Author: Aminu Imam

‘Nigerian visa applicants must provide 5-year social media history’ – US embassy

Aminu Imam
US embassy

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has issued a directive to visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process. The directive, announced in a post on the Mission’s official X account yesterday, comes as the US Department of State recently reiterated its commitment to bolster national security through enhanced screening measures. U.S. Mission said Nigerian visa applicants are required to provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application…

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FG subsidises kidney dialysis cost by 76% in federal hospitals

Aminu Imam
Screenshot 20250819 010253

The Federal Government has subsidised the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals across Nigeria, slashing the price of the procedure by 76%. According to a statement yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, the new policy, approved by President Bola Tinubu, reduces the price of a single dialysis session from an average of ₦50,000 to a new subsidised rate of ₦12,000. The move is expected to bring immediate financial relief to thousands of Nigerians battling kidney disease, a condition that often requires multiple…

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Energy Group sues NNPCL Executive over ₦140bn OVH energy deal 

Aminu Imam
Energy Group sues

A non-governmental organisation, the ‘Incorporated Trustees of Legal Defence Against Injustice Initiative’, has sued Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) executive, Adedapo Segun, at the Abuja High Court, seeking the refund of ₦140 billion ($325.09 million) allegedly tied to the company’s acquisition of OVH Energy. According to reports, the group wants the Court to compel Segun, who is NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer and former Executive Vice-President, Downstream, to return the funds to the Federal Government’s treasury. It is also urging the Court to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission…

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‘Baro Inland Port was only commissioned on paper’ – Reps.

Aminu Imam
Reps on Baro Inland Port

House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of Baro Inland Port, has decried the quality of work done at the facility. Reps. member, Idris Wase (APC-Plateau) expressed the displeasure of the lawmakers at a courtesy visit on Governor Umaru Bago, of Niger state, after an overnight visit to Baro Inland Port in the state. Wase said that the port project was only “commissioned on paper” by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 in spite of the huge investments. “What we saw is a project that was…

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Kaduna By-Election: “Elections are won at grassroots, not on social media” – Gov. Uba Sani tells APC

Aminu Imam
Uba Sani tells APC

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation over social media influence, in what many see as a veiled criticism of his predecessor, NasireEl-Rufa’i. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna following the party’s victory in Saturday’s by-election, Governor Sani urged party members not to be distracted by online noise, noting that true political success lies in connecting with the people on the ground. “There is no ballot box on Twitter (X); there is no ballot box on Instagram…

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EFCC recovers billions in refinery turnaround maintenance fraud

Aminu Imam
EFCC recovers

…Moves to prosecute ex-NNPCL officials The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over ₦5 billion and $10 million from contractors and former officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) indicted in the controversial turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri. Findings revealed that the anti-graft agency is also pursuing the recovery of an additional ₦10 billion and $13 million allegedly siphoned through inflated contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. Sources disclosed that EFCC Chairman,…

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Nigeria’s debt to World Bank’s IDA hits $18.2bn

Aminu Imam
9ja IDA debt

Nigeria remains the third-largest debtor to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), with outstanding loans rising to $18.2bn as of June 2025, up from $16.5bn a year earlier. This marks a rise from $16.5bn in June 2024, representing a $1.7bn—or roughly 10.3 percent—increase within one year. The latest figures from the IDA’s financial statements show that Nigeria first climbed to third place in 2024, up from its previous position as the fourth-largest borrower in 2023, and has maintained this ranking into 2025. Bangladesh tops the list with $22.6bn, followed…

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Al-Qaeda-linked kingpins capture: Gov. Uba Sani, others commend NSA

Aminu Imam
Uba Sani commends

Former Kaduna-Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has described the arrest of two top leaders of Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda-linked terror group as a decisive step in the nation’s war against extremism. In a post on his X handle at the weekend, Sani commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribaɗu, and security forces for the feat, stressing that it would send a strong message to extremist networks. “The recent arrest of high-profile terrorist leaders in Northern Nigeria, as revealed by the NSA Ribaɗu, is a significant step in the fight against terrorism. They…

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INEC declares Zamfara Assembly by-election inconclusive

Aminu Imam
INEC declares3

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has declared the Ƙauran-Namoda South Constituency by-election in Zamfara State inconclusive. The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, announced the decision, explaining that the margin between the leading party and the runner-up was less than the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in polling units where the election was cancelled. He noted that elections were cancelled in two registration areas in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards.  In Sakajiki with code 06, two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and…

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By-elections: Tinubu hails APC’s dominance in 12 states

Aminu Imam
Tinubu hails APC

…Commends INEC President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday’s by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states. According to an issued statement by the President’s Special Adviser (Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga, the President commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.  Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party…

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