NIGERIA-BANGKOK TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL IN AFRICA-ASIA COOPERATION Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to take their bilateral relationship to a strategic level. The commitment was made during a high-level meeting in Bangkok today, between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow. In a statement, Yusuf Tuggar, proposed for Thailand to help bridge the regions, by fostering collaboration between the African bloc, ECOWAS, and the Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN, foreseeing eventual ASEAN-ECOWAS Summit in the long-term. Both sides discussed building on Nigeria's crude oil exports and Thailand's rice and machinery exports, and extending to scholarship programmes for Nigerian students. They agreed to diversify into new areas like agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, and ICT. While on security, Yusuf Tuggar stressed on cooperation against transnational crimes like drug and human trafficking, proposing increased intelligence-sharing and joint training. To solidify this enhanced partnership, the Minister urged for speedy conclusion of pending bilateral agreements on trade, investment, and culture, with a view to establishing a high-level joint commission. The meeting concluded with Nigeria reaffirming Thailand as its strategic partner in Asia and extended an invitation for reciprocal high-level visits.

Twenty-One Economic Miracles Currently Happening Under President Tinubu One: Our foreign reserves have crossed the $45 billion mark for the first time in six years. It is now the fourth-highest on the African continent. Two: The prudent management of our foreign reserves under President Tinubu has led to a 3.93% GDP growth in the immediate past quarter and 4.23% growth in the quarter before that (Q2, 2025). Three: Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has, within two years, moved from being Africa's biggest petrol importer to becoming West Africa's largest exporter of the same product. Four: For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has overshot its OPEC quota for three consecutive months and is set to do the same for the fourth month, producing an average of 1.71 million barrels per day. Five: President Tinubu gave Nigerian airlines direct flights to London's Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom, London's Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, São Paulo, Brazil, Bogotá, Colombia, Entebbe, Uganda, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Algiers, Algeria, and St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Six: Oil theft has been reduced to less than 10,000 barrels per day, a sixteen-year low. Seven: Nigeria achieved its revenue target for the entire year in August, a first in our history. Eight: The Nigerian Stock Exchange rose above 130,000 All Share Index for the first time ever. Nine: Our economy expanded by $67 billion in just two years, moving Nigeria's GDP from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when Asiwaju became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today. Ten: Between January and August 2025, non-oil tax revenue was ₦20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase from the ₦14.6 trillion recorded in the corresponding period in 2024. Eleven: MTN Nigeria Limited hit a record valuation of ₦10 trillion, the first Nigerian company to do so. Twelve: Food prices have fallen significantly, resulting in a drop in inflation to 16.05% at present, down from 20.12% in August 2025, a 1.76% decline from July's 21.88%. Thirteen: Dangote and other retailers have crashed fuel prices below ₦1000. Fourteen: The Naira has stabilised and is now below ₦1500 to $, making it among the world's best-performing currencies, according to Fitch Ratings. Fifteen: Nigeria broke its power generation record with a peak generation of 5,801.84MW and maximum daily energyoutput of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), the highest ever attained in the history of the electricity industry in Nigeria. Sixteen: After a record trade surplus last year, Nigeria appears set to beat its 2024 figure. Our trade surplus rose 44.3% in Q2 to ₦7.46 trillion, up from ₦5.17 trillion in Q1. Seventeen: In a sign of an improving economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria reduced interest rates by 50 basis points to 27%, the first time since the #COVID19 pandemic. Eighteen: Fitch and S&P Global Ratings upgraded Nigeria's economy to a Stable B. Nineteen: Two PhDs in economics, in the persons of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and incumbent Governor of Anambra, Dr Chukwuma Soludo, both confirmed that President Tinubu has "stabilised the economy". Twenty: Rail transport expanded in Nigeria by 43.08% in Q2 2025. Twenty-one: Road transport expanded by 24.50% in Q2 2025, driven by the ₦13 trillion 1,068-kilometre Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the ₦15 trillion 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, currently under construction. Bonus: Student loans were awarded to an unprecedented 500,000 students, with hundreds of thousands more awaiting their loans. Effective rebranding projects a positive image of what is happening. It is the best way to neutralise enemies of the nation who want to overwhelm the airwaves with negative information. If you are a patriot who loves Nigeria and wants your country to progress, please spread this truthful message. Reno Omokri

YRC Mobilises Nigerians for December 10 Protest, Demands Release of #EndBadGovernance Activists The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has urged Nigerians nationwide to join the December 10 protest marking World Human Rights Day, organised by the #EndBadGovernance Movement. The group warned that Nigeria is “on the brink” due to worsening repression, rights violations, and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act to target critics under the Tinubu administration. YRC is demanding the dismissal of treason and terrorism charges against 11 detained protesters arrested in 2024, accusing the government of delaying their trial to silence dissent. The group also highlighted ongoing persecution of activists, workers, students, and journalists, as well as widespread demolitions displacing poor communities. YRC says the protest aims to build a united resistance against anti-poor policies and systemic abuses.

PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES THE RETURN OF 100 CATHOLIC STUDENTS, CHARGES SECURITY AGENCIES ON SAFE RETURN OF OTHERS President Bola Tinubu has commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in securing the freedom of the 100 students of Papiri Catholic School in Niger State. While expressing his joy over the safe return of the students, President Tinubu equally charged the security agencies to ensure the swift release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers who are still held hostage. President Tinubu assured the parents that both the federal and the Niger State governments are working closely to reunite all the abducted students with their families. "I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State. I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21. "My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims. The Federal Government will continue to work with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our young ones. "From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma," President Tinubu said.

AAC Inaugurates New NWC, Launches Renewed Push to ‘Rescue Nigeria’ from Bad Governance The African Action Congress (AAC) has inaugurated a new National Working Committee (NWC), unveiling a renewed revolutionary agenda aimed at rescuing Nigeria from corruption, insecurity, poverty, and failed leadership. In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Rex Elanu, the party said the new NWC represents a bold, people-centered force committed to grassroots mobilization, ideological clarity, anti-poor policy resistance, and national liberation. The AAC called on workers, youths, students, professionals, and Nigerians in the diaspora to join its movement, insisting that the ruling political class has failed and that true liberation must be organised and demanded by the people. #AACNigeria #GoodGovernance #PoliticalReform

PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES THE RETURN OF 100 CATHOLIC STUDENTS, CHARGES SECURITY AGENCIES ON SAFE RETURN OF OTHERS President Bola Tinubu has commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in securing the freedom of the 100 students of Papiri Catholic School in Niger State. A statement by Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga indicates that while expressing his joy over the safe return of the students, President Tinubu equally charged the security agencies to ensure the swift release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers who are still held hostage. President Tinubu assured the parents that both the federal and the Niger State governments are working closely to reunite all the abducted students with their families. "I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State. I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21. "My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims. The Federal Government will continue to work with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our young ones. "From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma," President Tinubu said.

ERC Slams Education Ministry for Forcing SSS 3 Students Into Untaught Subjects Under 2026 WAEC Curriculum The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has condemned the Federal Ministry of Education for issuing what it calls a vague and evasive clarification on the revised Senior Secondary School Curriculum, set to be used for the 2026 WASSCE. The group argues that the Ministry ignored the core concern raised by parents and teachers: current SSS 3 students are being required to register for subjects they have never been taught since SSS 1. With several subjects removed from the WAEC portal, thousands of students now have barely four months to prepare for unfamiliar alternatives. The ERC insists that the new curriculum should only apply from 2028, as earlier stated by NERDC, and praised the House of Representatives for directing the Ministry to halt the rushed implementation. It warned that enforcing the new curriculum in 2026 is unfair, confusing, and academically harmful to students. #WAEC2026 #EducationCrisisNigeria #ERCWarning

FG Secures Release of 100 Abducted Niger Catholic Schoolchildren After Months in Captivity The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State. The students were part of the 303 children and 12 teachers kidnapped by armed bandits who invaded the school on November 21 at 2 a.m. The mass abduction triggered nationwide outrage and led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security and order large-scale recruitment into the police and military. Authorities continue efforts to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.

Fubara Says He Remains Rivers Governor by Tinubu’s ‘Special Favour’ After Emergency Rule Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has stated that he remains in office after the six-month emergency rule only through the “special favour” of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking at the Rivers State University convocation, Fubara linked the institution’s funding challenges to the political instability triggered by his rift with former governor Nyesom Wike. He assured that full administrative control has resumed and pledged priority funding for infrastructure, security, staff welfare, and struggling satellite campuses in 2026. The governor also commended the university’s progress and congratulated over 13,000 graduating students. Rivers State had experienced months of turmoil, prompting federal intervention and the suspension of parallel legislative activities. Fubara’s reinstatement to full executive power followed high-level negotiations led by President Tinubu. #RiversState #Fubara #Tinubu

Bandits Attack Sokoto Mosque, Kill Imam and Worshipper, Abduct Several Others During Dawn Prayers Bandits launched a deadly pre-dawn attack on a mosque in Kiba Ruwa, Sabon-Birni LGA of Sokoto State, killing the imam and one worshipper during the Subh prayer. Several congregants were abducted, with the exact number still unknown. The incident comes amid heightened insecurity in the Northwest, following a recent attack on a Kebbi girls’ school where 26 students were kidnapped after soldiers reportedly withdrew from the area shortly before the assault. Authorities have been alerted as rescue efforts begin.

Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for 18-Year-Olds Amid Rising Security Concerns Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, marking a major shift in the country’s defense policy following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The move is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s plan to build Europe’s strongest conventional army. Starting January 2026, all 18-year-olds will receive a mandatory questionnaire asking if they are interested in joining the armed forces. The form will be compulsory for men and voluntary for women. From July 2027, all 18-year-old men will undergo medical examinations to assess their fitness for possible military service. The decision has sparked widespread opposition among students, with strikes planned in as many as 90 cities. Protesters argue that compulsory training promotes drill and obedience, offering little benefit while disrupting young people’s lives. Currently, Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have around 182,000 personnel, with plans to increase the number to 260,000 by the early 2030s, supplemented by 200,000 reservists. The government says that while service is voluntary, compulsory measures could be considered if too few volunteers come forward or if security thr+ats escalate.

#EndBadGovernance: Workers’ Coalition Demands End to Trial of Abuja 11, Accuses Government of Political Persecution The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has called for the dismissal of all charges against the 11 activists arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests, describing the case as a politically motivated attempt to suppress dissent. Ahead of the December 10 court hearing, the group accused the Nigerian government of weaponising the judiciary, failing to provide credible evidence, and ignoring the worsening hardship facing citizens. SNWR said the trial exposes rising authoritarianism and urged labour unions, students, and global human rights bodies to intensify pressure for justice and the release of all political detainees.

IPI Nigeria to Immortalise Late Treasurer With University Endowment Prize* The International Press Institute (#IPI) Nigeria has promised to endow a prize at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) in honour of its late Treasurer, Rafat Idris Salami. In a statement on Friday, IPI Nigeria said, the prize to be endowed will be to instil in students of the institution the values that the late Treasurer stood for. The President of the body, Musikilu Mojeed, confirmed the decision during the opening ceremony of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting on December 2, 2025. Salami, the then Assistant Director of Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), died on December 20, 2024, just days after the first annual conference and AGM of IPI Nigeria, where she participated actively despite being ill. Speaking on her death in his welcome address at the second annual conference and AGM, Mojeed requested members and guests, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to observe a one-minute silence in her honour. He said: “Last year, even in severe pain and confined to a wheelchair, she insisted on attending the conference. “She greeted guests, co-ordinated logistics, took photographs with her phone and served with grace until her body could no longer carry her. “Her commitment was a reminder that Journalism is not merely a job; it is a calling. “It demands sacrifice; It demands conviction.” Mojeed said: "to honour her legacy, the National Committee of IPI Nigeria will endow a prize in her name at the University of Abuja, which was her alma-mater. He added: “We will work with the University to ensure that every year, young Journalists are inspired by the values Rafat lived by— integrity, courage, and selfless service.” When she died last year, Salami was eulogised by the IPI; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, where she had served as Secretary; her employer, VON and colleagues. The late Salami began her career with VON as a News Editor and correspondent in Lagos. She rose through the ranks to become VON’s Assistant Director in charge of Digital Media before her demise.

Nigerian Lecturer Penalizes Student for Using AI to Write Project as Viral Video Sparks Debate A Nigerian lecturer has gone viral after posting a video showing how she penalized a student who used AI tools, specifically ChatGPT, to write an entire project word-for-word. The lecturer, known on TikTok as @shadesoflisa, said she flagged the work after noticing it lacked originality and cancelled the entire project, ordering the student to start over. She emphasized that while AI can be helpful, it must be used wisely—only as a reference, not as a full substitute for academic research. The video stirred mixed reactions online: some applauded her for promoting academic integrity, while others argued that students should be taught smarter AI usage rather than punished. Many commenters also shared similar experiences with strict supervisors and stressed the need for digital literacy in modern education.

Gov. Buni Approves Scholarships for 28,346 Yobe Students, Doubles All Allowances Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni , has approved the disbursement of scholarships and bursaries to 28,346 Yobe State indigenes currently studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, in what has been described as one of the most far-reaching educational interventions by any state government in recent times. The approval underscores the Governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, access to education, and human capital development as critical pillars for sustainable growth. According to the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board (YSSB), Dr. Kagu Abubakar, Yobe State University recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 7,636 successful applicants, reflecting the steady growth of the institution and the increasing enrolment of Yobe indigenes in higher education. Students of other universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and specialized institutions across the country are also captured in the comprehensive beneficiary list. Dr. Kagu disclosed that Governor Buni has further approved a 100 percent increment in all categories of scholarship payments, effectively doubling what students previously received. Under the new payment regime, PGDE, Master’s and PhD students will now receive ₦110,000, up from the former ₦55,000. While undergraduate students will receive ₦46,000, as against ₦23,000 previously paid. HND, NCE and National Diploma students will now receive ₦34,000, instead of the former ₦17,000, while students pursuing other Diploma, Certificate and Consultancy programmes will now receive ₦26,000, up from ₦13,000. The increment, he noted, is in recognition of the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of education across the country. To ensure transparency, efficiency and smooth implementation of the exercise, the Scholarship Board recently convened a joint stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of the House Committee on Higher Education, officials of the Ministry of Higher Education, Youth and Sports, education Focal Persons, as well as student leaders from various tertiary institutions. The meeting reviewed the operational framework, harmonized schedules and addressed logistical issues to guarantee the successful execution of the exercise nationwide. In line with established procedures, Dr. Kagu stated that the names, admission details and academic records of all successful beneficiaries will be forwarded to their respective institutions and recognized student bodies, while a comprehensive timetable for the disbursement exercise will be officially released to guide students and institutions accordingly. This, he emphasized, is to prevent congestion, ensure orderliness and eliminate sharp practices. The Executive Secretary conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of students, parents and guardians across Yobe State to Governor Mai Mala Buni for his continued and consistent investment in education. He noted that the scholarship scheme has remained a major source of relief for thousands of families, improved school retention rates, and strengthened access to tertiary education for indigent but brilliant students across the state. Dr. Kagu assured that the Office of the Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Scholarship Board will continue to provide regular updates to all schools, beneficiaries and the general public on developments relating to the exercise, stressing that the Board remains committed to accountability, transparency and timely service delivery in the execution of its mandate.

Rivers State University VC Warns of Wider Security Threat After Abduction of Five Students The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has warned that the recent abduction of five students from an off-campus hostel poses a broader security threat that could extend beyond the university community if the perpetrators are not apprehended. In a video address, he confirmed that the institution has suspended lectures and is advising students in vulnerable areas to relocate temporarily. The university is coordinating with government authorities as efforts intensify to secure the safe return of affected students and track down the gunmen. The incident sparked a protest on campus and marks the second time students of RSU’s Emuoha campus have demonstrated over rising criminal attacks. The VC stressed that unchecked incidents of this nature could embolden criminal networks and endanger surrounding communities. #RiversStateUniversitykidnapping #RSU student abduction

BREAKING: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, via the Ministry of Education, has commenced the payment of a non-refundable monthly stipend of N22,500 to students of Technical and Vocational Schools in Nigeria.

Gunmen Kidnap Five Rivers University Students in Midnight Attack on Off-Campus Hostel Five students of Rivers State University were abducted early Tuesday after armed men believed to be cultists raided a private off-campus hostel in Emuoha Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly stormed the lodge around 2 a.m., shooting into the air before seizing their victims. Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, describing it as a cult-related assault and stating that tactical teams have been deployed to track the kidnappers and secure the students’ release. A student who escaped the attack recounted how the gunmen killed the hostel’s security dog, fired shots at fleeing occupants, and pursued her into the darkness. Police say investigations are ongoing as the search intensifies for the missing students.

JUST IN; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Wole Oke, has fully offset the fees and sundry charges of 1,400 students across the nine government technical colleges in Osun State for the 2025/2026 first-term academic session.

What Nigerians Can Do To Help President Tinubu Make Nigeria Secure Again It is not an overstatement to say that President Tinubu was created to lead our nation at a time like this. His declaration of a National Security Emergency and the powerful, actionable steps contained therein show that we finally have a leader with the political will and tactical ability to bell the cat that has proven most stubborn and elusive in the past. For too long, we have had a numbers challenge—i.e., we did not have enough troops to physically secure a population of 235 million with a landmass of almost 1 million square kilometres. Today, the President has provided strong leadership to address this lacuna in our national security architecture. And right-thinking Nigerians are grateful for this step to address this hateful scourge. Already, we have seen results in the recent and decent rescue of students in Kebbi State and worshippers in Kwara State. It is certain that more Tinubu wins will come. This recruitment into our military and paramilitary forces, along with the recall of 100,000 police officers previously on VIP protection detail, is a welcome development and step in the right direction that all Nigerians should support. I urge our people to enlist in our Army, Airforce, Navy, Police and paramilitary agencies. Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu taking the issue of State Police to the National Assembly in his National Emergency on Security is the most radically progressive step a Nigerian leader has done in the War on Terror since 1999. I not only commend the President, but also join in appealing to Parliament to make haste and hearken to, as well as hearten to, the President's call. If they do this, this tenth National Assembly will be the greatest Legislature in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria. I call on all Nigerians who want a secure country to contact their Senators and Representatives and ask them to support President Tinubu's initiative. Together, we can help the President fulfil his vision to secure Nigeria. Once again, we plead with the National Assembly to employ all means, including the Doctrine of Necessity. The nation will be on a sounder footing if our Parliament gives the right hand of fellowship to the President and helps make Nigeria Secure Again! Reno Omokri Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year, 2022. 21st Most Talked About Person in Africa, 2024.About Person in Africa, 2024.