My dear brother,

Welcome home. Today, as Nigeria marks the anniversary of her independence, we are reminded that the promise of freedom must find meaning in the dignity, security and well-being of our people. I hope your time away has brought you some rest and renewed strength.

The months ahead will test you as a leader and as a candidate seeking another mandate. More consequentially, they will test our country.

I write because I believe you need to hear, plainly and from someone who wishes you well, how difficult life has become for many Nigerians.

I have wrestled with the decision to make this an open letter. Our relationship has been strained, and we have not seen each other since 2022. I made no secret of my decision neither to work for your election nor to vote for you in 2023. Some will therefore question my motives. I cannot control their interpretation. I can only tell you that I write with affection for an old friend and with concern for our country.

Two recent sermons finally persuaded me to put pen to paper. In different churches, the clergymen spoke at length about hunger and poverty. One was Bishop Felix Femi Ajakaiye of the Catholic Church, a respected cleric not given to theatrics. He spoke during the funeral of our mutual friend, Senator Tony Adeniyi.

His words, and those of the other clergyman, stayed with me. These are men who encounter people in distress every day. What they described is also what one hears in homes, markets and conversations across the country: people are struggling to afford food, medicine, rent, school fees and transport. Many have adjusted their lives as far as they can and still cannot make ends meet. For those who earn anything at all, their earnings buy less and less.

You and I go back a long way. We knew each other in the struggle against military rule, through your campaign for the governorship of Lagos State and through some of the trials that followed. You have stood by me at times, and I have stood by you.

I remember one night shortly before your election as governor. I took you to the home of a senior security official, Mr Ibrahim Solomon, in Ikoyi, because we feared the election might be rigged against you. A decent and patriotic public servant, he assured us that the security apparatus would ensure fairness, and he kept his word.

On our way back, at about 1.30 a.m., your driver, the late Mustapha, fell asleep at the wheel on the Third Mainland Bridge. The car struck the railing. We were fortunate to escape with our lives. You asked me to drive us on to Alausa, although I had never driven a car with an automatic transmission. Somehow, I got us there.

I recall that night because it speaks to the length and nature of our association. After your victory, I helped manage the transition committees and your inauguration programme. When you asked what position I wanted in your government, I said I would return to journalism. I believed you should have at least one person outside government who could come to you and speak honestly, without sycophancy or the pursuit of personal advantage.

During your eight years as governor, that was the role I tried to play. I did not come to you seeking an appointment or a favour for myself. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, then your Chief of Staff, would sometimes see me at your office and joke, “Our opposition has come. What have we done wrong again?”

It is in that same spirit that I write today.

Asiwaju, hardship has become the defining experience of too many Nigerians. You may hear that difficult measures were necessary and that the figures now show progress. Even where some indicators are improving, the question you must ask is whether that progress can be felt in an ordinary household. A parent who cannot pay school fees or buy medicine cannot live on a projection of future relief. Progress must mean food on the table, a child in school, treatment for the sick and a reasonable chance to earn a living.

I ask you to review your policies with that household in mind. Examine the cumulative burden of fuel prices, transport costs and the rising cost of basic food. Direct your team to identify where government can bring prompt, measurable relief, and ensure that every intervention reaches those for whom it is intended. Nigerians need both a credible path out of hardship and evidence that their government understands what they are enduring now.

Security requires the same candour and urgency. In communities where people fear travelling, farming or going about their business, promises of prosperity ring hollow. No farmer should have to choose between tending a field and staying alive. The anxiety people feel about their safety compounds their economic distress.

So, too, does the suspicion between communities. At a time like this, the President’s words, choices and appointments must reassure Nigerians that they belong equally to this country and are equally entitled to its protection and opportunities.

Please widen the circle of people you listen to. Seek out Nigerians of goodwill from every part of the country, including those who disagree with you. Invite them to speak freely about what is working, what is failing and what needs to change. A leader gains little from advisers who shield him from unwelcome news. He gains much from those willing to tell him the truth while there is still time to act on it.

You have always valued opinion research. Commission a serious, independent assessment of how Nigerians are living and what they think of the government’s response. Let it reach beyond party meetings and official briefings. We used such evidence together in the past. Sometimes the findings were uncomfortable, but you listened and adjusted course. I urge you to bring that openness to this moment.

There is another duty that rests especially on you as President. As the election approaches, ensure that the institutions of government carry out their responsibilities freely and impartially. The security services must protect every voter, candidate and election official, and safeguard the process without favour or intimidation. INEC must have the independence, resources and space to conduct the election and declare its outcome according to the law and the votes cast.

You are a candidate in that election, but you are also the President entrusted with protecting the process for everyone. A credible election will serve Nigeria well, whatever its result. Respect and uphold the independence of the judiciary so that the courts can adjudicate impartially, guided by the facts and the law, free from pressure or interference.

These democratic principles brought us together. You fought for them and repeatedly risked your life in their defence. Remember, dear brother, the days you spent beneath the stairs at Alagbon, the dreaded police headquarters in Lagos, lying on a thin piece of foam alongside your then Senate colleagues, Abu Ibrahim and Ahmed Ebute. Remember why you endured those indignities and what you hoped our country would become. The freedom to choose our leaders was at the heart of that struggle. It must remain sacred today.

The forthcoming election will give Nigerians their opportunity to judge your stewardship. How you govern in the months ahead, and how you uphold their right to choose, will help define your legacy.

You have every right to ask for a renewed mandate. The Nigerian people have every right to weigh that request against their lived experience. Your most persuasive campaign in the coming months will therefore be the decisions you make as President: whether you hear their concerns, change what needs changing and ease the burdens they carry.

Should Nigerians renew your mandate through a free, fair and credible election, it would be an affirmation of their confidence in your leadership and the course you have set.

And if, after giving all you can, the people choose another course, accept their verdict with grace. There is honour in serving one’s country and in respecting its democratic choice. Either outcome must rest on the freely expressed will of Nigerians.

My dear brother, God has been good to you, and you have devoted much of your life to public service. I remember the risks you took, the sacrifices you made and the long nights of political struggle, sustained by cups of black coffee and your determination to serve your country. I want you to finish well. I want Nigeria to come through this difficult period stronger, more secure, more united and more democratic.

That is why I ask you, with sincerity and without malice: listen closely to the people, reconsider what is causing them pain, and act while you still have the power to bring them relief.

Happy Independence Anniversary.

Yours sincerely,

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, CON

JAMB, in a message shared on Thursday, reflected on Nigeria’s transformation since independence, highlighting the changes brought about by technological advancement over the years.

The board said its transition from the traditional pen-and-paper examination system to computer-based testing was an example of the broader changes that had taken place in the country.

“From pen and paper to keyboards and screens, Nigeria has evolved, and JAMB has evolved with her,” the board said.

JAMB said the Independence Day celebration offered an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s achievements while also looking towards its future.

“As we celebrate another year of independence, we honour how far we’ve come and look ahead to all that is still possible,” it added.

The board wished Nigerians a happy Independence Day celebration.

Similarly, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said Nigeria had recorded considerable progress in its nation-building efforts since gaining independence.

“At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self-determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building,” Olukoyede said.He described the various development efforts in the country as important building blocks towards achieving the Nigeria citizens aspire to have.

“All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire,” he said.However, Olukoyede called for stronger commitment to the fight against corruption alongside ongoing reform initiatives.

“Let’s therefore couple all our reform-focussed initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption. We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices vitiate our efforts,” he said.

The EFCC chairman stressed that sustained national progress would require Nigerians to reject practices that could undermine development efforts.

“Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!” Olukoyede said.

FROM REFORM TO PROSPERITY: INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, 1ST OCTOBER 2026

My fellow Nigerians,

Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.

Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.

It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.

Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.This faith, which sustains us all, is the inheritance of independence. Our founding fathers did not struggle merely for a flag, an anthem or a place among the nations of the world. Independence carried a larger promise: that Nigerians would have the freedom to shape their own destiny and build a nation capable of providing opportunity, dignity and a better life for its people. Sixty-six years later, Almighty God has made it our responsibility to deliver that promise.Today, as we celebrate our independence, we must speak honestly about the journey so far, the choices we made, and the country we are determined to build from here.

For too long, the promise of Nigeria was undermined by choices that postponed difficult decisions and allowed deep economic distortions to grow.

By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone. The country’s situation was darker than ever. We had no choice but to act.

Nigeria was like a sick patient who receives the terrible news that he has cancer. His doctor explains that the treatment will be difficult and painful, but that it offers a strong prospect of recovery. The patient has a choice. He can begin treatment, endure its discomfort and fight the disease. Or he can ask only for morphine, dull the pain and leave the cancer to spread.

For too long, Nigeria‘s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.

They focused on symptoms while allowing the disease to take hold deep within the fabric of our society. We spent enormous sums sustaining inefficient arrangements that were never intended to last. We hid from difficult truths and passed the consequences from one generation to the next.

When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease.

Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them. Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song. We must remember why we began this journey and how far we have already come.

Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth.

Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves have been rebuilt, our foreign exchange market has stabilised, and in 2025 this country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, exceeding $6 billion. This is real money being made by real Nigerian businesses.

These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change. Each has concluded that our reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s economic stability and resilience. The private sector has long since delivered its verdict, and foreign direct investment continues to rise each year.

My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point.

The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course.

Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.

When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal.

I mean a Nigeria in which the farmer can cultivate his land safely, produce more at lower cost, and earn a decent return for his labour. A Nigeria in which factories have reliable power, businesses can obtain credit, and young people can find productive work. A Nigeria in which food and transportation are affordable, education is within reach, and hard-working families can look towards the future with confidence.

This is the promise we must now fulfil.

Our priority is to bring down the cost of living. We will achieve this by lowering the cost of producing and moving the things Nigerians consume.

We have the land and people to feed ourselves. My government is therefore focused on expanding mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improving access to seeds and fertiliser, holistically increasing mechanisation, and investing in storage and transportation. We are building and completing the roads, railways and ports that connect farms and factories to markets.

Our logic is simple. When a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market.

But prosperity requires more than cheaper goods. It requires productive work.

Nigeria is a young country. Millions of young Nigerians enter adulthood every year with talent, energy and ambition. Our responsibility is to ensure that this great demographic strength becomes an engine of production rather than a source of despair.

We are therefore placing jobs, enterprise, and industrial growth at the heart of our government’s policies.

We will use our gas to power new industries. We will support businesses that work to bring factories back to life in our great industrial centres. We will expand digital connectivity into communities that have waited too long to participate in the modern economy. We will invest in the skills employers demand and support Nigerian businesses with the infrastructure and finance they need to grow.

I want to see more Nigerians making things. I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world. I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home.

I am also conscious that millions of our fellow citizens cannot wait for tomorrow. Some Nigerian families still struggle today for the next meal, the next school fee, the next medical bill, or simply enough money to get to work. Their circumstances did not begin with the reforms of the last three years. Their struggle is the accumulated consequence of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunity and institutions that too often failed those who needed them most.

We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course. We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.

That is why we are strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

It is why the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is ensuring that the child of a low-income family need not surrender the dream of higher education simply because his parents cannot afford the fees.

It is why CREDICORP is giving working Nigerians access to consumer credit, allowing people to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets without first having to accumulate years of savings.

That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most. Since 2023, we have paid salaries and pensions on time and in full. We have reformed the national pension program to benefit retirees and the vulnerable.

These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently.

We will defeat it.

It will take time. It will require discipline. It will require sustained growth year after year and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across our country.

But for the first time in decades, we embark on this task from a position of strength; with an economy whose fundamental direction has been corrected. We confronted the difficult choices we faced and have laid the foundations for lasting prosperity. Rather than fail the promise of a better future for our children, the time has come for us to build that future.

The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity. An age in which the promise of this great nation must finally become the lived experience of Nigerians from all walks of life.

We have travelled through difficult years together. We have made hard decisions together. And now, still together, we must build the country those decisions have made possible.

I believe deeply in what lies ahead.

I believe in the millions of ordinary men and women whose work, courage and determination have always been the true strength of our country. The road ahead will still demand much from us. But we travel it now with firm footing, a clear direction and renewed hope in our collective future.

Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back. Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.

The Promised Land before us is a Nigeria of abundance and opportunity; a nation where prosperity is broadly shared, where every child can dream beyond the circumstances of his birth, and where our country’s immense promise is finally reflected in the lives of our people.

Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Nigerians. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The nationwide protests followed an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by citizen led groups, calling on undocumented migrants to leave the country. Security operatives were deployed to maintain order, with isolated clashes, stone-throwing and looting reported in parts of Johannesburg. Authorities also deployed soldiers in Johannesburg and Durban, while several people were arrested for criminal activities linked to the protests.

In Johannesburg, protesters carrying sticks and flags marched through the city centre as many businesses remained closed and public transport services were disrupted. In Durban, demonstrators dressed in traditional Zulu attire, carrying shields, spears and whips, also took to the streets.

Some protesters accused undocumented migrants of contributing to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. They urged the government to strengthen immigration enforcement and deport those residing in the country illegally.

The demonstrations come as South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment, rising crime and economic challenges, with analysts warning that migrants are increasingly being blamed for broader governance and economic problems.

Police said at least four foreign nationals including citizens of Mozambique, Ethiopia and Malawi—have died since the protests began. Another foreign national reportedly died in Durban after allegedly jumping from the eighth floor of a building while attempting to flee.

Several African countries, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have begun voluntary repatriation efforts for their citizens. South African authorities said more than 25,000 people have been processed for departure in recent weeks, with thousands already repatriated or deported.

Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants remain at temporary centres awaiting transport back to their home countries, with many saying they fear for their safety following threats, evictions and job losses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced tougher measures to combat illegal immigration, including tighter border controls and increased inspections, as the government seeks to address growing public concerns over undocumented migration.

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Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking at the Good Governance Summit 2026 organised by Working People United (WoPU) in Abuja.

According to him, the Tinubu administration remains committed to ensuring that workers earn wages that keep pace with changing economic conditions.

Gbajabiamila recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage into law in July 2024, more than doubling the previous N30,000 wage. He noted that the administration also reduced the statutory wage review period from five years to three years to enable more frequent adjustments.

“The N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024, must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities. I can confirm that when the time comes to begin the process of reviewing the national minimum wage, this administration will approach that endeavour not as an adversary of labour, but as a partner,” he said.

He urged organised labour to sustain constructive engagement with the government, stressing that collaboration would produce better outcomes for workers while supporting national economic growth.

Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said the success of governance should be measured by its impact on the welfare of workers.

According to him, government policies must translate into improved living standards, decent jobs, enhanced productivity, stronger social protection and expanded economic opportunities for Nigerians.

“Governance is not merely about policies written in documents or programmes announced from government offices. The true measure of governance is the extent to which policies translate into improved livelihoods, decent work, increased productivity, social protection, economic opportunities and dignity for the working people,” the minister said.

Speaking during his 2026 Democracy Day address, Tinubu said while the heroes of the June 12 struggle secured political freedom for Nigerians, the responsibility of the present generation is to deliver prosperity and economic opportunity.

“June 12, 1993 revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” the President said.

Tinubu defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration, describing them as difficult but necessary measures aimed at stabilising the nation’s finances and laying the foundation for long-term growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s public finances were under severe strain before the reforms were implemented. He noted that since 2023, government revenues have increased, fiscal leakages have been reduced, and investor confidence has improved across key sectors, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, and the creative industry.

The President outlined several initiatives designed to improve electricity supply and ensure that citizens benefit directly from democratic governance.

Among the measures highlighted were the signing of the Electricity Act, which grants states greater control over power generation and distribution, the approval of a ₦4 trillion bond to clear legacy debts in the power sector, and the expansion of off grid electricity projects to universities, hospitals, and markets through the Rural Electrification Agency.

On agriculture and economic development, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 10,000 tractors over the next five years through the National Agricultural Development Fund to boost food production and mechanised farming.

He also revealed that more than 1,000 small and medium sized enterprises have been certified for export, while non-oil exports recorded a 21 per cent increase in the past year.

In a symbolic move to honour Nigeria’s democratic history, the President announced the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

Tinubu further unveiled national honors for prodemocracy activists, journalists, and military officers who endured persecution, imprisonment, and exile during Nigeria’s struggle for democratic rule.

The President urged Nigerians to remain united and focused on national development, emphasizing that the current generation has a duty to build a prosperous nation for future generations.

“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence, the generation of June 12 secured democracy, and our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.

He called on citizens to reject division and pessimism, expressing confidence in a future where justice, liberty, and economic opportunity are available to all Nigerians.

The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba has urged the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan not to join the 2027 race, warning that a return to partisan politics could diminish the statesmanlike reputation and good name he currently enjoys across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

He made this statement in Abuja while delivering his address to the first session of the thirteenth Synod of the Diocese of Abuja. He said Jonathan had already secured a place in history as a symbol of democratic maturity and peaceful leadership, particularly following his widely commended concession of defeat in the 2015 presidential election.

“We don’t want you to spoil that good name and please, keep off for now, let them just play it. Be the senior citizen that you should be. We thank God for your life, not only for Nigeria but for the West Africa region, ECOWAS and Africa. You are a symbol that should stand, you are a hope for our generation; that it is possible for us to be civil, to lead with integrity and possible for us to pass on a worthy legacy to those coming after us”.

In his goodwill message, Dr. Jonathan called for national reflection, spiritual renewal and responsible leadership amid the country’s worsening social and security challenges.

According to him, many Nigerians have become desensitised to bloodshed and destruction, unlike in the past when tragic incidents provoked national outrage and collective grief.
He said, “As someone who has spent many years in public life and politics, I must confess that moments like this provide an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of our society.

“When we look around today, particularly at the challenges confronting our country, it is easy to become discouraged. Violence, insecurity, moral decline, and the loss of human values have become deeply troubling realities.

“What is even more painful is how society sometimes appears to normalise these tragedies as though they are ordinary occurrences. In times past, such incidents would shake the conscience of the nation.

“Today, people are killed, communities are destroyed, and life seems to continue as though nothing has happened. This ought not to be so. It is a reminder that society desperately needs moral direction, spiritual guidance, and a restoration of values.”

The former President emphasised that the Church remains crucial in shaping society and upholding moral standards, urging religious leaders to continue speaking the truth and defending righteousness.

He also warned about the growing influence of negative values through technology and modern information systems, saying many harmful behaviours are now glorified in society.

“That is why the role of the Church remains indispensable. The Church must continue to stand as the conscience of society, speaking truth, defending righteousness, and shaping lives through faith and godly example.

“The influence of modern technology and information systems, though beneficial in many ways, has also contributed to the spread of negative values where wrong is sometimes celebrated more than good. This is not the future we should desire for our children and generations yet unborn,” he added.

“Permit me to also say that leadership matters greatly in moments like this. Society progresses when men and women of integrity, courage, and vision stand in the right places and speak the truth. We must continue to pray for our leaders, encourage one another, and work collectively for peace, justice, and national renewal,” Jonathan said.

The Church, through the Most Rev’d Dr. Emmanuel Egbunu, Bishop of Lokoja Diocese prayed for the former president using him as a point of contact to other leaders of the nation.

The sanctions was detailed in a 3,000-page document released on February 10 by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
According to the documents, more than 20 Nigerians and organisations were listed under various sanctions programmes, including terrorism- related and cybercrime regulations.

The sanction means all property and interests of these individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are blocked under Executive Order 13224, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Nigerians Currently Sanctioned by the US
Khalid al‑Barnawi


Also known as: AL-BARNAWI, Khaled; BARNAWI, Khalid; EL-BARNAOUI, Khaled; HAFSAT, Abu; USMAN, Mohammed
Date of birth: 1976
Place of birth: Maiduguri, Nigeria
Offence/Program: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to Boko Haram/terrorism
Abubakar Shekau


Also known as: BIN MOHAMMED, Abu Mohammed Abubakar; BI MUHAMMED, Abu Muhammed Abubakar; SHEHU; SHAYKU; SHEKAU
Date of birth: 1969
Place of birth: Shekau Village, Yobe State, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — leader associated with Boko Haram
Abu Musab al‑Barnawi

Also known as: YUSUF, Habib
Date of birth: 1991 (multiple alternate DOBs listed by OFAC)
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — Boko Haram affiliate/leader
Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki


Also known as: AL-MINUKI, Abu-Bilal; MAINOK, Abor; MAINOK, Abubakar
Date of birth: 1982
Place of birth: Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to ISIL
Salihu Yusuf Adamu


Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf
Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Surajo Abubakar Muhammad


Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr
Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to ISIL

Salihu Yusuf Adamu


Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf
Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Surajo Abubakar Muhammad


Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr
Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Abdurrahman Ado Musa


Also known as: MUSA, Abdurrahman Ado
Date of birth: 23 Apr 1984
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Bashir Ali Yusuf
Date of birth: 7 Aug 1984
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
Date of birth: 31 Jan 1981
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Nnamdi Orson Benson


Date of birth: 21 Mar 1987
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Abiola Ayorinde Kayode

Date of birth: 14 Nov 1987
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin


Date of birth: 23 Feb 1983
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Felix Osilama Okpoh


Date of birth: 9 Mar 1989
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Micheal Olorunyomi


Date of birth: 12 May 1983
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh


Date of birth: 29 Apr 1986
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Ali Abbas Usman Jega


Also known as: JEGA, Ali Abbas Usman; HASSAN, Ali Abbas Othman; JEGA, Abbas
Date of birth: 1965
Address: Abuja, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT
Abeni O. Ogungbuyi


Also known as: BABESTAN, Abeni O.; SHOFESO, Olatutu Temitope
Date of birth: 30 Jun 1952
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDNTK
Organisations Currently Sanctioned by the US (Nigeria-Based)
Boko Haram


Also known as: JAMA’ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL-JIHAD; Nigerian Taliban
Offence/Program: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT — terrorism
Ansaru
Also known as: ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN; Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa
Offence/Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Amigo Supermarket Limited, Kafak Enterprises Limited, Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort LtdProgram: SDGT — linked to individuals designated by OFAC

Organisations with alleged Nigerian affiliations:

Aurum Ship Management FZC
Program: SDGT — linked to designated individuals

ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA)
Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L.
Program: SDGT — linked to Hizballah

According to OFAC, the list serves as a reference tool, providing notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests are blocked as part of its counter-terrorism efforts.
“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.
The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list underscores Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.
The pronouncement comes on the heels of recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes.
In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the Department of State’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom, alleging persecution of Christians by Muslims. Nigeria was first designated in 2020 under Trump but was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after assuming office.

Source: Punch

Delivering his Bishop’s Charge at the Second Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese, held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Emevor, Isoko North LGA, the bishop lamented that insecurity in the country has become so rampant that even children can now speak about it casually—likening it to a nursery rhyme.

“The more we talk about insecurity, the worse it seems to get,” he said. “It’s tempting to think the situation has overwhelmed our security agencies. If not, then we urge all relevant authorities to demonstrate the political will and courage needed to defeat this monster.”

Bishop Aruakpor highlighted that persistent attacks by criminals have left many farmers too afraid to return to their fields, leading to a national food crisis. He decried the continued killings, maiming, rapes, and forced displacement of citizens from their ancestral lands.

Turning to the issue of flooding, the bishop called on the Federal Government to seek lasting solutions to the recurring disaster. He suggested that dredging the Rivers Niger and Benue could help mitigate the effects of seasonal floods.

“With the rains approaching, fear is mounting among coastal communities, particularly in the Niger Delta. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mokwa, Niger State, who recently suffered the devastating impact of flooding,” he added.

He also urged the government to find a way to regulate the release of water from dams, which often contributes to annual flooding and significant losses in affected areas.

On a positive note, Bishop Aruakpor congratulated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on his second anniversary in office. He praised the administration for its achievements within a short time, particularly the reduction in the state’s debt profile and progress on major projects like the Ughelli-Asaba road dualisation, the School of Health Technology in Ovrode, the College of Medical Sciences in Ozoro, and the ongoing transformation of Warri and its environs.

“We commend your efforts in ensuring quality job delivery through direct supervision and your hands-on approach to governance,” the bishop noted.

Governor Mbah exercised this power under Section 212 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to grant the pardon.

The decision was based on recommendations from the Enugu State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which comprises representatives from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), and the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP).

The inmates were formally handed over to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kingsley Udeh, by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Victor Udeh.

Those who benefited from the pardon are Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, Ngene Oluebube, Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.

According to the government, these individuals demonstrated positive behavioral changes and acquired new skills while incarcerated, making them ready to reintegrate and contribute to society. The release is intended to support their full reintegration and ease the burden on the prison system.