AFRICA’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has been named in TIME Magazine’s prestigious list of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2026, standing out as the only Nigerian to make the global ranking this year. News Point Nigeria reports that the recognition marks Dangote’s second appearance on the TIME100 list, following his first inclusion in 2014, when Bill Gates wrote a profile celebrating his industrial impact. The 2026 list, released on Wednesday, highlights individuals shaping global conversations across business, politics, culture, religion, and technology. Other notable figures featured on this year’s list include Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Benjamin…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that his anticipated bid for the presidency in 2027 will mark his final attempt to lead Nigeria, signalling what could be the closing chapter of a long-standing political ambition. News Point Nigeria reports that Atiku, who has contested for the nation’s highest office multiple times, made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with ARISE TV, where he reflected on his political future and the stakes ahead. Responding to a question on whether turning 80 by 2027 would heighten the significance of the race for him, the former vice-president said it would likely be his…
FORMER Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of firearms filed against them by the Federal Government. News Point Nigeria reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier, on February 3, 2026, arraigned the defendants on a five-count charge involving allegations of terrorism financing, aiding terrorism, and illegal possession of firearms. Malami was also accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers during his time in office, in addition to allegations of unlawful possession of…
NIGERIA recorded no fewer than 3,381,228 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 14 states in 2023, with Borno and Benue states accounting for the largest share, according to the latest Demographic Bulletin released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report, unveiled in Abuja, paints a broad picture of displacement, population distribution, health indicators, and migration trends, offering critical data to guide policy formulation and national planning. News Point Nigeria reports that according to the bulletin, Borno State alone accounted for 1,711,481 displaced persons, representing 50.62 per cent of the total IDP population in the country. Benue followed with 394,567…
IT has been twelve years since the mass abduction that shocked Nigeria and the world, when Boko Haram insurgents stormed a secondary school in Chibok on April 14, 2014, and seized more than 200 schoolgirls in a single night. The incident not only redefined Nigeria’s security crisis but also ignited a global movement for justice and accountability. More than a decade later, the scars remain deeply etched. Out of the girls taken that night, dozens are still in captivity, a grim reminder that the crisis remains unresolved. For many families, time has not healed wounds; it has only deepened uncertainty.…
THE planned national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been thrown into uncertainty just hours before its scheduled commencement, following allegations by the party that there are moves to deny it access to its venue despite a valid agreement and full payment. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on the eve of the convention, the ADC alleged that the owner of the proposed venue had come under intense pressure to withdraw from the arrangement. According to the party, the management of Rainbow Event Centre informed it that it was being pressured by the Federal Capital Development…
TROOPS of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested a 15-year-old suspect over his alleged involvement in a deadly attack in Borno State, News Point Nigeria has gathered. The suspect, identified simply as Tijjani Madu, was apprehended on Sunday while reportedly on his way to purchase food for members of his group. A reliable military source told News Point Nigeria that Tijjani is linked to the attack that resulted in the killing of Oseni Braimah, a brigadier general, along with several other soldiers. Braimah, who was the commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin…
THE Nigerian Army troops under Operation Hadin Kai have defended their decision to strike a suspected terrorist location in Jilli Village, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, even as controversy continues to trail reports of civilian casualties. News Point Nigeria had earlier reported that no fewer than 50 people were feared killed after a military airstrike hit a weekly market at Jilli village, located along the border between Borno and Yobe states, on Saturday evening. The incident, which occurred at the popular Jilli Market between the Gubio and Geidam areas, reportedly threw traders and residents into panic as multiple…
US President, Donald Trump has ordered the United States Navy to begin a takeover and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following a breakdown in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme. In a statement released on Sunday, Trump said that while talks had made progress on several issues, they ultimately failed to resolve what he described as the “only point that really mattered”—Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy… will begin the process of taking over and blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump declared, describing the move as…
A PROMINENT chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ibrahim Ali Amin, popularly known as Ibrahim Little, has unveiled a sweeping political and governance vision ahead of the 2027 Kano governorship race, promising a youth-driven administration anchored on human capital development, social welfare expansion, and economic inclusion. Speaking with select journalists in Kano, Ali Amin, who is positioning himself as one of the leading aspirants for the ADC governorship ticket, presented himself as a seasoned politician whose decades in public life have shaped his conviction that the future of governance must be firmly rooted in youth inclusion and empowerment. On…
THE Federal Government has published a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle financial networks supporting insecurity across the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the list, released on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NiGSAC), was also uploaded on the committee’s official website, nigsac.gov.ng. It names persons and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including affiliations with proscribed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansarul Sudan, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Among those listed is Simon…
FOR over a decade, Nigeria has grappled with relentless waves of violence from Boko Haram, bandits, and other insurgent groups, leaving a trail of death, displacement, and destruction across vast swathes of the country. Yet, beneath the recurring tragedy lies a deeply troubling pattern, many of these attacks were neither sudden nor entirely unforeseeable. Time and again, reports have emerged suggesting that actionable intelligence warning of impending assaults had been available, but was either inadequately processed, poorly coordinated, or outright ignored by the very security institutions tasked with protecting lives and property. From remote villages in the North-East to farming…
NIGERIA’s persistent electricity crisis has continued unabated as the 6,000 megawatts generation target set by Adebayo Adelabu has now missed three separate deadlines, leaving millions of Nigerians grappling with prolonged blackouts. News Point Nigeria reports that when Adelabu assumed office as Minister of Power in August 2023, he assured Nigerians that electricity generation would reach 6,000MW by the end of that year, promising that “the lights would come on.” For many citizens accustomed to decades of unmet expectations in the power sector, the pledge was met with cautious optimism. However, Nigerians are still waiting, as current electricity supply stands at…
POVERTY in Nigeria rose to 63 per cent in 2025 despite a notable slowdown in inflation, highlighting the limited impact of recent macroeconomic improvements on household welfare, the World Bank has revealed. News Point Nigeria reports that the disclosure was made in the bank’s Nigeria Development Update (April 2026) titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development,” released in Abuja on Tuesday. According to data contained in the report, the proportion of Nigerians living below the poverty line rose steadily over the period, increasing from 56 per cent in 2023 to 61 per cent in 2024,…
AFRICA’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reinforced its commitment towards tackling youth unemployment across the continent with the successful employment of over 700 young professionals under its Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP). Since inception, the bank’s GMAP initiative has empowered more than 5,000 young graduates across Africa, providing them with world-class training, hands-on experience, and a platform to thrive in the financial services industry. The graduation ceremony, which was held in a grand ceremony held at the Landmark Events Centre, Lagos on Thursday, was graced by esteemed guests, led by the UBA’s top management, faculty members,…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, who were killed in a coordinated terrorist attack on their camp in Benisheikh, Borno State. News Point Nigeria reports that the President, who confirmed the loss, also extended heartfelt condolences to the military authorities and the families of the fallen soldiers, urging them to remain strong in the face of the painful and unfortunate development. The Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed the attack and the tragic loss of lives, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April…
THE United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the suspension of visa appointments at its Embassy in Abuja, in a development that underscores rising security concerns and shifting diplomatic signals regarding Nigeria. The announcement, made via the mission’s official X handle on Thursday sighted by News Point Nigeria, stated that the embassy in Abuja would no longer conduct visa interviews for the time being. “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments,” the statement read. However, the mission clarified that visa processing continues uninterrupted at the U.S. Consulate General in…
THE Presidency on Thursday clarified controversy surrounding the approval of a ₦3.3 trillion plan by President Bola Tinubu, to settle verified legacy debts owed to Power Generation Companies (GenCos) between February 2015 and March 2025. News Point Nigeria reports that the initiative, under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, aims to stabilise the power grid and improve electricity supply, with ₦223 billion already disbursed. A statement issued on Sunday by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that implementation of the repayment plan has already begun, with 15 power plants already signed settlement…
A TOTAL of 1,934 improvised explosive device (IED) incidents were recorded across Nigeria’s North-East region between 2017 and 2024, highlighting the persistent threat posed by insurgent activities in the area. According to the 2025 Nigeria Mine Action review obtained by News Point Nigeria on Wednesday, road-emplaced IEDs accounted for the majority of attacks throughout the seven-year period, significantly outnumbering both body-borne and vehicle-borne incidents. The report noted that road IEDs remained consistently high year after year, making them the most persistent and enduring security threat in the region. A breakdown of the yearly data shows that 2017 recorded the highest…
THE United States Department of State has authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a worsening security situation across Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that in an updated travel advisory released late on Wednesday, the department announced that effective April 8, 2026, American citizens are advised to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to escalating concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. The advisory placed Nigeria under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” classification, while designating several states under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category, indicating areas of…