Spotlights
Crisis-hit Nigerian university students ordered to leave UK
Nigerian students have been thrown off university courses and ordered to leave the UK after a currency crisis left them struggling to pay tuition fees on time.
Teesside University students were blocked from their studies and reported to the Home Office after the value of Nigeria’s naira plummeted, wiping out their savings.
Some told the BBC they felt suicidal as they accused the university of taking a “heartless” approach to those who fell into arrears as a consequence.
A university spokesman said failure to pay was a breach of visa sponsorship requirements, and that it had “no choice” but to alert the Home Office. The Home Office said visa sponsorship decisions rested with the institution.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, which is having a significant impact on Nigerian students at some UK universities.
Average inflation is close to 30%, and the situation deteriorated when the country’s president attempted to replace old currency with new.
Some students accused the university of being “heartless”
Before beginning their studies at Teesside, affected students were told they had to show proof of having enough funds to pay tuition fees and living expenses.
However, those funds were significantly depleted as a result of the crisis in their home country.
This exacerbated financial problems already being experienced by students as a result of the university changing tuition fee payment plans from seven instalments to three.
A group of students, 60 of whom shared their names with the BBC, began pressing the university for support after a number of people who defaulted on payments were frozen out of university accounts and involuntarily withdrawn from their courses.
Some were reportedly also contacted by debt collection agencies contracted by the university.
Adenike Ibrahim, standing against a brick wall
Adenike Ibrahim was close to graduating when she had her visa revoked
Adenike Ibrahim was close to handing in her dissertation at the end of two years of study when she missed one payment and was then kicked off her course and reported to the Home Office.
She subsequently paid the outstanding fees, but said she had not been re-enrolled and was told she must leave the country, along with her young son.
“I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90% of my tuition fees and I went to all of my classes,” she said.
“I called them and asked to reach an agreement, but they do not care what happens to their students.”
She said the experience was “horrendous” and she did not know what was happening with her qualification.
“It has been heartbreaking for my son especially, he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ms Ibrahim added.
No right of appeal
The Home Office told students, including Ms Ibrahim, that their permission to enter the UK had been cancelled because they stopped studying at the university.
The letters, seen by the BBC, offer a date by which the student must leave the country and say they do not have a “right of appeal or administrative review against the decision”.
Since receiving his letter, one masters degree student – who did not want to be named – said he had seriously considered suicide and was not eating or drinking.
The university said it had made “every effort” to support affected students, who had now been offered individual meetings with specialist staff and bespoke payment plans where requested.
Esther Obigwe against a brick wall
Esther Obigwe is avoiding telling her family about what has happened to her as she is so embarrassed
Esther Obigwe said she repeatedly tried to speak to the university about her financial struggles but received no response, until she too was blocked from her studies and received notice to leave the country.
“I attended all of my classes and seminars, I’m a hell of an active student,” she said.
“It is disheartening, I am now on antidepressants and being here alone, I have nobody to talk to.
“For over two months, I’ve barely eaten or slept and I don’t understand why this is being meted at us, we didn’t do anything wrong.”
She added that most of the students had “spent a lot of money to be here”.
Jude Salubri
Jude Salubri wants the university to reinstate affected students and engage more with them
Jude Salubi, who was studying to be a social worker, was midway through a placement when he was told his access to the university was suspended and he would have to leave the country.
Prior to that, he travelled from Teesside to Liverpool each weekend to work 18 hours in an attempt to pay off the outstanding fees.
“As of now I have paid £14,000 and have a balance of £14,000,” he said.
“I am willing to come to an agreement as to how I will make this payment, but I need guarantees that I will be re enrolled into school and my visa restored.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can find advice here.
Some affected students have managed to pay off outstanding fees, but the university is now unable to intervene in the Home Office process, the BBC understands.
A university spokesman said: “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population but is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance.
“These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.”
The spokesman added it was “aware of the challenging financial situation faced by some students” and had “actively offered bespoke payment plans where requested”.
“This option has been taken up by many of our international students; however, some students have still defaulted on these revised payment plans,” he said.
The Home Office said a decision to offer or withdraw visa sponsorship rested with the sponsoring institution.
A spokesman said wherever a visa was shortened or cancelled, individuals should “take steps to regularise their stay or make arrangements to leave the UK”.
Source: BBC
President Paul Biya has been declared winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, extending his rule to a record eighth consecutive term despite opposition claims of electoral fraud.
The Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya, 92, emerged victorious in the country’s disputed poll, cementing his position as the world’s oldest serving head of state. The result means Biya, who has ruled since 1982, will remain in power until 2032.
However, the declaration has been met with strong rejection from opposition leaders. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Biya’s main challenger, had earlier declared himself the winner, insisting that the official result would be “tainted” and “not reflective of the people’s will.”
The senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has said he feels sorry for men who have only one wife, arguing that polygamy gives men greater stability and balance.
The lawmaker stated this on Sunday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He also addressed recent allegations of domestic violence made against him by his actress wife, Regina Daniels.
When asked how he manages to live with four wives, something many men find difficult, Nwoko paused briefly before replying.
“That is a different topic for discussion on another day. Yes, every man should do that. The example I give is this: just imagine telling you to stand on one foot or leg. You know how difficult it is.
“But to stand on two, three, four is much more balanced. That’s just the example I give. So I feel sorry for those who have one wife because it’s difficult to stand on one leg,” he said.
When reminded that the Holy Bible does not support polygamy, Nwoko maintained that it does. “The Old Testament does. I am a man of faith. But that’s not what we are here for,” he said.
Asked if he had any regrets about his marital choices, the senator said he did not.
“No, I don’t have any regret. I will do the same thing again. Of course, that’s the way it should be. You should marry who you want to marry,” he stated.
Reacting to the allegations of domestic violence, Nwoko denied the claims. “No, come on. You know I am not a violent person. I respect my wives. I love them and my kids,” he said.
His comments came shortly after Regina Daniels, his estranged wife, showed off a newly acquired mansion on social media amid reports of a marital crisis.
Tribune Online reports that in a post on Instagram on Sunday, the Nollywood actress shared photos and videos of the property with the caption, “In my house, I am a Queen! I needed a roof over my head, so I got this for me and my family.”
The post came after a viral video from October 18 showed her in tears outside her Abuja residence, alleging abuse.
“In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing, but in my own house, I am a Queen. Not again. I can’t stand the violence, it’s too much,” she said.
Nigerians are experiencing a sense of relief as the naira shows significant improvement in value against major currencies such as the US dollar, British pound, and euro.
As the naira gains strength, many are optimistic that this shift could lead to a more stable financial environment and improved purchasing power for the average Nigerian.
The strong performance comes as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) formally announced Nigeria’s removal from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, known as the “grey list”, following a successful on-site evaluation of reforms implemented across the financial system.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows that the naira has appreciated against the dollar to N1,455.50, a significant rise compared to the N1,630 per dollar recorded in July.
Naira also improved against the pound and euro, exchanging at N1,946.5 per pound and N1,696 per euro, respectively.
In the parallel market, checks by Legit.ng confirmed a similar trend. The naira exchanged between N1,482 and N1,492 per dollar, down from N1,520 recorded earlier in the week.
The pound also weakened to around N2,000, while the euro fell to N1,720. Abubakar Musa, a trader, told Legit.ng “The market is in favour of naira in the last few days. There is more forex in the market reason we are selling pound below N2,000 exchange rate.”
CFA: N2.59
Yuan/Renminbi: N204.70
Danish Krona: N227.04
Euro: N1,696.33
Yen: N9.54
Riyal: N388.77
South African Rand: N84.43
Swiss Franc: N1,834.83
Pound Sterling: N1,946.52
US Dollar: N1,457.96
In February 2023, the FATF, a financial crimes watchdog based in France, placed Nigeria on the grey list.
The message from the global community was clear: the nation needed more vigorous enforcement, better coordination, and greater transparency.
The removal of Nigeria from the grey list showed that the country has made progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, said that the removal of Nigeria from the grey list means a whole lot, noting it will boost the naira. Also, Tayo Oviosu, CEO of Paga, said: “This is a big deal because it opens up the country for FDI and engagement from the West, especially.”
The CBN also welcomed the FATF decision reinforces the broader restoration of global confidence in Nigeria’s economic management.
Source: MyNigeria
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that God in heaven is a God of justice, as reported by Daily Post.
Kanu disclosed this while arriving at the Abuja Federal High Court to begin his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial.
He accused lawyers of not knowing what the law and justice is.
According to Kanu: “You are here you don’t know what law is, you don’t know what Justice is. You don’t know that God is a God of Justice, you don’t know that?
“You don’t know that God in heaven is a God of Justice, you don’t know that?”
The IPOB leader is expected to begin his defence today after he names some imminent Nigerians to testify in his trial.
Last week, Kanu had disengaged his lawyers, stressing that he would defend himself before the Justice James Omotosho-led court.
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected baby factory and human trafficking syndicate operating in Ore, the headquarters of the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, according to Channels Television.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.
Ayanlade said the case, which originated from the Ore division, had been transferred to the Command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit for thorough investigation.
The discovery followed a report made on October 21, 2025, by a 17-year-old girl, identified as Vivian Peter from Akwa Ibom State, who told the police that she had been trafficked from her home state to Ore under the guise of securing a job opportunity.
Upon arrival in Ore, the teenager was allegedly taken to a facility posing as a clinic, which later turned out to be a baby factory.
There, she reportedly met other pregnant girls being held against their will.
She disclosed that the operator of the facility, Ada Clement, instructed her to be taken to another hospital for a medical scan, but she managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ore Police Division.
Acting swiftly on the report, police operatives from the Ore division, in collaboration with the gender unit, raided the facility, rescuing five pregnant girls and a baby boy.
One of the victims had already given birth and is currently receiving post-natal care at the General Hospital, Ore, while the others are in protective custody.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the prime suspect, Ada Clement, and some of her accomplices had confessed to operating the baby factory.
They reportedly admitted that the babies were sold to individuals seeking children, with male babies going for ₦600,000 and above, and female babies for ₦400,000 and above.
Ayanlade noted that the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation to ensure that all members of the syndicate are arrested and prosecuted.
He noted that detectives from the Command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit were already on the trail of other fleeing members of the ring.
Lawal reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in the fight against human trafficking, child exploitation, and all forms of gender-based violence.
Lawal assured the public that the Command would continue to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for victims of such heinous crimes.
Proposals for new states in Nigeria are gaining traction after successfully passing the second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bills, sponsored by lawmakers from various regions, aim to create new administrative entities by dividing existing states.
If approved, these new states could significantly alter the country’s geopolitical landscape and governance framework.
Below is a comprehensive listicle detailing each proposed state.
Ibadan State: On 9 October 2025, the Cable reported that a bill seeking to create Ibadan State from the existing Oyo State had passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Abass Adigun—who represents the Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East federal constituency—aimed to amend the 1999 Constitution to facilitate the creation of the new state.
Ijebu State: On 23 October 2025, Vanguard confirmed that the House of Representatives had passed for second reading a bill proposing the creation of Ijebu State from the present Ogun State.
The legislation was sponsored by Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, representing Ijebu Ode/Ijebu North East/Odogbolu Federal Constituency, alongside three other lawmakers.
The bill’s progression through the second reading stage depicted the growing demand for administrative decentralisation in the South-West, with proponents arguing that the Ijebu region deserved its own statehood due to its historical and economic significance.
Oke-Ogun, Ife-Ijesa, and Ijebu States featured in multi-state creation bill: In March 2025, Dailyrust reported that four bills seeking the creation of additional states had successfully passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Among them was a consolidated bill sponsored by Rep. Oluwole Oke, which proposed the creation of three new states: Oke-Ogun State, Ijebu State, and Ife-Ijesa State.
This legislative package aimed to amend Part 1 of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. The inclusion of Ijebu State in this bill reaffirmed its legislative traction, while Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesa emerged as fresh contenders for statehood in the South-West region.
Tiga state proposal gains ground in Kano region: Also among the bills reported by Dailyrust was HB.1308, sponsored by Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijani. This legislation sought to create Tiga State from the present Kano State, with Rano proposed as the state capital.
The bill’s advancement to second reading reflected growing calls for administrative restructuring in the North-West, where population density and regional diversity have fuelled demands for more localised governance.
Orlu State: Rep. Ikweagwuonu Ugochinyere sponsored HB.1430, a bill proposing the creation of Orlu State in the South-East region of Nigeria. According to Dailyrust, the bill passed second reading in March 2025, marking a significant step in the campaign for increased representation and autonomy in the region.
The proposed Orlu State would be carved from existing territories in the South-East, aiming to address long-standing concerns over political marginalisation and resource allocation.
Etiti State: Another South-East initiative was sponsored by Rep. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi. The bill proposed the creation of Etiti State, with Okigwe designated as its capital.
It successfully passed second reading in March 2025, as reported by Dailyrust. The legislation aimed to carve Etiti State from the existing five states in the South-East, reflecting a strategic push to enhance administrative efficiency and regional development.
While the bills have cleared second reading, they must still undergo further scrutiny and approval before any new states can be officially created.
World’s Oldest President Paul Biya Wins 8th Term In Cameroon
Men With One Wife Are In Bondage – Nigeria Senator Defends Polygamy
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