Author: Press Room

As of August 2025, 123.5 million National Identity Numbers (NIN) have been issued to Nigerians by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The Guardian checks showed that, amid slight hitches, the enrollment figures have shown consistent growth. Specifically, as of December 2023, the figure was 104.16 million; May 2024, 107.34 million; September 2024, 110 million; November 2024, 115 million; December 2024, 114 million; March 2025, 117.3 million; June 2025, 121 million and July 2025, 122 million. Further analysis shows that the male gender has about 68.4 million (approximately 56.5 per cent of the total), while the female gender has 52.9 million (approximately 43.5 per cent of…

•Governor lauds vigilantes’ braveryBandits yesterday stormed a cattle settlement in Ekuku, Kwara State, near the border with Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. According to intelligence reports, the attackers arrived in large numbers, stole several cows, and set a vigilante vehicle ablaze. This was barely a day after bandits attacked farmers working on the outskirts of Kankara, Katsina State, kidnapping several people and stealing motorcycles. In a video, a member of the local security team, speaking in English and Yoruba, confirmed the Kwara incident, stating: “Bandits attacked us at Ekuku today. Many cows were stolen and…

• Says ADC will defeat Tinubu, take over Lagos in 2027• APC dismisses claims, says coalition’s ambition ’empty boast’ The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Secretary and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed optimism about the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ADC has, however, welcomed notable political figures into its folds. Aregbesola spoke during a ceremony where a former close ally of President Bola Tinubu and leader of the Conscience Forum, Moshood Salvador, joined the ADC alongside thousands of his group’s members. The former Osun State governor, who noted the hardship Nigerians are facing…

The crypto market saw a broad correction despite maintaining a strong overall valuation, with total market cap holding above $4.1 trillion. Bitcoin (BTC) briefly dipped below $115,000 before rebounding and is now trading above $116,000. Ethereum (ETH) also slipped under $4,600 during the pullback but has recovered to trade just above that level, marking a 1.01% daily decline. Sector-wise, GameFi led losses with a 3.03% drop, while DeFi and Meme tokens fell 2.21% and 2.85% respectively. Some assets bucked the trend, including Monero (XMR) with a 4.44% gain, Mantle (MNT) up 0.65%, and select meme tokens like MemeCore (M) and…

Sodiq Ojuroungbe In a move to accelerate reforms and ensure efficient healthcare delivery, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the health sector after reviewing his administration’s healthcare development roadmap. The Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, disclosed this after the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Uyo, on Saturday. Umanah said key directives under the emergency include an expanded upgrade of medical facilities across the state. He added that the reopening of the healthcare recruitment portal to engage 2,000 workers was approved, with the voters’ identity card requirement for applicants waived.…

The North West arm of the Gbenga Hashim Vanguard has warned that dragging former President Goodluck Jonathan into the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027 will be a dangerous gamble capable of reopening old wounds and weakening the party’s already fragile unity. The group was reacting to comments credited to Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, that Jonathan was among three Southern figures pencilled in by the PDP as possible flagbearers. In a statement issued in Kano at the weekend, the group’s North West Coordinator, Aminu Wudilawa, described the claim as “provincial and dangerous for party unity,”…

Despite returning to first-team training, Ademola Lookman didn’t feature in Atalanta‘s 4-1 win over Lecce this afternoon, Soccernet.ng reports. In what was Ivan Juric’s first victory since taking charge of the Nerazzuri, goals from Giorgio Scalvini, Nicolas Zalewski, and a brace from Charles De Ketelaere sealed all three points at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Lookman was left to train alone after he attempted to force a move to Inter Milan, although Atalanta were firm in their stance on not letting the Super Eagles star join another Italian team. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring 1-3 during the UEFA Champions…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, assuring that the government’s ongoing reforms are laying the groundwork for lasting prosperity. Speaking as chairman at the Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Akpabio compared Nigeria’s nation-building to constructing a cathedral. “Do not despair when the winds blow strong or the scaffolding shakes,” he said. “A nation is like a mighty cathedral; it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”…

• Don’t bungle next general elections, Nigerians urged Plans by the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, as its national chairman, have thrown the coalition of opposition politicians coalescing on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into panic. This is just as the short-listing of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a new political association by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has thrown up a new option for a credible alliance of opposition parties for the 2027 general elections. Prior to the adoption of ADC as the coalition platform, promoters of the…

Victor Osimhen missed Galatasaray’s last game at Eyupspor, and their next game is a Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt… Galatasaray coach Orkan Buruk has expressed optimism that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be fit enough to play when they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening game of the UEFA Champions on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports. Osimhen has been nursing a minor ankle injury since Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers game against Rwanda last Saturday. That issue made him miss the Super Eagles’ following game against South Africa, as he had to return to Galatasaray to undergo further checks.…