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Libya Deports 80 Nigerians

by Folarin Kehinde November 13, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerian migrants held in detention centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to tackle irregular migration and ease overcrowding in their facilities.

The Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli, coordinated the repatriation through Mitiga International Airport on Wednesday.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation that monitors migrant welfare and human rights in Libya, the deportation followed judicial directives issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.

In a post on X, the group stated that the Judicial Police, acting on orders from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, had transferred a group of undocumented Nigerian women to DCIM custody in Tripoli, where they were served judicial deportation orders before being sent home.

The organisation added that the latest batch of deportees included those previously held under similar judicial instructions.

It noted, “#Libya 11.11.25 – DCIM, with Nigerian consular support, repatriated 80 migrants of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli. The group includes migrants transferred by the Judicial Police who were served with judicial deportation orders.”

The development marks Libya’s renewed crackdown on irregular migration in partnership with diplomatic missions, aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving human rights conditions in its detention facilities.

November 13, 2025 0 comments

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FG Borrows N17.36tn in 10 Months, Exceeds 2025 Target by 55.6%

by Nelson Ugwuagbo November 10, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government (FG) has borrowed N17.36 trillion from domestic and foreign sources in the first 10 months of 2025, N6.06 trillion (55.6%) above the prorated N10.9 trillion borrowing limit set in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Domestic borrowing hit N15.8 trillion by October, while external loans reached N1.56 trillion in the first half.
An additional $2.35 billion (N3.384 trillion) Eurobond issuance, initiated last week, will push total borrowing to N20.74 trillion.

Projections based on current trends estimate full-year borrowing at nearly N23 trillion, N10 trillion (80%) over the N13.08 trillion annual budget ceiling.

The 2025 budget projected N54.99 trillion in expenditure against N41.91 trillion in revenue, leaving a N13.08 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

Breakdown of Domestic Borrowing (Jan–Oct 2025):

Treasury Bills: N11.43tn (+4.6% YoY)

FGN Bonds: N4.042tn (-22% YoY)

FGN Savings Bonds: N40.19bn (+5.6% YoY)

Sukuk Bonds: N300bn (from zero in 2024)

Financial analysts warn that persistent overshooting amid weak revenue performance risks a debt trap, crowds out private sector credit, and undermines IMF-backed fiscal reforms.

Andrew Uviase, Managing Partner at Ecovis OUC, called it “a clear reflection of fiscal indiscipline and poor expenditure control,” urging drastic cuts in governance costs and improved transparency.

He noted that despite FIRS gains, non-oil revenue remains disappointing, fueling reliance on borrowing.

November 10, 2025 0 comments

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BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Lead Counsel Resigns from Trial

by Folarin Kehinde October 23, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), has withdrawn from representing him in court.

Agabi told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendant had decided to take back control of his case, leading to the withdrawal of all the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who were part of the defence team.

Confirming the development, Kanu told the court that he would represent himself for now. When the presiding judge asked if he wanted a lawyer to be assigned to him, Kanu politely declined, saying he would continue on his own.

During the proceedings, Kanu argued orally that the court had no jurisdiction to try him. He maintained that his continued detention and trial were politically motivated and unconstitutional.

The development comes amid renewed tension over Kanu’s case. LEADING REPORTERS gathered that earlier this month, security operatives dispersed protesters in Abuja who were demanding his release. According to reports, the police fired tear gas and arrested several demonstrators near the court premises.

In recent rulings, the court had also rejected some evidence presented by the Federal Government, saying the statements were obtained without legal representation for Kanu.

Kanu’s decision to dismiss his lawyers marks another dramatic turn in his long-running legal battle with the Nigerian government.

October 23, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

‘They’re Protesting to the Deaf; Nigerian Government Doesn’t Listen’ — Farotimi

by Folarin Kehinde October 21, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Civil rights lawyer and advocate, Dele Farotimi, has slammed the Nigerian government over its handling of peaceful protests, saying its actions prove that Nigeria is merely pretending to practice democracy.Nigerian politics book

In an interview on Tuesday, Farotimi said the continued clampdown on protesters and court restrictions on citizens’ rights to assemble freely show that the country has strayed far from democratic principles.

“In a democracy, there should never be a need for police permission before a protest,” he said. “The police are only to be notified so they can provide security. When a court assumes the power to restrict peaceful demonstrations, it’s proof we’re not in a democracy, we’re only mimicking one.”

His comments followed Monday’s protest in Abuja, led by activist Omoyele Sowore and other #FreeNnamdiKanu campaigners demanding the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The protesters defied court orders and police warnings, marching with placards before being dispersed with tear gas by security operatives.

Farotimi described the idea of citizens needing police approval to protest as “completely unheard of in a true democracy,” insisting that the police are public servants, not gatekeepers of citizens’ rights.

“It’s absurd that citizens would need permission from their paid employees before gathering peacefully,” he added.

The activist also accused the judiciary of losing its independence and acting as an extension of the executive arm of government.

“Our judiciary is unfit for purpose. It does exactly what the executive wants and no longer serves the cause of justice,” he said, noting that “an order is only as valid as its lawfulness.”

Farotimi argued that only violent protesters should be arrested, not those demonstrating peacefully. Recalling his own experience of being prosecuted under what he described as a “non-existent law,” he said it reflected the dysfunction in Nigeria’s legal system.Nigerian politics book

Expressing frustration with the government’s attitude toward public grievances, he said:

“I don’t join protests anymore because I know they’re merely speaking to the deaf. The Nigerian state doesn’t listen.”

Reflecting on the 2020 #EndSARS movement, Farotimi said the government’s response, changing the unit’s name from SARS to SWAT, proved that no real reform occurred.

“They changed the name, but not the character. The Nigerian state changes nothing for anyone; it’s not interested in pleasing those who call themselves citizens,” he said.Nigerian politics book

October 21, 2025 0 comments

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FG backtracks, says Mathematics remains compulsory for O’ level students

by Folarin Kehinde October 19, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has said Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations.

This was conveyed in a press statement issued by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, on Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Boriowo had announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for tertiary admissions.

Boriowo had stated that the reform became necessary after years of restricted access, which denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities.

READ ALSO: https://leadingreporters.com/just-in-fg-removes-mathematics-as-admission-requirement-for-art-students/

She had said while over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination annually, only about 700,000 gain admission.

However, the issue had generated controversy as some educationists rejected the policy shift, saying it would further encourage laziness among students and negatively impact their academic excellence and performance.

But in the new statement, Boriowo said the new admission guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for Mathematics.

“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.

The statement added that while institutions may now admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.

“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she clarified.

According to the statement, the reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.

“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the Ministry noted.

The Ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates

Asked if the new development meant a U-turn on the earlier stance of the ministry, Boriowo said, “No, no U-turn — it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”

October 19, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

192 foreigners convicted for cybercrime deported in Lagos

by Folarin Kehinde October 19, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has completed the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted for cybercrime-related offences following a joint operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The exercise marks the conclusion of a major enforcement operation that began after the arrest of 759 suspects during a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The deportation, which commenced on August 15, 2025, was carried out in several batches. The first group, comprising 42 Chinese and Filipino nationals, was repatriated in mid-August, while others followed through August and September. The final batch of 51 convicts—50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian—was deported on October 16, 2025, concluding the operation.

According to EFCC sources, the deported individuals were among a network of foreign and Nigerian suspects arrested during a coordinated crackdown on an international cybercrime ring operating under the name Genting International Co. Limited. Investigations revealed that the syndicate managed fraudulent digital platforms used to defraud victims both within and outside Nigeria.

“The operation was based on actionable intelligence that led to the dismantling of a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate,” an EFCC official said. “Their activities involved online fraud, identity theft, and Ponzi-style investment schemes.”

The convicts, drawn from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste, were sentenced and ordered deported in accordance with court rulings and established immigration procedures.

The coordinated repatriation underscores ongoing inter-agency collaboration to combat cybercrime and enforce judicial directives involving foreign offenders in Nigeria’s digital and financial crime ecosystem.

October 19, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

JUST IN: FG Removes Mathematics as Admission Requirement for Art Students

by Folarin Kehinde October 14, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Ministry of Education has announced that credit in mathematics in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) will no longer be a requirement for students seeking admission into arts and humanities courses in universities and polytechnics.

The statement, issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, marks a shift from the long-standing practice where admission seekers in arts and humanities were required to have five credit passes, including mathematics and English, to gain entry into higher institutions.

According to Boriowo, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

The new framework applies across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies.

Mathematics will remain mandatory only for science, technology, and certain social science courses, while English continues to be a compulsory requirement for all programmes.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to broaden access to tertiary education and create opportunities for more students to pursue arts and humanities disciplines.

October 14, 2025 0 comments

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Prostitutes will pay tax – Taiwo Oyedele

by Folarin Kehinde September 30, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has said that ‘runs girls’ (commercial sex workers) will pay tax under the new laws.

Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, said this during an engagement session at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos.

The tax expert said: “If somebody is doing runs girls (sex worker), right, they go and look for men to sleep with. You know that’s a service. They will pay tax on it.”

According to him, the new laws do not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate income sources.

“It just asks you whether you have an income. ‘Did you get it from rendering a service or providing a good?’ Then, you pay tax,” he explained.

Explaining further, Oyedele said money sent to relatives, friends or even strangers are not taxable, as they are considered as gifts.

He said: “You earn a certain amount of money and you have to send upkeep to your cousin, your brother, even a stranger, it doesn’t really matter.

“If the amount you are sending is money you are giving to them not because they have done something for you, then it is a gift. We call it a non-exchange transaction. That is not taxable.”

Recall that the new (reformed) laws are the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.

September 30, 2025 0 comments

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Final-Year Thesis Now Compulsory Requirement for NYSC – FG

by Folarin Kehinde September 29, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved new regulations making the submission of academic thesis or project reports a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The directive, which takes effect from October 6, 2025, was conveyed through an enforcement circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

The move is part of enforcing the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) policy, which aims to digitise and preserve academic works across Nigeria’s institutions. The goal is to tackle certificate fraud, improve academic quality, and make sure every graduate’s work adds to Nigeria’s body of knowledge.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy also allows students and their lecturers to earn from their academic work, which will be stored in a national digital platform.

NERD spokesperson, Haula Galadima, explained that each submission must include the names of the student, supervisor(s), Head of Department, and the institution. “This will improve the quality of supervision and discourage poor academic work,” she said.

From March 30 every year, schools and organisations must submit compliance reports. Existing NYSC members or graduates mobilised before October 6 are not affected.

September 29, 2025 0 comments

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BREAKING: FG Adds Chinese Language to Nigerian Secondary School Curriculum

by Folarin Kehinde September 17, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Mandarin has officially been included as one of the foreign languages to be taught in senior secondary schools across Nigeria, following a recent review of the national curriculum.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the commissioning of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.

Dr Hayyo stated, “May I inform you that in the recent review of our curriculum, the Chinese language has been selected as one of the international languages to offer in senior secondary schools.”

He added that the FCT had demonstrated foresight by introducing Mandarin early through the Chinese Corners initiative.

The Chinese Corner, an educational and cultural centre sponsored by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts.

According to Hayyo, the newly inaugurated centre is the 14th of its kind in the FCT, with similar facilities now present in several secondary schools across the territory.

Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Hayyo expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and its embassy in Nigeria for their continued support. He concluded his remarks with a Chinese proverb: “Hai nei cun zhiji, tianya ruo bi lin,” meaning, “A bosom friend brings distant lands near.”

September 17, 2025 0 comments

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