EXPERTMATTER

The Independent National Electoral Commission , INEC, has created an Artificial Intelligence AI, Division to enhance its capacity for data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation as well as deepening voter services automation. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja. According to him, the AI Division, which is domiciled in the ICT Department, will also assist the commission with geo-spatial intelligence in support of logistic optimisation for better material distribution and polling unit allocation. “It will also enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management and voter engagement. Furthermore, it will strengthen electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation and intelligent safeguards,” said Olumekun. He said the commission had recently attended several conferences with colleagues around the continent on the impact of...

The Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN, in a bid to encourage financial institutions’ adoption of emerging technologies that enhances detection and reporting of suspicious transactions in real time,  has rolled out a draft  ‘Baseline Standards for Automated Anti Money Laundering’, AML, solutions. This is contained in its letter signed by the Director, Banking Supervision, Dr. Olubukola Akinwunmi, to all financial institutions requesting for comments before the final version. The letter stated: “CBN is committed to ensuring the integrity and stability of the Nigerian banking system.  In recognition of the high level of digitalization within the financial system and rapid emergence of innovative products, the CBN has developed a draft document titled “Baseline Standards for Automated AML Solutions”.   “The standard is aimed at promoting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance to AML/CFT/CPF requirements by financial institutions in Nigeria.   “T...

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 60-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Wasiu Babatunde Adeniran, who was swept away by floodwaters following a heavy downpour along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in the Alakuko area of Lagos. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the incident occurred on May 20, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Adeniran reportedly lost control of his motorcycle during the torrential rainfall and was overwhelmed by the surging flood, which dragged both the rider and his motorcycle away. “The unfortunate incident took place along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Alakuko, during heavy rainfall. The victim, Wasiu Babatunde Adeniran, fell off his motorcycle, which was also carried away by the flood,” the statement read. Search efforts were immediately launched, with authorities recovering the motorcycle around 6:00 p.m. on the same day. However, the victim’s body was not found until the followi...

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that hungry Nigerians are the ones that will determine who wins the 2027 presidential election. Makinde made this declaration on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital. The governor while speaking at the official inauguration of the newly elected PDP South-West zonal executive members, noted that the people that are hungry would determine what 2027 would look like. Makinde while addressing the gathering, said the PDP is not bothered by the recent defection of some stalwarts. He said that party will continue to identify with the Nigerian masses and their aspirations despite the gale of defection that has hit the party Makinde charged members of the party not to be discouraged by recent defections from the party, noting that PDP remains the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions. “People have been asking us as leaders of this party that a lot of people are decamping, even governors, and some others are threatening to decamp an...

Unidentified gunmen have again attacked Okoloke, an agrarian community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State , kidnapping four persons. This is the third attack in seven days. The latest incident was said to have taken place in the early hours of Tuesday when an unidentified number of the assailants invaded the area. Speaking to newsmen, a local source said the armed men forced their way into the residence of Ezekiel Durojaiye, a retiree and respected community leader in nearby Okunran village. The attackers allegedly kidnapped Pa Durojaiye along with three others, whisking them away into the bush at gunpoint. The incident has further heightened fear and tension among residents. DAILY POST reports that Yagba West has recently become a hotspot for abductions. Last Thursday, gunmen kidnapped Oba James Dada Ogunyamda, the traditional ruler of the village. Three days after the abduction of the monarch, two vigilante members and one other person were also reportedly abducted. Wi...

A Magistrate Court in Kano has sentenced five individuals to one month in prison for allowing their goats to graze freely and destroy ornamental plants maintained by the state government along Lodge Road and Race Course Road. The defendants, led by Usman Abdullahi, were prosecuted by the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for violating Section 7(e) of the Kano State Public Health Law, 2019. The section prohibits any act that causes environmental nuisance or degrades public infrastructure. According to the prosecution led by Barrister Bahijjah H. Aliyu, a total of 17 goats belonging to the five individuals were found grazing on government-owned greenery.   These plants were specifically cultivated to enhance the city’s aesthetics and mitigate the impact of climate change. “These plants are not just for beautification, they are part of the state’s efforts to combat climate change and improve the quality of life for residents,” Barrister Aliyu told the court. The c...

A protest has erupted in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, following the reported killing of Emmanuella Ahenjir , a 23-year-old final-year student of the Federal University, Wukari, by police personnel. Emmanuella was allegedly shot dead last Friday morning by unidentified police officers at the Wurukum roundabout while riding in a vehicle coming from the Gyado Villa area of the town. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, has drawn protesters, mostly youths to the streets, led by prominent gender rights activist, Ukan Kurugh. The demonstrators gathered in large numbers at the Wurukum roundabout, wielding placards with inscriptions such as “End Police Brutality” and “Justice for Emmanuella.” The protesters are demanding a thorough investigation and immediate action from the authorities.

  There's always plenty to talk about in the non-stop world of Formula 1, and Flashscore's Finley Crebolder gives his thoughts on the biggest stories going around the paddock in this regular column. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix very much felt like the start of a new chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The battle lines had been drawn in the opening rounds of the campaign and now the circus was heading to Europe, where those battles would truly begin. While it's exciting heading into the unknown at the start of a season, I always enjoy getting to this stage, where a pecking order has largely established itself, drivers are more comfortable with their machinery, and the narratives of the year begin to really emerge. That was indeed the case in Imola, and these are my main takeaways from it. New life, same Verstappen It's often said that Formula 1 drivers slow down when they become fathers, being ever-so-slightly less willing to take risks with a child to think about. ...

The Premier League race is over and relegation is decided — but the battle for Champions League qualification remains wide open with just two rounds to go. Only champions Liverpool are so far guaranteed one of the five places up for grabs in Europe’s top club competition next season and second-placed Arsenal look almost certain to join them. But just four points separate third-placed Newcastle from Nottingham Forest in seventh spot. AFP Sport picks out the main talking points ahead of the weekend’s action in the English top flight. Newcastle aim to leapfrog Arsenal Europa final focus a bonus for Villa, Chelsea Last chance for Forest Man City eye end-of-season flourish

Russia and Ukraine traded insults on Thursday as negotiators were due to meet in Turkey for the first direct peace talks in more than three years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed Russia for sending a “dummy” delegation, as he touched down in Ankara for a meeting with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Russian officials, for their part, called Zelensky “pathetic” and a “clown”. The exchange of personal barbs undermines the chances of any breakthrough at the talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending, despite days of international pressure. Instead Russia’s negotiating team, which touched down in Istanbul on Thursday morning, is led by a hardline historian and Kremlin aide who has denied Ukraine’s right to exist. “We need to understand the level of the Russian delegation and what their mandate is, if they are capable of making any decisions themselves,” Zelensky said from the tarmac at Ankara airport. “From what we see, it looks more like a dummy...

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps have rescued five persons abducted in different parts of the State. They were rescued after spending days in the forest and endured severe beating from their captors. Four of the victims were kidnapped along Ore-Lagos highway while the other victim was abducted at his Upemen residence along Owo-Ikare road. Their abductors had demanded N150m ransom before they were rescued. Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Akogun Adeleye Adetunji, while presenting the rescued victims to the public, said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-has directed security agencies to flush out kidnappers and stopped payment of ransom. Adeleye said his men were mobilised to the forest few minutes after the victims were abducted. According to him: “I want to tell you today that by the grace of God, Amotekun corps have been able to recover them present here today without payment of ransom and no loss of lives. “In the same vain, one Emmanuel Adeladun th...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu   yesterday said despite strident criticisms, he would remain focused on his reform programmes, which are already yielding fruits. He spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of the autobiography of Mallam Sule Lamido. The 500-page book is entitled: “Being true to myself.” Dignitaries such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, among others, graced the occasion. It was chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Lamido was the Foreign Affairs Minister during Obasanjo’s first term. He later served as Governor of Jigawa State for two terms. In the aborted Third Republic, he was the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the platform on which the late Chief MKO Abiola contested and won the 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The author called on President Tinubu to pay the Abiola family N...

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted a fuel tanker with a modified compartment used in concealing and transporting illicit drugs across the country. NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a post on X on Sunday, with a video of the seized tanker, said the discovery was made by eagle-eyed operatives during a targeted stop-and-search operation. He stated that the officers uncovered a hidden compartment expertly crafted in the belly of the tanker covertly designed solely for the drugs consignment. “Narco-trend: Fuel tanker on top but drug tanker beneath! Please watch how @ndlea_nigeria officers discovered a large storage created in the belly of this oil tanker for the sole purpose of moving drugs across the country,” the NDLEA spokesman wrote.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum on Sunday night named former Senate President Bukola Saraki as the head of a seven-member reconciliation committee. The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, announced this while briefing journalists at the end of the forum’s crucial meeting with former governors in Abuja. He said the committee was mandated to reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting schedule for May 27 and the forthcoming national convention in August. Mohammed said: “We are here with all the governors elected under the party, that are still in the party and a substantial number of former PDP governors, with our leaders, the chairman of the party, and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC). “We discussed some of the issues relating to our party, some existential issues, of course that have been circulating in the media and among us, so that we will be able to navigate smoothly for the NEC...

Pupils of LEA Primary School in Gawu , Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are forced to take lessons on the bare floor and sometimes under trees amid a lack of adequate classrooms, chairs, or learning materials, despite billions allocated to education between 2023 and 2025. A civic technology platform, Monitng, which visited the school, revealed the grim reality of the learning conditions and described the situation as “deeply unsettling.” “During school hours, children sit under the shade of trees to learn. Not because they want to, but because there are no classrooms. That shade is their only protection from the sun. When it rains, school ends for the day,” Monitng said. The platform noted that the only structure in the school was constructed by community members using their limited resources. The building remains incomplete, lacking doors, windows, and proper furniture. Just three broken chairs are available, leaving many pupils to sit on the floor or the bare...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that Nigeria has fully repaid the US$3.4 billion loan it received under the Rapid Financing Instrument, which was designed to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an email sent exclusively to SaharaReporters on behalf of Mr. Christian Ebeke, the IMF Resident Representative for Nigeria, the Fund stated that although the principal loan has been fully repaid, Nigeria is still required to pay approximately US$30 million annually in associated charges. "As of April 30, 2025, Nigeria has fully repaid the financial support of about US$3.4 billion it requested and received in April 2020 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Rapid Financing Instrument to help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sharp fall in oil prices,” the IMF said in its response to enquiries made by SaharaReporters. "Nigeria is expected to honor some additional payments in the form of Special Drawing Rights ch...

A non-governmental organisation, Search For Common Ground, Nigeria , has tasked legal practitioners in the country to be advocates of freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution. It made the advocacy in Enugu where it gathered legal legal practitioners from the five states of the South East geo-political zone, with focus on how to respond to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) violations. During the three-day training, the legal practitioners were tasked with promoting peaceful coexistence among the populace. Speaking at the event, Gaius Pach, a religious specialist, explained that the event was organized to promote peaceful coexistence among people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. He explained that they have been working with different stakeholders to see how they can promote the rights of people, especially in the area of religion. Pach noted that they had engaged with different stakeholders in Enugu, including students and journalist on FoRB. “This time around,...

  The  Kaduna State Police Command  has successfully uncovered an illegal factory producing adulterated soya bean oil in the Maraban Jos area of the state. The raid was carried out by operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID) on May 5, following a tip-off from a concerned source. In a statement released on Wednesday, police spokesman Mansir Hassan revealed that the factory was located on a fenced plot of land along Mamadi Road in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He said that three suspects were arrested at the scene: Zailani Shuaibu (33), the owner of the illegal factory; Nasiru Usman (24); and Salisu Usman (49). During the raid, several items were seized as evidence, including two drums containing suspected raw materials, fifteen 25-litre jerry cans filled with unfinished products, and two 25-litre jerry cans of finished adulterated soya bean oil. These exhibits will be used in the ongoing investigation and in court proceedings. “The operati...

Popular Nollywood actress, Eniola Ajao , has revealed the challenges she faced after she got pregnant at the age of 20. Narrating her journey to motherhood, the actress stated that she hid the pregnancy due to societal expectations. Speaking in an interview on Talk To B podcast, the filmmaker recounted how she isolates herself to avoid being called “baby mama”. “You know things aren’t what they used to be at that time. Getting pregnant at the age of 20 was a bit dramatic, because you just feel like the world is coming against you. You might probably want to die at a point, and you wouldn’t be able to get married again because of the stigma. “You would want to hide it from your parents and the public because it was considered a thing of shame at that time. Not that it was a thing of shame for me, but it was considered to be early.” “Omotola got married at 18, lot of people married at 17, but where I come from, they want you to graduate, and do a couple of things. I was already in Yabate...

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has confirmed that she was recently questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding money spraying at her daughter’s lavish wedding ceremony. In a post shared via Instagram on Tuesday, the actress — popularly known as the Queen Mother — disclosed that the EFCC reached out to her while she was abroad. Following the recent media publication on social media and numerous calls and texts messages from different quarters seeking to hear from me on the EFCC invitation and to ascertain my welfare, I find it expedient to release this briefing. I recently had an experience with the EFCC in Nigeria after receiving an invitation letter while I was in the UK. Upon my return, I visited the EFCC on the 5th day of May 2025, where I was asked several questions relating to my personal bio data, career, work experience, and companies, amongst others. The EFCC officials showed me videos extracted from my daughter's wedding where guests, includin...

President Donald Trump of the United States said Moscow and Kyiv want to settle the war in Ukraine and that Russian President Vladimir Putin was more inclined towards peace after the recent fall in the price of oil. Trump said this while addressing reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. “I think Russia with the price of oil right now, oil has gone down, we are in a good position to settle, they want to settle. Ukraine wants to settle,” he said. The price of oil, which drives the Russian economy, is reported to have fallen around $15 a barrel since the start of the year. “We’ve come a long way, and, it could be something will happen, but hopefully it will,” Trump added. Recall that Putin ordered many Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022, sparking Europe’s biggest ground conflict since World War Two and the largest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the depths of the Cold War. Scores of soldiers have been killed or injured and Trump has repeatedly said he wants to ...

An unnamed Qatari club is prepared to spend big on Real Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq this summer. The Nigeria international is currently on loan at LaLiga club, Valencia . Sadiq has scored five goals in 13 league appearances for Carlos Corberán’s side. According to Spanish outlet, Que, the Qatari outfit is ready to splash €30m on the tall forward. The 28-year-old will also be offered a mouth-watering contract by the club. Valencia have a purchase option which they are reportedly willing to activate. Los Ches could also sell Sadiq for a substantial profit after signing him on a permanent transfer.

  Ruben Amorim admitted  Manchester United  “need to change” after a dismal 4-3 defeat at Brentford on Sunday underlined the problems facing the Old Trafford boss. Kevin Schade scored twice at Gtech Community Stadium as United’s miserable Premier League campaign took another blow, with their winless league run stretching to six matches. Amorim made eight changes to his starting line-up as he rested key players after Thursday’s 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final second leg. Fielding the third youngest starting line-up in Premier League history — with an average age of 22 years and 270 days — United’s raw rookies were unable to avoid a 12th defeat in Amorim’s 24 league games. Since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has been unable to lift United out of the mire. United are languishing in 15th place as they try to avoid their worst finish since being relegated in 1973-74. Amorim has been critical of United’s players on several occa...

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has refuted allegations made by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) , Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, describing them as an attempt to defame his character. Reacting in an Instagram post on Friday, Seyi stated, “Wow.. how can someone lie with so much confidence…?? Wow wow… an attempt to defame my character. May God be with you, Comrade Atiku Isah.” In another post, he added, “I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world. I have never knowingly met him before. Neither did I visit any location with thugs.” “All these allegations made by Atiku Isah are completely fictional.” The response followed claims made by Isah during a press conference on Wednesday, in which he alleged that Seyi Tinubu and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, offered him a N100 million bribe in Lagos to promote the president. According to Isah, he rejected the of...