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.”

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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

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Nigeria Police Force has explained the reasons behind the transfer of human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to Kuje Prison shortly after he was granted bail by the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday, as reported by The Punch.

Sowore was initially arrested by the police on Thursday on charges bordering on incitement and alleged breach of public peace.

His arrest followed his organisation of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday, despite prior warnings from the police.

He was subsequently arraigned alongside 12 others before the Kuje Magistrate Court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court granted bail to Sowore with N500,000 and two sureties, which his legal team was working to perfect at the time of the police action.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja shortly after the incident, human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, accused the police of violently attacking and removing Sowore moments after his bail was granted.

Adeyanju alleged that more than 50 armed officers stormed the court premises, descended on Sowore, and took him away by force while refusing to present a valid remand order.

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“Sowore had just been granted bail, and while we were conferring with him here, the police suddenly launched an attack. More than 50 officers violently descended on him and took him away by force. We don’t even know where they have taken him,” he said.

He said the officer who led the operation briefly displayed what he claimed was a remand order but refused to allow Sowore’s lawyers to inspect it.

Adeyanju said, “The officer flashed the document, and when we insisted on reviewing it, he pocketed it and ordered that they must go. When we asked where they were taking him, he said Kuje Prison. We demanded to see the remand order as endorsed by the court, but he refused.”

He further alleged that during the scuffle, the police accused Sowore of insulting the Inspector General of Police, saying, “Because Sowore called the IG useless, they must deal with him.”

The lawyer said the officers tore Sowore’s shirt during the confrontation and dragged him away even as his legal team was still perfecting his bail conditions.

However, while responding to Sowore’s re-arrest via X (formerly Twitter), the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police acted within the law, adding that officers were empowered to use commensurate force to carry out their duties.

Hundeyin, who attached a remand warrant to his post, wrote, “Except we want to be mischievous, we all know that once court grants a suspect bail, it comes with the caveat that until the bail conditions are met, the suspect remains in custody.

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“Where it is clearly spelt out on the remand warrant that the suspect be remanded in a correctional facility, not police custody, it is the duty of the police to hand over the suspect to the Nigeria Correctional Service, who would then process his bail conditions.

“This has always been the practice. Why should this be different? Also, as law enforcement officers, we are empowered by law to employ commensurate force to get our mandate achieved.”

Nyesom Wike, who serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria, has addressed the recent summons for him to testify as a witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the controversial leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is a group banned by the Nigerian government.

According to reports from Legit, Wike’s response comes amid increasing scrutiny and discussions surrounding the trial, which has significant implications for national security and the political landscape.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers, said he would not appear in court to be Nnamdi Kanu’s witness because the detained IPOB leader mentioned his name, but he would appear if he was summoned by the court.

Wike responds to Nnamdi Kanu

The minister explained that if he were formally summoned by the court to provide or summon, he would not hesitate to comply. He added that nobody has served him with any court summons while speaking during a media chat on Friday, October 24.

His statement reads in part: “You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process; nobody has subpoenaed me.”

The minister further disclosed that he was not aware of the reason why the IPOB leader listed him as a witness in the ongoing terror charges against him, but promised to make himself available if he was summoned by the court.

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Nnamdi Kanu speaks on his trial

Nnamdi Kanu recently mentioned Wike and one other President Bola Tinubu’s minister and those who worked with late President Muhammadu Buhari as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial.

The detained Nnamdi Kanu also mentioned two sitting governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the southeast and southwest, and several top security chiefs from the Buhari administration were also mentioned.