Author: Sadiq Abdullateef

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has maintained a worrying silence following News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has not received his salary for over four months, despite his impressive performance leading Nigeria closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. Multiple inquiries, messages, and calls by News Point Nigeria Sports to NFF officials, including the Federation’s President, Ibrahim Gusau, have gone unanswered, fueling speculation and outrage among football stakeholders across the country. According to a credible source within the Federation, Chelle, who was appointed earlier this year amid skepticism over his suitability has gone…

THE Federal Government has clarified that no inmate, including Maryam Sanda, has been released under the recent Presidential Clemency Programme, contrary to widespread reports and public outrage that followed the announcement of the list of 82 beneficiaries. The clarification came amid intense backlash from civil society groups, opposition figures, and sections of the public who criticised the move to pardon or commute sentences of convicts found guilty of serious offences such as murder, drug trafficking, and illegal mining. The controversy erupted after it was revealed that Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, was…

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by its President Ibrahim Gusau, is reportedly indebted to Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, to the tune of four months’ unpaid salary and outstanding bonuses  despite the coach’s stellar performance in guiding Nigeria to the brink of World Cup qualification. A credible source within the Federation, who spoke to News Point Nigeria Sports, said Chelle, who was appointed earlier this year amid widespread skepticism, has not received his wages for four consecutive months. The revelation has sparked outrage among football stakeholders who fear that the financial neglect could undermine the coach’s focus and…

MINISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has been sighted in London following days of speculation about his health, confirming earlier reports by News Point Nigeria that the minister had travelled to the United Kingdom for medical care. Fresh information gathered by News Point Nigeria reveals that the 69-year-old minister, who arrived in London earlier today, underwent intensive medical tests and checkups that lasted nearly 10 hours at a private hospital in London. A reliable source close to the family confirmed that Edun was accompanied by close relatives and appeared in good spirits as he left…

THE Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) has strongly condemned alleged plans by some political figures to stage a protest in Abuja demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the move as a “desperate political stunt” designed to exploit national sentiments for personal gain. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the President of the Forum, Comrade Murtala Mohammed Gamji, said the group would not stand by and watch politicians use Kanu’s detention to manipulate public opinion and advance their political ambitions. Gamji accused former Vice President Atiku…

THE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has been flown to the United Kingdom for medical treatment after days of speculation about his health condition, multiple government and family sources confirmed on Tuesday morning. According to credible information gathered by News Point Nigeria, Edun departed Abuja for Lagos on Monday night aboard a commercial flight before connecting to London later that evening via a British Airways flight. He was accompanied by four family members. A top source close to the minister, who had earlier hinted that Edun might seek foreign medical care if his…

FRESH controversy has erupted within the family of late Bilyaminu Bello, after his biological father, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, publicly declared his forgiveness for his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his son’s murder. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the elderly Bello said he welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s presidential pardon granted to Sanda, describing it as “the will of God” and “an act of mercy that would allow her to care for her two young children.” “I am happy that the father of the nation has…

THE Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking to re-admit previously rejected exhibits in the ongoing trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), over alleged unlawful possession of firearms. News Point Nigeria reports that in a firm ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the request by the DSS to re-present the same exhibits, earlier marked and rejected was legally untenable, describing the attempt as “an invitation to judicial rascality.” The DSS, through its lead counsel, Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), had filed a motion asking…

THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of 38 electricity workers who lost their lives while on duty between April and June 2025, marking one of the darkest quarters for safety in Nigeria’s power sector in recent years. The tragic fatalities, all recorded by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), were disclosed in the Commission’s Second Quarter 2025 Report released in Abuja, obtained by News Point Nigeria. The report paints a grim picture of declining safety performance across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), revealing a steep rise in accidents, injuries, and deaths compared to the…

THE family of the late Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, has expressed deep pain and disappointment over the Presidential pardon recently granted to Sanda by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Prerogative of Mercy. In a statement signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, OFR (Dangaladiman Gwandu), on behalf of the bereaved family made available to News Point Nigeria, the late Bilyaminu’s relatives described the decision as a cruel blow that has reopened old wounds and erased the justice painstakingly secured through years of legal battle. According to the statement, the family had…

NIGERIA has successfully renegotiated a major defense procurement agreement with the government of Pakistan, marking a renewed commitment to strengthening the country’s military capabilities amid ongoing security challenges. According to a defence source, who spoke exclusively to News Point Nigeria, the new deal, sealed between the Defense Industries System (DIS) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production, comes months after the suspension of an earlier arms supply contract due to technical and political complications. Under the revised agreement, Pakistan will supply Nigeria with 30 K-8 trainer and light-attack aircraft, 40 Shahpar-II drones, 200 MR-10 reconnaissance drones, and 230 ASV Mohafiz-IV armored vehicles,…

THE Federal Government has directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities across Nigeria to strictly implement the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) currently participating in the nationwide strike. The directive, issued through a circular dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was obtained by News Point Nigeria on Monday. The circular, titled “Enforcement of the Provisions of the Labour Laws in Relation to the Ongoing Strike by ASUU,” was copied to key government institutions, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,…

THE Presidency has dismissed growing rumours about the health of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, insisting that the minister is recuperating at his home in Abuja and remains firmly in charge of his portfolio. Multiple sources within the Presidency confirmed to News Point Nigeria on Sunday that the 69-year-old minister is receiving medical care in Nigeria and has not been flown abroad, contrary to widespread speculation suggesting that he suffered a stroke or was being replaced. A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended heartfelt birthday wishes to his son, Seyi Tinubu, as he marks his 40th birthday, describing him as a focused, courageous, and humble man whose life continues to inspire excellence and make Nigeria proud. In a personal statement released on Sunday seen by News Point Nigeria, the President paid glowing tribute to Seyi’s character, leadership qualities, and commitment to building and uplifting others, noting that he has “walked his path with focus, courage, and humility.” “Today, as you turn forty, I thank Almighty God for your life and the man you have become. You have…

THE immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said that while technology has remarkably enhanced the credibility and efficiency of elections in Nigeria over the last decade, it remains incapable of completely eradicating the flaws that continue to undermine the nation’s electoral integrity. Yakubu made this observation in a newly published 200-page book by the commission titled “Election Management in Nigeria: 2015–2025.” A copy of the publication, which chronicles INEC’s operations, achievements, innovations, and challenges during his two-term tenure, was obtained by News Point Nigeria. In the foreword to the book, Yakubu described…

SECURITY operatives at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2), Lagos, have intercepted and arrested two suspects attempting to board a domestic flight with a staggering sum of $6.1 million in cash concealed in multiple boxes. The suspects, identified as Mahmud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi by a source, who spoke to News Point Nigeria on condition of anonymity, were apprehended on Saturday during a routine security check while trying to board an Aero Contractors flight to Abuja. The source stated  that the arrested duo are brothers and sons of a popular businessman from the north, adding that the brothers, who…

IN a landmark act of compassion and justice reform, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon and clemency to 175 convicts and former convicts, including Major General Mamman Vatsa, Professor Magaji Garba, Maryam Sanda, and the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni Eight. The beneficiaries of the President’s mercy include illegal miners, white-collar offenders, remorseful drug convicts, foreigners, and several inmates serving various prison terms across Nigeria. The clemency was granted following recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi.…

THE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has unveiled a fresh set of strict health and vaccination requirements for all intending pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise (1447 AH), reinforcing its longstanding commitment to public safety and disease prevention during the world’s largest annual religious gathering. In a new circular issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health sighted by News Point Nigeria, the Kingdom declared that only medically and mentally fit pilgrims who comply with a comprehensive vaccination regime will be granted entry permits for the sacred pilgrimage. The document outlines several medical conditions that will automatically disqualify any intending pilgrim…

IN late September 2025, a storm erupted in the global media space and one of its epicenters was Nigeria. United States Senator Ted Cruz took to his social media platform, X, to accuse the Nigerian government of enabling a “massacre” against Christians. Cruz claimed that 50,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, while 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches have been destroyed by so-called “Islamist armed groups.” “We are seeing a systematic erosion of Christian communities,” Cruz declared, pledging that his proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 would hold Nigerian officials accountable. He described the ongoing violence not as…

FRESH revelations have emerged on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally ordered the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, following allegations of certificate forgery that rocked his tenure. According to findings, the embattled minister’s exit was not voluntary but the outcome of a discreet directive from the President after multiple reports accused Nnaji of submitting forged academic and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023. Nnaji, who claimed to have earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1985, was later accused of falsifying both his…