Canada Deports 366 Nigerians As Enforcement Hits Decade High

Canada removed 366 Nigerian nationals between January and October 2025 as part of an intensified immigration enforcement drive, the most aggressive the country has carried out in more than a decade. Records from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) removals program show that an additional 974 Nigerians are currently listed as “removal in progress,” meaning they are awaiting deportation. Updated figures released on November 25, 2025, place Nigeria ninth among the top 10 nationalities deported from Canada this year, while it ranks fifth among countries with the highest number of pending removals. Historical data indicates that deportations of Nigerians from Canada have fluctuated over the years. In 2019, 339 Nigerians were removed, a figure that dropped to 302 in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 199 in 2022. Nigeria did not feature among the top 10 deported nationalities in 2023 and 2024 but returned to the list in 2025, recording 366 removals in just 10 months—about an eight percent increase compared to 2019. The rise in deportations coincides with a broader tightening of immigration controls. The CBSA is currently removing close to 400 foreign nationals every week, the fastest rate recorded in over 10 years. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Canada deported 18,048 people at a cost estimated at $78 million. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA is legally obligated to enforce valid removal orders against foreign nationals deemed inadmissible. Reasons for removal include security concerns, violations of human or international rights, criminal activity, organized crime, health or financial grounds, misrepresentation, and failure to comply with immigration regulations. Data shows that the majority of deportees—about 83 percent—are failed refugee claimants whose asylum applications were denied. Criminal cases account for roughly four percent of all removals. Canadian law recognizes three types of removal orders: departure orders, which require individuals to leave within 30 days; exclusion orders, which bar re-entry for one to five years; and deportation orders, which permanently prohibit return unless special authorization is granted. The federal government says the increased deportations are aimed at aligning immigration levels with national priorities, including addressing housing shortages, labour market pressures, and border security challenges. As part of this effort, authorities approved an additional $30.5 million over three years to strengthen removal operations and committed $1.3 billion to border security improvements. Concerns have been raised by immigration advocates over the potential impact of proposed legislation. Aisling Bondy, president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, warned that deportations could rise further if Bill C-12, commonly referred to as the border bill, is passed. “According to Bondy, one provision in that legislation states that many individuals will face a permanent prohibition on submitting asylum applications in Canada.” An examination of CBSA figures shows that Nigeria is the only African country among the top 10 nationalities deported from Canada in 2025. Other African countries fall under a broader “remaining nationals” category, which recorded a total of 6,233 removals this year. Mexico leads the list of removals in 2025 with 3,972 deportations, followed by India (2,831), Haiti (2,012), Colombia (737), Romania (672), the United States (656), Venezuela (562), China (385), Nigeria (366), and Pakistan (359). In the current removal inventory, India tops the list with 6,515 cases, followed by Mexico (4,650), the United States (1,704), China (1,430), Nigeria (974), Colombia (895), Pakistan (863), Haiti (741), Brazil (650), and Chile (621). Nigeria remains the only African nation featured in this top 10. Despite the removals, Canada continues to attract Nigerians seeking better economic and educational opportunities. The 2021 Canadian census shows that more than 40,000 Nigerians migrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021, making them the largest African immigrant group and the fifth-largest overall during that period. Further data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada indicates that 6,600 Nigerians became permanent residents in the first four months of 2024, ranking fourth behind India, the Philippines, and China. Between 2005 and 2024, over 71,459 Nigerians obtained Canadian citizenship, placing Nigeria among the top 10 source countries for new Canadians. Canada’s ageing population and labour shortages continue to make the country an attractive destination for Nigerian professionals and students.

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Anambra State Rejects Bianca Ojukwu’s Chieftaincy Title, Labels It “Fake”

Anambra State Government has rejected the chieftaincy title “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” reportedly given to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, by Obi Austin Ndigwe, describing him as an impostor and insisting he has no recognition as a traditional ruler in Awka or Anambra State. In a letter dated December 31, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the state said the conferment violated the Traditional Rulers’ Code of Conduct. The letter stressed that “the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Anambra State is the exclusive prerogative of recognized/certified traditional rulers in their respective communities, and they do so only to residents/indigenes of their communities.” It added, “In the case of a person not from the community, the approval of the Traditional Ruler of the conferee’s community and the Commissioner for Local Government, Communities and Chieftaincy must be sought and obtained. None of these conditions was met in this case.” The letter accused Ndigwe of attempting to undermine the authority of the legitimate traditional ruler, HRH Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka. It described the act as an insult to Awka people and the state’s cultural institutions, adding, “Amb. Bianca Ojukwu knows that Mr. Ndigwe has neither legal nor customary rights to confer a Chieftaincy title on anyone… She should desist from addressing herself by any such fake title conferred by Mr. Austin Ndigwe.” The government warned that it would take necessary steps to protect Anambra’s cultural heritage and traditional institutions, assuring the people of Awka that it supports lawful custodians of their traditions.

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Burna Boy Sets New Spotify Streaming Record For African Artists

Burna Boy is dominating! The African Giant has set a new record for the most streams by an African artist on Spotify in a single year, racking up an astonishing 1.986 billion streams in 2025. He leads the pack ahead of fellow Nigerian stars, including Wizkid, who sits in second place with 1.81 billion streams, and Davido, who ranks fifth with 1.58 billion streams. Here’s the top 10 most streamed African artists on Spotify in 2025: 1️⃣ Burna Boy – 1.986B 2️⃣ Wizkid – 1.81B 3️⃣ Tyla – 1.67B 4️⃣ Rema – 1.63B 5️⃣ Davido – 1.58B 6️⃣ Asake – 1.52B 7️⃣ Ayra Starr – 1.47B 8️⃣ CKay – 1.38B 9️⃣ Seyi Vibez – 1.32B 🔟 Mr Eazi – 1.26B This milestone highlights Burna Boy’s global influence and the rising impact of African music on the world stage.

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Peter Obi Warns Nigeria Against Tax Policies That Make Citizens Poorer

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has cautioned that Nigeria may worsen hardship and weaken national unity by adopting tax policies that place heavier burdens on an already struggling population. In a statement shared on X, Obi said genuine economic progress cannot be achieved through measures that make citizens poorer, stressing that growth must be anchored on trust, honesty, and productivity. He warned that policies which erode people’s wellbeing ultimately damage the social contract between government and citizens. Drawing from his interactions with leaders across different countries, Obi noted that nations which achieved lasting transformation did so by uniting their people around a shared vision rooted in truth. He argued that leadership without honesty destroys consensus and weakens the foundations of development. He said taxation should operate as a true social contract built on fairness, sincerity, and concern for citizens’ welfare, adding that tax policies must be clearly explained, including their impact on incomes and how revenues are used for national development. According to him, without transparency, taxation becomes a burden rather than a tool for growth. Obi maintained that Nigeria’s fiscal challenge is not just about increasing revenue but about making citizens wealthier so the country itself can grow stronger. He said Nigerians are being asked to pay higher taxes without clarity, accountability, or visible public benefits. He identified the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises as the starting point for sustainable economic growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes, and naturally broaden the tax base. The former governor also expressed concern over what he described as an unprecedented tax fraud controversy, alleging that a tax law currently being enforced is not the same version passed by the National Assembly. He said reports indicate that lawmakers themselves have acknowledged discrepancies between what was approved and what was eventually gazetted. Obi warned against celebrating increased government revenue while citizens become poorer, describing such outcomes as a failure of governance rather than success. He argued that taxing poverty does not create wealth but instead deepens hardship. He called for a fair, lawful, and people-centred tax system that supports production, rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and restores trust between the government and the people, saying only such an approach can turn taxation into a true instrument for unity, growth, and shared prosperity.

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Sanwo-Olu Orders Demolition Of Fire-Damaged GNI Building In Central Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the controlled dismantling of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in the heart of Lagos after a fire left the structure severely compromised. The decision was taken on Friday during the governor’s inspection of the building on Martins Street. Sanwo-Olu said assessments carried out by a team of engineers and safety experts revealed that the fire caused extensive damage to the building’s structural framework, making it unsafe for continued existence. He noted that public safety remains the government’s top priority, adding that the demolition would be executed in stages and under strict safety protocols to prevent harm to nearby buildings, traders, and pedestrians. Following the directive, the state government ordered the immediate closure of shops along Martins Street, advising traders to evacuate their wares and relocate temporarily to safer areas. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has also set up a support desk at the site to assist families seeking information about persons who may have been inside the building when the fire occurred. Although a specific timeline for the demolition was not disclosed, the governor assured residents that emergency services and safety personnel would stay on ground throughout the operation, while the area is cordoned off to protect surrounding structures in the busy commercial district.

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Kebbi State Directs All Schools To Reopen For Second Term

The Kebbi State Government has directed all primary and secondary schools in the state to reopen for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session. According to statements from Isah Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Aliyu Bagarawa, Deputy Director (Academics) at the Kebbi State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, schools are set to resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. School administrators, teachers, parents, students, and education secretaries have been urged to ensure strict compliance with the directive. School heads were instructed to make all necessary preparations for a smooth return to academic activities. Parents and guardians were also reminded to ensure that their children and wards return to school promptly. A related circular informed zonal education officers, principals, head teachers, and private school proprietors that the first week of the term will be devoted to first-term examinations, while regular classes and academic activities will commence on Monday, January 12, 2026. The government stressed that all schools must adhere to the approved resumption timetable and examination schedule.

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Wike Warns Rivers Governor Fubara: No Second Chance For Poor Leadership

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has warned Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara that there will be no second chance for ineffective leadership in the state. Wike made the remarks on Friday during a “thank you visit” to Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, emphasizing that a governor who cannot maintain productive relationships with local government chairmen, state assembly members, and other key stakeholders is incapable of governing effectively. “We must make decisions. I heard people say those who worked for Atiku are back, yet they couldn’t even deliver 10 per cent. What political advantage is that? Money cannot fix the problems the governor has created. If you fail the first time, there will be no second chance. There cannot be two captains on one ship,” Wike said. He further stressed, “Anyone who cannot relate with Local Government Chairmen, state assembly members, National Assembly members, and other stakeholders cannot provide good leadership.” Responding to Fubara’s recent New Year statement, Wike issued a pointed warning about correcting past mistakes. “Somebody said a dog is barking. This dog barked even when Rivers people didn’t know who the person was, and that same dog made the person governor when others ran away. Now the dog is barking again, and he’s not afraid. I wish him good luck. We have decided to support Asiwaju Tinubu. There’s no discussion about that. But we will not repeat the mistakes of the past; we will correct them,” Wike added.

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Adekunle Gold Becomes First Artiste To Sell Out Wole Soyinka Centre Concert

Singer Adekunle Gold has become the first artiste to sell out a concert at the newly renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos. The record-breaking event took place on December 26, 2025, when Adekunle Gold filled the 3,560-seat venue, formerly known as the National Theatre, for his concert Fuji. The show was among the first major live music events staged at the centre following its reopening in October 2025. To celebrate the milestone, organisers presented two plaques—one to Something Different Management, Events and Record Label for organising the concert, and another honoring Adekunle Gold as the first artiste to headline and sell out the venue. The plaque for the label read: “Something Different Management, Events and Record Label. Record label for Adekunle Gold sold out National Theatre event in Lagos, Nigeria.” The performance featured a blend of Afrobeats and orchestral music, with a full orchestra backing the singer throughout the evening. Guests were asked to dress in black tie, and the event attracted several prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Rapper Olamide introduced Adekunle Gold on stage, saying: “Please join me in welcoming the big fish, AG Baby, Adekunle Gold, also known as Mr Kosoko. Sit back, relax, and enjoy good music.” The concert also featured appearances from Fuji legend Adewale Ayuba and gospel singer Yinka Ayefele, adding to the eclectic mix of musical styles on display. The venue, formerly the National Theatre, was renamed in honor of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka following extensive renovations.

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