The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has exposed a major case of biometric fraud involving 19 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, with Anambra and Imo states topping the list. Data presented during JAMB’s 2025 policy meeting in Abuja on Tuesday revealed that Anambra had six centres involved, followed by Imo with four, while Abia, Edo, Kano (two centres), Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu each had one implicated centre.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who made the disclosure during his presentation to vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts, also cited disturbing malpractice trends such as the use of albinos for impersonation via “image bending” and the remote uploading of exam data.
In a related development, two individuals have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina for alleged impersonation and involvement in examination malpractice. According to the police prosecutor, Abdussalam Danmaidaki, the suspects, Bolanwu Emmanuel and Ibrahim Abdulaziz, were charged for their actions on April 30 at Zee Alpha International School, Funtua.
Emmanuel was said to have invited Abdulaziz to impersonate him and write the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) using his registration number: 2025515278JA. Both men are being tried under various sections of the Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. They pleaded not guilty, and Justice Hussaini Dadan-Garba adjourned the case to July 18 for trial and witness presentation.
The Lagos State Government has officially unveiled the operational timelines for seven new laws passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The announcement was made in a statement by Mrs. Grace Alo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who explained that each law was assigned a commencement date through a Commencement Order issued the same day it received the Governor’s assent. According to the statement, the staggered implementation dates are intended to give room for public sensitization, education, and structural preparation necessary for enforcement.
Effective from February 19, 2025
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Law
Took Effect on February 19th, 2025. This law establishes a comprehensive legal framework for improving fire safety, emergency response, and rescue services in Lagos. It restructures the mandate of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, expanding its powers to enforce safety codes and building regulations. It also makes provision for community fire education and the training of personnel to respond swiftly to emergencies across residential, commercial, and public spaces. Individuals or institutions that obstruct fire officials or fail to implement standard fire safety protocols will face penalties.
Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute Law
Took Effect on February 19th, 2025. It’s aimed at professionalising security operations, this law mandates structured, certified training programs for all officers working with security and regulatory agencies in the state. It formalises the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) as the central body responsible for curriculum development, personnel training, and certification. Officers will undergo modules on human rights, conflict resolution, ethics, and public service conduct. The objective is to enhance community trust and improve accountability among enforcement bodies.
Human Organ Harvest and Tissue Transplantation Law
Took Effect on February 19th, 2025. This law provides the first-of-its-kind regulation in Lagos State governing the donation, harvesting, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues. With growing medical advancements and ethical concerns, the legislation lays out clear provisions for informed consent, medical oversight, and legal authorisation. It also imposes harsh penalties on individuals or institutions found engaging in illegal organ trade or non-consensual harvesting. Approved medical facilities will be required to maintain strict documentation and report any procedure to a central registry.
Consumer Protection Agency Law
Took Effect on February 19th, 2025. It’s aimed at safeguarding Lagosians from unfair business practices, this law sets up the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency. The agency will receive and mediate complaints, monitor quality control in the market, enforce recall of dangerous products, and educate consumers about their rights. The law covers both goods and services sectors and grants the agency the power to investigate, fine, and prosecute businesses that breach consumer trust.
Victim Assistance and Witness Protection Law
Took Effect on February 19th, 2025. This groundbreaking legislation establishes a support and protection framework for victims and witnesses of crime. The law enables victims to access legal representation, temporary shelter, psychological counseling, and medical treatment, particularly in cases involving domestic violence, trafficking, or assault. Witnesses in sensitive cases can also benefit from identity protection, relocation programs, and court-approved anonymity. The goal is to reduce fear, boost cooperation with investigations, and strengthen the criminal justice system.
Local Government Administration Law, 2025
Taking effect on August 4th, 2025. This reform-focused law revamps local government operations across the state. It defines the administrative roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of elected officials and council staff. The legislation aims to bring more transparency, efficiency, and fiscal discipline into local government affairs. Provisions include mechanisms for regular public engagement, service audits, and local development tracking. It also encourages better synergy between local councils and state ministries for better delivery of public services.
Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Law, 2025
Taking effect on August 4th, 2025. In honour of the late Lateef Jakande, a revered journalist and the first civilian governor of Lagos State, this law launches the Jakande Leadership Academy—a youth-focused initiative designed to groom future public sector leaders. The academy will run yearly fellowships for young professionals, offering them mentorship, training in governance, and real-time placements within government ministries and agencies. It reflects the state’s investment in values-based, innovative, and service-driven leadership.
“These laws are part of a broader agenda to improve the quality of life for every Lagos resident,” a senior official at the Ministry of Justice noted. “They are designed to bring fairness, safety, and efficiency into public service, governance, and everyday life.”
The rollout of these new laws is expected to serve as a model for other states aiming to modernise their legal and institutional frameworks.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attendance at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro marks a significant moment for Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic aspirations. As the country continues to face domestic challenges such as inflation, insecurity, and sluggish economic growth, Tinubu’s engagement at the summit offers an opportunity to reposition Nigeria on the global stage.
With BRICS evolving into a larger alliance of emerging economies, Nigeria’s elevation to partner-country status in January 2025 signals growing diplomatic relevance but it also presents a critical moment to push for full membership and deeper integration.
As nearly half the world’s population and 40% of global GDP now fall under the BRICS umbrella, Tinubu must seize this platform to advocate for Nigeria’s inclusion in future initiatives.
Strategic meetings with leaders like Brazil’s President Lula could deepen trade and South-South cooperation, while broader collaboration with China, India, and South Africa could unlock partnerships in infrastructure, technology, and energy. The summit isn’t just a diplomatic outing, it’s a chance to redefine Nigeria’s economic future through multilateral alliances.
A year after failing to qualify for Wimbledon, Amanda Anisimova completed a stunning turnaround on Tuesday, celebrating her first-ever semi-final appearance at the All England Club with a victory lap alongside her young nephew on Court One.
The American collapsed in relief after a dramatic 6-1, 7-6(9) win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who mounted a spirited comeback late in the second set. The emotional win sets up a high-stakes semi-final clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Once Anisimova picked herself off the grass, she joyfully lifted her three-year-old nephew, Jackson, for a celebratory lap a moment as heartwarming as it was historic. Jackson, attending his first match, frequently called out to his aunt during the contest, adding a personal and memorable touch to the occasion.
“It’s been an extraordinary year filled with highs,” said Anisimova, reflecting on her resurgence. “Even during tense moments like today, I remind myself to enjoy every second. Having my nephew here made it even more special he’s never seen me play before.”
The 13th seed seemed destined for a straightforward win, racing to a 6-1, 5-2 lead with a barrage of powerful backhands, forceful forehands, and quick movement that left Pavlyuchenkova reeling. But just when victory appeared within grasp, the 34-year-old Russian found her rhythm, winning three straight games and saving two match points in the 10th game including with a surprise drop shot that stunned the American.
As Pavlyuchenkova pushed the second set into a tiebreak and earned five set points, Anisimova appeared visibly emotional, pleading to her support box for “one more point.” Yet, the 23-year-old held her nerve, saving all five set points and finally securing the win on her fourth match point after Pavlyuchenkova misfired on a return.
“It was a real battle,” said Anisimova, who stepped away from tennis in 2022 for eight months due to burnout. “She started playing unbelievable tennis at the end. That tiebreak was so stressful, but I just kept fighting. I’m incredibly happy to be in my first Wimbledon semi-final.”
Anisimova’s performance marks a significant rebound from just a year ago, when she was ranked outside the top 180 and lost in the qualifying rounds at Wimbledon.
Tuesday’s quarter-final was marked by brief, aggressive exchanges, with rallies averaging under three shots. Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 French Open finalist, struggled with consistency managing only three winners and tallying 12 unforced errors in a swift 22-minute first set.
Having faced Serena Williams in her only other Wimbledon quarter-final appearance back in 2016, Pavlyuchenkova left the court in tears, visibly distraught after a grueling season that saw her battle Epstein-Barr virus and Lyme disease.
“She played incredible in the first set I couldn’t touch the ball,” the Russian admitted. “Once I started feeling better, I was already down 6-1, 5-2. I just kept fighting and saved match points, but it’s heartbreaking. I couldn’t stop crying. I think I just exploded after everything I’ve been through.”
While Pavlyuchenkova reflects on a hard-fought campaign, Anisimova continues her inspiring run one that embodies resilience, redemption, and a return to form on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
Barely days after stepping down as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The appointment, which has drawn widespread attention across political and aviation circles, was formally announced during the inauguration of the newly constituted board in Abuja.
Ganduje, a former two-term governor of Kano State and ex-national party leader, assumed this new federal role following his resignation from the APC leadership amid mounting internal pressure and factional disagreements. His appointment to the strategic aviation body is widely viewed as both a political realignment and a tactical redeployment by the presidency.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development noted that Ganduje’s leadership and governance experience were key reasons for his selection. According to insiders, his administrative background and exposure to national politics positioned him as a “stabilizing figure” capable of steering FAAN’s board through ongoing reforms in the aviation sector.
A source at the ministry described Ganduje’s appointment as “a calculated move to bring experienced oversight to one of the most critical agencies in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.” The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is responsible for managing operations across the country’s major airports, a sector currently undergoing modernization and expansion.
Though the announcement has stirred mixed reactions online and in policy circles, officials maintain that the move was guided by a need to ensure continuity, stability, and strong leadership on the FAAN board as Nigeria seeks to attract more investment into its aviation space.
With Ganduje now leading the agency’s board, observers will be watching closely to see how he navigates his new role, especially after a high-profile exit from party leadership — and how this appointment fits into the broader political recalibration ahead of the 2027 elections.
A significant change has taken place in how the United States issues non-immigrant visas to Nigerian citizens. From now on, approved applicants will only receive a three-month, single-entry visa.
This represents a sharp departure from the previous five-year, multiple-entry arrangement that allowed Nigerians to visit the U.S. frequently for business or tourism.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, the decision was described as being rooted in reciprocity.
The embassy explained that the change affects several countries, not just Nigeria, and emphasized that Nigerians with already valid visas will still be able to use them until their expiration dates.
The U.S. Department of State pointed to several factors behind the new policy. These include the need to protect its immigration system, manage overstays more effectively, and ensure that applicants are traveling with secure and authentic documents.
Nigerian authorities have been urged to cooperate more actively on these standards, especially around data-sharing and documentation integrity.
Despite the reduction in visa validity, U.S. officials maintained that Washington remains committed to strong bilateral ties with Nigeria, particularly through business, education, and cultural exchange programs.
Why Is This Happening Now?
This policy revision is rooted in concerns that have built up over time.
One reason is the issue of visa overstays. The U.S. has previously flagged Nigeria as a country with high rates of non-immigrant visa overstays, particularly in the B1/B2 category.
There is also the matter of documentation. Washington is now more insistent on countries sharing accurate traveler information and providing secure travel credentials.
Another key reason is reciprocity. The U.S. is adjusting visa agreements globally to ensure that American travelers are treated fairly when they visit other countries.
Since Nigeria currently does not offer five-year multiple-entry visas to American citizens, the U.S. sees this as a necessary correction.
The embassy stressed that these standards are technical and globally applied.
However, the implications for Nigerians will be uniquely felt given the country’s strong travel and professional ties with the United States.
What This Will Mean For Nigerians
Frequent travelers, including professionals, families with relatives in the U.S., and business owners, will face more barriers in planning visits.
With only a single-entry allowed for a three-month window, the convenience once enjoyed under the five-year visa system is now gone. Each trip will require a fresh application, which brings additional stress, time, and cost.
The cost implication is also significant. Nigerians will now need to pay the visa application fee each time they apply, instead of paying once for multiple visits over five years. At the moment, the current visa fee for a U.S. B1/B2 application stands at $185, which amounts to roughly ₦283,000. This makes regular travel more financially burdensome, especially for those who frequently engage in business or family visits.
Applicants may also face a more intense screening process. More emphasis is likely to be placed on financial documentation, proof of strong ties to Nigeria, and travel history. Those hoping to travel for the first time may find approval more difficult.
Diplomatically, this new visa restriction also raises questions about Nigeria’s response. Some experts argue that the country’s lack of strategic advocacy has left it vulnerable to policy decisions like this. Others believe it is time for Nigeria to review its own visa policy toward Americans or open discussions to renegotiate terms.
Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo, a former Nigerian ambassador, emphasized that the U.S. has every right to revise its visa terms. However, he added that Nigeria can and should respond as a matter of principle. According to him, reciprocity is a basic diplomatic tool that should not be ignored.
Similarly, Prof. Kayode Soremekun criticized Nigeria’s failure to leverage the strength of its diaspora in engagements with Washington. He pointed out that Nigerians make significant contributions to the U.S. economy and society, including in healthcare, engineering, and research. Yet, these strengths are rarely used as bargaining chips in diplomatic conversations.
“Seven out of every ten Black doctors in the U.S. are Nigerians,” he noted. “Yet this diaspora card is hardly used in policy conversations with Washington.”
What Might Happen Next?
As of now, there has been no official reaction from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, experts anticipate that some form of diplomatic engagement will follow. This could mean negotiating a return to longer visa validity or imposing reciprocal limits for American visitors to Nigeria.
In the long term, Nigeria may need to meet key U.S. expectations around passport security, data transparency, and visa enforcement to regain a more favorable visa arrangement.
This development is a signal to Nigerian authorities and travelers alike. It serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent diplomatic engagement and the need to present Nigeria’s strengths more strategically on the global stage.
For now, it also means that many Nigerians with personal or professional interests in the U.S. will need to rethink their travel plans under tighter conditions.
Eastern Libyan authorities have deported a high-level European delegation including EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner and the interior ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta accusing them of violating diplomatic protocol.
The group was turned away shortly after arriving in Benghazi, where the eastern government, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, declared them “persona non-grata” for allegedly entering without proper clearance and first visiting rival Tripoli in the west.
The eastern administration stated that the delegation was in “flagrant contravention of established diplomatic norms and international conventions, and through actions that demonstrably disregard Libyan national sovereignty.” It urged foreign representatives to respect “the principle of reciprocity, as enshrined in international agreements, treaties, and diplomatic custom.”
Though the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation on migration control, particularly to curb migrant boats leaving Libya for Europe, the fallout highlights the deep divisions within Libya’s fractured leadership.
Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hadzidakis criticized the move as unconstructive, while Brunner downplayed the incident, noting that while “the meetings planned in Benghazi could not take place in the end,” discussions in Tripoli went ahead and focused on reaffirming a joint commitment to combat migrant smuggling.
Ukraine has endured its most intense aerial onslaught since the start of the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, with 728 drones and 13 missiles launched in several coordinated waves across major cities.
Zelensky denounced the “telling attack”, adding: “It comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all.”
The barrage happened shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that military assistance to Ukraine would resume reversing a previously paused shipment that, according to some reports, he had not initially been briefed on.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Trump showed increasing dissatisfaction with Russia’s president.
“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
“He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said.
Responding to the remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the tone: “Trump’s way of talking is generally quite harsh, the phrases he uses.”
Despite continued communication between both presidents, their talks have yet to bring any measurable progress toward halting the war despite Trump’s previous claim that he could end the fighting within 24 hours.
In a separate statement last week, Trump described Putin’s mindset as intractable.
“He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it’s no good,” Trump said of Putin.
His criticism came as the administration temporarily halted aid to Kyiv allegedly at the direction of the Defense Secretary and another senior Pentagon official.
When pressed by reporters about who had issued the order, Trump seated beside the Defense Secretary responded: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
Now that the suspension has been lifted, sources say that up to 10 Patriot air defense systems might soon be delivered to Ukraine.
Kyiv depends heavily on these systems to protect against Russia’s increasingly frequent and large-scale missile and drone strikes.
While regions in eastern Ukraine and the capital remain regular targets, western areas of the country have also faced growing assaults.
Lutsk, located just 90 kilometers from the Polish border and serving as a vital route for foreign aid and military supplies, bore the brunt of the most recent attack overnight into Tuesday.
Explosions were also recorded in Rivne and Lviv, two cities further west that had previously seen less frequent bombardment.
Earlier in the year, Ukraine and Russia engaged in two separate attempts at ceasefire negotiations. Since then, no further diplomatic meetings have taken place—and neither side currently seems hopeful that a negotiated settlement is within reach. The war continues, having begun with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Meanwhile, Russian military forces continue pressing forward in Ukraine’s east as part of a sustained summer campaign.
“We are moving forward,” said Peskov on Wednesday. “Each new day the Ukrainians have to accept the new realities.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off its planned industrial action after the Federal Government disbursed June 2025 salaries to university lecturers.
Chairman of ASUU’s University of Abuja branch, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, confirmed the suspension during a media briefing in Abuja. He stated that the salaries began to reflect in members’ bank accounts before the 11:59 PM deadline on Monday, July 7, 2025, set by the union.
“The June 2025 salaries of our members began to drop before the expiration of the 11:59 PM ultimatum issued by ASUU UniAbuja. As such, the branch did not proceed with the planned service withdrawal as earlier resolved by the Congress,” Ugoh explained.
Previously, ASUU’s national leadership had directed its branches to commence withdrawal of services if the government failed to pay June salaries on time. This directive was in line with a resolution from the National Executive Council (NEC), enforcing the union’s “No Pay, No Work” stance, due to repeated delays in salary payments.
The union had attributed the delay to administrative lapses from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Israel’s defence minister has reportedly directed the military to draw up a strategy for relocating all Palestinians in Gaza into a designated zone in the southern region, specifically Rafah.
According to statements shared with reporters, Israel Katz said the plan involves setting up a “humanitarian city” within the devastated remains of Rafah, beginning with accommodations for approximately 600,000 individuals with the longer-term goal of housing the full population of over 2 million.
He explained that entry into the site would follow a strict vetting process to prevent the infiltration of Hamas members, and once inside, individuals would be restricted from leaving.
Construction of this proposed encampment, he noted, could begin within a proposed 60-day truce window, provided an agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas.
An Israeli lawyer specializing in human rights law strongly criticized the idea, calling it an “operational plan for a crime against humanity”.
“It is all about population transfer to the southern tip of the Gaza Strip in preparation for deportation outside the strip,” Michael Sfard told the Guardian newspaper.
The United Nations, in prior assessments, has made it clear that removing or relocating civilians from an occupied territory without lawful grounds is forbidden under global humanitarian laws and may amount to “ethnic cleansing”.
As of now, neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has offered any public reaction to the proposal.
Later in the day, during discussions at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed in on US President Donald Trump’s proposal for Gaza’s future—specifically the idea of permanent resettlement elsewhere, under American supervision.
Netanyahu said: “I think President Trump has a brilliant vision. It’s called free choice. If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave…
“We’re working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realise what they always say – that they wanted to give the Palestinians a better future.”
Trump said: “We’ve had great co-operation from… surrounding countries, great cooperation from every single one of them. So, something good will happen.”
Arab governments previously responded to Trump’s plan with a counterproposal: a $53 billion Egyptian-led initiative to rebuild Gaza without removing its inhabitants. They made clear their strong objection to any plan that involves removing Palestinians, labelling such efforts “a gross violation of international law, a crime against humanity and ethnic cleansing.”
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority gave their support to the Egyptian framework, but Israeli and American officials claimed it did not reflect the current situation on the ground in Gaza.
Among the greatest fears voiced by Palestinians is the repetition of the Nakba meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic when hundreds of thousands were uprooted from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and the founding of the Israeli state.
Many of those expelled during the Nakba resettled in Gaza, and their descendants now comprise the majority of the population there. According to UN records, hundreds of thousands more registered refugees live in the West Bank, and millions more are located in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Israel’s ongoing military operations began in response to the massive October 7, 2023, assault launched by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others.
Since then, over 57,500 people have died in Gaza, based on figures from the health authorities operating under Hamas control.
The humanitarian toll has been devastating. Most residents have been displaced multiple times, and a large majority of homes are believed to be destroyed or severely damaged. Basic services including healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity have largely collapsed. Food, medical supplies, fuel, and shelter remain critically scarce.
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