warned that their impact would depend on ensuring sufficient, affordable and predictable supplies for countries with the highest disease burden. Tuberculosis remains the world’s leading infectious killer, with an estimated 1.23 million deaths recorded in 2024, according to the World Health Organisation. The only currently licensed TB vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, is more than 100 years old. While it provides protection against severe…