There’s No Christian Genocide in Nigeria, Tinubu Says, Blames Insecurity on Criminality and Extremism

President Bola Tinubu has rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria, stressing that both Christians and Muslims face the same threats from terrorism. He made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting, themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” Tinubu was represented at the event by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. According to Tinubu, the country’s insecurity stems from historical, economic, and criminal factors, not religious persecution. He said terrorism in Nigeria is driven by criminality and extremism, affecting all citizens regardless of faith. His statement comes after former US President Donald Trump claimed that Christians in Nigeria were being persecuted and threatened military intervention if the government did not act. Trump had labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” prompting the government to send a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to brief US lawmakers on the nation’s security challenges. Speaking at the NASFAT event, Tinubu said: “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation. Nigeria’s response was clear, firm and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter. “As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting national unity, religious freedom, and the security of every citizen, warning against narratives that could sow division. “Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its people to coexist peacefully while practicing different faiths,” he said. He also commended NASFAT for its work in fostering moderation, tolerance, and service to humanity as tools for national unity. Keynote speaker Dr Nurudeen Lemu urged Muslims to remain steadfast in faith and optimistic despite the country’s challenges.

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NELFUND Applauds Dangote Foundation’s N100bn Annual Education Scholarship Programme

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commended the Aliko Dangote Foundation for launching a landmark N100 billion annual scholarship programme designed to support more than 1.3 million Nigerian students in public secondary and tertiary institutions over the next decade. The initiative was unveiled in Lagos, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. NELFUND described the programme as a significant private-sector intervention that complements the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to expand access to quality education nationwide. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, praised the Dangote Foundation for its visionary leadership and alignment with national education reform objectives. He noted that the scholarship scheme, which includes a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), will help ease financial pressures on students while contributing to the development of a skilled, future-ready workforce. “On behalf of NELFUND, we commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting collaborative approaches that strengthen Nigeria’s education sector,” Sawyerr said. “This landmark initiative will significantly boost national education financing and ensure that no Nigerian is denied access to education due to financial limitations.” NELFUND also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and other stakeholders to guarantee transparency, efficiency and maximum impact in the implementation of the scholarship programme. The Fund emphasised the importance of strong partnerships between government, the private sector and development partners in building a sustainable and inclusive education system, in line with President Tinubu’s call for shared responsibility in national development. NELFUND congratulated the Dangote Foundation once again and expressed confidence that the initiative will have a lasting positive impact on Nigeria’s education sector.

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Bandits Use Advanced Technology To Evade Security, Says Bosun Tijani

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has disclosed that bandits are using advanced technology to evade surveillance, making it difficult for security agencies to track their activities. Speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night, Tijani explained that monitoring the communications of these criminal groups is far more complex than most Nigerians realise. He said bandits deliberately route their calls through multiple towers, a tactic that allows them to stay ahead of security operatives. “The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised there was a special kind of technology that they were using to call,” Tijani said. “They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That is why they enjoy living in areas that are unconnected.” The minister added that the federal government is also working to upgrade Nigeria’s satellites to enhance monitoring and intelligence gathering. “Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said. Tijani stressed that the situation underscores the urgent need for significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure. “If you go to China, they have over four million 5G towers. The total number of towers we have in Nigeria is just about 40,000,” he noted. His comments come as insecurity surges across the country, particularly in the north, with recent incidents including the abduction of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states and attacks on churches in Kogi and Kwara states. The ongoing wave of kidnappings and killings has sparked public concern, leading the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to announce a nationwide protest set for December 17.

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LASU Issues Warning Against Unauthorised Skits, Requires Approval For Filming On Campus

Lagos State University (LASU) has issued a stern warning to students, staff, and visitors against producing offensive or unauthorised skits on campus, following a prank video that simulated a bandit attack. The incident on December 5, titled “Bandits Prank on Lasuites,” showed individuals dressed as bandits storming the Ojo campus, causing panic among students and passersby before it was later confirmed to be staged. In a statement on Friday, LASU spokesperson Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile expressed concern over the rising use of university premises for content that is inappropriate, offensive, or misrepresents the institution’s values. “The Lagos State University has observed with concern the increasing unauthorised use of its campuses and facilities for content creation activities, particularly by students. While the university encourages creativity and responsible self-expression, some of the content being produced is offensive, inappropriate, and misrepresents the values and image of the institution,” the statement read. The university stressed that such activities could harm its reputation and undermine its standing as a centre of learning and character development. LASU has directed that anyone wishing to conduct filming—whether skits, short films, promotional videos, or any audiovisual recordings—on campus, hostels, or adjoining facilities must first obtain approval from the Centre for Information and Public Relations. Additionally, the university banned the use of drones on campus without formal authorisation from its security department, citing safety and privacy concerns. “As a responsible institution committed to maintaining the sanctity of the university environment as a hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, all cinematographic activities on LASU campuses now require prior approval,” the statement concluded.

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Nigeria Immigration Service To Suspend Passport Digital Platform Temporarily For Maintenance

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that its Passport Digital Platform will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. Spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi said on Friday that the maintenance will run from 12:00 a.m. on December 12 to 6:00 a.m. on December 14, 2025 (GMT). “The Nigeria Immigration Service is conducting routine maintenance on its Passport Digital Platform to improve system performance and enhance the user experience. During this time, users may encounter service interruptions, slower response times, or limited access to certain NIS Passport Services,” the statement read. The NIS urged the public to exercise patience, noting that the maintenance is necessary to ensure a secure and efficient digital passport system.

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Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Reach $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote Pledges 25% Of His Wealth To Foundation, With Family Approval If He Passes

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to donate 25% of his wealth to the Aliko Dangote Foundation, reinforcing his role as a leading philanthropist. The pledge was made during the launch of the Foundation’s new education initiative in Lagos. Dangote said his family, including his mother and three children, have approved the arrangement to ensure the commitment continues in the event of his passing. “My mother and my three children have already signed off on this deal should anything like death happen to me,” he stated. As part of the initiative, Dangote plans to invest ₦100 billion in 2026, supporting more than 155,000 learners across Nigeria. He will also provide ₦590 million annually to a school for orphaned girls in Maiduguri to guarantee its ongoing operation.

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Labour Party Rules Out Automatic Tickets, Says Peter Obi Must Compete In 2027 Primaries

The Labour Party has declared that no aspirant will receive an automatic ticket for the 2027 general elections, saying even former presidential candidate Peter Obi must participate in competitive primaries if he decides to return to the party. Obiora Ifoh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, made the statement in an interview with The Punch, amid growing uncertainty over Obi’s political plans and tensions between him and the Julius Abure-led LP leadership. Ifoh emphasized that the party is open to reconciliation with Obi and other aggrieved members but insisted that its democratic processes will not be compromised. “We have answered this question several times. The Labour Party has consistently said that tickets will be determined at the party’s convention. The NEC has made its position clear regarding our presidential candidacy. Every candidate must emerge through a democratically convened convention. There is no automatic ticket for anyone, whether presidential, governorship, or chairmanship aspirants,” he said. He also noted that Obi has largely kept his distance from the party leadership over the past year. “Obi’s position in the Labour Party can only be answered by him. Nobody can speak for him. Whether he is in the ADC or Labour Party, he is the only one who can answer that. Over the last year, he has not really engaged with the current leadership, and we take it as it is. Many others have also not been actively involved,” Ifoh added. Addressing why the recent NEC meeting did not tackle the Obi issue, Ifoh explained that it focused on launching congresses and primaries. “The NEC meeting was dedicated to starting our congresses, which we have conducted successfully. Did you see some of our viral videos and pictures? In Abia State, there was a court injunction, which we respected. Primaries in Ekiti State have been completed, and similar exercises will soon follow in Osun. INEC has been working with us, monitoring the process and providing key codes to upload our candidates. Everything is progressing well, and we are confident of achieving our objectives by 2027,” he said.

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All Taxable Nigerians Must Have TIN To Operate Bank Accounts From January 2026, Says FG

The federal government has announced that all taxable Nigerians will be required to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) to operate bank accounts, as part of new tax reforms set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, shared the update in a post on his X account on Thursday. He explained that Section 4 of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA), which comes into force in 2026, mandates that all taxable persons must register for a tax ID. However, Oyedele clarified that students and dependents are exempt from this requirement. He also noted that while the policy has been in place since the Finance Act of 2020, the NTAA now provides a legal framework for its full implementation. Individuals and businesses that already have TINs will not need to obtain a new one. “Yes, but with some exemptions. A section of the NTAA requires a taxable person to register and obtain a tax ID. A taxable person is anyone who earns income through trade, business, or any economic activity. Banks must therefore request a tax ID from taxable persons. Individuals who do not earn income, such as students and dependents, do not need a tax ID. Any taxable entity without a tax ID may face challenges operating their bank account in the near future,” Oyedele stated.

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