• A Nigerian lady said she bought a pack of balloons because she wanted to get the biggest size in the pack
• In a video, she explained what she discovered after she searched for the number matching the biggest balloon on the pack
• According to her, she did not find the number, meaning that if she had played the usual balloon game, she would have failed to win the biggest one

A Nigerian woman shared her experience after she bought a pack of balloons and sought to track the number matching the biggest size.

Packs of balloons usually come with a cardboard paper with numbers that match the balloons in the pack.

A Nigerian lady wanted a big balloon so she bought the whole pack. Photo credit: TikTok/@ayinke_oreoluwa.
Source: TikTok

This is used for games by people who pay money, pick a number and win balloons.

However, the lady identified on TikTok as Ayinke Oreoluwa said she decided to check to see if the number matching the biggest balloon was on the cardboard. She was searching for number 19.

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However, she claimed she could not find the number, meaning if she had played the game, she wouldn’t have won the biggest balloon.

Lady Buys Whole Pack of Balloon, Shares What She Discovered About the Biggest Size
Source: TikTok

Watch the video below:

Reactions as lady shares her experience with balloon

@OMO SEE YNASH said:

“H much did u buy the full pack?”

@CBN(GOV) said:

“That thing na where Sporty bet start.”

@boss opo said:

“This balloon thing nearly gave me heart attack when I was little.”

@Fashion designer in Asaba said:

“Have won the biggest one before the woman be no wan give me, Omo people gather sha. I later collect am.”

@Memphis said:

“I remember when my aunt was selling this,I told my friends the number for the big one,she beat the hell out of me Ehn.”

@Elements said:

“I have won it before ohh.”

@Kay khalie said:

“Thank u fr hlping me find peace finally.”

@BonBon said:

“I won the big one o..she said she will give me later I should leave it so others will still play. Never trust adults.”

@Anonymous said:

“The number is there, they used to remove it.”

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@Zeez said:

“Wicked people…..I always ended up choosing the smallest one.”

@Paul | Health and Fitness said:

“I have adult money now to buy childish things I couldn’t have then. This is satisfying.”

@Tiara said:

“They have changed it ni. The particular number used to be there, but they do remove the number. I have sold it in school back then so I know.”

@Harbie said:

“Even if you win the biggest balloon they won’t give you for the exact price others are sold. It’s more expensive.”

@Aura-crochet said:

“This balloon thing taught us the biggest life lesson it’s not about how hard you work, the system is designed against you.”

Man breaks 50 balloons by sitting on them

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Guinness World Records recognised a man who broke a total of 50 balloons by sitting on them.

The man holds the record for most balloons burst by sitting on them within a timeline of 30 seconds.

The man named Ashrita Furman also holds the record for most balloons burst with the mouth in 30 seconds.

Source: Legit.ng

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A heartwarming story has gone viral after Nigerian businessman Stephen Ozioko fulfilled his commitment to the Igbo apprenticeship system by settling five of his apprentices after six years of service.

The apprentices, often referred to as nwaboy, were each given substantial start-up capital to begin their own independent businesses.

Businessman.

According to details shared online, the first and second apprentices received ₦20 million each, the third got ₦21 million, the fourth ₦22 million, while the fifth was settled with ₦23 million.

The gesture, which totals more than ₦100 million, has drawn widespread praise on social media, with many hailing it as a strong example of mentorship, loyalty, and sustainable wealth creation through structured apprenticeship.

Check out reactions …

drich_humble said: “I served for 9yrs 2014 and got 100k naira as settlement… still respect my oga”

realjark_1 remarked: “God bless Igbo people. No business model in the whole world beats your apprentice system. 20m after serving you”

Ig.showroom_thomas_estate wrote: ‘Woow may God bless them all. And for the boss,

may God continue to enlarge your coast and bless your territories”

donqgachi stated: “Great way of wealth transfer”

prince_chioya wrote: “Lovely dis was how igbos used to help others back in the days God bless you sir”

dongodwin5549 wrote: “These are my men oo. Sir Philip, Oga Oforistic, Man like Paul and the othersta”

faithalex2017 said: “This 2025 mustn’t end without God blessing me in Jesus name Amen

maureenedafe wrote: “And that is truly the Igbo tradition ¢ this is the right way it is done”

Watch video below …

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Posters of Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former minister of transportation, appeared across major streets in Kaduna over the weekend, fuelling speculation about early political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The posters, which featured Amaechi’s portrait, described him as “the only person to be trusted” and “the only man for the job”, with messages centred on unity, equality, stability and development.

Amaechi, who holds the traditional title of Dan Amanan Kasar Hausa of Daura, has previously served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation.

Residents said the posters were sighted at strategic locations across the Kaduna metropolis, including Ahmadu Bello Way, Ali Akilu Way, the environs of the Kaduna state government house and the Kawo Bridge corridor leading towards Zaria.

Motorists and pedestrians were seen slowing down to observe the displays, particularly around Kawo Bridge, where early-morning traffic was briefly disrupted.

Although Amaechi has not made any formal declaration, the posters have intensified speculation about a renewed presidential ambition.

Amaechi contested the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in 2022, where he finished second behind President Bola Tinubu.

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All remaining schoolchildren kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have now been released.

The final group of 115 pupils were freed on Sunday, bringing the total number of rescued children to about 265 and drawing an end to a traumatic month-long captivity.

The abduction took place in the early hours of 21 November 2025, when armed men stormed the boarding school, seizing 303 students and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent Nigerian history.

In the immediate aftermath, around 50 students managed to escape without assistance, while a further 100 were released on 8 December following sustained security operations.

The release of the remaining 115 pupils has been welcomed as a major breakthrough by security agencies and has brought immense relief to anxious families.

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Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that all Capital Market Operators (CMOs) are required to renew their registration between January 1 and 31, 2026.

In a release on Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Commission disclosed that beginning in the first quarter of 2026, it will commence electronic receipt and processing of registration applications as well as updates to operators’ registration information.

This move is aimed at eliminating delays associated with manual submissions.

According to the release, SEC Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, revealed these plans during an interview in Abuja, noting that the reforms reflect the Commission’s drive toward a more transparent, technology-driven regulatory environment.

“We are taking deliberate steps to make regulatory processes faster, more transparent, and technology-driven,” the release quoted Agama as saying.

What the regulator is saying 

The SEC is reminding capital market operators about the annual renewal of registrations, without which they cannot operate in the capital market. And to make the processes easier and seamless, the regulator has come up with the Digital Transformation Portal.

According to Dr. Agama, SEC has automated the end-to-end registration and licensing workflow through which market operators can now submit applications, upload documents, and track approval status online. Thus, significantly reducing processing time and the need for physical interactions with the Commission.

The Commission has also deployed an automated module for Commercial Paper issuance, enabling operators to file documents, monitor progress, and receive approvals electronically. According to Agama, early feedback shows improved turnaround time and reduced administrative bottlenecks.

Further enhancements are underway to automate the submission of quarterly and annual returns using structured templates and system-driven accuracy checks. A returns analytics dashboard is also in development to aid risk-based supervision and prompt exception reporting.

Strengthening infrastructure, cybersecurity and market trust 

To reinforce these digital reforms, the SEC has begun upgrading its IT infrastructure, including servers, storage systems, networks, and security frameworks. Selective cloud migration is ongoing for platforms requiring scalability and external access, while core systems will remain on-premise until security and cost evaluations are completed.

Agama also disclosed ongoing efforts to enhance data integrity and cybersecurity, including vulnerability assessments and planned penetration testing once the automation phases stabilise. He stressed that responsible technology adoption is central to maintaining investor trust—describing it as “the cornerstone of our markets.” 

The SEC DG underscored the need for regulatory clarity around emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, alongside capacity-building initiatives, especially for smaller operators. He emphasised that while innovation is critical, ethical and compliant deployment is non-negotiable.

“As operators embrace automation, AI, and data-driven tools, they must ensure ethical, secure, and compliant deployment,” Agama said.

He urged CMOs to uphold fairness, transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance to protect investors and strengthen the long-term credibility of the Nigerian capital market.

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*Says he’s working with other lawmakers to raise issue as matter of urgent national importance Tuesday

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro (Bauchi State), has called for the immediate suspension of the Tax Laws, 2025, citing what he described as “existence material discrepancies between the bills duly passed by the National Assembly and the versions subsequently gazetted.”

In a statement released on Sunday, Hon. Soro said his review of the Votes and Proceedings of the National Assembly, the harmonised versions of the tax bills passed by lawmakers, and the Official Gazette revealed “material discrepancies” between the bills approved by the legislature and the versions that were later gazetted.

According to him, the differences are neither minor nor accidental. He alleged that the altered provisions removed key oversight and reporting mechanisms that were expressly approved by the National Assembly, while introducing new coercive and fiscal powers for the executive that were not approved by lawmakers.

“These are deliberate alterations,” Soro said, warning that they amount to a constitutional breach, as legislative authority is vested solely in the National Assembly under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The lawmaker called for the suspension of the Tax Laws, which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, until all post-passage changes are identified, removed and properly addressed by the National Assembly.

Soro acknowledged the decision of the House of Representatives to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations, describing it as a “commendable step.” However, he raised concerns that the committee’s one-week reporting deadline falls on Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day, which is a public holiday when the House does not sit.

Given the proximity of the implementation date, Soro said he was working with other lawmakers to raise the matter on the floor of the House on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the final legislative sitting before the Christmas recess, as a Matter of Urgent National Importance.

He stressed that the House must take a clear and definitive position on the issue before proceeding on its Christmas and New Year break, in order to safeguard the integrity of the legislative process and uphold the Constitution.

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State), had last Wednesday raised a matter of privilege on the floor of the House, alleging that the gazetted tax laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and passed

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A new report by Rome Business School Nigeria has identified telemedicine as the most realistic pathway to fixing Nigeria’s worsening healthcare access crisis.

It warned that failure to embrace digital health could deepen poor health outcomes and stall economic growth.

The report, The Future and Opportunities of Telemedicine in Nigeria, released by the Rome Business School Nigeria Research Centre, said Nigeria’s health system is “at a breaking point,” citing chronic underfunding and acute manpower shortages as major threats.

According to the study, Nigeria spends about four per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health, a level the researchers described as grossly inadequate for a population of over 200 million people.

 This has resulted in a severe shortage of healthcare workers, with an estimated doctor-to-patient ratio of one to 2,500.

The report also drew attention to stark regional disparities in healthcare delivery, noting that more than half of Nigerians live in rural areas with limited or no access to hospitals, clinics or specialist services. 

In many cases, patients are forced to travel over 100 kilometres to access basic medical care.

Researchers said telemedicine could help bridge this gap by enabling patients in remote communities to consult doctors through mobile applications and video platforms, thereby reducing travel time, cost and delays in treatment.

“Telemedicine offers a practical way to connect underserved rural populations to quality healthcare,” the report stated, adding that digital consultations could significantly improve affordability and access for low-income Nigerians.

The study highlighted emerging local platforms such as MyMedicalBank and CloudClinic as early indications that telemedicine solutions can work within Nigeria’s healthcare environment.

The research was carried out under the leadership of Rome Business School’s Founder and Dean, Prof. Antonio Ragusa, alongside the General Manager of Rome Business School Nigeria, Olakunle Asunmo, and the Head of Academics, Sam Igwe.

They stressed that digital health should be seen beyond innovation. “Digital health is not just a healthcare solution; it is an economic necessity,” the report said, noting that healthier populations translate to improved productivity and long-term national growth.

However, the report warned that significant challenges could limit telemedicine’s impact if left unaddressed. Poor infrastructure, especially unstable electricity supply and weak internet connectivity, remains a major obstacle, with nearly 80 per cent of rural areas currently unable to support effective telemedicine services.

The ongoing brain drain in the health sector was also flagged, with an estimated 5,000 medical professionals leaving the country annually. In addition, weak regulation of digital health services and low digital literacy among patients were identified as factors undermining trust and adoption.

Despite these challenges, the report projected strong growth for Nigeria’s digital health sector over the next decade. 

Advances in artificial intelligence and mobile technology are expected to improve the accuracy of remote diagnosis, while market projections suggest the sector could generate up to ₦185.66 billion in revenue before 2026.

Early gains are already being recorded, particularly in maternal health. The report noted that virtual prenatal care initiatives have shown the potential to reduce maternal mortality by up to 20 per cent.

Still, the researchers cautioned that without urgent investment in electricity, broadband infrastructure and supportive policies, telemedicine coverage may remain limited. By 2035, the report projects coverage of about 50 per cent in urban areas and just 20 per cent in rural communities.

The study concluded with a call for coordinated action, urging government, private sector stakeholders and educational institutions to work together to remove the structural barriers hindering Nigeria’s healthcare system and unlock the full potential of telemedicine.

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All the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, have now been released, following the freedom of the final group of 130 victims, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.

Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the development to newsmen on Sunday.

The successful release brings an end to days of anxiety and uncertainty for families of the victims and marks a significant breakthrough for security agencies involved in the rescue operation.

The pupils were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions across the country.

Authorities said the release of all the victims was achieved through sustained security pressure and coordinated efforts by relevant agencies. They did not, however, disclose details of the operation.

The incident has intensified calls from stakeholders for enhanced protection of schools and more decisive action to prevent a recurrence of such attacks, as concerns over insecurity continue to dominate public discourse in Nigeria.

The post Just in: Remaining 130 abducted Niger pupils released appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised more than 21 terrorists in a fierce encounter in Sojiri and Kayamla villages along the Damboa–Maiduguri Road in Borno State.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The success of the operation was disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri by the media information officer, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.

Uba said that the encounter, which occurred around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, followed credible intelligence of a large gathering of terrorists along the axis, suspected to be preparing for coordinated attacks.

He said the troops immediately mobilised and made contact with the terrorists, estimated at about 1200hrs.

According to him, in spite of attempts by an additional group to flank own forces, troops held their ground, employing superior firepower.

“At least 17 bodies were confirmed at the scene, with more suspected as blood trails were observed leading into nearby bushes.

“Items recovered included arms, ammunition, and other logistics, as troops continued to apply pressure to deny the terrorists freedom of movement.

“A tactical withdrawal was carried out to stabilise the situation and allow troops to regroup, with morale reported as high despite the intensity of the encounter,” he said.

Lt. Col. Uba reiterated the commitment of the military to sustaining offensive operations to protect Maiduguri, Damboa, and surrounding communities.

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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a justice sector that delivers timely, efficient and accountable outcomes to Nigerians.

A statement by the media aide to the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele on Sunday said, Fagbemi stated this in Abuja at the launch of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Minister also inaugurated newly renovated facilities within the ministry, including the staff clinic, sports centre, crèche and staff canteen.

The ECMS, which the statement said, is an initiative aimed at fully digitising the ministry’s operations.is also said to be a digital platform designed to enable the creation, processing, approval, storage and retrieval of official documents electronically, effectively replacing the ministry’s long-standing dependence on manual and paper-based systems.

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Dignitaries at the event included the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack; the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba; Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Interior, and Health and Social Welfare; as well as heads of agencies under the Ministry of Justice.

In his keynote address, Fagbemi said the launch of the ECMS marked a clear break from the era of unstructured and manual information management in the justice sector.

“By digitising our correspondences, emails and legal documents, we are dismantling the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically slowed the wheels of justice,” he said and added that, the transition to a paperless environment is a core component of the ministry’s digital transformation strategy and aligns with Pillar 5 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25).

The AGF noted that the initiative is also in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Policy on Justice, both of which emphasise efficiency, accountability and digital enablement in justice institutions.

“The ECMS is not merely a technological intervention; it is a governance reform that strengthens institutional memory, improves decision-making, secures records, and enforces discipline in workflow and accountability,” Fagbemi said.

“Our goal is to build a justice sector that is modern, efficient and citizen-driven”, he said and added that staff welfare and workplace modernisation remain priorities under his leadership, stressing that a conducive work environment is essential for excellence and productivity in public service.

He expressed appreciation to the Aig-Imouekhede Foundation, Prof Koyinsola Ajayi of Olaniwun Ajayi & Co., staff of the ministry, sister ministries and development partners for their support in making the project a reality.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Jeddy-Agba disclosed that within eight weeks, the ministry had scanned and uploaded 6,241 physical files comprising 331,297 pages onto the 1Gov Enterprise Content Management System.

She said the ministry also achieved 100 per cent official email coverage for staff, conducted multiple layers of ECM and digital skills training, activated departmental champions, and established standard operating procedures for document tracking and approvals.

“For too long, service delivery in the ministry has been weighed down by challenges associated with managing physical documents and manual correspondence,” she said, noting that, “The ECMS ‘Go-Live’ ceremony marks the end of that era and the beginning of a modern, efficient and transparent, paperless culture.”

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