Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Harvard sued the Trump administration on Friday over its move to block the prestigious university from enrolling and hosting foreign students in a broadening dispute, a court filing showed. On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign nationals, throwing the future of thousands of students into doubt. President Donald Trump is furious at Harvard — which has produced 162 Nobel prize winners — for rejecting his demand that it submit to oversight on admissions and hiring over his claims that it is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and “woke” liberal ideology. His administration has already…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or resign from their positions. The directive was reportedly issued during an ongoing State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, where the governor openly confirmed his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC. Sources present at the meeting disclosed that Governor Eno made it clear that his defection should come as no surprise to any of his appointees, stating: “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my…

The Federal Government has filed a criminal case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television interview. The case, numbered CR/297/25, was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on May 16, 2025. Akpoti-Uduaghan is the sole defendant. The government accuses her of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” The charge falls under Section 391 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 392. Court documents reveal that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor…

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for immediate action following Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum’s recent claims that Boko Haram informants and terrorists operate within Nigeria’s political class and armed forces. Describing the revelation as “a damning indictment of the state of our nation,” Obi said in a statement on Thursday via X that if the allegations are true, they confirm long-standing fears among Nigerians of internal betrayal at the highest levels. “It is not just shocking; it is devastating. Our country is bleeding not only from external attacks but also from betrayal at the highest levels,”…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across the country, with new rates now ranging from N875 to N905 per litre, depending on location. The new price regime, which marks a N15 reduction per litre across all regions and partner retail outlets, was posted on the official social media handle of Dangote Refinery on Thursday. It applies to all major fuel marketers in partnership with the refinery, including MRS, Ardova, Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde Energy. In the earlier pricing template, Lagos residents paid N890 per litre,…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned a proposed bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians, warning that the bill is unconstitutional and a threat to democratic freedoms. In a statement issued by its president, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA described the bill, which proposes penalties including fines of up to ₦100,000 or imprisonment for those who fail to vote, as a “draconian affront” to civil liberties enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The bill is not only regressive but wholly inconsistent with the spirit and…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) has announced plans to conduct a mop-up examination for candidates who were unable to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME due to various reasons. The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with Chief External Examiners, state technical advisers, and other key stakeholders in Abuja. “We are also taking a decision immediately that all those who missed that examination for whatever reason — the 5 per cent or 6 percent that missed the examination — we would be having mop-up.…

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said that a stable and secure business environment will not only attract investments but also lead to economic growth. Atiku stated this while speaking at the Taraba International Investment Summit, tagged ‘Taravest,’ in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Wednesday. He said that Taraba’s economy holds significant investment potential and could be optimised to reap the benefits with the provision of a stable and secure investment climate. He identified agriculture, solid minerals and tourism are strategic to the development of…

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has continued with Justice James Omotosho warning one of his lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, against livestreaming the proceedings and court documents on the social media. During the trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, the defense team continued with cross examination of the government’s second witness, code named BBB. The day’s proceedings began with lead counsel for the defence, Kanu Agabi, SAN, informing the court of a letter by the lead counsel for the prosecution, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, dated 14th May, about illegal live streaming…

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that some Nigerian politicians and members of the armed forces are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents. Zulum made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he vowed that the state would strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.” “We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly. “Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an…