Nigeria and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening South–South cooperation and expanding bilateral relations as officials, diplomats and subnational leaders gathered in Abuja to mark the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Speaking on bilateral relations, the ambassador described ties between Iran and Nigeria as longstanding and rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. He described the event as a significant milestone in Iran’s national history and an opportunity for reflection on governance and national development. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, also emphasised the importance of Iran to Nigeria and Africa, particularly in trade, commerce and economic self-reliance. “We are here because we want to learn, to enhance our bilateral relations and to reassure investors from Iran that Nigeria is a friendly country where they can thrive,”Bala wishes Iran continued national development, cohesion and prosperity.

Less than four months to the commencement of this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has resigned his appointment. “The chairman has repeatedly expended funds without the board’s approval and executed contracts far beyond approved budgetary limits. “One implication of this strain was the initial reduction of Nigeria’s pilgrim quota from 95,000 in 2025 to 50,000 for the 2026 Hajj operations. Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the commission assured that it remains focused on its statutory responsibilities, describing leadership matters as administrative. “We are aware of the reports circulating, but we in NAHCON remain focused on our statutory responsibility to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj.

Tata Motors has recently launched the facelifted Punch with a starting price of ₹5.59 lakh (ex-showroom). It gets a refreshed design, several new features, and a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine. The Punch has also gained an AMT gearbox for the CNG variant. We drove both versions, focusing mainly on the CNG, and here’s what we think of the updated model. Watch the full video to find out.

Public school pupils and students across Oyo State are set to benefit from improved learning environments as the state government continues the renovation of 36 public primary and secondary schools spread across the five geo-political zones of the state. ALSO READ: Gov Makinde approves N9.97bn for renovation of Oyo schools“This intervention is not about renovating a few schools in selected locations. It is a deliberate effort to reach schools across the state and address the most pressing infrastructural challenges facing our public education system,” Tiamy said. In Ibadan, renovation works are ongoing at Ikolaba Grammar School, Ikolaba High School, Ikolaba Primary School, Methodist Grammar School, Community Grammar School, Mokola, Emmanuel College, Agbowo, as well as St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Apata; I.M.G. Primary School, Oke Bola; and Islamic Mission School, Bode.

US President, Donald Trump, has threatened to block the opening of a bridge linking the United States and Canada unless Washington is “fully compensated for everything” it has given to its northern neighbour. It remains unclear how Trump could prevent the bridge from opening, though he said negotiations would begin immediately without further details. ALSO READ: ‘Absolutely terrible’, Trump blasts Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime showConstruction of the bridge began in 2018 after years of disputes between the two countries. In his post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States should own “at least one half of this asset” and claimed Canada controls both sides of the bridge. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which is developing the project, is wholly owned by the Canadian government.

While the House endorsed real-time transmission provisions, the Senate version adopted conditional transmission, triggering widespread public criticism. “I think Nigerians are confusing the seamless display of PU results with real-time transmission of results. We want to address issues around electronic real-time transmission in our elections. “They have the constitutional power and authority to ensure that there is real-time electronic transmission of results. Similarly, Adegboruwa described the debate over electronic transmission as unnecessary at Nigeria’s current stage of democratic development, insisting that mandatory electronic transmission is essential to safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot.

When world leaders gather at the United Nations each September, the atmosphere is typically thick with rhetoric, promises, and photo opportunities. WHEN the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945, it carried the hopes of a world scarred by two devastating wars. Lastly, the United States, wielding its influence, has historically shielded Israel from accountability. If African leaders can be indicted, so too should leaders of powerful states when evidence demands it. “On humanitarian activities, no organisation can do what the United Nations has been doing.

The report, released yesterday, shows that Nigeria’s Internet speed has taken a hit, slipping to 85th worldwide. While Nigeria grapples with infrastructure bottlenecks, South Africa has pulled ahead to claim the top spot in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), highlighting a widening connectivity gap. Kenya ranked 80th, recording a median download speed of 45.37 Mbps. Côte d’Ivoire made the biggest progress in SSA, taking the 103rd position in December 2025, with a median download speed of 58.17 Mbps. While this is lower than other countries such as Senegal, South Africa and Kenya, it outperformed them in median download speed.

With multiple court cases, conflicting rulings, and appeals surrounding the legitimacy of PDP leadership, the party risks entering the 2027 cycle without a legally secure framework to field candidates nationwide. Legal observers say this creates a precarious environment where competing authorities claim legitimacy — a scenario that could directly affect how and by whom candidate primaries are conducted. Nigerian jurisprudence is unequivocal: where the body organising primaries lacks legal standing, the resulting nomination is void. Judicial interpretation has repeatedly reinforced that internal party democracy becomes justiciable once candidate nomination is involved. For the PDP, whose leadership structure is presently contested, legal analysts say the margin for error is dangerously thin.

However, Falana noted that despite repeated deployments of military and paramilitary forces to Kwara State in the last two years, insecurity has continued to worsen. Falana, who is also the Chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), said decisive local action had become imperative to prevent further loss of lives in Kwara State. Salihu also alleged a possible security breach, stating that he had earlier reported a threat letter to security agencies. As an urgent measure, Falana called on the state government to establish a well-equipped, properly trained state security agency composed of young men and women to protect lives and property. He noted that similar initiatives in South-West states, particularly the Amotekun security corps, have significantly complemented federal security efforts in combating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Court proceedings in magistrate courts across Cross River State may be grounded following the commencement of an indefinite strike by magistrates over unresolved welfare and service-condition issues. 3 dated February 9, 2026, issued by the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State chapter, directing its members to withdraw their services with immediate effect. The bulletin, signed by the association’s Chairman, His Worship Godwin O. Onah, and Secretary, Solomon O. Abuo, instructed magistrates to abstain from all official duties, including court sittings, until further notice. MAN said the strike followed the state government’s failure to address an eight-point demand submitted after a general meeting held on November 5, 2024. According to MAN, its most recent appeal was contained in a letter dated February 2, 2026, but the state government failed to respond.

SPONSOR ADAbove suggests Nigeria faces a troubling paradox: banks are flush with cash, yet manufacturers, agriculture and small businesses are starving for credit. Banks now earn 40% of their interest income from government securities rather than lending to businesses. The manufacturing sector reveals the actual damage as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped from 112 to 105.8 points in January, while the broader private sector contracted for the first time in a year. Immediately, regulators should penalize banks that hoard government securities while starving the real sector. Enhanced credit guarantees would reduce banks’ perceived risks when lending to small businesses.

The Federal Government has disclosed that over 2.5 million metric tonnes of food were produced across Nigeria under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project in four years, generating an estimated N2.31 trillion in value. He said the NAGS-AP Project was introduced under the Federal Government’s Food Security Emergency Support Programme to bridge food supply gaps and guarantee national food and nutrition security. “The project focuses on six staple crops, wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean and cassava, and has significantly boosted food availability in the country. Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the large turnout of stakeholders reflected the importance and impact of the NAGS-AP Project. The two-day workshop is expected to produce actionable recommendations that will guide future implementation of the NAGS-AP Project and its allied programmes.

On February 3, 1976, Benue State was created through the historic and heroic state-creation exercise carried out by the Military Administration of General Murtala Mohammed. As one of the founders of Benue State and the founding Chairman of the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture, my task was clear: to help give a new state a new soul. A celebration of our golden jubilee would have required bringing everybody together, a task the Benue State Government vehemently opposes. Beyond the Jubilee Celebration, now that the failed expectations of a robust jubilee celebration have risen and ebbed, the Benue people must all rise and create history together. We must look beyond this failed jubilee celebration, look beyond leadership failure and lack of cohesion.

The incident occurred on Friday, February 6, when 13 journalists from various media organisations were involved in a road accident along the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. ALSO READ: Bauchi accident: Gov Bala visits injured journalists at ATBUTHMedia organisations that lost cameras in the accident include Channels Television, NTA, BATV, ARISE Television, and AIT, while other Journalists lost some items. Mohammed G. Alkali recalled that five professional cameras belonging to the affected media organisations were destroyed in the accident. He, thereafter, handed over the replacement items to the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for onward distribution to the affected journalists and media organisations. He further appreciated the Bauchi State Government for its support towards the treatment of the injured journalists.