More than 70 young people were arrested on Saturday by security forces on charges of organising a gay wedding in north-east Nigeria, where such unions are criminalised and violence against the LGBT+ community is widespread. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Nigeria under a 2014 law, and punishable by 14 years in prison. “We apprehended 76…
Tag: Nigeria
Nigerian Boat Ride Ends in Tragic Loss of Over 100 Lives
At least 103 people died when a river boat capsized in Kwara state. The boat, said to be carrying up to 300 people, overturned after hitting a tree trunk. The local police and residents reported that many of the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said in a statement that the…
Nigerian flights disrupted by striking ground staff
Airlines in Nigeria said flights were being disrupted on Monday after ground staff began an indefinite strike to demand higher pay. Air Peace, which has the biggest fleet in Nigeria, and smaller carrier Dana Air said the strike by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) was delaying flights and hoped the issue would be quickly…
Nigeria’s Central Bank to Limit Over-the-Counter Withdrawals
The Central Bank of Nigeria will be placing a limit on over-the-counter cash withdrawals made by individuals and organisations with effect from January 9, 2023. In a memo, signed by the Director of Banking Supervision Haruna Mustafa, the apex bank directed all banks and other financial institutions to ensure that over-the-counter cash withdrawals do not…
Nigerian students to have access to interest-free loans for higher education
Nigerian students in higher institutions of learning will be able to gain more access to financial assistance after a ‘Students Loan Bill’ was cleared by both houses of Nigeria’s Parliament. The bill, sponsored by House of Reps leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, called the Student Loan Bill, will enable students to have access to interest-free loans. Under…
London museum set to return 72 artefacts to Nigeria.
A London museum says it has agreed to return to Nigeria artefacts looted in the 19th Century from the Kingdom of Benin. The Horniman Museum said ownership of 72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government. Items include 12 brass plaques, known as Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel and a key to the king’s…
Sadio Mane, Asisat Oshoala win African Player of the Year awards.
Updated by Faith Barbara Namagembe at 1602 EAT on Friday 22nd July 2022. Sadio Mane has been named African footballer of the year after a season that saw him kick the winning penalty for Senegal as they claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations title and repeat the feat when they secured the World Cup qualification. The 30-year-old…
Nigerian politician wife charged with attempted organ harvesting in London.
Updated by Faith Barbara Namagembe at 1123 EAT on Saturday 25th June 2022. Nigerian rights activists are reacting with outrage after a Nigerian politician and his wife were charged by British prosecutors with human trafficking with the intent to harvest organs. Ike Ekweremadu is alleged to have smuggled a Nigerian boy into Britain to harvest…
