Author: Sadiq Abdullateef

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…

THE absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the commissioning of key projects in Lagos on Wednesday has further fuelled speculation of a rift between him and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, despite firm denials by the state government. News Point Nigeria reports that although the President has been in Lagos since the weekend and the events were widely publicised ahead of his visit, he was conspicuously absent at the ceremonies, leaving Senate President Godswill Akpabio to perform the commissioning on his behalf. Akpabio inaugurated the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and the Multi-Agency Complex in Alausa, which has now been renamed the Bola…

LEADERS of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki are currently engaged in a closed-door meeting in Abuja, in what appears to be a significant political consultation following recent tensions involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). News Point Nigeria reports that the high-level meeting has drawn some of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures, underscoring its importance amid ongoing realignments within the opposition ahead of future elections. Among those present are Senator David Mark, who serves as National Chairman of the ADC; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former…

GLOBAL oil markets and maritime activity showed early signs of recovery on Wednesday as the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran triggered a sharp drop in crude prices and allowed limited movement through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. News Point Nigeria reports that within hours of the truce announcement, at least two vessels successfully navigated the critical waterway, signalling what analysts describe as a cautious but significant step toward restoring normal shipping operations. According to maritime tracking platform MarineTraffic, the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait of Hormuz at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach…

UNITED States President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend his planned bombing of Iran for two weeks, following his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply with his demands. On Tuesday night, within hours of the planned attack, Trump took to his platform Truth Social to announce he had reversed course. He credited Pakistan for mediating the settlement, but warned it came with conditions, namely that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold…

NIGERIA’s fuel market is bracing for another round of price shocks following a fresh increase in the gantry prices of petrol and diesel by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. News Point Nigeria reports that the refinery has again adjusted its pricing template, a move that is expected to tighten pressure on consumers and businesses already grappling with high energy costs. A top official at the facility, who confirmed the development to our News Point Nigeria on Tuesday night, said the decision was driven by prevailing international crude oil benchmarks and broader market realities. Under the new pricing structure, petrol has risen…

A FRESH layer of crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the emergence of a new faction that has rejected the authority of the coalition led by David Mark and distanced itself from the camp of Nafiu Bala Gombe. News Point Nigeria reports that the faction, led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and says it is stepping in to manage the ADC’s affairs ahead of its next national convention. At a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Obinna stated that the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph…

TROOPS reportedly killed several bandits during a clash involving the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to a military source who spoke to News Point Nigeria on condition of anonymity, as well as a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, one soldier was also killed during the ambush. The source said the incident occurred around 4:30pm on Monday as the GOC was returning from an operational visit to troops stationed at Kulchin Kalgo and the Forward Operating Base in…

GOVERNOR of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has intensified political consultations with former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, in what appears to be a strategic move to consolidate his position ahead of the 2027 elections. News Point Nigeria reports that the development comes amid a wave of political realignments that have significantly altered the power dynamics in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states. The political equation in Kano shifted dramatically after Governor Yusuf dumped his mentor, the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC),…

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, abducted as a toddler by Boko Haram, has recounted years of hardship, fear, and longing for his family after escaping captivity in the Lake Chad region. News Point Nigeria reports that his story offers a rare and heartbreaking glimpse into the largely overlooked reality of thousands of boys abducted and forced into survival under the insurgent group’s control often far from global attention that has largely focused on kidnapped women and girls. The child, who spoke in a fragile but determined voice, said he was taken at the age of four when Boko Haram fighters attacked his village,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion payment plan aimed at clearing longstanding debts in Nigeria’s power sector, a move expected to significantly improve electricity generation and supply across the country. The approval, announced in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, marks a major milestone under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, designed to resolve legacy financial obligations that have weighed down the industry for over a decade. According to the statement, the debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025 have now undergone a comprehensive verification process, with ₦3.3 trillion agreed upon…

FRESH political undercurrents in Bauchi State point to a dramatic reversal of fortunes for former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, highlighting the intricate mix of federal influence, party power plays, and personal ambition shaping the road to 2027. In this Sunday political analysis, News Point Nigeria, examines how Tuggar’s journey has shifted from being a trusted ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to an increasingly isolated figure within Bauchi’s evolving political landscape. At the heart of the unfolding situation is a mix of timing, internal party disputes, and what sources describe as an apparent lack of backing from…