Seyi Law Declares Nigeria Is Safer Now Than 10 Years Ago

Seyi Law has ignited fresh controversy after insisting that Nigeria is more secure today than it was a decade ago. During a discussion on The Honest Bunch Podcast, the comedian openly backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the current administration has achieved meaningful progress in combating insecurity. When asked by co-host Daddy Freeze whether the country feels safer now compared to 10 years ago, Seyi Law responded confidently, “Nigeria is safer now than 10 years ago.” He claimed that more bandits have been taken out under Tinubu’s leadership than in previous governments, including during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Referencing the period when bomb explosions were frequent during the height of insurgency attacks, he questioned critics about the last time Nigerians witnessed such large-scale blasts, suggesting that the situation has improved. However, activist Zekeri, who also featured on the podcast, strongly opposed that view. He argued that insecurity remains widespread, pointing to recent attacks in the Northeast, rising cases of kidnapping, and the killing of senior military officers. According to him, many Nigerians feel they are left to fend for themselves. The conversation later turned political, with Zekeri voicing support for Peter Obi, describing him as a leader whose finances can be accounted for “down to every kobo.” Seyi Law disagreed, maintaining that the country’s economy is gradually improving and that the reforms being implemented, though difficult, are necessary. The exchange has since sparked intense reactions online, with Nigerians divided over claims about security and the state of the nation under the current administration.

Read More

Super Eagles to Play Iran, Jordan in Four-Nation Tournament

Three-time African champions Nigeria will feature in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, capital of Jordan, during next month’s FIFA Men’s International Window. The mini-tournament will kick off with a clash between the Super Eagles and the senior men national team of Iran, at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium, on Friday, 27th March 2026. The same day, the senior men national teams of Jordan and Costa Rica will be at each other’s jugular at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also in Amman. On Tuesday, 31st March, hosts Jordan will take on 2025 AFCON bronze-medallists Nigeria at the Amman International Stadium, while Costa Rica will confront Iran at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Organizers will announce the time-schedule for the four matches in a few days.

Read More

Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly Contract With Full Staff and Benefits

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is reportedly pushing for a new contract that could see his monthly earnings rise to $130,000. Currently earning around $50,000 per month from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Malian tactician has recently changed agents and has been linked with a potential role at Marseille. Reports from Shina Oludare of FlashScore clarify that the $130,000 figure is intended to cover Chelle, his entire technical staff, and his personal assistant, not the previously cited $100,000. Among his other demands are a private SUV with a chauffeur and security, a residence in a secure location with 24-hour electricity, a fully furnished office with a projector for match analysis, internet access, and flight tickets for his wife and two children—business class for himself and his wife, economy for the children. He is also requesting GPS tracking and all necessary coaching equipment. Chelle is seeking full authority over international friendly matches, training camps, youth development programs, and the ability to travel abroad to monitor national team players. He also wants permission to attend domestic league matches to identify talents for the senior national team, U23, U20, and U17 squads. Additional conditions reportedly include no interference in player selection and call-ups, and contractual guarantees for his staff, including timely payment of salaries by the 30th of each month, bonuses and allowances according to NFF policy, with his personal assistant included in the bonus structure. Chelle’s outlined terms state: “The NFF has to issue a working contract for my staff, salary needs to be paid on or before 30th of every month, bonus and allowance as per federation structure, request to include my PA in the bonus and allowance structure, proposed salary of $130,000.00 monthly. The amount includes all technical staffs and PA and monthly meeting with all the national team coaches.”

Read More

100 US Military Personnel Deploy To Bauchi To Train And Support Nigerian Armed Forces

About 100 United States military personnel, accompanied by equipment, have arrived at Bauchi Airfield to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in training, technical assistance, and intelligence-sharing, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Monday. Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the deployment is part of ongoing Nigeria–US defence collaboration, following discussions during a recent joint military working group meeting. “The arrival of US personnel is planned and deliberate, responding to a formal request from the Federal Government of Nigeria to address specific military training needs,” the DHQ stated. The partnership is intended to provide Nigerian forces with access to specialized technical expertise, strengthening their ability to counter terrorist threats and protect vulnerable communities across the country. Major General Uba emphasized that the US personnel are advisory specialists focused solely on training and guidance, not combat operations. All activities will be conducted under the authority and supervision of the Nigerian government in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria. As part of the cooperation, Nigerian troops and US advisers will participate in joint training exercises and intelligence-focused initiatives designed to improve the military’s capacity to identify, confront, and neutralize extremist groups threatening national stability. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to defeating terrorist organizations that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and citizens,” the DHQ said, promising regular updates on the collaboration. This deployment reflects the deepening defence partnership between Nigeria and the United States, reinforcing joint efforts to boost national security and combat terrorism.

Read More

First Batch Of U.S. Military Personnel Arrives In Nigeria To Support Counterterrorism Operations

The first contingent of U.S. military personnel has arrived in Nigeria as part of a deployment of approximately 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers to assist Nigerian forces in counterterrorism operations, officials confirmed Friday. The mission also includes efforts to help protect Christian communities in volatile regions. A U.S. military plane landed in Maiduguri on Thursday night, bringing the initial group of roughly 100 troops. Additional flights carrying personnel and equipment are expected to arrive over the coming weeks. Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, a Nigerian defence spokesman, clarified that the U.S. troops will focus on training and technical support. “These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role,” he said. “Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory.” The deployment follows recommendations from a U.S.-Nigeria joint working group, with American personnel providing advisory support at multiple locations. U.S. Defence Department officials confirmed that their role is primarily noncombat, operating mainly from command posts. The mission will span several high-risk areas, including northern states affected by jihadist activity, such as Boko Haram, and the Middle Belt, where attacks on Christian communities have been particularly severe, according to Nigerian officials.

Read More

Favour Ashe Quits Nigeria Athletics For Qatar Over Neglect, Poor Support

Nigerian sprinter Favour Ashe has confirmed he is set to compete for Qatar, bringing an end to his time under Nigeria’s athletics system. The U.S.-based 100m runner disclosed that he has been in Qatar for about five months and has decided to pursue his future there after growing disillusioned with the treatment of athletes back home. Known for his blistering 9.79-second personal best, Ashe said years of insufficient backing and what he termed disrespect from sports authorities pushed him toward the move. “I am heading for a country where athletes are treated with respect and rewarded for their efforts,” he said. Although he has not yet opened his 2026 season, Ashe revealed that Qatar’s athletics federation has already drawn up a structured programme for him and other recruits, including plans to kick off their campaign in South Africa. “The Qatar federation is taking us to South Africa to begin our season there. This is something Nigeria will never do,” he stated. He added that several young Nigerian athletes are currently training within Qatar’s system, with the aim of assembling a dominant 4x100m relay team largely built around Nigerian-born sprinters. Sunday Akintan, who recently clocked 6.48 seconds indoors, is also believed to have switched allegiance as part of the same recruitment effort. Insiders say more Nigerian athletes, including some presently preparing for the Commonwealth Games, are exploring similar options in search of better funding, exposure and consistent competition. Ashe explained that his frustration intensified during the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, where he was disqualified from the 100m final while representing Team Delta. “Those who have the opportunity to leave are not looking back,” he warned. “Soon Nigeria will be hit by an exodus of athletes. Some are even ready to run for other African countries that can offer them proper compensation and regular competitions.” A Delta State Sports Commission official, speaking anonymously, said the commission had not been formally informed of Ashe’s switch. It also remains unclear whether he benefited from training grants reportedly distributed this year by the National Sports Commission. His decision follows a similar move by Favour Ofili, who changed allegiance to Turkey after accusing officials of ill treatment during preparations for the Paris Olympics.

Read More

Remi Tinubu Claims Some Abducted Chibok Girls Declined Rescue Efforts After Falling in Love

Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has claimed that some of the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in 2014 declined rescue efforts after developing feelings for the insurgents who held them captive. During a recent trip to the United States, Mrs Tinubu was quoted by The Free Press as saying that attempts to bring back the remaining girls became more complicated after authorities discovered that several of them were unwilling to return. “Even those girls kidnapped during Chibok, they are still trying to rescue them, until they learned recently that most of them fell in love with their abductors, so that’s quite difficult. You know, they refuse to come back.” According to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 91 of the 276 students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, are still unaccounted for. Mrs Tinubu, who attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the U.S., said she used the visit to address what she described as “recent hype on social media that there is Christian genocide.” The mass abduction took place in April 2014 when Boko Haram fighters stormed the boarding school, taking 276 girls in an attack that drew global outrage. Since then, about 189 of the students have regained freedom through military rescue operations or by escaping captivity. When contacted for confirmation of the First Lady’s remarks, the Nigerian Army said it could not immediately verify the claim. The Army spokesperson, Onyechi Anele, said, “How do I confirm this now?” and promised to check, but did not respond to subsequent calls. Last year, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, Major-General Adamu Laka, reiterated that the government had not abandoned efforts to secure the remaining captives. “We have not given up hope on them; some of them were married to some of the insurgents. Some have come out. But let our focus not only on the Chibok girls because there are others that have been kidnapped,” he said while briefing journalists. More than a decade after the attack, the fate of dozens of the Chibok girls remains unresolved, as authorities continue efforts to locate and free them.

Read More

IShowSpeed’s Dad Picks Nigerian Jollof Over Ghanaian In Taste Test

In a separate livestream from his son’s African tour, IShowSpeed’s father, Darren Watkins Sr., took part in a playful culinary showdown to settle the famous West African debate: which jollof rice is better, Nigerian or Ghanaian? Watkins Sr. was presented with two plates — one Nigerian jollof and one Ghanaian jollof — without knowing which was which. After tasting both, he confidently picked the Nigerian version, praising its smoky aroma, rich flavor, and bold seasoning. His decision quickly went viral, sparking reactions and discussions across social media. This was Watkins Sr.’s first time trying both dishes, and unlike his son, who had sampled Nigerian and Ghanaian jollof during his “Speed Does Africa” tour, he relied solely on his own taste test. His verdict added a humorous and engaging twist to the ongoing “jollof wars” debate. The livestream highlighted the elder Watkins’ personality and became a favorite moment for fans, showing that the jollof rivalry extends even to the family of the popular content creator. IShowSpeed had his dad try Nigerian and Ghanaian jollof for the first time to settle the debate and just like Speed, he chose Nigerian 🇳🇬🔥❤️ pic.twitter.com/PhRS4plD9V — Twitch Naija (@Twitchnaija) February 13, 2026

Read More