News Review

 Federal Government Blasts DisCos Over Chronic Underperformance, Announces Plans for Restructuring, Stricter Enforcement, and ₦700bn Metering Initiative to Rescue Power Sector The Federal Government has expressed deep frustration over the poor performance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), describing their conduct as a major setback to efforts aimed at improving power supply nationwide. Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, voiced the government’s concerns during a two-day retreat organized by the Senate Committee on Power. He accused the DisCos of frustrating reforms in the sector through chronic underinvestment in distribution infrastructure, which continues to undermine service delivery despite notable progress in generation and transmission. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu highlighted glaring issues such as aging networks, wi...

Tension rocked the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday as two lawmakers staged a dramatic walkout during the presentation of an amended report on the Council of Obas and Chiefs Bill. The lawmakers Olorunpoto Rahman (Oyo East) and Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba)  stormed out in protest as the Assembly adopted a rotational chairmanship among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomoso. This marked a sharp reversal from the earlier proposal which had designated the Alaafin as the permanent chairman. The contentious bill, presented by the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Bamidele Adeola, passed during plenary. It now mandates a two-year rotational chairmanship among the three foremost traditional rulers. Rahman, speaking to journalists, described the legislative process as flawed. “There was no public hearing, no stakeholder engagement, and nobody from Oyo was invited to make input. The Alaaf...

The Federal Government has launched a manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following a heavy downpour that compromised the prison’s security in the early hours of Tuesday. Spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m., attributing the breach to a force majeure caused by the rainfall. In response, the Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. The service said it is working in collaboration with other security agencies and local community leaders to track down and recapture the escapees. It also appealed to the public to provide any useful information that could aid in their arrest. Follow News Review on Facebook and X

With President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office just days away, the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU) is finalizing a new set of ministerial scorecards for the President, News Review has reliably gathered from multiple sources within the Presidency. The assessments cover the first quarter of 2025 and are expected to land on Tinubu’s desk “any moment from now,” one presidential aide confirmed on Tuesday. The report will reflect the latest performance ratings of ministries as the administration reaches its mid-term mark on May 29. The CDCU, led by Hadiza Bala-Usman, has spent weeks reviewing ministry-submitted reports uploaded to a secure portal, evaluating them against the performance bonds signed during the October 2023 cabinet retreat. While the process remains confidential, officials say the data shows that only a few ministers performed above average. “The Minister of Works stood out as doing fairly well,” a source familiar with the report said. “S...

A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Ifedayo Johnson, has lost an online English language contest to a British user known as Angantýr (@BasedNorthmathr) following a viral immigration debate on social media platform X. Johnson, who hails from Oyo State, scored 79 points in the EFSET English skills test, narrowly trailing behind Angantýr, who scored 83. The contest, held in separate X Spaces on Sunday, drew a live audience of over 5,000 users. The linguistic face-off stemmed from a controversial post by Angantýr, who criticised the UK’s reliance on Nigerian workers in the care sector, claiming many "barely speak English." In response, Johnson, tweeting from the handle @Ifedayo_Jimcruz, challenged him to a comprehensive English language proficiency test covering writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Advertisement “I’m openly challenging you... If your score is higher, I’ll quietly leave the UK within 24 hours,” Johnson tweeted, vowing to defend the reputation of Ni...

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd), has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building strong institutions and promoting an efficient, result-driven public service. He made this known while declaring open a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop for Sustainable Development, organised by the Rivers State Government in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). The workshop, which commenced yesterday in Port Harcourt, is drawing participation from Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, and Directors from various ministries. Advertisement Vice Admiral Ibas stated that the initiative aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and service delivery within the state’s public sector. He stressed the importance of a modern, adaptive, and visionary civil service that can meet the rising expectations of citizens in a rapidly changing global environment. Also speaking, the ...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will release the results of 379,000 candidates who sat for the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) between Friday and Monday. The results are expected on Wednesday, according to the board’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin. The resit followed nationwide outrage over the unusually high failure rate recorded in the initial UTME. Over 1.5 million out of the 1.9 million candidates scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks. JAMB admitted to both technical and human errors, particularly in examination centres across Lagos and the South-East, which severely impacted candidate performance. The board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, publicly took responsibility and emotionally announced a resit for 379,997 affected candidates—206,610 in 65 centres across Lagos and 173,387 in 92 centres across the South-East. Advertisement Describing the situation as "sabotage," Oloyede said affe...

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security agencies, have raided and destroyed several bandit camps linked to a notorious gang leader in Konyo Gbise, near Akwaza in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, the operation—carried out on May 18, 2025—was part of ongoing efforts to flush out criminal elements and ensure a peaceful farming season across the region. Advertisement Troops from the 72 Special Forces Battalion led the raid, recovering a cache of weapons including a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) with magazine, a locally made rifle with magazine, and 7.62mm special ammunition. Other items seized include a rifle butt, rifle barrel, 9mm ammunition, three POS machines, two generators, a mobile phone, electrical cables, a painting machine, seven solar panels, a half bag of suspected cannabis, and portraits of known bandit leaders. Commander of OPWS, Major-General Moses Gara...

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in petrol prices, attributing the move to the Federal Government's naira-for-crude oil initiative. The company said this development has led to lower pump prices for Nigerian consumers. In a statement released on Monday and signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Refinery assured that petrol prices would remain affordable and stable, despite ongoing volatility in global crude oil markets. “We are immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu for making this possible through the commendable naira-for-crude initiative, which has enabled us to consistently reduce the price of petroleum products for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement read. Advertisement The company reiterated its commitment to supporting the Nigerian economy and easing the burden on citizens through stable pricing. It emphasized that its pricing decisions align with the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First...

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumours suggesting he may run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zones its ticket to the South. In an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Saturday, Wike made it clear he has no intention of challenging the President. “I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” he stated. Reiterating his loyalty, the former Rivers State governor said there was currently no opposition figure strong enough to unseat Tinubu. “They said they would zone it to the South, let them zone first. When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it,” he added. Advertisement Wike also addressed the ongoing political rift in Rivers State, particularly his strained relationship with suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He blamed unnamed political actors for instigating the crisis, insisting he had no personal feud with Fubara. “That one is not a ba...

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to explain the whereabouts of a missing ₦500 billion that the company reportedly failed to remit to the Federation Account between October and December 2024. Citing recent revelations by the World Bank, SERAP said the NNPCL only remitted ₦600 billion out of the ₦1.1 trillion generated from crude oil sales and other income during the period, leaving a deficit of ₦500 billion unaccounted for. In a Freedom of Information request dated May 17, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Mr. Ojulari to identify those responsible, surcharge them for the full amount, and hand them over to the ICPC and EFCC for investigation and prosecution. The organisation also urged him to invite both agencies to probe the spending and ensure the full recovery of the missing funds without f...

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims of a personal rift with the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, referring to him as his "son." In an interview with BBC Pidgin published on Saturday, Wike debunked suggestions of a feud, stating that his real fight is with those allegedly manipulating Fubara for selfish reasons. "That one is not a battle," Wike said. "He is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?" Advertisement The former Rivers State governor explained that his actions target individuals trying to reap where they did not sow. "I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for," he said. "If you don’t defeat them, they’ll think they’re in charge. Defeat them to the final stage." According to Wike, these individuals are the ones influencing Fubara behind the scenes. "Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the o...

The United States granted citizenship to 34,289 Nigerians between 2020 and 2022, according to the latest Naturalizations Annual Flow Report released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report, compiled by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, is based on data from Form N-400—the application for naturalization—and electronic case files maintained by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), tracking applicants from fingerprinting to oath ceremony. Figures obtained by News Review show that 8,930 Nigerians became U.S. citizens between October 2019 and September 2020, despite an 11-week COVID-19 shutdown from March 18 to June 4, 2020, which suspended all oath ceremonies. Advertisement In 2021, 10,921 Nigerians completed the naturalization process as USCIS cleared a backlog caused by the pandemic. By 2022, the number surged to 14,438—an all-time high for Nigerian nationals and a 32% increase from the previous year. These naturalisations represent a...

A devastating boat accident has claimed the lives of 27 passengers in Kwara State. The victims were returning from a market trip in Niger State when their overloaded boat capsized three days ago at night. The incident comes just seven months after a similar tragedy in Gbajibo community, Kaiama Local Government Area, where over 100 villagers lost their lives. According to eyewitnesses and a survivor, the locally made boat—built to carry 100 passengers—was routinely overloaded with up to 300 people, especially during the rainy and dry seasons. The survivor also noted that a violent storm and strong winds just before the rain worsened the situation. Advertisement Confirming the incident, Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abdullah Danladi, who led a government delegation to console the bereaved families, condemned the recurring boat mishaps. He announced the formation of a committee to enforce strict life jacket regulations and a ban on night-time boat travel. The Emir of Kaiama, Hi...

Abeokuta, Ogun State - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, has apprehended 47-year-old Muraino Lasisi in connection with the alleged defilement and impregnation of a 14-year-old girl. According to a statement released Saturday by the command's spokesperson, Mr. Dyke Ogbonnaya, the suspect was arrested in the Oke-Sokori area of Abeokuta following a tip-off from a concerned resident. Advertisement Mr. Ogbonnaya stated that Mr. Lasisi confessed to the crime during interrogation. The command has secured a 60-day remand order for the suspect pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions after the completion of their investigation. The State Commandant, Mrs. Remilekun Ekundayo, strongly condemned the alleged act, vowing to ensure justice and deter future occurrences. She reiterated the NSCDC's commitment to safeguarding minors and warned that perpetrators of such crimes would face the full force of the law. Follow News Review on ...

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anambra Chapter, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of one of its members, Mr. Ifeanyi-Rolex Iloakasia. Iloakasia, a member of the Otuocha Bar, was murdered alongside his client in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, while returning from a court sitting at Ekwulobia High Court on May 15. In a statement signed by K.G. Abonyi, Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA Anambra, the association described the incident as a “blatant assault” on the legal profession and the rule of law. The NBA expressed deep grief and outrage over what it termed a “senseless” killing, especially coming while the memory of the loss of Awa P. Awa, former Vice Chairman of the Ihiala Branch, is still fresh. Advertisement In protest, the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries has directed lawyers across the state to boycott court sittings from May 20 to May 21. “Justice must be served,” the statement read. “We demand that relevant authorities ...

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the government of Ghana to pay $75,000 in compensation to 30 members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) over their “unlawful, arbitrary detention” in 2019. In its ruling on Friday in case ECW/CCJ/APP/12/24, the court awarded $2,500 to each of the detained individuals, declaring that their extended detention without trial violated their fundamental rights under Ghana’s constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, delivering the judgment alongside Justices Sengu M. Koroma and Dupe Atoki, noted that the activists were held for more than a year without being presented before a court, breaching Ghana's 48-hour rule for court appearances. Advertisement The group was arrested under Ghana’s Prohibited Organisations Decree of 1976 for pushing for the independence of Western Togoland. While the court acknowledged its authority over the matter, it removed the Foundation itself from the case,...

Finnish authorities have officially charged Biafran separatist leader Simon Ekpa with terrorism-related offenses after holding him in custody for nearly six months. Ekpa, a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, was first arrested in November 2024 by Finland’s security services over suspicions of terrorism. On Friday, he was formally charged with public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participating in the activities of a terrorist group . The offenses allegedly occurred in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024. Although prosecutors did not name him directly, Finnish public broadcaster YLE confirmed the suspect as Simon Ekpa. Advertisement Ekpa, who claims to head the self-declared Biafra Republic government in exile, has denied the allegations and remains in custody as the legal proceedings continue. His case will be heard at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, though a hearing date is yet to be set. Authorities believe Ekpa’s actions, including the spread of s...

Families of Slain Soldiers Lament Neglect, Demand End to Insurgency, Better Welfare and Compensation After Series of Deadly Attacks in North-East Grieving families of soldiers killed in recent insurgent attacks have called on the Federal Government to urgently end the bloodshed in Nigeria’s North-East, decrying what they described as the needless sacrifice of their loved ones due to poor welfare, lack of weapons, and government neglect. In exclusive interviews with News Review , several widows and relatives of fallen military personnel spoke out following the latest deadly Boko Haram attack on a military base in Marte, Borno State, where five soldiers lost their lives. “Enough is enough,” one distraught widow said. “The government is wasting the lives of our husbands and sons. They are sent to the battlefield with no proper arms, no food, no decent shelter. How do you fight terrorists like that?” The Marte attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025, when insurgents s...

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has announced the disbursement of N1.681 trillion to the Federal Government, 36 states, and 774 local governments as revenue for April 2025. This represents a 6.5 percent increase (N110 billion) from the N1.578 trillion shared in March. This was revealed in a statement on Friday by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. He said the revenue was shared during the FAAC meeting held in Abuja in May 2025. According to the breakdown, the total distributable revenue of N1.681 trillion included N962.88 billion from statutory revenue, N598.08 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), N38.86 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and N81.41 billion from exchange differences. Advertisement A FAAC communique stated that gross VAT revenue for April stood at N642.27 billion—up by N4.65 billion from March’s N637.62 billion. From this, N25.69 billion went to collection...

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old woman, identified simply as Gift, for allegedly biting off the tip of her lover’s penis during a domestic altercation in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt. The shocking incident occurred on Thursday at Bishop Okoye Street, causing panic among residents when news of the violent act spread. According to eyewitnesses, the dispute began when Gift’s lover, known only as Sunday, requested sex. Gift reportedly refused, accusing him of using sex-enhancing drugs that prolonged their encounters. Advertisement A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the disagreement turned violent when Sunday allegedly attacked Gift over her refusal. In retaliation, Gift allegedly grabbed his penis with her mouth and bit off the tip. Sunday’s cries for help reportedly alerted neighbours, some of whom attempted to attack the woman before officers from the Nkpolu Police Division arrived and took her into custody. The injured man was ...

The United Kingdom is stepping up plans to restrict visa access for nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, following internal assessments that flagged high rates of visa overstays and asylum claims among applicants from these countries. According to The Times , the U.K. Home Office, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA), is developing data-driven systems to help visa caseworkers identify applicants—especially those seeking work or student visas—who may be using legal entry as a pathway to later claim asylum. The proposed clampdown will primarily affect Skilled Worker (Tier 4) and Student (Tier 2) visas, two of the most common routes used by international migrants entering the UK legally. Advertisement The move follows mounting pressure on the Home Office to curb the rising number of asylum applications from individuals who initially arrived on legitimate visas. Government figures published in March showed that nearly 10,000 asylum seekers in 2023 first entered...

YouTube Celebrates Ruth Kadiri, Kiekie, Ify, and Korty for Shaping Global Narratives YouTube has honoured four Nigerian female creators for their remarkable impact in storytelling, recognizing their roles in shaping global narratives and amplifying African voices. In a statement made available to NEWS REVIEW on Tuesday, the platform spotlighted filmmaker Ruth Kadiri, comedian and fashion influencer Kiekie, culinary creator Ify Mogekwu of Ify’s Kitchen, and Gen Z documentarian Korty for their outstanding contributions to filmmaking, comedy, culinary arts, and youth culture, respectively. Marking its 20th anniversary, YouTube described the women as powerful storytellers whose work connects cultures, reshapes global perceptions, and drives international engagement. Advertisement “Each of these women has harnessed the power of YouTube to inspire, entertain, and inform millions of viewers across continents,” the platform said. Kadiri was praised for her emotionally resonant films that ...

Activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who was arrested last Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will be released today, a source told NEWS REVIEW . According to the source, his release comes in response to the growing public pressure and protests that followed his detention. VDM is expected to appear in court on Thursday. On Monday, scores of youths marched through Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, demanding his immediate release and condemning what they described as his illegal arrest and continued detention. Protesters were seen around the Wuse area, near the Berger Bridge, calling the EFCC’s action unlawful and threatening to take their case to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Advertisement The EFCC confirmed that although VDM remains in custody, he has not yet been formally charged. A spokesperson disclosed that the commission is preparing multiple charges against him, including alleged cyberstalki...