Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has taken his dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court.

Akpabio is seeking to overturn a ruling of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, which struck out his brief of argument in an appeal arising from the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Sources in Abuja said the Senate President’s legal team approached the apex court after the appeal court held that his brief was fundamentally defective and incompetent.

The appellate court said the brief failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the court of appeal rules.

The court faulted the brief for procedural violations, including unauthorised font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failure to seek leave to regularise the defects.

The Appeal Court ruled that the infractions were not minor technical lapses but substantive breaches that went to the competence of the appeal.

In his notice of appeal, Akpabio argued that the Court of Appeal breached his constitutional right to fair hearing.

He said the lower court erred by refusing to grant him leave to correct the defective brief or permit him to re-file within or beyond the page limit.

Akpabio also contended that the court failed to treat parties equally, alleging that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief was allowed despite non-compliance with formatting rules.

The Senate President said the refusal to grant leave resulted in a miscarriage of justice.

The legal battle has fuelled speculation about political undertones, with some observers describing the dispute as a struggle for authority and control within the Senate.

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team said it is confident in the judiciary and described the Supreme Court appeal as a last-ditch effort.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to widespread reports claiming that a fire broke out at its headquarters in Abuja.

The apex bank made it clear that no such incident occurred at its Head Office.

According to the CBN, the claims making the rounds on social media are false and misleading. The bank described the reports as baseless and capable of causing unnecessary panic among the public if left unchecked.

In a clarification, the Central Bank stated that its Abuja headquarters remains safe and fully operational. It stressed that there was no fire outbreak in any part of the building, contrary to the rumours being circulated online.

The bank further warned against the spread of unverified information, noting that false reports about critical national institutions could undermine public confidence and disrupt normal activities.

It advised Nigerians to always confirm sensitive information through official and verified communication channels.

CBN also reminded members of the public and media practitioners of the importance of responsible information sharing, especially in an era where unconfirmed reports can spread rapidly across digital platforms.

The apex bank reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and assured Nigerians that it would promptly communicate any major development concerning its operations through its recognised platforms.

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Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have recorded the first decline in 25 weeks, falling by $263.151 million (equivalent of N381.569 billion) to $45.21 billion as of December 17, 2025, according to new data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The drop, which followed three consecutive days of outflows between December 15 and 17, marks a reversal of a long-running accumulation trend that pushed reserves to their highest level in six years.

The contraction ended a sustained build-up that had peaked at $45.472 billion on December 12.

By December 17, reserves had slipped to $45.209 billion, signalling renewed pressures on Nigeria’s external position.

What the data show 

The decline comes despite strong growth earlier in the year. CBN data shows that Nigeria’s gross official reserves rose by $1.5 billion month-on-month to $44.7 billion at end-November 2025.

Over the 11 months to November, reserves gained $3.8 billion, and by $7.5 billion since June, when they were at their year-to-date lows. A key driver was the $2.4 billion Eurobond issuance in November, part of which refinanced a $1.2 billion Eurobond maturity.

Nigeria’s reserves remained robust before the December decline, providing 13.9 months of merchandise import cover and 9.4 months when services were included, according to the balance of payments to March 2025.

Drivers: Slowing inflows, high demand, and heavy repayments 

FX inflows plunged by 67% month-on-month to $2.0 billion in November, the lowest since July 2024. Foreign portfolio inflows fell sharply to $593 million from $3.5 billion, while FDI collapsed to $10.4 million from $221 million, heightening pressure on the naira. Analysts blamed the reversals on the controversial Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

In addition, the CBN also settled multiple obligations between Dec. 15–18, including primary market repayments of:

• N9.103 billion
• N22.327 billion
• N70.857 billion in; and
• N537.750 billion in matured OMO repayments on Dec. 16, totaling N640.037 billion in debt repayments, possibly drawn from the buffers.

At the same time, the CBN conducted fresh OMO sales of N408 billion and N916.200 billion on December 11, totalling N1.324 trillion, which could have offset the debt repayments.

Seasonal Dollar Demand 

As in previous years, holiday travel, import settlements, and retail stockpiling intensified FX demand. Despite stronger reserves in November, the naira still weakened modestly as these pressures built.

Nevertheless, Nigeria’s reserve buffers remain significantly higher than the $40.19 billion recorded at end-2024 and $33.22 billion in 2023. Yet the timing of the decline underscores lingering fragility, especially as FX demand rises and global financial conditions tighten.

The reserves continue to provide strong import cover, but analysts warn that any prolonged period of subdued inflows or heavier repayments could weaken the naira stability profile.

Outlook: Festive pressures, remittance cushion ahead 

FBNQuest expects further festive season pressures on the naira, alongside potential upticks in inflation driven by import-led consumer spending. With the naira trading around N1,455/$ in late 2025, analysts say year-end demand could worsen short-term volatility.

However, stronger reserves, diaspora remittances, and recent Eurobond inflows are expected to cushion the currency and help the CBN manage liquidity.

Market sentiment may remain cautious, with possible short-term selloffs across equities and a tighter financial environment as FX demand peaks in early 2026.

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The United States government has expanded its travel restrictions on Nigerians, now suspending legal immigration applications, including green cards, naturalisation, and other permanent residency pathways.

This means that Nigerians are no longer able to submit new applications for these programs, nor will any pending applications be processed for the time being.

According to CBS News, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is enforcing the suspension under a recent proclamation by President Donald Trump.

The proclamation had earlier imposed partial travel restrictions on several developing countries, including Nigeria, affecting Nigerians applying for B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

The new suspension goes further, blocking immigration and citizenship pathways entirely.

Aside from Nigeria, the policy also affects Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nationals from these countries will no longer be eligible to apply for US citizenship or permanent residency. US authorities cite national security concerns as the reason for the decision.

They highlighted a “general lack of stability and government control” in the affected countries, which limits the ability to properly vet applicants or assess security risks.

USCIS added that it is “conducting a comprehensive review of anyone from anywhere who poses a threat to the U.S., including those identified in the President’s latest proclamation.”

As of now, the Nigerian government has not issued an official response to the expanded restrictions.

However, in previous engagements, Nigeria has expressed willingness to work with US authorities to address concerns around immigration processes and security cooperation.

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Grammy-winning Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy sent the crowd into a frenzy on Friday night after making an unannounced appearance during Shallipopi’s headline performance at the Iconiq Fest in Lagos.

The surprise moment unfolded at the Landmark Event Centre, where Burna Boy joined Shallipopi on stage during the closing segment of the rapper’s set.

Dressed casually, the global star instantly lifted the energy at the venue, turning the performance into what has since become the most talked-about moment of the festival’s three-day debut.

The duo thrilled fans with a live rendition of “Laho II (Remix)”, after which Burna Boy went on to perform his hit single “Dem Dey.” At one point, Shallipopi hailed Burna Boy as “ODG, the highest,” a remark that drew thunderous cheers from the packed audience.

Iconiq Fest ran from December 18 to 20, with Chike, BNXN and Shallipopi headlining across the three days. Other acts on the lineup included Famous Pluto and Zerry DL, as the festival carved out a strong place for itself in Lagos’ ever-growing “Detty December” calendar.

Organisers recorded a strong turnout throughout the event, with no major disruptions reported. Burna Boy’s unexpected appearance, however, stood out as the defining highlight, instantly dominating conversations on social media and among concertgoers.

In a December already filled with high-profile shows and musical comebacks, the unplanned collaboration served as a reminder that the most electric moments in live music are often the ones no one sees coming.

The post Burna Boy surprises Shallipopi at Lagos concert appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has assured the people of the state that his personnel will do everything under the law to ensure peace and safety during the Yuletide season.

CP Kankarofi, who stated this in a message signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP William Ovye Aya, solicited the cooperation of citizens to ease the police’s work in their respective communities.

“As we approach the joyous Christmas season and the New Year celebrations, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, urges the good people of Kogi State to partner with the Police and other security agencies in making this season a safe festive period for everyone.

“He further advised citizens to be wary of strangers loitering around their homes, businesses, and public places, saying that the people should report anyone acting suspiciously to the nearest police station or via the control room numbers,” the PPRO said.

The CP also warned citizens not to engage in or tolerate illegal gatherings, cult activities, or reckless behaviour, noting that the festive mood is no excuse for compromising the peace and security of the people.

“If you travel, drive safely and responsibly: inform your family of your route, avoid picking up strangers, ensure your vehicle is in good condition, obey road safety rules, and watch out for pedestrians, especially children and the elderly.

“Activate neighbourhood watch programmes by working with community leaders and PCRC members to ensure joint vigilance. Do not leave homes unattended. Install security lights, and inform neighbours if you’ll be away,” the CP advised.

He commended the people of the State for their usual resilience and compliance with the law, saying that with these simple precautions, the people can safeguard their families, friends, markets, churches, and roads.

“Let this Christmas be a season of hope, peace, and security! If you see something, contact the nearest police station immediately. Let’s collaborate: information from citizens helps us prevent crimes. We are stronger when communities and police unite. Together, let’s make Kogi a crime-free Christmas and beyond,” the CP said.

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has ordered the immediate deployment of additional officers and tow trucks along the Abuja–Lokoja Road.

The deployment is to ease the persistent traffic gridlock and ensure the prompt removal of obstructions.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, issued the directive, according to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal(ACM), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Sunday in Abuja.

Mohammed said the directive was part of ongoing efforts by the Corps to improve traffic management and guarantee the safety of road users.

This, he said, was especially during the current period of increased vehicular movement.

He explained that the congestion on the corridor was largely caused by a surge in traffic volume and the presence of multiple construction points along the road.

The corps marshal said that the actions of indisciplined and impatient motorists who drove against traffic worsened the situation.

According to him, also contributing to the gridlock is lane indiscipline and impatience as drivers violate rules especially around construction areas where diversions are created for ease of movement.

“The deployment of more personnel and towing equipment is aimed at enhancing traffic control, enforcing discipline among motorists and ensuring that broken-down vehicles or other obstructions are quickly cleared to restore free flow of traffic,” he said.

Mohammed urged motorists travelling on the Abuja–Lokoja Road during the season to cooperate fully with FRSC personnel and other traffic managers on duty.

He stressed that compliance with traffic rules and lawful instructions would go a long way in reducing delays and preventing crashes.

The corps marshal reassured road users of the FRSC’s commitment to continuous monitoring of the situation and sustained intervention to ensure smoother traffic flow and safer travel on the route.

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The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has commended Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for securing the successful revalidation of the operating licence for the Ondo Deep Sea Port, describing the development as a major milestone in the state’s economic advancement.

In a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, Afenifere said the revalidated licence clears all administrative hurdles and provides the legal and regulatory backing required for the full-scale development of the port.

The group noted that the achievement reflects purposeful leadership, strategic planning and institutional discipline in driving projects of national and regional importance, while also boosting investor confidence.

Afenifere highlighted the strategic advantage of the Ondo Deep Sea Port, noting that its depth will enable it to accommodate very large vessels that are unable to berth at the congested Lagos ports.

Ondo: Senator Ipinsagba lauds Aiyedatiwa over seaport certificate revalidation

According to the organisation, the facility will help decongest Nigeria’s busiest maritime corridor, improve cargo handling efficiency, shorten turnaround times and significantly reduce logistics costs, positioning Ondo State as a leading hub for next-generation port infrastructure.

The group added that the economic benefits of the port will extend beyond Ondo State, stimulating industrial growth across the South-West through petrochemical development, agro-export processing, manufacturing value chains and industrial clustering.

These, it said, would translate into massive job creation, skills development, technology transfer and increased revenue for both state and federal governments.

At the regional level, Afenifere noted that the port is expected to serve as a key gateway within the ECOWAS trade framework, enhancing trans-shipment services, deepening trade integration and strengthening West Africa’s participation in global maritime commerce.

The organisation also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for aligning the project with national economic diversification objectives under the blue economy agenda.

While commending Aiyedatiwa for sustaining momentum on the transformative project, Afenifere urged continued collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure timely completion and operational efficiency, describing the Ondo Deep Sea Port as a legacy infrastructure with the potential to deliver long-term prosperity for Ondo State, the South-West and Nigeria at large.

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A Professor of Transport Planning and Policy at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Samuel Gbadebo Odewumi, has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State.

Odewumi’s appointment was approved by the Federal Government and conveyed in a letter dated December 15, 2025, signed by the University Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mrs. Blossom Okorie, following the approval of the Visitor to the university, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The letter read in part:
“Further to the approval of the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as communicated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, I write on behalf of the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University to convey your appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, Nigeria.”

According to the letter, the appointment takes effect immediately and will remain in force pending the completion of the process for the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the university.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has congratulated Prof. Odewumi on his meritorious appointment, describing it as a recognition of his distinguished academic career, administrative competence, and outstanding contributions to scholarship.

She expressed confidence that Prof. Odewumi’s wealth of experience would significantly contribute to the growth, stability, and advancement of the University of Uyo, while wishing him a successful and impactful tenure.

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned inter-city road transport operators against arbitrary and unexplained fare increases during the ongoing yuletide travel period, following a surge in consumer complaints across several parts of the country.

The Commission acknowledged that seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other legitimate cost factors may influence transport pricing.

However, consumers are entitled to clear, accurate, and timely information on fares before travel. Any fare adjustment must therefore be transparently communicated and applied fairly, said Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, in a statement.

The FCCPC noted that these complaints come at a time when the pump price of premium motor spirit has reportedly been reduced in parts of the country.

While fuel costs are only one of several factors affecting transport fares, increases that are not properly explained or disclosed raise valid consumer protection concerns.

Commenting on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Tunji Bello, said FCCPC is closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive season and has intensified engagement with transport unions, park managers, and operators nationwide.

He explained that these engagements are preventive, aimed at promoting responsible pricing practices, voluntary compliance, and orderly market behaviour.

Mr. Bello clarified that price increases are not inherently unlawful. However, conduct that exploits consumers or takes unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory scrutiny under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

He further warned that practices such as inadequate fare disclosure, coercion, or coordinated pricing arrangements among operators to the detriment of consumers will be subject to strict regulatory action. Offenders, he added, face stiff penalties if violations are established.

Consumers have been advised to confirm fares before travel, retain proof of payment, and report any suspected unfair practices to the Commission via its complaint portal and official channels.

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