In late 2025 and early 2026, the Middle Belt Youth Forum (MBYF) and its affiliates intensified their demands for political autonomy, specifically calling for the Nigerian presidency and a total rejection of the "Northern" label. Key Demands & Rejections Presidency Claims: The forum argues that the Middle Belt has been historically marginalized and deserves to produce the President to ensure equitable representation. This follows years of strategic alliances with Southern leaders who previously agreed that the North had exhausted its "eight-year" presidential tenure after 2023. Rejection of the "North" Label: Youth leaders and protesters have explicitly stated, "Middle Belt is not North". They reject being grouped under "One North" or the "Arewa" umbrella, citing distinct cultural, historical, and religious identities. Separate Identity: Protesters in late 2025 demanded official recognition of the Middle Belt as a distinc...

  Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly concealing cocaine on his body and inside his footwear. NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He said the suspect was arrested on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Lagos airport during the inward clearance of passengers on a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg, following actionable intelligence. According to him, a body scan conducted on the suspect confirmed the presence of illicit drugs, leading to a strip search. “A Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwer,e has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja-Lagos, for concealing parcels of cocaine in his private part and sol...

  Legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti has become the first African artist to receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Announced on January 31, 2026, nearly 30 years after his passing, this honor recognizes his monumental role in creating Afrobeat and his immense influence on global music, politics, and culture. Key details regarding this historic recognition include: Significance: The award, presented at the 67th Grammy special ceremony in Los Angeles, acknowledges Fela's 50+ albums, his role as a musical revolutionary, and his "Black President" legacy of anti-imperialism and social activism. Legacy and Impact: Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, welcomed the award, noting it brings "balance" to his father's story and legacy. Cultural Context: This recognition aligns with the Recording Academy's increased acknowledgment of African music, including the 2024 introduction of the Best African Performance category. Recent Honors: In addition to th...

On January 29, 2026, the military junta of Burkina Faso, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, officially dissolved all of the country's political parties. This move marks a significant escalation in the junta's consolidation of power since seizing control in a September 2022 coup. Key Details of the Decree Total Dissolution: The decree targets all registered political parties—numbering over 100 before the 2022 coup—and scraps the legal framework that governed them. Asset Seizure: All assets belonging to the dissolved parties are to be transferred to the state. Future Regulation: Minister of Territorial Administration Emile Zerbo stated that new draft laws for establishing future "political groups" will be submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly "as soon as possible". Stated Justifications The junta and Minister Zerbo provided several reasons for the ban: National Unity: Authorities claimed the "proliferation" of parties fostered divisions amon...

                                                        Dr. Richard Montgomery -  British High Commissioner to Nigeria The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability, primarily through the launch of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme in January 2026. Key components of this support include: The SPRiNG Initiative: A four-year (2024–2028) UK-funded programme designed to bolster institutional capacity for conflict management and response. It specifically targets northern Nigeria to address the intersection of conflict and climate-related pressures. Strategic Security Partnership: The partnership, underscored by British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery, focuses on counter-terrorism, border security, and tackling hybrid threats like disi...

  Sweden plans to implement a nationwide ban on mobile phones in all primary and middle schools, and after-school facilities. The ban is set to go into effect for the start of the autumn term in August 2026. Details of the Ban Scope: The ban will apply to all students up to the ninth grade (typically ages 15-16) and will be in effect throughout the entire school day, including breaks and after-school activities. Enforcement: Students will be required to hand in their phones at the beginning of the school day, and the devices will be stored and returned at the end of the day. This standardizes current practices, as about 80% of schools already had some form of ban at the principals' discretion, but enforcement varied. Rationale: The government's primary goal is to decrease distractions in the classroom to improve student concentration and academic performance, particularly in core subjects like reading and mathematics. The policy also aims to promote better mental health and hea...

  Image -  Nigerian soldiers on operation near road As of January 27, 2026, bandits who abducted 177 worshippers in Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles for their release. The abduction occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, during morning services at three churches in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area. Key Details of the Incident: Targeted Churches: The attacks hit two branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church and the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). Victims: While 177 people were initially seized, 11 managed to escape shortly after the attack, leaving 166 (including women, children, and the elderly) in captivity. Ransom Demands: Financial: The bandits initially demanded ₦29 million to replace motorcycles they allegedly lost during military operations. As of January 27, this demand has escalated to ₦250 million. Logistical: They also demand 20 motorcycles (increased from an initial request of 17). Official Resp...