Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over ongoing anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa, as well as the reported deaths of two Nigerian nationals allegedly in the custody of security agencies. In a press briefing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that it summoned the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lesoli Machele, for a high-level meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, in Abuja. The meeting followed disturbing reports of protests calling for foreigners particularly black immigrants to leave the country,…

The National Initiative for Peace and Security (NIPS) has praised the Armed Forces of Nigeria for what it described as significant operational successes recorded across multiple regions in the first quarter of 2026, while cautioning against the politicisation of security efforts. In a quarterly report released on Monday, the group, led by its Executive Director, Dr. Adams Kings, said the military under the leadership of General Olufemi Oluyede had intensified coordinated operations nationwide, yielding measurable results. According to the report, more than 200 terrorists were neutralised, nearly 300 suspects arrested,…

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to review and strengthen the implementation of Nigeria’s National Diaspora Policy 2021. The strategic session, held in Abuja under the Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters (SCDM), brought together key government agencies, development partners, and civil society groups to assess progress, identify gaps, and chart actionable pathways for a more structured and results-driven diaspora engagement framework. Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stressed the need to move beyond…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating about its passport application and payment process, reaffirming that all services are conducted exclusively through its official portal. In a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi,NIS emphasized that its passport application system is secure, transparent, and accessible only via its authorized website. It stressed that it has not partnered with any religious body, private organization, or individual to handle passport payments on its behalf. The NIS described allegations suggesting that a religious organization…

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have jointly inaugurated a planning committee for the maiden Women in Security Summit 2026 (WINSEC) and Women in Security Awards, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to reposition women at the center of Nigeria’s security architecture. The virtual inauguration meeting, held on Friday, brought together key stakeholders from the media and security sectors and formally signaled the commencement of preparations for the landmark summit scheduled for June 2026. Speaking at the session, NAWOJ National Chairperson,…

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has reaffirmed the critical role of a free, independent, and responsible press in promoting democracy, human rights, and national development, as the world marks World Press Freedom Day 2026. In a statement issued on Sunday, May 3, and signed by its National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, the union said this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security,” resonates strongly with Nigeria’s current realities. The NUJ expressed cautious optimism over what it described as a…