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Nigeria’s passport has come under renewed scrutiny after the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index placed it 181st globally, highlighting the limited international travel options available to Nigerian citizens compared with passport holders from countries offering broader visa-free access, Iroko Media reports.
The October 2026 assessment lists 24 destinations where Nigerian passport holders can travel visa-free, 16 offering visas on arrival and 43 accessible through electronic visas. The figures have revived questions about why Nigerians continue to face extensive visa requirements when travelling abroad.

Nigeria’s international travel access is shaped by visa policies adopted by destination countries, the conditions attached to entry, diplomatic relationships and the methodology used to measure passport strength.

The latest ranking does not, by itself, establish that the Nigerian government caused a sudden loss of 20 visa-free destinations. It does, however, expose the gap between the travel freedom available to Nigerians and that enjoyed by citizens of countries with more extensive visa-waiver agreements.

1. Different passport rankings tell different stories
One of the most important details behind the latest Nigerian passport ranking is that the figures being compared come from different organisations.

In July 2026, Henley & Partners placed Nigeria 90th out of 199 passports in its Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free score of 44 destinations. The ranking was one position lower than Nigeria’s April position, although the score remained unchanged.

In October, IziVisa placed Nigeria 181st out of 196 countries in its separate assessment. Its published figures listed 24 visa-free destinations, 16 destinations offering visas on arrival and 43 accessible through electronic visas.

These figures should not be treated as a direct before-and-after measurement of a sudden collapse. Henley and IziVisa use different methodologies, destination coverage and classifications when assessing travel access.

Why this matters: a change in an index position can reflect how an organisation measures access as well as changes in entry requirements. To establish that Nigerians actually lost access to 20 destinations, researchers would need to compare the same countries, the same entry categories and the same dates.

The ranking is therefore a warning about Nigeria’s limited passport power, but the size of the reported decline requires careful interpretation.

2. Visa-free access depends on decisions made by other countries
A passport does not independently grant its holder entry into every country. Each destination determines the entry requirements for foreign visitors, including whether a visa is necessary, whether one can be issued on arrival or whether an electronic application must be completed beforehand.

For Nigerian travellers, the practical consequence is that visiting many destinations requires advance planning, documentation and approval from foreign immigration authorities.

Countries may review visa policies for a variety of reasons, including immigration management, border security, diplomatic relations and assessments of travel-related risks. However, the available ranking data do not identify which of these considerations, if any, explains a particular country’s decision concerning Nigerian passport holders.

The central challenge for Nigeria is to expand the number of destinations where its citizens can travel under simpler entry arrangements through diplomacy, reciprocal agreements and sustained engagement with other governments.

3. Nigeria has previously lost access to some destinations
The concern over Nigeria’s passport is not entirely new.

Reporting on the April and July 2026 Henley rankings identified destinations including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia among countries where Nigerians had lost visa-free access over recent years. Nigeria also gained access to some Pacific island destinations during the period covered by the reporting.

These changes illustrate how passport mobility can evolve as countries revise their entry policies. Access is not permanently guaranteed, and a country’s position may change when destinations amend their rules or when other passports gain access to additional countries.

However, the available reporting does not establish a single common reason for all the changes involving Nigerian travellers. Each country’s decision would need to be examined separately before attributing it to a specific diplomatic or immigration issue.

4. Nigeria trails several African countries in travel access
The comparison with other African countries highlights the scale of the mobility gap.

In the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, South Africa ranked 49th globally with access to 101 destinations. Botswana ranked 61st with 81, Morocco 67th with 71, Kenya 68th with 70, and Ghana 70th with 67 destinations. Nigeria was 90th with a score of 44.

These figures show that citizens of several African countries had access to substantially more destinations without obtaining a visa in advance under the same index.

The comparison does not mean that every traveller from those countries can enter every destination unconditionally. Visa exemptions usually come with restrictions, such as permitted length of stay, travel purpose and other border requirements.

Nevertheless, wider access can make international travel easier for tourism, education, business, conferences and family visits.

For Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, the cost and uncertainty associated with visa applications can create additional barriers, particularly when applications require travel to consulates, extensive documentation or non-refundable bookings.

5. The Nigerian government faces a diplomatic challenge
Improving Nigeria’s passport mobility requires more than changing the passport booklet or improving the speed of passport issuance.

The Nigerian government would need to pursue stronger visa-waiver arrangements, maintain effective diplomatic engagement and work towards agreements that make travel easier for Nigerian citizens.

Reciprocity may form part of such negotiations: governments sometimes consider the treatment their citizens receive abroad when deciding how to structure entry requirements for visitors from other countries. But visa policies differ, and no single agreement can be assumed to solve the problem across all destinations.

Nigeria would also need to engage destination countries directly to understand the conditions attached to their visa policies and identify where bilateral or regional arrangements could expand travel access.

The latest index does not establish that the Nigerian government has failed to pursue these measures, nor does it identify a particular diplomatic failure responsible for the reported position. Assessing government performance would require evidence of negotiations, agreements, policy decisions and their outcomes.

6. What the ranking means for ordinary Nigerians
For the average Nigerian traveller, passport strength has consequences beyond a position on a global list.

A visa requirement can mean additional application fees, supporting documents, waiting periods and uncertainty over whether travel plans will proceed. These obstacles can affect students applying to overseas institutions, businesspeople attending international meetings, families visiting relatives and tourists planning holidays.

Electronic visas can simplify some procedures, but they are not the same as visa-free entry. Applicants may still need to complete an application, pay a fee and receive approval before travelling.

Similarly, a visa-on-arrival arrangement does not guarantee admission. Travellers must still meet the destination’s entry requirements and satisfy immigration officials.

The IziVisa figures therefore provide a useful snapshot of the categories of access available to Nigerian passport holders, but travellers should verify current rules with the destination country’s official immigration service before making arrangements.

The real issue behind Nigeria’s passport ranking
Nigeria’s reported 181st position on the IziVisa index has drawn attention to the limits of international travel access for its citizens. Yet the difference between the latest IziVisa result and the July Henley ranking should not be presented as proof that Nigeria suddenly lost 20 destinations or fell 91 places on one continuous scale.

The stronger conclusion is that Nigerian passport holders continue to face more restrictions than citizens of several countries with broader visa-free access, while past changes to entry rules show that travel privileges can be gained or lost.

For the Nigerian government, the longer-term challenge is to turn diplomatic engagement into practical benefits for citizens: more destinations with simplified entry, clearer travel arrangements and fewer barriers to legitimate international movement.


https://irokomedia.com/nigeria-passport-ranking-2026-reasons/

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić are among football’s most enduring stars, but they are not at the top of the list of players with the most career appearances.

Iroko Media reports that Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio leads the ranking with a reported 1,449 appearances, followed by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton with 1,387. Ronaldo occupies third place with 1,343 appearances, underlining the remarkable longevity of a career spanning several major European clubs and his continued involvement in international football.

The figures, reported by Planet Football, highlight a different measure of greatness: not just goals, trophies or individual awards, but the ability to remain available and competitive over many seasons.

Goalkeepers feature prominently because their careers can extend well into their 40s. However, the ranking also includes forwards, midfielders and defenders whose consistency has kept them at the highest levels of the game for years.

Here are the 10 footballers listed with the most career appearances.

Top 10 Footballers With The Most Career AppearancesTop 10 Footballers With The Most Career Appearances
1. Fábio — 1,449 appearances
Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio tops the supplied ranking after beginning his professional career in 1997.

He has spent most of his career in Brazilian football, with Cruzeiro accounting for 955 appearances in the figures provided. He has also represented clubs including Vasco da Gama and Fluminense.

His longevity places him among the most durable players in football history, with a career spanning multiple generations of teammates and opponents.

2. Peter Shilton — 1,387 appearances
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton ranks second, having played professionally from 1966 to 1997.

His career included spells with Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Derby County. He also earned 125 senior caps for England.

Shilton’s three-decade career remains a benchmark for longevity in English football, demonstrating how a player can sustain a high-level career across different eras.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo — 1,343 appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-ranked outfield player in the supplied list.

The Portuguese forward has represented Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, while also accumulating hundreds of appearances for Portugal.

His longevity is particularly notable for an attacking player, a position that demands repeated high-intensity running, sharp movement and sustained scoring contributions.

Ronaldo’s continued career means his total can rise, so his exact position and appearance count may change as more matches are played.

4. Paul Bastock — 1,297+ appearances
English goalkeeper Paul Bastock is listed with more than 1,297 appearances.

Much of his career was spent in English football outside its biggest clubs, illustrating that extraordinary longevity is not exclusive to global superstars.

His inclusion also highlights the importance of consistent service across many seasons, often away from the attention given to elite international competitions.

5. Rogério Ceni — 1,226 appearances
Brazilian goalkeeper Rogério Ceni recorded 1,226 appearances during his playing career.

He is particularly associated with São Paulo, where he became famous not only for his goalkeeping but also for scoring from free-kicks and penalties.

Ceni’s career stands out because he combined the longevity of a goalkeeper with an unusual attacking contribution, becoming one of football’s most prolific goal-scoring goalkeepers.

6. Lionel Messi — 1,215 appearances
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi ranks sixth in the supplied figures.

His career includes 778 appearances for Barcelona, 75 for Paris Saint-Germain and 117 for Inter Miami, alongside his matches for Argentina.

Messi’s career has brought major club and international honours, including the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022. His place on the list shows that sustained performance at the highest level can extend well beyond a player’s peak years.

As an active player, his career total is also subject to change.

7. Barry Hayles — 1,180 appearances
Former English forward Barry Hayles is listed with 1,180 appearances.

Hayles played for numerous clubs during a lengthy career in English football. His presence in the top 10 illustrates how players can build remarkable appearance totals through years of regular football across different divisions.

While his name may be less familiar to global audiences than Ronaldo or Messi, his career reflects the consistency required to remain involved in professional football over an extended period.

8. Tommy Hutchison — 1,178+ appearances
Scottish former winger Tommy Hutchison is credited with more than 1,178 appearances.

His career spanned several decades and included English clubs such as Coventry City and Manchester City.

Hutchison’s longevity places him among the players whose careers bridged different generations of football, making his total a notable achievement in its own right.

9. Luka Modrić — 1,178 appearances
Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić is listed with 1,178 appearances.

His career has included major spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, where he became a central figure in one of the most successful periods in the Spanish club’s history.

Modrić has also played a leading role for Croatia, helping the national team reach the 2018 World Cup final and finish third at the 2022 tournament.

His inclusion is especially notable because midfielders must continually cover ground, maintain possession and compete in demanding matches. His career demonstrates the value of technical quality, tactical awareness and sustained fitness.

10. Pat Jennings — 1,161 appearances
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings completes the top 10 with 1,161 appearances.

Jennings played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal and earned 119 caps for Northern Ireland.

His career extended across several decades, making him one of the most enduring goalkeepers in British football.



https://irokomedia.com/top-10-footballers-most-career-appearances/

What Matchday 4 tells us

Four matches into the season, several early narratives are beginning to take shape.

Enyimba’s start is the biggest concern. Four defeats from four matches leave the nine-time champions without a point and facing an early battle to reverse their fortunes.

Inter Lagos have announced themselves. Their victory in Aba provides the newly promoted side with its first NPFL win and demonstrates its capacity to recover quickly from a heavy derby defeat.

Rangers are gathering momentum. Back-to-back victories, including a six-goal derby win, have given the defending champions a stronger platform after the opening weeks.

Doma United remain the team to chase. Their unbeaten run is gone, but nine points from four matches keep the Gombe-based club at the top of the table. Their official club standings show Doma United first on nine points, ahead of Barau FC on eight.

And perhaps most importantly, Matchday 4 reinforced the unpredictability of the new NPFL season. Established names stumbled, newcomers celebrated historic victories and an early title contender suffered its first major setback.

With Matchday 5 already scheduled for September 23, the league has little time to pause. Enyimba will face Sporting Lagos in Aba, Inter Lagos will host Kano Pillars, and Doma United will return home to face Plateau United.

https://irokomedia.com/npfl-matchday-4-enyimba-rangers-doma-united/

The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season took another dramatic turn on Matchday 4, with Inter Lagos recording a landmark victory over nine-time champions Enyimba, defending champions Rangers International producing a six-goal away win and Kano Pillars ending Doma United’s perfect start.

While several established clubs strengthened their positions, Enyimba’s troubled opening campaign became even more serious after a 1–0 home defeat to newcomers Inter Lagos in Aba.

Across the 10 fixtures, there were four away victories, two draws and four home wins, with 21 goals scored, Irokomedia reports.

The official NPFL results confirm the headline results, including Inter Lagos’ 1–0 win over Enyimba, Rangers’ 4–2 victory against Kun Khalifat, Kano Pillars’ 4–1 defeat of Doma United and Plateau United’s 3–1 comeback against Shooting Stars.

Inter Lagos make history as Enyimba’s nightmare continues
Inter Lagos produced the weekend’s biggest upset by defeating Enyimba 1–0 at the Enyimba Stadium.

Ezekiel Moses scored in the 18th minute to give the newly promoted side its first NPFL victory. The result was particularly significant because it came away from home against one of Nigerian football’s most decorated clubs.

Inter Lagos had entered the match looking to recover from a 3–0 defeat by city rivals Sporting Lagos. Instead of allowing that result to derail them, they responded with a disciplined performance against Enyimba.

For Enyimba, however, the defeat deepened an alarming start to the campaign. The Aba club has now lost its opening four matches and remains without a point.

The hosts had opportunities to rescue the game, including a late effort from Ifeanyi Ihemekwele that struck the crossbar, but Inter Lagos held on.

The contrasting trajectories are striking: Inter Lagos have their first top-flight win, while Enyimba are still searching for their first point.

Rangers find their rhythm in six-goal thriller
Defending champions Rangers International continued their recovery with a 4–2 victory over Kun Khalifat in the Oriental Derby.

The Enugu club followed up its 2–1 victory over Nasarawa United in the rearranged Matchday 3 fixture with another important three points.

Six goals were scored in the encounter, with Rangers finding the net four times while Kun Khalifat responded with two goals.

The victory gives Rangers early momentum as they attempt to defend their NPFL crown, while Kun Khalifat were left to reflect on another difficult result after their previous defeat by Bendel Insurance.

The result also underlined Rangers’ ability to respond after a less convincing start to the season. Their consecutive victories now provide the champions with a platform from which to build.

Kano Pillars end Doma United’s perfect run
If Doma United arrived in Kano as the surprise team to beat, Kano Pillars ensured the Savannah Tigers left with their first defeat of the campaign.

Pillars won 4–1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, ending Doma United’s three-match winning streak and their run without conceding.

Abdullahi Musa opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Rabiu Ali doubled the advantage eight minutes before half-time.

Doma United responded in the 53rd minute when Sadiq Rilwan headed in from Gamagira’s corner.

But the comeback never materialised. Ahmed Musa restored Pillars’ two-goal advantage in the 77th minute before a fourth goal in added time completed the rout. Doma United’s official match report confirms the sequence and says the club remained top despite the defeat.

The result illustrates one of the early season’s most intriguing developments: Doma United have lost their perfect record, yet remain at the summit with nine points.

Plateau United overturn Shooting Stars
Plateau United also produced a strong second-half response, defeating Shooting Stars 3–1 in Jos.

Shooting Stars took the lead through Taheer Abubakar in the 15th minute, but Plateau United turned the game around after the break.

Jibrin Ibrahim equalised in the 50th minute before Seiyefa Jackson put the hosts ahead in the 71st. Gideon Monday completed the comeback seven minutes from full time.

For Plateau United, the victory showed their ability to recover after conceding first. For Shooting Stars, the second-half collapse cost them a result after they had controlled the early stages.

Abia Warriors stun Sporting Lagos
Abia Warriors secured their first victory of the campaign by defeating Sporting Lagos 2–0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The game remained goalless until the final stages, when Ikoi Etta broke the deadlock in the 88th minute.

Emeka Obioma then added a second in stoppage time to complete a dramatic away victory.

Sporting Lagos technical adviser Jeffery Buter blamed the defeat partly on the risks his team took while pushing for a goal.

“Two mistakes, two goals conceded on the counter so it was a disappointing result for us,” Buter said.

The defeat means both Lagos clubs experienced contrasting fortunes on the same matchday, with Inter Lagos winning in Aba while Sporting Lagos suffered a home loss.

Rivers United surrender lead in Lafia
Rivers United missed an opportunity to take maximum points after drawing 1–1 with Nasarawa United.

The visitors went ahead in the 66th minute through an own goal by Nasarawa United defender Harrison Ebah.

Nasarawa United responded late, with Musa Yakubu converting an 84th-minute penalty to rescue a point.

For Rivers United, the draw represented two points dropped after leading deep into the second half. Nasarawa United, meanwhile, showed enough resilience to avoid defeat on home soil.

Warri Wolves, Katsina United and Ranchers Bees claim wins
Warri Wolves edged Kwara United 1–0, with Eventus Itolowo scoring from a free-kick in the eighth minute.

Kwara United created opportunities to respond but failed to convert them, allowing Warri Wolves to protect their early advantage.

Katsina United also secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Niger Tornadoes, while Ranchers Bees defeated Bendel Insurance 2–1.

In the other fixture, Barau FC maintained their unbeaten start by holding Ikorodu City to a goalless draw. The official NPFL results confirm all three outcomes. (NPFL)

https://irokomedia.com/npfl-matchday-4-enyimba-rangers-doma-united/

The Federal Government is introducing tougher controls for Nigeria’s 2027 budget, requiring ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to prove their legal existence and strengthen payroll verification following the controversy over a fake agency inserted into the 2026 spending plan.

The new measures are contained in the 2027 Personnel Costs Budget Call Circular issued by the Budget Office of the Federation on September 4, 2026, and signed by its Director-General, Tanimu Yakubu, Iroko Media reports.

The government also plans to present the 2027 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly in September, about three months before the start of the new fiscal year.

The Budget Office said the draft 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper had been completed in July to support the early presentation of the budget.

MDAs have until 4pm on September 18 to submit their 2027 personnel cost proposals, alongside supporting documents.

One of the biggest changes is a new requirement for every MDA to submit its Establishment Act with its budget proposal. The Budget Office said the measure was designed to prevent unrecognised or fictitious agencies from appearing in the Federal Government’s spending plan.

The directive follows the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which received about ₦1.3bn in the 2026 budget despite questions over its legal status.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission subsequently said the organisation had no legal backing and that its purported director-general, Adeniyi Adeyemi, had never been appointed by the Federal Government.

The controversy prompted President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the processes and internal controls that allowed the questionable agency to enter the budget.

The Budget Office is also tightening controls over personnel spending. MDAs must reconcile their payrolls with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System and the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System.

No personnel provision will be made for federal employees not captured on the systems unless they have been specifically exempted by the appropriate authority.

The government has further barred MDAs from budgeting for anticipated promotions. Only promotions already approved and effective will be included, while promotions taking effect during 2027 will be handled centrally and reflected in the 2028 personnel budget.

New recruitment will also require evidence of financial clearance, appointment letters and relevant waivers.

The Budget Office warned that unauthorised recruitment resulting in salary shortfalls or payroll problems would not be accepted.

It also excluded outsourced workers, consultants, contract staff, corps members and other non-permanent personnel from MDA nominal rolls.

For health and education institutions, additional safeguards will target duplicate payments involving consultants, lecturers, interns and other temporary personnel.

To strengthen monitoring, the government plans to deploy a centralised Personnel Cost Monitoring Dashboard linked to IPPIS and GIFMIS. The system is expected to allow officials to compare personnel expenditure with approved budget provisions in real time.

MDAs must also submit third-quarter personnel budget performance reports by September 30.

The reforms come as the Federal Government attempts to improve budget credibility, reduce payroll leakages and address the persistent problem of delayed or overlapping budget cycles.

https://irokomedia.com/fg-tightens-2027-budget-rules-fake-agency-scandal/

Nigeria’s banking industry is rapidly shrinking its physical footprint, with Deposit Money Banks closing a net 476 branches and cash centres between 2022 and 2025 as customers increasingly shift towards digital and alternative payment channels.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 2025 Statistical Bulletin for the Financial Sector showed that the number of bank branches and cash centres nationwide fell from 5,410 in 2022 to 4,934 in 2025, Iroko Media reports.

The reduction represents an 8.8 per cent contraction in physical banking locations within three years.

The decline accelerated significantly after 2023. Banks recorded a net loss of 37 locations in 2023, followed by 229 in 2024 and another 210 in 2025. As a result, about 92 per cent of the total reduction occurred in the final two years of the period.

The figures cover branches and cash centres operated by commercial, merchant and non-interest banks, according to data sourced from the CBN and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The contraction is notable because the number of banks operating in Nigeria actually increased during most of the period. The industry had 32 banks in 2022, rising to 33 in 2023 and 35 in 2024 before slipping to 34 in 2025.

Lagos recorded the biggest decline in absolute terms. The country’s principal commercial centre went from 1,602 branches and cash centres in 2022 to 1,444 in 2025, a loss of 158 locations or 9.9 per cent.

Despite the reduction, Lagos still accounted for about 29 per cent of Nigeria’s entire physical banking network in 2025.
The Federal Capital Territory also recorded a significant decline, falling from 400 locations in 2022 to 362 in 2025. That represents a reduction of 38 branches and cash centres, or 9.5 per cent.

Some states experienced considerably steeper contractions. Ekiti’s banking network dropped from 107 locations to 57, representing a 46.7 per cent reduction. Enugu lost 44 locations, falling from 162 to 118, while Oyo declined by 41, from 237 to 196.
Other notable reductions were recorded in Ondo, Plateau, Osun, Cross River and Rivers.

The trend was not uniform across the country. Delta increased its physical banking locations from 173 to 196 between 2022 and 2025, while Edo rose from 155 to 165. Jigawa increased from 31 to 37 and Kogi from 63 to 68.

The geographical gap remains particularly wide. Lagos had 1,444 locations in 2025, compared with just 23 in Yobe, 26 in Taraba and 28 in Zamfara.
The shrinking branch network comes as the CBN encourages greater use of alternative payment channels to widen financial access, particularly among farmers, traders, small businesses and informal-sector operators.

The apex bank has argued that digital and alternative payment systems can help reach people who have limited access to conventional banking services.

The latest figures therefore point to a significant transformation in Nigeria’s financial sector: banking institutions are maintaining fewer physical locations while relying increasingly on electronic channels to serve customers across the country.

https://irokomedia.com/nigerian-banks-shut-476-branches-digital-banking/

For millions of Nigerians facing soaring transport costs, expensive food and worsening living pressures, the idea of bringing back fuel subsidy appears to offer a path to immediate relief.
But the proposal by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027 has reopened one of Nigeria’s most divisive economic debates: can the country afford another subsidy system, who will benefit, and how will it be funded?

Atiku has argued that his plan would not simply return Nigeria to the previous system of subsidising imported petrol. Instead, he has proposed a model focused on strengthening domestic refining by providing crude oil to local refineries through a structured arrangement aimed at reducing production costs.

Supporters believe the approach could reduce the burden of high petrol prices that followed the removal of subsidy in 2023. Critics, however, warn that any return to subsidy could recreate the financial and governance problems that made the policy controversial.

Here are five key issues Nigerians should understand.

1. Who Actually Pays for Fuel Subsidy?

Fuel subsidy does not mean oil companies sell petrol at a loss voluntarily. Instead, the government pays the difference between the actual cost of supplying petrol and the price consumers pay at filling stations.

For example, if the cost of supplying petrol is ₦900 per litre but the government fixes the pump price at ₦600, the government covers the ₦300 gap.

The money comes from public resources, including oil earnings, taxes and other government revenue. This means subsidy spending competes with funding for infrastructure, healthcare, education and security.

Supporters argue that Nigeria’s oil wealth should protect citizens from economic hardship. Opponents say public funds would deliver greater benefits if invested directly in projects and social programmes.

2. How Expensive Could a New Subsidy Become?

The cost of fuel subsidy depends on factors such as global oil prices, petrol consumption levels and the strength of the naira.

Nigeria’s heavy reliance on petrol-powered transport means any subsidy programme could require billions of naira in government spending.

When crude oil prices rise or the naira weakens against the US dollar, petrol becomes more expensive to supply, increasing the amount government must pay to maintain lower pump prices.

However, Atiku’s proposed refinery-based model differs from the previous import-dependent system. His supporters argue that local production could reduce costs and make subsidy more sustainable.

The challenge remains whether such a system can operate transparently and avoid the problems associated with past subsidy schemes.

3. Who Benefits Most From Cheaper Petrol?

Lower petrol prices would immediately affect motorists, transport operators, businesses and households that depend on fuel-powered services.

Cheaper fuel could reduce transportation costs, help lower logistics expenses and potentially slow food price increases by reducing the cost of moving agricultural products and goods.

Small businesses that rely on generators and transportation could also benefit.

However, critics argue that universal fuel subsidy does not necessarily favour Nigeria’s poorest citizens. Wealthier Nigerians with multiple vehicles often consume more petrol and receive a larger share of the benefits.

Economists have therefore argued that targeted support programmes may provide greater assistance to vulnerable groups.

Read more here https://irokomedia.com/atiku-fuel-subsidy-plan-five-things-nigerians-must-know/

Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s resignation as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was presented as a decision taken “in the interest of Nigerian football.” But behind the carefully chosen words was a leadership crisis that had grown too large for his administration to contain.
Gusau stepped down on Thursday after months of mounting pressure, ending a four-year tenure that began with promises of stability, improved administration and a return to success for one of Africa’s biggest football nations. His exit came alongside the resignation of NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.

The immediate trigger was Nigeria’s worsening football performance, but the deeper reason was a collapse of confidence in the leadership structure.

The failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup became the defining moment of the crisis. For a country where football is a national obsession, missing the world’s biggest tournament for a second consecutive edition created widespread anger and raised questions about the direction of the national team.

The situation became even more damaging when the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s record of appearing at every previous edition of the competition since it began in 1991.

Those failures transformed criticism of the NFF from complaints about coaches and players into a wider debate about leadership, planning and accountability.

The pressure was also intensified by questions surrounding financial management. Reports of scrutiny over government intervention funds meant to clear outstanding football-related obligations created another challenge for Gusau’s administration. Although details of the investigations remain subject to official clarification, the controversy further weakened public confidence in the federation.

The NFF attempted to respond by creating a fact-finding committee headed by former federation secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun to examine the failures of Nigeria’s national teams and recommend solutions. However, Amun’s resignation after submitting his report created fresh uncertainty over whether meaningful reforms would follow.

The political pressure inside the federation eventually became impossible to ignore. With NFF elections scheduled for September, divisions reportedly emerged within the Executive Committee over the future of the leadership structure. Rather than allowing the crisis to deepen into a battle over control, Gusau chose to step aside and urged other board members to follow.

Announcing his decision in Abuja, Gusau said his resignation was designed to allow reforms.

“I decided to resign as President of the NFF. My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” he said.

However, his departure has not ended the crisis. Instead, it has opened a new battle over who controls the transition and whether Nigeria can rebuild its football system without violating FIFA’s rules against government interference.

Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami welcomed the move, saying the resignation created an opportunity to “clean up” Nigerian football. But critics warned that removing an entire leadership structure without a clear transition plan could create further instability.

The next phase will determine whether Gusau’s exit becomes another leadership change or the beginning of the deep reforms Nigerian football has demanded for years.

https://irokomedia.com/inside-ibrahim-gusau-nff-exit-why-he-resigned/

[url]President Donald Trump[/url] has ordered the United States to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, turning one of the most recognisable waterways shared by the US and Canada into the latest flashpoint in an increasingly tense relationship between the two neighbours.
Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the US Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the country’s official geographic naming system. The order, however, cannot compel Canada or international bodies to adopt the new name.

Why Trump changed the name

The announcement comes amid a major deterioration in US-Canada relations, particularly over trade.

Trump has accused Canada of taking advantage of the United States and has repeatedly criticised its trade and defence policies. His administration recently announced 50 per cent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods after negotiations between Washington and Ottawa broke down.

The president has also repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st US state, rhetoric that has angered Canadian political leaders and intensified tensions between the traditionally close allies.

Trump said the Lake America decision was not intended to deliver a specific geopolitical message, but linked the broader dispute to what he described as unfair treatment by Canada.

“Canada’s been ripping us off for a long time,” he said, referring to trade and military issues.

“They wanted to be treated like a state and they’re not a state. We just can’t do that anymore.”

Trump added that the United States loved the Canadian people but questioned the performance of their political representatives.

Canada rejects Trump’s new name

Canadian officials quickly dismissed the renaming in light of the US Canada trade war.

Prime Minister Mark Carney invoked the lake’s long history and Indigenous origins, insisting that Canadians would continue using its established name.

“Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always,” Carney wrote.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston was even more blunt, posting: “We’re into some real foolishness now. It’s Lake Ontario, buddy.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford had previously dismissed the possibility of the renaming as “a lot of rhetoric”, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose state borders the lake, said: “New York won’t be calling it that.”

The name Trump is trying to replace

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes shared by the United States and Canada. Its name predates both modern Canadian Confederation and the United States itself.

The name is linked to the Huron Indigenous people and is derived from a term meaning “lake of shining waters.” Ontario province later adopted its name from the lake.

Trump’s move also echoes his earlier campaign to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”.

The latest decision therefore goes beyond a geographic label. It reflects Trump’s increasingly confrontational approach to Canada at a time when trade disputes, tariffs and his controversial statehood comments have placed the two countries’ relationship under unusual strain.

For now, Americans may see “Lake America” on official US government maps, but across the border, the waterway remains firmly Lake Ontario.

https://irokomedia.com/why-trump-renamed-lake-ontario-to-lake-america/

Sheuns:
Can these guys face sermon and leave worldly discourse?

But if they preach against Tinubu and ask you to vote right, I'm sure it won't be worldly discourse

Obasanjo made attempts to impeach him but he failed. Atiku finished their governement but he largely sidelined by his boss. Apologies for responding this late. I thought I had

Northsouth:
maybe I wasn't born yet, but ah never see am as I said, na u just dey tell me about am now
But I have a question
Will the v.p remain V.P or be impeached by the president ruling party

Nobody cheats death.

Adexvivacity:
He would have been smoking in eternal dream.....One of those that cheated death..... Another day is assigned to you bro

Then maybe you werent born when Atiku left PDP as a VP under Obasanjo to team up with Tinubu just before the 2007 elections.

Northsouth:
I never see where V.P decamp go opposition before o
I hope shettima own no go be like that
Anyway Dem still dey together sha

Sometimes last year, I didn't step out of my house for just two days. I didn't even open my door, no music and unfortunately nepa was inconsistent. My neighbours called to find out if I was home or had travelled. So God forbid, people will know immediately

peekay007:
he's not a Nigerian, Lebanese that worked in Nigeria. Boulos worked as the CEO of SCOA Nigeria PLC,a trucking and heavy machinery dealership company.

He holds Lebanese, Nigerian, French and American passports

panpan:
In Nigeria's political history, has any governor willingly allowed the deputy governor to become the successor?

Yes. Kwankaso made Ganduje who was his deputy the governor after him though they later fell out. David Umahi was a deputy governor and became a governor after.

Validated:
Tinubu is always traveling to other countries fir medical. No head of government worldwide has ever set foot into Nigeria for medical. Shame on Tinubu and his followers

False. As far back as in 1960s, the Saudi Royal family used to come to UCH, Ibadan for medicals. I was told this by my late grandmother. Even some members of UK parliament and royal family also came to Nigeria then for medicals. How we were unable to sustain and build on that is what I cant explain. Our parents are to be blamed for this

Mirasteel:
Tiefnubu ajala the traveller, alot of people are suffering in your country but all you do is traveling. Pathetic.

If you are hungry, do you stay at home or you go out to look for money to feed and take care of yourself. The President has gone out to look for money to take of the country.

God1000:
Political solution indeed, is that the reason you've abandoned the people of Benue, your job is to protect Nigerians from internal and external aggression and you have failed woefully.

Wrong. The constitutional job of the military is to protect Nigerians from external aggression. It's the job of police, civil defence to protect us from internal aggression. However, the inability of the police force to curtail internal issues led to the drafting of the military into internal security architecture

To save your marriage, I will ask you to tell her you are using the drug to prevent HIV and not because you slept with another woman. You can tell her you didn't use your barbing set and you had a small cut. Or you could say you cut yourself with razor outside and needed to be certain. Or better still, say you saw the wrapper somewhere and wanted to read up on it. Maybe you will align with an unmarried friend of yours on this. All the best bro

Nna2025:
Hello Nairalanders, I know we are very sensitive to cheating so I ask for forgiveness.

I had a fling with a girl I have known for sometime now, I used CD but at some point, I used my finger. I started reading about Hiv and the possiblity of contracting it through fingering. Although my readings says % is very low provided there is no fresh injury, however I opted for PEP to calm my nerves. ( Pep is a drug used, when you suspect an exposure to HIV, remember you have 36hours to take it or else it won't work)

I tore off the pack, hid it in something and kept it in my bag. My wife for whatever reason searched my bag, saw it googled it and came back shouting and screaming since last night. My only comment to her is let's go for hiv test And that the drug was for my asthma, I know she wants to take it somewhere for verification.

My only fear now is if I disclose the reason for taking PEP, then my marriage is in danger.


Anything I can do to salvage this situation, I do not have time. Please my people

He stole from Ado and instead of going faraway from scene of crime, he went to Ikere which is just less than 15 mins journey apart. Good He was caught.

Fayemi: “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence
Tinubu: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.
Obi:: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”.

All these northerners should come down from their high horses and smell the coffee. They believe they have the numbers largely due to to under age voters and all. Where was the north when Buhari sought the presidency. He won the north yet failed to emerge president until he aligned to get from south in 2015. If the whole south come together as one voice, let's see how north will survive.

RISQUE:
Wike will so deal with Ihunwo when all these are settled. That boy did Wike dirty

I didn't expect that boy to do that. The way he took the matter on his head even going on TV to blast Woke, he should kiss his political ambitions bye bye for now. Of course Wike isn't God but there are men who can make or mar. So for the time being, that boy should forget holding any meaningful political position in the nearest future

spiSeyi:
Shame on Wicked.. If Fubara overcome this and maintained Rivers State then Wike is politically dead in Rivers
I believe that Rivers can survive without FG FAAC because it's the 2nd largest economy after Lagos. Fubara should cut government running costs and look internally on how generate more IGR

You obviously don't know how govt works. Fubara cannot spend any money be it internally generated revenue without the approval of the lawmakers. Even if he doesn't get funding from the FG, Fubara can't spend money unless he presents a budget to the assembly. If he spends without approval, impeachment won't be far from him

Judolisco:
If na naija dis one dey... Dem for Don overthrone am Tey Tey biya own na jazz Sha, jst like another country called equitorial guinea, they had a dictator as former president, he was one of d worst dictators in history, by d time he was overthrowned and sentenced to death, soldiers were afraid to shoot him because of jazz , they had to hire external soldiers to execute him

You may be right but if Abacha had not died, he could have remained in power till this day. He was the candidate for the all 5 existing political parties that was referred to as the five fingers of a leprous hand. Abacha was transmitting from military to civilian but God took him away before he could complete the move

malali:

Did you read my post ? Do you have problem with comprehension ?
Anybody can go to Harvard for post graduate if you pay the required money.
Going to Harvard because you have the money to pay doesn't make you more qualified than someone who went to Edo state polytechnic that has the brains and probably went there on merit.

He became commissioner based on his fathers clout.

Did you read the part he said his son wanted to go for assembly but stopped him twice so that people won't accuse him of nepotism. He objected to his appointment as commissioner but gave in later on. What else didn't you understand again?

zinaunreal:
Na road we go chop for this country?
Useless disgusting politicians. One of una go soon kpai

If there are no roads, its the same you that will complain about bad roads. Good roads play a huge major role in overall development.

olayinkajnr:
Trust that Providus Bank will fix this. I use the bank and they don't even have a branch in my location. They are very good and I'm sure they'll fix whatever issues Unity Bank is experiencing.

I have seen and heard good reviews about Providus Bank. I hope they will not disappoint especially with transfers (network issues)

Jogs1900:
Don’t say what you don’t know…Unity bank has one of the best network infrastructure amongst banks in the country…

Please don't ever say this again. I'm unlucky to bank with them as per its my salary account. I don't have peace of mind when I want to transfer my salary out immediately I'm paid. It must be network issue