US Suspends Visa Processing For Nigeria And 74 Other Countries

The United States has suspended visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries as part of a review aimed at tightening immigration screening and blocking applicants deemed likely to become a public charge. A U.S. State Department memo obtained by Fox News Digital instructs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its vetting and screening procedures. The countries affected include Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, Yemen, and several others. The suspension, which takes effect on January 21, will remain in place indefinitely until the review of visa processing is complete. Somalia has received particular attention following a large-scale fraud case in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered extensive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Federal officials noted that many of those implicated were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.

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Anambra Govt Orders Church To Reduce Noise Disrupting School

The Anambra State government has directed churches near schools to avoid generating excessive noise that disrupts academic activities. The warning came from the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, on Wednesday, following complaints about a private school in Onitsha. The proprietress of the school, Lady Ngozi Udeh, petitioned the ministry against Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, located directly opposite the school. The petition stated that the church, which built its auditorium in 2024, has recently increased its activities, producing loud noise, particularly on Tuesdays when services reportedly run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. “The noise has consistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours. Despite several verbal appeals to the church leadership, the situation has not improved,” the petition said. Speaking to both parties, Chuma-Udeh emphasized that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate actions that infringe on students’ right to learn in a peaceful environment. “Noise pollution is an offence under Nigerian law and is punishable once established. Religious institutions must ensure that noise from their premises is properly contained, especially when schools are within hearing distance,” she stated. She noted that the school had been in the area long before the church and urged the religious body to find ways to coexist peacefully, describing mutual respect as a core principle of Christianity. She instructed the church to reschedule weekday activities to start from 4:00 pm, after school hours, warning that failure to comply could lead to involvement from the Ministry of Environment and possible legal action. “While churches may hold activities throughout the day on weekends, external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB must take priority, even on Saturdays,” she added. The Assistant Pastor of Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Emmanuel Ukpabi, assured the ministry that the church would take steps to ensure harmony and peaceful coexistence with the school.

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Newswatch Co-Founder Yakubu Mohammed Dies At 75

Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and former deputy chief executive officer of the publication, has died at the age of 75. Sources said he had been ill for some time before his death, although the nature of the illness was not disclosed. As of the time of filing this report, the family had yet to issue an official statement. His death comes just weeks after the passing of his close associate and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025, after a prolonged illness. In October 2025, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, offering a detailed account of the rise of Newswatch and personal reflections on its early days. The book revisited key moments in the magazine’s history, including the period following the 1986 assassination of founding editor-in-chief Dele Giwa and the internal battles that followed. Mohammed co-founded Newswatch in 1984 alongside Agbese, Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa, playing a key role in building the magazine into a leading voice in investigative journalism during Nigeria’s military rule. His passing represents another major loss from the magazine’s founding generation. Born on April 4, 1950, Mohammed hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba; Government Secondary School, Okene; the University of Lagos; and the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland. He began his journalism career at New Nigerian Newspapers, where he served as associate editor and later managing editor. He later moved to National Concord, rising from deputy editor to editor before co-founding Newswatch. At Newswatch, Mohammed held several senior positions, including executive editor, managing editor and deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited. Beyond journalism, he served as a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited, and was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He also served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University.

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Matthew Kukah Denies Claims He Said Christians Are Not Persecuted In Nigeria

Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, has rejected claims that he denied the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, saying his comments were wrongly interpreted. The cleric spoke on Sunday while appearing on Boiling Point, a radio programme, where he addressed reports linking his remarks to the ongoing debate over religious violence and insecurity in the country. The controversy followed the decision by United States President Donald Trump on October 31 to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of systematic violations of religious freedom, including claims of a Christian genocide. The CPC label is applied to countries accused of “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.” The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed allegations of a Christian genocide. However, in November, Trump warned that the United States could intervene militarily to protect Christians, after several US politicians continued to raise concerns about killings in Nigeria. On December 25, the US carried out airstrikes on two terrorist camps located in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Clarifying his position, Kukah said his statements had been taken out of context. “I never denied the killing of our people [Christians],” he said. “I don’t want to go into the details of the mischaracterisation of what I said, but it shocked me that Christians were going around saying that I said there is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. “The only clarification I can give is that I have never denied that there is persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Whether it’s persecution, whether it’s genocide, by God, this thing ought not to have happened. “Wherever we can get help from, Trump, whatever, these killings ought not to have happened in the first place.” Kukah also stressed that the security crisis in Nigeria affects citizens across religious lines, noting that no group is immune from the threat of violence and abduction. “In my central argument about security in Nigeria, it doesn’t matter where you are, whether you are Muslim, whether you are Christian, you are in danger of being abducted,” he said.

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FG, ASUU Sign Landmark Agreement To Strengthen Universities

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a new agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s university system and promoting academic stability. The pact, which replaces the 2009 agreement that had repeatedly triggered strikes over unresolved issues, was signed and unveiled on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The event was attended by top officials, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad. ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, expressed cautious optimism about the deal, noting the union’s long history of industrial disputes with the government. He said the union hopes the new agreement will be implemented fully without the need for strike threats. “We are optimistic that the government will implement this agreement in totality, but pessimism still exists because of our history,” Piwuna said. “It is our belief that Dr. Tunji Alausa will be different, and that our union will not need to issue a strike threat before any part of this agreement is implemented. ASUU is open and accessible, and we expect the same from the government.” Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the agreement as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing quality education and ensuring that academic calendars remain uninterrupted across universities. “This occasion represents far more than the presentation of a document; it symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence, and a decisive turning point in the history of Nigeria’s tertiary education system,” Alausa said. “It is a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to quality education and a stable academic calendar for all students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.” The new agreement sets the stage for improved collaboration between the government and ASUU, aiming to reduce strikes and enhance the overall quality of higher education in Nigeria.

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Taiwo Oyedele Says He Faces Death Threats Over Nigeria’s Sweeping Tax Reforms

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has disclosed that he has received threats to his life due to his involvement in implementing Nigeria’s sweeping tax reforms. Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a governance colloquium celebrating the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman, Oyedele said pushing reforms that challenge entrenched interests requires courage in a system historically resistant to change. “Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system,” he said. He identified weak public trust in government, low tax compliance, and misunderstandings about fiscal policies as major obstacles. Oyedele explained that Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of peer countries, making comprehensive reforms necessary. Oyedele urged supporters of the reforms to speak out, warning that silence allows opponents to control the narrative. He noted that many Nigerians mistakenly believe the reforms introduce new taxes, when in fact they reduce and harmonise existing levies. “Implementing these reforms carries significant political, economic, and reputational risks. You need courage to push through,” he added, likening the changes to a surgical fix rather than previous short-term solutions. Despite facing online abuse and personal threats, Oyedele defended the reform strategy, emphasizing it as essential for long-term fiscal stability. “What we have been doing all my adult life with the tax system was a pain reliever. Now we’re doing the surgery. It will come with pain, but it is the only right thing to do,” he said. He concluded by expressing optimism about the country’s progress, describing the current reform momentum as unprecedented and urging Nigerians to remain committed to achieving sustainable fiscal growth.

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Kano State Suspends Three Hospital Staff After Surgical Scissors Left In Patient, Causing Death

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended three medical workers at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre following the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, after surgical scissors were mistakenly left inside her body. Umar died on January 11, 2026. Umar had undergone a medical procedure at the hospital in September 2025. She later experienced severe discomfort, and subsequent scans revealed the surgical scissors inside her stomach. The case came to public attention after her brother shared the story online, prompting widespread outrage and demands for justice. The Hospital Management Board, through its Public Relations Officer Samira Suleiman, confirmed that a preliminary investigation ordered by Executive Secretary Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda verified the surgical negligence. The three personnel directly involved have been immediately suspended from clinical duties, and the matter has been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action under professional and legal guidelines. “The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement added.

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Lagos State To Introduce Electric Boats To LAGFERRY Fleet To Lower Fares

The Lagos State Government has revealed plans to add electric-powered boats to the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) fleet this year, aiming to make water transport more affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. LAGFERRY Managing Director, Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, disclosed the initiative in a statement on the state government’s X account on Wednesday. He explained that electric vessels come with lower operating and maintenance costs, allowing the agency to reduce fares for commuters. “The Lagos State Government (LASG) plans to introduce electric-powered boats into the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) fleet within the year, as part of its commitment to providing affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly public transportation,” the statement read. Balogun highlighted the growing popularity of water transport among Lagos residents. Since February 4, 2020, LAGFERRY has transported 4.4 million passengers, a trend he called the “Watermania Lifestyle,” where commuters leave their cars at the jetties to travel by boat. He added that during the 2025 Detty December period, LAGFERRY recorded a tenfold increase in trips, with many residents using the waterways to reach beach houses and coastal resorts. The new electric vessels are expected to help ease traffic congestion, reduce transport costs, and promote eco-friendly commuting across Lagos.

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