General news

• EFCC nabs herbalists with $3.4m, €280, 000 counterfeit notes in Osun, Lagos

  17-12-2025 21:11 via vanguardngr.com
  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a five-man syndicate allegedly in possession of counterfeit foreign notes comprising 3,430,000 dollars and €280, 000 euros in Osun and Lagos States.Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale,  said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.Oyewale said that the suspects, who were also herbalists, allegedly swindled one Halima Sanni of  N26,550,000.He said that they were arrested at their shrines on Dec. 7 in Osun and Dec. 8 in
  
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• Ondo Deep Sea Port to serve Nigeria, West Africa — Aiyedatiwa

  19-12-2025 07:01 via vanguardngr.com
  — Receives revalidated licence from Federal GovernmentBy Dayo Johnson, AkureOndo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will serve as a major hub for international trade, benefiting not only Ondo State but Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.The governor spoke after receiving the revalidated licence for the project from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola.Aiyedatiwa said the state government is fully prepared to
  
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• Dangote Refinery’s PMS supply will reduce petrol price, says IPMAN

  19-12-2025 07:01 via vanguardngr.com
  By Udeme AkpanThe Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on all its members nationwide to patronise the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, noting that the refinery already offers the best affordable price for all marketers, even as free delivery commences in January 2026.The association also expressed delight over a recent agreement by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – also known as p
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 19, 2025​

  19-12-2025 06:55 via vanguardngr.com
  The Nigerian Naira continues to experience fluctuations against the United States Dollar as the trading day opens on Friday, December 19, 2025.Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and various parallel market segments show a slight tightening in the gap between official and unofficial rates.
  ​
  Official Market Rates (NFEM)
  ​In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, the Naira opened at approximately N1,455.98 per $1. This reflects a period of relative volatility earlier
  
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• PenCom recoveries from defaulting employers rise 180%, hit N4.04bn

  19-12-2025 06:53 via vanguardngr.com
  By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Rosemary IwunzeThe National Pension Commission, PenCom, has recorded a major breakthrough in pension compliance, recovering  N4.04 billion from defaulting employers between January and November 2025—a 180 per cent increase over the N1.44 billion recovered in the whole of 2024.Director General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, during an interactive meeting with Journalists, attributed the sharp rise in recoveries
  
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• NIPC attracts $10bn investments, over 5,000 jobs in 2025

  19-12-2025 06:45 via vanguardngr.com
  By Progress GodfreyNigeria attracted investment commitments worth about $9.88 billion in 2025, with projects facilitated by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) generating over 5,000 direct jobs across key sectors of the economy, signalling renewed investor confidence.Deputy Director, Depar-tment of Investment Promotion, Emmanuel Longza, NIPC, disclosed this in a document presented    during a media parley with journalists in Abuja.According to the document, the in
  
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• Nigeria’s trade with ECOWAS countries rises 43% to N6.9trn

  19-12-2025 06:39 via vanguardngr.com
  By Elizabeth Adegbesan Nigeria’s trade with other countries in the Economic Community of West African States,   ECOWAS, by 43 percent,   rose year-on-year   (YoY)   to N6.9 trillion in the first nine months of the year (9m’25) from N4.82 trillion in the corresponding period of 2024.Analysis of data   in the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Report recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS,   
  
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• ₦30m Judgment Debt: Court okays garnishee order against Ondo Govt accounts

  19-12-2025 06:37 via vanguardngr.com
  By Dayo Johnson, AkureAn Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has authorised a garnishee order nisi for the attachment of funds belonging to the Ondo State Government in several commercial banks to satisfy a ₦30 million judgment debt.Justice Omolara Adejumo granted the order following an application filed by the judgment creditor through Tope Temokun Chambers, signed by Tope Temokun, Esq.The application sought to enforce an existing judgment against the Ondo State Government and the Ond
  
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• Kogi to domesticate 2025 tax act

  19-12-2025 06:34 via vanguardngr.com
  By Boluwaji Obahopo, LokojaThe Kogi State Government has announced plans to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, with implementation scheduled to commence in the state on January 1, 2026.Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this on Wednesday in Lokoja at the opening of a stakeholders’ meeting themed “Understanding Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025.”The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Tax, Mr. Rahman Ichanyi, said the domestication of the new tax law aligns
  
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• We ’ll drive digitisation, enforce contracts, restore investor confidence — Tinubu’s new NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs

  19-12-2025 06:25 via vanguardngr.com
  …Nigeria losing huge value to manual processes — Eyesan…I will restore discipline to gas and petroleum supply systems — MohammedBy Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday screened nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officers of Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory agencies, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).The screening followed a lett
  
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• Police ACP slumps, dies during meeting in Ebonyi

  19-12-2025 04:40 via vanguardngr.com
  By Jeff AgbodoABAKALIKI—An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, serving in the Ebonyi State Command, reportedly slumped and died during a management meeting at the command headquarters in Abakaliki.
  Sources said the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. during a meeting in the Commissioner of Police’s office.ACP Popoola was rushed to the police clinic, but efforts to revive him failed. His body was later taken to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching
  
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• PSC promotes one DIG, 7 AIGs, 13 CPs, 30 DCPs, 724 others D-G

  19-12-2025 04:38 via vanguardngr.com
  The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday approved the promotion of senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force following written examinations and oral interviews held on December 17, 2025, at its Abuja headquarters, presided over by Chairman DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd).Among those promoted is AIG Mohammed Usman Gumel , elevated to Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). He was previously AIG in charge of the Community Policing Project Department at Force Headquarters.Others are Se
  
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• Jurisdiction row stalls Alaba Market eviction case

  19-12-2025 04:36 via vanguardngr.com
  Proceedings at the Ajegunle District Magistrate’s Court has been stalled following a jurisdictional objection over the enforcement of an eviction judgment on shops at Alaba International Market, Ojo.The President of the Association for the Protection and Defence of Human Rights, Mr. Eric Igweokolo, told the court that the eviction allegedly carried out on shops H9 and H9A belonging to Mr. Eke Chukwu and Mrs. Jane Ezeiffeoma was improper, arguing that the properties were not the subject ma
  
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• Scores injured as tanker explosion rocks Auchi

  19-12-2025 04:28 via vanguardngr.com
  BENIN CITY—Scores of people have been injured and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed following a fuel tanker explosion in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.The petrol-laden tanker reportedly fell along the Auchi–Okene Highway, spilling its contents into drainages across the town, with some flowing into underground tunnels.Eyewitnesses said the tanker exploded, and the fire spread along the drainage channels, triggering secondar
  
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• Troops kill commander, terrorists in Mandara Mountains, foil Bitta infiltration

  19-12-2025 04:26 via vanguardngr.com
  Maiduguri— Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have thwarted an early-morning attempt by terrorists from the Mandara Mountains to infiltrate Bitta, killing a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and several insurgents, in a major blow to their operational capability.A military source, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the encounter occurred at about 0030 hours on 18 December 2025, with troops using advanced surveillance to detect the terrorists’ advance.“Exercising tactica
  
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• Court rejects ex-AGF, Malami’s bail plea

  19-12-2025 04:24 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ikechukwu NnochiriABUJA—A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, dismissed an application seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, from its custody.Malami, who has spent about 10 days in detention, is under investigation over multiple allegations, including alleged financial impropriety involving recovered loot and reported links to terro
  
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• Uncertainty over NAF aircraft departure to Portugal after release in Burkina Faso

  19-12-2025 04:02 via vanguardngr.com
  By Nkiruka Nnorom and Favour UleborThe Federal Government has expressed uncertainty over the current status of the 11 soldiers and aircraft detained in Burkina Faso, casting doubt on reports that they have departed for Portugal.According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, while the Burkinabè authorities have released the personnel and aircraft, it was unclear whether they have actually taken off from Burkina FasoThough he confirmed that the soldiers
  
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• Akpabio backs death penalty for kidnappers, hails Tinubu’s kidnap-rescue feat, pledges bloc votes for 2027

  19-12-2025 03:47 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco AgbakwuruABUJA – PRESIDENT of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has thrown his weight behind death penalty for kidnappersHe has also applauded President Bola Tinubu’s handling of national security, hailing the recent rescue of kidnapped children and pledging the Senate’s support for stronger deterrents against violent crime, including capital punishment for kidnapping.Speaking on Thursday, at the 14th National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC at th
  
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• 2027: FCT monarchs assure Tinubu of support, hail Wike over infrastructural development

  19-12-2025 03:44 via vanguardngr.com
  The Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Dr Haruna C Jibrin, Esu Sa’Rubochi, Alhaji Brahim Mohammed Pada and Etsu of Kwali, Luka Ayedo Nizassan, have declared their support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have not felt the impact of the federal government as it has happened in the last two years.The traditional rulers spoke while playing host to the FCT Renewed Hope Ambassadors, led by its Coordinator, Hon Adamu Abdulla
  
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• Electoral Act: Reps back 2-year jail term, N5m fine for vote buyers, sellers

  19-12-2025 03:34 via vanguardngr.com
  By Gift ChapiOdekinaABUJA-The House of Representatives has approved far-reaching amendments to the Electoral Act, introducing stiffer penalties for vote buying and selling, including a minimum of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine, or both, alongside a 10-year ban from contesting elections.The decision was taken during the clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, B
  
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• Tax laws: Altering legislations through official gazette, illegal — Lawyers

  19-12-2025 03:23 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Henry Ojelu, Gift Odekina & Elizabeth OsayandeABUJA — Legal practitioners in the country have weighed in on the allegation that tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu were altered in the copy that was officially gazetted.This came as the Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas has set up a seven-man ad-hoc committee to investigate allegations of discrepancies between the tax bills passed by the Natio
  
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• Oil sector: Far-reaching reforms coming, Eyesan, Mohammed vow

  19-12-2025 03:15 via vanguardngr.com
  By Henry UmoruABUJA — President Bola Tinubu’s nominees as chief executives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, yesterday, told senators that they would implement far-reaching reforms to stabilise the country’s oil and gas sector.Following a letter from President Bola Tinubu confirming the appointments of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan for NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Mohammed for NM
  
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• Lagos launches LASHMA-AID to guarantee emergency care before payment

  19-12-2025 01:15 via vanguardngr.com
  Sanwo-Olu backs state-led lifeline for insured, vulnerable residentsBy Chioma ObinnaLagos State on Thursday unveiled the LASHMA-AID Emergency Services Programme, an intervention aimed at ensuring that no resident is denied life-saving treatment because of cost, delay or administrative bottlenecks.The programme, launched institutionalises emergency medical stabilisation for insured and vulnerable residents under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, ILERA EKO, in line with Governor Babajide S
  
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• JOHESU strike: Medical laboratory directors urge Lagos Govt to intervene

  19-12-2025 01:15 via vanguardngr.com
  By Chioma ObinnaThe Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, GMLD, Lagos State Chapter, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene and ensure a speedy resolution of the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
  In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Mr. Adekoya Julius, and the Secretary General, Dr. Leo Aniakor, the Guild expressed concern over the growing impact of the strike on healthcare delivery across the state.
  Ac
  
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• @20: UNILAG medical alumni raise alarm over brain drain, healthcare funding, AI Ethics

  19-12-2025 01:06 via vanguardngr.com
  …Marks years with over N10m classroom upgrade, mentorship driveBy Chioma ObinnaMedical doctors trained at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL, under the 2004 MBBS/BDS class have raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening healthcare system, citing brain drain, poor remuneration, weak funding, and ethical risks in the use of artificial intelligence, AI, in medical training and practice.Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of their graduati
  
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• Minister urges youths in North East to desist from engaging into social Immoralities

  19-12-2025 00:38 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ndahi Marama, MaiduguriThe Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande has urged Youths in the North East sub-region not to engage in to social immoralities which hampers on their future and development of the Nation.Alawande stated this at a North East Yound Entrepreneurship Summit which took place on Thursday at Forshams Hall, Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.The Summit which bring together hundreds of youth groups and associations was sponsored by the North East Development
  
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• Davido to perform at AFCON 2025 opening concert

  18-12-2025 23:58 via vanguardngr.com
  Afrobeats megastar, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke will be performing at the opening concert of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday.Read Also: Carter Efe becomes Africa’s most-followed Twitch streamer after Davido appearanceThe Confederation of African Football, CAF, announced this in a statement on Thursday.Also performing are French Montana; Moroccan singer, Douaa Lahyaoui; French-Moroccan star, Lartiste, and Says’z.Acording to CAF, &ldq
  
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• McIlroy wins BBC sports personality award for 2025 heroics

  18-12-2025 23:41 via vanguardngr.com
  Rory McIlroy won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in a public vote on Thursday after a career-defining 2025 campaign.Read Also: I assured US, EU we’ll establish state police system – TinubuHe edged out Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne and Formula One world champion Lando Norris.McIlroy became only the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam with a long-awaited victory at the Masters in April.He also helped inspire Europe to a dramatic Ryde
  
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• I assured US, EU we’ll establish state police system – Tinubu

  18-12-2025 23:27 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJAPRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, assured the United States of America, USA, and the European Union, EU, that Nigeria will establish state police to tackle insecurity challenges.Read Also: Tinubu to govs: Obey Supreme Court, hand LGs their allocationThe President made the promise at the 14th All Progressives Congress, APC, National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.Also, he advised governors and party leaders to be flexible in their action
  
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• Why we’re now considering satellite for telecom services – Airtel

  18-12-2025 23:03 via vanguardngr.com
  By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech EditorAirtel Nigeria has confessed that with Spacex’s Starlinks, provision of telecom services through satellite communication has become both effective and cost effective.Read Also: Tinubu to govs: Obey Supreme Court, hand LGs their allocationThat was the line dropped by the CEO of the Company, Dinesh Balsingh while fielding questions from journalists today as he announced Airtel Africa’s partnership with Starlinks to provide satellite mobile services acr
  
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