Shettima defends N68.30trn 2026 budget, says bigger spending needed for growth
Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended the N68.30 trillion 2026 budget recently approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, insisting that Nigeria’s fiscal plans must be ambitious enough to drive development and improve citizens’ welfare. The revised budget represents about a N10 trillion increase from the initial N58.18 trillion proposal earlier presented by President Bola Tinubu. Speaking at a two-day...
Nigeria’s debt hits N159.28trn — DMO
Nigeria's total public debt rose by N14.61 trillion to N159.28 trillion as of December 31, 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Debt Management Office. The data shows the country's debt stock grew 10.1 per cent from N144.67 trillion recorded in December 2024. In dollar terms, the debt climbed from $94.23 billion to $110.97 billion over the same period,...
Troops repel ISWAP raid on Benisheikh
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Benisheikh in Borno State, preventing a possible overrun of the town. The attack occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on April 14, 2026, according to security sources. Troops of Headquarters 29 Task Force Brigade came under assault from the insurgents but successfully...
Latest developments in Middle East war
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war on Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Hezbollah fires on Israel Two Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit vehicles south of Beirut, state media reported, while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, hours after Lebanon and Israel agreed in Washington to hold direct negotiations. Israel also issued a new evacuation warning to residents in south...
United Nigeria Airlines grounds aircraft after fifth bird strike in 2026
United Nigeria Airlines has grounded one of its aircraft following a bird strike during landing in Abuja, the fifth such incident involving the airline's fleet this year. The airline confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that a CRJ-900 operating Flight UN0579 from Kano encountered the bird strike while approaching the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The aircraft was immediately withdrawn from...
NAF publishes names of aptitude test candidates
The Nigerian Air Force has published the names of candidates who passed its 2025 Zonal General Aptitude Test and have been shortlisted for the Selection Board Interview for recruitment into Basic Military Training Course 46/2025. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said successful candidates could access their...
How legal advisers coach migrants to fake gay identity for UK asylum
Some legal advisers and firms in the United Kingdom are coaching migrants to fabricate claims of homosexuality in order to obtain asylum, a BBC undercover investigation has alleged. The report, published on Wednesday, found that migrants whose visas were about to expire were being given cover stories and instructed on how to manufacture supporting evidence for false asylum claims based...
OPM founder offers financial support to suitor for autistic adopted daughter
The founder of Omega Power Ministries, Chibuzor Chinyere, has announced plans to give one of his adopted daughters, a 21-year-old woman living with autism, out in marriage, with a package of financial and welfare incentives attached. Chinyere made the disclosure in a Facebook post on Tuesday, stating that the move was intended to secure the young woman’s long-term care, safety,...
Oil prices slip over planned US-Iran peace talks
Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, on expectations that peace talks between the United States and Iran may resume and supply will eventually be released from the key Middle East producing region trapped by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were down 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $94.63 a barrel...
US enforces military blockade, halts Iran’s maritime trade
The United States military has enforced a naval blockade against Iran, halting maritime trade to and from the country. “A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper, said in a post on X on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Cooper said U.S. forces have maintained maritime dominance in the Middle East and,...
