Aeesha's Blog

Author: Aeesha Zannah

  • Suicide Bomber Kills Five Soldiers At Military Checkpoint In Borno

    A suicide bomber has killed five soldiers following an explosion at a military checkpoint in Pulka town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The incident occurred on Sunday morning while troops were on duty at the checkpoint, heightening concerns over renewed insecurity and the activities of extremist groups in the North-East.

    A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attacker was suspected to be a member of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) and had been hiding within the Mandara Mountains axis.

    According to the source, the suspect reportedly spent the night close to the checkpoint, observing troop movements and planning the attack.

    “He passed the night around the military post. In the morning, when the road was opened to commuters, he disguised himself as a passerby and detonated the explosive in their midst,” the source said.

    The source added that the explosion killed five soldiers instantly, while residents in the vicinity also sustained injuries of varying degrees.

    Another resident of Pulka told our Source that the attack was the first suicide bombing recorded in the area in more than one year, stressing the need for a renewed and proactive security strategy.

    “For over a year now, this is the only suicide attack recorded here. It shows that security agencies need to adopt new measures to prevent a recurrence,” the resident said.

    The latest incident has revived memories of previous suicide attacks in Gwoza and other parts of Borno State, which had caused significant loss of lives and displacement of residents.

    We recalls that on June 30, 2024, two female suicide bombers detonated improvised explosive devices at a wedding ceremony in Gwoza town, killing 18 persons, including children and a pregnant woman.

    Similarly, on June 21, 2025, no fewer than 11 civilians were killed, while several others were injured, when a suicide bomber attacked a viewing centre in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

    Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the Pulka attack as of the time of filing this report, while efforts to strengthen security across vulnerable communities in the state are ongoing.

  • Nestlé Opens Applications For 2026 Internship And Apprenticeship Programme

    Nestlé Has Announced The Commencement Of Applications For Its 2026 Internship And Apprenticeship Programme, inviting students and young professionals from across the world to apply for placement opportunities in its offices globally.

    The programme, which is open to international applicants of all nationalities, is designed to provide participants with practical work experience and exposure to Nestlé’s operations across multiple business units. Successful candidates will undertake a six-week paid internship and receive a competitive stipend alongside other benefits.

    According to information released by the company, the internship is targeted at full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students, fresh graduates and early-career professionals seeking to gain hands-on industry experience. Nestlé said the programme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and the corporate environment by allowing interns to work on real-life projects that contribute directly to business outcomes.

    Nestlé explained that interns would be guided by mentors and supported by teams within their respective departments, enabling them to develop professional skills, adaptability and leadership capacity. Participants are expected to demonstrate flexibility, strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced work environment.

    The company noted that internship opportunities are available across several functional areas, including human resources, supply chain, administration, sales, research and development, engineering, communications, procurement, technical and production, finance, marketing, legal services and information technology.

    Internship placements will be offered in various regions, including the Middle East and Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe. Countries listed include Nigeria and other parts of Africa, the United States, Canada, Brazil, India, China, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, among others.

    Nestlé stated that eligible applicants must be full-time students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or recent graduates. Both male and female candidates are encouraged to apply. Preference may be given to applicants with active involvement in extracurricular activities, strong teamwork abilities, effective communication skills and a clear drive for long-term career development.

    The company advised applicants to submit an updated curriculum vitae detailing their academic achievements and extracurricular engagements, warning that incomplete applications would not be considered. It added that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted.

    Nestlé further disclosed that there is no fixed deadline for the 2026 internship and apprenticeship programme, urging interested candidates to apply as early as possible due to the rolling nature of the recruitment process.

    Applications are to be submitted through Nestlé’s official online careers portal, where candidates can search for available internship roles and complete the application process.

    Nestlé described the initiative as part of its broader commitment to nurturing young talent globally and preparing the next generation of professionals for leadership roles within and beyond the organisation.

    Apply Link;
    https://brightscholarship.com/nestle-internships-and-apprenticeship-2026/

  • NLC, Sowore Others Gather In Abuja For Nationwide Protest Over Insecurity

    Nigerian workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday gathered at the Labour House, Abuja, to commence a nationwide protest against rising insecurity and worsening economic conditions in the country.

    The gathering followed weeks of tension between organised labour and the Federal Government over the deteriorating security situation and its impact on workers and citizens.

    Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on Tuesday night, met with the leadership of the NLC in a last-minute effort to avert the protest.

    However, the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, told journalists that the meeting did not yield any resolution capable of stopping the planned action.

    According to him, labour leaders were not convinced that the issues raised during the engagement had been adequately addressed.

    It was learnt that the NLC leadership is currently holding further consultations with a committee constituted during the late-night meeting involving the President and the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

    Meanwhile, workers who had converged on the Labour House were seen waiting anxiously for the outcome of the meeting, even as some labour leaders insisted that the protest would proceed regardless of ongoing talks.

    Also present at the Labour Secretariat were human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore, alongside members of the Revolution Now Movement, who expressed solidarity with the workers’ agitation.

    The NLC, in its demands, is calling for the establishment of a special intervention fund to rehabilitate and compensate citizens, including workers, who have been affected by widespread insecurity across the country.

    The congress is also demanding that Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution, which places the responsibility for the security and welfare of the people on government, be made justiciable to enable citizens seek legal redress when the state fails in that duty.

    In addition, organised labour is seeking far-reaching electoral reforms, including the strengthening of a truly independent and people-oriented electoral umpire, the prompt prosecution and punishment of electoral offenders, and an end to the militarisation of elections in Nigeria.

    As of the time of filing this report, discussions between labour leaders and government representatives were still ongoing, with workers maintaining a tense but peaceful presence at the Labour House.

  • JUST IN: Trump Adds Nigeria, 15 Others To U.S. Travel Restrictions List

    President Donald Trump of the United States has signed a new proclamation imposing additional travel restrictions on foreign nationals, with Nigeria and 15 other countries added to the list of nations facing partial entry limitations into the U.S.

    The decision, announced on Tuesday, is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten U.S. travel standards and strengthen border and migration controls.

    Under the new proclamation, the countries newly subjected to partial travel restrictions are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    The proclamation also maintains full travel restrictions on the original 12 countries earlier classified as high-risk. These are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

    In addition, full restrictions have now been extended to five more countries following recent U.S. security assessments. They include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.

    According to the proclamation, Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full travel restrictions. Meanwhile, partial restrictions remain in force for Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela.

    The U.S. government, however, lifted non-immigrant visa bans on Turkmenistan, citing what it described as improved cooperation with U.S. authorities, although restrictions on immigrant visas for Turkmen nationals remain in place.

    The proclamation provides exemptions for lawful permanent residents of the United States, holders of valid visas, and certain visa categories, including diplomats and athletes. It also allows entry for individuals whose travel is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.

    Analysts say the latest measure forms part of President Trump’s renewed crackdown on migration and border security since his return to the White House. The administration has also intensified enforcement actions, including the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to carry out arrests linked to immigration violations.

    The inclusion of Nigeria and other African and Caribbean countries has already generated public debate, particularly over its potential impact on travel, education, business and family reunification for affected nationals.

  • WESTAFRICAOIL Opens Applications For 2025/2026 Undergraduate Scholarship

    The West Africa Oil and Gas Development Programme (WESTAFRICAOIL) has opened applications for its 2025/2026 Undergraduate Scholarship Programme, aimed at supporting Nigerian students in public universities.

    The programme, according to the organisers, is designed to provide financial assistance, academic support and learning tools to bright undergraduates to enable them excel in their studies, particularly in science, engineering and technology-related disciplines.

    A statement made available on Monday said the scholarship award consists of an annual grant of ₦250,000 as well as the provision of a brand-new laptop to successful applicants to aid their academic performance.

    It added that beneficiaries would also enjoy increased opportunities for internship placements, access to development resources, as well as enhanced academic visibility and recognition.

    The scholarship is open to Nigerian citizens who are currently in their first or second year of full-time study in approved Nigerian universities.

    Eligible candidates must possess a valid University Matriculation Examination (UTME) or University Matriculation Number (UME) that can be fully verified, and must maintain good academic standing throughout the duration of the award.

    WESTAFRICAOIL noted that the programme forms part of its broader commitment to capacity building through training, institutional development, scholarships and the promotion of science, engineering and technology across West Africa.

    Applicants are required to submit several documents during the application process. These include a completed application form, a recent passport photograph, O’Level and UTME results, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and university admission letters, a valid university identity card, birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC), a local government identification letter and a National Identification Number (NIN) slip.

    Interested and qualified candidates are to apply online by visiting the official WESTAFRICAOIL scholarship portal, creating an account with a valid email address, verifying the email, completing the application form and uploading all required documents before final submission.

    The deadline for submission of applications has been fixed for Dec. 23, 2025.

    WESTAFRICAOIL advised applicants to ensure that all information provided is accurate and that supporting documents are clearly uploaded, as only shortlisted candidates would be contacted for further consideration.

  • N154.3bn Student Loans Disbursed To 788,947 Beneficiaries In 19 Months — NELFUND

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it has disbursed a total of N154.3 billion as student loans to 788,947 beneficiaries across the country within 19 months of the commencement of the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme.

    The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this on Tuesday during a virtual briefing on the implementation of the scheme.

    Sawyerr said the beneficiaries were selected from 1,265,509 applications received since the commencement of disbursement on May 24, 2024.

    He explained that out of the total amount disbursed, N82.34 billion was paid directly to educational institutions as tuition and approved institutional charges, while N72.02 billion was released to students as upkeep allowances.

    According to him, the disbursements covered students in 262 public tertiary institutions nationwide, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    > “As of today, we have turned 788,947 applicants into beneficiaries. We have received 1,265,509 applications in total. We have disbursed N82.34 billion in institutional fees and N72.02 billion for students’ upkeep allowances across 262 institutions,” Sawyerr said.

    He attributed the disparity between the number of applications received and approved beneficiaries to multiple applications by individuals and delays in verification by institutions.

    > “One individual may apply more than once, and that sometimes leads to double counting. Also, schools are required to confirm that applicants are still bona fide students. Some institutions respond immediately, while others take time,” he explained.

    Sawyerr noted that NELFUND processes applications on a daily basis, adding that the most recent dashboard showed 3,008 new applications recorded on Tuesday alone, representing a 0.2 per cent increase from the previous day.

    He said that within the previous week, the fund received about 50,000 applications, describing the volume as substantial and requiring thorough screening.

    > “We must ensure that there is no fraud. Applications are batched by institutions and sent for verification. Because we are dealing with public funds, speed is important, but safety is more critical so that government money is not lost,” he said.

    NELFUND was established following the signing into law of the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2024.

    The scheme provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition fees and essential living expenses.

    Under the arrangement, beneficiaries are required to commence repayment only after securing employment upon completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

    Sawyerr urged eligible students to take advantage of the scheme, stressing that disbursements are strictly cashless.

    > “Applicants must have bank accounts. Payments are never made in cash. One payment goes directly to the institution on behalf of the student, while the other is paid to the student as a stipend,” he said.

    He clarified that institutional payments cover tuition and other approved charges, excluding accommodation unless confirmed by the loans committee.

    The NELFUND boss added that repayment is expected to begin two years after completion of NYSC, particularly for beneficiaries who have secured employment.

  • World Cup Play-Off: DR Congo Silent As NFF Petitions FIFA Over Players’ Eligibility

    The football authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the eligibility of some of their players, following a petition submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

    The development comes about one month after DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties in the final of the African play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in Morocco.

    The General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed on Tuesday that the federation had formally written to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the play-off match that eliminated Nigeria.

    According to Sanusi, the petition centres on alleged violations of DR Congo’s domestic laws, which reportedly prohibit dual citizenship, contrary to the status of some players used during the encounter.

    “We are waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said.

    He explained that some of the players allegedly hold European passports alongside Congolese nationality.

    “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition,” he added.

    Sanusi noted that while FIFA cleared the players based on documentation presented, the world football governing body may have been misled.

    “FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared. But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them.

    “It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent,” he said.

    Another member of the NFF executive board, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the federation had done all that was required procedurally.

    “NFF has done the needful. Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring.

    “Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well,” the official said.

    It was gathered that although FIFA reportedly approved the players’ eligibility based on valid DR Congo passports, questions have been raised over whether they formally renounced their previous nationalities, as required by DR Congo’s constitution.

    When contacted, the Chairperson of the Normalisation Committee overseeing football administration in DR Congo, Belinda Luntadila Nzuzi, declined to make substantive comments on the matter.

    She said the country had not yet taken an official position.

    Pressed on the credibility of the alleged breaches, Nzuzi maintained that no formal response had been issued by DR Congo football authorities.

    Although FIFA has not officially named the players under investigation, reports indicate that the case involves Mario Stroeykens, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Matthieu Epolo.

    All three players previously represented Belgium at youth level before switching their international allegiance to DR Congo.

    FIFA had publicly confirmed and approved their change of association between Nov. 11 and Nov. 13, 2025.

    However, the current dispute reportedly focuses on issues of dual nationality and compliance with DR Congo’s domestic laws.

    Of the three players, Balikwisha is the only one to have featured for DR Congo at senior level so far.

    He made his debut against Nigeria during the World Cup play-off in November, coming on in extra time before scoring one of the penalties in the shoot-out.

    DR Congo captain, Chancel Mbemba, subsequently converted the decisive kick, sending his team into the FIFA intercontinental play-offs at the expense of the Super Eagles.

    DR Congo have been handed a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament and are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica by March 2026 in Mexico.

    However, their participation at that stage could now be in doubt following the petition filed by the NFF.

    The development has revived Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the country narrowly missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

    DR Congo, meanwhile, have appeared at the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.

  • Senate Passes 2026–2028 MTEF, Tinubu To Present ₦54.4trn Budget

    The Senate on Tuesday passed the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), paving the way for President Bola Tinubu to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill estimated at ₦54.4 trillion.

    The passage followed the consideration and debate of a report presented during plenary by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa.

    Announcing the approval, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said the MTEF was a statutory requirement that must precede the presentation of the annual budget, stressing that it did not represent the final position of the National Assembly.

    “The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is only a prerequisite before the presentation of the budget.

    “What we are discussing here is not a finality. If circumstances change, it will be brought back to us to rejig, react or act,” Akpabio said.

    He explained that the passage of the framework would enable the National Assembly to receive the 2026 budget proposal between now and Thursday, adding that the document remained open to review once the full budget was formally laid before lawmakers.

    Akpabio expressed optimism that the projections contained in the MTEF would be realistic enough to support the effective implementation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    During deliberations, Sen. Mohammed Monguno described the fiscal parameters contained in the framework as achievable, citing the projected crude oil production benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.

    He also said the reduction of the oil price benchmark to 60 dollars per barrel, from 64 dollars, was prudent in view of prevailing global market conditions.

    Following the debate, the Senate adopted the recommendations contained in the MTEF/FSP report through a voice vote.

    Earlier, President Tinubu had transmitted the 2026–2028 MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly, marking the official commencement of the 2026 budget cycle.

    In a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano North), the President said the submission complied with statutory requirements.

    He said the document outlined the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections and expenditure priorities that would guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

    Jibrin urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document to ensure a smooth and timely budget process.

  • CBN Revokes Licenses Of Two Mortgage Banks

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the revocation of operating licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.

    In a circular signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Hakama Ali, the apex bank stated that the action was aimed at repositioning the mortgage sub-sector and promoting compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

    The CBN said the affected institutions violated several provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria, including:

    Failure to meet the minimum paid-up share capital requirement for their license category.

    Possessing insufficient assets to meet liabilities.

    Being critically undercapitalised with a capital adequacy ratio below the prudential minimum.

    Non-compliance with multiple directives issued by the CBN.

    “The CBN remains committed to its core mandate of ensuring financial system stability,” the circular added.

    The apex bank stressed that the move aligns with its statutory powers under Section 12 of BOFIA 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks.

  • Tinubu Suspends Promotion Of ADC To Brigadier-General After Outcry

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the special promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Col. Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general following concerns raised within the Nigerian Army over the move, reliable sources have confirmed.

    The suspension comes amid widespread criticism in military circles after reports emerged that the President had approved a “special presidential promotion” for Yusuf from colonel to brigadier-general.

    The approval was reportedly conveyed through a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    The letter, which was leaked to the public, was dated Dec. 12, 2025, and signed by the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    In the correspondence, Ribadu conveyed the President’s approval of the promotion and stated that Yusuf would be retained as the President’s ADC despite the elevation in rank.

    “I wish to convey Mr President’s approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention as ADC C-in-C with effect from 12 December 2025, for your necessary action as enclosed. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” the memo read.

    The reported promotion immediately generated controversy, as Yusuf was only decorated as a colonel in January 2025, making the proposed advancement his second promotion within a 12-month period.

    Under existing Nigerian Army promotion guidelines, an officer is required to spend between four and five years in the rank of colonel before becoming eligible for promotion to brigadier-general.

    In addition, such an officer is expected to complete mandatory professional military education, including attendance at a war college or senior staff course, as well as a strategic-level course at the National Defence College or an equivalent institution.

    Several senior officers, including some of Yusuf’s coursemates, were said to have expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as an unprecedented acceleration of his career progression.

    Critics within the military accused the Presidency of favouritism, warning that such actions could undermine morale, discipline and fairness within the armed forces.

    “This beggars belief and defies all logic,” a senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. “Someone who was just promoted to colonel this year is now being moved to brigadier-general.”

    However, in a fresh development on Tuesday, the President was reported to have rescinded the special promotion.

    According to a report by The Cable, the decision followed a last-minute intervention by two former Chiefs of Army Staff, who reportedly advised against the move.

    A presidential source quoted in the report said the promotion would not take place “anytime soon,” signalling a reversal of the earlier approval.

    The development has been welcomed in some quarters as a step towards preserving established military norms and preventing perceived politicisation of promotions within the armed forces.

    Analysts say the suspension could help restore confidence among officers and reinforce adherence to due process in career advancement within the Nigerian Army.

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