₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and repaid ₦28 billion in legacy debt without additional funding, according to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking at Access Bank’s Guest Lecture Series in Lagos, the minister outlined a vision for innovation-driven governance and ethical leadership. Drawing from his cybersecurity background, he emphasized proactive leadership and the importance of system integration and technology in public service reform.

Tunji-Ojo also spotlighted improvements in the immigration sector, including e-visas, contactless passport renewals, and a Tier-4 data center for 24/7 services.

He condemned Nigeria’s correctional system, noting that over 4,000 inmates remain in custody over minor fines. “This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one,” he said, revealing efforts to release non-violent offenders and push reforms that emphasize rehabilitation over punishment.

The event, attended by national leaders and business executives, reinforced Access Bank’s commitment to national dialogue and innovation. Tunji-Ojo urged participants to pursue excellence and purpose in building a better Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu marked the 2025 Children’s Day with a strong message against bullying, pledging to build a safer, more inclusive Nigeria for all children.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tinubu described the day’s theme “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation” as a timely reminder of the need to protect children’s rights. He noted that violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in modern Nigeria, where every child must feel safe, respected, and heard.

Citing statistics that show up to 65% of Nigerian school children have experienced some form of bullying, Tinubu emphasized that fear stunts learning and growth. He highlighted ongoing efforts including the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030) and praised the full adoption of the Child Rights Act by all 36 states.

The president urged leaders, educators, families, and citizens to make children’s welfare a priority in planning and budgeting. “Our children are not just statistics, they are the heart of our nation,” he said, calling for collective action to ensure every child grows in peace, dignity, and love.
Happy Children's Day!

A celebration quickly turned into chaos on Monday as a van plowed into a crowd of jubilant Liverpool fans during the club’s Premier League title parade in the UK.

According to reports, a 53-year-old man drove a grey minivan into the sea of fans, injuring at least 47 people, including four children. 27 were rushed to the hospital, two of them in serious condition.

Four individuals were reportedly trapped under the van before emergency responders lifted the vehicle to rescue them.

Police confirmed the suspect acted alone and ruled out terrorism, although investigations into the motive are still ongoing. They have also warned against spreading disturbing footage or speculation online.

Eyewitnesses claimed the driver appeared to accelerate deliberately into the crowd, causing panic and destruction.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the act, describing it as “appalling,” while commending the bravery of first responders.

The tragic incident occurred during a parade celebrating Liverpool’s record-equaling 20th top-flight title. Fans had gathered in large numbers, making up for the missed celebrations during the club’s 2020 win, which was restricted due to COVID-19.

Omo Liverpool Fan wetin una do people now?

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has shut down viral claims suggesting he plans to run against President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Friday by the Yahaya Bello Media Office, his spokesperson, Ohiare Michael, described the circulating campaign poster as fake and the product of mischief makers seeking to damage the former governor’s image.

“It’s laughable that some people are reposting a 2022 rally and calling it new,” his spokesman said. “Governor Bello has no presidential ambition for 2027. He fully supports President Tinubu’s re-election.”

Yahaya Bello praised Tinubu’s performance so far, saying “the indices cannot lie” and describing the President’s achievements as “exceeding expectations despite global challenges.”

Over to You:
• Is Yahaya Bello just playing politics or truly loyal to Tinubu?
• Could this be a strategy for 2031 instead?
• Do you believe politicians when they deny future ambitions?

Drop your thoughts below!

In a move aimed at bolstering election security, U.S. federal agencies can now utilize Social Security numbers to verify citizenship status more effectively. The initiative comes as part of recent enhancements to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, overseen by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The revamped system allows for a more streamlined process of identifying non-citizens listed on voter registers, ensuring only eligible citizens participate in federal elections. The development follows a coordinated effort involving the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and the Department of Justice’s Office of General Elections (DOGE).

Officials describe the upgrade as a critical step in safeguarding the electoral process by leveraging existing data systems to ensure greater accuracy in voter roll maintenance.

Nigeria will grow 5.6 million metric Tonnes of rice this year. So why are we still importing over 2.3 million Tonnes from countries like India? Our silos are full, yet our ports stay busy with foreign rice.

Is this poor planning, corruption, or something deeper?
Despite Africa’s rich soil and hard-working farmers, over 330 million people on the continent face food insecurity. Nigeria’s case shows us why.

While local farmers in Kebbi State struggle to sell their paddy rice, foreign brands flood Lagos markets. Even with rising production, outdated infrastructure, poor storage, and export-focused policies leave our people hungry.

Meanwhile, Africa holds 60% of the world’s unused arable land. So, the problem is not land, is it leadership, logistics, and priorities?

Let’s hear from you:
Which rice do YOU eat most at home?
A) Local Nigerian rice
B) Foreign/Imported rice
C) I don’t really notice
Tell us why in the comments.

Also:
• Should the government ban rice imports completely?
• Or focus more on processing and marketing local produce?

The U.S. government under President Donald Trump has banned Harvard University from admitting international students, including Nigerians and other foreigners. The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement, accusing Harvard of allowing anti-American and pro-terrorist activities on campus, and even claiming the school has ties to the Chinese Communist Party, though no evidence was provided.

This means thousands of foreign students currently studying at Harvard may have to transfer to other schools or leave the U.S. altogether.

However, in a separate legal twist, a federal judge in California, Jeffrey S. White, has blocked the government from deporting or detaining international students while a lawsuit challenging previous actions plays out in court.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Factional Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has pledged that the party will create more opportunities for women to contest in the 2027 general elections. Speaking at an event organized by the Aju Morgan Elumelu Foundation (AMEF) in Abuja, he said the Labour Party is determined to break cultural and economic barriers that limit women’s participation in politics.

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Abure emphasized that poor leadership is one of Nigeria’s major challenges and urged women to take on leadership roles across all sectors. He assured that under his leadership, the party would work to ensure greater female representation in governance.

Also speaking at the event, AMEF CEO, Aju Elumelu, called on President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders to implement the 35% affirmative action for women. Labour Party Women Leader, Dudu Manuga, pushed for special legislative seats for women and encouraged them to engage with their state lawmakers to push for inclusive reforms.