10 African countries affected as Donald Trump orders US Green Card review — diaspora under fresh scrutiny

The US government has announced that nationals from 19 “countries of concern” will undergo a full-scale re-examination of all Green Cards issued or pending — and ten African nations are on that list. This could lead to delays, denials, or extra vetting for applicants and existing cardholders from those countries.

The affected African countries are: Burundi; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Libya; Sierra Leone; Somalia; Sudan; and Togo.

Many Africans hoping to travel, relocate, or reunite with family in the US are now facing uncertainty — with immigration backlogs and stricter scrutiny expected to surge.

Full story: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/10-african-countries-affected-as-trump-orders-green-card-review-full-list/

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Wedding turns into nightmare — bandits abduct bride and several guests in Sokoto village

Late Saturday night, a community in Sokoto State was plunged into terror as armed bandits descended on Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area. What was meant to be a wedding eve celebration quickly turned tragic, with the attackers reportedly storming the village around midnight, firing sporadically before whisking away a bride, her bridesmaids, and a number of well-wishers. 

Eyewitnesses said the raid sent women, children and elderly residents fleeing into the bush. According to locals, the victims were among those gathered to celebrate ahead of the ceremony. The community continues to reel from shock, as no ransom demand or contact from the abductors has been made public so far — leaving relatives in a state of agonising uncertainty. 

The chairman of the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isah Sadeeq Achida, confirmed that villagers had been abducted, but said he was not yet able to verify whether the bride was among those taken or to provide a definitive number of victims. 

In a broader context, this incident comes amid a rising tide of kidnappings and banditry across parts of north-west Nigeria — a pattern that continues to unsettle communities and test the response of security agencies. Many residents are now calling for urgent intervention and protection before more lives are destroyed. 

Full story: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/bandits-storm-sokoto-village-abduct-bride-several-wedding-guests/  

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EFCC seizes passport of ex-AGF Abubakar Malami as part of $490 million Sani Abacha-era loot probe

The anti-graft agency on Sunday confiscated the international passport of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN — a move tied to questions about the whereabouts of nearly $490 million recovered from Abacha-era loot via a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). 

Though released on bail earlier Saturday, Malami has been barred from leaving Nigeria and ordered to report daily to EFCC headquarters in Abuja for the next month while investigations continue. 

The EFCC clarified it is not accusing him yet of misappropriation — but insists he must account for the recovered funds. Investigators say the volume of documents and number of items under review warrant the travel restriction. 

Malami responded by calling the allegations “fabricated,” vowing full cooperation and promising that “the truth will soon unfold.” 

Full story: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/abacha-490m-loot-probe-efcc-seizes-ex-agf-malamis-passport/


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Nigerian parents live in fear as hundreds of schoolchildren remain abducted

In Papiri village, Niger State, parents of more than 300 students abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School ten days ago remain paralysed by fear. Many are too frightened to speak to authorities or journalists, worrying that the kidnappers could retaliate against them. Children as young as five were taken when armed men stormed the boarding school in the early hours of 21 November. While officials claim some numbers may be exaggerated, roughly 250 pupils are still reported missing.

The abduction is part of a broader trend of mass kidnappings across northern and central Nigeria, often carried out by criminal gangs known locally as “bandits,” who exploit ransom payments as a lucrative source of income. In neighbouring areas, similar attacks have seen schoolgirls abducted from farms or school grounds, sometimes rescued through intelligence-led operations by the military.

Many communities have been forced to develop local strategies for survival. In Katsina State, for example, some villages have negotiated peace deals with bandit leaders to prevent further attacks. These agreements often include guarantees for safe passage, access to markets and grazing, and, in some cases, reopening of schools. Analysts note that such measures, while providing temporary relief, may simply shift insecurity to other regions, as gangs seek more profitable targets further south.

Experts stress that the violence is driven more by profit than ideology, and that effective solutions require both strong security responses and negotiated settlements. Meanwhile, for the parents in Papiri, hope for their children’s safe return remains fragile, and the trauma of uncertainty weighs heavily on the entire community.

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g6we59qe4o  

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Atiku Abubakar reportedly begins search for running mate — two prominent names emerge

The camp around Atiku Abubakar has reportedly started shopping for a running mate from southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election. According to recent reports, the first name being considered is Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party. If Peter Obi declines, attention may shift to former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Supporters of a potential Atiku–Obi alliance believe such a partnership could pose the strongest challenge to the ruling party. Others caution that a delay or refusal — especially from Obi — might weaken the opposition’s chances for 2027.

For now, all eyes are on whether a deal can be struck — and who will step up to take the number two slot.

Full story: https://www.legit.ng/politics/1685646-atiku-begins-search-running-mate-names-reportedly-list-emerges/  

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Consumers celebrate as food prices fall — but traders in the north feel the pinch

Across several northern states, households are breathing easier after markets reported a significant drop in the prices of staple food items. The slump comes following a lull in demand — many believe economic hardship and shrinking purchasing power have forced consumption down sharply.

While consumers — particularly families facing tight budgets — welcome the relief, the story is different for many traders. Small-scale sellers and shop owners lament the drop, reporting that stock which once turned over quickly now lingers unsold. Several blame the reduced orders on both widespread poverty and growing distrust in the stability of the market.

Some traders warn that prolonged low demand may force them to close shops or rely on credit to stay afloat — which, in turn, could threaten food distribution and supply chains across several regions.

For ordinary consumers, though, the price drop offers some respite: families can now afford basic commodities they previously struggled to buy, offering a brief sigh of relief amid challenging times.

Full story: https://www.legit.ng/business-economy/economy/1683667-consumers-rejoice-traders-lament-prices-foodstuffs-crash-northern-states/  




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Reno Omokri thanks President Bola Tinubu for ambassadorial nomination

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has publicly expressed his gratitude after being named among 32 ambassador‑designates by the Tinubu administration. He described the nomination as a gesture that renewed his sense of duty and purpose toward Nigeria.

In a message on social media, Omokri praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying the decision reflected “vision, grace and opportunity for service.” He also thanked his family — especially his parents — for shaping him, attributing his nomination to their support and upbringing. Looking ahead, Omokri pledged loyalty and vowed to serve with dignity and honour should his appointment be confirmed.

Full story: https://punchng.com/omokri-thanks-tinubu-for-ambassadorial-nomination/   

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Atiku Abubakar blasts government over ₦17.5 trillion “pipeline‑security” spending

Former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the reported ₦17.5 trillion spent by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on pipeline protection and related energy‑security costs over the past 12 months. He described the sum as “one of the most brazen financial scandals in Nigeria’s history.” 

Atiku pointed out that over a 12‑year period, Nigeria spent roughly the same amount — around ₦18 trillion — on fuel subsidies, which helped cushion the public during times of economic strain. But under the current administration, nearly that entire amount was allegedly redirected in a single year into opaque contracts awarded to private firms linked to political insiders. 

He questioned how such expenditure could be justified when ordinary Nigerians were being told to tighten their belts and “make sacrifices.” Atiku argued that the funds could have helped transform essential sectors — from powering up electricity supply to rebuilding refineries or funding universal healthcare. 

He has demanded full transparency: the publication of all companies awarded contracts, a detailed breakdown of contract scopes and deliverables, and an independent forensic audit before further disbursements are made — insisting that the spending must be subjected to parliamentary oversight. 

Full story: https://punchng.com/atiku-slams-fg-over-%E2%82%A617-5tn-pipeline-security-spending/  

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Naira ends the week weaker as exchange‑rate losses pile up

The week closed on a bleak note for Nigeria’s currency as the Nigerian naira slipped further against the United States dollar — dropping at the official foreign‑exchange market, while traders in the parallel market also edged up demand for dollars. 

Analysts say the drop reflects two main pressures: weak dollar inflows and rising demand for hard currency driven by importers and individuals seeking to protect savings. 

For ordinary Nigerians, the depreciation means higher prices for imported goods, costlier overseas travel or studies, and generally increasing costs for anything tied to the dollar — from medicines to electronics. Local businesses reliant on imported materials may soon feel the strain too.

Economists warn that if the trend continues, inflation — already biting many households — could worsen, pushing more people into economic hardship. Some have called on policymakers to stabilise foreign‑exchange inflows and curb speculative demand for dollars.

Full story: https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/29/naira-continues-depreciation-against-us-dollar-to-end-on-negative-note/  

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery meets a third of Nigeria’s petrol demand — but supply still falls short overall

New data shows that in October 2025 Nigeria’s daily petrol consumption hit 56.7 million litres — yet domestic refineries supplied only about 34 per cent of that, with Dangote supplying a large share. 

Official figures put Dangote’s output at roughly 18 million litres per day between October 2024 and October 2025. That’s a big increase compared with nearly zero local output a year ago — but still far below what’s needed to meet national demand without imports. 

Because state‑run refineries remain shut for maintenance or rehabilitation, the burden falls mainly on Dangote and a handful of modular refineries to supply fuel. That means imports continue to fill the supply gap — making fuel security still uncertain even with Dangote in operation. 

For consumers, Dangote’s supply has helped ease, though not eliminate, persistent fuel shortages. But for a country of Nigeria’s size and demand — especially with rising usage and population — the numbers show that more investment and consistent output will still be necessary before the nation can confidently move away from fuel imports.

Full story: https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/30/dangote-refinery-supplies-34-of-nigerias-56-7m-daily-petrol-demand/