FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been released from detention and has returned home to participate in the burial rites of his late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai. A source in the ICPC told News Point Nigeria that El-Rufai was released around 8pm on Friday and was escorted to his home by security operatives. According to the source, “There was a presidential order for the immediate release of El-Rufai, which was promptly obeyed by the ICPC and security operatives. “A few security operatives will also be present during his mother’s burial, although there is no clear indication of when he…
Author: Sadiq Abdullateef
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THE National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has expressed grief over the death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing her as a caring figure with whom he shared fond memories. News Point Nigeria reports that Ribadu disclosed this in a condolence message posted on Facebook on Friday, where he reflected on his personal encounters with the deceased and extended sympathies to the El-Rufai family. “Inna lilLahi wa inna illahir raji’un. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the matriarch of the El-Rufai family. I have fond memories…
THE Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has resigned from office, bringing a dramatic twist to the political developments in the state following impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the Kano State House of Assembly. News Point Nigeria reports that the resignation was formally announced on Friday in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habibu Sale Mohammed. Abdussalam’s exit comes days after the Kano State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings over allegations yet to be fully resolved in court. In a related development, a Federal High Court sitting in Kano had, on Wednesday,…
FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been thrown into mourning following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in a development that comes amid his ongoing legal battle. A family source told News Point Nigeria that the late Hajiya Umma died on Friday in Cairo where she had been living with her son, since he left office as a governor in 2023. The news was confirmed by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, who announced the development in an emotional message shared on social media. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we…
FRESH political realignment moves may be underway ahead of the 2027 general elections as the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, held a closed-door meeting with the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that the high-level meeting, which took place on Thursday at Kwankwaso’s residence, has fueled speculation about a possible political coalition as opposition figures begin positioning ahead of the next electoral cycle. Confirming the visit, Kwankwaso described the engagement as cordial, referring to Aregbesola as a “dear friend,” but did not disclose details…
THE Federal Government has commenced registration for a massive nationwide training programme aimed at equipping 10 million Nigerians with financial literacy, digital skills, and economic knowledge, in what authorities describe as a flagship initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. News Point Nigeria reports that the programme, which is free of charge, is being coordinated by WAWUAfrica, in collaboration with key local and international development partners. Vice President Kashim Shettima formally launched the registration exercise during a virtual meeting involving the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), six professional bodies, and development partners. The partners include the World Bank,…
NIGERIA is losing an estimated N40 trillion annually due to persistent electricity shortages, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has warned, describing unreliable power supply as one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth, industrial productivity, and job creation in the country. News Point Nigeria reports that the alarming figure, equivalent to about $29 billion yearly, underscores the heavy toll that power outages continue to impose on businesses, manufacturers, and households across Nigeria. According to NISO, the losses stem largely from the cost of self-generation, as millions of Nigerians and businesses rely on generators due to unreliable grid supply. “Reliable…
FORMER Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has been discharged by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja after a plea bargain arrangement led to the withdrawal of fraud charges against her, effectively bringing an end to her trial over an alleged N2.4 billion scandal. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Hamza Muazu delivered the ruling on Thursday at the Maitama division of the court, following a decision by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) to discontinue the case against the former minister and her ex-aide, Gloria Odita. The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of…
THE Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a major redeployment of senior officers across the Nigeria Police Force. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the redeployment is part of efforts to strengthen operations, enhance leadership capacity, and improve service delivery nationwide. “The postings are in line with the Force’s commitment to an effective command structure and the strategic deployment of personnel across Commands, Formations, and Departments,” the statement read. The statement said among the new postings, AIG Ado Emmanuel was deployed to Research and Planning…
GLOBAL cryptocurrency giant Binance Holdings Limited has opened talks with Nigerian authorities to resolve the tax evasion charges filed against it, a move that has effectively stalled ongoing trial proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that the development was disclosed on Tuesday during court proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite, where both the defence and prosecution confirmed that negotiations aimed at an out-of-court settlement were underway. Counsel to Binance, Sunday Agaji, informed the court that the company had initiated discussions with the tax authorities in a bid to resolve the matter amicably. “My lord, parties…
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained the rationale behind its controversial operation at properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, insisting that the action was lawful and backed by a valid court order. News Point Nigeria reports that the anti-graft agency said what many described as a “raid” was, in fact, a routine enforcement procedure following an interim forfeiture order granted by a competent court. Speaking on Monday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, clarified that operatives merely marked a property in Abuja to notify the public of its legal status. According to him, the action…
THE Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Monday warned newly promoted senior officers against corruption, abuse of office and indiscipline, stressing that misconduct would not be tolerated under his leadership. News Point Nigeria reports that Disu gave the warning at the decoration ceremony of officers elevated to the ranks of Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The IGP said the promotion of the officers was not a reward but a responsibility that placed them under greater scrutiny and demanded higher standards of leadership and conduct. “From this moment, you are no…
TENSION escalated on Monday as security operatives stormed the residence of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, just hours after a visit by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. News Point Nigeria reports that the early morning operation comes amid ongoing legal battles involving the former minister, who is currently facing multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering and terrorism-related offences. Malami, who was recently released on bail after a period in detention, was at home receiving political associates when the operatives arrived. Sources confirmed that prominent figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Atiku, had visited him shortly before…
BudgIT has placed Kano State at the centre of a growing national conversation on transparency, after a new report revealed that the state publishes incomplete and outdated local government budget data, raising fresh concerns about accountability at the grassroots level. The report obtained by News Point Nigeria, titled The Missing Tier: Mapping Local Government Budget Transparency in Nigeria, paints a troubling picture of Nigeria’s fiscal openness, particularly at the level closest to citizens. While some states are making progress, Kano and several others fall short offering only fragments of information that fail to provide a clear picture of how public…
MARYAM Abacha American University of Nigeria has emerged as one of the standout institutions in Nigeria’s higher education sector, earning prominent recognition in the latest global ranking of private universities and reinforcing its growing reputation as a fast-rising academic powerhouse. News Point Nigeria gathered that the Kano-based institution featured alongside established names such as Covenant University and Afe Babalola University in the AD Scientific Index 2026, a ranking that evaluates universities based on research output, citations, and academic impact. For MAAUN, established only in 2021, the recognition signals a remarkable ascent within a highly competitive academic environment increasingly dominated by…
UNKNOWN to millions of Nigerians, on February 16, 2026, Dangote Industries Limited made a series of high-profile appointments that could ultimately shape the future of Africa’s largest business empire. Framed within its ambitious Vision 2030 goal of becoming a $100 billion enterprise, News Point Nigeria Sunday examines how the move goes far beyond routine corporate restructuring. At its core, it signaled something deeper: a deliberate and carefully calibrated succession strategy by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. For a conglomerate so deeply woven into Nigeria’s economic fabric, the elevation of Dangote’s three daughters into strategic executive roles has triggered conversations that…
IN its Sunday deep-dive, News Point Nigeria reports that the nation’s political climate is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation triggered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resignation directive to aspiring officeholders. Far from a mere procedural step, the move has set off a ripple effect that is steadily reshaping alliances, ambitions, and the broader roadmap to 2027. The directive, conveyed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation under George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission. It mandates that ministers, advisers, and other…
THE presidency has said that Nigeria is not required to accept foreign nationals following misconceptions on the new immigration agreement reached during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, debunked what he describes as “the raft of misinformation” about the agreement, including the claim that irregular migrants in the UK from other countries could be deported to Nigeria. “Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians,” the presidential spokesman said. According to Onanuga, the Memorandum of Understanding…
NIGERIANS and petroleum marketers are bracing for another round of fuel price increases following a fresh hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which cited escalating global geopolitical tensions as the reason for the adjustment. In a notice issued to marketers on Friday night obtained by News Point Nigeria, the refinery announced that its ex-depot (gantry) price for petrol has been increased from N1,175 per litre to N1,245 per litre, representing a N70 rise. According to the document, the revised pricing structure will take effect from midnight on March 21, 2026. The refinery…
THE Presidency has clarified the scope of a recently signed migration agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, stating that the arrangement applies strictly to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK and does not include foreign nationals. News Point Nigeria reports that the clarification comes amid widespread public concern and speculation suggesting that Nigeria had agreed to accept deported individuals from other countries. Reacting to the reports, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the claims were misleading and required urgent correction. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Ajayi explained…